Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid Quotes
August 19, 2024
OPENING STATEMENT: “Okay, the guys who won’t practice today are Marquise (Hollywood Brown), (Jaaron) Hayek, Nazeeh Johnson just has a slight hamstring strain from the game, and then Truman Jones – his knee’s bothering him a little bit. Chris Jones is still coming back – feeling much better. McKade (Mettauer) and then (James) Winchester with that AC sprain. We’re just going to hold him out. We’ve signed a center who will come in and do the long snapping for us this week until he gets back. As far as the rotation goes for the Bears, I’ll probably sit the starters, the way it looks right now. We’ll have the other guys get out there and play. We’ll just see how that goes rep-wise. With that, the time is yours.”
Q: What goes into your decision of who plays?
REID: “I look at (the) number of plays between camp and preseason games. We’re up some 50 plays from the year before in camp. I was able to monitor that and work it in with the preseason games.”
Q: Did you end up having more camp days because of adding that window at the start?
REID: “It was the same.”
Q: Same number of days?
REID: “Yeah, we just didn’t have to go inside, and sometimes when we go inside you have to cut back a few plays just with the tight walls there – tight space.”
Q: Is there any position group that you’re focused on watching this Thursday night?
REID: “Really all of them. When you look at it, we’re playing so many young guys. I want to see where we’re at there. We didn’t block and tackle very well with that second and third group – both sides of the ball. I really want to give them more of an opportunity. Sometimes the ones – they get a lot of reps during camp practices. Let’s get these guys (the backups) some more reps here. Then, especially, when we’re getting ready to cut down, (we) get a little better feel on those guys in a game situation. I think this will be valuable for a lot of them. I can’t tell you one position (that I’m watching). I try to look at all of them and just see where we’re at.”
Q: What were your takeaways from Nazeeh Johnson’s performance during last Saturday’s game?
REID: “I actually thought he did a pretty good job. He did a pretty good job. I mean, he’s a little bit sore coming out of it, but I thought he played well. His man coverage stuff, I thought, was good.”
Q: What did you think of the cornerback position group as a whole?
REID: “Well, we’ve got some guys that can play. We needed to see Jaylen (Watson) get out there and if he can play then play and then see where he’s at. Some of those other guys have grown and shown some good stuff. We’ll just see. We’ll see how it goes. (It) might be a committee over there, but it’s – there is some talent there.”
Q: Do you have a sense of whether some of the guys who have been injured like Chris Jones and Joe Thuney will be ready to go against Baltimore?
REID: “I think all those guys will be. The only one in question would probably be Hollywood (Brown).”
Q: Will Jawaan Taylor be ready?
REID: “Yep. They all should be ready.”
Q: What were the thoughts on Kingsley Suamataia’s performance on Saturday?
REID: “I thought he did some good things. His pass protection was solid. His run game actually was very good, and he came out with things to work on. There were a couple little technique things that he can work on. I think the thing we’re finding (is), you give him something and he’ll try it in a live situation. (Offensive Line Coach) Andy (Heck) was able to give him a couple things that can help him.”
Q: How important has Justin Watson been these past few years and especially now since Hollywood Brown is injured?
REID: “He’s been a valuable guy. Throughout last year, on third down, he did a tremendous job for us. (He’s) smart – can play all the different spots – can go all day. He can run all day, and he runs like a deer. He’s been very valuable to us.”
Q: How difficult will managing the roster be heading into this final preseason game?
REID: “There’s going to be some tough moves. That’s why I like to give them some extended play and just see where we’re at. Maybe there’s a divider in there where something shows up. There’s good competition in really all those roles, but there’s some great competition. We’ll see how they do.”
Q: Where do things stand with Clyde Edwards-Helaire?
REID: “We’re just playing it kind of by ear and how he feels. He started feeling better the day of the game and then he felt pretty good yesterday. We’re headed in the right direction. It’s a sensitive deal. We’re trying to learn as we go here.”
Q: Is there any possibility that he could start the season on injured reserve?
REID: “We haven’t even gone there yet. With (General Manager) Brett (Veach), he might have a plan there. I haven’t really talked to him about that. We’re trying to get him back out there and make sure he’s comfortable – where he can function.”
Q: Do you expect he’ll be out there today?
REID: “Yeah. Right now, I think, yeah. We’ll see, but right now that’s what I feel – yeah.”
Chiefs Player Quotes
August 19, 2024
CB TRENT MCDUFFIE
Q: How would you assess the growth of the younger guys that are in your position group?
MCDUFFIE: “I think they’re (the young cornerbacks) coming along really nice. We always talk every year about (Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo) Coach Spags’ defense and stuff, but I think the biggest thing that I think these guys have been doing a good job at is just the communication. You know what I mean? You’re not going to be right every single play, but as long as they come back and get in the classroom and ask the right questions and go back out there and just fly around and be confident, I think that’s the biggest thing that I’ve seen them just take little steps at. Yeah, you may be wrong but just keeping that confidence and that energy going.”
Q: We’ve seen you play a little bit of slot corner in training camp, which you did a lot of last year. What’s your preference on whether or not you’re still in that mix?
MCDUFFIE: “Like I always tell (Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo) Coach Spags, wherever he needs me, I’ll go and play. Last year, being able to be at nickel really helped me out comfortability-wise but being back on the outside (corner position) also (has) been really fun. Just getting back into the swing of things. I feel like corner is such a perfectionist type (of) position, your technique has to be flawless. So, just going to work each and every day (and) just trying to perfect both positions has been a lot of fun for me.”
Q: What stands out to you about Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo as a coach and a person? What enables him to be successful?
MCDUFFIE: “He (Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo) cares. You know what I mean? I truly feel like we’re (the defense) his extended family when it comes to just how he treats us (and) how he approaches the game. (It’s) tough love, but I think that just shows how much he does care. He wants to put us in the best positions on the field but also off the field. I mean, he’s constantly talking to us (asking), ‘How’s the family? How’s this? How’s that?’ I have a good relationship with his wife, we’re really close. He’s been one of those people that each and every year, I can just count on him. He’s continued to show me guidance and not only just as a football player and being in the NFL but also just growing up and just maneuvering my way throughout this whole process. I lean on him a lot.”
WR JUSTIN WATSON
Q: What is the biggest thing you can do while filling in for Hollywood Brown?
WATSON: “I think at this point in the year we’re still just all focused on improving a ton each day. So, that has been the goal since we got here in OTAs, since we started training camp. That’s really no different. Each of us are just focused on improving. It was good seeing Hollywood (Brown) in the building this week, and it seems like he is going to do everything he can to get back quickly. That’s it, we’re just continuing to improve each day.”
Q: With three years under your belt do you feel like a mentor to other wide receivers in the room?
WASTON: “I’ve always just tried to be a leader in the (receiver) room. Even my first year here when I was trying to get my feet wet. Yeah, like I said, it is just cool to know what the coaches want, know what Pat (Patrick Mahomes) wants and be able to share some insight with these guys, so they don’t have to learn the hard way. It’s been fun coming in as the new guy and then three years in, kind of find myself as the old guy in the room and the guy that has got a little more grey hairs here and there.”
Q: Are there any young wide receivers that remind you of your younger self?