Chiefs Tyler Bray, not Patrick Mahomes, is the Chiefs’ No. 2 quarterback so far

Deberg_1990 · 05-26-2017, 03:40 PM

When the Chiefs selected Patrick Mahomes II with the 10th overall pick in the NFL Draft — after trading a 2018 first-round pick to do it — it would have been easy for backup quarterback Tyler Bray to mentally go in the tank.

The 25-year-old Bray spent the previous four seasons learning coach Andy Reid’s offense, and the Chiefs still opted to sacrifice premium draft capital to select another young quarterback with traits to mirror Bray’s cannon for an arm and love for the deep ball.

But Bray, an undrafted free agent in 2013, is no stranger to competition. He beat out 2014 fifth-round pick Aaron Murray for the backup job a year ago, though he had the No. 2 spot usurped from him by veteran Nick Foles during training camp.

And Bray functioned as the Chiefs’ No. 2 quarterback ahead of Mahomes this week during the Chiefs’ first three of 10 voluntary offseason practices. Bray knows that as long as he has a job in the NFL, he has a chance to play.

“It’s the same thing every year — you’ve got to come out there and compete,” Bray said. “We’ve drafted a guy every year … you can’t just sit back (and say) ‘Aw, here we go again.’ I mean, it’s the NFL. They’re going to bring in guys every year that are competing to start.”

Reid emphasized Thursday that Bray again has an opportunity to hold onto the No. 2 job, despite Mahomes’ presence and the fact Bray is slated to be an unrestricted free agent after the season.

“He’s going to compete — I would tell you that’s what he does,” Reid said of Bray. “He’s earned the right to be in that position and now he’s got to maintain it.”

What could complicate things for Bray is that the Chiefs’ No. 2 quarterback only gets a handful of practice snaps with the starters during the regular season. If the Chiefs are committed to getting Mahomes some snaps, it might make sense to install him as the top backup so he gets meaningful reps with the top offensive players.

But Reid also noted Thursday that young backup quarterbacks can still get on-field practice work during the regular season.

“Where they get their reps is on the scout team,” Reid said. “Then you try to tie that in to what (the first-teamers) do the best way you possibly can.”

Which makes the mental reps the backups take — when they watch starter Alex Smith run the offense — as important as on-field reps. And given the way coaches and teammates have complimented Bray’s improved knowledge of the playbook, it appears he has taken advantage of those mental reps.

For instance, Bray wasn’t asked to execute all of the Chiefs’ offensive concepts in practice last season. But Reid said that is no longer the case.

“For the most part, this is the first time he’s had the whole thing thrown at him and been expected to do it,” Reid said. “He’s doing a nice job with it. Tyler is very much improved from where we initially got him.”

Bray says he’s at the point where he’s able to point out when teammates are lined up incorrectly, even slightly.

“Just detailing where guys are supposed to be lined up,” he said. “Getting them to where they need to be and not just being like ‘Oh, he’s close enough.’”

Reid also praised Bray’s instincts and vision.

“There’s more than just the playbook,” Reid said, “there’s doing the things at the line of scrimmage that we ask him to do and adjustments we ask him to make, and he does well with those things.”

Bray and Mahomes aren’t the only quarterbacks in line behind Smith. Joel Stave, 25, was signed to the practice squad in November and re-signed to a reserve-futures contract in January. He’s 6 feet 5, 230 pounds and has a strong arm.

“He competes … he’s a smart kid and he’s learning,” Reid said. “Is he ‘there’ yet? No, but he’s showing improvement and that’s all you can ask of him until he gets a few more snaps under his belt.”

Stave says he’s primarily working on his footwork, decision-making and knowledge of the offense.

“It’s just a matter of continuing to understand the offense as well as I can,” he said, “and then playing as fast as I can.”

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl...152686414.html

threebag · 05-26-2017, 03:43 PM

Great another shit show

Coogs · 05-26-2017, 03:47 PM

If he names Mahomes #2 right away, you lose competition. I hope by Training Camp Mahomes is #2, and after the Bye week he is #1. Could be two weeks after the Bye just so Mahomes doesn't have to open on the road against the G-men.

jd1020 · 05-26-2017, 03:47 PM

Bray getting the Kevin Kolb treatment. I like it. Shame he'll tear his ACL carrying groceries to his car before they can cash in on him in a trade.

rico · 05-26-2017, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jd1020

Bray getting the Kevin Kolb treatment. I like it. Shame he'll tear his ACL carrying groceries to his car before they can cash in on him in a trade.

This.

ModSocks · 05-26-2017, 04:30 PM

To be expected. Half way through training camp we'll read reports about Mahomes splitting reps with the 2's.

Red Dawg · 05-26-2017, 04:31 PM

Who cares. Mahomes in 18 will start.

In58men · 05-26-2017, 04:38 PM

Good, all that does is push Mahomes more.

Remember Haley and Bowe? Just gives them a reason to try harder. Nothing to see here.

ModSocks · 05-26-2017, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inmem58

Good, all that does is push Mahomes more.

Remember Haley and Bowe? Just gives them a reason to try harder. Nothing to see here.

Does it reeaaaally though?

I'm pretty sure Mahomes knows he's the eventual starter, as does everyone else in the franchise.

**New World Order** · 05-26-2017, 04:53 PM

List Mahomes as the third guy the entire year.

If Ass goes down, I don't want Mahomes fed to the wolves (unless he's ready). 18 will be his year.

Kman34 · 05-26-2017, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coogs

If he names Mahomes #2 right away, you lose competition. I hope by Training Camp Mahomes is #2, and after the Bye week he is #1. Could be two weeks after the Bye just so Mahomes doesn't have to open on the road against the G-men.

I think it's a stretch to think he's going to start unless Alex gets hurt....

dlphg9 · 05-26-2017, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by New World Order

List Mahomes as the third guy the entire year.

If Ass goes down, I don't want Mahomes fed to the wolves (unless he's ready). 18 will be his year.

Fed to the wolves how?

Chief Roundup · 05-26-2017, 05:23 PM

I hope Mahomes makes the final 53 but never makes the 45 on game day this season.

Chief Roundup · 05-26-2017, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by threebag02

Great another shit show

Huh what do you mean?

Reerun_KC · 05-26-2017, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by New World Order

List Mahomes as the third guy the entire year.

If Ass goes down, I don't want Mahomes fed to the wolves (unless he's ready). 18 will be his year.

Huh?

Chiefs fan, living in the 90s of football

05-26-2017, 03:40 PM
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3914454	Tyler Bray, not Patrick Mahomes, is the Chiefs’ No. 2 quarterback so far When the Chiefs selected Patrick Mahomes II with the 10th overall pick in the NFL Draft — after trading a 2018 first-round pick to do it — it would have been easy for backup quarterback Tyler Bray to mentally go in the tank. The 25-year-old Bray spent the previous four seasons learning coach Andy Reid’s offense, and the Chiefs still opted to sacrifice premium draft capital to select another young quarterback with traits to mirror Bray’s cannon for an arm and love for the deep ball. But Bray, an undrafted free agent in 2013, is no stranger to competition. He beat out 2014 fifth-round pick Aaron Murray for the backup job a year ago, though he had the No. 2 spot usurped from him by veteran Nick Foles during training camp. And Bray functioned as the Chiefs’ No. 2 quarterback ahead of Mahomes this week during the Chiefs’ first three of 10 voluntary offseason practices. Bray knows that as long as he has a job in the NFL, he has a chance to play. “It’s the same thing every year — you’ve got to come out there and compete,” Bray said. “We’ve drafted a guy every year … you can’t just sit back (and say) ‘Aw, here we go again.’ I mean, it’s the NFL. They’re going to bring in guys every year that are competing to start.” Reid emphasized Thursday that Bray again has an opportunity to hold onto the No. 2 job, despite Mahomes’ presence and the fact Bray is slated to be an unrestricted free agent after the season. “He’s going to compete — I would tell you that’s what he does,” Reid said of Bray. “He’s earned the right to be in that position and now he’s got to maintain it.” What could complicate things for Bray is that the Chiefs’ No. 2 quarterback only gets a handful of practice snaps with the starters during the regular season. If the Chiefs are committed to getting Mahomes some snaps, it might make sense to install him as the top backup so he gets meaningful reps with the top offensive players. But Reid also noted Thursday that young backup quarterbacks can still get on-field practice work during the regular season. “Where they get their reps is on the scout team,” Reid said. “Then you try to tie that in to what (the first-teamers) do the best way you possibly can.” Which makes the mental reps the backups take — when they watch starter Alex Smith run the offense — as important as on-field reps. And given the way coaches and teammates have complimented Bray’s improved knowledge of the playbook, it appears he has taken advantage of those mental reps. For instance, Bray wasn’t asked to execute all of the Chiefs’ offensive concepts in practice last season. But Reid said that is no longer the case. “For the most part, this is the first time he’s had the whole thing thrown at him and been expected to do it,” Reid said. “He’s doing a nice job with it. Tyler is very much improved from where we initially got him.” Bray says he’s at the point where he’s able to point out when teammates are lined up incorrectly, even slightly. “Just detailing where guys are supposed to be lined up,” he said. “Getting them to where they need to be and not just being like ‘Oh, he’s close enough.’” Reid also praised Bray’s instincts and vision. “There’s more than just the playbook,” Reid said, “there’s doing the things at the line of scrimmage that we ask him to do and adjustments we ask him to make, and he does well with those things.” Bray and Mahomes aren’t the only quarterbacks in line behind Smith. Joel Stave, 25, was signed to the practice squad in November and re-signed to a reserve-futures contract in January. He’s 6 feet 5, 230 pounds and has a strong arm. “He competes … he’s a smart kid and he’s learning,” Reid said. “Is he ‘there’ yet? No, but he’s showing improvement and that’s all you can ask of him until he gets a few more snaps under his belt.” Stave says he’s primarily working on his footwork, decision-making and knowledge of the offense. “It’s just a matter of continuing to understand the offense as well as I can,” he said, “and then playing as fast as I can.” http://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl...152686414.html
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05-26-2017, 03:43 PM	#2
threebag Snacks Are Under My Apron Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Edge Casino cash: $3031660	Great another shit show __________________ Free DeBerg HayWire Greatest Mod Ever In big nasty kcnut we trust
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05-26-2017, 03:47 PM	#3
Coogs In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Northern Kansas Casino cash: $1624349	If he names Mahomes #2 right away, you lose competition. I hope by Training Camp Mahomes is #2, and after the Bye week he is #1. Could be two weeks after the Bye just so Mahomes doesn't have to open on the road against the G-men.
Posts: 21,608

05-26-2017, 03:47 PM	#4
jd1020 In Search of a Life Join Date: Nov 2010 Casino cash: $7742645	Bray getting the Kevin Kolb treatment. I like it. Shame he'll tear his ACL carrying groceries to his car before they can cash in on him in a trade.
Posts: 24,322

05-26-2017, 04:30 PM	#6
ModSocks Needs more middle fingers Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Diego Casino cash: $4294563	To be expected. Half way through training camp we'll read reports about Mahomes splitting reps with the 2's. __________________ It's O'side or No side, baby.
Posts: 64,272

05-26-2017, 04:31 PM	#7
Red Dawg Going home eventually Join Date: Dec 2002 Casino cash: $4772858	Who cares. Mahomes in 18 will start. __________________ If you're not first you're last!
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05-26-2017, 04:38 PM	#8
In58men Baba Ganoush Join Date: Jan 2012 Casino cash: $2308026	Good, all that does is push Mahomes more. Remember Haley and Bowe? Just gives them a reason to try harder. Nothing to see here. __________________ My Kansas City Chief record 9-9
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05-26-2017, 04:53 PM	#10
New World Order Choco Favre Join Date: Jul 2012 Casino cash: $2694765	List Mahomes as the third guy the entire year. If Ass goes down, I don't want Mahomes fed to the wolves (unless he's ready). 18 will be his year.
Posts: 28,961

05-26-2017, 05:23 PM	#13
Chief Roundup Admitted Planet Junky Join Date: Oct 2000 Casino cash: $2081627	I hope Mahomes makes the final 53 but never makes the 45 on game day this season. __________________ Fanaticism is nowhere. There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
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