By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
The Kansas City Chiefs practiced in helmets and shorts at training camp Tuesday before they take a day off Wednesday.
It appeared weather was going to perhaps move practice indoors. Gusty winds and off-and-on rain persisted throughout most of Tuesday's session, but the team stayed outside and fans were eventually let in once the worst of the storm had passed.
The team had a 10-10-10 practice - 10 minutes of offensive plays, 10 minutes of defensive plays, followed by 10 minutes of special teams work and repeat.
Only one more practice on Thursday stands between the Chiefs and their first preseason game at San Francisco, which is Saturday at 7:30 p.m. central.
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo says his biggest message to the younger players going into that game is don’t forget everything you’ve learned in training camp.
"They'll forget all of the leverage and all of the things that we've taught them and have gotten really good at," Spagnuolo said. "They go out there and all of a sudden in a game, sometimes they can go off the radar. So, to me, I tell them to stick to the fundamentals and we'll build on it. Don't abort what you've done here in the last couple of weeks."
One player on the offensive side who's excited to showcase what he can do is left tackle and Pro Bowler Orlando Brown, Jr. who was acquired by the Chiefs in a trade with the Ravens this offseason.
"I'm just super excited to get out there and do my job to the best of my ability," Brown said. "It gives me an opportunity to showcase to the fans to the organization and to my teammates what they got and I'm super excited to get out there."
Brown was a three-year starter for the Ravens and started out as a right tackle. While he's been learning a more pass-protection heavy offensive scheme under Andy Reid, Brown hopes he can set the tone and impress people, no matter how many snaps he gets in the first game.
"I don't know how long I'll be out there, but however long it is, I'm going to give it my all," said Brown. "So, I just look forward to being able to showcase and express all of those different things about my game."
Brown also gave credit to rookies Trey Smith, Lucas Niang and Creed Humphrey, who have been working alongside him in the first-team offensive line for the last couple of weeks.
"For them to do what they're able to is something special," Brown said.
The Chiefs play at San Francisco on Saturday at 7:30. The game will be carried on KFEQ (680 AM, 95.3 FM) and Q Country 92.7 FM in St. Joseph.
Marcus Kemp
The fourth-year pro has been impressive at the receiver spot this camp, making a number of nice plays with both the first and second-team offense.
This comes after Kemp missed the entire 2019 season with an ACL and MCL injury. He had to fight to stay on the roster in 2020, coming on and off the practice squad before resigning with Kansas City in March.
Going into his fifth season with the Chiefs, Kemp hopes that his entire position group can continue to improve as they get closer to the season.
"That's what I'm hoping for," Kemp said. "That we can all just do well and that'll pool to the season. Whether I'm here or not, it'll help them through the season or me with the season. So, it's more about how well we can do personally and less about how competitive we can be with each other."
Chad Henne, who's solidified his spot as top backup to Patrick Mahomes, has developed quite a nice chemistry with Kemp over these last two weeks or so.
"He knows the system and knows the right spots and where to be," Henne said of Kemp. "He's got a lot of talent. He goes up and gets the ball each and every time. I'm thankful he's in with me a lot of times."
Kemp has also been a contributor in special teams. In fact, special teams coach Dave Toub says Kemp is one of their "top gunner" options on kick and punt return coverage.
"If that's what I need to do to get better is be out there three hours before the game to work on something that I didn't think I was the best at, then that's what I need to do," said Kemp. "So, that's what I've continued to do, and at this point, (playing special teams) has become a tradition more than anything else."
No new injuries
No news is good news. No new injuries to report from Tuesday. Running back Darrel Williams returned after missing Monday with a knee injury.
Kyle Long (knee), Evan Baylis (ankle), Mike Remmers (back), Alex Okafor (hamstring), Malik Herring (knee), Antonio Callaway (bone bruise) and Willie Gay (concussion protocol) are still in active. Gay did come to the field with his helmet, but went straight to the medical tent.
The Chiefs return to practice Thursday and then again next Monday. Training camp concludes August 18.
