Though the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs boast the sport’s finest tight finish in transcendent star Travis Kelce, the place may even see some turnover for the approaching season.
The Chiefs introduced in reinforcements behind the 34-year-old Kelce by signing veteran Irv Smith Jr. in free company and utilizing a fourth-round draft choice on former TCU standout Jared Wiley.
Talking after Thursday’s organized staff exercise (OTA) session, Chiefs tight ends coach Tom Melvin expressed optimism about what he’s seeing from the brand new additions however refused to make predictions for roles at this level within the offseason.
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“We’ve obtained no clue till they put pads on,” Melvin declared. “Guys look completely different in shorts. Irv is a very sensible, instinctual man. And that’s displaying on the market. He’s doing issues {that a} vet would do. The rookies would run right into a wall the place he’s pulling up. I like what he offers us, and the rookies are doing their factor.
“We’ve obtained a protracted option to go. We’re simply completely happy when guys type of flash at you. ‘Ooh he’s obtained that,’ is best than going, ‘He can’t try this.’ And we’re extra of the optimistic components proper now.”
Melvin famous that the rookie, Wiley, is adjusting — not essentially to a brand new function however to the quantity of reps he’s seeing.
“We’re throwing loads in any respect these guys,” the coach defined, “and he’s carried out an excellent job assimilating to what we name issues. He’s [been in a] comparable offense, so it’s not likely that international. The quantity is. He’s carried out a pleasant job doing that, and he’s performed somewhat bit sooner each of the week goes. It’s good to see. He’s obtained a protracted option to go, however we’re inspired with the place he’s at and what he’s been doing.”
At rookie minicamp, Wiley predicted a clean transition into the Chiefs’ offense because of having to study 5 completely different offenses over his tenure at Texas and TCU. Melvin has been impressed together with his adjustment.
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“Him having to come back in, perceive a brand new language, perceive that somebody is asking him to do the identical factor however calling it one thing completely different,” Melvin noticed. “I assume you would have a look at it [as] it advantages him so far as him having to do it that method. However he’s dealing with it nicely. We’re inspired with it.”
One participant Melvin doesn’t have to concern himself with is Kelce, now coming into his twelfth season.
“Trav,” he defined, “he’s been within the league lengthy sufficient to the place the offseason, it’s extra for him simply to go away and go try this stuff. We’ll fear about it whenever you get again. It’s a optimistic for him as a result of he wants one thing to maintain himself busy. He’s someone that wants loads happening. He handles it rather well.”
Whereas the higher might have solely lately develop into conscious of Kelce’s larger-than-life antics, Melvin shared an anecdote that exposed when he first grew to become conscious.
“The persona was all the time there,” he confirmed. “I keep in mind after his first 12 months, I went to the mix and got here again. We had the rodeo right here — the Professional Bull Riders rodeo. I used to be sitting within the stands with my spouse, and right here’s Travis on the highest of the dugout dancing round. Straight away, that’s him. It’s nothing new.”
