Chiefs didn't skip a beat with Drue Tranquill at MIKE linebacker | KCSN Daily 11.30
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The Kansas City Chiefs could soon be making a change on the defensive side of the ball.
Third-year LB Nick Bolton was designated to return from injured reserve on Wednesday, opening his 21-day practice window. He might not return for Week 13 against the Green Bay Packers, but the team’s starting MIKE linebacker will eventually make his return. The player who filled in for him, well, he’s done about as great a job as you could ask according to Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo.
“What I think gets lost in the whole translation here is we lost a really good football player in Nick Bolton for a number of games here,” Spagnuolo said. “And yet – I think I’ve said this before – we slide Drue (Tranquill) in there and really haven’t skipped a beat in terms of having to cut things back, the communication, you guys know that the back end and linebackers have to be like this (hands together motion) – the chemistry. We didn’t lose that at all – and sometimes that happens. I’ve been down that road before where the mike linebacker whose been the communicator and the signal caller, we’ve lost them, and it takes a little while.”
Justin Reid elaborated, noting all of the different things that everything Tranquill was responsible for.
“Ah man, to come into this defense and to play mike (Line)backer and all the different checks and coverages and responsibilities getting the defensive line set the right way, making audibles on what coverages we’re playing and where to send the pressures at based on the looks you’re getting – it’s a lot on the mental side of it,” Reid said. “But then to also pair that with the physical ability to go in and attack centers, beat running backs on blocks, tackle tight ends and sometimes guard receivers too, he’s (LB Drue Tranquill) done a phenomenal job for us to be able to come in and do it but that’s the reason why we brought him here.”
Ultimately, Tranquill did exactly what the team brought him in for, and he did so at a high level. Even in Bolton’s return, they’ll continue to find ways to use both players and get them on the field.
“We didn’t skip a beat with Drue, we’re really fortunate we got him,” Spagnuolo said. “I mean (General Manager) Brett Veach and his crew identifying him as a player we could get and him being willing to come here knowing that we had a lot of linebackers. He’s a team guy. I know his teammates love him, and I love what he’s doing for us so I can’t say enough about Drue.”
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Dave Toub gives a return specialist update:
The Chiefs seem to have a bit of a revolving door situation this season at the return specialist position. As we enter what Dave Toub refers to as “return” season, the team will likely have a returning player as their starting return specialist.
“You know we’ve had some injuries obviously with Mecole (Hardman), we planned on using Mecole but then that changed,” Toub said. “19 (Kadarius Toney) got in there, and he provided a spark and he’s probably our most dynamic guy. I mean it’s easy to say that now seeing what he can do, but he was banged up last week and I’m not sure how much I’m going to be able to use him. Richie (James) is back in the mix. Richie, I felt good about before he got hurt earlier in the year. It’ll be Richie James, that’s where we’re at right now.”
With Kadarius Toney banged up, the team will rely on Richie James. Fans would probably prefer that the team just fair catch the ball every time, but in Toub’s world, having a return specialist is extremely valuable.
Outside the Trenches - Tyreek Hill DISSES Chiefs! Says Dolphins Can OUTPLAY Super Bowl Chiefs?
Brien Hanley, Nick Leckey, and Tucker Franklin discuss the recent comments from Tyreek Hill about the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl teams not being as good as the current Miami Dolphins then recap other events around the league.
Chiefs Injury Report:
Quick Hits:
The NFL flexed the Chiefs’ Week 15 game against the Patriots out of “Monday Night Football.”
The Chiefs signed a former Arizona Cardinals draft pick to their practice squad.
Tyreek Hill continues to change his story about his exit from Kansas City.
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Important Dates Ahead:
Dec. 3: NFL Week 13 - Chiefs at Packers - Sunday Night Football
Dec. 10: NFL Week 14 - Chiefs vs. Bills
Dec. 17: NFL Week 15 - Chiefs at Patriots (Flexed out of Monday Night Football)
