Wednesday kicked off the first day of training camp for the Kansas City Chiefs and the first full practice with fans in attendance in 24 months. Afterward, Head Coach Andy Reid spoke with reporters to discuss what he wants to see out of his squad as camp ramps up in the coming days.
“You want to see execution, especially before you get pads on,” he said. “One install is in: Let’s see the execution. Whether it’s the shifts, the motions, the snap count… let’s see that. Let’s make sure we’re not going backward… that we’re going forward. Let’s stay onside on the defensive side when the snap count’s a little bit longer than the first sound. And then assignment football on the back end.”
Reid also stressed the importance of the locker room coming together and running as a unit. Regardless if it’s with veterans or rookies, both sides of the football need to learn how to gell as a team.
“Defense, offense, as a team, we’ve got to come together [and] that’s why we’re up here,” said Reid. “We’ve got new faces. That’s what’s so unique about the National Football League: I think every year is different. So you build this thing. This is the foundation of it and you kind of work from here,” he explained. “So I expect to see that from the defensive side, just like the offensive side. Let’s get to know each other, know the man next to you, know his job and responsibility, everyone else’s job and responsibility, and most of all, your job and responsibility and let’s go play.”
Of course, training camp won’t be in full swing until the pads come on. When Reid was asked about his favorite training camp drill, he drew a few chuckles from reporters when he gave his preferred drill to start camp.
“I always get fired up with the seven-man sled,” replied Reid. “Breaking it out on the first day of pads. A little old-school football and then we go from there.”
The Chiefs will be back at it on Thursday at 9:15 a.m. for the second day of camp.
