https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/2018...son-right-now/
By: Wesley Roesch | 21 hours ago
Chiefs coach Andy Reid seems to be much more confident in his defense than the fans are right now.
Many folks believe Kansas City needs to focus on defense in the 2018 draft, filling holes like safety, cornerback and defensive line. It doesn’t appear that Reid agrees.
During Monday’s presser, Reid said that he thinks the Chiefs could step in and play right now. He doesn’t think the Chiefs have many holes to fill in the draft so they can select the best player available instead.
BJ Kissel
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@ChiefsReporter
Andy Reid says he believes the #Chiefs are one of the few teams that could step out and play right now. Don't need to fix "holes" in draft. Basically, can take the best player regardless of position.
Terez A. Paylor
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@TerezPaylor
Reid on what the Chiefs learned about their 2017 defensive scheme after self-scouting themselves: "I know how solid the scheme is. We've been a pretty good defensive unit over the years here. So I trust we'll be right back on that and rolling."
Reid on carrying five running backs for the time being: “Let’s have some competition there and see what happens.”
Reid emphasizing he doesn’t believe the #Chiefs have to draft for need after some of the offseason moves made. “Don’t have to force one,” he says.
This is an interesting take but it’s not far off from what I expected from Chiefs brass. The team has clearly been focusing on the offense rather than the defense during free agency. I wouldn’t be shocked to see them add more receivers, tight ends or offensive linemen high in the draft next week.
From a logical standpoint, I’ll have to disagree with Reid about the defense not having holes. Obviously Reid knows way more than I do about football and his team but I don’t feel comfortable with David Amerson at cornerback and Eric Murray/Daniel Sorensen at safety. Those guys have the potential to play well but have all struggled recently.
The return of safety Eric Berry should help the defense turn things around though, as could the possible return of a healthy linebacker
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Ragland and Jones lost weight and ready to kick ass!
https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/2018...ing-offseason/
Several Chiefs defensive players are taking steps to get leaner and faster.
During Monday’s presser, Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones and linebacker Reggie Ragland both said they shed some weight during the offseason.
Jones said he lost 25 pounds, turning fat into muscle, while Ragland dropped 10 pounds in order to improve his coverage.
Tom Martin
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@TomKCTV5
Chris Jones says he’s dropping weight, “turning fat into muscle.” Says he could play more on the outside this year.
Matt Derrick
@mattderrick
Reggie Ragland says he’s dropped about 10 pounds. Trying to take better care of himself so he can be faster in coverage and chasing running backs.
It’s awesome to see some of the Chiefs’ top defensive players work so hard to keep improving their bodies and their game. Jones looks great and his weight loss is very noticeable based on the photos (seen above). Jones dropping some pounds could be the difference-maker when he goes after opposing quarterbacks.
Ragland shedding weight in order to improve his coverage is interesting. Ragland has been known as more of a run-stuffer in the pros but the Chiefs signed linebacker Anthony Hitchens to be their top run defender. Ragland’s weight loss and added speed could mean he’ll see more looks as a coverage linebacker on passing downs
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ALL players showed up for voluntary camp. The Mahomes effect ?
It doesn’t look like there will be a no-show controversy this year for the Chiefs.
The first day of Kansas City’s offseason workouts was Monday, and everyone on the team showed up according to coach Andy Reid. That includes safety Eric Berry and linebacker Justin Houston, two players who didn’t show up to organized team activities last year.
Terez A. Paylor
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@TerezPaylor
Andy Reid says Eric Berry, Travis Kelce and Justin Houston are present for the start of offseason workouts
BJ Kissel
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@ChiefsReporter
#Chiefs coach Andy Reid said everyone is here, as well.
Reid added that it was good to have the leaders of the locker room present on the first day. Many agree, as shown last year after several fans and media members were upset that Berry, Houston and former Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters didn’t show up for OTAs. Reid acknowledged several times last year that OTAs were voluntary, although he did seem a bit annoyed when asked about it.
Of course, there’s still a possibility that a player decides to skip OTAs, but considering the backlash last year it seems unlikely. That’s probably a good thing anyway because, like Reid said, the leaders of the locker room need to be there.