Defensive lineman Chris Jones
It is less of a moment for Chris Jones, but rather more a progression. As he gains the trust of defensive coordinator Bob Sutton, Jones has seen more snaps in the defensive line rotation as the season has gone on. Jones had 12 plays in Week 1 (16 percent), 18 in Week 2 (25 percent), 16 in Week 3 (24 percent) and 26 in Week 4 (44 percent). He has five tackles to this point of the season.Defensive line coach Britt Reid's comments:
"He's been great. He's been a real sponge. He's got a long way to go obviously as a rookie, but he's coming along. He's got a great natural talent base. He's a long, big powerful kid, so there's a lot to work with there. We just have to keep building...He has definitely a knack for pass rush, and he's got length that some of the other guys don't have."
Offensive lineman Parker Ehinger
71 offense, 5 special teamsWelcome to the NFL Moment:
After holding the starting left guard spot throughout training camp and the preseason, Parker Ehinger got his opportunity to do the same Week 1 in Kansas City's 33-27 win over the San Diego Chargers. While the offensive line allowed three sacks as a unit, quarterback Alex Smith threw for 363 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Spencer Ware rushed for 70 yards on 11 carries. Ehinger suffered a concussion the following week in practice and has yet to play in a game since.Head coach Andy Reid's comments (September 12, one day after Ehinger's only start):
"You hope those guys grow each game. You saw him do that during the game. Plays he got beat on early, he came back and shut off later. As you work through the season, you get a better player later on than you started with. They've got to have the talent to begin with."
Safety Eric Murray
7 defense, 97 special teamsWelcome to the NFL Moment:
With the Chiefs holding a 7-0 lead during Week 3 against the New York Jets, running back Bilal Powell fumbled the football as he was tackled after a catch. Eric Murray saw the football and jumped on it, giving the Chiefs possession on one of eight turnovers in the game. The turnover resulted in three points for the Chiefs.Secondary and cornerbacks coach Al Harris' comments:
"He's doing a good job. He's learning. He's coming along. He switched to safety from cornerback in college. He's going to be a good player. I think he's still working through [the transition], but I think he's doing a good job. It's easier to go from corner to safety than to go from safety to corner, and Eric's a really good athlete, so I don't think he's going to have a problem. He's working behind two really good players in Eric Berry and Ron Parker, both safeties, so he has the pieces in front of him to learn from."
Wide receiver Demarcus Robinson
3 offense, 76 special teamsWelcome to the NFL Moment:
With no score in the first quarter of the Week 3 matchup with the New York Jets, Dustin Colquitt lined up to punt. Robinson's great play came on more so what he didn't do than what he did do. Gunning for the Chiefs, Robinson beat the ball to the 1-yard line, but because he stepped in the end zone, he had the awareness to prevent himself from touching the ball, rather allowing Tyreek Hill to do so. Long snapper James Winchester downed the ball instead, pinning the Jets at their own 1-yard line.Wide receivers coach David Culley's take:
"He's actually one of our core special teams players right now. He's doing a fantastic job for coach (Dave) Toub on that, and I think he's going to end up being a very good receiver for us when his time comes because he's learning how to play. He's learning how to do some things that he wasn't quite ready for when he first got here. But that experience he's getting on special teams is going to make him a better receiver. And right now, it's just about numbers."
Wide receiver Tyreek Hill
46 offense, 48 special teamsWelcome to the NFL Moment:
Similar to Jones, wide receiver Tyreek Hill is seeing increased snaps with the offense as the season continues. Hill has had two return touchdowns that have been called back due to penalties, but he also has two touchdowns receiving on the season. Needing something to happen to get back in the game trailing 24-3 late in the third quarter Week 1, the Chiefs had the ball at the San Diego 9-yard line. With Hill out wide to Alex Smith's left, Andy Reid called a wide receiver screen. Hill followed his blocks for the first Chiefs touchdown of the game and the first score of his career.Wide receivers coach David Culley's comments:
"He's getting better and better each week. [Against the Steelers] he made a nice play in the end zone for a touchdown there—actually a great play. He's getting better and better there and he's starting to learn the offense. Coach (Reid) is starting to put him in a little bit more on some things. He's getting comfortable with it, and he's getting better every week."
Cornerback DJ White
35 defense, 54 special teamsWelcome to the NFL Moment:
DJ White had just five defensive plays to work with Week 3 against the New York Jets, but he made the most of them. After the Chiefs had already picked quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick off five times, the Jets were again driving into Kansas City territory late in the fourth quarter. Lined up in the shotgun at the KC 18-yard line, Fitzpatrick looked to find Brandon Marshall in the left end zone. White stepped in front of Marshall and picked it off for the touchback. Smith kneeled it out from there for the Chiefs win.*Secondary and cornerbacks coach Al Harris' comments: *
"DJ, [Pittsburgh] was a tough night for him. Big plays, but he's going to be all right. He's going to be all right. You can't win them all. You have to win the ones that he was faced with last night, but he'll be OK. He'll be all right."
Linebacker Dadi Nicolas
7 defense, 7 special teamsHead coach Andy Reid's comments
: "I think you're right on when you say a limited role potentially (moving forward). He's just learning this, but he has some natural ability when rushing the passer. He didn't do a bad job on special teams [against Pittsbugh] either. That would be something where he would have to excel to be activated on game day and or even make the team."
