How the Chiefs' coaching staff is preparing its top 2 rookies for their first NFL game
One of the reasons the Kansas City Chiefs have become a dynasty is because they have been able to build the bulk of their team through the draft. Coach Andy Reid typically eases his rookies in, but that won't be the case for wide receiver Xavier Worthy and left tackle Kingsley Suamataia. Both will play […]
One of the reasons the Kansas City Chiefs have become a dynasty is because they have been able to build the bulk of their team through the draft.
Coach Andy Reid typically eases his rookies in, but that won't be the case for wide receiver Xavier Worthy and left tackle Kingsley Suamataia. Both will play huge roles for the Chiefs' offense this season, including right off the bat in Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens.
With Hollywood Brown out for this matchup with a shoulder injury, Worthy has shot up to No. 2 on the receiver depth chart. He's also already the offense's top deep threat, which we caught a glimpse of during the preseason. As for Suamataia, he has had the confidence of Kansas City's coaching staff pretty much from day one, winning the starting left tackle job early on during training camp.
As excited as everyone is to see these two rookies contribute, there will naturally be a learning curve that both will face. Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy talked to reporters on Monday about how he and other coaches are preparing Worthy for his role in his first NFL game.
"Probably the biggest thing is making sure that we understand that this is going to be an emotional game," Nagy said. "Understanding that there's going to be some moments where there's a mistake with a route assignment, but there's also going to be big plays. This game is about preparation for all of us as coaches, and then for the for the players, it's being able to be proficient within their execution. He (Worthy) falls into that. It's his first time doing it. It'll be his first time in Arrowhead, and the first time playing an NFL game for Xavier. He's done everything we've asked them to do mentally. The physical challenge will show up. It's going to be a physical game with an experienced defense, and they're very well coached."
Nagy then went on to explain what he has seen from Suamataia that leads him to believe that he's ready to be in the trenches at such a crucial position along the offensive line.
"Just from what he's put on tape, and the way he's been mentally in preseason," Nagy said. "I think physically, he's shown us he can do some good things. Again, the mindset of understanding, and Coach Reid always talks about, you get training camp, you get preseason, then you get to the season, and then as you go through the season, you get playoffs, you get Super Bowl. Every game gets, you know, more physical and more physical. So, for him, challenge number one is being great there in the physical trenches of running and pass blocking, but at the same time, you got to be mentally strong in these games. And that's our job as coaches, to make sure that we understand you get some young guys that are playing their first game. Are we giving them enough help mentally to, you know, give them the best chance to succeed?"
We often tend to separate the mental aspect of football from the physical, but really, they go hand in hand. If you're not sharp mentally, you can't physically perform to the best of your ability, and vice versa. The Chiefs' coaching staff will have to help Worthy and Suamataia balance that out, building on their success and learning from their mistakes.
Conditioning will be another important factor. It's been several months since Worthy and Suamataia have played a full game. It will also be the first time they go up against guys with the strength and speed that NFL players possess. Holding up for 60 minutes will be challenging, particularly for Suamataia, who will not only play every offensive snap, but is playing such a physical position.
Preseason injuries could put Chiefs defense in a tough spot to begin the season
They’ll be leaning on Spagnuolo’s leadership.
