Chiefs Roster: Creed Humphrey says offensive line is ‘setting the tone’

For an NFL offensive line, coaches and players insist that continuity is one of the most important factors. Each lineman needs to know their teammates well enough they can predict which way they are going and how deep they will step. They must understand everyone’s strengths and weaknesses. Since a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, how that link is reinforced becomes is crucial part of your success.

So when veteran left guard Joe Thuney was removed from the team’s Active/PUP (physically-unable-to-perform) list on Sunday, it was music to the ears of his Kansas City Chiefs teammates — especially starting center Creed Humphrey, who lines up alongside him.

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“He’s done it all in the league,” remarked Humphrey after Monday’s training camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph. “He’s played in all the big games and everything. He sees everything so well. And that’s what makes him one of — if not the — best guards in the league.”

To maintain continuity, everyone on the line stays needs to stay healthy and available through the hottest days of the year. The big men need plenty of help.

“[We get] a lot of rehydration — things like that,” said Humphrey. “The training staff does a great job. [The] strength staff does a great job. The nutrition staff — everybody — does a great job with us, getting us back to where [we] need to be for practice the next day.”

Still, history shows it’s rare for an offensive line to finish the season without at least one player missing some time. For the team to achieve its goals, the unit not only needs depth, but a next-man-up mentality.

“We’re still growing as one unit right now,” noted Humphhrey. ”We’ve added new pieces and we’re getting closer each day. As long as the guys continue to keep competing — battling — we’re going to like the results for this year. So for us right now, it’s just taking it day-by-day — and getting better every day.”

One of the new players IS second-round rookie Kingsley Suamataia, who now looks likely to end up as the starting left tackle. Humphrey is impressed with what the former BYU star has shown him.

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“He’s picking up on stuff,” reported Humphrey, “so for him, it’s just continuing to get these reps. He’s going against really good defensive defensive ends right now. It’s going to be really helpful for him. He’s getting better every day — and you can tell he’s bought in.”

Humphrey has noticed that Suamataia is doing everything is supposed to do — and has the skills he needs to succeed at the next level.

“[He’s] asking questions in meetings [and] staying sharp — staying locked in —on meetings,” noted Humphrey. “You can tell he has an instinct for the game, [like] how he needs to play and how [he] needs to block — things like that. As long as he keeps continuing to refine his techniques, it’s going to be really good for him. He’s a great athlete. He has the right mindset to be great.”

A year ago, the Chiefs’ offensive line had a motto: setting the tone. That still describes its approach for the coming season.

“That’s something that we focus on coming out here every day,” said Humphrey. “Setting the tone, making sure our guys are right, making sure we’re ready to compete for the day. So we preach that one every day.”