By MATT PIKE
The hot topic during this Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University has been the battle along the offensive line
With guys shifting to every position to find the best five along the line, players like Josh Simmons, Jaylon Moore, and Jawaan Taylor are competing every day for their spot.
Taylor, who recently returned from the physically unable to perform list after an offseason knee procedure, says the competition is going well
“Everyone’s moving around, trying different positions and stuff like that, doing what Coach Heck is asking us to do,” Taylor tells reporters after practice. “And everyone’s just trying to get better as a unit and be a better O-Line for sure.”
To find the best five guys to start week one, head coach Andy Reid and offensive line coach Andy Heck have players moving all across the offensive line, some in positions they may have not played much in their careers.
Like newly signed lineman Jaylon Moore, whose been working out at guard despite playing tackle for most of his career in San Francisco. But Moore says while it’s new, it’s still just football
“The biggest thing is just keep trying to take steps forward, keep trying to improve looking at the film and try to improve every day,” Moore says.
Moore has been competing with Mike Caliendo and Kingsley Suamataia to replace Joe Thuney at left guard, while also competing with rookie Josh Simmons at left tackle. He’s also rotated with Jawaan Taylor at right tackle.
This year’s NFL Draft brought an impressive crop of rookies to the Chiefs, many that have quickly become fan favorites during Chiefs Training Camp
One of those is fourth round pick wide receiver Jalen Royals, whose impressed fans with his pass catching and route running ability for Patrick Mahomes.
Royals says he’s been soaking in a lot of knowledge from his veteran quarterback
“In the meeting room he tells me everything I need to do and then off the meetings and stuff like that where I’m just out here he’ll tell me corrections and stuff like that,” Royals says. “And obviously after the play he’ll let me know on the sidelines.”
Royals has built a good rapport with Mahomes, and could make a pretty immediate impact in the offense with the pending suspension to Rashee Rice and Hollywood Brown currently injured with an ankle injury
The Chiefs practiced again for just over two hours today, this time in shorts and out of pads. They are off on Monday, and back to practice on Tuesday at 9:15.
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