What is Arrowhead Pride Premier? Arrowhead Pride Premier is our tri-weekly newsletter, one that provides analysis and exclusive insights directly from Arrowhead Stadium, delivered straight to your inbox. Below is a preview of the latest edition.
BY PETE SWEENEY
The Kansas City Chiefs are off and running in New Orleans with opening night in the books and one media session complete. On Tuesday, the team will hold a private workout before official practices begin on Wednesday.
Pool reporters will provide on-site Super Bowl notes Wednesday through Saturday, while injury reports follow the usual schedule: status updates on Wednesday and Thursday – and final designations on Friday.
Kansas City had a clean Super Bowl bye week injury report, except for the status of wide receiver Skyy Moore, who remains on the Reserve/Injured list and is considered doubtful for the game. Moore’s activation for the Super Bowl would surprise me.
Head coach Andy Reid took the podium Tuesday morning and will do so again on both Wednesday and Thursday. Patrick Mahomes is slated to follow Reid on Wednesday, while tight end Travis Kelce will speak after him on Thursday, wrapping up the Chiefs’ media availability for the weekend.
A major factor in the Chiefs’ success this season has been their unwavering willingness to adapt to adversity. During a private session with local writers on Tuesday, owner, chairman and CEO Clark Hunt credited general manager Brett Veach.
“I think I would start with Brett Veach and the job he did to bring in players who could fill those gaps – many of whom are still with us even though we’ve gotten some of the hurt players back, so credit to Brett for doing a tremendous job there.
“And then, I think one of Andy’s greatest qualities and something that I know he enjoys is the teaching part of it, and I think that helps him get new players or young players up to speed – maybe more quickly than other coaches might be able to.”
Early in the season, the Chiefs were forced to forge an identity without Hollywood Brown – and in his return, I think we’ve seen glimpses of what always was intended for the offense.
Brown’s preseason injury – along with losing wide receiver Rashee Rice for the season – forced Veach’s hand in first bringing back JuJu Smith-Schuster and later acquiring DeAndre Hopkins. Now, with everyone but Rice healthy, Kansas City quietly boasts one of the deepest wide receiver rooms in the entire NFL.
“It’s guys from every different part of their career. You got DeAndre Hopkins, you got Justin Watson, then you got JuJu Smith-Schuster. Then you got Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown – all these guys that have made their own personality part of that receiver room, and they get along. They celebrate together. They’re always spending time together, and so when you get a good, tight-knit group like that, that’s when you pull out the best in each other, and I think that’s what they have done in that receiving room.”
Before injuries to Brown and Rice, a popular storyline in the offseason was the abundance of riches in terms of pass-catchers on this team. Kansas City didn’t know who would have the production, but it knew most Sundays it would win.
Since Brown’s Week 16 return, his snap count has steadily risen – 20 snaps in his comeback game, 34 in the Divisional Round and 43 in the AFC Championship. His presence has redirected attention away from Travis Kelce and Xavier Worthy, resulting in standout playoff performances.
Brown had three receptions for 35 yards against the Bills.
“Hollywood, he’s coming off a good game this past game,” said Reid on Tuesday. “He gives you another experienced receiver in there that’s got a lot of speed and ability, and he’s done it before. We’re lucky to have him with us, and he looked like he was on the same page with Patrick this past week.”
For two weeks, the Philadelphia Eagles have watched Kelce and Worthy send teams home. I like Brown to make his mark on Sunday.
What else is in this edition?
Pete has two more items to share from his first day on the ground in New Orleans.
What else is included in a subscription?
You can expect 3 weekly newsletters during the season. In addition to our Thursday preview newsletter…
Brandon Kiley has returned as a Tuesday columnist.
In our preview newsletter on Thursdays, Pete shares his three thoughts heading into the game, Rocky Magaña highlights a pivotal matchup to watch — and John Dixon shares some background on one of the upcoming game’s biggest storylines.
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