By MATT PIKE
Storms in the area kept fans out of practice, for at least the first half of practice during Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp on the Missouri Western State Univesity campus.
Fans were held outside the gates, or in their cars for around the first half hour of practice on Thursday. Conditions cleared up enough however and fans were allowed in the gates to make their way to seats to take in the last hour of practice, with some sprinkling rain. Even as rain began to pour down as practice concluded, many fans stuck around to get autographs from players before they made their way up the hill to the Griffon Indoor Sports Complex.
The Chiefs defense is being reshaped after losing some key pieces this offseason. One particular battle during Chiefs Training Camp is at edge rusher, looking for who will replace Charles Omenihu opposite George Karlaftis.
Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo expects all three players, R Mason Thomas, Ashton Gillotte, and Felix Anudike-Uzomah to compete.
"R Mason has done some really good things, but he's in the rookie process, Ashton's in the second year, and he looks like a guy that's made some steps in the second year, it's not all new to him like it was a year ago," Spagnuolo tells reporters after practice. "And then Felix, getting Felix back has been pretty important, especially with the fact that Ethan (Downs) got dinged, just in my mind Felix made one really good play in the run game and let's hope he can do that, right, get over the injury issues and be a factor for us."
The Chiefs had also expected Downs to compete before he experienced a season ending knee injury during the rookie portion of camp. Downs was placed on injured reserve. There are opportunities in areas on both the Chiefs defense, and offense, for role players from last season to step up as well.
Third year safety Jaden Hicks is in a battle with Chamarri Conner to replace free agent Bryan Cook.
"There's opportunity ahead, I'm ready to attack it, and I can't wait for the season and what it holds,' Hicks says.
Hicks could potentially get time at safety as Conner could at times still slot in at nickle corner this season. Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo emphasized Hicks really honing in on one area of the defense to learn.
On the offensive side of the ball, wide receiver Tyquan Thornton, an early contributor last season during Rashee Rice's suspension, is confident he can do that for an entire season, but says its a process
"Coming out here it's just day two, just coming out here and working with the rest of the offense and just putting our feet together and just working," Thornton says.
The Chiefs offensive line unit remained rather untouched this offseason, but there is still some opportunity for players. While many key pieces are still in place, including Trey Smith, Creed Humphrey, and Justin Simmons. Right tackle will need to be replaced after Jawaan Taylor was released from the team, pointing to one intriguing camp battle.
Humphrey says right now, while the team practices without pads, the best thing they can learn as an offensive line, is communication.
"Being able to communicate with each other presnap, postsnap, all those things," Humphrey explains. "And so far the guys have been doing a great job with it and I feel like its gotten better with each day so far and just the work ethic and individual drills, all those things, its in the right direction."
Jaylon Moore seems like he could be the favorite to win the job, but could also compete with Esa Pole who impressed last season as well. Another player who has emerged during camp, getting reps with the first team is rookie Kahlil Benson.
The Chiefs practice again at 9:15am tomorrow on the Mosaic Life Care practice fields.
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