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and then with the Los Angeles Rams (2017) Patrick Mahomes Color Rush Jersey , Sammy Watkins admits he let his ego get the best of him.Early in his career, his focus was only on the numbers.In each game, he was striving to pad his stat sheet, believing that his team’s success depended on getting him the ball.Things have changed for the talented wide receiver.Five years into his career — and in his first season with the Kansas City Chiefs — both the stats he’s putting up and his approach to the game are different. Watkins is not only coming off his best game of the season following the Chiefs’ 30-23 victory over the Denver Broncos in Week 8 — in which Watkins set season-highs with eight catches, 107 yards and two touchdowns — but he’s also quintupled his career rushing yard totals. Watkins had just nine yards rushing over his first four years in the league. In Kansas City, all but one of his attempts has gone for nine or more yards. Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images“It just feels great,” Watkins candidly stated after the game. “Not just to score two times, but to get the win. To do it at a high level and just go out there and play my style of game running around having fun, throw some good blocks and have everybody catch a lot of balls.” While it was a great feeling, it was one that took some time to experience. Before Sunday’s game, Watkins hadn’t scored a single touchdown since the Chiefs’ Week 3 home opener against the San Francisco 49ers. The following week — against the Denver Broncos at Mile High Stadium — Watkins was battling a sore hamstring https://www.thechiefsfanshop.com/Steven-Nelson-Jersey , played only 12 snaps and didn’t record a single catch.Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images“I kind of went to the Rams [last season] and it was the same situation,” Watkins said about his lessons in learning patience. “That kind of helped my game with blocking and just staying engaged and giving that fuel to other guys out there making plays.”This newfound patience — and a team-first mentality — are just two of the factors that have contributed to making Watkins the player he is today. “I was young and I was kind of ego-tripping,” Watkins said about his early years in the league. “Now I’m kind of older, and I understand it’s a team goal and every week it’s going to change. Next week Tyreek might have 180 yards or Kelce might have 180 yards and I might have 30. It’s going to switch up with all these star athletes running around. I know I’m not going to get 50 targets. That’s not realistic.”Watkins says the other receivers surrounding him on the Chiefs offense have removed the pressure he used to put on himself, which he says allows him to play his game more freely.“It’s not all about me or any guy on this team,” he said. “If I’m not open, I know Kelce’s going to be open. I can literally run my route, but watch him catch the ball and it feels great to see everybody out there making plays.”Watkins isn’t the only Chiefs receiver with this share-the-success attitude. Tight end Travis Kelce, who had six catches for 79 yards and a touchdown on Sunday, shared a similar sentiment when asked about Watkins’ big game.“It’s always good to see Sammy go off,” Kelce said. “Everything he does Marcus Allen Color Rush Jersey , you’re happy for the guy — just because of the type of person he is and how hard he works during the week. It’s awesome to see him have a day like he did today.”One player that has played a major role in fostering that selfless environment is 23-year-old quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who said that before Sunday’s game, he shared some words of encouragement to help get Watkins fired up. Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports“I kind of said, ‘You owe [the Broncos],’” Mahomes said afterward. “He was hurt in the last game [against Denver] at the very beginning, so they didn’t really know what kind of ability he brought to the offense. I was happy for him, to get out there and [make] a lot of big plays that really turned the tide of the game.”Head coach Andy Reid also appears to be pleased with Watkins’ growth — both mentally and physically. “His approach has been unbelievable,” coach Andy Reid said in Sunday’s postgame press conference. “He just comes out, does the same [thing], works hard. He’s not concerned about how many catches he has or any of that. For a big-time receiver, that’s unique.”I mentioned it to the guys that there’s only one ball and we have a bunch of guys who are pretty good players https://www.thechiefsfanshop.com/Orlando-Scandrick-Jersey ,” Reid continued. “When you have an opportunity, be a part of that, and he’s done that. He’s done a nice job with it.” Welcome to another edition of the Beer of the Week!As always, the Beer of the Week is originally presented on the Arrowhead Pride Tailgate on 610 Sports Radio as part of my Defense and Beer of the Week segment.With this week’s impending matchup against the Oakland Raiders on the horizon, I got to go back to California for this week’s offering. Just up the road from Oakland in Chico, California, this week’s Beer of the Week is Sierra Nevada Brewing Co Pale Ale!Some label it the quintessential Pale Ale. Some call it the kick-off of the American brewing revolution. There’s no denying it, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is one of the most influential beers in the history of American brewing.A 5.6% ABV Ale, this beer contains nothing but two-row and caramel 60 malts and a generous dosage of Cascade hops. The second beer ever made in 1980 by founders Ken Grossman and Paul Camusi, this beer’s aggressive hops imparting its bright and citrusy aroma helped to redefine what it meant to be an “American Pale Ale.” The bitter taste and simple gain bill inspired countless brewers to go outside the traditional European norms and craft more hop-forward and brighter Pale Ales. Former Beer of the Week brewers from Oskar Blues and Left Hand Brewing Company credit Sierra Nevada Pale Ale as one of the beers they admired and aspired to produce.Sierra Nevada Brewing Co was founded in Chico, CA. Normally this is where I’d give a backstory for the brewery and detail some of their other beers Reggie Ragland Jersey , but this week is different. Sierra Nevada was forced to temporarily close their Chico location when the recent Camp Fire caused evacuations.Upon clearance to return, Sierra Nevada decided to brew a beer called Resilience Butte County Proud IPA and donate 100 percent of the beer sales to the Camp Fire Relief Fund. The brewery has seeded the fund with $100,000 and called for breweries across America to brew the beer and donate the sales to the fund. The response has been outstanding, with more than 1,000 breweries participating in the effort, with almost every single former Beer of the Week brewery making a version for themselves. The beers will hits taps and Sierra Nevada will distribute cans starting in mid-December or early January, so please be on the lookout for Resilience and donate to a good cause.In the meantime, if you can, make sure to swing by your local liquor store and scoop up some Sierra Nevada Brewing Co Pale Ale this weekend!Check back here this time next week for the new Beer of the Week!