The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs gained a hard-fought sport in Week 9, edging the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30-24 in additional time. The situations have been grueling. Rain was pouring down — when additional time started, gamers on each side have been exhausted from 60 minutes of bodily, hard-hitting soccer.
4 of the Chiefs’ 10 drives throughout regulation had at the least 10 performs, which had already examined their stamina. However when Kansas Metropolis gained the toss in additional time — and selected to obtain — the offensive gamers knew they wanted only one extra push to take the victory.
In these moments, veteran gamers like large receiver Mecole Hardman credit score head coach Andy Reid’s notorious lengthy drive drill — a coaching camp staple the place the offense grinds by means of a drive of 18 to twenty scripted performs ranging from their very own objective line. With that grueling preparation, the Chiefs’ game-winning 10-play, 70-yard drive appeared way more manageable.
“I feel it’s one thing that prepares you for drives like that in the actual sport,” Hardman stated of the drill. “The lengthy drive might be a little bit bit tougher, however these are the kind of issues we do in follow to attempt to make the sport a little bit bit simpler, particularly whenever you go into a protracted drive drill. As a receiver, it’s extra so simply making an attempt to get lined up, ensuring you’re doing all your project proper, and making the play in terms of you. These issues that we do in coaching camp and even follow are simply making an attempt to make issues simpler whenever you do it within the sport.”
Now in his sixth 12 months with the Chiefs, Hardman is not any stranger to the lengthy drive drill. Whereas he admits to dreading it within the second, he understands its worth in making ready the workforce for high-pressure conditions like they noticed in Week 9 in opposition to the Bucs.
“You may have a look at it two methods, both you may dread on it or you may have a look at it as getting higher and attempt to assault it,” Hardman defined. “So, that’s sort of how all people seems at it. First, it is perhaps a down response, however then you recognize general it’s like we’re going to get higher from it.”
Lengthy drives are particularly rewarding once they finish in a landing. In Week 9, 4 out of the Chiefs’ 5 drives lasting 10 performs or extra ended with a landing, together with two courtesy of recent large receiver, DeAndre Hopkins.
In simply his second week with the workforce, Hopkins delivered large, ending with eight catches for 86 yards and two touchdowns.
Hardman, who grew up a fan throughout Hopkins’ collegiate days at Clemson, says he wasn’t stunned by the massive evening from the five-time All-Professional wideout.
“[DeAndre Hopkins] was a giant factor round my city,” Hardman famous. “He undoubtedly was a receiver that everyone knew about. He in all probability was like 40 minutes away from my home over the South Carolina border. So yeah, he undoubtedly was a giant title and a man that you simply watched play at Clemson. What he did this final sport, he’s been doing that for some time now and in faculty and in highschool. He’s been doing that for a minute now, so it’s no shock.”
And now having Hopkins as a teammate is a helpful studying expertise that Hardman says he gained’t be taking without any consideration.
“He’s only a man that performs the sport the best manner,” Hardman remarked. ”He’s a dominant participant and been like that since he entered the league. I feel simply watching from afar, you may admire what he’s doing for the sport and the performs that he’s making. Then, when he’s in your workforce, you don’t take it without any consideration having him right here. I’m glad he’s right here and he’s making performs already. I’m fairly certain he’s going to proceed that up all through the season.”
Regardless of Hopkins’ arrival, Hardman isn’t involved about being thought of the forgotten receiver on a depleted Chiefs’ large receiving corp. He’s able to remind everybody of his large play potential at a second’s discover, vowing to profit from any alternatives which will come his manner.
“So far as being the forgotten receiver, perhaps they do however as soon as I make a giant play, they nonetheless know I’m there in a way,” Hardman stated. “I’m only a man of alternatives. Every time the chance presents itself, I take benefit and simply maintain going like that.”
