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Thursday, August 3, 2006, Morning
K.C. Chiefs Training Camp Daily Updates

Today's practice took place on the main field at Ramer Field Sports Complex. There were almost 450 fans in the stands as the players practiced under the hot sun. Today’s weather was the best River Falls has had since camp opened. It was 75 degrees with 66 percent humidity and winds were coming from the WNW at 4 mph. Not a cloud was in the sky; the fans loved it.

Interview with running back Michael Bennett

Recently signed running back Michael Bennett graced Ramer Field for the first time today in a Chiefs jersey. He did not practice, but observed from the sidelines. Following practice, the media interrogated him on his feelings of being a Chief. Bennett said, “It’s wonderful. Ever since they told me the day before yesterday, there is nothing but smiles across my face; coming back here especially. To be back here in Wisconsin practicing, I have a lot of friends and a lot of family up this way.”

Bennett, traded from the New Orleans Saints, commented on his short time with the them.“I think there was some opportunity there in New Orleans, but then again when you take a guy like Reggie Bush, who can do everything, the opportunities come less.”

Yesterday, in a press conference with President Carl Peterson, Peterson said that Bennett will be running back Larry Johnson’s backup. According to Bennett, he is ready for whatever role he earns.“My thing is that I’m going to come in here, and I’m going to do the best that I can. If that’s going to be my role, then I’m going to have to take it. I’ve been in this game going on six years, and I’ve had a lot of success. So my thing is to come in here and learn this offense. It’s kind of like being a rookie again.”

Bennett, a former Minnesota Viking, is anticipating seeing some of his old teammates tomorrow during the Chiefs/Vikings practice in Mankato, Minn. “It will be good to see the guys again, but here again this is a business trip. We can joke and laugh afterwards.”

A Big Ten Conference track champion, Bennett runs a daunting 40-yard dash. One of the members of the media asked him if he still ran a 4.4. Bennett responded, “4.4. Come on! You’re disrespecting my speed: 4.25!”

Today is the first time that Bennett has opened his playbook, so he is uncertain of his role as of now. “Right now I don’t know. My thing is just to come in here and get the offense. Again, it’s a lot of different terminology that I haven’t heard, so I have to get used to it, and just come in and give it all I’ve got. Wherever they feel my place is they will put me.” It will take him about three to five days to just learn the basic material.

Traditionally, the Chiefs/Vikings practice brings about fights. Bennett commented, “I was a part of one, but I don’t get beat up.” Bennett says his fight was with safety Greg Wesley. “He grabbed my facemask and almost turned around my whole head, and that’s what started pretty much everything. My last five years being in Minnesota there was always a fight.”

Offense

This morning guard Will Shields, tackle Kyle Turley and wide receiver Craphonso Thorpe did not practice. All were present on the sidelines, though.

In the initial team drill, the Chiefs set up in a 9-on-9 set with no wide receivers or cornerbacks. The offense worked on the running game, with running back Larry Johnson carrying the ball three times, and running backs Dee Brown, Derrick Ross and McKenzi Smith all carrying the ball two times. Running back Quentin Griffin made one running attack.

Quarterback Trent Green only took snaps in 7-on-7s this morning. Green was 9-11 on pass completions. His first completion was to running back Larry Johnson up the middle of field, and Green’s next two pass completions were caught by fullback Ronnie Cruz. Green connected with Johnson on two more shotgun passes, and also hit wide receiver Dante Hall on the left side of the field. Wide receiver Jeris McIntyre and fullback J.R. Niklos also tallied receptions. Green also threw a 20-yard pass to tight end Tony Gonzalez in the red zone.

Also in 7-on-7s, quarterback Damon Huard was 2-3. Huard completed passes to tight end Kris Wilson and wide receiver Jeris McIntyre. One pass intended for wide receiver Nate Curry was too low.

In 11-on-11s quarterback Damon Huard went 4-4 on the day. He commenced the series with a 10-yard pass to tight end Tony Gonzalez. He hit Gonzalez for one more pass up the middle, and then connected with running back Larry Johnson and running back Dee Brown.

Defense

The Kansas City Chiefs moved to the main field of the Ramer Field Sports Complex for Thursday morning's practice.

The offense left the main field to use a practice field while the defense stayed on the main field. Normal individual drills were run at high intensity as defensive coaches prepared the team for the practice against the Vikings on Friday.  

The defensive line, still minus tackle Lional Dalton, ran drills with tackling dummies with Coach Tim Krumrie. Krumrie would be waiting at the end of the tackling dummies and fumble the football for the players to recover. Most players did the drill no problem but some had issues on the recovery process. Krumrie often yelled, "Don't roll!" This would mean the players should jump onto the ball and not roll onto it.

Most of the 7-on-7 drills focused on the nickel formation - two linebackers and five defensive backs. Linebackers made stop after stop, not allowing receivers into the secondary. Linebacker Kendrell Bell made quite a few tackles on passes thrown to the flats, showing his immense speed from the position.

Defensive tackle James Reed started in the absence of Dalton. The line was able to get a consistent push and put pressure on the quarterbacks.  

Defensive Coordinator Gunther Cunningham is as vocal as ever at this year's camp. That was evident when he yelled, "Damnit!   Get inside," during one series.

Fans

Jerry Bowman and Marge Owens traveled from Kansas City to River Falls to witness their first ever Chiefs' training camp. Bowman and Owens are having a great time watching their favorite players including wide receiver Dante Hall, quarterback Trent Green and guard Will Shields. So far, Bowman and Owens like and respect new Head Coach Herm Edwards and feel that he is more stern and strict than former Coach Dick Vermeil. Bowman and Owens are also looking forward to seeing the Chiefs make it to the playoffs this season.

Darla Beckmann, from Grantsber, Wis., and Karla Smith, from Grandsville, Wis., were watching the Chiefs practice today. They stood next to a fence to get a closer look. Beckmann and Smith have known each other since 1992, when they met at the Chiefs second year of camp in River Falls. They both enjoy watching the NFL team practice and seeing the rookies, as well as taking photographs and getting autographs. Beckmann and Smith enjoy watching their favorite players including linebacker Boomer Grigsby, safety Greg Wesley, and quarterback Trent Green.

This is the second year at camp for Cindy and Hank Anderson and their two children, son Troy, 7, and daughter Wendy, 10, from Independence, Mo. The Andersons love coming to River Falls each summer because they enjoy meeting other fans, as well as seeing their favorite NFL team in action. Among the Anderson's favorite players are quarterback Trent Green, wide receiver Dante Hall and running back Larry Johnson. The Andersons are also looking forward to getting autographs at Family Fun Night this Saturday.

Sawyer Taylor, 11, of Marshfield, Wis., and Logan Dragt, 9, of Hewitt, Wis., just became Chiefs fans recently. The two boys and their dad made the trip to River Falls just for the day. Their favorite players are quarterback Trent Green and running back Larry Johnson. They both enjoy watching the offense at practice. “I like watching the players push the sleds,” said Taylor, “Go Chiefs!”

Rich Edwards, Jr., was out with his high-tech camera taking pictures of this morning’s practice. The Washington, Ill., native is in the area to be a photographer for the 2006 USA Nationals at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis., this weekend. Although he isn’t at camp, Edwards’ favorite player is running back Priest Holmes. Edwards has met Holmes in the past, and said he is a very nice person. He hopes to meet his other favorite player, tight end Tony Gonzalez, some day.

Duane, Laura, Shelby, 14, and Dawson Hiler, 6, from Mountain Grove, Mo., are at camp for the first time. One of Duane’s friends used to be roommates with center Casey Wiegmann. He likes seeing Wiegmann practice, and hopes to catch up with him later today. The Hilers follow the Chiefs throughout the season and try to get to a couple of games a year. When asked about Coach Herm Edwards Duane said, “I like him. I liked Dick (Vermeil) too, though. I like knowing that Vermeil coached Edwards.” This way, he thinks most things will stay the same as in the past; they’ll just be improved a little.

Tom O’Brien, a 1974 graduate of UW-Madison and current resident of Hudson, Wis., was at this morning’s practice. O’Brien is the brother of former UW-River Falls punter Chris O’Brien, who is now a manager at Menards in Hudson. He had his eyes set on quarterback Casey Printers, who was putting on quite the performance at this morning’s practice. Throwing with both precision and speed on his passes, Printers opened the eyes of many Chiefs fans today.

O’Brien’s daughter Molly, a UW-River Falls senior majoring in elementary education, also attended. She comes to the Chiefs practices solely to watch her favorite player, quarterback Trent Green.

Allan Brown, a star cornerback at UM-Crookston and hopeful draftee in the 2007 NFL Draft, attended practice this morning. Only a junior, Brown hopes to have a great season at Crookston to help elevate his draft position. Brown says that right now scouts are saying he could go anywhere from the fifth to seventh rounds. Growing up in Austin, Texas, Brown became good friends with Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson, who is from nearby Waco, Texas, and played for the University of Texas Longhorns.

Extra...Extra

After morning practice today fullbacks J.R. Niklos and Ronnie Cruz were hitting the blocking sleds for 10 minutes. They also worked on their footwork before returning to Hunt Arena.

After practice today there was an astounding group of 22 players signing autographs: fullback Ronnie Cruz, running back Michael Bragg, defensive end Jared Allen, tight end Aaron Golliday, linebacker Kendrell Bell, safety Bernard Pollard, tackle Jordan Black, defensive end Tamba Hali, running back Larry Johnson, guard Will Shields, safety Greg Wesley, tackle Thomas Barnett, wide receiver Samie Parker, defensive tackle Arrion Dixon, center Johnathan Ingram, tackle Ian Allen, tackle Jeremy Parquet, tackle Will Svitek, guard Peter Heyer, tackle Tre Stallings, tackle Kevin Sampson, safety William Bartee.

Reporter Jim Armstrong of the Denver Post was at this morning’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.