By MATT PIKE
For the first time this Chiefs Training Camp, the pads came on as players hit the Mosaic Life Care practice fields at Missouri Western State University after an off day on Sunday.
The Chiefs defense struggled last season, ranking near the bottom of the league in sacks and takeaways, and ranking in top 10 in total yards allowed.
Defensive end George Karlaftis says the mindset of the defense as a whole this season, is they can take it where they want, but everything starts up front.
"Stopping the run and helping the guys in the back. Really just starting with us and putting the focus on handling what we need to, to make it easier on the linebackers and the DBs so we can have the best season possible," Karlaftis tells reporters after practice. "We want to get back to the promise land, we want to get back to getting all those sacks. We want to stop the run as well as we can. We are motivated as ever.”
An emerging face during Chiefs Training Camp along the defensive line continues each day to be defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah. Back healthy after missing last season, Anudike- Uzomah has been getting reps with the first team, as well as more opportunity with an injury happening to defensive end Ashton Gillote.
Karlaftis says he worked with Anudike-Uzomah some this offseason, and adds that the former first round pick really wants this opportunity
"He's feeling like this is his chance, this is his moment, he's got a lot to prove and he knows it," Karlaftis explains. "So, he's doing everything he can to improve every single day and show, not just Kansas City, but the whole league what he's got and what he's made of."
Gillote left last Friday's practice with a left hamstring injury and has been working through that. Rookie R Mason Thomas is also competing for the spot this Training Camp. The lone player not in pads practicing was rookie cornerback Mansoor Delane, as he continues to wear the yellow non contact jersey, but still practices working back from a shoulder injury.
On the offensive side of the ball, the hope for the Chiefs is to establish a better run game this season than last. After ranking near the bottom of the league last year, the Chiefs revamped their running back room, brought in a new offensive coordinator, and also a new running back coach in former NFL running back Demarco Murray.
Guard Trey Smith says the offensive line hopes to help establish the run game every year, but likes what he is seeing from all the running backs.
"Coach Murray's done a great job, keeps coaching them up and teaching them as well, but it's exciting as O-lineman having that aspiration to run the ball," Smith says. "But it's a feel thing, it's a chemistry thing, it takes time to develop, not only with us as a front five but also the running back as well, fitting the scheme, the gaps, the timing, but overall man we have 20 days in camp to get it right so really excited about it."
The Chiefs offense have also worked in more under center plays this season, which could also help strengthen the run game as well. Both rookie wide receiver Cyrus Allen and wide receiver Xavier Worthy sat out pratice on Monday recovering from bone bruises suffered in practice on Saturday.
Kansas City practices again tomorrow at 9:15am.
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