Kansas City Chiefs tight end Robert Tonyan is battling for the team\u2019s third tight end spot \u2014 and according to offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, the early returns on his chemistry with quarterback Patrick Mahomes have been encouraging.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou saw today he had an excellent catch, [where] he turned his head and ran a little bit of a corner angle route and made a great snag,\u201d he told reporters after Tuesday\u2019s training camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph. \u201cAnd I think there\u2019s a lot of trust building right now between him and Pat. He\u2019s a smart kid. He does a lot of things the right way. You can tell he\u2019s been in this league a little bit \u2014 and he has that experience factor to help out these young guys, too.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Tonyan, this camp has been a crash course in what it means to play for head coach Andy Reid \u2014 especially in St. Joseph\u2019s sticky Missouri heat. On Tuesday afternoon, the team ran one of Reid\u2019s infamous \u201clong drive drills\u201d under the brutal summer sun.<\/p>\n
While Tonyan had heard about them from fellow tight ends Travis Kelce and Noah Gray, actually experiencing it is quite another thing.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe did a little bit of it in OTAs,\u201d he recalled, \u201cand that was cool. We had the pads off. But when you get in the St. Joe heat and you get rolling and you\u2019re actually out there for 10 straight plays? You feel it. You\u2019re not going to feel anything more game-like than that long drive drill.\u201d<\/p>\n
To make the initial 53-man roster on August 27, Tonyan knows he needs to prove himself to the coaching staff.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re not going to make every play,\u201d he acknowledged, \u201cbut you\u2019ve got to learn quick \u2014 and not make the same mistake twice. So I think I\u2019m doing a good job \u2014 [even] if I make a full-speed mistake. Just [on the] next play, try to make a play to get the momentum going in a positive way.\u201d<\/p>\n
But at least he gets to learn from the best tight end in NFL history: Kelce. Watching his tape doesn\u2019t compare to working with him.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou see his film and you don\u2019t really get it,\u201d he explained. \u201c[But] then you get to ask him questions \u2014 and then you see where his mind is at. It\u2019s awesome. Learning from him and Noah? They\u2019re both two great players.\u201d<\/p>\n
There\u2019s plenty to learn. Tonyan is now on his third offense after spending his first five seasons with the Green Bay Packers. His biggest focus is now on learning the details.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got to learn spatial awareness,\u201d he said, \u201c[knowing] where everyone\u2019s going to be, why we\u2019re doing it \u2014 and [Mahomes] anticipating defenses.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tonyan has found it amazing to watch the two-time MVP command the offense firsthand.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s kind of funny,\u201d he remarked, remembering his time with quarterback Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay. \u201cYou just see Pat getting better every day as well. Like in 7-on-7s, he\u2019s making those hard throws look easy \u2014 and he\u2019s becoming more consistent with them. Pat\u2019s incredible. It\u2019s great to be in the huddle, see his command, see him control the line, [see him] make plays and extend plays. I\u2019m happy to be a part of that.\u201d<\/p>\n
But beyond Mahomes\u2019 on-field brilliance, Tonyan sees another thing that sets him apart.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s very confident,\u201d he said of his new quarterback. \u201cHe\u2019s very positive [and] reaffirming. Even if we\u2019re just going through little tight and drills on the side \u2014 or running backs [are] running through the pads or whatever \u2014 he\u2019s encouraging us. That\u2019s just the leader you want: constantly making noise, being positive and creating that energy.\u201d<\/p>\n