By MATT PIKE
The Kansas City Chiefs put on full pads for the first time during today's practice at Missouri Western State University after an off day on Saturday.
Going from day one to day two in pads, head coach Andy Reid says he wants to see more of what he saw during the infamous Andy Reid long drive drill
"I like that second half of that practice, see how they push, how they retain, push, kind of push through that wall," Reid tells reporters following practice. "You start kind of talking to yourself at the end there and you find out who's willing to keep it going."
The drill emphasizes mental toughness, situational awareness, and the ability to execute plays effectively even when exhausted, preparing players for late game scenarios.
Defensive lineman Mike Danna says you just have to gut it out during that long drive period
"There's no looking for subs, there's no looking for ways out, you've just got to realize that this is the time to dig deep, this is the time to grow," Danna explains. "Coach emphasizes growing in uncomfortable situations, that's all that long drive drill is, is just uncomfortable, your body is tired, your body is exhausted, you want to see who's going to dig deep, who's going to keep going."
Danna says the best way to simulate those scenarios is that long drive drill, something many of Reid's players have called the toughest drill of camp.
Entering this year's training camp, the Kansas City Chiefs hoped to see improvement from second year receiver Xavier Worthy.
Worthy had just six touchdowns and barely 700 yards receiving but broke out in the Super Bowl with 157 yards and two touchdowns.
Worthy says things really began to slow down for him late into his rookie season last year, thanks to many of the veterans he was surrounded with.
"I had those vets with me, I had DHop (DeAndre Hopkins), I had JuJu (Smith-Schuster), I had TK (Travis Kelce), so just guys like that and Pat just obviously helping me understand coverages," Worthy says. "Once you learn that, once you learn coverages in the league and what guys are going to do, it all comes down to making the play."
Worthy could be a big factor this year with his explosive speed as the Chiefs try to refocus on bringing the explosive play back into their offense
Practice lasted just over an hour and a half, the Chiefs will practice again tomorrow at 9:15.
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