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Wednesday, August 19: Morning Practice

The morning practice had a cloudy sky the entire time; no blue was to be seen. It was 63 degrees out, and the dewpoint was at 61 with a humidity of 92 percent. It was also pretty breezy with the wind to the southeast at about six miles-per-hour.

There were only 40 fans at the 22nd Kansas City Chiefs practice. As Summer Training Camp comes to an end, more people are heading home to wait for the season to come. Hopefully there will be a lively crowd at the preseason game versus the Minnesota Vikings Friday at the Metrodome in Minneapolis.

Offense

Running back Kolby Smith, quarterback Tyler Thigpen and guard Tavares Washington were the offensive players inactive for practice this morning.

Long snapper Thomas Gafford spent some time working with the tight ends this morning. Head Coach Todd Haley was asked about this move during his post-practice press conference. He said that he talked to Gafford yesterday about what position he played in college and feels that by having Gafford work at tight end, it could save the team a roster spot.

Tackle Barry Richardson continued to work as the first-team right tackle in today’s practice. The first-team wide receivers included: Devard Darling and Terrance Copper.  Tight end Sean Ryan was the first-team’s tight end.

Quarterback Matt Cassel was 0-2 in deep balls thrown during the team’s 7-on-7 drill. Both balls were overthrown by a few yards.

Offensive Line Coach Bill Muir got taken out during the offensive and defensive line drills. Muir got up without the help of a player. Later, guard Wade Smith went over to make sure Muir was OK.

Receiver Bobby Engram made a solid catch in the end zone on a ball thrown by quarterback Matt Cassel. Engram leapt up to grab the ball as he was headed to the left corner. He was unable to corral it right away, but finally made the catch, keeping both feet inbounds. The defense immediately called him out of bounds, but Engram got up, making the referee’s sign for a catch.

Defense

Linebacker Zach Thomas was the only inactive defensive player this morning. Safety Bernard Pollard practiced with the team for the majority of practice, but after a while, he wandered over to “No Man’s Land.”

During the team’s first go at 11-on-11, quarterback Matt Gutierrez attempted a pass to wide receiver Quinten Lawrence. Safety Jarrad Page was able to leap into the air in front of Lawrence and come down with the interception. Gutierrez’s pass wasn’t poor, but Lawrence didn’t make a move back to meet the ball.

During 7-on-7, quarterback Matt Cassel had a long, Hail Mary-looking pass to receiver Devard Darling. Cornerback Brandon Flowers was a little quicker than Darling on the play, and was able to swat down the pass.
Linebacker Jovan Belcher dove in front of a Matt Gutierrez pass, making the play fall incomplete.

In 11-on-11, the defense ran their nickel play. Seeing time with the first string were defensive end Alfonso Boone, defensive tackle Ron Edwards, linebackers Mike Vrabel, Tamba Hali, Corey Mays and Derrick Johnson, cornerbacks Brandon Flowers, Brandon Carr and Maurice Leggett and safeties Mike Brown and Jarrad Page. Brown has been seeing time with the first-string a couple times in the last few practices. Leggett was continuing to run as the nickelback. Rookie defensive ends Tyson Jackson and Alex Magee rotated in for Boone during the drill as well.

During 11-on-11, defensive end Alex Magee got through the offensive line and sacked quarterback Matt Cassel.

Fans

Kevin and Amanda Montgomery from River Falls, were taking a walk and decided to swing by practice this morning. “It is always fun to see the team practicing out here as we pass by,” Amanda said. “The business that is generated from the team being here has really helped our area.” Kevin added, “I also enjoy all of the fans that come to town. Most of them are pretty nice, and it brings some excitement to the town when all those fans are out enjoying the local businesses and attractions.”

Julie Hartford of Kansas City, Kan., watched from the fan section while her two boys, Michael (13) and Tommy (11) played football nearby. “I love bringing the boys up here to watch the team get ready for the season. I think it helps teach them that hard work really can get you places, and to follow your dreams because they can come true," Julie said. "I’ll bet most of the guys out there always dreamed of playing professional football, and now they are doing it!” Julie’s husband Tim took the day to visit family who live in the area. “I think the boys are having a great time. It’s always nice to have a little family vacation time right before the new school year begins,” she added.

Brothers John and James Berkley are retired businessmen from the Kansas City, Mo. area and have made numerous trips to watch the Chiefs practice and play games. “We enjoy the simple life now, and taking the time to drive up here over the years has been one of our favorite pastimes,” John explained. “It gives us a chance to catch up on what our new grandchildren are doing and to talk about life but most of all, to talk about football!” said James. “We like what we have seen so far,” mentioned John, “but that offensive line needs to be able to protect our multi-million dollar man (quarterback Matt Cassel)!”  The brothers will stay to watch the Chiefs play the Minnesota Vikings during their preseason battle on Friday before heading back down to Kansas City.

A father and son who had just got done dropping their daughter/sister off at the University to start her freshman year attended the 22nd Kansas City Chiefs. Tom and TJ Graumann from Brainerd, Minn., watched the practice from the eastern fence. The two had never been to Summer Training Camp, but mentioned that they both love football and wanted to see what the Chiefs do while they’re here. “I really like (defensive end) Glenn Dorsey and (quarterback) Matt Cassel,” said TJ. However, Tom thinks Cassel will still need to prove himself to the team.  As far as the new coaching staff, neither father nor son know much about new Head Coach Todd Haley, but from what they have read, Tom commented, “I think he will be able to shake things up and hopefully help the team do better this year.”

Jim Kouba and his grandsons Brandon (12) and Ryan Bohl (6) from Bloomer, Wis., stopped by the Kansas City Chiefs practice today to see what goes on at an NFL Training Camp. “I don’t know much about the team, but I thought this would be a fun experience for the kids to come out and see the players,” said Kouba. Brandon and Ryan are both fans of running back Larry Johnson, claming "he’s the best player on the team." Other than watching the players, the three were hoping to get more autograph time at the end of practice.

Long time Kansas City Chiefs fan, Mike Haupt attended the 22nd practice this morning making this his fourth trip to camp. “I really like coming on Family Fun Day to get a lot of autographs,” said Haupt. Like many other fans Haupt is sad to see the team move to St. Joe, Mo., for practice next season, but understands that it will good for the fans. “I think it is better to practice outside like they do here," commented Haupt. "This way, they are used to the elements when they get out on the field during a game."  In regards to the new coaching staff, he believes that Head Coach Todd Haley will have a lot to do this year, and it may take a few years to get everything the way he wants it.

Two families, one from Ham Lake, Minn., and one from Cleghorn, Wis., came to practice today to watch the Chiefs. The family from Minnesota is Vikings fans, and the family from Wisconsin is Packer Backers. The families consisted of Suzanne, Caleb (9), Doug (10), Eddie (5), Abby (15) Rachel (2) and Julia (15). The boys are big football fans, and Doug mentioned that he plays flag football back home. He then mentioned that he is looking forward to getting linebacker Mike Vrabel and running back Larry Johnson’s autographs on his football cards that his has with him. Eddie then added that he likes Vrabel and Johnson because "they run fast and are really good players."

Ben Quick (12) and his younger brother Adam Quick (8) rode their bicycles to practice today to watch the Chiefs. It was Adam’s first time at Summer Training Camp, but it was Ben’s second time this year. They are both huge Green Bay Packer fans, and they said that they are not very happy with quarterback Brett Favre who just signed a two year deal with the Minnesota Vikings. “He should have stayed retired and not created all of the drama that he did,” stated Ben. Ben then added that his family means no harm to Favre, but since he is a "traitor", yesterday morning after they found out that Favre was going to be a Viking, the family created a lifesize stuffed dummy of the quarterback and then took a piece of wood and wrapped it up in tinfoil to make it look like a sword. After everything was created, they stuck the homemade sword into the dummy's back. When asked about what he thinks about having an NFL team in River Falls, Adam commented, “Wow! It is really cool to have an NFL team in our hometown, even if it isn’t the Packers.”

Special Teams

Players who returned kicks this morning included: wide receivers Rodney Wright and Taurus Johnson, running back Jamaal Charles and cornerback Maurice Leggett.

Extra, extra...

Cornerback Ricardo Colclough and quarterback Matt Cassel were in matching grey sweatpants during this morning’s practice.

ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson was at practice this morning. Williamson writes an AFC West blog for ESPN.com. River Falls is the last training camp in the AFC West that he needed to visit. Williamson spent time covering the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers before starting at ESPN.

The team began their cool down stretches a little early this morning, at 10:39 a.m.

The souvenirs available at the concessions stand at camp are now on sale. There is still a wide selection of sizes available for t-shirts. T-shirts used to be $16 and are now on sale for only $10. A few more specials include: yearbooks that were $15 and are now $5, footballs were $30 and are only $20 and hats were $25 and are now $15. Any purchase that is $50 or more will qualify for a free Chiefs reusable bag. All offers are available while supplies last.

Todd Haley Press Conference

Head Coach Todd Haley answered questions from the media after practice this morning.

Haley said the team will practice in shoulder pads and shorts at this afternoon’s practice, which is the final open practice of the 2009 camp at UWRF.

When asked about the Chiefs quarterback situation, Haley said the tough work and competition at the spot won't end after the team breaks training camp on Thursday. “Our quarterbacks are continuing to get better. It’s a process, and even though we’re leaving here in a couple of days, we have more summer camp coming." Haley said. Haley was asked about quarterback Matt Cassel specifically. "We will continue to install things. A lot of things go into the evaluation equation, so it’s not fair to answer the question about whether I’m happy with how Matt Cassel is playing," Haley commented. " Matt’s working hard, and he cares about it. He’s getting more and more comfortable with what we’re doing out there.”

The issue of how the quarterbacks were throwing the ball in today's practice was addressed during the press conference, as well. “I saw a lot of check downs today; throwing to backs that I’m never going to be disappointed in. That’s something we talk about – using the running backs in the pass game," Haley commented. Haley said that the team has done a lot more free release of the running backs. This means they don't have a blocking responsibility and can get into their route more quickly. " That can give us a matchup advantage. We have some unique guys in the running back position that can do some things out in space," Haley said. "There were some good plays, some average plays and some drops – and some good plays by the defense.”

Haley was asked about linebacker Corey Mays who has been impressive so far this preseason. Mays has been spending time with the first-string defense as linebacker Zach Thomas continues to be inactive during practices. Haley said he's impressed with Mays' performance thus far. “He’s in the mix. He’s a consistent guy who’s gotten better every day. He played a solid to good game against Houston and has had a good week of practice," the head coach said. "I’m excited about him. When a guy has an opportunity out there and he seizes it – that’s what we like to see as coaches.”

Haley continued to stress the fact that every spot is still open on the roster. "Some (positions) are getting closer to being filled - some not close at all," Haley said. "What I’ve told the team is that every spot is open, and I’m going to stay true to my word." Haley isn't ruling anyone out. "We will evaluate every spot and the guys that give us the best chance of winning on opening day will be the starters.”

Haley has been stressing the importance of running situational drills throughout training camp. “We’re making progress in situational stuff, and that’s as important to me as anything. It’s where games are won and lost," he said. Haley said that he wants a team that's going to be hard to beat. "A team that’s hard to beat plays good defense, doesn’t turn the ball over and doesn’t beat themselves. We’re seeing progress in that,” he said.

The Chiefs have a preseason game at Minnesota on Friday. Haley said his team has taken the same approach to this game as they did to the last. “We’ve had a game to watch on them, but we haven’t done a whole lot more than what we did for the first game," he said. Haley also commented on the fact that the team will have have to prepare for a nosiy atmosphere at the Metrodome.

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).