Day 3 of full padded Chiefs Training Camp practice: Josh Simmons ready for big step on o-line in year two

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) - The Kansas City Chiefs continue to stack days at Training Camp on MoWest's campus in St. Joseph. Wednesday's practice was a little bit longer due to the spotty weather in the area.

The rain forced Kansas City to go back inside and practice in the MoWest indoor facility for about thirty minutes on Wednesday. Then the weather cleared up and the Chiefs headed back outside.

Second-year left tackle and former first-round pick Josh Simmons was dealing with an injury this time last season. Now, a year later in training camp, Simmons is fully healthy, more knowledgeable of the Kansas City playbook, and ready to dominate on the left side of the line, protecting Patrick Mahomes' blind side next to guard Kingsley Suamataia.

"I'm just trying to add off of last year. Obviously I went against a lot of good defensive ends," said Simmons. "I have one year of familiarity with the playbook, so it was really just kind of stacking up on that that way I can come into the Training Camp ready. I think I've just been going back to the basics and kind of mastering that. I think you can never go wrong with that. So every time we come out in Training Camp and we're going against each other, I just try to literally hone in on those, on those basic techniques."

"You can see them communicating. Kingsley does a nice job with making sure Josh gets all the calls and everything," said head coach Andy Reid. "The more they play together, the better it'll be. They're both very gifted and so athletic. "It's just a matter of the techniques, fundamentals, all that stuff, and they work like crazy and coach (Andy) Heck does a good job working on those guys."

One new member of the Chiefs' backfield room this season is running back Emari Demercado. The fourth year back brings versatility over to KC from his time with the Arizona Cardinals, running, catching passes, and making an impact in the special teams game as well. Demercado is excited to fully learn this Chiefs playbook.

"Just to be able to be used in so many different ways. "It'll be fun to see all of us in the running back room just running, catching the ball, pass pro, everything, just how many different ways they can use us," said Demercado.