Phillip Gaines Embodiment of Chiefs' Front Office and Coaching Staff Partnership

Under the leadership of general manager John Dorsey and head coach Andy Reid, the Kansas City Chiefs are 16-8. That’s tied for the sixth-best mark in the league over the last two seasons after being the sixth-worst team from 2009-2012 under former general manager Scott Pioli.

Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt made a fundamental and unconventional change when he hired Reid and his friend Dorsey to run the football side of his organization. Both Reid and Dorsey would both report directly to him. In effect, Hunt split coaching and football operations into two equally important units and asked that they work together.

So far, the change has had a profoundly positive impact on the performance of the football team. A young player like rookie cornerback Phillip Gaines is shining example of the partnership in action. Dorsey picks the players and Reid decides when they are ready to play.

“When as the general manager, you have a relationship with a head coach and have the same philosophical beliefs … ” Dorsey said after being selected as the 2013 NFL executive of the year by the Pro Football Writers of America in January, via Randy Covitz of The Kansas City Star. “We both into work day in and day out. We’re willing to put our egos aside, roll up our sleeves and go to work.”

In this case, Dorsey drafted Gaines with a third-round pick in the 2014 NFL draft, knowing that the former Rice standout had starter skills and size but also that he needed to work on his technique. At 6’0” and 193 pounds, Gaines ran the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds, the three-cone drill in 6.62 seconds and the short shuttle in 4.04 seconds.

Dorsey wasn’t just rolling the dice on Gaines’ athletic ability when he selected him, but he did need the coaching staff to develop his raw talent. Therefore, Reid and his staff deserve a lot of the credit for bringing Gaines along, especially after a rocky preseason that included a torching by the Green Bay Packers.

Stats	Dane Sanzenbacher	James White	Brandon Tate	Brenton Besin	Greg Jennings
Stats	Jeff Janis	Alex Gillett	Myles White	Michael Hill	Devante Adams
Targets	1	2	2	1	1
Receptions	1	2	0	1	0
Yards	26	20	0	16	0
TDs	1	1	0	1	0
Status	On 53	On 53	On 53	On 53	On 53
Targets	1	1	1	1	1
Receptions	1	1	1	1	1
Yards	33	14	11	13	6
TDs	1	0	0	0	0
Status	On 53	Not in league	On PS	Not in league	On 53

Gaines allowed five receptions on five targets for 77 yards and a touchdown to Packers wide receivers Jeff Janis, Alex Gillett, Myles White, Michael Hill and Devante Adams per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Cornerback is generally one of the tougher positions for young players to play in the NFL, so the Chiefs also had to believe that Gaines had the type of mental toughness and work ethic required to be successful.

Gaines’ character was in question coming out of college because he tested positive for marijuana twice. He was also arrested for possession of marijuana in April 2011. Director of player personnel Chris Ballard shrugged off those concerns after talking with his college and high school coaches.

“They all vouch for this kid,” Ballard said in May via Terez A. Paylor of The Kansas City Star. “I’ve been doing this a long time, especially in that area, and absolutely have tremendous faith in the kid and who he is as a person.”

Of course, the Chiefs didn’t just like him as a person. Dorsey said in May why he liked Gaines’ college tape, but acknowledged that he needed to work on his technique.

“In college, they only had the 20-hour rule,” Dorsey said via Paylor. “Therefore, you are not going to be as technically sound...as you would in professional football. I still see a higher ceiling than most.”

Dorsey and Ballard now look very smart for drafting Gaines. They can thank Reid and his staff for putting the young corner in a position to succeed instead of rushing him to start Week 1.

It was due to Gaines’ development that he got his first start in Week 9 in place of the ineffective Marcus Cooper. The Chiefs didn’t rush Gaines into the lineup, despite Cooper’s struggles and injuries, although they certainly created an opportunity.

Until Week 7, Gaines had played primarily on special teams where he proved to be one of the best gunners in the league. It was his work there, and Cooper’s poor play, that led to him getting an opportunity to start.

“Special teams was great for him,” Reid said via Paylor. “You hear about special teams, and what it does, it teaches leverage, it teaches angles, it keeps you in open space with speed so you learn to work angles and close on people.

“That transfers over for secondary players and linebackers. If they can handle the special teams, then they can handle the defense. He’s done a nice job.”

While still a small sample size, Gaines has actually done a very nice job. According to Pro Football Focus, the rookie has allowed a reception every 11.6 snaps in coverage and 0.35 yards-per-coverage snap, despite being targeted every 5.8 coverage snaps.

Player	Cover Snaps/Target	Yards/Cover Snap	Cover Snaps/Rec
Phillip Gaines	5.8	0.35	11.6
Marcus Cooper	4.3	2.43	6.9
Sean Smith	6.4	1.26	11.4
Chris Owens	6.5	1.17	9.5

To put that in perspective, Sean Smith has been targeted every 11.4 snaps in coverage and the league-leaders in yards-per-cover snap are Chris Harris Jr. and Jimmy Smith at just 0.57. The stats suggest Gaines is doing just fine since having his role expanded.

Gaines is also versatile, having lined up at safety and in the slot for the Chiefs already this season to go with his work on special teams. Versatility in the secondary enables defensive coordinator Bob Sutton to play mind games with opposing quarterbacks.

While Gaines will still have some rookie struggles at an often thankless position, the Chiefs look to have found at worst a solid starter with undeniable talent. It’s now clear that the partnership between Reid and Dorsey will continue to yield dividends that should set up the Chiefs for sustained success.