Chiefs’ Matt Nagy describes playoff ‘cat-and-mouse game’ between coordinators

The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs will want a stellar offensive efficiency to win Tremendous Bowl LIX and full the NFL’s first three-peat try.

Whereas not each possession was profitable towards the Buffalo Payments in Sunday’s AFC Championship victory, the staff’s scoring drives did function a few of the crispest appears seen from the offense all season.

On Friday, offensive coordinator Matt Nagy mentioned altering the playbook through the postseason, reiterating the significance of offseason organized staff actions (OTAs) for testing new formations.

“For the most part,” Nagy defined, “our guys do a great job of understanding conceptually some of the formations that we might test out in OTAs. Then, we might not ever get back to it until that formation might be new during that week, but they’ve heard it at some point.”

Having your entire playbook on the desk could be difficult for gamers who joined the staff through the season, akin to veteran large receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who was acquired through commerce on October 23.

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“Now, if you’re new,” remarked Nagy, “and also you weren’t right here in coaching camp or OTAs — like a D=Hop or any individual — it could be slightly bit new to them, however the guys react fairly effectively to it. I believe they’re used to it with coach Reid.

“He likes these different formations, and our guys do a good job with it. We’ve just got to make sure those are the hot spots that we make sure we’re practicing all week long — and that we understand why we’re doing it.”

Finally, play calling at this level within the season is about augmenting the squad’s current strengths.

“You want to be able to do things that you do well,” stated Nagy, “after which window gown it and get by it sure methods. I believe that’s slightly little bit of the cat and mouse recreation that coordinators, each side, offense [and] protection [play]. Identical with defenses — they’re going to point out a blitz, and it’s going to be the identical spots from totally different individuals.

“So, I think there’s a little bit to that, and then there’s some new stuff too that’s always unscouted, but you want to be able to do what you do well.”

Whereas he and the Chiefs employees plan essentially the most unpredictable appears for the staff’s offense, Nagy is aware of that Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio will probably be doing the identical for his squad, notably the defensive backs.

Fangio was the Chicago Bears’ defensive coordinator when Nagy took over as head coach in 2018. He remained on employees throughout his first season with the staff after which took over because the Denver Broncos head coach in 2019.

“They’re really good,” Nagy noticed of the Eagle secondary. “They’re aggressive. They don’t do a complete lot. There’s not loads that they do, however they’re all in regards to the disguise. They need to have the ability to make you suppose that they’re in a single protection and play a unique one. Then, it allows them to have the ability to play quick.

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“I know Vic. The way he teaches that and the way he coaches this scheme and then the little different wrinkles that he’s going to add to it is always going to be there. Then the players —you take good players in a good scheme, you put it together, and you see why they’re a really good defense. So, they’re playing with confidence, and I think as a team, they’re playing complementary football all three phases.”

A significant change to the Chiefs offense through the season has been shifting veteran guard Joe Thuney exterior to left deal with after veteran D.J. Humphries suffered a hamstring damage after being signed late season to take over the place. Nagy doesn’t bear in mind when the thought surfaced however famous that it grew to become essential whereas reviewing the season’s offensive line play.

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“I can’t think necessarily of an exact time or when that time was,” he recalled of the choice’s origin. “I do know, clearly, we’re going by a few of the struggles there, and I believe that half turns into actual. Immediately as a coach, you begin questioning, ‘OK, are we putting the guys in the right spot? Are we being real with what’s happening, and the way will we repair it?’

“When you have a guy like Joe Thuney that has shown that he can do it — and, that you trust and believe he’s going to stay true to his fundamentals and that the moment’s not going to be too big for him. He’s one of the best guards in the league. [We] moved him to one of the hardest positions in the league and [said], ‘Go be successful.’ He did that. So, you work through that.”

“Of course, D.J. came in, and he’s done a great job. I also want to give D.J. Humphries a ton of credit with how he’s handled this whole entire situation. He’s nothing but a true pro. I have a ton of respect for him. It’s really for him and the rest of the guys. It’s a credit to everybody. But Joe Thuney, man. What a stud. I can’t remember the exact moment, but I just know that the biggest thing is just trying to be successful in the end with the O-line.”