Cody Thompson trying to stick with Chiefs in training camp

Cody Thompson leaves today for Kansas City Chiefs training camp. He hopes his next visit to his hometown of Huron comes during an NFL bye week or after the playoffs.That would mean he had made the Chiefs roster.Thompson, who joined the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in late April, is one of 12 wide receivers who will convene this week at training camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.Kansas City kept six wide receivers last season, and with four spots basically locked down by Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins, Demarcus Robinson and second-round draft pick Mecole Hardman, Thompson is in a group of eight players fighting for two spots."Every day I'm going to go in there and do my best and fight for my spot and try to win a job," Thompson said Monday during a break from packing. "You can't worry about the numbers because that's something you can't control. I'm going to try to make my presence felt."At the end of the day it's football, something I love doing."Thompson, by all accounts, had a strong rookie minicamp and mandatory minicamp. He also participated in the Chiefs' OTAs (organized team activities), so he knows his way around the organization.After not hearing his name called during the NFL draft, it didn't take the former University of Toledo standout long to accept an offer from the Chiefs, who lost in overtime to New England in last season's AFC Championship Game."I've know people who played there and had good things to say about them," Thompson said. "With their offense and where they're heading I thought it was a great fit."He said it didn't take him long to get comfortable during the minicamps. Learning an intricate NFL playbook always is a challenge for rookies and Thompson said it's been different from his days Toledo, where plays were signaled in. The Chiefs relay plays directly to quarterback Pat Mahomes, who verbally shares play calls in the huddle."It's a lot of verbiage. You have to listen to what speaks for you. You have to adjust," Thompson said. "They throw a lot at you to see what you can handle."I'm trying to pick up things as quickly as I can so I can be a viable option for them."Thompson said he's trying to learn all three wide receiver positions and is looking forward to showing off his special teams skills in training camp.He said Watkins has been a leader for the rookie receivers."I used to watch Sammy Watkins film when he was at Clemson; he was a freak player," Thompson said. "Now I'm learning from him. He's a great guy, a humble person. He's passing down some knowledge."Thompson also has gotten a taste of how rabid Chiefs fans can be, comparing them to Browns fans. He participated in a signing session for season-ticket holders and estimated that more than a thousand fans showed up."They were cheering and chanting when the rookies came out," Thompson said. "I signed for an hour-and-a-half or two hours, getting to know the fans."In May he posted a tweet asking fans for places to eat in Kansas City. He got more than 100 responses and gives a thumb's up to K.C. barbecue."The Chiefs faithful didn't let me down," he said.Thompson's summer break is now over, and he hopes to put himself in a position where Chiefs fans will continue seeking him out for autographs."It's gone fast," he said. "It's been great to be home but now it's time to get to work and do what I love."Cody Thompson signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent. He's one of 12 wide receivers who will be competing for roster spots at Kansas City's training camp.Cody Thompson lays out to make a catch during Chiefs rookie minicamp.