Kansas
Kansas City Chiefs’ Mecole Hardman sees ‘opportunity’ after losing ‘once-in-a-generation’ WR Tyreek Hill
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Mecole Hardman stated he did no celebrating upon studying the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs traded fellow extensive receiver Tyreek Hill. He referred to as the lack of Hill “positively successful for certain,” including that Hill’s mere presence opened probabilities for different Chiefs receivers.
However now that Hill is with the Miami Dolphins the scenario in Kansas Metropolis is not misplaced on Hardman. He is the Chiefs’ solely returning extensive receiver with greater than 5 catches final season, placing him in line for his greatest season at an opportune time in his profession. He is going into the ultimate yr of his contract.
“The chance is larger,” stated Hardman, who had 59 catches for 693 yards and two touchdowns in 2021. “It is as much as the coaches, the teaching workers, to essentially see how they wish to use me this yr. It is as much as me to be ready for that.
“A once-in-a-generation kind of participant has left the group so anyone’s bought to step up and fill a job. … I simply wish to be higher than I used to be final yr, get higher as an total receiver, type of set up my identify a bit of bit extra. Catching the ball, operating routes, yards after catch, all the things I am attempting to enhance on.”
Hardman was the Chiefs’ second-round draft choose in 2019. The Chiefs hoped he would supply a quick receiving choice to Hill and tight finish Travis Kelce.
He had his moments, like catching an 83-yard landing cross as a rookie to assist the Chiefs beat the Baltimore Ravens or his first 100-plus-yard receiving sport final yr in opposition to the Denver Broncos.
However with Hill and Kelce round he is by no means been a constant producer.
“I took benefit once I bought my likelihood, even with all people round,” he stated. “I feel I did what I used to be imagined to do.”
Aside from Kelce, Hardman is now probably the most acquainted pass-catcher Mahomes has. The Chiefs additionally misplaced two of final season’s different prime extensive receivers, Byron Pringle and Demarcus Robinson, to free company.
“I feel at any time when Mecole has gotten alternatives on this offense, whether or not it was when Tyreek needed to exit or he would are available in and run the routes that Tyreek ran, he would make performs occur,” Mahomes stated. “He made numerous massive performs in massive moments, particularly on the finish of final season.
“For me it is for him to only proceed to be himself. He would not must be Tyreek Hill. He must be Mecole Hardman and I feel Mecole Hardman generally is a nice participant on this offense. … He can preserve getting higher and higher. All people places on the market he is bought to switch Tyreek. I feel he may be his personal participant, a Professional Bowler and a fantastic participant on this offense as effectively. I feel simply him persevering with to evolve, play exhausting and apply exhausting, he’ll have a fantastic season this yr.”
Hardman is now one of many Chiefs’ prime 4 extensive receivers, becoming a member of free-agent additions JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling and second-round draft choose Skyy Moore.
“The one good factor is we all know what Mecole can do,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid stated. “Now we have numerous confidence in what he can do. He is coming off a great yr.
“Mecole has the velocity like a Tyreek had. Completely different participant, however like what Tyreek had. He offers you a pleasant skillset there with the velocity and quickness and talent to run when the ball is in his arms. He is a really aggressive runner when the ball is in his arms. You discover methods to do this in quite a lot of other ways.”
Sparking a few of Hardman’s optimism about this season is the way in which he completed the final one. He caught a 53-yard cross in a Week 17 sport in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals after which had the 103-yard sport in opposition to the Broncos.
Within the three playoff video games, he averaged greater than 15 yards per catch, rushed for 55 yards and scored two touchdowns.
“We type of found out what we should always do relating to me so far as what time to get me a jet sweep, what time to get me a display screen or when to come back to me in sure conditions,” Hardman stated. “Coming into this yr, I am fairly certain they are going to attempt to do one thing comparable as to the way it was on the finish of the yr.”
Hardman is headed into the ultimate season of the contract he signed as a rookie, one thing he stated is “positively a thought” as he prepares for the season. He is solely 24 and will take command of the Chiefs’ extensive receiving group by having a giant season and securing a brand new, long-term contract.
“In that scenario, cash talks, proper?” Reid stated when requested about his expertise with gamers of their contract seasons. “They’re all going to attempt their greatest to have their greatest yr.
“You usually are going to get their greatest throughout these contract years, or at the very least that is what I’ve discovered. I do know some individuals say guys tank if you’re within the hunt of issues. They’re all in there going full velocity. That is what I’ve seen.”
Kansas
Kansas State Fans Unload On Jerome Tang After Wichita State Loss
Kansas State’s meltdown loss to the Stockers can be attributed to many on the team.
But it was coach Jerome Tang who was the center of the criticism Saturday night. This is the second time in the last three games where the Wildcats were outdone dramatically in the second half.
Kansas State stars Coleman Hawkins and David N’Guessan combined for just 15 points on 35 percent shooting. Meanwhile, David Castillo went 0 of 7 from 3-point range, contributing to a 28 percent shooting performance from the arc.
On the other end, Wichita State’s Xavier Bell and Corey Washington combined for 42 points. The Shockers collectively got to the paint and free-throw line very often Saturday.
“I saw this live,” one user said. “Competitive for 30 minutes, the Cats freaked out being down by 4 and couldn’t stop chucking threes and play horrible defense. Tang tries but this squad has no heart and grit. Soft. Fragile.”
Kansas State starts facing conference opponents next week, with their first Big 12 matchup against Cincinnati (9-1) Monday night. But honestly, most fans are ready to throw in the towel on the season already.
“I love this college with my whole heart,” another fan said. “Will always support the University but this is one of the worst starts to a season I have ever seen. This is not the standard we have built and something needs to change. The program should be embarrassed because the fans sure are.”
Jayden Armant is a graduate of the Howard University School of Communications and a contributor to Kansas State Wildcats on SI. He can be reached at jaydenshome14@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.
Kansas
Chiefs Suffer Several Big Injuries Before Steelers Game
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been pummeled with injuries over recent weeks. They aren’t alone in that predicament, however, as their Christmas Day opponent in the Kansas City Chiefs are currently dealing with their fair share of bumps and bruises.
Defensive tackle Chris Jones (calf), wide receiver Xavier Worthy (ankle), offensive tackle Jawann Taylor (knee) and linebacker Jack Cochrane (ankle) all went down in Kansas City’s win over the Houston Texans on Saturday afternoon, casting doubt on their collective statuses for Wednesday’s meeting with Pittsburgh in a short week.
Jones, widely regarded as one of the NFL’s elite defensive talents for the better part of a decade, sustained his injury in the fourth quarter. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid described it as a strain, and it’s unclear if he’ll be ready to go against the Steelers.
The five-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro has recorded five sacks on the season to go with 30 total tackles, nine of which have gone for losses, and a forced fumble.
Worthy, who was selected with the No. 28 pick of the first round in the 2024 draft, posted a career-high six catches for 65 yards and a touchdown versus Houston. He departed with his injury in the second quarter before returning after halftime and remaining available from that point forward, meaning he’s likely good to go against the Steelers.
Reid also described Taylor’s injury as a strain after he was pulled in the third quarter of Saturday’s contest. The 27-year-old has held a spot on the Chiefs’ injury report since Week 13 with a knee issue, though he’s yet to miss a game both this season and throughout his entire six-year career.
Taylor occupies the right tackle spot and has made 15 starts this campaign. Kansas City’s depth has already been tested after left tackle D.J. Humphries was inactive versus Houston with a hamstring injury, leaving Wanya Morris and second-round rookie Kingsley Suamataia as the team’s most likely options at the two spots if the former pair of players can’t work their way back onto the field in the coming days.
Cochrane fractured his ankle, per Reid, which may very well end his year. The special teams ace logged a total of 306 snaps, mustering five tackles over that stretch.
The Chiefs are now 14-1 and have a magic number of one to clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC, meaning another win or a single Buffalo Bills loss would do the job.
Thus, Kansas City could adopt a safe approach by resting some of its guys and opting not to risk worsening the health of its players with such little down time before taking on the Steelers.
Pittsburgh, on the other hand, has seen its hold on the AFC North slip out of its hands following a loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday that has both teams sitting with a 10-5 record.
Though the Steelers have clinched a postseason berth, they are currently on a two-game losing streak and would ideally avoid slipping any further.
Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (knee) and wide receiver Ben Skowronek (hip) both suffered injuries against Baltimore while cornerback Donte Jackson (back), defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (groin), quarterback Justin Fields (abdominal), safety DeShon Elliott (hamstring) and wide receiver George Pickens (hamstring) all didn’t make an appearance with pre-existing wounds.
Pittsburgh needs to get off the schneid quickly, and the hope is that it can return several key pieces whom are currently on the mend for its bout with the reigning Super Bowl champions from KC.
Make sure to bookmark Steelers On SI to get all your daily Pittsburgh Steelers news, interviews, breakdowns and more!
Kansas
Kansas State Has Another Second-Half Collapse In Loss To Wichita State
The Kansas State Wildcats looked like a strong basketball team for one half.
And then the second half happened.
The Wildcats were outscored by 23 in the final 20 minutes in an 84-65 loss to Wichita State Saturday night on the road.
“They were better than us, especially in the second half,” K-State coach Jerome Tang said. “I thought their staff did a great job of putting a game plan together of how they wanted to attack us.”
It was the second time the Wildcats had a second-half collapse. The same thing happened in a blowout loss at St. John’s earlier this month.
“The other coaches did a better job of making adjustments than our staff did,” Tang said.
Xavier Bell led the Shockers with a season-high 24 points. Macaleab Rich led the Wildcats with 20 points.
WILDCATS SIGN RECEIVER
Kansas State is making moves within the transfer portal. Their most recent acquisition former Boston College wide receiver Jerand Bradley.
Bradley had just six receptions for 94 yards and two touchdowns last season with the Eagles. However, he compiled 92 receptions for 1,274 yards and 10 touchdowns with Texas Tech, illustrating his ability to produce. He will have many opportunities to replicate this in Manhattan, with the Wildcats reeling after losing their top two receivers.
KANSAS STATE WILDCATS HAVE NEW UNIFORMS FOR RATE BOWL AGAINST RUTGERS
As Kansas State gears up for the Rutgers Scarlet Knight, storylines have been flying around regarding the transfer portal, new recruits, and possible breakout performances.
But a more light-hearted note was the Wildcats getting to unveil their new uniforms in the Rate Bowl.
Wildcats veteran Taylor Poitier said it was “really cool” to be able to suit up in these newer designs.
“We rarely get to wear those types of uniform combos, so I’m really excited to wear them,” Poitier said. “They’ll look pretty cool out there.”
Shandel Richardson is the publisher of Kansas State Wildcats On SI. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com
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