Breaking down this Super Bowl with Joe Valerio, Philly guy + ex-Chiefs center: podcast
Like the Kelce family, with brothers competing on each side of Super Bowl LVII, former Chiefs offensive lineman Joe Valerio has flags planted in both Kansas City and Philadelphia.
Valerio spent five of his six NFL seasons playing center with the Chiefs. Among his claims to fame: He caught four touchdown passes.
Valerio grew up in Philly, was the Chiefs’ second-round draft pick in 1991 and now lives in Philadelphia. He also co-hosts the Bleav in Chiefs podcast. Few have better perspective on both teams than Valerio, who once owned a fantasy football team called the “Kans-adelphia Chee-gals.”
As a former lineman, Valerio looks at strategies from the trenches and breaks down how the Chiefs’ offensive line play has specifically helped Patrick Mahomes, who Valerio said has mastered finding “the pocket within the pocket” as linemen hold their blocks.
In defending the Eagles and quarterback Jalen Hurts, a key for the Chiefs is discipline against the run-pass-option.
“The RPO is dangerous,” Valerio said. “You have to feel what it’s like not to get blocked and to be optioned (by Hurts). A linebacker has to hold his ground and see what Jalen does.”
After a break, Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. explains why he’s motivated by Mahomes, a fellow Texan.
Story links:
Check out the Bleav in Chiefs podcast with Joe Valerio
When it comes to Bobby Witt Jr. and Patrick Mahomes, game recognizes (and admires) game