Teicher:Chiefs have high hopes for rookie defensive linemen Jackson, Magee

[Tribal Warfare]

Chiefs have high hopes for rookie defensive linemen Jackson, Magee

By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

The vision the Chiefs had on draft weekend came to life on their practice field Saturday. Their top two picks lined up as the starting defensive ends, Tyson Jackson on the left side and Alex Magee on the right.

That mere fact wasn’t cause for the Chiefs to celebrate. It was just a rookie minicamp and veterans Glenn Dorsey and Alfonso Boone weren’t around to defend their turf.

Still, it’s May and a time for dreams, so the Chiefs are hopeful the Jackson-Magee combination is something they’ll see soon — and for many years to come.

They played in college in different parts of the country, Jackson at LSU and Magee at Purdue, but became friends while preparing for the combine together last winter in Florida.

“The fact there was a relationship wasn’t a factor (in drafting) either guy,” Chiefs coach Todd Haley said. “A lot of those guys cross over and are working out together … To me, it’s just an added bonus as long as they weren’t fighting the whole time. It appears they developed somewhat of a relationship, and that’s always good. It helps guys get acclimated and gives them some stability.”

The Chiefs liked the versatility of both players. They envision Jackson and Magee playing at end in their new 3-4 scheme on running downs and either or both moving inside to tackle on obvious passing downs.

The Chiefs tried during the draft to downplay immediate expectations for Jackson, their first-round pick, and Magee, who was selected in the third round. Defensive linemen tend to begin their careers slowly, as Dorsey did last season.

But the Chiefs have no sure things at defensive end. Neither Dorsey nor Boone has played the position in a 3-4.

So it’s clear the Chiefs need Jackson and Magee to play well immediately, and neither seemed to think that would be a problem.

“I’m kind of getting adjusted back to football,” Jackson said. “The last three or four months I’ve been training for the combine. I’ve been trying to break out of that combine mode and get into football shape. So far, so good. It all comes down to football. If I continue preparing the way I am right now … it is just learning the defense and getting the playbook down. I should be OK come the season.

“It’s pretty different. They’re in a 3-4 mode here compared to at LSU, where it was a 4-3. At the end of the day football is football, you have to put your hand in the dirt and come at the offensive lineman. Once I get adjusted to that and get acquainted to what is going on around here, I’ll be OK.”

Magee said, “I’ve been drafted, had my first two NFL practices underneath my belt. I would say I am a professional. I’m used to playing a 4-3. I think that is the biggest adjustment, but I think I can make the adjustments pretty well.

“Playing defensive tackle and defensive end kind of showed my versatility in college. That kind of went into the whole planning process and the reason why they chose me. They saw me fitting into their scheme.”

For now, that’s all good — but things will soon become more difficult for both players.

“It’s not intimidating,” Jackson said. “It’s just change like all things. I played in the SEC, so I have experienced a lot going against guys from Auburn or Alabama and guys with good technique like Tennessee. I played against pretty much all of them, so I have adjusted pretty well so far.

“Nothing has scared me so far, but I know I need to step up my game much more. I can’t continue to play the college game in the NFL.”

QB additions

Former Iowa standout Drew Tate joined Chase Patton as the camp quarterbacks. Both are attending on a tryout basis. Patton was Chase Daniel’s backup at Missouri. Tate initially signed with the Rams out of college two years ago and also played for Saskatchewan of the CFL.

[kcxiv]

I would ****ing hope they have high hopes, one got drafted 3rd overall, and the other was their 2nd draft pick.

Tiecher is getting shittier and shittier as a columnist.

[kepp]

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

“I’m kind of getting adjusted back to football,” Jackson said. “The last three or four months I’ve been training for the combine. I’ve been trying to break out of that combine mode and get into football shape."

That's a pretty telling statement right there. Not about Jackson in particular, but about the combine.

[ChiefMojo]

Honestly I don't think Glen Dorsey got out of Combine mode for awhile. Remember he trained a certain way and got his weight up pretty good overall. When he got to the Chiefs, we stripped away a lot of his weight and I don't know if he adjusted totally to it.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by kepp

That's a pretty telling statement right there. Not about Jackson in particular, but about the combine.

Yep.

And it's why most of us here like to take stock in where a guy ends his season, not how far he rises because of the combine...