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Saturday, July 29, 2006, Afternoon
K.C. Chiefs Training Camp Daily Updates

Today’s weather was a wearing 95 degrees with a 49 percent humidity, which made it feel 10 degrees warmer. The dew point was at 73 and winds were coming from the SW at 9 mph. The overcast that made this morning’s practice so enjoyable was nowhere to be found this afternoon.

Offense

In an interview after practice, offensive coordinator Mike Solari commented on the outlook of the offense and explained how the team is transitioning into the new coaching styles. Solari ensured that the team is "picking up where we left off" after last season, and that there is no need to "take a step back." He is excited about the progress of his young receivers, but did not provide any specific details as to which players were in competition for the fourth spot. Solari did indicate that wide receiver coach Charlie Joiner will use training camp as an opportunity to "work with and develop all these young players."

Since the announcement of tackle Willie Roaf's retirement, many have been wondering how potent this offensive line is going to be and who will replace Roaf. As of now, Solari positioned Kyle Turley at left tackle and complimented the play of tackle Jordan Black and tackle Will Svitek.

When questioned about the play of quarterback Trent Green, Solari boasted, "Trent Green is the Kansas City Chiefs offense. Not only does he know packages inside and out, but there is no one better in the huddle." Supplementing Green are some adept playmakers like tight end Tony Gonzalez, running back Larry Johnson, wide receivers Eddie Kennison and Sammie Parker. Solari also talked about the progress of the back-up quarterbacks. "Brodie (Croyle) is coming along; Casey's (Printers) doing a good job of developing, and (Damon) Huard is working with No. 2 reps, so the more reps you get, the better football player you are going to be."

During practice, Coach Herm Edwards directed a drill that focused on wide receiver patterns and cornerback coverage. Time and time again Edwards reminded the cornerbacks to "turn the other way" and to "use two shuffles and cut him off." Edwards also pulled cornerback Justin Perkins to the side for some individual mentoring.

In the first segment of 11-on-11's, quarterback Trent Green did not take any snaps. Quarterback Damon Huard was 2-4, completing passes to wide receiver Eddie Kennison and to tight end Tony Gonzalez, while quarterback Brodie Croyle was 1-3, completing a pass to fullback Ronnie Cruz. Quarterback Casey Printers was 1-4, connecting with running back Derrick Ross. Running backs Quentin Griffin and Ross provided the majority of the running attack. After a team huddle, the players came back to continue the second half of 11-on-11's. Huard was 2-4, linking up with Kennison and fullback J.R. Niklos. Gonzalez dropped a pass from Huard, but Johnson carried the ball two times for some ample yardage. Croyle had two opportunities to complete passes and wowed the crowd with both. Tight end Kris Wilson made an impressive catch and Griffin snatched the other. Printers was 1-1, hooking up with tight end Robert Docherty. Once again, Griffin and Ross led the running game.

Following 11-on-11's, all the players ambled to the north sidelines and took off their shoulder pads. Practice continued with a modified 7-on-7 drill. The offensive linemen spilt from the group to work on more blocking drills, while some wide receivers worked on inside routes.

Defense

At Saturday afternoon’s practice the Chiefs busted out a new look. The players were in full padding for the first time in camp, which usually means there will be a more physical and demanding practice; this afternoon was no exception. 

In the midst of mid-90 degree weather, the defense was pushed to the max.  Practice opened up with a low demanding stretch and run before special teams and position drills.  The defense took practice field one as usual and partook in their routine drills. 

Different from previous practices, linebackers went to the south end of field one and ran one-on-one drills against the running backs to improve pass-blocking skills. Second year outside linebacker Derrick Johnson showed his strengths as he nearly ran over every running back that was put in front of him.

Keyaron Fox got into some tough battles, including one with fullback Ronnie Cruz. Cruz didn’t give many of the linebackers much room to work with. Fox later went against running back Larry Johnson and surprisingly got the best of the stud tailback. The linebackers proved to be physical and definitely helped improve how the running backs handle the pass rush. 

11-on-11 was next on the schedule as players appeared to be getting used to the heat.  The defense was still being very friendly to the running backs, allowing them to break free instead of making the huge tackle. Running back Quentin Griffin took quite a few snaps and ended up having linebacker Rich Scanlon prevent him from breaking free most of the time. 

Quarterback Brodie Croyle used a deep voice and a repetitive bark to catch defenders jumping early. Defensive end Carlos Hall proved to be a victim of Croyle’s cadence as he was caught jumping offside.     

Later, running back Derrick Ross broke through a hole and met face to face with safety Greg Wesley. The collision was heard across the field.

After multiple plays were run, players went to the end zone to take of their shoulder pads.  The defensive and offensive lineman went straight to the locker room to get out of the heat for the day. Linebackers and positional players on offense remained and ran through multiple sets. 

When practice concluded it was easy to tell that players wanted to get into the air conditioning. Tight end Robert Docherty was very thankful for the assistants who passed out Gatorade as the team left the field. “I love these guys,” said the undrafted rookie from UW-Oshkosh.

Many members of the media were in attendance for the afternoon practice.  Not only were there reporters from Kansas City, the national media was represented via Jim Corbett, with USA Today. 

Fans

Steve Johnson was a proud father this morning when his son Justin, 11, won second place at the Punt, Pass and Kick competition. This is the first year the Johnsons have made it to camp; they were just informed that the Chiefs were in town a few days ago, at the Brewers-Pirates game in Milwaukee. Every year, if Justin gets good grades in school, his dad takes him on a “sports tour” when they drive to a few different games, whether it be baseball or football. After deciding that they couldn’t miss out on the Chiefs, they stopped by for the day on their way back to Champlin Park, Minn. After this morning’s practice the Johnsons got autographs from a few players. “It’s really cool how the players are so friendly. I joked around with Derrick Ross, saying he should put his arm around Coach (Herm) Edwards and say, ‘maybe a couple more days without pads would be a good idea’,” said Steve, “Ross laughed and bantered around with me a little.”

You may have seen the big RV in the Ramer Field Sports Complex parking lot, and wondered what it’s doing there. Kenny Bradshaw and friends drove it up from Kansas City with a golf cart toting trailer behind it. Bradshaw is just relaxing this weekend, which is a change from his normal routine of being a ball boy for the Chiefs at home games throughout the season. He is in charge of all of the kicking balls for each game.

Chris and Dawn Grosdidier have come to over 10 training camps in the past 13 years. They now enjoy bringing their children, Claire, 9, and Zach, 4, to watch the Chiefs, and made it to River Falls just minutes before practice. The Grosdidiers drive up from Lenexa, Kan., to listen intently to what the coaches and players have to say to each other when on the field. They also enjoy going on day trips while in Wisconsin. They always make it to Stillwater, Minn., to have lunch and enjoy the scenery. This year they are looking for somewhere new to go in the area.

Al King from Pleasant Hill, Mo., has been traveling to River Falls for the Chiefs Summer Training Camp for over six years now, and still enjoys every minute of it. He is looking forward to seeing Head Coach Herm Edwards lead the team through the season, and is anxious to see the offense and its running game. King is disappointed about not seeing tackle Willie Roaf at camp this summer, but does think the defense has improved.

Punt, Pass, and Kick was certainly a hit today, especially with fans Mary, Kayla and Brady Jansen. The Jansens, who traveled to River Falls from Iowa, are huge Chiefs fans who enjoyed today’s festivities for the first time. Brady, 7, showed off his impressive football skills in the PPK competition today. He said that he had a lot of fun, and was thrilled to have his picture taken with running back Larry Johnson earlier in the day.

Chiefs fans Betty Clemens and Teresa Kersterk were present at both practices today. Clemens, who came from Lee’s Summit, Mo., has been a fan ever since the NFL team, the Texans, moved to Kansas City and then became the Chiefs in 1963. She has also spent 14 summers in River Falls watching her favorite team. Kersterk, Clemens’ daughter, traveled from Gladstone, Mo., to experience her fifth year at camp. Kersterk would like to see the Chiefs make it to the playoffs this year with the help of Head Coach Herm Edwards, with whom she describes as, “a great asset to the team,” and a “great, traditional role model.” Clemens and Kersterk have been season ticket holders for 25 years and are excited for the upcoming NFL season.

Erin Kratochvil from Edina, Minn., and Nuong Ong from St. Louis Park, Minn., spent the day experiencing their first time at camp. Kratochvil and Ong, who volunteered to help with the Punt, Pass and Kick competition today, have had a great time watching the Chiefs practice. Kratochvil said that even though the weather is hot, she really enjoys being able to see the players up-close and watching what they go through during practice.

Mariah, Brittany and Elizabeth Moore from Parkersburg, Iowa, were excited to see their favorite team practice today, regardless of the heat. Sitting alongside them was friend and fellow Chiefs fan Valerie Weitzl, from Shanute, Kan., whom they met at a previous training camp. This is the Moore’s 10th year at camp in River Falls, and Weitzl’s third. Weitzl is anxious to see if Head Coach Herm Edwards can help change the team and provide more consistency throughout the upcoming season.

Bob Dawson, a UW-River Falls almunus who graduated in 1961, attended this afternoon's practice, ignoring the strenuous heat. The focus of his attention was primarily on the Chiefs’ defensive line coach Tim Krumrie, who was born in Menomonie, Wis., and graduated from Mondovi High School. Dawson was principal at an Eau Claire elementary school where Krumrie’s wife, Cheryl, formerly taught. Dawson refers to Krumrie as a “local hero,” who defied odds as a walk-on at UW-Madison by becoming an All-Big Ten defensive tackle. He later went on to become a two-time Pro Bowler with the Cincinnati Bengals. He his now entering his 24th year in the NFL, either as player or coach.

Dawson, a former high school and college coach, along with being a teacher and principal, has been working diligently with other UW-River Falls alumni and employees in hopes of getting a 3.5 million dollar renovation done at Ramer Fields Sports Complex.

Cory Leonard of River Falls, Wis., had his eyes on a group of Chiefs players who were performing an exhausting exercise put on by Chiefs’ Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach Kaz Kazadi. The players had a giant rubber band wrapped around their waists. Kazadi held one end while the player ran until the rubber-band stretched to its limit, but instead of letting the rubber band snap back, they had to slowly back up without it falling. It was a gruesome exercise that had tight end Aaron Golliday, cornerback Marcus Maxey and defensive tackle Ron Edwards, looking like they had just stepped out of the shower.

Leonard didn’t feel sorry for the exhausted players, he felt that their fat contracts make up for the grueling workouts they are put through during camp. Besides the new workouts, Leonard noticed that contact drills were happening a lot sooner than they had in previous years. Leonard is a Dallas Cowboys fan to the bone who considers the Chiefs his favorite AFC team.

Chris Brown, a former training camp intern with the UW-RF Public Affairs Office in 1993, was in attendance with his daughter Corrine, 4, and Connor, 2. He is now the head hockey coach at Augsburg college in Minneapolis, Minn.

Extra...Extra

Free agent and former Kansas player, Nick Reid, said today of the players he's now working with, "These are the best of the best out here." He feels privelaged for having the opportunity of being on the same field with players like quarterback Trent Green and tight end Tony Gonzalez. He was asked by reporters about how he can play with his bleach-blonde hair that measures 5-6 inches. His response was that it adds "a little extra cushion in the helmet so it doesn't hurt so bad" when he gets hit.

The Frozen Lemonade machine in the southwest concession stand wasn’t working correctly today, which disappointed a lot of fans. The combination of humidity and heat wouldn’t allow the machine to keep the slushies frozen. Hopefully it will be fixed for tomorrow’s practice.

Students and staff covering the Chiefs this year include in front row, left to right: Sara Dehn (Senior Day), Amie Eller (Kids' Days), John Hepokoski (sidelines), Holly Sigler (photographs), Jude Harder (fans, Punt, Pass & Kick). Back, left to right: Mark Kinders (Public Affairs Director), Kat Krtnick (sidelines), Deb Toftness (Office Manager), Brenda Bredahl (Public Affairs Editor), Jim Thies (Sports Information Director), Jens Gunelson (University Photographer).

Chiefs fans! Make sure you tune in to the 2006 Daily Updates page on a regular basis. We will be posting sidelines and fans information after each practice while the Chiefs are in camp.