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Saturday, August 5, 2006, Family Fun Night
K.C. Chiefs Training Camp Daily Updates

Coach Herm Edwards Interview

Coach Herm Edwards said that the players needed the morning off from practice because of the late night scrimmage with the Vikings. However, it was also said that “a lot of guys were sore early in the night because they were sitting around all day, but as practice got going we picked up the tempo.”

Edwards commented on how he thought the overall practice went, and about the different situations the players were in:

“It was good. We put them in situations. I always talk about situations because that’s what happens on Sunday. I think the 2-minute (hurry up offense) was a reminder for all of us that things can change all of a sudden. Our players need to learn situations, they need to put themselves in the game like they’re the coach. They don’t have to make the call; we (coaches) have to make the call. I think the more you put your team in situations, that’s what happens.”

The UW-River Falls campus lost power while the players were in Mankato, Minn. Edwards, always an advocate for “inconvenience,” said that the situation was fantastic. “It was fantastic last night when I checked beds around 12 o’clock. A bunch of guys were standing outside because it was hot. I just told them the story: ‘When I grew up we didn’t have air conditioning,’ so guess what, go to bed. You are not leaving and you are not going anywhere. It’s tough.”

The players have Saturday night off. Edwards told them about misbehaving: “You need to face the press.” He said he will not talk for anyone. 

Offense

Following an autograph session, the players took Ramer Field, executing one-on-one and position drills to warm-up. After a set of footwork drills, quarterback Trent Green bowed to a roaring of fans’ applause.

The first team drill of the night focused on using a run attack in the red zone. Running backs Dee Brown, Derrick Ross, Quentin Griffin and McKenzi Smith all took turns trying to score a touchdown, but their efforts were to no avail.

In 11-on-11s, the Chiefs once again showed their preference for the running game. Quarterback Trent Green led for the first four snaps, handing off the ball to running back Larry Johnson three times and running back Dee Brown once. The crowd applauded Johnson’s ability to break through all the defenders. Quarterback Damon Huard also took four snaps, working with Brown, running back Quentin Griffin and running back McKenzi Smith. When quarterback Casey Printers entered the lineup, the focus of the game changed. Printers hit wide receiver Jeff Webb on a pass, as well as running back Derrick Ross for a short pass up the middle. Printers also overthrew a pass intended for wide receiver Jeris McIntyre.

In a brief session of 7-on-7s, quarterback Trent Green completed 5-5 pass attempts. Wide receiver Dante Hall tallied two catches, while wide receiver Eddie Kennison, wide receiver Samie Parker and running back Derrick Ross all recorded one. Quarterback Damon Huard threw a flawless 3-3 series. His final pass completion connected with wide receiver Jeris McIntyre for a 30-yard touchdown.  Quarterback Casey Printers also had a solid showing, completing 3-4 pass attempts. Fullback J.R. Niklos, tight end Kris Wilson and McIntyre all registered receptions.

In the final set of 11-on-11s, quarterback Trent Green went 8-13 in pass completions. His first pass hit running back Dee Brown for a short gain, but Green’s next two passes, for wide receiver Samie Parker and running back Larry Johnson, proved to be too much to handle, slipping right through their hands. Green eventually connected with both Johnson and Parker during 11-on-11s; one to Parker was a touchdown in the end zone. Also connecting with Green, fullback Ronnie Cruz, wide receiver Dante Hall and tight end Kris Wilson all caught 5-yard passes. Wide receiver Eddie Kennison caught a 30-yard pass from Green on the right side of the field and split two defenders to score in the end zone.

Though quarterback Damon Huard endured much pressure from the defense and got sacked twice, he completed 5-6 passes. Wide receiver Jeris McIntyre, running back Quentin Griffin, fullback J.R. Niklos, running back Derrick Ross and tight end Robert Docherty all registered receptions. Wide receiver Nate Curry bobbled a pass from Huard before dropping it.

Quarterback Casey Printers only received four snaps during 11-on-11s. He completed 2-2 pass attempts, connecting with running back De Arrius Howard and tight end Adam Johnson, while running backs Quentin Griffin and Derrick Ross each carried the ball once.   

Defense

The autograph session and other Family Fun Night activities highlighted Chiefs training camp on Saturday night. The Chiefs eventually got back to their alma mater: playing football.

A day after their scrimmage with the Minnesota Vikings, the team surprisingly had quite a bit of energy. The defense seemed to be in better shape than they were before the scrimmage, and appeared to be making strides for a successful year. 

The team started out in individual drills, and then broke into 11-on-11s. Although the practice was still light contact, safety Bernard Pollard always seemed to be around the ball to get a decent hit on the receivers. Pollard has been one of the most impressive players in camp, and looks to be the future starter at the safety position. 

The defensive line made some changes and looked at many different player combinations. Tackle Lional Dalton was back in action after missing the last couple of practices; he played most of the day in the middle next to Ryan Sims. The change came when back-up Eric Hicks played defensive end instead of Tamba Hali. Hali has had a great camp and is positioned to start at left defensive end. The Chiefs defense just wanted to get a look at some different combinations. 

So far in camp, the secondary is what everyone is looking towards to be the biggest improvement on the team. Improvement is definitely in the air, but the youngsters looking to be back-ups this season are looking very impressive. Along with Pollard, safety Jarrad Page seems to be wherever the ball is. Usually when there is a play to be made or a fumble to be recovered, Page is there. Safeties Pollard and Page and cornerback Benny Sapp have been the most impressive in camp. Sapp will be the Chiefs nickel back, and although he lacks great size, he has ball-hawking skills, much like Pollard. After a successful draft and the signing of cornerback Ty Law, the defensive secondary looks to be one of the deepest units on the team. 

Linebackers Derrick Johnson, Kendrell Bell, and Kawika Mitchell made stops on just about every run play, not allowing running backs Larry Johnson, Quentin Griffin, and Dee Brown much yardage. Most of the day’s runs were stuffed up the middle and pushed to the outside where linebackers were waiting. The great linebacker play should be something Chiefs fans can be excited about.

Fans

Mellissa Dejarlais, from Anoka, Minn., was present for her first Family Fun Night experience tonight. Dejarlais, who has been a Chiefs fan for several years now, said that the most exciting parts of the evening were getting to see her favorite team practice and getting autographs from players such as running back Larry Johnson and wide receiver Dante Hall. Dejarlais also mentioned that she enjoyed seeing the skydivers from the Indianhead Sport Parachute Club and listening to speeches from Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle and Head Coach Herm Edwards.

Hersh and Ann Bennett traveled to River Falls from Olathe, Kan., for their second year at Family Fun Night. Their favorite part of the evening was watching the Chiefs practice on the main field at Ramer Field Sports Complex. They mentioned that they didn’t get any autographs because there were too many people and too much commotion, but they did enjoy seeing players such as quarterback Trent Green and wide receiver Dante Hall.

Ryan Kratochvil from Edina, Minn., was excited to be at his very first Chiefs practice in River Falls for Family Fun Night. Kratochvil enjoyed being able to watch the NFL team up-close and personal, and liked getting autographs from players including running back Larry Johnson, which is something that he has never been able to do before.

Sara and Jaren Vandekieft of Rochester, Minn., are visiting summer training camp for their third time. They brought with them their three kids: Rachel, 6, Max, 3, and first-timer Julia, 8 months. The Vandekiefts are Chiefs fans mainly because they used to live in Kansas City. Even though they now live in Minnesota, they are still Chiefs season ticket holders. They make it to five or six games a year, and sell the rest of the tickets. At the autograph session tonight Max and Rachel got Coach Herm Edwards and defensive end Tamba Hali to sign.

Kenny Boyer, 14, of Gardner, Kan., is a first-timer for Family Fun Night. He enjoyed himself by getting tons of Chiefs’ autographs, including wide receiver Dante Hall, running back Quentin Griffin, cornerback Patrick Surtain, safety Sammy Knight and wide receiver Samie Parker, among others. His favorite player is defensive end Jared Allen, because he plays the same position as Boyer. Boyer likes coming to practices to size everybody up for the upcoming season.

Living in River Falls, Jimmie Lee didn’t have very far to travel for Family Fun Night. He moved to River Falls from Milwaukee, Wis., so he is an avid Green Bay Packers fan, as well as a Chiefs fan. Lee has been a peewee football coach up until last year, when he took his team to the championship and won. When asked about tackle Kyle Turley filling in for the retired tackle Willie Roaf, Lee said, “When you get new people in there, you don’t know what’s going to happen. You have to get to know players before you can play well with them.” 

Marilyn and Brian Binkley made the short trip to River Falls from Minneapolis, Minn., to attend Family Fun Night. Covered in Penn State University gear from head-to-toe, the Binkley’s came to watch former Penn State football stars grace the fields at Ramer Field Sports Complex. They had posters and footballs that they hoped would be signed by Chiefs linebacker Tyler Lenda, defensive end Tamba Hali and running back Larry Johnson, all former Nittany Lions. The Binkleys are graduates of Penn State University.

Jeff Peterson of Haxley, Iowa made his first trip to River Falls for training camp on Wednesday. He really enjoys the other things he gets to do while he’s up here, including going to the Apple River, Crystal Cave and stuffing himself on cheese curds from the Cady Cheese Factory. Peterson made it to Mankato on Friday to watch the Chiefs practice with the Vikings, and was impressed with what he saw. His favorite player has always been running back Priest Holmes, but he also really enjoys running back Larry Johnson, who he feels has shown great appreciation for his fans since stepping into the limelight.

Toni and Alex Kreicbergs arrived at Ramer Field Sports Complex on Saturday at 1 p.m., in hopes of being the first in line to get autographs. They were a bit disappointed when they found out that their early arrival didn’t really help because of the Chiefs new autograph policy, which lets everyone onto the track at the same time. They weren’t too concerned, however, and were in very good spirits, looking forward to getting autographs from newly acquired cornerback Ty Law and running back Michael Bennett. The Kreicbergs have been coming to River Falls for three years and really enjoy going to the Mall of America to do some quilt shopping while they are here. They have really been impressed with how first-year Head Coach Herm Edwards has run camp thus far; most notably how he randomly throws situational drills at the team and doesn’t allow anyone to just stand around.

John Velebir, of Minneapolis, Minn., came down to River Falls with some very old sports memorabilia to be autographed. Unlike most of the fans who come for the current players, Velebir is here to get autographs from some former NFL stars and current Chiefs coaches: wide receivers coach Charlie Joiner, defensive line coach Tom Krumrie and Head Coach Herm Edwards. Joiner starred for a number of teams including the Houston Oilers and the San Diego Chargers. He was later inducted into the Hall of Fame. Krumrie and was a Pro Bowler for the Cinncinati Bengals and Edwards was a standout with the Philadelphia Eagles. Velebir was able to get autographs from Joiner on a vintage Oilers banner and was able to shake Edwards’ hand and have him sign a vintage Eagles banner.

Extra...Extra

In River Falls, Wis., during Family Fun Night, one beer: $2.50
In Mankato, Minn., during the Vikings/Chiefs practice, one beer: $5.00

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.