Several storylines are worth following within the Kansas City Chiefs mandatory mini-camp taking place this week. Some stories focus on the absence of Dwayne Bowe. Others on coaches in new places like Brian Daboll or Romeo Crennel. Even still, names like Eric Berry and Jamaal Charles are coming back from injury and working through rehab. But many eyes are also on Chiefs first round pick Dontari Poe as he adjusts to the NFL level.
If he can become a force at defensive tackle, the Chiefs could have a game-changing talent. However, the team also has a long line of bad investments along the defensive interior in the last decade through the draft. Thus Poe is being watched with a furrowed brow and quizzical eye much of the time.
However, the coaching staff are doing nothing but praising their first round choice so far. Even without an official contract, Poe is in camp doing whatever is asked of him. While everyone loved his workouts and athleticism at the NFL Combine, Crennel recently commented on other aspects of his personality he appreciates.
"Well, he's made progress," Crennel said when asked about Poe on Wednesday. "The thing that impresses me the most is not his natural ability, but the fact that he's trying to play the technique the way we play it. The way we play it is not always the easiest way to play it, so he's taking to coaching and executing the way we want him to execute. Like I said yesterday, we have to get the pads on to really be able to tell and find out, but he's taking steps in the right direction."
Analysts noted that Dontari Poe would have to step in and work hard on his technique to succeed at the NFL level. The early word is solid on Poe as he is allowing KC coaches to mold him in their image. He's certainly in great hands and could finally turn into the defensive anchor the Chiefs have lacked since Scott Pioli first arrived in 2009.
For more on the Kansas City Chiefs' 2012 minicamp, check out Arrowhead Pride and SB Nation's NFL page.
