Chiefs Camp Quotes: Assistant Coaches Have Their Day
By Ben Nielsen
Aug 7, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Tyler Bray (9) signals at the line during the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 41 – 39. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
QUARTERBACKS COACH MATT NAGY
Q: What do you look for in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Quarterbacks heading into game two?
NAGY: “Right now, just to throw completions and the decision making is huge. If you make the right decisions in this offense and you don’t make a bad play worse, good things will happen. And just trusting our scheme, trusting your teammates, and then being able to play as fast as you can and produce points.”
Q: That’s got to be a big thing with Alex, he doesn’t make any mistakes.
NAGY: “That’s right. His decision making is unbelievable; last year I think we were top one or two in the league in interception percentage – for not throwing interceptions. That was a credit to Alex and the rest of the team for protecting the football; you have to respect the football. We’re a little more aggressive right now in training camp with some downfield throws as far as his decision making; we’re telling him to push the ball. You may see an interception here or there that he may not necessarily make in a game, but we’re telling him to do that; just trust it and see what happens and now when we get to the game, let’s make the right decision.”
Q: Chase Daniel’s not your typical backup quarterback, what does he provide that you probably wouldn’t typically expect from a backup in the NFL?
NAGY: “You’re right; the one thing that you take from Chase – and it’s awesome – is that he prepares day in and day out like he’s the starter. Last year, going into that San Diego game, it was old hat to him. It wasn’t new to him just because he was starting that game, it was the same deal. He’s in there on Monday in the morning just like Alex (Smith) is. He takes the game very seriously, he understands protections, and I was happy for him last year in that San Diego game.”
Q: Tyler Bray was remarked by Andy Reid as maybe the most improved player out of training camp before the Cincinnati game, where’s he at right now? Everybody sees the arm strength, but the other aspects of his game obviously have to get better too.
NAGY: “I would agree with coach, Tyler’s made big time strides mentally. He came in a little different than Aaron (Murray) when he (Tyler Bray) was at Tennessee. He (Tyler Bray) was all signals, he wasn’t calling plays in the huddle, so to be able to grow from last year to this point now, he’s made leaps and bounds. And I’m proud of him for that, he’s done a really good job at that. He’s transferring that onto the field, last year it was super-fast to him on the field, this year it’s slowing down and he’s able to make the throws.”