Pre-Camp Reads: Looking at CB Phillip Gaines

Over the past few weeks, we’ve taken a closer look at players on the Chiefs roster

Jul 21, 2016 at 11:00 PM

SEASON REVIEW

After a promising rookie season in 2014, Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Phillip Gaines was thrown right into the mix at starting cornerback in 2015 as then-Chief Sean Smith served a three-game suspension to begin the year.

Gaines started on the right across from rookie Marcus Peters until the first quarter of the team's game against the Green Bay Packers, when he suffered a season-ending ACL tear in his left knee.

That game occurred in late September of last season, giving the third-year cornerback plenty of time to be ready for the upcoming 2016 campaign.

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HOW HE FITS

The Chiefs suddenly have a very young defensive back room, especially at the cornerback position. Gaines brings two seasons of playing experience to the table.

2016 Chiefs Defensive Backs
No.	Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Age	Exp.	College
29	Berry, Eric	S	6-0	212	27	7	Tennessee
27	Brown, Stevie	S	5-11	215	29	5	Michigan
1	Carr, Deveron	DB	5-11	194	25	2	Arizona State
31	Cooper, Marcus	DB	6-2	192	26	4	Rutgers
43	Davis, Akeem	S	6-1	200	26	3	Memphis
39	Edwards, Shannon	CB	5-10	194	22	R	Fresno State
30	Fleming, Jamell	DB	5-11	206	27	5	Oklahoma
23	Gaines, Phillip	CB	6-0	193	25	3	Rice
48	Harris, Vernon	CB	6-1	197	22	R	Dartmouth
45	Jones, Tre	CB	5-10	194	21	R	Mount Union
21	Murray, Eric	DB	5-11	199	22	R	Minnesota
20	Nelson, Steven	CB	5-11	194	22	2	Oregon State
38	Parker, Ron	DB	6-0	206	28	6	Newberry
22	Peters, Marcus	CB	6-0	197	23	2	Washington
47	Randolph, Shak	CB	6-3	213	22	R	SMU
26	Russell, Keivarae	CB	5-11	192	22	R	Notre Dame
49	Sorensen, Daniel	S	6-2	208	26	3	BYU
24	White, D.J.	DB	5-11	193	22	R	Georgia Tech

2016 OUTLOOK

The good news for Chiefs fans regarding Gaines is that even with the ACL injury last season, he seemed to be on pace for a full recovery during this past offseason.

Gaines spoke to the media about his injury rehabilitation on the very first day back:

"It's getting there, it's getting there," he said of the knee. "The training staff has done an unbelievable job with me. I fought through a tough time. Any time you get away from football, it's hard. They kept with me, they kept a positive mindset, I kept a positive mindset. I'm confident where I'm at right now."

Gaines even went further into detail.

"I'm running full speed right now," he said. "I can always get stronger and faster. In my mind, I'm running full speed. I'm cutting pretty well, it's just a matter of reps and getting back out there, getting the feel of it and getting my wind back."

On the last day of Chiefs minicamp, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid was asked about the defensive back picture, and he admitted that ultimately Gaines has the starting nod headed into St. Joseph.

"Gaines, I think when it's all said and done, he'll probably be the guy at the corner spot," he said. "We'll see, Coop (Marcus Cooper) had some good snaps there and Nelson had some good snaps. We'll see, we'll see how it goes."

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