
St. Joseph, Mo. –
The Chiefs aligned in a familiar third-down look when Elam recorded a second quarter interception off Arizona quarterback John Skelton.
Romeo Crennel had six defensive backs in the game for the third-and-long snap, but
Kansas City’s most versatile defender lined up at linebacker level.
Elam’s veteran presence has allowed the Chiefs to expand Berry’s defensive reach. At linebacker level Berry essentially has a license to create havoc. He can blitz, play the run as an inside-the-box defender or drop into pass coverage.
Berry’s duty on Elam’s interception called for a zone pass drop.
“I was just reading my keys and saw the quarterback scramble while I was playing my deep part of the field,” Elam remembered of the play. “I was able to make a good break on the ball and got some solid blocks from my teammates. I was trying to take it all the way back to the end zone.”
Berry was one of the teammates who threw a block during Elam’s 37-yard interception return. The pick helped setup a field goal drive that gave Kansas City a 17-0 first half lead.
Crennel showed the defensive look several times against Arizona with Berry roving the middle and Elam playing alongside
“My role is still a work in progress,” Elam said. “I’ve done a good job working with the guys and coaches have done a good job getting me ready. It really is exciting. I just need to continue to work and continue to improve as the preseason moves forward.”
Elam’s addition currently looks like of the more underrated signings of the Chiefs offseason. A 16-game starter for Dallas last year, Elam has looked comfortable working with Berry and Lewis since arriving in early June.
He can also play both safety positions, which is significant considering the Chiefs saw six different players start at strong or free safety last season.
“I’m just trying to take advantage of my opportunity and fit into whichever role I’m playing at that moment,” Elam said. “Wherever I’m asked to go in, I’m definitely going to go out there and give it my best.”
“Our secondary has a nice nucleolus of guys who are athletic and can play multiple positions,” Elam said. “That will only make our defense more dangerous.”
Gray nursing hamstring issue
Chiefs sixth-round draft pick
Gray pulled up with a hamstring issue during Monday’s practice and did not take part in Tuesday’s morning walk-thru or afternoon practice. Coach Romeo Crennel says the Chiefs will monitor Gray’s progress leading into to Saturday’s second preseason game in St. Louis.
“We’ll work on that and bring him along,” Crennel said.
Gray rushed for 65 yards and a touchdown in Kansas City’s preseason opener against Arizona. Most of his damage came in the second half when he gained 56 yards on 13 carries and delivered a fourth quarter score that put the Chiefs up by 17 points.
“I got a lot of confidence in that first game and I needed that,” Gray said. “Sometimes in training camp you don’t have good practices, so you have to stack the good ones when they happen. I had an alright game, so I’m looking forward to building on that performance as we move forward.”
The rookie out of Texas A&M was sidelined with a hamstring issue earlier this offseason as well. He missed roughly two weeks of OTA practices before returning to the field.
AFC Preseason Rushing Leaders (Through August 13th)
Rank | Player | Team | Rush | Yds | Avg. | Lg | TD |
1 | Cyrus Gray | KC | 15 | 65 | 4.3 | 13 | 1 |
2 | Shane Vereen | NE | 11 | 64 | 5.8 | 18 | 0 |
3 | Rashad Jennings | JAX | 12 | 56 | 4.7 | 17 | 0 |
4 | Tyrod Taylor | BAL | 5 | 51 | 10.2 | 18 | 0 |
Keith Toston | JAX | 5 | 51 | 10.2 | 32 | 1 |
Take Five: Quick Hitters from Tuesday’s Practice
1. It’s now been two weeks since Brandon Flowers last practiced. Flowers has tested his injured foot multiple times over the past week and even arrived at last Tuesday’s joint practice with the Cardinals in full pads. Still, he’s yet to fully re-take the field.
“Tomorrow if he doesn’t do anything then you can probably rule him out (vs. St. Louis),” Crennel said. “Because if you don’t practice it’s hard to put you into the game because I think at that time we might be exposing him to more injury risk. So if you don’t practice it’s hard to play you.”
2. A decision on this weekend’s second quarterback will come on Wednesday.
Quinn worked with the second offensive grouping throughout practice on Tuesday.
3. Rookie receiver
4. There was a trick shot competition during the morning walk-thru and guess who hit the crossbar with his throw…YouTube sensation
Next, all four quarterbacks threw at the port-a-potty situated 10 yards behind the goal post in the corner of the far field. They were joined by RB
5. Running back
Just caught a field goal from
— Austin Earl (@studaustin) August 14, 2012Ryan Succop at#ChiefsCamp.#NBD