S MIKE EDWARDS
Q: How did this opportunity with the Chiefs open for you again?
EDWARDS: “I was in contact with (Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo) Spags since I left the first time, so I always give a shout to Spags. Yeah, they just reached out to my agent, and they had brought some contact to me when my free agency started and then just kind of talked about how I could fit in and things like that. Just thought it would be a good idea to join the crew again and do that reunion.”
Q: What do you think it is about the things that Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo does that fits your game and can kind of get you back to the production that you had when you were last here?
EDWARDS: “(Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo) Spags is just a real creative guy. He’s a mastermind behind how all of this works. He kind of just like mixes everything up so the offense doesn’t really know what we’re doing and can have guys all over the place and doing different things and being interchangeable. With his defense, I think I can fit in really well just because I feel like I can play all over the field and Spags is one of those guys that likes to use his players to their strengths and likes to use them all over the place. I feel like when I was playing the first time, I kind of got into that rhythm as I got better throughout the season, and I figured out how Spags really wanted to play me and use me all over. I feel like he’s just a great coach and he’s going to have everybody in the right spot where they need to be.”
Q: How is this time different for you mindset-wise? With Justin Reid gone, will you be stepping into a leadership role with this group?
EDWARDS: “In the first time, I was coming into a first time (with) a new team. You know, I was in Tampa for the first four years and then coming to a new team, so it was kind of different for me. Then, knowing that they (Kansas City) had just won a Super Bowl a year prior so I was trying to get adjusted as best as I could. I knew what kind of guys that they had over here, but I didn’t really know exactly who was over there, so it was kind of a little bit hard to get adjusted, but once the Chiefs and the players and all the coaches were real family-oriented and brought me into their world. I feel like during the season I was trying to get acclimated to the playbook and everything that comes with it, being on a new team. Now, I feel like I kind of know everything about them – the whole players, all the players and the coaches and (I) know the playbook so it won’t be too hard as far as getting ready for a new team because I’m kind of already familiar with everything. I feel like it will be a different direction as far as taking on a leadership role with J-Reid (Saints S Justin Reid) being gone. He had that – I mean, he’s one of the select few guys that I know that has that type of leadership style that he puts on and shares with his teammates and everything, so I’ll try to pick up as best as I can and follow his footsteps and try to take on that role being the older guy in that room, I guess. As year seven, it sounds crazy to say, but yeah, so I take on that role and I feel like I can do that just because I feel like I have that respect from the coaches and my fellow teammates and knowing the playbook like I said and trying to get on that role as best as I can. So, as soon as I get there (on) day one, I’ll just try to take on that role for sure.”
DE JANARIUS ROBINSON
Q: What are you trying to prove with this opportunity with the Chiefs?
ROBINSON: “First, I just want to give a special thanks to (Chiefs Chairman and CEO) Mr. (Clark) Hunt, (Chiefs General Manager) Brett Veach and then (Head) Coach Andy Reid for giving me this wonderful opportunity here at the Chiefs. It’s just about coming here, willing to work, put in the time and necessary things to put myself in the best position to reach the potential and be the best player that I can be and go out there and show what I can do.”
Q: What is it about Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and Defensive Line Coach Joe Cullen that makes you feel like they can maximize what you bring to the table?
ROBINSON: “Just over their (Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and Defensive Line Coach Joe Cullen) career and over the years of them being coaches and just seeing how the defense plays in the scheme that they’re in, I feel like I’m a perfect fit for that so that’s ultimately one of the reasons why I decided to come to the Chiefs. To just come out here and just play hard and do what I need to do and play within the defense to put myself in the best position at this point in my career.”
Q: What’s the most important thing you have learned over the years being with different teams?
ROBINSON: “Just come in willing to learn and willing to build friendships and relationships with people within the building and within the team and I think that’s what really makes the transition very easy.”
DE CHARLES OMENIHU
Q: What do you feel like is left for you in your time here in Kansas City?
OMENIHU: “What’s left in my time? I mean, just – I think playing a full season, that’s a big thing for me, playing a full season and what comes with that. Playing my best kind of ball, playing all – hopefully 20 games, 21 games, whatever the case may be and just having an all-around good year – great year where there’s no distractions on my mind or nothing (that) I have to overcome. Kind of just smooth ride and help the team in every way that I can.”
Q: Do you fee like playing for Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and Defensive Line Coach Joe Cullen has made you a better player?
OMENIHU: “Yeah, 100 percent. I mean, I had my career year in a shortened season that I had my first year with the Chiefs. So, obviously, it’s obvious that that – it equates to that the system is doing well, the coaching is doing well. I’ve improved as a player. I foresee that continuing being this is my third year in the system, so I know the system now like the back of my hand.”
Q: Can you share about the ebbs and flows of free agency and what led you to return to Kansas City?