Chiefs Camp Quotes: Assistant Coaches Have Their Day

Aug 7, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Dee Ford (55) chases the play against the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City won the game 41-39. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

LINEBACKERS COACH GARY GIBBS

Q: How has Josh Martin done?

GIBBS: “He did a good job last year especially on the special teams midway through the season and he played in that last game in San Diego. A young player from Columbia and he’s worked hard in the weight room, worked hard in the offseason. He’s learning his way and we expect him to have a chance to help us this year.”

Q: What was that jump like from Columbia to the NFL?

GIBBS: “Well you need to ask him that. He’s a unique young man. He’s very confident. He’s obviously got some skillsets to work with, but he’s worked hard. He’s really worked hard. He’s competitive, very prideful and that jump mentally this offseason is probably the biggest thing there.”

Q: What does it say about him to take the offseason to work out with Tamba Hali?

GIBBS: “Well, it tells me that he wants to be a good football player. Tamba does a great job with all those younger players, and Tamba’s a great worker in the offseason. A lot of our guys pick up that work ethic from Tamba. Josh is obviously one of those guys.”

Q: Does the process of actually learning the game as a player slow him down physically?

GIBBS: “Again, you gain confidence as you take snaps, make plays. There’s times where he needs to play faster and needs to play with more power. I think just what you’re indicating, there’s a learning curve and there’s a process that he needs to go through. I think these preseason games will be part of the process and as we get into regular season that will continue to process. We’re all glad that he’s here and doing a good job for us.”

Q: What do you have with Dee Ford?

GIBBS: “I think that he’s a good football player. He brings good speed, he’s obviously coming out of college as good pass rusher. He’s another guy that’s going through the process of learning the scheme, learning the speed of this game. The intricacies of this game, the minor details that you have to play with, but he’s a good athlete, a good player, he wants to be a good player and he works hard. We’re glad he’s here.”

Q: What does that mean for this unit? Before they had Justin Houston and Tamba Hali. You have some depth there now.

GIBBS: “Certainly whenever you have good quality depth it’s going to help your football team, it’s going to help your special teams. We’ve got a good room of good men and we’re looking forward to the challenges ahead.”

Q: Those guys are young, but how realistic is it that they get on the field?

GIBBS: “You can’t have enough good players. They’ll play. They’ll get their snaps.”