Chiefs’ Andy Reid acknowledges need to eliminate special teams errors

The Chiefs invest a lot of time on special teams during the practice week, which makes their recent errors in that department a bit eye-opening.

In a 10-3 win over the Chargers on Sunday, they missed a field goal due to a bad snap. And in a 34-20 victory over the Raiders a week before, they failed to convert two extra points.

Last week, special teams coach Dave Toub chalked up the Oakland misses to errors committed by holder Dustin Colquitt and kicker Cairo Santos. And after the Chargers game, long-snapper James Winchester accepted responsibility for the missed field goal.

On Monday, Chiefs coach Andy Reid explained that they have to get better in this area.

“We've been a little inconsistent the last couple of weeks on the snaps,” Reid said. “We've got to fix that and go back to the basics and fundamentals there.”

But should the snap be automatic, even in poor weather like they've played in the last two weeks?

“I'd tell you nothing is automatic when humans are involved in it,” Reid said. “So you've got to focus in on it and concentrate and work your techniques, make sure your hands are following through the proper hold. Those are the little things you need to do to stay consistent at it. Then you add weather into it, now you go back and bank on those fundamentals and trust those things.”

Reid said Winchester is learning.

“This is really his first year being a full-time guy,” Reid said.

Reid was asked if he plans on sticking with Winchester as his snapper.

“Sure,” Reid said. “I'm there today with him.”

The Chiefs have also had issues on punt returns, as returner Frankie Hammond fumbled for the second straight week Sunday.

“Normally, Frankie's very sure handed,” Reid said. “He's getting thrown in here right at the end. I would say this for all of us — we've all got to go back and just focus on the fundamentals and take care of those. We're doing some real good things, we've just got to take care of a couple of the little things.”

This story was originally published December 14, 2015 at 8:46 PM with the headline "Chiefs’ Andy Reid acknowledges need to eliminate special teams errors."