2. The Chiefs worked through a “long drive drill” period on Sunday.
Any assumption that Sunday’s practice, with it being in pads, would take things relatively easy was quickly thrown out the window when the players competed in the well-known “long drive drill” toward the end of the session.
The period, which seeks to simulate the real-world experience of playing in a game, is exactly how it sounds: the players run a series of plays one after the other in quick succession while moving down the field. Just like in a real game, the time in-between snaps is limited and substitutions only occur if the play design dictates it.
It’s maybe the toughest drill the Chiefs take part in during training camp, especially on a blisteringly hot day, but – as numerous players have revealed over the years – it’s also perhaps the most beneficial.
“You just have to gut it out. There’s no looking for subs or ways out. You have to realize that this is the time to dig deep and the time to grow,” said defensive end Mike Danna. “Coach emphasizes growing in uncomfortable situations, and that’s what the long drive drill is. It’s uncomfortable, you’re exhausted, and you want to see who’s going to dig deep and keep going.”
The Chiefs’ first-team offense ran nine straight plays as part of the first “long drive drill” of camp on Sunday. The highlight of the period was a laser of a touchdown pass from quarterback Patrick Mahomes to wide receiver Hollywood Brown in the red zone.
3. Sunday’s practice also included a 9-on-7 period that emphasized the running game.
In addition to the “long drive drill,” the Chiefs also competed in a 9-on-7 portion of practice that focused on the running game. A classic football drill, a 9-on-7 period features seven defenders competing against nine offensive players in what is essentially football without the wide receivers and cornerbacks.
The drill is all about the running game, specifically in-between the tackles. Meanwhile, at the same time, the cornerbacks and wide receivers competed on the adjacent field in one-on-one drills. The safeties and tight ends, who obviously possess roles in both areas, rotated between both drills on either field.
It’s no surprise that the Chiefs added a 9-on-7 segment to Sunday’s practice, either. Due to league rules prohibiting padded practices during the offseason training program, the majority of the Chiefs’ preparation up until Sunday – at least in terms of live action – had focused on the passing game.
There’s only so much the team can do in terms of running the football without pads on, but now in the padded portion of camp, the run game was clearly an area of emphasis on Sunday.
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