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Saturday, August 1: Morning Practice

It was a blustery, chilly start to the 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Summer Training Camp. The first practice was 60 degrees with a partly sunny sky and a dewpoint of 52. There was a gusty wind towards the west at 10 miles-per-hour with an overall humidity of 74 percent.

The head count for the Kansas City Chiefs morning practice was around 80 people by 9:30 a.m. The fans were spread out along the south side of the field and the east-side bleachers. Fans were also seen in the Ramer Field bleachers, taking pictures. Along the tree line catching footballs for the players as they practiced field goal kicks were even more fans.

Defense

The Chiefs defense was on the field in full pads 15 minutes before the official start of practice, running drills. Five black garbage cans were used to represent offensive lineman as the defensive players practiced getting off the line of scrimmage. When the whistle was blown, each player would have to get out of his stance and rush between garbage cans as if they were pressuring the quarterback.

Defensive end Dion Gales, linebacker Demorrio Williams, defensive end Glenn Dorsey and defensive tackle Ron Edwards were not dressed in pads for practice today. They spent the majority of practice in the northwest corner of the practice fields, riding stationary bikes, jogging, lifting weights and doing other sorts of workouts. Around 9:45 a.m. linebacker Derrick Johnson joined his teammates on the stationary bikes.

During a drill, a defensive player represented an offensive player, and the linebackers would shift according to this man’s movements. A lot of yelling was done during the drill in order for every one of the players to be on the same page and know where to go.

At 9:23 a.m. another horn sounded, and the offense and defense split up. Defensive end Alfonso Boone, defensive tackles Tank Tyler and Derek Lokey and defensive ends Wallace Gilberry, Alex Magee and Bobby Greenwood spent some time on the single sled with Defensive Line Coach Tim Krumrie. Krumrie paused once or twice to show the men how they should be using their hands. “Stay as square as you can with tight hands,” he said. “Make sure you’re not lunging!”

After running drills on the single sled, defensive end Alfonso Boone, defensive tackles Tank Tyler and Derek Lokey and defensive ends Wallace Gilberry, Alex Magee and Bobby Greenwood moved to drills on four cone-shaped dummies. Defensive Line Coach Tim Krumrie hollered, “You’re not listening! Club, rip it!” on several occasions. The group ran different routes amongst the four dummies to simulate different situations in which the defensive linemen would have to break through offensive blockers to reach the quarterback. In order to be successful at the drill, Krumrie told the players to keep their “feet underneath them. Feet, feet, feet!” During one of the routes, Krumrie stood really close to the third dummy and hollered, “Step, step, club!” as the men ran by.

Rookie defensive end Alex Magee was getting his fair share of praise from Defensive Line Coach Tim Krumrie. At one point Krumrie told the end from Purdue that he was doing a good job. “There ya go. Good, Alex, good,” Krumrie said.

When the horn sounded at 9:40 a.m. all the defensive players got together except for defensive end Alfonso Boone, defensive tackles Tank Tyler and Derek Lokey and defensive ends Wallace Gilberry, Alex Magee and Bobby Greenwood who stayed with Defensive Line Coach Tim Krumrie. “I’m looking at your eyes men. Tank, you’re looking at the ground,” Krumrie hollered. “See me!” Later, when the defensive linemen were working on some one-on-one drills, Krumrie told the men to “throw that son of a (gun).”

During a 7-on-7 drill, utilizing the offense’s running game, defensive end Alfonso Boone, defensive tackle Tank Tyler and linebackers Tamba Hali, Mike Vrabel, Monty Beisel and Zach Thomas all saw time with the first-string. Rounding out the 7-on-7 first-string was rookie defensive end Alex Magee. Later, during a 7-on-7 drill addressing the passing game, cornerbacks Brandon Carr, Maurice Leggett, and Brandon Flowers; safeties Bernard Pollard and Jarrad Page; and linebackers Tamba Hali, Monty Beisel, Mike Vrabel and Zach Thomas were considered first-string. Linebacker Weston Dacus also saw time, giving Thomas a bit of a breather.

During the 7-on-7 passing drill, linebacker Weston Dacus had an interception off quarterback Tyler Thigpen as well as a ball that he was able to knock down, also from Thigpen. Cornerback Travis Daniels showed good coverage on rookie wide receiver Quinten Lawrence as the ball sailed through the rookie’s hands. Earlier, Daniels had a good defensive cover on wide receiver Devard Darling. Darling was also stopped well by cornerback Ricardo Colclough earlier in the drill.

Rookie cornerback Jackie Bates made an athletic dive to knock the ball away from wide receiver Dwayne Bowe during one-on-one drills. The play got a lot of cheers from Bates' fellow defensive backs.

Safety Jarrad Page stopped and talked to reporters after practice. Page commented that off-season workouts were much harder than the first day of training camp. “This was easy,” the safety said. He also said, when asked what he thought of the new head coach, that Todd Haley is the kind of guy who is going to let you know when you screw up, and he will let you know in front of the whole team.

Eighth-year safety Jon McGraw was asked what the coaching staff is stressing on the field. McGraw responded saying, “They want great effort. Don’t make mistakes, and really don’t make the same mistake twice.”

Offense

When the rest of the team went to work on the kicking game, the quarterbacks were left to work by themselves. Two poles that hung four different colored targets were placed in each corner of the endzone. The quarterbacks took turns trying to hit the different targets. Quarterback Tyler Thigpen was the first one to hit a target. Newly acquired quarterback Matt Cassel followed that up with one of his own in the left corner. Every time Cassel hit the target, he followed it up with excited yells while throwing his hands in the air.

Quarterback Matt Cassel was the first quarterback to run the team’s 7-on-7 drill. His first pass was a completed pass to running back Larry Johnson behind the line of scrimmage. This received some heat from linebacker Mike Vrabel. Vrabel yelled across the field, “You’re one-for-one on check downs! They don’t throw check downs in Foxborough! No check downs for Tom!” Vrabel was referring to the New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Cassel backed-up Brady for three years before stepping in when Brady injured his knee. Vrabel was also on that team.

Quarterback Matt Cassel completed his first six passes in the team’s 7-on-7 drill. Three of those passes were perfectly-timed sideline hitch routes to wide receiver Dwayne Bowe. Cassel came back and completed three more passes before the drill’s completion. He ended up finishing 9-9. Quarterback Tyler Thigpen stepped in after Cassel and had a little trouble. His third pass was picked off across the middle by Weston Dacus.  Dacus also knocked down a ball two passes later.  Thigpen finished the drill 5-8. Quarterback Brodie Croyle was then handed the reigns and one-hopped his first pass. Croyle completed his next four passes and ended 4-5.

Receiver Bobby Engram was at his 14th NFL Training Camp and his first in River Falls. Engram signed in the off-season with the Chiefs after 13 years in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks and Chicago Bears. Engram told reporters that he has “a lot of gas left in the tank.” He made it known that he is here to compete for a job and help the Chiefs win football games, not just to be a mentor for the Chiefs young receivers. Head Coach Todd Haley commented later on Engram being here, saying “[Engram] is half here for that, to help coach and teach the younger players.”

Tackle Damion McIntosh, guard Brian Waters, guard Mike Goff, tight end Jake O’Connell and running back Kolby Smith were the offensive players not in pads during practice this morning.

Special Teams

Newly acquired kicker Ryan Succop kicked some footballs the distance of the middle practice field across. After a while, Succop began kicking through the goal post from the 20-yard line. It was up to fans on the south end to shag the balls. Fans would retrieve the football, throw it back to long snapper Tanner Purdum who would then throw the ball to punter Dustin Colquitt. “Hey, can I get a few snaps?” Succop asked Purdum after a few more kicks through the uprights.

At 9:05 a.m. the horn blew, and the defense worked on getting off the line toward kicker Ryan Succop. During the drill, punter Dustin Colquitt, who was holding the ball for Succop, ran a fake play. Colquitt got the snap, Succop faked the kick, and Colquitt ran the ball. This trick play was run twice.

Extra, extra...

Kansas City Chiefs legendary quarterback Len Dawson was in town for the start of camp today. Dawson said he tries to get up to River Falls once a year and reported no problems with his ride up. Dawson helped lead the Chiefs to victory in Super Bowl IV.

At 9:15 a.m. the team began warm-ups. Both the offense and defense ran the length of the middle practice field across twice before they turned to face each other to stretch. Wide receiver Dwayne Bowe was the only player with his helmet on during stretches before a teammate pointed it out, and he took it off. Bowe was the closest player to the fans on the south fence during stretches. These fans were hollering at Bowe, and in response, the receiver flashed a smile their way. During the stretches, Head Coach Todd Haley wandered in between all the players.

Chiefs new General Manager Scott Pioli was on the field for the entire first day of camp. He hung out in the middle of the field for the majority of practice, but did wander over to yell something to the quarterbacks when they were working by themselves.

The team took their final huddle at 10:48 a.m. After practice, the defensive backs stayed out, running various drills on separate fields.

At the conclusion of practice, running backs Mike Cox, Larry Johnson, Jamaal Charles, Dantrell Savage, Kolby Smith and Jackie Battle signed autographs for eager and excited fans on the west side of the practice fields, along the fence.

Todd Haley Press Conference

“One down,” is how Head Coach Todd Haley opened his press conference with the media following practice. Haley said he wanted to get this one under his belt. When asked if he had any nerves heading into the first practice, Haley responded, “No doubt.” He said that he has to get used to being the one who can blow the whistle. “I forgot to blow my whistle a couple times. Only the head coach blows the whistle.”

When working with the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears and New York Jets, Chiefs new Head Coach Todd Haley was then the receivers coach. A few questions in today’s press conference were directed toward the receivers. Haley said that from what he saw the players dropped too many balls today. "That has got to get better.Guys got to start showing they are ready,” he said. Haley also said that he must fight the urge to go coach the receivers. “Coach (Dedric) Ward has the toughest job on staff. He coaches the position I used to coach.”

For the third day in a row, Head Coach Todd Haley was asked whether he knew anything more about defensive end Tyson Jackson. Haley laughed and said again, “I will only talk about the players that are here.”

Head Coach Todd Haley said that he sees no long term problem with any of the guys who weren’t practicing. Nine players in all were off to the side today working out without pads on. Haley was asked if he was trying to send a message by having those players outside in front of their team. Haley said, “Consciously, I wasn’t trying to do anything like that.” 

Head Coach Todd Haley made a comment about quarterback Matt Cassel toward the end of his press conference. “Matt is a guy that is always going to be right at your hip," Haley said. "He has great enthusiasm. Sometimes you have to tell him to be quiet.”

Fans

Chiefs Assistant Equipment Manager Allen Wright headed toward the sidelines with a football he said was “kind of flat,” and handed it to seven-year-old Sterling Short of West Des Moines, Iowa. Short said he was afraid Wright was coming over to yell at him because Short had dropped his own Nerf football on the other side of the fence moments earlier.

The Moore family, Sean (father), Patrick (15), Katherine (13), Matthew (9), Stephen (7) and Thomas (3) from Carbondate, Kan. headed to River Falls, Wis. for a summer vacation with their uncle Miguel Rodriguez from Carlsbad, N.M. Cousins Mitchell Tillges (14) from Cambridge, Minn. and Jared White (13) from South St. Paul, Minn. were also there. Usually the Moore family comes to River Falls during the winter months for vacation, but they decided to switch things up this year and come during the summer in order to watch the Chiefs practice during Summer Training Camp. Their favorite player is safety DaJuan Morgan and last night, they made a large sign approximately 3’x7’ that said “Go DaJuan #38! Lock down” to cheer him on during practice. Katherine also mentioned that she and her brother Patrick attended Chiefs former Head Coach Herm Edwards' camp a few years ago. It was free for the first 1,000 fans from middle school through high school. Morgan was Katherine’s coach during the camp and afterwards, she sent him a letter thanking him for everything. In return, Morgan sent her a letter and one of his gloves with his autograph. “[Edwards] taught us about sportsmanship, integrity and respect, all things you should have in daily life,” stated Patrick. Sean added, “We are going to miss Herm, but we are excited for the new Chiefs staff.”

Kansas City Chiefs fan Kathy Pierce from Salina, Kan. arrived at practice early today to make sure she and her husband Russ Pierce would get a good place in the stands. The couple has been coming to camp for five years and enjoy the trip as their summer vacation. The season ticket holders and their four grown children have been devoted Chiefs fans for over 25 years. “We’re going to be sad to see the Chiefs leave River Falls," Kathy said. "This is a destination for us, and everyone is just so nice and friendly up here.”

Jim Barton and his son Jack Barton from Lake Geneva, Wis. attended practice this morning. Jim was born in Kansas and moved to Wisconsin in his adult years. It has been 15 years since he has been at a practice, and this year marks Jack's first experience at camp as well. Jack is planning on participating in the Punt, Pass and Kick competition later today. “I’m just here to see practice," Jack said, "and to do good at the competition for myself.” 

Behind the goal posts on practice field two was the Langstraat family from Basehor, Kan. Mike, Laurie, daughter Haley and son Joey were watching as the Chiefs began warming up before practice. Players kicked the ball through the goal posts, and fans were able to catch and return the balls back to the players. Joey said his favorite player is defenisve end Glenn Dorsey. “I like him because I have the same birthday as him…which is today!” Laurie then mentioned they are neighbors with Mitch Holthus, radio announcer for the Kansas City Chiefs. Through Holthus, Haley and Joey have had several opportunities to meet Chiefs players.

Fans Betty Clemens and her son-in-law Fred Kester of Kansas City were at practice bright and early to watch the Chiefs warm up.This season marks the 13th straight year that Clemens has come to River Falls to cheer on the team. She remembers when the New Orleans Saints came to scrimmage the Chiefs for a two-day practice. “After the first day of scrimmaging, Mike Ditka (then, Saints head coach) would not let his players come back the next day because our guys beat them up so bad!” Clemens said. Clemens is also excited that this year she will be able to wear a media pass to camp for a day. Her son received the passes from Bob Moore, Chiefs Director of Public Relations, after he loaned memorabilia to the Arrowhead Stadium Hall of Fame. After 12 years of sitting on cold, hard bleachers, Clemens made an upgrade this year and brought a new padded wheelchair to camp. She said that in addition to the chair being more comfortable, it makes it easier to move between fields where the offenses and defenses are practicing.

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).