The Chiefs defense is already cooking up some wild new looks in St. Joseph, showing off formations that could leave offenses scrambling, especially with L’Jarius Sneed stepping into an unexpected role. Day four of camp was breezy but sunny, a two-hour session before the team’s rest day Sunday and the pads coming on Monday.
Rookie Takes a Shot on Special Teams
It wasn’t all sunshine and tactical genius, though. Rookie wide receiver Cyrus Allen went down mid-practice during punt team drills, drawing a loud gasp from the crowd. Coach Dave Toub didn’t mince words, saying, “I hate to see somebody get hurt, especially on special teams.” Toub emphasized that Allen was performing well on offense and as a gunner and returner, reminding everyone that “Everyone is on special teams until they aren’t. Everyone starts as a 4-phase guy, especially rookies.”
Spags Unleashes the Dime With Sneed at Safety?
With defensive end Ashton Gillotte sidelined by a strained hamstring suffered Friday, fourth-year player Felix Anudike-Uzomah got more run with the starting defense. But the real head-turner? The first look at Dime personnel this year. We’re talking six defensive backs, one linebacker, and four pass-rushing threats up front. Cornerbacks Mansoor Delane and Nohl Williams locked down the outside. Safety Christian Roland-Wallace held his usual slot defender spot, just like in Nickel formations. But then L’Jarius Sneed came in, replacing second linebacker Drue Tranquill. Now that’s a switch! Through the first three days, Sneed seemed set for an outside corner spot, even with his planned rehabilitation time. But this move screams that defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is absolutely considering Sneed as a Dime safety. Picture Sneed and Roland-Wallace as dual slot defenders, ready to chew up slot receivers, tight ends, and running backs on pass downs. Talk about versatility!
D-Line Getting Creative Up Front
The pass-rush looks were just as wild. We saw defensive ends George Karlaftis and rookie R Mason Thomas on the edge, with Chris Jones and Anudike-Uzomah rushing from the inside. As practice rolled, Spagnuolo kept the offense guessing with multiple fronts. In one full-team period, nose tackle Khyiris Tonga was lined up with rookie Peter Woods on the interior instead of starter Chris Jones. Later, they even deployed a three-man front with Tranquill back in as the fourth “on-ball” player alongside Jones, Woods, and Karlaftis. These guys are mixing it up, big time, and it’s only day four.
After a rest day, the pads come on Monday. That’s when we’ll really start to see who’s for real and how these defensive shifts truly impact the physicality of practice. Will Sneed solidify that Dime safety role? Can Anudike-Uzomah keep making an impact? Monday can’t come fast enough.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Arrowhead Pride.
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