Chiefs CB Joshua Williams reveals gameplan for stopping the ‘Tush Push' vs. Bills
The Kansas City Chiefs earned another trip to the Super Bowl with their AFC Championship win over the Buffalo Bills. The defense, led by Steve Spagnuolo, stopped one of Buffalo's most efficient plays.
Chiefs cornerback Joshua Williams recently appeared as a guest on the 'Up and Adams Show' to discuss the multiple short-yardage stops in the AFC Championship victory.
'I don't blame the Bills for doing that; they have a big, strong Quarterback (Josh Allen) back there, 6'6 and 250 pounds or whatever. You know, that's usually an easy pickup right there for them. You know, a lot of the things we practiced during the week were short yardage, 3rd and 4th down.' said Williams. 'During the week he's (Steve Spagnuolo) telling us we have to get these stops, we have to get these stops. A lot of times you get into the game and it's not exactly what you did at practice because there's so much other factors. You being tired, them going right to the line, and quick hiking. I think our defense just did a good job getting up there. Everybody getting in their gaps, shooting their gaps, and you know, we picked up the stops because of that.'
The Chiefs' defense stepped up tremendously in those moments and will have to take it to another level against the Philadelphia Eagles, who revolutionized the short-yardage play.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
18 minutes ago
- USA Today
Joe Theismann discusses the Kansas City Chiefs' mindset playing in consecutive Super Bowls
Joe Theismann discusses the Kansas City Chiefs' mindset playing in consecutive Super Bowls This week, Chiefs Wire's Ed Easton Jr. spoke with Washington Commanders and NFL legend Joe Theismann about his participation in this year's American Century Championship, which will take place from July 9 to 13 at Edgewood Tahoe, and the mindset required to play in consecutive Super Bowls, like the Kansas City Chiefs. "I think it's meeting all the different people you have a chance to spend time with; I'm a people person. I think that's what business is all about," said Theismann about participating in the American Century Championship, "That's what life's all about, is getting a chance to see people that you've watched, that you've read about, that you've heard about. You get to know them as people." Theismann is a former Super Bowl champion with Washington who missed out on back-to-back titles the following season. He compared his experience in that situation to the Chiefs' multiple Super Bowl journeys. "I think it takes a toll because you play a lot more football than everybody else," said Theismann. "You look at the Kansas City Chiefs when you really look at what they've done over the last five years, they've played at least a season more than anybody else because of the additional playoff games, the Super Bowl, and the shortness of the off season from a recovery standpoint, both mentally and physically." Washington defeated the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XVII. Still, they fell short in Super Bowl XVIII to the Los Angeles Raiders as Theismann reminisced on the team's mentality during that period. "In 1982, it was a strike season, so it wasn't that long. I think we played 13 games, maybe that year, 12 - 1. And then in 1983, it was a heck of a football team, and I didn't play personally well against the Raiders," said Theismann. "I feel responsible for what happened there, but it's a matter of having the guys come together and care about one another. Coach Gibbs was an incredible coach when it came to keeping everybody together, keeping it exciting, and keeping it fun. He'd come up with different plays on Wednesday that you couldn't wait to run on Sunday because you were curious. You didn't know what they were going to do. So okay, fine, let's do it. So it's been, it's been a tremendously wonderful thing." The annual tournament awards $750,000 in prize money, much of which the celebrity players donate to local and national charities. Over the years, nearly $8 million has been donated to non-profit causes. Network television exposure on NBC and a first-place prize of $150,000 make the celebrity tournament one of the most prestigious in the golf world.
New York Times
28 minutes ago
- New York Times
Could James Cook and the Bills provide the juicy storyline ‘Hard Knocks' cameras covet?
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — James Cook participated in the Buffalo Bills' mandatory minicamp Tuesday so he wouldn't get fined. 'I like my money,' Cook said. 'I definitely do. So that's why I'm here.' As such, Cook added he'll also report when training camp opens next month at St. John Fisher University, despite wanting to be paid more like a two-time Pro Bowler and reigning league co-leader in rushing touchdowns. Advertisement Cook, however, didn't pledge to practice without the new contract he covets. At first, he replied 'Yeah, it's my team,' when asked if he would fully participate in training camp. Then, upon being asked about the possibility of a hold-in, where players attend but don't work out, Cook said with a big smile, 'I don't know, man. We'll see when camp comes.' That's all 'Hard Knocks' producers needed to hear. The chance that Cook shows up for training camp just to satisfy his attendance obligation and watches practice in protest keeps one of the Bills' juiciest storylines alive. The cameras might provide him added PR leverage as viewers watch the front office feud with a star player. The show will capture every awkward glance, harrumph and tense exchange. Then again, 'Hard Knocks' also could be a boon for backup running back Ray Davis, whose inspirational origin story is perfect for an HBO program that loves to grab its audience right in the feels. 'That's the way of the world,' said Herm Edwards, the Kansas City Chiefs' coach when they were featured on 'Hard Knocks' in 2007. 'Somebody wants to take a side. There's got to be a good guy and a bad guy. 'Who are we putting the black hat on today? Well, let's put the black hat on this guy.' Mike Tannenbaum was the New York Jets' general manager when they did 'Hard Knocks' in 2010, the summer future Hall of Fame cornerback Darrelle Revis' holdout was among the NFL's biggest stories. The first episode featured Tannenbaum's clandestine meeting with Revis' agents at a diner in Roscoe, N.Y., between Manhattan and the Jets' training camp at SUNY Cortland. Revis signed a four-year, $46 million contract in time for the 'Hard Knocks' finale. 'I didn't realize how it was playing out until afterwards because you're living it day to day,' Tannenbaum said. 'You're not really paying attention to all the noise around you. Advertisement 'But 'Hard Knocks' definitely brought a lot more eyeballs and attention to it.' Kansas City dealt with two prominent contract squabbles during their 'Hard Knocks' summer. All-Pro running back Larry Johnson demanded a new contract and sat out 25 days into training camp, while rookie receiver Dwayne Bowe didn't come to terms until 10 days into camp. 'It can be a distraction if you allow it to be, but in today's world,' Edwards said, 'if that is a distraction, then you've got a bigger problem.' Much of Cook's contract tension was relieved Tuesday by his mere presence at One Bills Drive. He finally joined his teammates, albeit motivated by an NFL fine schedule that would have cost him $17,462 for missing one practice, $34,925 for missing a second practice and $52,381 for missing a third practice. Cook wasn't a spectator. He participated in all the drills. 'I mean, why not?' Cook said. 'I'm here. I'm part of the team. … I'm a leader, so I just got to practice and get a job.' An optimist will assume that Cook's take on minicamp indicates he'll practice at training camp, too. He must report for the first practice to lock in his fourth accrued NFL season, required for him to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season. He also would be fined $40,000 for each training camp absence. But losing an accrued season and amassing $40,000 fines would be moot if Cook can wrangle that big extension. He is entering the final season of a four-year rookie contract worth about $5.8 million. He posted on social media in February that he wanted $15 million a year. Michael Ginnitti, founder of sports contract analysis site Spotrac, calculates Cook is worth $10 million a year. 'I'm very, very proud that he's here and he's working as hard as he is being on the field with us, and a lot of guys wouldn't do that,' quarterback Josh Allen said. 'But he's out there and working hard and showing everybody that he is here for the right reasons and hopefully that can get solved. Advertisement 'I love Jimbo. I think the whole team does. He's one of the best backs in the league, and hopefully that can be reflected soon.' The Bills meticulously have built a successful culture within their walls, but they also are hyper-vigilant about defending the way they're viewed by outsiders, protective of their revamped reputation as a destination franchise after decades of ridicule and no longer that frigid, forlorn outpost that free agents avoid and young talent flees. Unlike questions that arose during the drought under previous management, Buffalo is grateful to be known today as an organization that takes care of its own. The Bills this offseason signed receiver Khalil Shakir, edge rusher Gregory Rousseau, linebacker Terrel Bernard and cornerback Christian Benford to extensions — yet not Cook, who plays a position Beane doesn't value as much as others. Running backs league-wide regained some lost prominence last season, with Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley amassing insane stats with new teams. Cook doesn't have to look far for an example of fighting for your worth before it's too late. His big brother, Dalvin Cook, got tough with the Minnesota Vikings in 2020. Dalvin Cook had been to two Pro Bowls and threatened to hold out if his rookie contract wasn't extended before the season. But he showed up to training camp, got a five-year, $63 million contract and made two more Pro Bowls before his production plummeted at 28 years old. Running backs must get paid before an expiration date nobody can peg for certain. Cook, who turns 26 in September, had thoughts about why running backs sometimes need to fight for what they believe they're worth. 'Because we do a lot and I think we should be valued for that — all the hard work we put in on the ground, pass blocking, and all those types of things,' James Cook replied. 'I think we should be valued more.' Advertisement Some fans and analysts wonder if Buffalo would be fine simply to let Davis take over, perhaps even wise to trade Cook rather than risk losing him as a free agent in nine months. Those willing to turn the backfield page reason that Davis (with greater opportunity) and Allen (with more tush pushing) could make up Cook's production. The problem with that premise is Cook had +13.9 EPA last year, while Davis posted a -19.3 EPA. Davis, although entering just his second NFL season, also will turn 26 in November. Buffalo needs Cook. The issue general manager Brandon Beane must weigh is how important Cook's happiness is. 'Behind the scenes, when that was going on, I was talking to those guys every day,' Edwards said of Johnson and Bowe. 'And I was talking to the team about, 'Hey, when these guys come back it's open arms. One day, you might have to go through what these guys are going through. It's not like they don't want to be here. It's business.' And I told the team leaders, 'Make sure you're calling our guys.' When you're left at home, negotiating a contract, you want him to know he's part of the team.' There's added value to keeping contenders content. The Jets in 2010 were considered on the cusp of glory. As a wild card, they'd reached the AFC Championship Game in coach Rex Ryan's rookie season and, in trying to get over that hump, were desperate to topple the New England Patriots from atop the division. 'For me, it was always about doing whatever we could within reason to win right now,' Tannenbaum said. 'That was always my mindset. 'Darrelle checked every box, and we wanted to get a deal done as quickly as possible, but it was more because he deserved it more than any other pressure we may have felt.' With Revis satisfied, the Jets returned to the AFC title game as a wild card, beating Tom Brady and Peyton Manning on the road before bowing to the Pittsburgh Steelers one game shy of the Super Bowl. The Bills have avoided these situations in the past, and although everything looked hunky-dory Tuesday, Cook's contract issue is far from settled. 'Hard Knocks' will work that angle for all it's worth.
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
Seven takeaways from Eagles minicamp: Offense remains a force, Tyler Steen a front-runner, and more
PHILADELPHIA — The summer has officially arrived. After six workouts during OTAs, the Eagles fielded perfect attendance in their one-day mandatory minicamp on Tuesday. The reigning Super Bowl champions will break for just over a month before training camp begins in late July, kick-starting the official beginning of their title defense. Advertisement A series of important questions awaits a franchise seeking to extend its golden era. Nick Sirianni, whose contract was recently extended, oversees a coaching staff managing two major transitions. First-time offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo is still fleshing out his first system with a pool of assistants that includes new-hires Parks Frazier and Scot Loeffler. Vic Fangio, who's entering his 22nd season as an NFL defensive coordinator, is still sorting out those who'll replace eight key members of a top-rated defense that helped win the city's second Super Bowl. Tuesday's viewing of minicamp afforded indications of the answers. In a numbered sequence, here are my takeaways from the final look at the Eagles before the summer begins. 1. The Eagles offense appears empowered by its roster stability. Charting completions and yards per rush is a fruitless exercise in May and June. That Jalen Hurts led a smooth operation throughout workouts is as promising a sign as the Eagles can expect, given the uncharted portions of Patullo's playbook. Hurts said Tuesday that it's 'too early' yet for him to have even spoken to Patullo about the way he intends to call plays in 2025. The Eagles are 'far from what we're going to be' in terms of their offensive identity, Hurts said. But the core elements are clear. Saquon Barkley at age 28 still embodies the strength of what has been a run-oriented attack, and, as if not to be forgotten, Hurts unfurled a long touchdown to DeVonta Smith along the left sideline (with rookie linebacker Smael Mondon Jr. chasing) during Tuesday's 7-on-7 drills to demonstrate the potency that still remains in the passing game. The only apparent hiccups were in the offense's roster holes. Right guard is the only position without a returning starter, and starting center Cam Jurgens is still sidelined while recovering from offseason back surgery. During team situation drills, backup center Brett Toth skipped a snap to Hurts, killing the play, and, on the first-team rep, right guard Tyler Steen was flagged for a false start. The seniority of this unit suggests it will remain a substantial force. 2. Speaking of Tyler Steen… It's evident Steen is the front-runner to start at right guard for yet a second summer. He was the first-team right guard throughout OTAs and in minicamp. Will Steen hold onto the job this time? I asked two-time All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson what he's seen from Steen this offseason, and Johnson was quite complimentary of how much Steen has developed, particularly with his strength. 'He's just a physically gifted dude, man,' Johnson said. 'He's a lot stronger than what he was when he first arrived. So, I think his playing strength is starting to show, and I know he's ready for camp to start. And yeah, man, he's just been putting in work, and I think you've seen traits of him where he can be a dominating player.' Johnson has started beside 10 different right guards in the last five seasons. Steen, a 2023 third-round pick, has started in two games next to Johnson. Steen's top competition appears to be Matt Pryor, who started in five games next to Johnson in 2020. Pryor took second-team snaps at right guard on Tuesday. Kenyon Green, the player portion of the C.J. Gardner-Johnson trade package, has been taking third-team snaps at left guard — his primary position with the Houston Texans. Training camp will reveal more about how much further Green has to go. Advertisement 3. Kelee Ringo finished the offseason with a strong practice. The Eagles entered the offseason knowing they'd need a succession plan for parting with Darius Slay, and their subsequent low-investment additions at cornerback, plus Fangio's hybrid plan to keep Cooper DeJean at nickel, underlines how the organization has confidence that Ringo can become a competent option opposite Quinyon Mitchell (in non-base packages). Ringo was the first-team outside cornerback in 7-on-7 and team drills on Tuesday — his most flashy workout of the offseason. Ringo held his own while isolated against A.J. Brown during a team-drill rep; Hurts checked down to Barkley. Later, working with the second-team defense during team situation drills, broke up two passes: one intended for Danny Gray, the other for Terrace Marshall. Ringo has long possessed the physical traits to be a quality NFL cornerback. It's too soon to suggest he's acquired a proper grasp of the techniques required to play in Fangio's defense. But his offseason performance, particularly on Tuesday, offers promise. It will be interesting to see how the Eagles handle a summer in which veteran cornerbacks such as Jaire Alexander and Jalen Ramsey could hit the market. 4. Drew Mukuba was deployed in dime for the first time. The Eagles have been fairly emphatic about how they view Mukuba foremost as a safety. Indeed, he played his best collegiate football at Texas while playing free safety, and he was the ACC's rookie of the year while playing safety as a true freshman at Clemson. It's not hard to understand why the Eagles wouldn't spend a second-round pick on Mukuba only to start him out at nickel, the position in which his trajectory flatlined during his sophomore and junior seasons. But those two years of experience still factored into the front office's decision to pick Mukuba. The departure of Avonte Maddox hasn't been a major storyline this offseason. Cut last offseason, re-signed to a team-friendly, one-year deal, Maddox still supplied 345 defensive snaps for the Eagles in 2024 — often as the team's second slot corner in dime packages. Mukuba played dime for the first time on Tuesday. It's notable that Sydney Brown, one of Mukuba's competitors in the safety battle, was paired with Reed Blankenship at safety during those reps. It signals that the Eagles believe in Mukuba's coverage skills more, at least in slot matchups. It also revealed how much flexibility the newest members of the secondary are affording Fangio in 2025. DeJean to corner in base? Mukuba to the slot in dime? 5. Jihaad Campbell wore a helmet during individual drills for the first time. This was a notable sign for the No. 31 overall pick, who has been gradually increasing his workload since undergoing pre-draft labrum surgery. He still hasn't yet participated in 7-on-7 or team drills, but he'd only before observed individual drills during OTAs. Tuesday didn't suggest that Campbell is ahead of schedule in his recovery. (Fangio said last week that Campbell 'won't hit the practice field' until 'sometime in August'; Sirianni wouldn't offer a timeline on Tuesday.) But it's important to discuss how Campbell's recovery is different from DeJean's last year. DeJean, drafted as a corner, suffered a hamstring injury while working out in the summer, and returned Aug. 13 on a learning track that took him until Week 6 to start at nickel — 'a drastically different position' from outside corner, according to Fangio. Campbell's focus has only been at inside linebacker. Fangio also said he's personally taken Campbell to the side to do individual drills, 'that's suited to what he can do right now.' Linebacker, of course, is a complex position, especially if Campbell is to fill in for Nakobe Dean as the defense's Mike. There's also no substitute for reps, of which Campbell is projected to miss at least July's portion. But how quickly can Campbell acclimate himself after being given a full summer to mentally absorb Fangio's system? Sooner than Week 6? 6. Trevor Keegan was taking snaps at center during individual drills. The right guard battle is crowded. Steen. Pryor. Green. The Eagles also added Hollin Pierce as an undrafted free agent; the 6-8, 341-pound Rutgers product has been seeing time at right guard with the third-team offense. Keegan's Tuesday work at center during individual drills shows how he can solidify his spot on the 53-man roster. He's a 2024 fifth-round pick who spent almost the entirety of his rookie season inactive. (He had 35 snaps in his Week 18 debut against the New York Giants.) Steen is the apparent front-runner at right guard, and Pryor offers the Eagles versatility as a seventh-year veteran who can also play offensive tackle. What else can Keegan add as a reserve lineman? Long-time position coach Jeff Stoutland regularly cross-trains his linemen. While not new in general, it's interesting involving Keegan. Three-time Pro Bowl left guard Landon Dickerson has been Philadelphia's backup center. Could Keegan distinguish himself from other linemen, like Brett Toth, and offer reliability behind Jurgens? 7. Do the Eagles have a No. 4 WR? The Eagles may be weary of the years-long discourse about whether they've secured a No. 3 wide receiver behind A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. General manager Howie Roseman increased depth by acquiring Jahan Dotson in a training camp trade last year. Dotson, who had 19 catches and 216 yards in 2024, has an opportunity to silence the WR3 discussion after his first full offseason in Philadelphia. Tuesday offered a glimpse at another opportunity that might supply the Eagles with a new wrinkle in their 2025 system. Advertisement During 11-on-11 drills with the first-team offense, Terrace Marshall, who signed a one-year, $1.05 million deal in the offseason, caught a short crosser with DeJean in coverage and sprinted for an explosive gain. Later, during 7-on-7s, Marshall hauled in a long completion against Adoree' Jackson, who's competing with Ringo for the starting job at outside cornerback. Both plays reflected why Marshall, 25, was chosen by the Carolina Panthers No. 59 overall in 2021. He'd come to prominence during LSU's 2019 national championship season as Joe Burrow's third option behind Ja'Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson. Marshall's 731 yards in seven games during a COVID-shortened 2020 season suggested he might capture some of the success Chase and Jefferson have since secured in the NFL. The Panthers were dreadful while Marshall failed to find his footing during his three-year tenure there, and, after they cut him in training camp last year, he saw nominal playing time after finding work with the Las Vegas Raiders in October. Can Marshall revamp his career in Philly? DeVonta Smith, an Amite, La., native who grew up playing 7-on-7 with Marshall, said Marshall's big frame (6-2, 200 pounds) adds 'versatility' to their room. Can Marshall afford the Eagles more than one reliable backup (which the Eagles have needed with both Smith and Brown managing injuries in each of the last two seasons)?
