ASSISTANT HEAD COACH/SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR DAVE TOUB
Q: Are you in that lobbying process that you guys do this time of the year?
TOUB: "Yeah, our meetings are a little bit more extensive now. We've got to make some tough decisions on some guys. That's just this time of year. This third game is important for a number of players. The decisions are not final right now. Obviously, we're still going through the process, but this is the time. This week and then next week obviously is when we should all be settled."
Q: Are there some guys over the past two games who have caught your eye that you maybe weren't thinking about?
TOUB: "That I wasn't thinking about? No, not really. I wanted to see more of Tremon (Smith), we got to see more of Tremon. He was really explosive on that punt return and he almost popped it. Now and again, there was a punt return this time, and last time there was a kick return. He continues to get better and better. He doesn't make the same mistake twice, so that's kind of encouraging. The young players are doing really well. Ben Niemann is doing great, Dorian (O'Daniel) is doing really well. So, I'm excited about that linebacker group, as well as the safeties."
Q: The decisions to cut players is difficult each year, but do you see this year being any harder?
TOUB: "I do. I think there's going to be some players cut that other teams are going to be excited about and be able to have a shot at. I don't think that there's any question that we're going to have a number of those guys hooking on with other teams, if not being traded for. I'm sure Brett (Veach) is working on that with his crew. I do think we have some depth at a lot of spots."
Q: With the wide receiver battle heating up, who's stood out to you from a special teams' perspective?
TOUB: "Well, (Jehu) Chesson has been great. He was great last year and so was (Marcus) Kemp. There's a lot of competition. I mean, that wide receiver position has a lot of competition. It's going to come down to who's going to be your fifth, sixth guy that can help you on special teams. There's a great battle going on over there between those guys – Kemp, Chesson, (Gehrig) Dieter is in the mix now as well and obviously De'Anthony. Brett Veach and his crew will make the right decisions. There's a decision that will be made and we'll go with it."
Q: How much are you looking forward to coaching against your son in Chicago?
TOUB: "I'm very excited. I'm so glad it's a preseason game because if it was an in-season game, I couldn't talk to him all week. We're going to have dinner on Friday night, my wife is coming up and it's a big deal to be able to coach against your son for the first time. It's a once-in-a-lifetime deal and I'm excited, especially going back to Chicago. Lot of friends there that are going to come to dinner. I'm going to have to sell some stock just to be able to pay for the dinner."
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR BOB SUTTON
Q: What have you seen out of Orlando Scandrick so far?
SUTTON: "He's a veteran guy that we've seen on film a lot over the years, watching other opponents play Dallas. He's a very savvy guy, understands the game very well, very smart, very intelligent, and obviously has had some flexibility position-wise, playing both inside and outside. That is always a bonus for us. Just in the short period that he's been here I think he's done a good job and I am looking forward to seeing what he will do out there this weekend."
Q: How do you see him fitting in on this roster?
SUTTON: "Right now we are working him at corner and trying to get him settled on that first. He's played a lot inside over his career. Right now, the focus is outside."
Q: How did he (Scandrick) look to you yesterday?
SUTTON: "Good. He's done a nice job. It's always hard when you're coming in. I don't think there's anything that during his career he probably hasn't played from a schematic standpoint. He's really just learning the terminology and some of the adjustments that vary team-to-team, but he's been in a lot of different systems over his career and I think it's just a matter of him catching up where he feels comfortable doing it."
Q: This far into the preseason, what are you the most happy with from your unit?
SUTTON: "Because we've had so many guys nicked up and out, we've had a chance to see a lot of players that are on that next tier and going against good players. I think the chance to see them and what they could do and become has really been and will be a blessing for us down the line. In a lot of ways, it's been encouraging to watch these guys step up and compete. I am excited about that aspect of it. We haven't even been close to having a whole unit out there, but I think the energy they've played with has been good."
Q: How difficult is it to coach when that many guys are out?
SUTTON: "The thing I have to believe in in the National Football League is that the team on the field is the team. You can't give yourself any trap doors. We don't get any kind of points for who is in or who isn't in. You just have to play. The player that steps in has to feel that same responsibility and the guys around him have to respect that as part of it too. Like I said, in the end I think that could be a real blessing for us."
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR ERIC BIENIEMY
Q: Is this game different than the other games with the starters going a little bit longer?
BIENIEMY: "We haven't even sat down to talk about exactly what we are going to do as far as the starters. Just like any other game, we just want to make sure that we are prepared mentally and physically to go out there and put on our best performance. We just want to see overall improvement and making sure that we are staying the course."
Q: How has Darrel Williams impressed you behind the scenes in meetings and how he goes about his business?
BIENIEMY: "He is very sharp. He is a young kid that has accepted the challenge. He has done a great job in the classroom, which says a lot about him because obviously, the stuff he is doing in the classroom, and also the things he is doing at home has helped him. He comes out there, he doesn't make very many mistakes and if he does make a mistake, he self corrects. He is doing a very good job of picking everything up and we just want to see him continue to stay the course."
Q: From what you have seen in Spencer Ware, do you still think he has that juice to be a capable NFL running back?
BIENIEMY: "I'll tell you this. You've seen Spence's body of work, OK? Spence is a very good and solid and productive football player. He is the type of guy you want to take with you in any alley around the country."
Q: You and Andy (Reid) have said you are giving Sammy (Watkins) a lot to work on, do you ever worry you are overloading and you should back off with him?
BIENIEMY: "He has actually been doing a hell of a job. Him and Pat (Mahomes) in practice, I know they haven't quite clicked on the field, but training camp is for a reason. It is about developing chemistry together. It is about those guys learning to function hand-in-hand. I will say this, they have been doing a great job. I know that everybody wants to talk about what is taking place on the field on gameday. But I will say this, their communication, their rhythm is starting to sync. We are just looking forward to watching these guys starting to gel and work in the right direction."
Q: How hard is it going to be in the next few weeks to find the fourth through seventh wide receiver?
BIENIEMY: "First of all, you don't like making tough decisions. But I will say this, competition brings out the best in all of us. You want it to be tough. But obviously all of those guys are competing. They are all working their tails off. I have been impressed from the bottom of the roster to the top of the roster. But at the end of the day we just want these guys to continue to put their best foot forward on tape. We always want them to understand that, 'Hey, you are a direct reflection of who we are when you put it on tape, so let's continue to improve, let's continue to strive for excellence, let's just continue working.' When it is all said and done with, it is unfortunate some tough decisions have to be made. But at the end of the day, we have to make sure we are evaluating thoroughly but on top of that, making sure we are keeping the right people."
LINEBACKER REGGIE RAGLAND
Q: Are you good to go for Saturday?
RAGLAND: "Oh yeah, that's the plan, but right now we're going to take it day-by-day and everything, so hopefully I'll be ready to go. If not, Week 1 is the date."
Q: Even though you haven't played in games, what have you been doing mentally to make sure you're ready when it's time to go?
RAGLAND: "I'm in every meeting. Coaches are always asking me questions. (Inside Linebackers Coach) Mark (DeLeone) is doing a great job with me. Just staying in the meetings and staying in tune, and also when the younger guys mess up, just make sure I'm there to help teach them and get them through. Ben (Niemann) has done a great job and also Ukeme (Eligwe), and all the other guys too."
Q: Do you think it's necessary for Anthony Hitchens and yourself to play in a game together before the opener?
RAGLAND: "We've been on the field with practice, OTAs and everything. Me and Hitch (Anthony Hitchens) have a chemistry, being out there on the field, we just haven't played in a game yet. For the most part, whenever we get out there and get in the games, it's going to be natural, I believe, because it's already natural during practice and everything. If I don't see something Hitch sees it, and when Hitch doesn't see it, I see it. It's very helpful. I think when the time comes, and we get out there and play, things are going to fall into place."
Q: How has your role changed with Derrick Johnson no longer here as a leader of the defense, especially towards the younger guys?
RAGLAND: "I've been more vocal. Everybody knows I like to talk anyway in the locker room and everything like that. Plus I say what I'm doing. If I'm going to say something I've got to go out there and do it. I think I've been pretty good about doing that. My parents taught me a great value is being the man that you are. If you're going to say something, then do it. Then when they ask me questions, just know the answer."
TIGHT END TRAVIS KELCE
Q: Are there many differences with operating with Alex (Smith) and operating with Patrick (Mahomes) in terms of what your responsibilities are to be a connection for them?
KELCE: "Not really. We're still under Andy Reid's scheme. So, a lot of the things we were doing last year are very similar to what we're doing this year. The biggest difference is understanding the game through Patrick's mind. Last year, over the course of the last four, five years, I was able to get into Alex's head. I was able to kind of be on the same page as him and that's what we've been able to accomplish this year over the course of the offseason, training camp. Me and Patrick have been able to figure out, in certain situations, where to go."
Q: The third down play that went for a first down in Atlanta, how many times have you guys worked on that?
KELCE: "It's a route that we run a lot. It's something that I think he feels comfortable with, without a doubt. It's something that we'll continue to work on I guess. It's not just that route, it's every route in the playbook that we would want that kind of chemistry, that kind of timing with."
Q: How do you build the chemistry and talk to him to figure out what he likes? Is it on the field, is it during dorm time?
KELCE: "Well it's not just me and Patrick. Don't get me wrong here, I'm listening to every conversation that he has with Coach Reid and the offensive team meetings. As we grow as an offense you can take bits and pieces from each conversation that Coach Reid has. So, if he's talking to Sammy (Watkins) or if he's talking to Tyreek (Hill), I can kind of listen in to what he's saying, so if I ever get put in that situation I can be on the same page as Patrick."
Q: Personally, do you consider yourself the best tight end in the league? Is that what you're trying to get to?
KELCE: "I'm trying to be the best player I can for the Kansas City Chiefs. That's my main goal. I'll let the critics take care of the whole 'who's the best' and just be the best I can for the Chiefs on every single down."
