The eighth day of Chiefs training camp was a mild one, with the team in shells only for a sped-up walkthrough, but defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo didn’t hold back on his assessment of the defense. After a week of practice, Spags needs to see “a lot” from his rookies, especially with Week 1 against the Denver Broncos looming on the horizon. This lightened practice on Thursday followed three straight days in full pads, giving the defense a moment to focus on timing and play details without full-speed contact.
Delane’s Caution and the Clock Ticking
Rookie cornerback Mansoor Delane is still rocking that yellow, non-contact jersey, and it’s holding him back from showing Spagnuolo what he’s truly capable of. Turns out it’s a shoulder blade issue, and the team is playing it safe, which makes sense, right? Spagnuolo told reporters, “We’re trying to be a little cautious with the shoulder, the shoulder blade.” Delane was out there for the shells practice, able to protect himself, but the full-pad days? Nope, sidelined to prevent any setbacks. Spags noted Delane did a good job being in and out of huddles, picking up the mental game and keeping his conditioning up. But the real talk is that Delane’s missing crucial continuity with his new teammates. “A lot,” Spagnuolo stressed when asked what he needs from Delane. “We just haven’t had the work… The thing he’s missing right now is the continuity with a bunch of guys that are new to him; everybody’s new, so we’re going to have to fight through that.” Time is flying, with the Denver Broncos waiting in Week 1. Hopefully, Delane can get back quicker than anticipated.
Peter Woods’ Potential and Learning Curve
Over on the defensive interior, rookie Peter Woods is already showing flashes that get Spagnuolo excited. The defensive coordinator was practically bursting, trying to describe the good things Woods has put on display at camp. He even asked the media, “That’s the way they’re supposed to look, right?” That’s high praise, but don’t get it twisted, Spags also admitted Woods “has a ways to go.” It’s a common rookie thing; these young guys aren’t always used to how the Chiefs do things, and Woods is right there with that crew. The good news? When Woods gets his feet right and keeps his pad level low, he’s “a pretty good football player.” Spagnuolo thinks Woods is a “willing guy” and “a smart, good football player,” and it’s the coaching staff’s job to get him consistent every single down. One silver lining for Woods is that interior positions, like a three-technique or A-gap, might be a bit more defined in terms of duties. This setup, Spagnuolo suggests, could make it a better spot for a young player to make an impact while learning the ropes.
With pads going back on Friday and Saturday, the pressure is on for these rookies to ramp things up. Spagnuolo’s comments are a clear signal: the defense is far from a finished product. Getting Mansoor Delane healthy and up to speed, and getting Peter Woods consistent, will be key to how this unit looks when they line up against the Denver Broncos for Week 1. It’s an exciting time, watching these young guys fight for their spots, but the clock is ticking loud.
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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