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Thursday, July 30: Arrival

At 4:51 p.m. the Kansas City Chiefs arrived on three buses to Summer Training Camp in River Falls. Skies were partly sunny, and the temperature was 72 degrees Fahrenheit. The dewpoint was 52 and the humidity was at 52 percent. The wind was coming from the north-northwest at 8 miles-per-hour. The buses had unloaded the players and pulled away from George R. Field South Fork Suites by 5:00 p.m.

Wide receiver Dwayne Bowe was the first player off the first bus. Many members of the team exited the buses wearing headphones, listening to music. Some were dressed quite casually and were carrying small backpacks while others like tight end Brad Cottam were dressed in slacks and a classy polo, carrying a more formal looking bag.

Awaiting the Chiefs arrival was Enterprise Rental Car from Hudson, Wis. The company has been working with the Chiefs in the past years to get the players set up with a car that they can use to drive to practice, meals and wherever else they may venture on their days off. This year, there were a total of 17 cars rented to the players. One of these vehicles had been reserved in advance. Among the players that rented the vehicles were cornerback Brandon Flowers, defensive tackle Ron Edwards and guard Brian Waters.

Enterprise Management Trainee and UW-River FallsAlumni Matt Bocklund said last year 10 cars were rented. “We offer the cars to the players under a cooperate contract. Due to the frequency of rentals, this allows that they can receive a discount," he said. As far as the types of cars the players will be driving, management trainee Michael Headley said there is a variety that the company has brought with them. "We have a Hummer, Range Rover, Lincoln and a few other luxury vehicles and SUVs," he said. "These guys tend to like the larger vehicles instead of just the luxurious ones because of their size. We just like to keep the customers happy.”

Adam Schmidt and Chuck Sween from the Route Bike Shop on Main Street in River Falls brought in 60 bicycles to rent to the Chiefs for $100 for the entire duration of training camp. “After camp is over, the bicycles are available to the public to purchase for $250,” stated Schmidt. The red bicycles are $370 retail value and have a Kansas City Chiefs logo decal on them near the handlebars. The bikes come in three different sizes and will be distributed to the Chiefs based on the players' heights. One of the players who has already splurged on the bike rental is quarterback Matt Cassel. Renting one of the units also includes a lock and key. The 2010-edition bicycles were brought out early and took about a month to build the entire set.

Watching the Chiefs unload the buses were Missouri Western State University staff. Campus Administration Dave Williams, Eric Havens and Brett Esely observed how things were being run. Joining Missouri Western Camp Administration were Bruce Whitsell, who oversees the grounds crew, and Nick Sheppard from University Police. The staff has been in River Falls since Wednesday and has enjoyed their tour from former Camp Coordinator Mary Halada. They will be in town throughout the entire camp, studying closely and taking notes on how the current staff runs the camp. Esley seemed impressed with how things are handled at UWRF. “The staff here have been doing a teriffic job, and they make it look easy," he said. "We give a lot of credit to the folks here because they do a great job. That’s probably one reason the team has been here for 19 years.”

After the buses, the Chiefs equipment truck arrived at 5:08 p.m. A crew of roughly 20 movers helped unload luggage from the truck and organize it on the sidewalk in front of the Suites. Because of threatening rain, the unloading process was somewhat rushed and a little hectic with players, coaches and other staff rummaging through bags and boxes to find their own belongings. Coaches and staff members' luggage was transferred from the main equipment truck into a separate moving van to be taken to McMillan Hall.

Josh Looney, the Chiefs Public Relations Coordinator, was overseeing the unloading process and used a high definition hand-held video recorder to capture the event. Looney hinted that some of his video clips could likely end up on the Chiefs website. Large drops of rain started to fall just as the main truck was finishing unloading. All of the equipment was moved before it had a chance to get wet. The whole moving process took about 15 minutes from start to finish.

After much of the activity including renting cars, bikes and finding rooms had calmed, seventh-year running back, Larry Johnson shared some comments about this year's training camp. “I think this year will be different in many ways with our new management, especially for the press not being able to get as close to the field as past years, but that will make for less distractions for us,” he commented to a reporter from Kansas City. In reference to the Chiefs offense, Johnson said that it's hard to tell what will happen this early in the season. “We have some great young receivers this year which will be help us to be better, but as for the offensive line, it is hard to tell how successful we’ll be in the pre-season,” he said.

Running back Larry Johnson was asked how being under new management will affect the team and their potential success. “Well, I’ve always been happy with the team. However, I think our new General Manger Scott Pioli and Head Coach Todd Haley will be able to put us in a position to win more than two games this year," Johnson said. "They have a good mindset to take over our team in times of desperation and success." As far as what motivates the running back in the upcoming season, Johnson said he couldn't put his finger on just one thing. "It’s really a combination of a lot of things. Who knows? You may see the 2002 LJ from college!”

Director of Public Relations Bob Moore escorted Chiefs new Head Coach Todd Haley off to the side in order for Haley to address the media that were present upon the team's arrival. When asked how his flight went, Haley said it was nice. “It was nice to be able to get on a plane with a team again,” he said. The last time Haley took a flight with a football team was after the Arizona Cardinals lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII. Haley was a member of the Cardinals coaching staff last season.

When Head Coach Todd Haley was asked by media how important he thought it was for his players to get practices in before their exhibition games, Haley said, “It’s of great importance for us to work hard before those games. We’ve got to get as much done as possible.” In the last few days, Haley said he’s seen 26-30 guys working out on their own. “It’s a positive feeling to see that kind of stuff,” Haley said.

The Chiefs first pick of the 2009 NFL Draft was defensive end Tyson Jackson. Jackson wasn’t with the rest of the Chiefs team when they arrived at training camp. Head Coach Todd Haley said that he isn’t worried about the guys who aren’t here yet. “It’s football season, and that’s what we’re here to focus on. Football,” he said.

Another subject of interest in Head Coach Todd Haley’s interview was newly acquired quarterback Matt Cassel. “He’s just another one of the guys competing,” Haley said. “He’s giving himself every chance to succeed.” Haley also commented, with much delight, that Cassel has been running routes with some of the receivers on his own time.

Head Coach Todd Haley said he was really, really excited to be at training camp. He said he was thankful to be a part of a team that gets to travel a distance to attend camp. “I’m going to have to temper myself,” he said. “I’ll have to remind myself to stay calm. I’m really fired up to be here.” Haley also said that it is a very exciting time for him, personally, to be part of such a great Chiefs organization.

Chiefs Head Coach Todd Haley said in an interview with media that he expects bumps and chaos throughout training camp for sure. “There are going to be fires to put out everyday,” he said. Haley’s first goals of camp are to see everyone make weight, and before that, he’d like to see the men “past the test,” he added, chuckling.

When asked if his players could expect some down time, Head Coach Todd Haley said that they’ll have some time for themselves. “During our two-a-days, they’ll get time to study and rest. That’s why I decided on this kind of schedule. It’s the one I like best,” he said.

First-round pick Tyson Jackson is now the only Chiefs draft pick to remain unsigned. The Chiefs signed third-round pick defensive end Alex Magee, fourth-round pick cornerback Donald Washington and sixth-round pick wide receiver Quinten Lawrence. Those signings were just announced today. No details on the contracts have been released yet.

2009 Staff

Students and staff covering the Chiefs this year.
Front, left to right: Amanda Kane (Fans, Seniors Day),
Renee Thony (Sidelines), Linda Abel (Fans, Kids' Days),
Jim Thies (Sports Information Director).
Back, left to right: Deb Toftness (Office Manager),
Kevin Harter (University Communications Director),
Steve Linzmeier (Sidelines), J. J. Mosher (Fans, Punt, Pass & Kick),
Jens Gunelson (Photographer). Not picture is
Brenda Bredahl (University Communications Writer/Editor).