Why the Chiefs are so pumped about their rookie defensive end (his great debut helped)
Some players handle pressure differently, especially when they know their rookie debut will come during a nationally televised game, in prime-time, no less.
But instead of worrying about how it would go, Chiefs rookie defensive end Mike Danna took a business-like approach in preparation for Week 1’s game, and his NFL debut, against the Houston Texans.
“All I really did was just practice every day come ready to practice every single day,” Danna said Friday as the Chiefs prepared to play the Chargers in L.A. on Sunday. “Do what I was supposed to do and prepare the way I should’ve.
“I knew it was the first week of the season, the season opener, and it was real big and highly anticipated. But I just came in and did what I had to do and do what I was asked to do.”
The Chiefs’ fifth-round pick of the 2020 NFL Draft was chosen to dress for action in Week 1 over veteran defensive ends Taco Charlton and Demone Harris, both of whom were declared healthy but inactive.
Danna rewarded the team’s faith by logging 29 of the team’s 59 total defensive snaps and producing three tackles, while contributing two snaps on special teams, as the Chiefs beat the Houston Texan 34-20.
“I was locked in,” Danna said. “I wasn’t too nervous or too worried about what my responsibility was. I knew how I prepared. I knew how serious this was and I knew this was a platform where the margin for error is really slim. So I wanted to be out there and do what I had to do, and when my number was called, I wanted to give Coach (Andy Reid) and my teammates everything I had on the field.”
Mission accomplished — not that Danna’s early success shocked defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. Turns out the 6-foot-2, 261-pound Danna has done nothing but impress since reporting for duty over the summer.
“I’m not surprised by it now because I saw it training camp,” Spagnuolo said. “(Defensive line) Coach (Brendan) Daly and myself were thoroughly impressed with him right from the beginning, the Zoom meetings, the whole thing, and then when he came out here. He’s a real pro for a young guy.”
Danna, who turns 23 in December, already possesses the maturity level, athleticism and football skills to continue being a weekly contributor as the regular season rolls along. And if he ever needs help during his rookie campaign, Danna knows he won’t have to look any further than fellow former Michigan Wolverines Charlton and Frank Clark.
“Being with all the Michigan guys, of course I’m picking their brains,” Danna said. “They’ve been in the league for some time; they got some experience on their belts. So, whatever game (advice) or food for thought they can give me, I’m always picking at them.”
So far, so good for Danna ... and the Chiefs’ defense.
“He’s kind of mixed in real good with our guys,” Spagnuolo said. “We’re happy we got him.”
