*** 2021 Chiefs Training Camp MEGATHREAD ***

[wazu]

Posting this as a repository for random training camp content. Glad to see Andy moving around today without the cane.

Andy Reid rocking the all white Air Force 1s with white tube socks.#Chiefs #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/opdxFDbTsh

— Micaela Dea (@NPNowDea) July 24, 2021

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by Superturtle

To be fair I think that was the initial plan but injuries to Long, LDT, and Remmers changed things.

That’s true but I think they just weren’t sure what they had in Niang. They liked him but did he need time to develop?

This is a real chance for Brett Veach to flex his muscle. Imagine a top 10 OL built in one offseason

[dirk digler]

Good article about Fortson in the Athletic today from Nate Taylor

https://theathletic.com/2776173/2021...l&redirected=1

General manager Brett Veach, coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy have marveled at Fortson’s progress in becoming a tall, athletic tight end who still possesses superb receiving skills. With each task required of a tight end in the Chiefs’ complex offense, Fortson has executed his assignments well, earning him repetitions with the first-team offense the past couple of weeks. He has become one of the Chiefs’ most reliable receivers, especially when targeted in the field’s intermediate area.

Fortson’s transformation began Sept. 5, one of the most disappointing days of his career.

After a strong camp last year — in which he made absurd, leaping receptions over star safety Tyrann Mathieu and cornerback Bashaud Breeland — Fortson was waived by the Chiefs during the NFL-mandated cutdown day. Veach and Reid decided to keep six receivers on the roster, choosing more experienced players such as Byron Pringle and Marcus Kemp over Fortson. The biggest downside for Fortson was that the league canceled its preseason amid the coronavirus pandemic. Perhaps if the Chiefs had played four preseason games, Fortson might’ve generated enough dazzling highlights to stay on the active roster.

Instead, four men inside the Chiefs’ training facility that September day — Veach, Reid, special-teams guru Dave Toub and tight end assistant Tom Melvin — convinced Fortson to switch positions.

“I was all for it,” Fortson said. “I got a whole season (on the practice squad) to develop and learn from, I think, one of the best to do it in (star tight end) Travis Kelce.”

In 2018, Valdosta State experimented with Fortson at times because he was bigger than the cornerbacks and safeties assigned to cover him. In the Division II national championship game, Fortson made the most of his one reception. He lined up as a tight end and ran a smooth post route for a 16-yard touchdown reception, giving Valdosta State a lead in the fourth quarter that it never relinquished.

Fortson did tight end drills during workouts in front of scouts and executives before the 2019 NFL Draft. But his surprising 40-yard dash time of 4.7 seconds became the biggest takeaway as to why he didn’t get drafted as a receiver.

“I’ve been told I was slow,” Fortson said. “People don’t know that I was coming off of a pulled hamstring, but I learned to not make excuses. I just let my play work, so when they see me, they’re going to know I’m fast.”

Last year, in essence, was Fortson’s redshirt season. He began learning his new position and spent hours studying film of Kelce. Working on his craft as the scout team’s tight end, Fortson emulated Kelce’s routes in practice against the Chiefs’ starting defenders. In the past year, Kelce and Melvin have been Fortson’s two biggest mentors.

“He’s a great coach,” Fortson said of Melvin. “He’s very patient with me. I’m thankful for him. As far as my footwork goes, he plays a big part in getting my second foot down. He’s been a great influence.”

The offseason often begins with a meeting in which the coaching staff explains to a player how he can improve before the next camp begins. Fortson, though, initiated most of his conversations with Reid, Bieniemy and Melvin this past spring. Fortson kept asking questions to help change his perspective and focused on gaining as much knowledge as he could to improve and become a more complete player to help the Chiefs become a better team.

In Nashville this summer, Fortson spent time training with Delanie Walker, the former tight end who played 14 seasons with the 49ers and Tennessee Titans. Fortson also added weight, going from 225 pounds at the start of camp last year to arriving at Missouri Western State’s campus last month at 244.

“He’s a big, physical guy, one of the most explosive guys on this team,” Kelce said. “He’s very strong, and it’s been awesome to see him transition in the tight end room because he’s playing really well.”

Although Fortson suffered a minor left leg injury early in camp, before the veterans reported, he has amazed his teammates with his athleticism. Almost every practice in camp has featured Fortson making an acrobatic reception.

In the one-on-one blocking drill against linebackers and safeties, Fortson has shown his strength and quick footwork, winning repetitions against rookie linebacker Nick Bolton and Mathieu, who tried to use his speed, but Fortson prevented him from reaching his intended destination.

The most underrated part of Fortson’s performance against the 49ers is that he didn’t make a mistake when blocking for his teammates. On special teams, he was solid, playing a team-leading 13 snaps.

“That’s my first game being a tight end since little league of 2006,” said Fortson, who was 10 years old then. “I’ve never stuck my hand in the dirt and played a full game. I’ve always been a competitor, and I’m getting better every day. I’m not perfect.”

One example, Fortson said, was when he ran a sting route, known for its double-move, against the 49ers.

“I didn’t sell my man-(coverage) move enough,” he said. “I came to the sideline and Travis was like, ‘Man, you have time. You’re fast enough to beat these guys off the line, but you have time to develop the route.’”

[ToxSocks]

Originally Posted by saphojunkie

Are you saying that Fortson won't make the team or won't make it as a tight end?

Because I think he's making the team. Whether he continues to develop as a tight end is another thing.

I'm saying i think he's more of a fringe roster player than the hype would have you believe.

I can see him making the team. I can easily see him not, as well.

His saving grace is that the Chiefs DID keep 4 TE's last season. So you know they'll do it.

I can't see them cutting Gray. And I can't see them putting him ahead of Bell either. So that means TE #4 or practice squad.

[saphojunkie]

“He’s a big, physical guy, one of the most explosive guys on this team,” Kelce said. “He’s very strong, and it’s been awesome to see him transition in the tight end room because he’s playing really well.”

Someone should explain the booty thing to Kelce.

[ToxSocks]

Originally Posted by O.city

but he's probably making the roster as a TE.

Well, he's making it as TE or he's not making it at all.

[saphojunkie]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

Well, he's making it as TE or he's not making it at all.

move him to guard

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

Great.

So you both agree then that Jody needs to get bigger. More time in the oven. Thus, putting into question his ability to secure a roster spot THIS season.

You both agree that Waller wasn't shit until he bulked up and grew into a TE's body. Which is exactly what im saying about Fortson.

The question is, how much time do the Chiefs give him to do that?

He’s 25 so yes I think they will. I think he’ll make the team as the 4th TE and get some real action.

And that’s good for us considering he looks like a massive improvement over the embarrassment known as Nick Keizer.

[UChieffyBugger]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

Waller and Kelce are built like, and play like TE's.

This whole WR comparison is lazy made-for-TV-talk. They aren't WR's, they aren't built like WR's and they don't play like WR's.

Fortson is still built like a WR, which begs the question of how effective he can actually be in a live game doing TE things, which thus begs the question of how serious are the Chiefs in using him this season.

The guy has packed on 20 plus pounds this year and that's obviously helped his transition to TE. The fact is he's actually taller than Waller and Kelce...so maybe he doesn't have to have the exact same body structure as them? This league is full of players that go against the norm...Tyreek shouldn't be able to win jump balls against much taller corners, Lamar shouldn't be able to outrun a defense like he can and Kyler Murray is barely 5'9 playing QB etc.

The bottom line is Jody appears to be making this roster and is pushing hard for the TE two spot after having a great camp thus far and a good game against San Fran. With him having a unique ability to get open in the middle of the field and make tough catches it's hardly a surprise is it? And If Andy likes him then that's all that matters regardless of what any armchair fan thinks.

[Hammock Parties]

Nick Jacobs has the Chiefs keeping four tight ends.

https://www.kshb.com/sports/nick-jac...or-2021-season

Tight End (4)
Travis Kelce, Jody Fortson, Blake Bell and Noah Gray
Kelce and Fortson have been the best tight ends at camp and it isn't close.

Fortson provides the team a more reliable version of Demetrius Harris. He is similiar in athletic ability but has much more reliable hands.

Bell is on the roster for his ferocious ability as a blocking tight end as well as his ability to contribute on special teams.

Finally, Gray has work ahead of him on timing routes and improving his blocking as well as athletic ability, but all four should make the 53-man roster.

[Hammock Parties]

Nick Jacobs has the Chiefs keeping four tight ends.

https://www.kshb.com/sports/nick-jac...or-2021-season

Tight End (4)
Travis Kelce, Jody Fortson, Blake Bell and Noah Gray
Kelce and Fortson have been the best tight ends at camp and it isn't close.

Fortson provides the team a more reliable version of Demetrius Harris. He is similiar in athletic ability but has much more reliable hands.

Bell is on the roster for his ferocious ability as a blocking tight end as well as his ability to contribute on special teams.

Finally, Gray has work ahead of him on timing routes and improving his blocking as well as athletic ability, but all four should make the 53-man roster.

[ToxSocks]

Originally Posted by UChieffyBugger

Tyreek shouldn't be able to win jump balls against tall corners, Lamar shouldn't be able to outrun a defense like he can and Kyler Murray is barely 5'9 playing QB etc.

Look at the legs and ass on Tyreek Hill. They might be the most impressive, pound for pound on the team. Hell, he makes a point to show them off with his itty-bitty short shorts. So no, it's not surprising his lower body generates the kind of explosion to leap over defenders.

Thanks for proving my point.

And why shouldn't Lamar be able to outrun a defense like he can?

And Murray's height limitation is a real thing, and he does have trouble seeing out of a pocket, hence why he tries to roll into voids so frequently to find a clear throwing lanes. It's a known issue for him.

Ya'll so defensive over Jody Fortson.

[Direckshun]

I went to camp yesterday:

• I didn't really see Mahomes do anything, but I thought Buechele looked pretty darn good. He had a truly special throw to the near sideline that was fairly Mahomes-ian, as he rolled to his right and threw without setting his feet, hitting a receiver in stride as he dove with a defender draped on him. It was the best throw I'd seen yesterday from any quarterback.
• Clyde has not shown the gamebreaking progression I thought we'd see from him. He still looks solid, like a guy who's going to be a contributor, but this offense desperately needs a tertiary threat in the passing game, and Clyde doesn't quite look to be stepping up into that.
• Darwin Thompson looks bigger and tougher -- I didn't go to camp last year due to Covid concerns, but the previous year he was a rookie and getting demolished in the pass protection drill by every linebacker. He held his own every single rep he got in the pass protection drill. I do think Thompson will still make the 53.
• Speaking of the blitzing vs. pass protection drill, here are some of the highlights: Michael Burton is a tank in pass protection; Edwards-Helaire is far better at pass protection than he was a year ago; Bell and Kelce do a good job against blitzers but Gray and Fortson are, currently, very bad; Gay is a damn buffalo and ruined Gray's life when they went one-on-one.
• Let's talk the two linebackers: Gay, as I just said, is a buffalo. He is huge and fast, and seems to be weaponizing it far better this year than he did last year. The Chiefs still played him only on base downs, which I think we're all going to complain about this season, because his ability to pursue is downright shocking. A QB threw a swing pass to a RB out in the flat, and Gay got there so fast, you could hear his stomping feet from the stands. He looks outstanding, with Pro Bowl upside. Nick Bolton, however, is the "base defense" version of Ben Niemann. He doesn't make mistakes, but he's so blah and unremarkable. He can't beat anybody in the blitzing drill, he doesn't look fast, and in the coverage drill he can't stick with anyone. He's currently a two-down LB only, and may not play that much this year, in part because Hitchens and Gay look great, but also because he simply doesn't look the part right now.
• Gray and Fortson are going to solidly be behind Bell on the depth chart at TE. They're both good receivers and make a bunch of catches, Fortson in particular. But neither can block at all right now -- they're not Tebow bad, but they're bad.
• Yes, everything you're hearing (and seeing) about Chris Jones is true. He's ruining everything in practice, but he's doing it from the DT position -- he's still a tough block from the DE position, but DT is where he's doing his damage. He is not threatening the outside shoulder of the tackles.
• Tre Smith is a man. In the 1 on 1 drills, he had three reps against Chris Jones. He stood Jones up while Jones walked him back in the first rep. Rep 2, Chris Jones swimmed him and Smith got a facemask full of dirt. Rep 3, Jones tried to go across Smith's face and Smith put him in the ground. So not only is Smith a really good blocker, he's not afraid of anyone.
• Niang took 100% of the snaps at RT. Remmers took 100% of the snaps at 2nd string LT.
• This was the backup OL: LT Remmers, LG Durant, C Blythe, RG Allegretti, RT Wylie
• The best DL on the field yesterday was Chris Jones... by a mile. The second best DL on the field yesterday was Tershawn Wharton... by a mile. He is incredibly slippery and fast, a true 3 tech. He made some noise against the 1s and was unstoppable against the 2s.
• Also unstoppable against the 2s was Rashad Fenton. Fenton and Baker got zero snaps with the 1st team, and it wouldn't shock me if he gets more reps over the course of the season.
• Speaking of 1st team secondary, Thornhill was all over the place. He was running with the 3rd team in a couple spots, and he got a couple snaps with the 1st team. Thornhill did have a pretty pass breakup, but also got beat in coverage a few times. He's all over the place right now.
• Devon Key, after giving up that horrific touchdown in the first preseason game, is no longer receiving 1st team reps at safety, but the Chiefs are absolutely hunting for their 3rd safety after Mathieu and Sorensen. The 3rd safety that ran all practice with the 1s..... Zayne Anderson. Mathieu is shouting at Anderson every single snap, and Anderson was attacked (successfully) by the offense on the 1st snap of 11 v 11. We'll see if the Chiefs continue the experiment, or if they end up defaulting back to Thornhill.
• The following notable players received first team reps on special teams: Hardman is still rushing FG attempts; Kemp, Fortson, Witzmann, Darryl Williams, Khalen Saunders, O'Daniel, and Watts. Keep in mind that Toub gets a ton of pull with the bottom of the roster, so those names are worth remembering.
• Orlando Brown concerns me. He doesn't look like he can protect his outside shoulder effectively, and his push in the run game was kind of disappointing in practice. Maybe he wasn't giving it his all.
• Fountain and Dieter got a ton of play with the 2s. Dieter even got some reps with the 1s.
• L'Jarius Sneed is a Pro Bowler in the making. He stuck with Tyreek Hill and slapped a pass away from his arms. (Hill would later snag a ball from Mahomes while roasting Sneed, so it's going both ways.)
• Hardman and Robinson look.... alright. Pretty much more of the same. Pringle has the best shot at being WR3 by November, based on what I saw today.
• I'm not breaking any news here, but Kelce's route-running is absolutely gorgeous. He has a hundred subtle moves that create enough space between him and his competition. He won every single rep against the linebackers in the 1 on 1 coverage drill.
• Danna didn't seem to apply any pressure in the 11 v 11, however the Chiefs did rotate him down at DT a ton in practice -- possibly because Nnadi and Reed both got hurt. Reed just got cramps, so he's fine.

[ToxSocks]

Originally Posted by Hammock Parties

Fortson provides the team a more reliable version of Demetrius Harris.

These guys couldn't be more different. Such a lazy comparison.

They only thing they have in common is that they were back up Chief TE projects.

[Sassy Squatch]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

Look at the legs and ass on Tyreek Hill. They might be the most impressive, pound for pound on the team. Hell, he makes a point to show them off with his itty-bitty short shorts. So no, it's not surprising his lower body generates the kind of explosion to leap over defenders.

Thanks for proving my point.

And why shouldn't Lamar be able to outrun a defense like he can?

And Murray's height limitation is a real thing, and he does have trouble seeing out of a pocket, hence why he tries to roll into voids so frequently to find a clear throwing lanes. It's a known issue for him.

Ya'll so defensive over Jody Fortson.

you're the one most invested in this. Most people are just mocking your fixation on "tight ends"

[-King-]

Yeah Fortson is definitely making the team. He has a similar body type to Gronk so he'll be a great redzone target.

[ToxSocks]

Originally Posted by Superturtle

Most people are just mocking your fixation on "tight ends"

Im talking real football. Maybe player physique is something some of ya'll are uncomfortable with, but i promise you its something Brett Veach and his scouts look at often. We are discussing athletes, after all.