Reflecting on Patrick Mahomes' first NFL preseason | KCSN Daily 8.10
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When Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes appeared in his first preseason game back in 2017, he wasn’t the first signal-caller to take the field. Andy Reid got Alex Smith a series of work, but then Tyler Bray took the second shift. After all, Bray was listed ahead of Mahomes on the depth chart.
The rookie quarterback bided his time, and with just over six minutes left to go in the first half against the 49ers in preseason Week 1, Mahomes got his first opportunity. His first pass was a 41-yard completion that got called back on a holding penalty. He’d then get a four-yard competition and was sacked twice. After halftime, Mahomes went back out and after a blocked punt, he threw for the only touchdown of the day by a quarterback.
The coaching staff had seen Mahomes make all of these dynamic plays during practice, but it was also just practice. When they got to the preseason and Mahomes continued to make plays, it was a significant landmark.
“Yeah (Patrick) Pat’s (Mahomes) first preseason, I remember a throw he made throwing to the right,” Chiefs OC Matt Nagy told reporters. “It was broken down, (he) scrambled to his right and ended up throwing one to Demarcus Robinson to the right. I remember seeing the guys on the sideline go crazy. We were seeing that in training camp, so to be able to see (it) in the preseason game – everyone always says, ‘Well, it’s not the regular season, it’s the preseason,’ but for us that was pretty special to see. There was another play before that where we had a post route, I think he hit Demarcus (Robinson) as well. We always teach guys top-down with the post alerts. Patrick (Mahomes) did it from day one, so it was neat to see.”
Mahomes wasn’t just throwing to Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce on every play either — that was reserved for Smith. He was connecting with guys like Demarcus Robinson, DeAnthony Thomas, Ross Travis, Jehu Chesson, Gehrig Dieter, and others. He was showing these glimpses of what he could be — and when you look back now you wonder how many didn’t recognize it sooner.
Video via NFL’s official YouTube channel.
Skyy Moore mentoring Rashee Rice
Skyy Moore didn’t exactly have the standout rookie season that many had hoped he would. Andy Reid’s scheme is notorious for being difficult on young receivers and it was for Moore. Now, the second-year wideout is one of those making sure that it’s a bit easier on his new rookie counterpart, Rashee Rice.
“Yeah, you know just any questions that (Rashee Rice) has, be able to answer to them, be available for him,” Moore said. “He’s a guy that I hang out with off the field, so it’s been an easy transition.”
Hopefully, Rice’s transition from college goes smoothly. It certainly should with Moore on his side.
Iron sharpens iron in battles between Creed Humphrey and Keondre Coburn
When you’re a rookie, it might be intimidating to step onto the same field with players who are considered the best at their position. That’s not the case for Chiefs rookie DT Keondre Coburn. He told reporters on Wednesday that he relishes the opportunity to square off against Chiefs Pro Bowl C Creed Humphrey.
“Man, every opportunity I get is amazing,” Coburn told reporters. “I’m going against the best in the league, so why not take advantage of all those opportunities? All those reps and details to try to beat him, see what he does good, see what I can do better, things like that. It’s an honor to go against him every time I get a chance to go against him.”
Humphrey is undoubtedly making Coburn the better player, whether it’s one-on-one repetitions or team drills in practice. The two might even have their own little Red River rivalry going on.
Outside the Trenches - Is Eric Bieniemy's Intense Coaching Style Out of Touch with Today's NFL Players?
KCSN’s Tucker Franklin, Nick Leckey, and Brien Hanley talk about the recent controversy around Eric Bieniemy's coaching style in Washington, then round out the show with blind nil.
Quick Hits:
The Athletic’s Nate Taylor explores Chris Jones’ holdout.
Nazeeh Johnson had successful ACL surgery.
Patrick Mahomes teamed up with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to host 10 kids at the Chiefs training camp.
My latest Chiefs 53-man roster projection features some unique decisions.
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The Biggest Storylines Ahead of Chiefs Preseason Week 1
Chiefs football is BACK. For the first time in six months, the Kansas City Chiefs will take the field in a (mostly) real football game. The hits will be real, defenders can finally touch the quarterback, and offensive linemen can take out all of their frustrations on the opposition. It’s a sweet release in the middle of a grueling training camp for these players — and one that they certainly welcome as a milestone to kick off the season.
Resources Spent on Starters
We watched a real live NFL game last Thursday night. The long dark night of the NFL offseason is over. A new season has begun. Long live the NFL. With preseason officially underway, I wanted to take a look at how NFL teams allocate their resources toward their starting 11 on offense and defense. ESPN has updated depth charts for all the teams, so I took that information, some draft and contract information, and put it all together so we can see how much teams value their starters.
KCSN Podcasts:
Important Dates Ahead:
Aug. 13: Chiefs @ Saints - Preseason Week 1
Aug. 19: Chiefs @ Cardinals - Preseason Week 2
Aug. 26: Chiefs vs. Browns - Preseason Week 3
Aug. 29: 53-man roster cuts
Aug. 30: Claiming period for players placed on waivers
