One of the most interesting competitions that should develop at training camp is at one inside linebacker position, the spot next to Derrick Johnson. For now, veteran Akeem Jordan is the starter. Jordan was a part-time starter for Andy Reid the last few years with the Eagles, and don’t discount that experience as a factor when the Chiefs make a decision who will start in the Sept. 8 opener against the Jaguars in Jacksonville.
But also don’t underestimate what the Chiefs think of rookie Nico Johnson, a fourth-round draft pick from Alabama. Johnson was used mostly on run downs in college, so he needs to learn to play in pass coverage. But already, Johnson has the look of a quick-study.
“The transition has been kind of easy, being able to play under Coach Saban the past four years,’’ Johnson said, referring to Alabama coach Nick Saban. “The terminology is a little different. That’s kind of what I’m struggling with now, but I’m learning as I go, but each and every day is getting easier and easier.’’
The Chiefs have signed fullback Braden Wilson of Kansas State, the second of the team’s two sixth-round draft picks. Wilson is the fourth of the Chiefs’ eight draft selections to sign with the club.
Wilson appeared in 51 games (27 starts) at fullback in four years at Kansas State. He recorded 21 carries for 44 yards (2.1 avg.) with two touchdowns and added 18 receptions for 144 yards (8.0 avg.). Wilson was a two-way standout at running back and defensive end at Smith Center High School in Smith Center, Kan.
Maybe it’s the optimism from the first week of Chiefs offseason practice, or maybe it’s that wide receiver Dwayne Bowe has removed his muzzle and is showing more of the trademark bravado he was known for early in his career.
Either way, Bowe on Wednesday laid some heavy expectations on himself and his offensive teammates — running back Jamaal Charles in particular. Bowe predicted that he would lead the NFL next season in receptions and touchdowns and Charles would lead in rushing yardage.
Bowe also suggested that the Chiefs would be one of the NFL’s better offensive teams.
The offseason practice schedule picks up for the Chiefs starting on Tuesday. That’s when they’ll hold the first of three full-squad sessions this week, with three to follow next week, four the week after that and then a three-day mandatory mini-camp the first week of June.
So they’ll be able to cover a lot of ground over 13 practices. Here are some of the more important issues they’ll need to begin to sort through:
• Branden Albert has told the Chiefs he will report to practice for the first time and they in turn have told him he is their left tackle. So far, so good. But is Albert really over his hard feelings that the Chiefs gave long-term contracts to Dwayne Bowe and Dustin Colquitt but not to him? He recently indicated via his Instagram account that he’s fired up to be back, another positive sign.
The Chiefs opened a three-day rookie camp today by signing two draft picks, center Eric Kush and linebacker Mike Catapano. Kush, from California University of Pennsylvania, was a sixth-round pick while Capapano, from Princeton, was a seventh-round selection.
Six of their eight draft picks remained unsigned, including tackle Eric Fisher, the first overall pick.
In addition to their eight draft picks and 13 undrafted rookies, the Chiefs were expecting 44 other players to participate in rookie camp. Eight are first-year players under contract to the Chiefs: wide receivers Junior Hemingway and Tyler Shoemaker, tight end Kevin Brock, offensive linemen Steven Baker, Tommie Draheim, Dustin Waldron and Lucas Patterson and linebacker Chad Kilgore.
Will Shields, a former All-Pro guard for the Chiefs and a member of the team’s Hall of Fame, believes the club’s first-round draft pick, Eric Fisher, can make the transition from left tackle to right tackle.
Fisher, a left tackle at Central Michigan, may have to move to the right side if incumbent Branden Albert remains with the club. Albert, who has signed a one-year contract, has not reported to the Chiefs’ off-season program, wants a long-term deal and does not want to shift to the right side or play guard.
“Some people make it more complicated than it can be,” said Shields, a right guard during his 14-year career with the Chiefs who occasionally had to spell players at other positions, including left tackle.
The late Derrick Thomas, a Hall of Fame linebacker for the Chiefs, was not elected to the College Football Hall of Fame on Tuesday.
Linebacker Percy Snow, who suffered a freak off-field injury after his rookie season with the Chiefs, was among the 12 players and coaches voted into the college shrine.
Former Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but still isn’t in the College Football Hall of Fame.
That could change Tuesday.
Thomas, an All-American who played at Alabama from 1985-88, holds the unofficial single-season sack record with 27 in 1988. The NCAA didn’t begin keeping sacks as an official stat until 2000. Thomas has been on the last two ballots but was not elected.
Beat writers Adam Teicher and Randy Covitz share nearly half a century of experience covering pro football in Kansas City and beyond. Look to Red Zone for the latest news and analysis on the Chiefs and the rest of the NFL.
