Kansas City Chiefs OL coach Andy Heck recaps Josh Simmons' preseason debut
"It's a big job for anybody coming in to learn the details of the offense, assignments (and) techniques. Every play has a thousand little details and so picking those things up, that was job one in the spring where he (Josh Simmons) was doing less physical work with us." said Heck, "Since he has gotten to training camp, he's been able to every day add one or two of these details that are important to each play. So, I've seen him steadily improve, and his understanding - and we're able to have better conversations about what's going on and I think that'swhat we'll see his trajectory do is just go like this (points up)."
Simmons played briefly in the starting lineup against the Arizona Cardinals but made a positive impression. Heck was happy with Simmons' performance, but refuses to compare him to anyone he's worked with through his coaching career.
"I'd hesitate to compare guys; every guy is different. I'm still in a learning process myself, of what makes him (Josh Simmons) tick, how does he learn best (and) how can I help him get better? There's constant communication there," said Heck, "But I would say he's certainly as talented a player as I've ever been around. He loves the game. So, those are two good things: when you're talented and you love the game, and you want to be the best, you've got a great chance to be a good one."
Simmons earned Third-Team All-Big Ten honors for the 2024 National Champion Ohio State Buckeyes. Saturday's game was his first since suffering a patellar tendon injury, ending his college career.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Fever star Caitlin Clark's euphoric reaction to Taylor Swift's guesting on Travis Kelce's show
The post Fever star Caitlin Clark's euphoric reaction to Taylor Swift's guesting on Travis Kelce's show appeared first on ClutchPoints. As she continues to recover from her groin injury, Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark is embracing anything that can help her remain optimistic. Possibly even a song from Taylor Swift. Clark has kept her head up despite her tough ordeal, which has dampened what was supposed to be an outstanding sophomore year. She has only played 13 games this season due to her groin injury and an earlier quadriceps injury. But the Fever star was given a jolt of joy after it was announced on Monday that Swift will finally guest on the 'New Heights' podcast of her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, and his brother, former NFL star Jason Kelce. 'We're about to do a f****** podcast!' declared Swift in the announcement video posted on Instagram. The 23-year-old Clark couldn't help but leave a highly profound comment. 'AHHHHHHH!!!!!! LFGGGGGG,' said the reigning Rookie of the Year. Swift's 'New Heights' episode will premiere on Wednesday. Fans have long been requesting the pop icon's guesting since she and Kelce started dating in 2023. The clamor grew louder over the past few months until the NFL brothers couldn't—pause for suspense—shake it off. Clark is a proud Swiftie, even watching the 'Eras Tour' twice at Lucas Oil Stadium when it made its stop in Indianapolis in November. She met Swift and Kelce, who then invited her to watch a game of the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. The Fever playmaker shared that fans at the 'Eras Tour' also took pictures of her and gave her friendship bracelets, which caught her off guard, as reported by Time Magazine's Sean Gregory. 'People are just going crazy that I'm there. I thought people would be so in their own world, ready to see Taylor, and it was just completely the opposite,' said Clark, whose return to action remains unclear. Now, who wants to start a petition for a joint guesting of Swift and Clark on 'New Heights?' Related: Caitlin Clark's injury return gets murky practice update Related: Sophie Cunningham praises kid reporter's 'great question' Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Taylor Swift perfectly sums up NFL vs. ‘Eras Tour' physical toll
The post Taylor Swift perfectly sums up NFL vs. 'Eras Tour' physical toll appeared first on ClutchPoints. Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and singer-songwriter Taylor Swift have been dating for almost two years. Their relationship has played out very much in public, and at this point, they almost mirror each other's personalities, as displayed on the 'New Heights' podcast on Wednesday. Kelce and Swift have been highly supportive of each other's careers, with the global pop icon regularly watching the games of the Chiefs despite her busy schedule. Nothing was more hectic for Swift than her 'Eras Tour,' which spanned from 2023 to 2024. She performed nearly 150 shows in over 50 cities across five continents. The 35-year-old Swift admitted on the podcast that she had to endure the physical toll of the concert series, even comparing it to Kelce's grind with the Chiefs. 'It was a lot of physical therapy and it was a lot of being in a state of perpetual physical discomfort. Kind of like when you're in season, you know? I'm not getting hit by huge 300-pounders, but the (wearing of) heels for that long (period was tough),' said Swift, adding that she had to buy an acupuncture mat. The 35-year-old Kelce, who's entering his 13th year with the Chiefs, echoed Swift's remark. 'The similarities were crazy. I'm like, 'Oh my gosh! She does more than I do,'' added the three-time Super Bowl champion. The 'Eras Tour' became the highest-grossing concert tour of all time and the first to earn over $2 billion in revenue, further highlighting the so-called 'Taylor Swift Effect.' Swift is expected to get busy anew with 'The Life of a Showgirl,' her 12th studio album, which will be released in October. She revealed the much-anticipated album cover on 'New Heights.' Kelce, meanwhile, will ramp up his time with the Chiefs as their training camp intensifies with just a few weeks before the new season. Related: Fans erupt after unexpected moment in Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce podcast Related: Taylor Swift reveals hilarious Josh Allen-Jared Goff mix-up Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Top 3 Ohio State football positions battles to watch before Week 1
The post Top 3 Ohio State football positions battles to watch before Week 1 appeared first on ClutchPoints. The number three-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes kick off the regular season against the number one Texas Longhorns on August 30. With just over two weeks until toe meets pigskin, Ohio State football still has some questions to answer. The team has multiple position battles still going, with three to watch out for heading into their week one showdown. The Buckeyes come into the season as the defending National Champions, but that does not immunize them from turnover. According to Bill Connelly of ESPN, the team ranks 14th in the Big Ten in returning production. They are also 92nd in the nation in returning production, sitting with 48 percent returning production, and both the offense and defense are under 50 percent in returning production. Ohio State also sees just nine starters from the team last year set to come back to the lineup, including just three on defense. This has created multiple position battles for the team. As Week 1 approaches, these are the biggest position battles to watch for Ohio State. A starting cornerback job is up for grabs Denzel Burke is now in the NFL. The former Buckeye corner picked off four passes and compiled 143 tackles in his time in Columbus. He would end up being selected in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. Still, this leaves a gap to fill in the secondary for the Scarlet and Grey. Now there is competition for who will line up opposite Davison Igbinosun. The first option is Jermaine Matthews Jr. He found time in the game with Texas during the playoffs in January as Burke was sidelined with an injury. In his two years in Columbus, Matthews has 35 tackles, with three pass breakups, a sack, and an interception he returned for a touchdown. Another option is Aaron Scott, who saw action in just three games in his freshman year. The former four-star recruit has a great athletic profile and is competitive at the point of catch. He has been described as someone who could have 'potential to become a multi-year impact player with NFL Draft upside,' according to Gabe Brooks of 247Sports Scouting. The final option is Devin Sanchez. He enrolled in January 2025 and is a five-star recruit out of Houston, Texas. He was the top-rated cornerback in the class and the fifth overall-ranked player according to 247Sports. While just a true freshman, he may have the most raw talent of the group competing for the spot. Regardless, the Ohio State secondary is expected to be one of the top in the Big Ten, and this is a position battle worth keeping an eye on. Protecting the quarterback is key The offensive line returns just three players from the team in 2024. Former right tackle Josh Fryar was an undrafted free agent by the Arizona Cardinals, and replacing him will be key. Meanwhile, Josh Simmons was drafted in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, but is expected to be replaced by a former guard in Austin Siereveld. The former Buckeye guard still plays a role in this conversation, though. As the team tries to fill multiple offensive line positions, he could move to the right side or back to guard if need be. Most likely, he will patrol the left side of the line, though, leaving the right side tackle as an open position. It is expected to be one of two transfers who get the job at the right side tackle spot. One option is Ethan Onianwa. He was brought in from Rice, expecting to be the starting left tackle, but with Siereveld taking the majority of the snaps there in camp, he is now fighting for the job on the right side of the line. He made 25 starts at right tackle for the Rice Owls and then would move over to the left side in 2024. The Michigan native is a strong pass blocker with high upside in run blocking as well. His quickness is a concern, which could be why he is moving back to the right side at Ohio State. The other option is Phillip Daniels, a tackle who is transferring in from Minnesota. He played in all 12 games in 2024, while making his first start in week 11 against Illinois. His strength and work ethic have been complemented by coaches. He was a three-star recruit out of high school. Still, he is pushing for a starting job. This is a solid situation for Ohio State, showing depth on the offensive line this year. Who is under center in Week 1? The biggest question for the Buckeyes is at quarterback. There is a competition in Columbus between Lincoln Kienholz and Julian Sayin. Kienholz has played in five games in the past two years for Ohio State, but did not attempt a pass in the 2024 campaign. In 2023, he played in three games, completing ten of 22 passes for 111 yards while running for two yards. Out of South Dakota, he was a three-sport athlete who had great athleticism. He moves in the pocket well and can run the ball. Further, he has a solid deep ball, which could be great with star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. His overall passing ability is not on par with other top quarterbacks, but his ability as an athlete, plus still serviceable passing skills, make him a threat to win the job. The other option is Julian Sayin. Sayin was the top-ranked recruit in the 2024 class. The redshirt freshman would initially enroll at Alabama before transferring after the retirement of Nick Saban. He is a polished pocket passer, but does not have the same athletic ability as Keinholz. The California native appeared in four games for Ohio State in 2024, completing five of 12 passes with 84 yards and a touchdown. He also showed off some scrambling ability, running twice for 24 yards. This battle is seen as neck and neck between the two quarterbacks. The books seem to favor Sayin in the starting quarterback competition. At the time of writing, odds provided by FanDuel have Sayin sitting tied for eighth in odds to win the Heisman Trophy, sitting with returning starting quarterbacks DJ Lagway and Sam Leavitt. Regardless, odds do not dictate the decision of Ryan Day, and he needs to decide on a quarterback soon, as Texas will be coming to town. Related: USC football's Lincoln Riley updates key Trojans' position battle Related: Darian Mensah earns 'elite' label from Duke DB
