Three important positions to watch in KC Chiefs minicamp
By Matt Conner
On Tuesday, K.C. Chiefs players will begin to come together, if they’re not already in town, at Arrowhead Stadium for the beginning of a three-day mandatory minicamp, as required by the league’s collective bargaining agreement.
Beginning on Tuesday, the Chiefs will try to install new schemes, flesh out ideas, coach up younger players, and sort out the competition in the last real practices before training camp one month later. It’s here at minicamp that the Chiefs, just like every other NFL franchise, will try to maximize the limited amount of time they have with their own players before rosters arrive for the long haul in late July.
For the Chiefs, this is particularly important week in a few specific areas. Some positions are pretty much set and will go through the motions this week to get better, to stay in shape, to learn the nuances of their roles, and to help shepherd younger players. For other positions, however, there are plenty of question marks, with more potential than proof, and minicamp will give the Chiefs a few days to bring clarity to confusion.
Cornerback
Just a few weeks ago, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said the Chiefs were going to have to let the kids play, and that’s exactly what the front office is allowing to happen with the refusal to pursue Bashaud Breeland.
Now the page has officially turned in the secondary with a group in which a 25-year-old Charvarius Ward is the elder statesman. He’s also the most experienced player. The Chiefs have a plethora of young options on the roster, but there are just as many concerns or questions at the position. The only way to find answers, however, is to do what Spags suggested and let the kids play.
That’s a tall order on a team with Super Bowl aspirations, but minicamp is a great time to see what you have. L’Jarius Sneed, only 24, hopes to build on top of a stellar rookie season. Rashad Fenton hopes to prove he’s ready for more. Deandre Baker will be returning from a serious injury but has looked like a starter in the past. Mike Hughes hopes a change of scenery can turn around his career, while BoPete Keyes could enter the fray in his second season.
That’s a lot of pasta to throw at the wall, but that’s exactly what minicamps are for.