Takeaways from Chiefs Training Camp press conference August 5
Dave Toub, Justin Reid, Leo Chenal, and Wanya Morris spoke after practice.
Craig McMullen
Special Teams
A topic going into the 2023 season for the Chiefs is who will be returning punts and kickoffs.
Special teams coach Dave Toub said that rookie running back Deneric Prince will start during the first preseason game August 13 against the New Orlean Saints.
“Prince will start off as kick returner for us,” Toub said. “Then Nick Jones and some of the other young guys will return.”
Toub was asked about the gunner position during punt returns and said that cornerbacks Jaylen Watson and Joshua Williams are the two players he has in mind for those two spots.
“Those are our two gunners right now going forward and hopefully some of these young guys like Ekow Boye-Doe, Justin Watson, and Justyn Ross,” Toub said. “All those guys have a shot and will get reps.”
Defense
Safety Justin Reid and linebacker Leo Chenal are going into their second year with the Chiefs.
Chenal said that he thinks he is improving his vision and timing on the field during training camp.
“I think I am getting better at looking and turning and seeing routes opening up. Chenal said. “Last year I was more locked in on the quarterbacks eyes, but now I am able to see those patterns and what the QB wants to go at and the timing of routes.”
Reid said that his responsibilities have changed in training camp this year compared to last year.
“Training camp last year to this year is night and day on just the speed of play,” Reid said. “Not out there thinking, just out there playing. Know what all the responsibilities are, know what my teammates are doing, help get guys organized, just go out on the field and play. Definitely a bit of a learning curve to it with some of the young guys. We have such a close locker room. Our room is all about helping each other learn faster.”
He said that training camp with the Chiefs has been different than training camp when he was with the Houston Texans. Being in St. Joseph on a campus and being around his teammates everyday he thinks has helped the growth of the team.
“The cool thing about St. Joseph is that everyone is in the same place at the same time all day, Reid said. “We get to eat together, hangout together and get to know your teammates. I know a lot more guys on this team from being in St. Joe than I did in Houston just because you spend so much time together. It’s almost like college again.”
Offense
Rookie offensive lineman Wanya Morris has got reps with the starters and expressed how it has been playing for quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce.
“Being with those ones is fun,” Morris said. “You get the feel and speed of the game and then you get to go play with Pat and Travis. “Every time you are in the huddle, they expect the best.”
Morris shared what he has learned from offensive line coach Andy Heck during his first two weeks of training camp.
“Just continue to push to learn,” Morris said “As a rookie you can never know too much. Always harping on technique. People are going to have talent at this day in age in the NFL. It’s not about talent, it’s about how hard you work and how consistent you can be.”
