SEASON REVIEW
After a promising rookie season in 2014, Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Phillip Gaines was thrown right into the mix at starting cornerback in 2015 as then-Chief Sean Smith served a three-game suspension to begin the year.
Gaines started on the right across from rookie Marcus Peters until the first quarter of the team's game against the Green Bay Packers, when he suffered a season-ending ACL tear in his left knee.
That game occurred in late September of last season, giving the third-year cornerback plenty of time to be ready for the upcoming 2016 campaign.
Photo highlights of Phillip Gaines
HOW HE FITS
The Chiefs suddenly have a very young defensive back room, especially at the cornerback position. Gaines brings two seasons of playing experience to the table.
|
2016 Chiefs Defensive Backs | |||||||
|
No. |
Name |
Pos. |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Age |
Exp. |
College |
|
29 |
Berry, Eric |
S |
6-0 |
212 |
27 |
7 |
Tennessee |
|
27 |
Brown, Stevie |
S |
5-11 |
215 |
29 |
5 |
Michigan |
|
1 |
Carr, Deveron |
DB |
5-11 |
194 |
25 |
2 |
Arizona State |
|
31 |
Cooper, Marcus |
DB |
6-2 |
192 |
26 |
4 |
Rutgers |
|
43 |
Davis, Akeem |
S |
6-1 |
200 |
26 |
3 |
Memphis |
|
39 |
Edwards, Shannon |
CB |
5-10 |
194 |
22 |
R |
Fresno State |
|
30 |
Fleming, Jamell |
DB |
5-11 |
206 |
27 |
5 |
Oklahoma |
|
23 |
Gaines, Phillip |
CB |
6-0 |
193 |
25 |
3 |
Rice |
|
48 |
Harris, Vernon |
CB |
6-1 |
197 |
22 |
R |
Dartmouth |
|
45 |
Jones, Tre |
CB |
5-10 |
194 |
21 |
R |
Mount Union |
|
21 |
Murray, Eric |
DB |
5-11 |
199 |
22 |
R |
Minnesota |
|
20 |
Nelson, Steven |
CB |
5-11 |
194 |
22 |
2 |
Oregon State |
|
38 |
Parker, Ron |
DB |
6-0 |
206 |
28 |
6 |
Newberry |
|
22 |
Peters, Marcus |
CB |
6-0 |
197 |
23 |
2 |
Washington |
|
47 |
Randolph, Shak |
CB |
6-3 |
213 |
22 |
R |
SMU |
|
26 |
Russell, Keivarae |
CB |
5-11 |
192 |
22 |
R |
Notre Dame |
|
49 |
Sorensen, Daniel |
S |
6-2 |
208 |
26 |
3 |
BYU |
|
24 |
White, D.J. |
DB |
5-11 |
193 |
22 |
R |
Georgia Tech |
2016 OUTLOOK
The good news for Chiefs fans regarding Gaines is that even with the ACL injury last season, he seemed to be on pace for a full recovery during this past offseason.
Gaines spoke to the media about his injury rehabilitation on the very first day back:
**
**
"It's getting there, it's getting there," he said of the knee. "The training staff has done an unbelievable job with me. I fought through a tough time. Any time you get away from football, it's hard. They kept with me, they kept a positive mindset, I kept a positive mindset. I'm confident where I'm at right now."
Gaines even went further into detail.
"I'm running full speed right now," he said. "I can always get stronger and faster. In my mind, I'm running full speed. I'm cutting pretty well, it's just a matter of reps and getting back out there, getting the feel of it and getting my wind back."
On the last day of Chiefs minicamp, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid was asked about the defensive back picture, and he admitted that ultimately Gaines has the starting nod headed into St. Joseph.
"Gaines, I think when it's all said and done, he'll probably be the guy at the corner spot," he said. "We'll see, Coop (Marcus Cooper) had some good snaps there and Nelson had some good snaps. We'll see, we'll see how it goes."
