Chiefs' rookie is more than willing to do the dirty work on the football field
The Kansas City Chiefs have a rookie that is more than willing to do something a lot of players may not like, and it will only end up benefitting him. Nowadays, some players have a different road to getting to be a starter. The guys that were drafted in the after rounds or even go […]
The Kansas City Chiefs have a rookie that is more than willing to do something a lot of players may not like, and it will only end up benefitting him.
Nowadays, some players have a different road to getting to be a starter. The guys that were drafted in the after rounds or even go undrafted usually have to stick things out on special teams. There are a lot of players who embrace that, but there are even more who hate that part of the grind.
Special teams are just as important, as we saw first handed last season. The Chiefs started the season losing games because of special teams. Against the Indianapolis Colts, they lost ultimately because of the missed field goals. Harrison Butker got hurt in Week 1 against the Cardinals and the backup kicker failed to be consistent.
That was a game the Chiefs should have won and won by a lot, especially looking back. But special teams are more than just the field goals, punts, or even the return game.
There are roles that need to be filled everywhere on special teams. Luckily for the Chiefs, they drafted a guy in BJ Thompson who doesn't mind doing the dirty work.
"Oh, well, special teams has always been a big part for me, especially coming from Baylor where we put a lot of emphasis on it," said Thompson." You know, the other team, they might decide to take that play off but if you go all out on the play, then you have the chance to get the upper hand.
"And, I know that coming to the NFL, you know, playing special teams is, is a big part of making the team or whatnot. So I'm all in on special teams. I can, you know, play all four and, you know, hopefully, that, you know, that keeps me around for a while."
Thompson was a more than capable pass rusher at Stephen F. Austin. But, you have to earn the right to rush the passer. He will have several guys ahead of him on the depth chart before he gets to be on the field quite a bit outside of special teams.
So, why not go ahead and help the team in other ways such as special teams. Thompson is an athlete, and every team could use more of those, especially on special teams.
Thompson will be a guy the Chiefs have to develop into an edge rusher but does have potential. First, he will likely play some special teams, and that is okay. He doesn't seem to mind doing the dirty work.
