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Wednesday, August 12: Morning Practice

For a morning practice, it was really hot and sticky. The sky was bright blue with only a few clouds in the sky. The temperature started at 70 degrees at 9 a.m. with a dewpoint of 63. There was 78 percent humidity, and the wind was headed to the south-southwest at three miles-per-hour. By time practice ended around 10:30 a.m., it was about 81 degrees out.

Kids' Day

The Kids' Day event, held during Kansas City Chiefs 16th practice, made for the second one of these event days held this year. Much like the Kids' Day that was held on Aug. 5, all the events and activities went well and seemed to be enjoyed by all the kids.

To begin the activities, kids were instructed to sign up for the raffle and were able to enjoy a cookie while the wandered to other stations. As they attended the event, kids could choose from arts and crafts, face painting, temporary tattoos, a ducky pool and a football gear race. Though all events were a big hit, the face painting station by volunteer painter Logan Toftness as the most popular choice. After participating in each activity, the kids were given candy and allowed to partake in the games as many times as they wanted.

At 10:15 a.m. the raffle was held at the picnic area near Ramer Field where kids were able to win gift certificates to Dairy Queen, Burger King, McDonalds and Arbys. In addition to these prizes, beach balls were donated by TCF Bank and given as the final prize. In total, there were 34 prizes given away.

A special thanks goes out to all the generous companies who donated raffle items along with volunteers Amy Olson of Andover, Minn., Allie Winger of Woodbury, Minn. and to the River Falls volunteers who have been helping throughout the Training Camp.

Extra, extra...

Head of the NFL Players Association, DeMaurice Smith was at this morning’s practice. Smith brought two former players with him. One of the players, Jason Belzer, is a former Chiefs and Colts player, and the other, Scottie Graham, used to play for the Vikings. After practice finished, linebacker Mike Vrabel was talking with Smith between fields 1 and 2. Smith is reportedly making his way through several training camps over the course of the summer.

Former NFL tight end Mark Bavaro was in camp today helping Tight End Coach Bob Bicknell.  Bavaro is a two-time Pro Bowler and played on the Giants World Championship teams in Super Bowl XXI and XXV.  Head Coach Todd Haley said Bavaro will be with the team through Saturday’s game. Haley also called Bavaro “one of [his] favorite football players of all-time.” “He exemplifies the way we want things done here,” Haley said.

At 10:28 a.m., the team began their post-practice stretches. Practice ended about 30 minutes early.

After practice, linebacker Corey Mays dropped his mouth guard on the pavement on his way into Hunt Arena. He commented on how it was gross and talked to a trainer about the situation for a few minutes.

Defense

Cornerback DaJuan Morgan was the only inactive defensive player during this morning’s practice. Linebacker Zach Thomas was on the stationary bikes at the beginning of practice. By 10 a.m., Thomas was off the bikes and not on any of the practice fields.

At the sound of the horn, the team got together on field 2. The ball was placed on the 40-yard line, and the offense was headed north. The drill was run to practice blitzing. One of the first plays of the drill was a pass from quarterback Matt Cassel intended for tight end Brad Cottam. Linebacker Derrick Johnson was able to come over the top of Cottam and know the ball down. Defensive Coordinator Clancy Pendergast was pleased, saying, “Good job. Good job, Derrick.”

The team ran a situation drill. The drill was two minutes long, and there were 30 seconds on the clock. Seeing time with the first-string defense were safeties Bernard Pollard and Jarrad Page, cornerbacks Brandon Carr, Maurice Leggett and Brandon Flowers, linebackers Corey Mays, Mike Vrabel, Tamba Hali and Derrick Johnson, defensive ends Alex Magee and Tyson Jackson.

During 7-on-7, cornerback Londen Fryar and linebacker Jovan Belcher both were able to knock down passes.

On an intense first down situation during an 11-on-11 drill, Defensive Coordinator Clancy Pendergast was hollering, “Keep them out of the end zone.” Defensive Line Coach Tim Krumrie joined Pendergast, shouting, “Let’s go, D-line. Let’s go. Time to rush.” After the first down play, the ball was whistled dead, and the offense huddled. The defense felt the offense was taking longer than allowed, and several players were hollering for a delay of game call. Following the confusion, cornerback Brandon Flowers knocked a quarterback Matt Cassel pass to receiver Terrance Copper out of the air. Cassel’s next pass was a completion to Copper, which brought up first down from the 20-yard line. During the first down, cornerback Brandon Carr swatted down Cassel’s pass to Copper in the end zone. Head Coach Todd Haley was pleased with Carr’s smart decision. “That’s a smart play, Brandon,” Haley said. “Way to knock it down. Now, that’s a smart play.”

Rookie and newly signed defensive end Tyson Jackson worked one-on-one with Defensive Line Coach Tim Krumrie after practice.

Special Teams

The team worked collectively on field 2 on onside kicks. Kicker Ryan Succop had practiced the kicks on his own during Tuesday’s practice.

Offense

The inactive players for the offense included: running back Kolby Smith, tight end Jake O’Connell and offensive linemen Wade Smith and Tavares Washington. Tackle Damion McIntosh started working with the team then left to join the guys in, “No Man’s Land,” “Camp Pendelton,” or “Rehab Zone,” as it’s been called.

The running backs spent sometime working on catching low thrown balls. The players did a nice job catching the throws.

Quarterback Matt Cassel threw a lot of balls during the team’s 7-on-7 Red zone drill today. Cassel threw six times on his first stint, completing all the passes. Receiver Terrance Copper hauled in four of those, including a touchdown. When Cassel came back into the drill, he threw six more times. He completed his first four including a touchdown to receiver Devard Darling. His last two attempts fell incomplete. Both were fade routes. Receiver Amani Toomer and Cassel got crossed up on the final play, because Cassel threw the fade and Toomer ran a comeback.Quarterback Brodie Croyle then entered the drill and completed five of six passes. However, most of his completions would have been hotly contested had there been a defensive line present. His only pass of over five yards was an incompletion to receiver Mark Bradley. Next up was quarterback Tyler Thigpen. Thigpen went 2-4 with a touchdown.

During a drill from the 40-yard line, quarterback Brodie Croyle had a throw that was too outside for wide receiver Dwayne Bowe to grab. Head Coach Todd Haley thought the defense could have been able to come away with the ball. He said, “We’ve got to hit that. We’ve got to hit that, D.” On Croyle’s next pass, another incompletion to receiver Quinten Lawrence, Haley said, “Quicker, Brodie. Get the ball out quicker.” Croyle was then able to complete a pass to receiver Amani Toomer between three defenders. The Croyle pass would be one of three in a row that went to Toomer. Two balls were from Croyle, and one was from quarterback Tyler Thigpen. Later, quarterback Matt Gutierrez threw an easy ball to receiver Rodney Wright. Wright, however, dropped the pass. Haley was not delighted with the play and hollered, “That’s bull(crap), Rodney. That’s all that is.” Later, Wright got scolded again. A coach along the sidelines shouted, “It’s ain’t a dress rehearsal, Rodney. And it sure ain’t going to be on Saturday.” Saturday, the Chiefs have a preseason game against the Houston Texans.

Quarterback Tyler Thigpen was the second quarterback used during the team’s situational 11-on-11 drill. During Thigpen’s drive, defensive tackle Tank Tyler hit the quarterback’s pass, deflecting it and leaving it short. This brought up third down. On the next play, several defensive men pressured Thigpen in the pocket. Thigpen was able to make a completed pass through the traffic for the first down. As Thigpen ran to the new marker, he shouted, “Clock. Clock. Clock.”

Quarterback Brodie Croyle spoke with reporters for a few minutes following practice.  Croyle said that it was nice to be back. “After all that rehab, it’s very rewarding to be back,” he said. Croyle also commented on the different situation he is in this year compared to last. Last year, Croyle came in with a chance to be the starter; this year the Chiefs have 63 million reasons why he won’t (newly signed quarterback Matt Cassel and his $63 million contract).

Tackle Branden Albert spoke with reporters at the conclusion of this morning’s practice. Albert said that he feels very different heading into the 2009 season versus how he felt in 2008. “I feel more advanced,” the second-year tackle from Virginia said. Albert said that he’s working on a different technique this year. “I’m learning to pay attention to little details each play,” he said. When asked if he could see a difference in the team as a whole at training camp this year, Albert simply said that he can see a change in players’ attitudes. Albert is rooming with guard Mike Goff. Albert said that he has a lot of respect for Goff. “He’s a pretty good guy on and off the field,” Albert said. Albert was asked if he could see a difference in coaching this year. Chiefs current head coach, Todd Haley, stems his football knowledge from years of offensive coaching. Former Head Coach Herm Edwards came from a defensive background. Albert said that Haley wants both sides of the ball to do well, and it’s easy to tell that. Albert said that as camp progresses, players are getting more and more antsy to hit each other. “We’ve just got to work hard each day. We can have a mindset to hit. Hitting earns respect amongst our teammates out there,” Albert said. Albert also spent several minutes talking about the respect he has for linebacker Tamba Hali. Hali is a former defensive end and is trying his spot at linebacker for the first time in the 2009 season. Albert said that he often has his hands full, trying to guard Hali. “Working against him is only going to help me get better against speedy guys,” Albert said. Albert said that he thinks Hali is a lot better than he was last year, and he believes Hali is transitioning well in the new defense, at a new spot.

Todd Haley Press Conference

Head Coach Todd Haley had his daily meeting with the media following practice No. 16.  Haley opened, talking about the shortened practice. The Chiefs only practiced until 10:30 a.m., rather then the usual 10:50 a.m..  “I thought the practice was very crisp, and we pushed through nicely. I thought the offense picked it up and made some tougher plays,” Haley commented.

Haley was asked how long the starters with play in Saturday’s preseason opener against the Houston Texans. Haley said he would comment on the issue during tomorrow’s practice. Haley talked briefly about the importance of the game. “Preseason is important to everybody, and it goes by fast. But to the Kansas City Chiefs, it is critical to our success down the road,” he said.

Haley seems very pleased with second-year tackle Braden Albert. “He is a guy who was ill yesterday and made it through a hot practice and is out there running today. He is a guy who just gets it," Haley said.

Outside linebacker Tamba Hali is also in the new coaches good graces. “Tamba is a hungry, hungry player who wants to get better. He is doing all the things it takes to be really good. And he is starting to look like an outside linebacker.” Up until this year, Hali was a defensive end. Haley also said that Hali bought, with his own money, a station where he can watch film.

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).