The Kansas City Chiefs‘ rise in the last decade couldn’t be explained without Andy Reid. The process began with his hiring in 2013, and the veteran head coach has since slowly built a modern NFL dynasty at Arrowhead.
And while his playbook, staff building, and player selection may be big reasons behind the success, Reid also turned the Chiefs into an unstoppable force with his strong preseason regime.
By now, pretty much everyone in the NFL knows what Big Red’s “long drive” drills are about. But only those who go through them really know how exhausting they can be. Even so, Reid recently received positive feedback from one of his players, with a Chiefs veteran explaining the benefits of doing the hard work before the real competition starts.
Mike Danna praises Reid’s “long drive” drills with Chiefs
“You’ve just got to gut it out,” Chiefs defensive lineman Mike Danna said about Reid’s long-drive drills after Sunday’s training camp practice, via Arrowhead Pride. “There’s no looking for subs. There’s no looking for ways out. You’ve just got to realize that this is the time to dig deep. This is the time to grow.
Mike Danna #51 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after a win over the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia.
“Coach emphasizes growing in uncomfortable situations. That’s all that long drive drill is. It’s just uncomfortable. Your body’s tired. Your body’s exhausted. You want to see who’s going to dig deep — who’s going to keep going. The best way to do it is that long drive drill. That’s the recipe.”
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A key veteran for Reid in Kansas City
Danna, who turns 28 in December, is entering his sixth year in the NFL with the Chiefs. Therefore, it’s safe to say that, by now, he’s already gotten used to Reid’s preseason conditioning program.
It shouldn’t be a surprise to hear Danna embrace this kind of challenge instead of complaining about it. We’re talking about a player who has consistently shown a team-first mentality, adjusting to different positions during his time in Kansas City.
In fact, he was another Chiefs star apart from Xavier Worthy to show willingness in playing different roles for the team. Needless to say, Reid will be even happier now that Danna is also emphasizing on the positive aspects of his long drive drills.
