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Wednesday, August 5: Afternoon Practice

The eighth practice began with excellent weather, yet again. It was 76 degrees when the first horn sounded to kick off practice, and the dewpoint was 47 with a humidity of only 34 percent. The wind picked up a little bit since the morning practice at 7 miles-per-hour headed to the north. There were approximately 180 fans at practice this afternoon.

Offense

Quarterback Ingle Martin was not with the team during practice. Tight end Brad Cottam was back on the field running drills with his team. Guard Wade Smith and running back Kolby Smith still aren’t available. 

Today 14-year veteran wide receiver Amani Toomer dropped a ball. For a veteran player who has proved himself in this league, Toomer probably wouldn’t have had to worry about it too much, but as a rookie, trying to make the team, Toomer might have more to worry about. Some wide receivers were seen around the Jugs machine at the end of practice getting extra reps. The team, in general, did a better job catting the ball in this evening’s session compared to the last six.

The team went down to the Red zone to do 7-on-7 pass skelly today. Quarterback Matt Cassel started the action with a touchdown pass to receiver Mark Bradley. On the next throw, Cassel put the ball a little behind wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, and Bowe bobbled it as he was heading out of bounds. No clear indication was made as to whether the ball was caught, but Head Coach Todd Haley said, “We got to have a better throw, Matt!” A few plays later, Cassel hit Bowe in the left corner of the endzone with a fade over the top of the defender. Cassel was 10-13 during the drill. Receiver Terrence Copper made a nice catch in traffic from Cassel during the session. Quarterback Tyler Thigpen came into and made four throws. Thigpen completed all four. Quarterback Brodie Croyle came in after Thigpen and completed two passes for touchdowns.  Both were good throws and even better catches. Copper came up with a fantastic diving catch in traffic for a touchdown. Two plays later, receiver Taurus Johnson made a sideline catch in the endzone much to the joy of the crowd.  Croyle finished 3-4.

Quarterback Brodie Croyle completed a pass to wide receiver Jeff Webb during the 11-on-11 drill. Webb made his first move after the reception to his right (east). Head Coach Todd Haley wasn’t impressed with the four-year veteran’s move. “Get up the field, Webb. You don’t run East or West ever,” he shouted.

While the rest of the team was working on punt coverage, the quarterbacks were off throwing. They were throwing in the midst of their drop step to different stops on the field. Tight end Brad Cottam and receiver Amani Toomer were the ones catching the balls.

Tackle Branden Albert met with the media briefly after practice. He talked about his physical self and how he’s gotten a lot slimmer this year. He also commented on how his legs are feeling great. Albert said as a “former basketball star and fat guy,” it’s nice to lose weight and get slim. He said he dropped 40 pounds in the off-season, putting him at 305 now. Being a smaller size required some work out of the tackle, however. “I’m lighter now, so I’ve got to use my technique,” Albert said. “I’ve been moving better.” Albert is in his second season with the Chiefs, and he says that puts the offensive line at a slight advantage. “I know my role now. I work on being the best I can to help the team,” he said. He also said the offensive line has been gelling so far in camp, and their cohesiveness is looking good. “We’ve got a couple of veterans out there who can say, ‘we’ve been there, done that.’ Plus we have me and Rudy, returning as two-year starters,” Albert said. Albert seemed confident and excited about the Chiefs 2009 offensive line.

Rookie tackle Colin Brown took a few minutes to talk with reporters following today’s practice. “I am just trying to get better everyday,” Brown said. He commented on how this is completely different from what he is used to at Missouri. Missouri runs a spread offense that focuses around the passing game. Brown is having to do a lot more run blocking here.

After practice, running back Jamaal Charles commented about the one-a-day and two-a-day practices. He said that the practice schedule "makes the body sore." He also said the two-a-day practices are really busy, especially in between getting food, getting taped up, etc., but after the second practice, they go back to their rooms. On a one-practice day, they have a meeting after practice. Charles then stated, “My first year as a rookie, I didn’t have a good season. Hopefully the second season we can win a couple games…I’m hungry this year. I came back in shape and am bigger and stronger.”

Defense

Cornerback DaJuan Morgan and linebackers Mike Vrabel, Demorrio Williams and Weston Dacus did not participate in this afternoon’s practice. Instead, the group spent time on field 3, working out.

In a new drill, the wide receivers and cornerbacks worked together on field 2. A ball would be bounced near the goal line, and the players would have to stop the ball before it rolled into the endzone. The drill was simulating punt situations.

Defensive Line Coach Tim Krumrie had a new phrase for the defensive linemen at practice today. Krumrie continually yelled, “Don’t be that guy!” when the men were running drills. He meant that the players shouldn’t be the guy to mess up first.

While the offensive and defensive linemen faced each other one-on-one during a blocking drill, defensive end Dion Gales worked with Defensive Line Coach Tim Krumrie on the side. Krumrie was showing Gales where his hands should be placed when he was trying to beat the offensive blocker.
During 11-on-11, cornerback Maurice Leggett came in as the nickelback. When Leggett came in to play the spot, defensive end Alex Magee came out.

During the one-on-one defensive linemen versus offensive linemen drill, defensive ends Dion Gales and Alfonso Boone jumped offsides and had to run from the north 10-yard line to the south endzone and back. Fellow defensive end Wallace Gilberry did the same thing, but twice. Defensive Line Coach Tim Krumrie was not pleased with Gliberry’s second offense, saying, “Watch the (dang) ball!” as Gilberry jogged down the field.

While running the 11-on-11 situation drill, Head Coach Todd Haley grew frustrated with the overall performance of the defense. “Defense, get your (crap) together,” he shouted. Linebacker Pierre Walters would have had a good sack or significant pressure on quarterback Tyler Thigpen had the play been ran at live speed.

The team ran a drill with the ball placed on the 10-yard line. Cornerback Brandon Flowers picked off quarterback Matt Cassel’s pass with some help from the linebackers, showing pressure. After Flowers’ interception, the entire defensive squad got hyped up. Prior to the pick, the offense had been looking better than the defense. The defense used Flowers’ play to let the offense knew they were still in it.

After practice, defensive end Alex Magee spoke with reporters. Magee said his first days of training camp have been going well. The rookie said he’s enjoying learning the defensive scheme. “As a rookie, I’ve got to soak it up like a sponge,” he said. “You practice how you expect to play.” When asked about how comfortable he is with the Chiefs new 3-4 defense, Magee said he’s very comfortable. Magee was the Chiefs second overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft (going 67th overall in the entire Draft). The Chiefs first pick was defensive end Tyson Jackson out of LSU. Jackson hasn’t signed his contract yet and hasn’t attended training camp thus far. When asked if Jackson’s absence benefitted him in anyway, Magee refused to comment, while laughing. He did say, however, that he’s happy everything worked out for himself. “I’m just here for me,” he said. “I focus on me.” Magee also commented that an NFL training camp has proven to be “much different from college.”

Linebacker Zach Thomas was asked how he thinks things are going on the field thus far. “Its good. It’s still the start of camp. We’ve still got a long ways to go. We are getting better every day. It’s still 40-some days away from the first game,” the 14-year veteran said. Thomas was then asked how he feels the defense will be this upcoming year. “I feel like we have the talent to have a good defense, but that’s all talk,” he said. “You got to go out and perform.”

Safety Bernard Pollard said that it is important for the defense to be hyped up and ready to play. "We did a really good job today,” Pollard said. The players did situation drills this afternoon, and Pollard said, “You can never do too much…we have a young team and a lot to learn. We lost seven or eight games last year, and we were not disciplined. The biggest thing is overcoming it, and once we do, we will have a really great team,” the four-year veteran said. As far as veterans go, Pollard said linebackers Zach Thomas and Mike Vrabel conduct themselves very well. “Zach is just different… he has 14 years. He demands respect in the huddle. He is a leader. Vrabel can talk and talk and talk, and I love it. He has Super Bowls underneath his belt, and that’s what we want under ours. I just wish one day I can raise that trophy and say ‘I was a part of that team.'".

Special Teams

During the team’s punting drill, long snapper Tanner Purdum had two poor snaps in a row. The snaps required punter Dustin Colquitt to reach high into the air to get the ball. Rookie wide receiver Quinten Lawrence fumbled the ball twice on the return; he was unable to simply make the initial catch. On one of the fumbles, tight end Sean Ryan recovered the ball and ran down field, yelling, “Woo hoo hoo!” After his second drop, cornerback Londen Fryar hollered, “Come on, Quinten. Come on, baby. Concentrate.” Also during the drill, wide receiver Jeff Webb got scolded by one of the coaches. The coach said, “Come on, Webb. Don’t let them split ya.” Later, Head Coach Todd Haley warned cornerbacks Brandon Flowers and Donald Washington about shoving. “Watch the push. That’s a penalty,” Haley said. Haley stopped the drill one play before the end, and said he wanted to see linebacker Andy Studebaker take some snaps. Studebaker’s solo snap was a decent one.

Extra, extra...

The horn sounded at 4:55 p.m. for the team to begin warm-ups. Kicker Dustin Colquitt did a back somersault out of the final stretch of the session to get to his feet.

Safety Bernard Pollard was singing and playing the air guitar as he made his way to the south end of field 2 to work with the rest of the defensive backs in a drill that involved back peddling.

The team had a brief break from 5:51 p.m. to 5:53 p.m.

The team began post-practice stretches at 6:34 p.m.

Running back Javarris Williams was seen carrying fellow running back Larry Johnson's pads following practice. This came a day after Johnson taped Williams to the field goal post.

Tight end Brad Cottam was one of the players seen signing autographs after practice this afternoon.

Present at today's afternoon practice were Sports Illustrated's Peter King and Fox Sports' Jay Glazer.

Fans

Originally from Staten Island, N.Y., Brian H. attended the Kansas City Chiefs seventh practice. “I love coming to the practices," Brian said. "The game is really more about the fans than the players… The fans definitely have more passion because this isn’t just their career.” Though Brian is a sports fan in general, he is liking what he sees from quarterback Matt Cassel and thinks that he will do a great job in Kansas City.

The seventh Kansas City Chiefs practice was attended by people from all over the United States including Tyler Bloomer from Davenport, Iowa. Bloomer has been a big fan of the Chiefs for all his life and says that he enjoys coming to Summer Training Camp as his summer vacation. “I’ve been coming here since 2001," Bloomer said. "I’m liking the changes that I see this year with the new coaching staff and the new players. I see a new philosophy on the field, and I think it will be great for the team." As far as the Chiefs moving down to Missouri for training camp, Bloomer is disappointed and will probably not be attending because “it just won't be the same.” While Bloomer is here with his girlfriend, he would like to say "hi" to his dad who is vacationing in Florida and is unable to make it to camp.

Two long-time friends and devoted Kansas City Chiefs fans, Jerry Genochio from Kansas City, Mo., and Mark Varns from Carbondale, Ill., were seated along the southern fence watching the practice. Genochio and Varns have been coming to the camp for four years and use this time as a “guys' get away”. The two enjoy watching the team and getting to know the new players along with the coaching staff. “Its very different out there this year with all the changes," said Genochio, "but we’re very excited about this whole new approach." As for the Chiefs leaving River Falls, the two men are very disappointed and “will be less motivated to come to the camp,” commented Varns.

Andy Bargo and his son Nick from Bossier, La., attended practice today as one of Andy’s birthday presents this year. “I have been a Chiefs fan since 1977, so my family thought it would be nice for me and my son to come up here and enjoy the camp together,” said Andy.  The father-son combo doesn’t have a favorite player on the field at the moment, but they are watching quarterback Matt Cassel and like the way he is looking so far. While the Bargo’s are here, they have been enjoying the trip as a vacation by also finding time to fish and golf. As far as the new coaching staff, Andy feels that it will be better for the team. “They always were a good team, and I’m hoping that (Head Coach) Todd Haley can bring them back.”

Jo Dougherty of River Falls, Duane Johnson of River Falls and Bill Forster of Hudson, Wis., all know each other through teaching at the River Falls High School and decided to watch the Chiefs together at practice. Dougherty visited camp for the second time today along with her twin sons, Liam and Jameson (6 ½) and a family friend, Emi Noto from Toyama, Japan. Dougherty has been teaching Japanese and French for 18 years. Johnson taught Social Studies for 33 years and retired in 2000. He has visited camp periodically throughout the last 19 years since he only lives about two blocks away. Forster also mentioned that he has been teaching Technology Education at the High School for 30 years. Forster used to run the Punt, Pass and Kick competition a number of years ago. Dougherty said that she appreciates the opportunity for the community to have something like this camp. Johnson said, “I’d like the Chiefs to stay…they definitely put us on the map.”

Watching by practice field 2 were friends and Chiefs fans Donna Cummings from Belton, Mo., Neta Davis from Belton, Mo., Kim Billesbach from Paola, Kan. and her daughter Hannah (6). The ladies mentioned they have been friends for about 20 years, and they came to camp together in 1997 for the first time. So far, they have also been to Taylors Falls and Crystal Cave, but they are also looking forward to going to Chippewa Falls, the Leinenkugel Brewery and the Hammond Festival. Since coming to camp, they have seen the team under five different head coaches. “This year,” Cummings mentioned, “there is a lot more intensity, and they seem more focused.” Billesbach also added that they seem more disciplined than in previous years. Neta stated, “The players seem a lot more responsive to (Head Coach) Todd Haley. There have been previous coaches where the team would just blow the coach off or not take him seriously right away.” Neta also mentioned that in the late 90s, the ladies came out to an autograph session and Marcus Allen’s, former running back (1993-1997), line was extremely long, and the players were only signing for 20 minutes. People had camped out for about four hours previous to when the signing began. She had just got up to the front, and it was announced that the autograph session was about to close and everyone rushed to the front. Luckily, she was still able to get his autograph. Hannah attended Kids’ Day during the morning practice and got her face painted. Kim mentioned that Hannah made a wild rabbit that their dog almost ate a pet. Neta's son, Jordan (8), took the rabbit out of the dog’s mouth. They have had the rabbit for about two weeks now and did not want to leave it at home because it eats about three times a day, so they brought the rabbit to camp! Hannah and Jordan named the rabbit Lucky because it was lucky to survive. Hannah said that she has had fun taking pictures of Lucky at practice during Summer Training Camp.

Dave Gaskins and Shane Freeman from Chanute, Kan. are up in Minneapolis for some business. It is Gaskins' third year coming to camp and Freeman’s first time at camp. Since they got done with their work stuff early today, they decided to come over to River Falls to watch the Chiefs practice. Gaskins mentioned that camp has changed over the years, especially with the staff. He said, “…when I was here before, Gunther Cunningham was defensive coordinato,r and you always knew where Gunther was…and when Herm Edwards was the head coach you always knew where he was, too, was because he was always really vocal… and (current Head Coach) Todd Haley doesn’t seem to be quite as vocal. That’s not a bad thing though, that’s just their style of coaching.”

River Falls native, Thea McCrossen, said that she volunteered at the Kansas City Chiefs Summer Training Camp for the first 12 years. She did security, fan relations and a little bit of everything. Her favorite part was meeting all the fans because everyone is so nice and appreciative of everything. McCrossen started volunteering when she was in college at UW-Stevens Point. Unfortunately, she had to stop volunteering because it got to be too much with working full time. She originally found out about volunteering at camp because she was chaperoning a youth trip to Valleyfair through church, and one of the other chaperons was part of the camp committee and said if she didn’t have a summer job, she should help out at camp. She also met one of her best friends while working at camp, Lee Faltiesek. The biggest change she said she has noticed watching as a fan, is that the volunteers and workers were able to in between the fields, around the fields, pretty much everywhere in past years, and now, they can hardly go anywhere. “We also used to give tours in Hunt Arena and the training room,” stated McCrossen. She also noted that the players used to ride around town on little scooters until a big defensive lineman broke his ankle.

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).