KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid and Quarterback Patrick Mahomes fielded questions during a presser Thursday. Following are their comments.
Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid. Photos courtesy Chiefs
OPENING STATEMENT: "As far as the injuries go, the guys that won't practice today are Blake Bell, with a high ankle sprain, and then (Emmanuel) Ogbah actually had surgery on his pectoral tear, but he is still on the roster right now. I have to mention him. (Alex) Okafor, with the high ankle sprain, he won't practice today either. We look forward to the challenge of playing the Chargers in Mexico City. We know that our neighbors to the south love the sport and that they look forward to us being there. We look forward to being there and having a good performance. It's important though that we stay focused on the job at hand, and that's practice today and getting ready for a very good Chargers football team. That's where we begin. Our people here have taken care of all of the travel plans and everything. That's all put in place, and our guys have a pretty good vision of what they're going to go through for the travel part of it. Now, it's important that we know what we are going to go through with the football part and get ourselves ready to play against a good football team. With that, time's yours."
Q: How do you prepare the team to play at a higher altitude?
REID: "We've done our research on that, obviously. We feel that the way we handle it is one of the ways of doing it. Not that the other ways aren't, we just feel comfortable with this."
Q: How much of that research involved discussions with Sporting Kansas City, a team that also traveled to Mexico and played a game there recently?
REID: "We haven't done that. Everybody has their thing that they do. Right or wrong, I don't know that. I just know that (Vice President of Sports Medicine & Performance) Rick (Burkholder) and his crew did the research there. We were asked the same thing last year. We feel comfortable again doing it this way."
Q: Did playing in Denver a few weeks ago prepare the team, as far as playing at altitude?
REID: "I'm not sure how much preparation you can get in a very short period of time. I don't think that carries over to this physiologically, I don't think it does – I’m saying playing in Denver. Again, I'm not saying what other people are doing, other people do what they do, I'm just saying that for us, that's where we're at."
Q: In terms of travel plans, how different is this week?
REID: "We're trying to keep it very similar to what we do, without changes. We're lucky it's here and that we're not going to London. It's relatively close to where we don't have to go an extra day or do that type of thing. We can do our normal flight plans, and when we get to the hotel, the normal procedure there."
Q: Now that we're a few days removed from the game, how did Patrick Mahomes' kneecap respond to that first game back?
REID: "He did good. Everything held up well. There were no issues during the game."
Q: Can you put into perspective how remarkable Mitchell Schwartz’s consecutive snap streak was?
REID: "I think they should Roger Maris it and put an asterisk next to it for him coming out and still going back in. He's a tough kid, now. I thought our trainers and he both worked together, and it allowed him to go back and play. Mitch is one of those guys, he knows how to go about doing it and he has been fortunate, I think. You’ve got to hit the brakes the right way, but you also have to work hard – work hard at your craft and play the game. He does a great job with it."
Q: Do you expect Schwartz to practice today?
REID: "Yeah, he'll be out there. I'm not telling you that he's not tender. He's tender, but he'll be out there."
Q: Do you have any concerns with the field at Estadio Azteca?
REID: "No. We're going and we know that it will be great hospitality. We know that, as you do. They're good people that have welcomed us into their country. We're going to go and try to play the best football we can. That's really the bottom line with it."
Q: What do you expect the environment to be like at Estadio Azteca?
REID: "We played in London a couple of years back. There are fans for both sides, and other teams. I know that Dallas has a great contingent, the Pittsburgh Steelers have a great contingency there, and they all come to the game because there's one game. There's a buzz that takes place throughout the whole game. There's noise, which is great. That's a good thing. I think it's equal for both teams. But you're going to have to deal with some noise. There are a lot of people in that stadium and they're excited for both teams to be there, so there's going to be noise. We get that."
Q: Have you been told anything about the field conditions at Estadio Azteca?
REID: "Everything that I've been told has been positive."
Q: What is the significance of a divisional game at this point in the season?
REID: "Our focus is on the game. We think they're all important. But obviously, it's separated into divisions, so we think that it is important that we play well, practice well and do our things. Not that the other weeks aren't, but it is in the division and you want to make sure that you play well in the division."
Q: The London game in 2015 seemed to galvanize the team toward to a playoff berth. Given where the game is this year, in Week 11, can this be a bonding experience for the guys in the locker room?
REID: "That's hard to predict. I'm not saying that I don't agree with you about London, but who knew that going there, right? None of us said, 'OK, it's going to be a bonding experience.' So, I don't know. I've never been to this game. I don't know that. I would expect our guys to play together and play well, and the coaches to do their thing. Then, you see. Those are kind of hindsight things that you look at. It's hard to predict."
Q: The last team within the division to beat you were these Chargers. A lot of things have changed in the last year since then, how are the Chargers playing right now?
REID: "They're a good football team. They're talented. They're well-coached. That's the way we prepare for it. They did, they got us. They're a different team now, but we needed to do better in that game, and we'll need to play good football in this game. Nothing else matters. You have to go practice and make sure that you get yourself right to go play against a good football team."
Q: Does Philip Rivers look different now compared to a few years ago?
REID: "No, he and Tom (Brady) are drinking from the right fountain. They're amazing guys. Both of them love to play. Drew Brees is another one. You're seeing this. To have that many quarterbacks that are that age is great for the league, because you have an influx of young guys and with these older guys, it's a great blend. I think all three of those guys work tremendously hard at what they do. They are smart guys and good football players."
Q: Now more than midway through the season, what are your general thoughts on how much the option to challenge a pass interference call has had an impact on your decision-making processes, whether or not to throw challenge flag?
REID: "We talk about it when things happen. We've talked to the league office on where things are. They've sent out things to us about trends and those types of things, like they do. We think we handle that well. (Statistical Analysis Coordinator) Mike Frazier does a great job with all of that. We evaluate the situation. They're all different. If we need to challenge, we challenge. If not, we don't. Then, you go with it."
Q: What's the unique challenge that the Chargers defense presents?
REID: "Two great rush ends that are the best in the business. They're very well-coached. They've got experienced linebackers and their secondary flies around. They obviously have a Pro Bowl corner and the other one is from BYU, so they're all great."
Chiefs Quarterback Patrick Mahomes
Q: How are you doing after a full game?
MAHOMES: “Yeah, I think I feel really good honestly. Just going out there and playing the game and doing the things I’ve grown accustomed to doing like scrambling and all that different type of stuff and coming out healthy is a positive sign and I’m glad I can keep moving forward with that.”
Q: Was there any moment in the game Sunday where you reached a point and realized that you are ok?
MAHOMES: “I don’t think so. The moment I got on that and you get your mind off of it and you’re able to focus on what you need to focus on in order to have success as a team, that was the moment for me. I think during pregame and during the week you’re trying to push it to see what you can do and what you can’t do. I think when I got on the field I was good to go and everything I had done with the trainers and doctors had prepared me for the game.”
Q: When was the last time you felt this good physically?
MAHOMES: “I would say going into the Jacksonville game. Just not having to worry about the ankle or not have to worry about the knee and just being able to go out there and play football the way that I have been able to play it my whole career so far.”
Q: Once the game started was it really out of your mind?
MAHOMES: “No, I think you can’t really think about those things. When you’re playing this sport, you have to be focused on what you need to be focused on in order to have success. The little things, if you aren’t thinking about them or not focused on them, those will come back to hurt you in the end. For me, I was just focused on the football play and whatever I needed to do in order to have success.”
Q: I know Alex Smith means a lot to you and we’re coming up on the anniversary of his injury. What was it like when you saw that and what kind of contact do you have with Alex now?
MAHOMES: “I talk to Alex (Smith) off and on. Obviously, he’s an amazing guy and someone that helped me out a ton when I was here. Obviously I was very hurt about the injury and about him because I know what type of guy he is and how much work he puts in to this profession and how much he gives back to his family and the community. I know that he’s still grinding and doing whatever he can to get back on the field and I know that he is the type of person that has the mindset he will be back and better than ever.”
Q: Do you stay in touch with him regularly?
MAHOMES: “Just now and again, like once every two or three months. Just staying in touch with him. He taught me a lot in the one year I got to be with him and it helped me a ton about being a professional and being a person.”
Q: During your recovery you spent a lot of time here, when you were out in public did a lot of people come up to you with ways to help get better?
MAHOMES: “I think it came from my family more than anything. They were trying to check in on me as much as possible. I knew if I trusted what the trainers and doctors told me then they would steer me in the right direction. Obviously still listening to my family and everyone like that. I was just trying to prepare myself and do everything to get back out there.”
Q: How excited are you to play in Mexico and what is the challenge of the altitude for you?
MAHOMES: “I’m obviously very excited to play in Mexico with the stadium, the history, the people and fan base that’s down there. It’s going to be an amazing atmosphere. The altitude to me is something that’s just part of it. I’m going to trust what Rick (Burkholder) and Coach Reid and their plan and the process. I’ve never been affected, knock on wood, never been affected like in Denver or anything like that. I know it’s supposed to be twice as high or whatever but I’m going to go out there and focus on the game and what I can in order to have success.”
Q: This last game it seemed like it was the little things that cost you the game, have you all as a group talked about how to fix up those things?
MAHOMES: “Yeah, the separation in the NFL is tiny. From who the best team is to the worst team, everybody can beat anybody every single day and we know that as a team. You play with these guys no matter what team they’re on and we knew going into that game they were going to be a team with a lot of talent and they were going to fight. They were in the same situation we’re kind of in now where they need to win the game. For us, as an offense and as a defense and special teams, we didn’t execute at a high enough level to win that game. We understand now that we’re at that point where we are in a battle now. We’re going to go out there every single day and make sure that we can execute at a higher level because we haven’t been this whole season and play the way we know how to play. I mean we talk about that as a team, but I think that is the mindset Coach Reid has instilled in us and the mindset we’re going to have moving forward.”
Q: How much pride do you take in being able to execute the jump pas you worked on this off season?
MAHOMES: “I try to work on both of them. I try to put myself in situations throughout the whole offseason that I would be in during the game. I think that goes back to my training with Bobby Stroupe, he’s known me my whole life, so he understands how to put me in these positions to strengthen them. Going back to the fundamentals at the same time to make sure I’m just as good or even better at those. I just want to put myself in these situations so whenever that one situation comes, that you’re ready for it. I think you learn those things from guys like Kobe Bryant and guys like that who shoot thousands and thousands of shots that may have never taken but in that one situation they are ready for it and they take it.”
Q: What was going through your mind on the touchdown pass from that one situation you have worked on?
MAHOMES: “It’s obvious you get that excitement and obviously you’re happy because you executed at a high level. At the time it was a big play in the game when we scored and went up by about two scores. I think just the fact we were able to execute, and it was a great route by Mecole (Hardman). A route that he probably wouldn’t have been able to run at the beginning of this year and it shows that he’s progressing and getting better every single week. I think just keeping the excitement of the game and enjoying it is always important.”
Q: Many people compare you to Steph Curry in the NBA, what does it mean to you to be compared to someone of that caliber?
MAHOMES: “It’s obviously really cool and amazing to be compared to someone like that. He is someone who has been at the top of the game for a very long time. For me, I have so much longer to go getting anywhere near that level. Those guys have been consistent and great every single year for their entire career and for me, I’m just getting started and I understand that. I obviously love to hear it and love to see it, but I know I have so much to prove to even get anywhere near that.”
Q: Is there something special about seeing a young guy like Mecole Hardman making those big plays? Is it just a little bit more fun since you are seeing it for the first time with him?
MAHOMES: “I think it’s always fun no matter who it is. That’s the great thing about this team, as a unit we don’t care who is the guy making the play. We just want to go out there and have success together. That’s why you see the enjoyment from each person like Tyreek (Hill) chasing Damien (Williams) down when he scored a touchdown to celebrate with him. That’s part of it, and you have to enjoy this game every single week. It’s a grind, but it’s fun when you get to do it together as team.”
Q: Is there anything special you are doing in your football preparation to be able to play in the altitude?
MAHOMES: “I don’t think so. I’m just going to prepare like if we were playing at Arrowhead. I’m just going to prepare myself for the game knowing we’re going to play at an amazing stadium in front of a great fan base. I know the team will have us ready when we get there.”
Q: Is your family coming with you to Mexico?
MAHOMES: “No, they aren’t getting to come. They’re definitely going to be watching and excited for me to go play.”
Q: Is there anything specific Rick Burkholder and the training staff have said to prepare for playing down there?
MAHOMES: “Obviously you are going to try to stay hydrated and try to get the right amount of rest but I think that’s stuff you do as the season goes on every single year. As the season goes on, you have to make sure your body is in the best condition because it’s a long season. We’re excited to get to go to a place like that and get to play.”
Q: Do you still think you can throw 100 yards in Mexico?
MAHOMES: “I don’t know if I’ll have to test it. Maybe if we’re on the one-yard line, then I’ll probably stick to throwing it not too far like I did with Tyreek this last week.”
Q: Tyreek has been rated really high since he returned from his injury. Since you watch a lot of football, would you regard him as one of the best in the league right now?
MAHOMES: “I think when people rank people and do that type of stuff it’s more towards the media and stuff. We just go out there and be the best players we can be. For me, I know he is someone I wouldn’t want anyone else for. He’s able to have that explosiveness, he’s able to have that speed but he’s able to run routes and highpoint stuff and really do stuff I’ve never seen anyone else be able to do. I think that is just a testament to his work ethic and a testament to the way he prepares his body and prepares himself mentally to go out there and have success every single week.”
Q: Have you been to Mexico before?
MAHOMES: “I have not been to Mexico before other than a cruise when I stopped through maybe for a day. For me, I’m excited to get to go and like I said the stadium is going to be amazing and I’m excited to be there.”
Q: What’s your rehab been like since you made it through a game and what do you anticipate it to be for the rest of the season?
MAHOMES: “I think as I went through rehab, I understood that even if I’m not necessarily hurt that I still need to take care of my body at that same level. For me, I think as I mature as a person I need to take care of my body each and every day. I’ll still have the same schedule as far as what I need to do to prepare myself each week for the football game, and I’ll add in the extra time that I have and maybe an extra hour here or there to go make sure I’m in the training room getting myself right.”