One of the most surprising cuts among the many the Kansas City Chiefs made last weekend was veteran running back Emari Demercado, who was subsequently claimed by the Dallas Cowboys on the waiver wire.
Behind lead back Kenneth Walker, the Chiefs have two inexperienced players: rookie Emmett Johnson and second-year back Brashard Smith, who played wide receiver for the majority of his collegiate career.
Moving on from an experienced player speaks to the trust in the young backs; head coach Andy Reid talked
about the backfield during a press conference on Wednesday.
“I like the way the running backs were running,” Reid said to local media. “They were hitting it and seeing it. It looks like they have good vision, which helps you, too. Enough patience, but good vision.”
During training camp, Demercado told reporters that pass protection is a strength of his game.
”I take a lot of pride [in pass protection],” Demarcado told the media after practice on Wednesday. “I think that’s just where I found my niche in the league.”
Heading into a season where quarterback Patrick Mahomes will be fresh off recovery from tearing his ACL and LCL, protecting the franchise player will be key. Reid made it clear he and the team have confidence in Johnson, the fifth-round pick from Nebraska, to step into a role usually suited for a veteran.
When asked about what has stood out about Johnson over the last few weeks, Reid led with that skill.
“Pass protection,” Reid shared. “We knew he could run the ball, but the thing we had to see was pass protection. For him to be that No. 2 back, you have to be able to do that. He’s a smart kid and willing to stick up in there.”
While the starting offense is potentially readying to deploy a one-two punch with Walker and Johnson, Smith is a change-of-pace back who has improved in his own regard this summer.
He shares the starting kick-return duties with wide receiver Nikko Remigio and understands the value of the third phase in football.
“I love special teams,” Smith told reporters during a press conference on Wednesday. “I feel like that’s the spark that gets the offense going. I feel like special teams is the biggest part in the game… You make a big play, that gets everybody going; everybody on offense gets going after that. I love it.”
While Kansas City is clearly more comfortable asking Remigio to field punts, Smith’s 4.39-second 40-yard dash time represents the big-play ability he has compared to Remigio on kick returns. The Chiefs clearly like what Smith brings to the team with the ball in his hands, and could get creative on how to get the most out of his dynamism on both offense and special teams.
