Maclin shows skills at Chiefs camp

ST. JOSEPH - Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin stepped onto the practice field Saturday for the first time wearing a Chiefs uniform.

Maclin has prepped for seven NFL seasons, but this year marks the first time he will do so outside the state of Pennsylvania.

However, his first training camp in St. Joseph isn't necessarily unfamilar territory for the fomer Missouri star.

"It was great to get my first taste of Chiefs Kingdom," said Maclin, who garnered a slew of accolades during his time at Missouri, including two first-team All-American awards. "A lot of Mizzou chants over there."

Fellow Missouri product and second-string quarterback Chase Daniel is also in his seventh year in the league. Following practice, Daniel said he was happy to share the field with Maclin once again.

"It's just great because here there is a huge Mizzou fanbase," Daniel said. "To have three guys to be here (including rookie offensive lineman Mitch Morse) with the college two hours down the road, it's something special. It sort of brings back memories for these fans."

Daniel liked what he saw from Maclin.

"It's everything and more of what you would expect," Daniel said. "He's a guy that can stretch the field vertically and not just a one-trick pony. He definitely gives us that deep threat of sorts. We're going to stretch the defense vertically this season, hopefully."

Maclin provided a glimpse of what's to come for the more than 5,000 fans on hand on the second play of 11-on-11 team-related drills. Quarterback Alex Smith connected with his new asset over the top on a go-route down the right flank.

"I've got a new weapon," Smith said. "I got to test it out a little bit."

Maclin is looking forward to doing more than just catch the long ball.

"I consider myself an all-around receiver, doing a little bit of everything," Maclin said. "Being able to go downfield, run intermediate routes, short routes, and taking 1-yard passes to the house, I'm excited about that."

Maclin made a name for himself with the only other team he's played - the Philadelphia Eagles - where he played for current Chiefs coach Andy Reid for four years.

Kansas City brought him in as a free agent in the offseason on a five-year deal worth $55 million. Maclin, 27, had career highs in targets and yards (1,318) a season ago. He also matched his 2010 career-high with 10 touchdowns.

It seemed to be a good match for both parties after Chiefs wide receivers failed to find the end zone all of last season, one of the more well-known statistics from that campaign. When Maclin signed with the Chiefs, he said Kansas City "just felt like home."

As a plus, Maclin said he wouldn't have to learn a foreign playbook because of his familiarity with Reid's system.

"I've been in this offense before," he said. "Things have changed a little bit, but I was pretty familiar with what we had going on here. So, I think that was kind of a plus for me."

Notes: The day started with a conditioning test for the players, which Reid said everyone passed. ... DB Eric Berry, recovering from Hodgkin's lymphoma, worked with the second-team defense during the 11-on-11 drills. Reid said he will be eased back into things. ... LB James Michael-Johnson did not practice with a calf strain. Others that didn't participate included QB Tyler Bray, TE Demetrius Harris and WR Chris Conley.