Chiefs Player Quotes
August 27, 2024
LB NICK BOLTON
Q: How much do you feel like you missed not playing in the preseason?
BOLTON: “Yeah, man. I think the whole thing, training camp and preseason. Just kind of getting out there and just going through my mechanics, I think that is kind of huge. Especially (in the) preseason and our defense, it’s a lot of communication and getting guys on the same page. I definitely missed that aspect of it. I think I’ve done a great job of kind of just getting in where I can. Making my calls and making my checks and going through the mental part of the game. How can I get (myself) prepared for Week 1? I will continue to do that and stay a little bit late. I’ve talked to (Defensive Coordinator) Coach (Steve) Spags (Spagnuolo) a little bit on the side and talked to the guys who have been playing and learn from them as well as we go.”
Q: How do you feel about the group of defenders that are going to be playing against the Ravens?
BOLTON: “It’s completely different than last year. I think it is a good thing. We have our own identity. We have guys who are emerging as leaders. We got young guys that are stepping up. Throughout training camp, a lot of vet guys weren’t in there. So, we rely on a lot of those young guys for communication and getting people lined up and just playing off of each other. That definitely helps that whenever we come back (injured veterans) guys like Jaden Hicks aren’t about to make all the calls and (so he can) just go out there and play. Play fast and use his instincts. Yeah, I think that has been huge. I think the young guys stepping up in the back half of camp and early in the preseason definitely helped us out, helped us grow a little bit and made (us) a better defense.”
Q: Yesterday you were in the training room and heard a familiar laugh. Was that when you first realized JuJu Smith-Schuster was coming back?
BOLTON: “Yeah. I honestly didn’t know that till that morning. I think he (JuJu Smith-Schuster) came in and was finishing his physical or something like that. I was laying face down on the table just getting some treatment on my elbow. I look up and I’m like, ‘Man this dude sounds familiar.’ It had to be him. I was like man this is crazy, full circle. I think he is glad to be back in the building. We’re happy to have him. A veteran guy that has been here, done that and knows what to expect as we go throughout this whole season, so definitely happy to have him in the building.”
WR JUJU SMITH-SCHUSTER
Q: Why do you feel like this is the best spot for you?
SMITH-SCHUSTER: “Just very familiar with the offense. Very familiar with (Head Coach) Andy Reid, Pat (Patrick Mahomes) (and) the guys. Just being in this facility kind of makes your job a lot easier than going to somewhere new where you kind of got to learn everything pretty quickly. I think the hardest part for an offensive player is going into a new system and having to study a whole new playbook. Being in New England, I studied two playbooks, two offensive playbooks. Being familiar with this playbook.”
Q: How do you feel like you’ll fit into this new receiver room?
SMITH-SCHUSTER: “You got speed down the field (and) great hands. Last year, me watching Rashee Rice – his kind of position I played the year I was here. It was very cool to see how those guys used him in that way (and) in that form. Being able to just see that and coming in to be a leader in that room – being a vet in the room. Just being able to help those young guys out. Yesterday was my first practice and being able to see (Xavier) Worthy run, that was pretty impressive. He was just like floating across the field. It’s pretty cool that (we have) a guy like him who can open up the offense.”
Q: What are your takeaways from playing for Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin, former NFL coach Bill Belichick and Head Coach Andy Reid?