Four Things From Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp: Day One
By Ben Nielsen
Aug 9, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) against the New Orleans Saints during a preseason game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Chiefs 17-13. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
4. Travis Kelce Looks Healthy
Chase Daniel just connected with Travis Kelce for a long gain. Kelce looks healthy.
— RIP Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) July 24, 2014
#Chiefs QB Chase Daniel threaded pass between defenders to TE Travis Kelce. Already, Kelce is showing what Chiefs missed last year
— Randy Covitz (@randycovitz) July 24, 2014
Travis Kelce just got up the seam and Eric Berry for a long TD against the first team defense. Kelce split the safeties
— RIP Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) July 24, 2014
The more you see Travis Kelce run, healthy, the more you wonder about well ... Sean McGrath. #Chiefs #NFL
— Sean Keeler (@SeanKeeler) July 24, 2014
Look, this is one practice in July in which no one was wearing pads and contact was not allowed. There is a lot more we need to see from Kelce before we can start getting fired up about him being healthy and ready to contribute to the offense at a meaningful level.
With that said…
These are the things you want to hear in practices in July with no one wearing pads and contact not being allowed. You want to hear he is running around smoothly and with confidence, making big plays and turning people’s heads. Those reports are far more wanted than ones of him struggling to get open, looking slow, and not looking like he is fully healthy and recovered from his injury. This is an important first step.
Kansas City absolutely needs more production out of their tight ends, which is part of the reason why McGrath would be on the outside looking in on this team even after starting 10 games a year ago. Andy Reid and Alex Smith need explosive skills and reliability over the middle of the field from their tight ends. Smith, more than most quarterbacks, relies on his tight end than any other receiver on the field.
Getting Kelce healthy and integrated into the offense would be a huge development for the Chiefs. Hearing the reports on Kelce’s first practice have to be an encouraging sign for fans.