Chiefs Paylor:Aaron Murray working on his footwork and deep ball - Page 2

**Tribal Warfare** · 06-10-2015, 09:59 PM

Now healthy, Chiefs quarterback Aaron Murray working on his footwork and deep ball
By TEREZ A. PAYLOR

[email protected]

Aaron Murray dropped back to pass, his eyes downfield. He identified the zone defense, saw his receiver break free on the post and let it rip.

This was June 3, the fifth practice of organized team activities for the Chiefs, and Murray’s long-ball completion to Frankie Hammond — who hauled it in and sprinted to the end zone without breaking stride — represented a fairly uncommon occurrence last season for the Chiefs, who possessed one the most conservative downfield passing attacks in the league.

And while it was just one play — without pads, in a fairly inconsequential setting — it caught the eyes of Murray’s coaches.

It also represented a positive step forward for Murray, Chiefs’ 2014 fifth-round draft pick and the team’s third-string quarterback behind Alex Smith and backup Chase Daniel.

“Well, you saw the deep one — it was a great throw, great read,” offensive coordinator Doug Pederson said. “It was excellent.

“I’ve been in that third-quarterback role where sometimes you’re playing with younger players and you’re just wondering if they’re going to run the right route. And for Aaron to put it up, that’s nice to see.”

Especially since the 6-foot-1 Murray, who said he bulked up this offseason from 204 to 209 pounds, tore the ACL in his left knee roughly 18 months ago.

“A lot of it is getting the strength back in my legs,” Murray said. “A lot of it is the lower body being able to torque, being able to drive through the legs, just like being a hitter. So getting the strength back in my legs has really helped with the deep ball. Being more comfortable with the receivers and timing, just trust and let it rip, man.”

To be clear, Murray’s no Warren Moon when it comes to the long pass. His NFL.com scouting report, which was based on his college tape before the injury, mentioned “marginal deep-ball accuracy.” And throughout OTAs, he’s generally been more accurate the closer his throws are to the line of scrimmage.

Still, the Chiefs’ coaching staff seems satisfied with the progress he’s making on those downfield throws.

“He’s where he needs to be,” quarterbacks coach Matt Nagy said. “Right now, we’re working on footwork with him, and we’re really doing it with all the quarterbacks, but with Aaron, there’s a couple things he had that we’re trying to get better at and improve on. He certainly has the arm strength — now it’s just trying to understand where we want the ball to be on the go balls.”

To his credit, Murray echoed Nagy’s sentiments without any nudging, noting that improved footwork is his biggest area of emphasis.

Daniel, the man ahead of him on the depth chart, praised Murray’s work habits, saying he’s shown a humility that’s crucial for young quarterbacks who hope to make it in the league.

“We’ve been hard on him — I’m going on year seven; he’s going on year two,” Daniel said with a laugh. “Me and Alex (Smith) both have got some seniority on him, so we make him pay his rookie dues. But he’s such a good learner.

“He came in here wanting to learn; he’s like a sponge, soaking it all up. So he’s got a bright future ahead of him. ... Coaches have to be able to feel like they can coach you up if you’re going to stick on.”

Murray said Daniel and Smith have been ideal mentors.

“You’ve just to take it,” Murray said with a laugh. “They weren’t mean to me — they were really nice. They’ve been in the league so long, I looked at it as this is such a great opportunity to learn about the game of football, not only on the field but off the field, how to take care of yourself.”

Murray was amazed by the amount of preparation Daniel and Smith put into the job. Daniel says NFL quarterbacks have 10 times the responsibility college quarterbacks do.

“Just the amount of film work they put in,” Murray said. “Being able to come in there and watch film the way they watch film (is crucial), because watching film in college is a lot different than (watching it) now. College has very basic defenses — you’re gonna get a couple blitzes, a couple defenses.

“Now (there’s) all these various fronts, (and you need to know) how many percentages of time they’ll blitz and play this coverage.

“Being able to pick up those tendencies is a lot more (challenging) than doing it in college. But learning how to do that has been awesome.”

Murray has been making strides in this area, too. Rookie receiver Chris Conley, his teammate at Georgia from 2011-13, said Murray has developed exponentially since he last played with him.

“There’s more maturity from him, and even Aaron is still learning things about this offense,” Conley said. “When Aaron was at Georgia, he knew everything that there was. This offense is so big and grand, and every year, wrinkles are added. Aaron is still evolving as a quarterback himself, and I think he’s light years better than he was.”

It remains to be seen if Murray is anywhere close to challenging for a No. 2 job, let alone a starting role. Those kinds of battles are fought in training camp and preseason.

But for now, he appears to be doing just fine.

“He’s a sharp guy,” Pederson said. “Again, as a third quarterback, he’s right where he needs to be to help our offense.”

Dunerdr · 06-11-2015, 06:26 AM

I quit at he bulked up. From 204 to 209.

KCUnited · 06-11-2015, 06:31 AM

Chiefs QB's to go through throwing drills during practice.

**Mav** · 06-11-2015, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TribalElder

Playing Texans week 1 right

Clowney and watt could beat the shit out of Alex week 1

Clowney has to prove he's not a useless broke dick.

milkman · 06-11-2015, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InChiefsHell

I believe this is Pederson saying "People, settle down. Dude is a third stringer for a reason..."

Don't think that is what he's saying at all.

I believe he's telling us that he's shown growth.

InChiefsHeaven · 06-11-2015, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

Don't think that is what he's saying at all.

I believe he's telling us that he's shown growth.

Oh, to be sure. I just think he's emphasizing the "third quarterback" thing for a reason. He's not ready. Not even to back up Alex at this point. So don't have any expectations of seeing him if Alex goes down, at least not this season. They are bringing him along nicely, but he's not a Jedi yet...

MatriculatingHank · 06-11-2015, 07:15 PM

http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports..._otas/18950714

QB Aaron Murray opening eyes at Chiefs OTAs

The Kansas City Chiefs selected quarterback Aaron Murray with the No. 163 overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft, despite recovering from a knee injury.

Considered a "redshirt" as a rookie behind starting signal caller Alex Smith, Chase Daniel and Tyler Bray, Murray is showing that he's ready to move up the depth chart.

Murray, 6'1, 207 pounds, started 52 games for UGA before tearing his left ACL in 2013, racking up a 35-17 record with a 62.3% completion rate that translates into the type of pedigree the team is keeping an eye one.

“He’s where he needs to be,” quarterbacks coach Matt Nagy said, via the Kansas City Star.

“Right now, we’re working on footwork with him, and we’re really doing it with all the quarterbacks, but with Aaron, there’s a couple things he had that we’re trying to get better at and improve on. He certainly has the arm strength — now it’s just trying to understand where we want the ball to be on the go balls.”

“A lot of it is getting the strength back in my legs,” Murray said. “A lot of it is the lower body being able to torque, being able to drive through the legs, just like being a hitter. So getting the strength back in my legs has really helped with the deep ball. Being more comfortable with the receivers and timing, just trust and let it rip, man.”

He came in here wanting to learn; he’s like a sponge, soaking it all up. So he’s got a bright future ahead of him. ... Coaches have to be able to feel like they can coach you up if you’re going to stick on,” Daniels said.

BWillie · 06-11-2015, 07:55 PM

Put in Stanzi!

I will still be yelling that at Preseason games.

**Smed1065** · 06-11-2015, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JakeLV

Hard to put any weight behind it if the pads aren't on, but nice to hear they're actually developing somebody.

Would like to see him push Chase out this year.

FYP.

Deberg_1990 · 06-11-2015, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWillie

Put in Stanzi!

I will still be yelling that at Preseason games.

Why is the backup QB always the most popular guy on the team amongst Chiefs fans?

Reerun_KC · 06-11-2015, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Why is the backup QB always the most popular guy on the team amongst Chiefs fans?

Same reason they believe drafting non impact lineman in the first round is the key to 9-7.

This franchise promotes a loser mentality that was brought here by Marty. Fanbase embraced it for life.

OldSchool · 06-11-2015, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dunerdr

I quit at he bulked up. From 204 to 209.

staylor26 · 06-11-2015, 10:30 PM

This guy is not Stanzi/Croyle/Printers/Thigpen/any other ridiculous great hope. He's a legit prospect and is in a GREAT situation learning from Reid/Smith.

OldSchool · 06-11-2015, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by staylor26

This guy is not Stanzi/Croyle/Printers/Thigpen/any other ridiculous great hope. He's a legit prospect and is in a GREAT situation learning from Reid/Smith.

He's going to have a great career as a career backup/spot starter.

His ceiling is no higher than that if you're being honest with yourself.

If you truly think that he's the great hope for the future (beyond Smith), then you're in for a world of disappointment, lol.

staylor26 · 06-11-2015, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldSchool

He's going to have a great career as a career backup/spot starter.

His ceiling is no higher than that if you're being honest with yourself.

If you truly think that he's the great hope for the future (beyond Smith), then you're in for a world of disappointment, lol.

His ceiling is Russel Wilson without the wheels (though he can pick up some yardage with his feet).

(Cue the people that pretend Wilson was a Luck/Peyton (or even Brees) level prospect.)

**DaneMcCloud** · 06-12-2015, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by staylor26

His ceiling is Russel Wilson without the wheels (though he can pick up some yardage with his feet).

(Cue the people that pretend Wilson was a Luck/Peyton (or even Brees) level prospect.)

My ceiling is Russell Wilson.

My floor is Hank Moody.

06-10-2015, 09:59 PM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-3047187	Paylor:Aaron Murray working on his footwork and deep ball Now healthy, Chiefs quarterback Aaron Murray working on his footwork and deep ball By TEREZ A. PAYLOR [email protected] Aaron Murray dropped back to pass, his eyes downfield. He identified the zone defense, saw his receiver break free on the post and let it rip. This was June 3, the fifth practice of organized team activities for the Chiefs, and Murray’s long-ball completion to Frankie Hammond — who hauled it in and sprinted to the end zone without breaking stride — represented a fairly uncommon occurrence last season for the Chiefs, who possessed one the most conservative downfield passing attacks in the league. And while it was just one play — without pads, in a fairly inconsequential setting — it caught the eyes of Murray’s coaches. It also represented a positive step forward for Murray, Chiefs’ 2014 fifth-round draft pick and the team’s third-string quarterback behind Alex Smith and backup Chase Daniel. “Well, you saw the deep one — it was a great throw, great read,” offensive coordinator Doug Pederson said. “It was excellent. “I’ve been in that third-quarterback role where sometimes you’re playing with younger players and you’re just wondering if they’re going to run the right route. And for Aaron to put it up, that’s nice to see.” Especially since the 6-foot-1 Murray, who said he bulked up this offseason from 204 to 209 pounds, tore the ACL in his left knee roughly 18 months ago. “A lot of it is getting the strength back in my legs,” Murray said. “A lot of it is the lower body being able to torque, being able to drive through the legs, just like being a hitter. So getting the strength back in my legs has really helped with the deep ball. Being more comfortable with the receivers and timing, just trust and let it rip, man.” To be clear, Murray’s no Warren Moon when it comes to the long pass. His NFL.com scouting report, which was based on his college tape before the injury, mentioned “marginal deep-ball accuracy.” And throughout OTAs, he’s generally been more accurate the closer his throws are to the line of scrimmage. Still, the Chiefs’ coaching staff seems satisfied with the progress he’s making on those downfield throws. “He’s where he needs to be,” quarterbacks coach Matt Nagy said. “Right now, we’re working on footwork with him, and we’re really doing it with all the quarterbacks, but with Aaron, there’s a couple things he had that we’re trying to get better at and improve on. He certainly has the arm strength — now it’s just trying to understand where we want the ball to be on the go balls.” To his credit, Murray echoed Nagy’s sentiments without any nudging, noting that improved footwork is his biggest area of emphasis. Daniel, the man ahead of him on the depth chart, praised Murray’s work habits, saying he’s shown a humility that’s crucial for young quarterbacks who hope to make it in the league. “We’ve been hard on him — I’m going on year seven; he’s going on year two,” Daniel said with a laugh. “Me and Alex (Smith) both have got some seniority on him, so we make him pay his rookie dues. But he’s such a good learner. “He came in here wanting to learn; he’s like a sponge, soaking it all up. So he’s got a bright future ahead of him. ... Coaches have to be able to feel like they can coach you up if you’re going to stick on.” Murray said Daniel and Smith have been ideal mentors. “You’ve just to take it,” Murray said with a laugh. “They weren’t mean to me — they were really nice. They’ve been in the league so long, I looked at it as this is such a great opportunity to learn about the game of football, not only on the field but off the field, how to take care of yourself.” Murray was amazed by the amount of preparation Daniel and Smith put into the job. Daniel says NFL quarterbacks have 10 times the responsibility college quarterbacks do. “Just the amount of film work they put in,” Murray said. “Being able to come in there and watch film the way they watch film (is crucial), because watching film in college is a lot different than (watching it) now. College has very basic defenses — you’re gonna get a couple blitzes, a couple defenses. “Now (there’s) all these various fronts, (and you need to know) how many percentages of time they’ll blitz and play this coverage. “Being able to pick up those tendencies is a lot more (challenging) than doing it in college. But learning how to do that has been awesome.” Murray has been making strides in this area, too. Rookie receiver Chris Conley, his teammate at Georgia from 2011-13, said Murray has developed exponentially since he last played with him. “There’s more maturity from him, and even Aaron is still learning things about this offense,” Conley said. “When Aaron was at Georgia, he knew everything that there was. This offense is so big and grand, and every year, wrinkles are added. Aaron is still evolving as a quarterback himself, and I think he’s light years better than he was.” It remains to be seen if Murray is anywhere close to challenging for a No. 2 job, let alone a starting role. Those kinds of battles are fought in training camp and preseason. But for now, he appears to be doing just fine. “He’s a sharp guy,” Pederson said. “Again, as a third quarterback, he’s right where he needs to be to help our offense.”
Posts: 43,455

06-11-2015, 06:26 AM	#16
Dunerdr MVP Join Date: Oct 2012 Casino cash: $-2890000	I quit at he bulked up. From 204 to 209. __________________ Adopt-A-Chief- Rachel Santschi
Posts: 12,762

06-11-2015, 06:31 AM	#17
KCUnited Cheat Death Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Land of Drincoln Casino cash: $-1671756	Chiefs QB's to go through throwing drills during practice.
Posts: 37,036

06-11-2015, 07:15 PM	#21
MatriculatingHank Veteran Join Date: Nov 2008 Casino cash: $-1365142	http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports..._otas/18950714 QB Aaron Murray opening eyes at Chiefs OTAs The Kansas City Chiefs selected quarterback Aaron Murray with the No. 163 overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft, despite recovering from a knee injury. Considered a "redshirt" as a rookie behind starting signal caller Alex Smith, Chase Daniel and Tyler Bray, Murray is showing that he's ready to move up the depth chart. Murray, 6'1, 207 pounds, started 52 games for UGA before tearing his left ACL in 2013, racking up a 35-17 record with a 62.3% completion rate that translates into the type of pedigree the team is keeping an eye one. “He’s where he needs to be,” quarterbacks coach Matt Nagy said, via the Kansas City Star. “Right now, we’re working on footwork with him, and we’re really doing it with all the quarterbacks, but with Aaron, there’s a couple things he had that we’re trying to get better at and improve on. He certainly has the arm strength — now it’s just trying to understand where we want the ball to be on the go balls.” “A lot of it is getting the strength back in my legs,” Murray said. “A lot of it is the lower body being able to torque, being able to drive through the legs, just like being a hitter. So getting the strength back in my legs has really helped with the deep ball. Being more comfortable with the receivers and timing, just trust and let it rip, man.” He came in here wanting to learn; he’s like a sponge, soaking it all up. So he’s got a bright future ahead of him. ... Coaches have to be able to feel like they can coach you up if you’re going to stick on,” Daniels said.
Posts: 1,242

06-11-2015, 07:55 PM	#22
BWillie Are you ready to Rumble? Join Date: Apr 2006 Casino cash: $-1518759	Put in Stanzi! I will still be yelling that at Preseason games.
Posts: 52,974

06-11-2015, 10:30 PM	#27
staylor26 In Search of a Life Join Date: Oct 2007 Casino cash: $-2170960	This guy is not Stanzi/Croyle/Printers/Thigpen/any other ridiculous great hope. He's a legit prospect and is in a GREAT situation learning from Reid/Smith.
Posts: 52,916

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