Nuts and Bolts of Sunday's practice
- The Kansas City Chiefs held their second practice that was open to the public Sunday, but unlike yesterday, this one was held at 8:15 a.m.
- 8:15 a.m. will be the starting time for practice for the remainder of training camp, less three days (Aug. 5, Aug. 10 and Aug. 19, when practice will begin one hour later at 9:15 a.m.)
- Skies were clear and the temperature remained in the low 80s for most of practice
- Sunday was Alumni Day, which meant that many former Chiefs and Chiefs executives came to St. Joseph to watch practice. After practice ended, coach Andy Reid invited the former players into the huddle, where they introduced themselves and shared where they played college football
- Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt, offensive coordinator Doug Pederson, linebacker Derrick Johnson, tight end Travis Kelce and wide receiver Albert Wilson addressed the media after practice
- Sunday morning's practice included an extended group-install period followed by shortened 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 periods
- There was another full-team autograph session held after practice
- The Chiefs will hold their first padded practice on Monday morning
- New injuries: Defensive lineman David Irving did not practice due to a back issue; WR Junior Hemingway left early with the same (Full injury report)
The Chiefs took to the field for the final training camp practice without pads at Missouri Western State University.
Top Plays
3) Safety Ron Parker had his second interception in 11-on-11s at training camp. Yesterday, he intercepted Aaron Murray and today, it came off of Alex Smith after a pass was deflected in the air and turned into a jump ball. Parker was there for the fortuitous pick.
2) During the 7-on-7 period, De'Anthony Thomas turned back the clock to his track days at Oregon with a wheel route that allowed him to get past three Chiefs defenders on his tail. Thomas, about eight yards ahead, easily ran into the end zone for the touchdown.
1) During the same period, second-year wide receiver Albert Wilson ran a go route against cornerback Sean Smith. Wilson was able to get a step on Sean Smith, and quarterback Alex Smith placed a long-distance ball right over his shoulder for the touchdown.
After the play, Sean Smith dropped down for 20 pushups in a light-hearted moment for Chiefs fans in attendance. The fans applauded Smith as he returned to his feet.
Player Spotlight – Wide Receiver Albert Wilson
As you just read in top plays, one of the best moments in Chiefs training camp Sunday came in the 7-on-7 period, when second-year wide receiver Albert Wilson caught a beautifully thrown pass just over his shoulder for the highlight of this extremely young preseason.
"Great ball by Alex. I don't see a [defensive back] making a play with that ball from Alex," Wilson humbly said in the post-practice press conference.
Last season, in 2014, Wilson came to training camp as an undrafted free agent, needing to prove his value in order to attain a coveted spot on the 53-man roster.
Things are a bit different this year. Wilson, after playing a primary role at receiver for the Chiefs towards the end of last season, feels comfortable now.
"I just know what to expect," he said of this training camp. "I know how the things go, so I know the pace of the game."
Interestingly enough, part of that comfort comes from his ability to, in his own words, "not be so wide open."
"Last camp, I was just full speed, dead tired after every route," he said. "[Now] I know how to run routes without being just full go."
Offensive coordinator Doug Pederson has noticed Wilson's change for the better.
"He's a lot more confident in his ability," Pederson explained of Wilson. "He understands number one, his role. He understands what he's doing. Physically he's there."
Wilson said that confidence Pederson sees in him might actually come straight from the source.
"He gives me a lot of confidence," Wilson said about Pederson. "I know that he expects a lot from me. I know he feels comfortable with me being there, so [for] somebody that high in the system to rely on me and feel comfortable with me, it takes me a long way."
In his second year, that "long way" could be a pivotal role in the receiving corps for the Chiefs.
"He's got a great opportunity to really take charge of that and sort of be a leader by example," Pederson said. "Even though he's young, he's a starter and he can go in there and show us what he can do."
