Nikko Remigio thriving in underdog role and more observations from Kansas City Chiefs training camp
A scorching hot day at Kansas City Chiefs training camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri left a whole lot to take in. Injuries were abundant, but so were the standout moments as the team continues to build on its Super Bowl LVIII championship season. Let's jump right into the fun stuff. […]
A scorching hot day at Kansas City Chiefs training camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri left a whole lot to take in. Injuries were abundant, but so were the standout moments as the team continues to build on its Super Bowl LVIII championship season.
Let's jump right into the fun stuff.
Nikko Remigio's embrace of the underdog role apparent at practice
Chiefs WR Nikko Remigio is picking up just where he left off last preseason when he suffered a shoulder injury that would knock him out for the entire year.
Asked by The Athletic's Nate Taylor about his mentality to persevere through this year's training camp, Remigio revealed that he's got a bit of a permanent chip on his shoulder.
"Yeah, just staying resilient," Remigio told reporters following practice. "And that's really been kind of the moral of my entire journey. Just staying resilient and continuing to punch. You know, I've always been an underdog, every single level of football that I've played at. So, you know, being in this position is nothing new to me. Just making sure that I'm still fighting, and like I said, being the best version of myself every single day."
It was apparent from the get-go after team install work that Remigio would have a big day. When they worked in a condensed 4-on-4 coverage drill. Remigio was targeted once by Chris Oladokun and had the ball batted away on what was a good play by second-year CB Nic Jones. On his next opportunity, Remigio made it count. He ran a beautiful corner route that created natural separation from Ekow Boye-Doe, one of the team's fastest cornerbacks. Ian Book unleashed a beautiful lob to Remigio that he caught over his shoulder in stride.
Remigio worked with just about every quarterback throughout the day, that includes starting QB Patrick Mahomes. The second-year receiver says his growing chemistry with Mahomes was, "just about getting the reps." But he also says that he's made an effort to understand things from Mahomes' point of view. He knows the playbook inside and out, but now it's about adding that extra layer of context.
"A lot of the offense is feeling space and being able to find big open fields of grass to be able to run to and feel and sitting," Remigio said. "And those have been the biggest things that I think makes the biggest difference."
Two more plays stood out from Remigio's day at practice. A diving grab in 1-on-1 work, again coming against Boye-Doe. Later, Wentz found Remigio working across the field right-to-left during 11-on-11 team drills. Malik Herring almost batted the pass down, but Wentz got it to Remigio who stretched out to haul it in before tumbling to the ground.
Our friends at KC Sports Network caught that last one:
Isiah Pacheco and Rashee Rice look faster
Colleagues have noted that each of Pacheco and Rice looks improved year-over-year, but I felt it was a little more noteworthy seeing it with my own eyes. Pacheco's work this offseason on flexibility seems to be paying off. He hasn't lost his violent running style, but somehow seems nimble enough to avoid even the quickest Chiefs defenders.
As for Rice, he was always good with the ball in his hands in Kansas City. His acceleration popped on one of the first plays of 11-on-11 team drills. He seemed to catch the defense sleeping a bit with his speed and quickness. I wonder if that won't happen a few times during the season, too.
Patrick Mahomes has some really great practice habits
No. 15 is locked in during practice. Obviously, when he's on the field and going through the work himself, but also when he's on the sidelines. Even if he's talking with a coach or a player, he always makes sure to divert his attention to the play as it happens on the practice field. It's just another reason why his name should be stamped up there with the best of them. Nothing gets by him and he's always watching. He even appeared to provide input at times for his fellow quarterbacks as they came off the field.
Felix Anudike-Uzomah gets some one-on-one instruction with Chiefs assistant DL coach
A lot has been made of Anudike-Uzomah's improvement from his rookie season. Yes, he appears to be quicker off the snap, his work in the run game was solid. What I noticed most during practice, was that Anudike-Uzomah was getting one-on-one instruction after several repetitions from Chiefs assistant defensive line coach Terry Bradden Jr.
On occasions, it appeared that he was correcting something, while other times it seemed like they were talking through the repetition. I don't know if this one-on-one instruction has anything to do with the improvements we have seen, but I don't think it hurts either.
Backup center problems?
Chiefs rookie OL Hunter Nourzad has played a lot of center with the second-team offense to this point in training camp. He filled in for Joe Thuney at left guard on Wednesday and did quite well in that role. It's no surprise given the core values his alma mater instilled in him.
That change left veteran OL Mike Caliendo in the No. 2 center position, working with Carson Wentz. He had a bad snap during the team's long drive period that was very noticeable as it went soaring over Wentz. If it's not Humphrey or Nourzad, the Chiefs could have some issues at the center position.
The field goal and PAT operation looked very good
I spent some time focusing on the field goal and point-after-try (extra point) operation between Harrison Butker and new Chiefs P Matt Araiza. They didn't seem to have any problems on the day. Butker even seemed deadly accurate at times. His first kick of the day he banked off the left upright and through (intentionally) from about 50 yards out to give the crowd a bit of a show. It's nice to know that they're building that type of chemistry and trust after Butker spent the last four years with Tommy Townsend.
Quick-hitters:
- Rookie TE Baylor Cupp (No. 47) worked in with the first-team offense for a snap during the long drive period, as did Irv Smith Jr. (No. 82).
- Former Cowboys draft pick Kelvin Joseph ran with the first-team offense opposite Trent McDuffie for the majority of the day.
- CB Josh Williams and DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah mostly worked with the second-team defense.
- RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire ran with the second-team offense. RBs Isiah Pacheco and Deneric Prince continued to split first-team repetitions.
- Rookie WR Xavier Worthy had a pretty quiet day outside of a designed play to get him the ball in team drills. Patrick Mahomes tried to find him deep a few times during practice but they fell incomplete.
- I feel like the great Terez Paylor would feel a pair of rookies showcased "Juice" during practice on Wednesday. Both Carson Steele and Emani Bailey had a pair of runs during the long drive period that went for solid gains.
- Nikko Remigio and Louis Rees-Zammit remain the top two players on kickoff return for Kansas City.
- I noticed Conner, Bush, Chenal, Cupp, Wiley, Christiansen, Boye-Doe working on the top return blocking team. Anudike-Uzomah, Cochrane, Hicks, and Jacobs were among those on the kickoff coverage team.
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