Here's how Chiefs get creative to find potential pass catchers
Evaluation starts during a drill not normally associated with this position group
The sight of NFL offensive linemen going through blocking drills is common during practice.
Running a short route and catching passes from members of the coaching staff?
Not so much.
The Chiefs, however, provide a warm-up wrinkle for their offensive linemen on the last day of weekly practice with Pat-and-Go drills, which take place during the open viewing period for the media.
And the drill provides high anticipation for the players.
“It’s absolutely a ton of fun,” rookie left tackle Josh Simmons said with a smile. “I look forward to every Friday for that drill.”
Guard Mike Caliendo agreed.
“It’s fun,” Caliendo said with a chuckle. “We don’t get an opportunity to catch the ball very much – if ever – so it’s fun.”
The offensive linemen aren’t running at full speed for the drill, and the pace could best be described as a jog as they warm up.
Most of the linemen agreed they didn’t go through the Pat-and-Go drill in high school and college as a position exercise, so running short routes and catching passes was new to them when they arrived in Kansas City.
But for tackle Jaylon Moore, who was a two-star tight end recruit coming out of high school, the drill proved natural.
“Man, it’s kind of fun just to open up a little bit, get your hands right,” Moore said.
EVALUATION PROCESS
Chiefs offensive line coach Andy Heck has a two-part reason to put his position group through the drill.
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