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Thursday, August 6: Afternoon Practice

The ninth practice of Summer Training Camp started off with a partly sunny skies at 77 degrees with a dewpoint of 48. The humidity was only 36 precent and there was a slight breeze at four miles-per-hour towards the north-northwest.

There were fewer people today at the ninth Kansas City Chiefs practice. About 165 people attended, leaving each fan to a variety of seating choices.

Extra, extra...

Prior to the start of the teams 11-on-11, quarterback Matt Cassel decided to have a little fun and get everybody fired up with an old car rental jingle. He clapped out the beginning and yelled, “Lets go!” at the end.

NFL official Mike Carey and his crew were at practice today, “working out the kinks,” as one of them said after practice. Carey has been an NFL referee since 1995 and officiated Super Bowl XLII between the New York Giants and New England Patriots. Head Coach Todd Haley said that the officials will be here through Saturday.

During tight end Brad Cottam’s post-practice interview with reporters, full back Mike Cox was trying to distract his teammate. Cox was standing behind the reporters, making faces and ducking in and out of the interview. Cottam did a good job keeping his composure.

Signing autographs after practice along the west fence were center Rudy Niswanger, guard Brian De La Puente and tackle Damion McIntosh, amongst others.

Fans

Terri Bynum of Topeka, Kan. and Noi Armstrong of Carbondale, Kan. waited over by the west area of the practice fields for the practice to begin. It is Bynum’s fourth year visiting camp and Armstrong’s seventh time at camp. Armstrong stated that they would definitely miss not being able to come to River Falls for camp. “The people are so nice here, and we will miss it,” said Bynum.

Kansas City Chiefs fans Maureen McConnell, Rax Harm and James Harmon (14) from just outside Sedalia, Mo. watched practice from field two. They got into town yesterday and are excited to be here. Rax said he thinks the team is headed in the right direction and have some cause for some optimism. McConnell also mentioned that they are season ticket holders and have been for the last five years. “Even though it is in the nosebleed section, we still have a good view,” stated McConnell. Rax also added that he thinks there really isn’t a bad seat in Arrowhead Stadium. Rax ended with, “Being able to come here is a nice little summer vacation getaway. It is low stress here, and the town is a nice place.”

The Gerstberger family from Riblake, Wis. traveled to the Chiefs Summer Training Camp for their 16th time since 1993.  Pat and her husband John traveled with their two daughters Mary and Julie. Pat mentioned that the team looks different on the field, and that things are a lot more strict. Mary added, “It’s a good thing they are more strict…they know it’s not a summer vacation for them; it’s a job.” Pat then said she finds herself paying more attention to the offensive line because it seems more interesting. When asked what she likes to do in town, Mary mentioned that they already went to Foster Sports and bought window clings - not for her vehicle or home though, but because they make excellent scrapbook stickers!

Tom and Nancy Lauber from Independence, Mo. brought their sons Henry (10) and Stuart (14) to watch the Chiefs practice. The Lauber’s have been season ticket holders now for 25 years. Nancy mentioned, “It has been a little disheartening because we didn’t like the direction the team was going… now we are more optimistic, though, with the new staff.” Henry mentioned that his favorite Chief is guard Brian Waters because he has been a really good player for the past few years. In addition to Water’s autograph, he is also looking forward to getting tackle Branden Albert and wide receiver Dwayne Bowe’s autographs.

River Falls natives Carl Bjornstal and his son Ryan (13) watched practice along with Alex Huset (13). Ryan found it most interesting to pay attention to how many different plays the players have to remember. Alex mentioned that he enjoys watching the quarterbacks practice the most because he plays quarterback for Meyer Middle School. Since Carl has experience coaching many youth sports, he said he likes to watch the different coaches' behaviors and how they interact among each other and with the players. Even though the Chiefs is not the main team they follow, they still enjoy coming out to watch the team come and practice in their hometown.

Four guys from Missouri attended the ninth Kansas City Chiefs practice while on a three-day trip. King Rambo, Luke Gassman, Jason Thomas and Cortney Pinales were lined up against the south fence cheering on the team as they watched practice. Rambo is a Junior at William Jewell College in North Missouri and is a free safety on the school's team. He enjoys watching safety Bernard Pollard and other  players in that position. “I really like coming to practice up here, said Rambo. "There are true fans here, and the experience of taking the trip is really fun, also not too expensive.” Gassman, a senior at Waldorf College in Iowa also likes coming to Summer Training Camp to watch his favorite player wide receiver Dwayne Bowe. “This is my second year coming here, and I really like not having to look over other people's shoulders like we’ll have to do if they move to Missouri to practice,” commented Grassman. Thomas and Pinales are both big fans of running back Larry Johnson and Bowe. Rambo, Grassman and Pinales are all members of the Fellowship of Christian  Athletes along with Bowe, which makes him their favorite player. “Dwayne Bowe really does a lot to make a difference in the community," Rambo said. "We just think he’s so great because of all he does.” Together the guys originated the official Dwayne Bowe Fan Club on Facebook and all look up to him as a great NFL football player. As far as the new coaching staff, all of the guys agree that the practice is much more strict this year. Rambo commented, “It seems like a two-a-day practice from high school, but there’s a good mix of new personalities which should help the team be stronger.” Grassman likes the looks of Chiefs new quarterback Matt Cassel so far at training camp. “He really takes control of the huddle and seems to encourage the rest of the team to be strong and make good plays,” he said. The guys will be staying for a few more practices this camp and are still unsure if they will go to the practices if the team moves to Missouri.

The New Richmond Area Childcare Center attended the Kansas City Chiefs afternoon practice today. Kristen Latzig along with 54 children, ages 5-13,  from the center gathered on the west side of the field to eat popsicles and watch a little of the practice. “This is the last stop for our weekly field trip,” said Latzig. The group had spent the day at Glen Park having a picnic and playing games before they arrived at practice.

A past Kansas City Chiefs Security Guard, Herman Suhr from Kansas City, Mo., attended today’s afternoon practice. Suhr is now a Field Supervisor in Kansas City, but still likes coming to River Falls to watch the Chiefs practice. “In all my 13 years of doing security here, I have seen so many changes. The coaching staff and the players have all changed through time, and I’ve seen all the pieces that they need to be great right here. I’m hoping that this year (Head Coach) Todd Haley can put all those pieces together to finish the puzzle,” said Suhr. When asked how he felt about the Chiefs possibly moving to Missorui to practice, Suhr was not very excited about it. “The move will allow for more fans to attend practice, but I’m really going to miss the people and friends I have made here in River Falls,” he commented.

The Sports Reporter from New Richmond, Wis., Dave Newman attended the Kansas City Chiefs practice today making this his 19th year of coming to Summer Training Camp. Newman is a past reporter for the Sports Information office at UWRF and has been with the New Richmond News for 20 years. “I think this next season will be better than the last," said Newman. "There has been a lot of changes and new players added, so we’ll see how it all works out. My favorite part of watching the practice is observing the sheer athleticism the players have. They just amaze me.”

Father and son Chuck and Cori Nixon from St. Joe, Mo., were at the Kansas City Chiefs ninth practice, watching from the south fence. The two are on a father-son getaway and enjoying what could be their last year to use the Summer Training Camp as a vacation. “I really like watching the 7-on-7 or the 11-on-11 scrimmages between the players,” said Chuck. Both Nixon’s are excited to see how the new coach will handle this season. They both agree, “(Head Coach) Todd Haley is optimistic" and that "only time will tell how he will do for the team."

Special Teams

Kicker Ryan Succop got three field goal attempts against a defense. Succop hit all three tries from 38, 42, and 45 yards.  His first attempt was from 34 yards against air; he also hit that.

Defense

Linebackers Demorrio Williams, Monty Beisel and Weston Dacus and cornerback DaJuan Morgan worked out instead of participating in practice this afternoon. Dacus was seen with a brace on his right ankle. Linebacker Zach Thomas was nowhere to be found during practice, as well.

During one of the defensive line drills, Defensive Line Coach Tim Krumrie hollered, “Compete now. Compete with yourself!” Later, the group ran a drill on the single sled. Krumrie expected the men to “lock it out, then disengage.” After hitting the sled once, the players hit it for a second time before charging at Equipment Assistant Kyle Crumbaugh, who represented the ball carrier. During the drill, defensive end Glenn Dorsey got complimented by Krumrie. “The second one was really good,” the coach told the second-year player.

The cornerbacks worked on a new drill this afternoon. They were leveling the cone-shaped dummies at the goal line. After the drill, a trainer stretched safety Jon McGraw’s legs.

During 11-on-11, rookie defensive end Alex Magee continued to work with the first-string. Defensive end Glenn Dorsey, practicing for only the third time today, switched with Magee after one play. Two plays later, Magee was in for Dorsey again. Also during 11-on-11, safety Bernard Pollard clobbered running back Larry Johnson after a quarterback Matt Cassel handoff. Linebacker Corey Mays was pretty fired up after the play and jumped on Pollard’s back as he walked back to the defensive side of the ball.

During 7-on-7 on field 2, safety Jon McGraw picked off quarterback Brodie Croyle’s pass in the endzone and took a knee.

Linebackers Derrick Johnson and Corey Mays teamed up to sack quarterback Matt Cassel during the team’s 11-on-11 third down situation drill.

During the “Half-Line” drill, which pits three defensemen against three to four offensive linemen and tight ends, linebacker Turk McBride broke threw the line and blew the play in the backfield.

On the first play of the “Team Run” drill, which is 7-on-7 running plays, defensive end Alex Magee made his presence known. Magee pushed tackle Branden Albert back into the backfield and right into running back Larry Johnson. Johnson was able to stay up and fought for a five-yard gain. Veteran linebacker Mike Vrabel didn’t seem too pleased with the effort from the rest of the defense. “Recognize these (freaking) formations!”

The biggest defensive play of the day was made during the team’s 11-on-11 drill by defensive end Alex Magee and was finished by linebacker Andy Studebaker. Magee drilled running back Jackie Battle, who fumbled the football. The ball took one hop right into the hands of Studebaker, who took it to the house.

While doing some one-on-one blocking drills, rookie defensive end Alex Magee dominated tight end Sean O’Connell.  Before the interaction started, Defensive Line Coach Tim Krumrie told Magee, “He is just a tight end.”

Defensive end Tamba Hali was seen working with Defensive Line Coach Tim Krumrie after practice, getting some extra reps.

Cornerback Brandon Flowers spoke with reporters after practice. At the start of the interview, defensive end Alfonso Boone was fooling around with Flowers said that he loves the 3-4 defense the Chiefs are running this season. “It doesn’t really affect the secondary much,” the second-year back said. When told the reporter interviewing him just started following the cornerback on Twitter, a short messaging website, Flowers laughed. He said he uses Twitter to let fans know things about his life. “It’s good for interacting with fans,” he said. When asked if he thought he’d get in trouble for what he puts on the site, like several other athletes have in the past, Flowers said, “I wouldn’t put anything on there that would let me get in trouble.”

In an interview after practice, safety Bernard Pollard was asked if he was going to take rookie defensive end, Alex Magee, under his wing. Pollard stated, “He is trying to learn so much…I told him to take each day, one at a time.”  He also mentioned that they are trying to step up, and they want to win every Sunday. “…You have to be a sponge and soak everything in!” exclaimed Pollard.

Offense

Running back Kolby Smith and guard Wade Smith were the offensive members kept out of practice.

On field 2, the quarterbacks Brodie Croyle, Matt Cassel, Tyler Thigpen and newly acquired Matt Gutierrez took snaps under center. The players snapping the ball included center Rudy Niswanger, center Eric Ghiaciuc, guard Brian De La Puente and guard Darryl Harris.

The quarterbacks spent time on field 2, throwing at the screen target. Matt Cassel threw 2-4, hitting the lower target twice. Brodie Croyle also went 2-4. Matt Gutierrez and Tyler Thigpen both threw 3-4 from the right. On the left side, Cassel and Croyle went 3-4, and Gutierrez and Thigpen went 2-4.

During 7-on-7, quarterback Matt Cassel was disappointed with the lack of enthusiasm during the drill and hollered, “The energy level is down, guys. Let’s pick it up.” Also during the drill, tight end Brad Cottam had to run from the south end of field 2 to Hunt Arena and back. It was some form of consequence.

During a drill, wide receiver Devard Darling was sent running to Hunt Arena by Head Coach Todd Haley. Haley said, “Go run. Run to the building and stay there for all I care. Are you kidding me?” The reason Darling had to run was because he lined up in the wrong spot during the drill. When Darling tried talking to Haley, the head coach yelled, “Take it in. I want guys who want to be here and aren’t sensitive and emotionally soft. Take it in.” After practice, Haley said he had no comments regarding the situation.

The quarterbacks met on field 2 to try to hit bucket targets in the corners of the endzone. All four quarterbacks were able to hit the exterior of the buckets, but only Matt Cassel could score the ball in the target during the drill from the right side. All four quarterbacks were able to make contact with the buckets from the left side as well. On the release of one of his throws, Cassel said, “Boom shock-a-locka.” Newly acquired quarterback Matt Gutierrez was able to make the ball into the target from the left side.

Quarterback Matt Gutierrez, who just signed with the team after being waived by the New England Patriots, was in camp today wearing number 15. Gutierrez was hanging around Offensive Quality Control Coach Nick Sirianni trying to soak up the offense.

Tackle Colin Brown was working with Assistant Offensive Line Coach Joe D’Alessandris on his footwork before practice.

Newly acquired wide receiver Amani Toomer snagged a fade one-handed today from quarterback Matt Cassel.  There seems to be emphasis on fade routes the last few days.

Quarterback Matt Cassel got the team off to a good start in the team’s 11-on-11 drill. Cassel hit tight end Sean Ryan on a short out-route that went for over 30 yards. Cassel was fired up. “Look at that 30-yard gain, baby!” he said. Linebacker Tamba Hali caught some grief from Head Coach Todd Haley as a result. “That’s a breakdown 9-1!”

The team worked on 11-on-11 third down situations today. Each down came from varying distances. Quarterback Matt Cassel didn’t get the drill off to a very good start. Cassel dropped back four times. He was sacked once and completed only one of three throws. Quarterback Brodie Croyle made three throws during the session. The second was hauled in a for a first down by receiver Rodney Wright. Croyle’s third pass was completed to wide receiver Terrance Copper and was very close to the first down. Croyle finished 2-3. Next it was quarterback Tyler Thigpen’s chance to make some throws. Thigpen put the ball in the air completing all of them. Receiver Bobby Engram caught the first ball and was extremely close to the first down. On the next play, Thigpen hit receiver Taurus Johnson for the first down and more. The last play of the drill was a completed pass from Thigpen to Wright, but was short of the first down.

To wrap up this afternoon’s practice, the Chiefs ran a late-game situation where a touchdown was needed to win. This session was officiated by NFL official Mike Carey and his crew. Quarterback Matt Cassel got the drive going, hitting receiver Rodney Wright for a first down. Cassel went back to Wright on the next play, but the ball skipped in front of a sliding Wright. Cornerback Maurice Leggett nearly ended the drive when he stepped in front of a Cassel pass. Leggett was unable to hold on, but if he had, it would have surely ended in six points for the defense. Facing third-and-ten, Cassel found running back Jamaal Charles out of the backfield for a first down. After spiking the ball to kill the clock on first down, Cassel hit receiver Bobby Engram down the middle for a first down. Wide receiver Mark Bradley hauled in the next pass for another first down.  While trying to kill the clock, Charles was still in motion, and a flag was thrown. Head Coach Todd Haley had a few words for Charles. “That is a killer, Jamaal! You can be anywhere. You can be 10 yards back if you want!” Haley shouted. Cassel tried to go to the endzone with the next two throws, but they landed incomplete. The offense was facing fourth-and-fifteen from the 23-yard line, needing a score. Cassel’s pass was complete to Wright but short of the first down, giving the win to the defense. The second-team offense tried their luck next, but it was a quick four and out. Linebacker Vince Redd knocked down the final pass, ending the drill.

Todd Haley Press Conference

Head Coach Todd Haley opened his press conference, addressing the newly signed quarterback Matt Gutierrez. “I didn’t know a lot about the guy. But he is a big, strong guy and a good preparation guy,” Haley said of Gutierrez.

Haley was then asked how he thought quarterback Brodie Croyle was progressing after a knee injury that cost him the last 10 weeks of the 2008 season and the preseason OTAs. “He has made a lot of progress,” Haley said. Haley said it’s hard for a quarterback to not be able to practice. “You miss even the little things like the cadence or being in the huddle. I think the first couple days, it took him a while to get back into the mode of practicing.”

The next questioned posed to Haley was on the emergence of defensive end Alex Magee.  “I am encouraged by Alex to this point,” Haley said. “When [the coaches] are talking, he is generally listening,” continued Haley. “He is one of the guys, who when you are watching tape, you say, ‘Who is that? Oh, it’s 71.’ Those are all good signs.”

Haley mentioned that he is emphasizing special teams, and that was made clear by the large amount of time dedicated to special teams today. “Special teams are a big part of the game today,” the head coach said. He also mentioned that he will not really know who his kick returners are until “the bullets start flying, and we meet the Houston Texans.”

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).