Kansas City’s left tackle play has been a concern, but the second-year player received an endorsement Thursday from his most accomplished peer.
For the Kansas City Chiefs, improved pass protection from the offensive line will determine if the team ends the season holding the Lombardi Trophy for a third consecutive season.
From the team’s locker room on Thursday, left tackle Wanya Morris discussed the unit’s rough performance in Week 11 against the Buffalo Bills, which saw the Chiefs take their first loss of the season.
“You’ve got to have the learning mentalities,” Morris said of the loss. “Learn from it, build on it, see what you did wrong, and see [what was] really good. We played a really good team. I’m pretty sure that’s not the last time we’ll see them this year. We’ve just got to emphasize the things that we did right — and the things we did wrong, get better on each one.”
The elder statesman of Morris’ position room believes the second-year pro is taking the right approach.
“He’s done a great job,” guard Joe Thuney said of Morris during Thursday’s team media conference, “day after day, week after week, learning the details and getting physically and everything, and. He’s just continually improving, and that’s what we’re all trying to do. It’s a long season, and just trying to day by day, week by week keep getting better — and that’s I think what we’re all trying to do.”
Morris revealed that his current focus is maintaining his best level of play as the game progresses.
“Just staying firmer inside,” he stated. “When it comes to pass pro — just keeping on winning when it comes to those long games. Games like that in the playoffs, they might run out two or three overtimes, you never really know. So, you just want to keep your winning.”
Morris suffered a knee injury in preseason that has seemed limit him at times in the games that matter. After being listed on each injury report a week ago for receiving knee treatment, Morris was not listed for the first two practices ahead of Week 12.
“I’m fine,” Morris declared. “You’ve just got to continue to trust the process and put work into your body. It’s a long season, and we know that coming in. So, just being able to take care of your body, take care of your mental at the same time but getting ready for the next week, that’s big. That’s something I emphasize on.”
Morris missed much of Week 10’s narrow victory over the Denver Broncos. Rookie Kingsley Suamataia took over protecting the blindside of quarterback Patrick Mahomes — to disastrous results that saw the face of the league continually under pressure. Should the need arise again, don’t be surprised to see Thuney moving outside to tackle, a position he played at North Carolina State.
“Whatever the team needs — what’s required,” Thuney said of his willingness to line up at left tackle. “It doesn’t bother me. It’s not like I’m relying on past reps or training and stuff, but whatever’s needed by the team I’m happy to do.”
The veteran does not believe it would be a difficult transition.
“There’s a lot more space out on the edge at tackle,” Thuney explained, “and the type of players you’re blocking are different than the interior. So, [you’ve] got to get comfortable out there, but it’s you’re still playing offensive line. So, you’ve still got to go back to the fundamentals.”
The Chiefs will try to regain momentum this weekend when they visit the Carolina Panthers. Though the Panthers have been frequent cellar dwellers in recent seasons, the Chiefs are not taking them likely. Carolina will enter Sunday off of a bye week on the heels of back-to-back victories.
That team just came off two wins [and] comes off a week,” said Morris, “so they’re feeling pretty good right now, and they’re a great team. They run to the ball, and you can see that momentum and that confidence in that defense right now. So, [we’re] just going out there and just imposing our will and stick it to the game plan.”
According to Morris, the Chiefs were not focused on the mythical undefeated season now lost.
“That’s just a product of the work,” he claimed. “We never really talked about going undefeated. That’s something that just happens when you continue to work and just put your head down go week by week.
“1-0 —that’s the goal every week.”