Chiefs Training Camp Notebook Day 8: The Defense Has ‘long Way To Go’

The eighth practice of Kansas City Chiefs training camp was a mild one in comparison to the other seven. After three consecutive days in full pads, the team was mandated to have a lightened practice on Thursday ahead of donning the pads again Friday and Saturday.

By all accounts, most of the work done on the field was basically a sped-up walkthrough, working on timing and the details of plays without full-speed contact to disrupt things.

After practice, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo was able to share a state of the defense after a week of camp.

Spags needs to see ‘a lot’ from Mansoor Delane before Week 1

Still wearing a yellow, non-contact jersey, rookie cornerback Mansoor Delane has been unable to show Spagnuolo the full extent of his abilities so far.

“We’re trying to be a little cautious with the shoulder, the shoulder blade,” Spagnuolo told reporters. “He was out there today because we only had shells on so he could protect himself. The other three days, with the shoulder pads, it was just really being safe, protecting him from himself because we don’t want to set him back.”

“He did a good job,” Spaguolo noted. “You saw him in and out of huddles, getting everything mentally, trying to keep the conditioning up. We’ll see where we are tomorrow, because we put the pads back on.”

The defensive coach was asked what he needs to see from Delane before the team takes the field against the Denver Broncos in Week 1.

“A lot,” Spagnuolo said. “We just haven’t had the work; you go through OTAs, and it’s just helmets. The thing he’s missing right now is the continuity with a bunch of guys that are new to him; everybody’s new, so we’re going to have to fight through that; before you know, we’re going to be lining up against Denver. Hopefully we can get him back quicker than we thought.”

Peter Woods has ‘a ways to go’

When asked about rookie defensive tackle Peter Woods, Spagnuolo excitedly tried to describe the good things he has put on display at camp.

“That’s the way they’re supposed to look, right?” Spagnuolo asked the media.

“I think he has a ways to go,” he continued. “Some of these younger guys aren’t really used to the way we do things, and that’s for all the rookies. Pete’s right in there with that crew, but when he does get his feet right, he does keep his pad level low; he’s a pretty good football player. It’s our job to get him to do that every down, and he’s a willing guy. I like him; he’s a smart, good football player.”

Regardless of how much Woods still has to pick up as an NFL player, Spagnuolo admits that the interior positions may be better set up for a young, learning player to make an impact.

“It’s pretty well defined as what an inside guy does as a three-technique or an A-gap tackle,” Spaguolo acknowledged. “We’ve got a few multiple things we’re looking at, so I think Pete’s learning some things that maybe he didn’t do before, and we’d like to find out what he can do. I believe in having as many versatile players as we can, so he’ll be thrown in that same category.”

Spags needs to see more physicality and violence

When prompted to summarize his unit’s performance throughout camp, a negative day in “goal-line” work stood out in Spagnuolo’s head. It’s clear that Kansas City’s defensive coordinator needs to see more of his defense in live action.

“If I’m assessing the three days in pads, I would say we have a long way to go with our physicality and our violent play,” Spagnuolo said. “Yet, you’re going against your own team, so you have to play that game, but hopefully we can get enough of those snaps in the preseason games to see where we are.”

When zoning in on the defensive backfield, Spags talked through the lack of vocal leadership compared to previous seasons. He mentioned the loud communication of former Chiefs safety Bryan Cook while also pointing to cornerback Trent McDuffie stirring the pot.

“It’s going to take a little while before this group gets comfortable together,” Spagnuolo admitted. “Hopefully sooner rather than later… I think Alohi will be that kind of guy; he’s just still learning the defense, too.”

Ending on a positive note: Felix Anudike-Uzomah

One day after head coach Andy Reid emphasized improvement in the get-off of defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Spagnuolo doubled down on a growing narrative from the week of practices: Anudike-Uzomah is playing well.

“I think he’s had a really good camp,” Spagnuolo said. “He’s fought these injuries all the way through; even when he was playing, I think he was hampered by it… When I’ve had my brief conversations, it feels like it’s the healthiest he has been.”

“He has been in the system now for the fourth year, so he should know it,” Spagnuolo pointed out. “I think he has had some pretty effective, productive plays, and I’m hoping that continues… Ashton [Gillotte], we need him out there too, but the blessing in disguise for Felix is he gets more reps, so hopefully it keeps being positive.”

The Chiefs will be back on the practice field in pads on Friday morning, starting at 9:15 a.m.