Kansas City Chiefs wide receivers coach Chad O'Shea spoke recently with reporters. He emphasized the importance of wide receivers blocking downfield to help Kenneth Walker III's performance this season.
"It's something that's very important to us, as we say, competing in the run game. That's what we say. We say in all areas, we need to do what's best for the team, and what a great area to do that in the run game," said O'Shea. "I think it kind of shows the unselfishness that we have in our room right now, guys that are willing to do everything that they can to help the team win. I take a lot of pride in it, and I know our group does. It's something that's stressed daily and will continue to be stressed, but I hope that those guys really understand
how important it is, and I think that they do."
The increased willingness to block downfield for Chiefs receivers has helped the running game stand out significantly over two games. Kenneth Walker III is entering Week 3 having rushed for 290 yards on 47 carries with one touchdown.
"I'll tell you what, it reminds me a lot. When I was here the first time in 2003-05, we had Dante Hall, and I was coaching with the special teams," said O'Shea. "And it's contagious when guys understand that they have guys that are as explosive and talented with the football in their hands as we have, that we had with Dante Hall years back. The blocking, it becomes even—there's more of an incentive because they know how important that is. And it's interesting because we say, stay alive downfield."
Between 2003 and 2005, O'Shea held minor coaching roles on the Chiefs' staff as a volunteer assistant and assistant special teams coach.
"You might be on the back side of a run, but you're at the front side of a run real quickly. And what I mean by that is these guys have done a great job of cutting the football back and getting to level three," said O'Shea. So, we've really put an emphasis of level three blocking and how important that is. We're so fortunate to have the runners that we do and to have the other players at the skill position, with Travis (Kelce) doing such a great job with run after catch and our other players. It really brings a lot of energy to the guys that are blocking and brings more incentive for them."
O'Shea was the Patriots' wide receivers coach from 2008 to 2018 under head coach Bill Belichick. He won multiple Super Bowls in the process and garnered respect around the league.
This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Chad O'Shea on the importance of wide receivers blocking downfield
