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Friday, July 31: Todd Haley Press Conference

Safety Jarrad Page talked with media around lunchtime. When asked if he was worried about the competition he'd face against safety Bernard Pollard, Page said, "I don't really get into competition. I just go out and see what happens." Page said the defensive transitions were going smoothly thus far. "Coach (Clancy) Pendergast is doing a great job explaining why we do everything the way we do it," he said. Page also commented that the key to improving defense is to "just tackle."

Tight end Brad Cottam showed up to lunch at the University Center wearing a yellow cut-off shirt and a green visor. He commented on the conditioning test that Head Coach Todd Haley had the players participate in earlier in the morning. "Most guys made it," Cottam said. He said the team knew the test was coming, so they had been preparing for it and working hard in the off-season. Cottam said that the mentality of the team so far has been "exciting and new." "We'll see in a week how things are looking," he said. Cottam also said that he's excited to get pads on and practice.

Brad Cottam, Chiefs tight end, said that at last year's training camp he got to room with former Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez and learn a lot from him. "Last year was an adjusting year for me," Cottam said. "I know what to expect a little more this year." Cottam also said that last year he was most worried about showing up to camp, being big in stature. "I was 280 (pounds) last year," he said. This year, he said he is more focused on being in shape. As far as Cottam's goals in the the upcoming season are concerned, he said he wants to excel at both aspects, blocking and receving, of the tight end position.

Tight end Brad Cottam said that part of the reason he enjoys training camp in River Falls is because the team is able to get away and focus. "There are no families," he said. "It's just the team. It's just us."

Running back Jamaal Charles was pleased with how this morning's conditioning test went, commenting that everyone made time, and as a whole, the team looked to be in good shape. Personally, Charles has gained eight pounds in the off-season. Even with the additional weight, Charles is not concerned about his speed. "I've been running on the track to keep up my speed," he said. "The extra pounds won't affect me." When asked how he was able to put on the pounds, Charles said, laughing, that he learned to "never miss a meal."

Jamaal Charles, Chiefs running back, said that his responsibilities are going to be a little different this year. He wants to prove himself as an every-down running back. "It doesn't matter if someone's big or strong if you've got heart," he said. When asked how last year's season affects the team's mentalitiy this year, Charles simply said that he doesn't count last year. "We had no wins."

The common question in today's lunchtime interviews was how the conditioning went earlier in the morning. Center Rudy Niswanger was all smiles as he spoke to reporters. He commented on the fact that the team knew about the conditioning test, so they were all able to prepare, train and stay focused. "Yeah, it's a good thing the conditioning test is done and over," Niswanger said. "Now we can move on to football."

When asked if he thought this year's team was in better shape than last year, center Rudy Niswanger said, "Oh yeah." Niswanger said that being in shape allows for the players to stay better conditioned and learn how to approach plays smarter. With being better conditioned, Niswanger forsees his team being able to stay fresh throughout an entire game. "We'll have better fourth quarters," he said. "Therefore, we'll have less fourth quarter losses."

Rudy Niswanger, Chiefs center, said the team has a great mentality heading into training camp. "Our attitude is about competition and excitement," he said. Niswanger said that the team has been approaching every drill as competition, and that leaves the center excited about the possibilities.

The Chiefs have had several young guys on their team in the last two years. Center Rudy Niswanger said that battle at each spot is intense. In his spot at center, Niswanger said it's a battle everyday. Regardless, of the young average age of the team, the offensive line has a couple individuals whose age is increasing. "I'm not worried about age," Niswanger said. "I mean, look at these guys. Age is just a number." Niswanger also commented on the addition of guard Mike Goff.

Linebacker Derrick Johnson said that at the completion of the team's conditioning test in the morning, he could really tell that people had worked hard to prepare for it. "The coaches really hyped up the test," he said. "We were all anxious to get it over with." Personally, Johnson said he weighs in at 237 pounds, which fulfills his goal of staying beneath 240. At his weight, Johnson said he will be seeing time primarily as an inside linebacker.

Under new Defensive Coordinator Clancy Pendergast, linebacker Derrick Johnson said the defense is mentally trying to learn everything about the new scheme they're implementing. "Once we get the mental part out of the way, we'll be good to go by the first game," he said. Apart from the mental transitions the Chiefs defense is undergoing, Johnson said they really need to focus on tackling as well. "You have to tackle to have a better defense," he said. "A good defense is a good tackling team." Near the end of Johnson's interview, defensive end Alfonso Boone left the University Center and kicked the back of Johnson's knees and walked away smilling. To wrap up, Johnson said that he's psyched about the defense's new scheme, commenting that it's simliar to things he had run at the University of Texas.

Defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey said that he's still got a ways to go after the team's conditioning test. Dorsey met with reporters before lunch with his left shin on ice. He said that it wasn't anything to worry about, though. Dorsey had missed a couple Organized Team Activities, and said he's ready to get back to where he was, ready to get back in shape. "There's always pressure to perform well," the second-year defensive lineman said. Dorsey is expected to spend some time working as a defensive end this season. "It's just a different name. There's a lot of things similar between being an inside tackle and being an end," he said. "I'm looking forward to it. I know I can do it."

Last year, defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey was the Chiefs first selection in the NFL Draft. Dorsey didn't sign with the Chiefs and make it to training camp until a couple days after the rest of the team arrived. Similarily, this year's first selection, defensive end Tyson Jackson, has not arrived at camp yet. Dorsey said he has talked with Jackson, and right now, the rookie is taking care of the business aspect of everything involved with being a top-five draft pick. Dorsey anticipates that Jackson will be on his way shortly. Dorsey said that he has talked to Jackson about the grief he should be expecting from the veteran players when he finally gets to camp. Dorsey said he understands how frustrating it is to want to speed up the process, but he's told Jackson to focus on taking it "one day, one hour, one minute at a time." "I'm familiar with the pressure and anxiety of wanting and waiting to get here," he said.

Head Coach Todd Haley held a press conference around lunchtime at the University Center. He talked about how the conditioning test went earlier this morning. The conditioning test was the second part of Haley's physical for the players, and he said it went well. He said he feels good about the team and how they managed to stay in condition throughout the off-season. When asked how he felt about the results of the test, Haley said, "It's about what I expected from the guys. I'm happy." Haley said that a few players didn't pass the test, but he wouldn't disclose the number of players who had failed the physical. "I'll tell you this," Haley said, "No guys are real far off, and I feel good about that." Haley also said that a handful of players won't be practicing tomorrow for a bunch of different reasons. The coach wanted to wait before he discussed which players would be missing practice tomorrow due to injury or other health issues.

Conditioning is something that is very important to Head Coach Todd Haley. "Conditioning is an important factor to win games," he said during a press conference. "It's something that myself and my coaching staff are going to stress throughout the entire season."

When asked about the status of rookie defensive end Tyson Jackson, Head Coach Todd Haley repeated. during a press conference, that he only wants to discuss the guys who are at camp already.

During Head Coach Todd Haley's press conference, the mentality of running back Larry Johnson was discussed. Haley was asked how Johnson's attitude has been with the team so far. Haley said that he only pays attention to what the guys are working on. "What my players are doing here is more important than what they're saying," Haley said. Haley said the running back's attitude has been no problem for him, and he can tell that Johnson really enjoys football. "Larry Johnson is a capable football player," Haley said.

In stride with the discussion about running back Larry Johnson, Head Coach Todd Haley said he's excited to see the group of running backs play out at camp. Haley said he has hopes for running back Jamaal Charles, saying that he thought a lot of Charles when he got out of college. "He has the ability," Haley said.

According to Head Coach Todd Haley, defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey isn't expected to miss any practices. Haley did say that anytime a player misses a practice, it will hurt. "No matter who you are, this is too big a job to miss any, nonetheless a lot, of time," he said. In discussion about the defensive line, Haley said that all he can do for now is evaluate the line. "Until tomorrow, when we're in pads, I can't say anything about the defensive line," he said. He also said that he couldn't speculate about Dorsey moving from inside tackle to defensive end at this time.

Head Coach Todd Haley discussed the Chiefs kicking competition during a press conference. He said that although the team picked up kicker Ryan Succop, the kicking competition has not been elmiminated. Haley said that Succop was drafted for a reason. "He's strong, and the (kicking) area is important to us," Haley said. "We have to crunch to try and figure out what to do and who we can afford to lose." He said that even kicker Connor Barth, who the Chiefs cut last week, is not out of the running. "Not only are these guys competing with each other," he said, "but they're also competing with every other player in every other training camp out there." Haley said this competition is what training camp is for.

Todd Haley, Chiefs head coach, said he's excited to start practicing with pads on. "We've got a short amount of time, so we'll be practicing with pads on everyday," he said. "We've got to get ready, and the only way to get ready for football is with pads on."

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).