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Thursday, August 13: Afternoon Practice

It was a nice change in weather for practice No. 18 because it was partly sunny with a temperature of 84 degrees. The humidity was at 59 percent with a dewpoint of 69, and there was an appreciated breezy wind due south-southeast at 8 miles-per-hour.

There were nearly 100 fans at the 18th Kansas City Chiefs practice. As the clouds were able to keep the sun under control, more people found the field a more enjoyable place to spend the afternoon.

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Quarterback Matt Cassel was the only player to take the field in sweat pants today, while everyone else was in shorts. The Chiefs took the field with just small pads on their shoulders, not their regular shoulder pads. Head Coach Todd Haley said that today was close to a normal Friday practice during the regular season.

During the team’s 11-on-11 drill, Head Coach Todd Haley was disappointed with the amount of effort from both sides of the ball. “Pick up the pace, O,” Haley said at one point. “Pick up the tempo.” Later, Haley called the entire team together in the middle of field 2. He explained to the team earlier that he wanted this Thursday afternoon practice ran at the intensity of a Friday practice, considering the team wouldn’t be practicing again until next week due to their preseason game against Houston. “This is not an adequate Friday practice,” Haley lectured. “Pick up the tempo.”

The team was one guy short during a drive in 11-on-11, and Defensive Coordinator Clancy Pendergast hollered for another man. Head Coach Todd Haley was not impressed with the coaches’ performance. “Come on, coaches,” he said. “That’s on you, coaches.”

Todd Haley Press Conference

Head Coach Todd Haley had his daily meeting with reporters following this afternoon’s practice. It was the final time Haley will meet with reporters in River Falls before Saturday night’s preseason opener against the Houston Texans. 

Haley was first asked if he would rather have preseason games or the control environment of the practice field.  “You've got tohave the games,” the head coach replied. “It's very important to the evaluation process.” Haley also mentioned later that as a coach you want as many preseason games as possible, but the players would have a different answer.

Haley said that he and his staff have yet to meet to decide playing time of the starters. “I would guess it would be between a quarter and a quarter and half,” the first-year head coach said.

Defense

Cornerback DaJuan Morgan and linebacker Zach Thomas were the only inactive defensive players at this afternoon’s practice.

At the end of the team’s 11-on-11 drill, linebacker Derrick Johnson picked off quarterback Tyler Thigpen. The interception was the last play of the drill.

Fans

Mary Griffen of Hermann, Mo., has been following the Chiefs training camps since she was a young girl. “My dad used to bring us to camp, and we always had a good time,” Griffen explained.  “Dad can’t make it up anymore, but we still take part in the tradition of cheering on the team as they get ready for a new season.” Griffen also said that the mentality around camp seems to be different this year than those in years past. “The players are being forced to work harder, but they actually seem happy about it, which is fine and dandy with me! Something needed to change, and maybe this is exactly what we need.”

Big time NFL fan Marty Hoerman made a detour to attend Chiefs camp today while on his way home to Neillsville, Wis., after visiting the Twin Cities. Hoerman is a life-long Packers fan, but said that he really enjoys anything about the NFL and couldn’t pass up the chance to see the Chiefs in preseason action. “I have never been to Chiefs camp before,” Hoerman stated. “I’m here with my better half, Rhonda Witte, and we’re just checking things out.” A member of the Packer Partners (PPCC), Hoerman has had the opportunity to visit Lambeau Field many times and has met a number of Packer players. “I even got to visit Arrowhead Stadium once,” he said.  “It was a beautiful place!”

Jack and Mary Watson of Salt Lake City, Utah, made quite a trek to get up to River Falls for camp this year. “It’s a long drive,” Jack admitted, “but we take our time and go sight seeing along the way.” The duo has attended many Chiefs activities over their years together. “We go to some games, and some years we come up to summer camp,” Mary said.  “It’s nice to get away together and have some fun.”  Jack’s family used to live in Kansas City, Mo., and he has been a Chiefs fan since childhood.

The vehicle driven by Steve Bauman displayed numerous decals and stickers dedicated to his love of the Chiefs. From bumper stickers, to window stickers and even window flags, it is unmistakable that Bauman is a hardcore fan. “Most people are a fan of something or someone,” he said while shrugging his shoulders. “I am a big fan of the Chiefs. One of my favorite activities is grilling out or tailgating before a Chiefs game at Arrowhead Stadium. You can’t beat the excitement that permeates from that atmosphere.” Bauman lives on the Kansas side of Kansas City and said that he plans on being a hardcore Chiefs fan “…’til death do us part.”

Three friends from Kansas City, Mo., Chris Nance, Lary Meyer and Larry DeLong all attended the Kansas City Chiefs 18th practice after arriving with the 610 Sports Tour Bus. All three have been long time Kansas City Chiefs fans dating back to the 1960s. “I’ve been a season ticket holder for 30 years,” said Nance, “and I’m optimistic that this year will be better than the ones in the past.” This is the first Summer Training Camp that any of them have been to, “we wanted to come for the last year before they move to St. Joe,” mentioned Meyer. He is interested to see how (defensive end) Tyson Jackson is able to perform with the Chiefs. “We really like it here,” commented Delong, “the people are so nice and the weather is a lot better than at home this time of year.”

Tracy and LaDonna Meuschke from Cole Camp Mo., attended practice today and were part of the 610 Sports tour.  “We are really enjoying our trip. We are both teachers and this will be our last adventure for the summer,” said Tracy. This is the couple’s first time not only for the bus tour, but also for attending the Summer Training Camp. During the tour they were able to go to the Royals-Twins baseball game and a few local restaurants in the River Falls and Hudson area. “We’ve really enjoyed the weather and watching the Chiefs,” said LaDonna. The season ticket holders are both interested to see what becomes of this virtually new team in a couple of years. “I think (quarterback) Matt Cassel will do well. My wife was a big fan of (tight end) Tony Gonzalez when he was with the team,” said LaDonna.

Tom Sharp, Bob Pointer and Nate Thompson from Kansas City, Mo., attended practice today and found a spot on the south field bleachers. Thompson has been coming to the Summer Training Camp for many years, but Sharp and Pointer both wanted to experience it before the team made its move to St. Joe. “I’m liking how (quarterback) Matt Cassel and (defensive end) Tyson Jackson are looking so far,” commented Sharp. “I think with the new players and the new coach the team will be able to do better than in the past.” Besides enjoying the practice, they also like the River Falls area and agree that the people and food are really great here. Since they arrived in Wisconsin the group has been able to go to the Royals-Twins baseball game and tonight they are planning on taking a dinner cruise down the St. Croix River.

Sitting over at a picnic table by the parking lot were Mike and Susan Merten of Kansas City, Mo. It is their first time visiting Summer Training Camp in River Falls, but they used to be season ticket holders from 1973-2006 at Arrowhead Stadium on the club level. Mike is originally from Adams, Minn., and Susan is originally from Winona, Minn. The couple met in Mike’s hometown and was dared by his brother to ask her out. It was near the end of the summer, so he had to wait three months until she moved back from Winona. Susan became a football fan when Mike took her to his Homecoming game around 1961 at UW-La Crosse in. because it was the first time she understood what was going on, thanks to Mike explaining the game to her. One time they went on a date after one of Susan’s piano recitals on a Sunday evening at Plaza III in Kansas City, Mo. It was not very busy that evening, and they happened to see former Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson eating dinner with his wife. They started to talk to each other because they noticed she had a corsage on from her piano recital, and they were curious as to why she was wearing one. Susan ended up getting Dawson’s autograph that night.

Evan Leitch (12), Logan Emholtz (12), Jon Krueger (12) and James Witt (12) of River Falls were playing catch on the south side of the practice fields. They are all friends and will be entering 7th grade in the fall. It was Krueger and Witt’s first Chiefs practice toda,y and Leitch and Emholtz have not missed a practice since training camp began on Aug. 1. Leitch’s favorite player is wide receiver Taurus Johnson. He said that he enjoys coming to camp because he gets to see a professional team that you usually see on television, as well as some of the big name players. Emholtz is a camp volunteer, and he typically sells camp journals to fans, but has also done security and has blown up balloons. His favorite player is line backer Mike Vrabel because he is really nice and he added experience to the team. “The Chiefs used to be a young team, but during the off-season they got a lot of veterans,” stated Emholtz. Vrabel also gave Emholtz one of his gloves yesterday after practice.

Danny and Debbie Roach from Grant City, Mo., have been on vacation since Saturday and decided to come into town to watch the Kansas City Chiefs practice. Debbie mentioned when the Chiefs are at Missouri Western State University, the couple will be able to go to more practices because it is only about 75 miles from their home. She also said that she is anxious to see how quarterback Matt Cassel will do this year with a new team and a new coach. Danny stated that he likes to watch the offense because he wants to "watch them make a touchdown!” Debbie added, “We are Chiefs fans, do or die, no matter what their record is. They are our hometown team, and we don’t care if they are good or bad.”

Offense

Guard Wade Smith, running back Kolby Smith and guard Tavares Washington were the offensive players that did not participate in practice this afternoon.

During the teams one-on-air drill, the quarterbacks were having trouble completing the fade routes. Head Coach Todd Haley had a few words, “Let’s go we’ve got to complete all of these!”

The last couple of practices, quarterback Tyler Thigpen had been taking snaps after first-string quarterback Matt Cassel. Today, however, it was quarterback Brodie Croyle who followed Cassel in the drills. Thigpen took the third drives, and quarterback Matt Gutierrez was fourth in the rotation.

There were a few dropped passes during this afternoon’s practice. Receivers Amani Toomer, Quinten Lawrence, and Bobby Engram all had drops during the team's work against air.

Receiver Dwayne Bowe made an acrobatic catch in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown. The throw dropped right in over his head and Bowe had to do some tightrope walking to stay in bounds. Receiver Quinten Lawrence sprinted over signaling a touchdown.

During 11-on-11, receiver Dwayne Bowe dropped a pass from quarterback Matt Gutierrez. The pass hit Bowe right in the hands, in the middle of his body. Head Coach Todd Haley knew Bowe should have made the grab. “Come on, Dwayne,” Haley hollered. “You’ve got to catch that.”

After practice wide receiver Amani Toomer was asked if he practices more after practice ends to catch up because he missed the beginning of camp. Toomer replied by saying that he is not able to catch a lot of balls during practice, so he does some drills or plays catch after practice to enable himself to work on some things. Then he was asked how much time he expects to play on the preseason game on Saturday versus Houston. Toomer stated that he is in no rush and has no idea how much he expects to play.

Special Teams

The team, as a whole, spent a lot of this afternoon’s practice working on the field goal block, punts and kickoff returns. Receivers Quinten Lawrence and Rodney Wright were in the back field, returning most of the kicks during the drills.

Long snapper Thomas Gafford replaced former long snapper Tanner Purdum on the roster. Gafford wears No. 43 during training camp, as Purdum used to. Head Coach Todd Haley said that Gafford was on the roster during the entire offseason, but when it came down to choosing only 80 men to attend camp, Gafford wasn’t one of them. Haley said Gafford was told to keep working out and staying in shape, and that he should leave his phone on because they may call him back. When Purdum was cut, Gafford got the call. Haley also said that Purdum was told the same thing that Gafford was, to stay in shape and keep working out because you never know when they may need him. The Chiefs have made quite a few long snapper moves in the last nine months. On Oct. 29, Gafford was signed. Former long snapper Jean-Philippe Darche was released on March 19. On April 7, Purdum was signed, and on June 19, the Chiefs released Gafford. Now, on Aug. 13, Purdum was released, and Gafford was signed the same day.

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).