Training camps are under way and life is good again.

Some early camp observations:

Patrick Mahomes is moving with no limitations and already confounding the Chiefs’ defenders with his off-platform throws and rocket arm. However, our franchise fireballer has not been as accurate in the early going. Some throws have the receivers making great efforts to adjust to balls too far ahead, too deep or thrown behind them. Ah, it’s early.

Speaking of receivers, seems the drafting of Cornell Powell has lit a fire under Demarcus Robinson. Robinson has made several impressive catches and looks sharper than in the past. Powell, the 5^th round rookie wideout, showed his mettle once again making tough catches in traffic and some versatility routing downfield for nifty receptions in tight coverage as well (hmmm, lots of ‘tight coverages’ with Powell so far). It hasn’t been all smooth sailing for the rookie though as he’s suffered a few glaring drops as well as make tough grabs. That’s not his usual M.O. and it may be going to fast too soon for him. Tyreek Hill remains an uncoverable blur, straight-line deep or racing horizontally on crossers. A surprise receiver making an impact early is Miami/Cleveland cast off Antonio Callaway. Callaway is a speedy former 4^th rounder (2018, Browns) who came into the league with enticing potential and enigmatic maturity. He played a full 16 games in 2018 as a rookie with the Browns, hauled in 43 passes at 13.6 YPR and scored 5 TDs, pretty good for a first year wideout. Again, his maturity or lack of it got in the way and he’s appeared in just 9 games since. Coach Reid and this organization is famous for taking in ‘strays’ and turning things around for them. If Callaway works out, he very well could threaten Mecole Hardman. Hardman feels the heat and has had a solid camp opening.

TE Travis Kelce left Thursday’s practice with some back and hip ailments. So far no word on any real injury and Coach Andy Reid noted they are just being cautious with Kelce. Kelce turns 32 in October and the Chiefs should be planning on a future option at TE. That plan may already be in the works right now. 5^th-round TE Noah Gray had an awesome mini camp and has come into his first training camp just as hot. Gray is most definitely catching the eyes of his coaches and his QB. Mahomes and Gray hooked up on a downfield play, with the rookie smoothly tracking the ball and making a back-shoulder grab. Chiefs’ play designer and head coach Andy Reid has mentioned a desire to implement more 2-TE sets this season. Kelce and Gray could form a dynamic duo there.

Okay, I am all-in on RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire this year. The 2^nd-year back is ready physically and mentally to take on a much bigger and more dynamic role this year. Edwards-Helaire has worked a great deal on his receiving skills this off-season and is fired up about becoming an all-around weapon in this offense. Fans wanted Kareem Hunt style rookie numbers from Edwards-Helaire last season and came away disappointed. A season late, but brace for the Huntian impact from Clyde Edwards-Helaire in 2021.

Much of the improvements we will see on offense this season will be due to the revamping of the offensive line. This is a really solid unit and the only thing that may cause a slow start is lack of continuity. O-lines rely on 5 guys playing as 1 and I have no doubt Coach Andy Heck will whip KC’s big uglies into shape and in-step as a unit in a hurry. There will be rough spots though, like rookie center Creed Humphrey sailing a snap over Patrick Mahomes’ head and then making the QB do some gymnastics on the next snap.

I am stoked about rookie LB Nick Bolton. He is a bundle of energy and has seen early action thanks to a hammy injury to starting MIKE backer Anthony Hitchens. However, Bolton, a projected MIKE LB, handled WILL duties and young athletic vet Ben Niemann took over the inside assignments. Nevertheless, Bolton gets busy, reacts with instinct and crisply and seems to be around the football.

D-lineman Chris Jones is lining up all over the line of scrimmage. He’s even standing up off the edge some snaps. The expanded role seems to have added an extra spark in Jones as he’s playing fast and already effective. Jones also appears to be enjoying the movement and IDP folks might be looking at a career year for Chris Jones.

Of course, this is all happening with no pads on. Looking ahead when the players pack on the pads we should focus on Kelce’s injury status, the hopeful gelling of the offensive line as a unit, Antonio Callaway’s progress after a hot unpadded start, RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s advancement as a receiver out of the backfield, how well the secondary performs against the Chiefs first team offense, Frank Clark’s availability and LB Willie Gay’sgrowth and development.

We’re just getting started. More to come in the next EYE IN THE SKY REPORT from KANSAS CITY.

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