The Kansas City Chiefs coordinators spoke to local media on Wednesday afternoon, which gave us our first opportunity to hear Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s thoughts on his two newest additions to the defense, a pair of first-round draft picks, cornerback Mansoor Delane and defensive tackle Peter Woods.
Speaking about Delane first, Spagnuolo said that it was pretty clear to the Chiefs’ staff and scouts that the sixth-overall pick in the draft was the best cornerback in the draft.
“He jumped
out on tape,” said Spagnuolo brightly. “I think he could have come out after his last year at [Virginia Tech]… the information we gathered was that he wanted to be challenged a little bit more, so you go to LSU. I think that speaks volumes about a guy.”
The idea that Delane was not satisfied with ACC competition, choosing to transfer to college football’s top conference, was reinforced by Delane himself in a video the team posted on its YouTube page two weeks ago.
Delane purposely chose the tougher path to the NFL. He wanted to test and prove he was the best, and now he has landed with a defensive coordinator whose philosophy in developing young players is to make them uncomfortable and see how they handle it.
“We did feed overload in these three phases that we are in,” Spagnuolo shared. “A lot of guys are swimming that are new. At some point, we’ll cut back… the thought process is at some point we’ll want to use the volume, [and] pluck from it, at least they will have been exposed to it a little bit. And if you’re going to make mistakes, I’d rather make them now.”
And this is where Peter Woods comes in, Spagnuolo said that he has been “Really, really impressed” with how locked in Woods has been this offseason.
“Not only what he does on the field, but the way he carries himself in the hallways,” Spagnuolo noted. “I think I’ve said this to you guys before, when you stand up in front of them in a unit meeting. You can see all of the faces, and you know whether they are in tune—I mean, he’s like focused. And that’s a good thing… He seems like he’s got football ‘get it.’”
And that “get it” is what Spagnuolo is looking for in his players. Talent might get you drafted, but football IQ and work ethic are what’re going to make you successful.
A trademark of Spags’ defense has long been built on guys who can process information, play smart, and execute under pressure. That’s why Delane’s decision to take the road less traveled, and Woods obsessive focus in meetings are standing out to the long-time coach.
We’ve certainly seen Spagnuolo’s philosophy pay off in the past, as he has consistently relied on players who know the scheme and can step up and make plays in the biggest moments.
Like when linebacker Nick Bolton returned a fumble for a touchdown in Super Bowl LVII.
Or Trent McDuffie’s clutch blocked pass against the San Francisco 49ers late in Super Bowl LVIII.
In Kansas City, and for Spagnuolo, talent gets you drafted, but work ethic and intelligence are what give you a chance to develop into something special.
