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Thursday, July 26, 2007: Training Camp News

The Chiefs Arrive

It was a rainy day at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls when the Chiefs arrived, with loud claps of thunder rumbling through the sky. The temperature was 70 degrees, with winds from the east at four miles per hour. The humidity was stifling at 100 percent.

At 5:37 p.m. five Laidlaw coach buses full of Chiefs players and staff arrived at Rodli Commons. They were greeted by the media and fans along with showers of rain. Head Coach Herm Edwards arrived ahead of the team, and blended into the crowd while holding up a sign that said, “Welcome to Training Camp.” Edwards seemed in a jovial mood as he held up his “home-made” sign. When asked by a Kansas City media member if he made the sign himself he replied, “The ink is still wet. I was actually an art major at one time, then I figured out I better change my major, my daughter could have done a better job." Once the buses were unloaded and Edwards was finished talking to the players about his sign, the media pulverized him with various questions.

Once the players left the buses, they were directed to the McMillan Hall, where they checked in and received their room assignments.

Fans

Rain showers kept many fans safely ensconsed in their homes, but die-hard fans like the Moulin family from Bonner Springs, Kan. could not be kept away. They were the first fans to arrive to greet the Chiefs for the second year in a row. Rick, Kristin, their sons Brett, 8, and Jackson, 3, and “Grandma” Brenda made the seven-hour drive, along with family friends Connor Byers, 9, and his brother Ethan, 5. Rick and Brett had been to camp two times before, while the others were experiencing their first time at Chiefs camp. The boys shouted out their favorite players: wide receiver Eddie Kennison, running back Larry Johnson, running back Priest Holmes, and former Chiefs player Trent Green. Rick said the family plans to stay and watch camp until Sunday, July 29, after which they will be traveling to Minnesota to watch the Kansas City Royals battle the Twins. 

Coaches and Players

Head Coach Herm Edwards talked to running back Michael Bennett in private after the Chiefs arrived in River Falls. The pair stood less than a foot a part as they were engrossed in conversation in a secluded section of Rodli Commons. The conversation lasted less than 10 minutes.

The media had concern about how Edwards felt about running back Larry Johnson's current absence at camp. Edwards told the crowd, “Not at all, I talked to Larry before I left, it’s an A-B conversation." Edwards seemed reluctant to discuss the absent players, Johnson and wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, saying “It's out of my hands, but I am going to coach the 86 guys that are here, two guys missing right now, but when they do get here I'm going to give them a hug and we are going to go to work." When asked if running back Priest Holmes would have a shot at making the team Edwards said, “He's going to be on a probation period and he won’t practice with us. He will be active and we’ll be keeping him in shape. He has a history of overcoming odds, and he has done that in the past. He’s a fantastic football player, but he hasn’t played in a long time, we have to keep that in mind to protect him and we're going to do that. He understands that and everyone’s pulling for him, and hopefully he has an opportunity to go."

Tackle Kyle Turley could be heard telling media that he was back feeling better than ever, and that he would never consider using steroids. Turley refused, however, to divulge any of his training secrets. Meanwhile, when asked about running back Larry Johnson, guard Brian Waters said, “We’re going to play with what we’ve got. Coach always says ‘Don’t worry about the guys who aren’t here, it’s about the guys who are here.’ We’re just going to play with what we’ve got.”

Quarterback Brodie Croyle was swarmed by multiple media members immediately upon exiting from McMillan Hall. He answered questions regarding the competition with quarterback Damon Huard for the available starting quarterback spot. Croyle said, “I’m ready to get it going, we’re tired about hearing about it.” More than once Croyle replied to the media about the topic, “Let it be what you want it to be.” At the end of his interview Croyle expressed his feelings about training camp: “I’m excited to get it started.” Huard was spotted nearby wearing a black Mueller brace on his right calf. He appeared to be walking well as he roamed around outside of McMillan.

Extra, Extra...

Media members greeted each other like old friends while they waited for the Chiefs to arrive. Making the drive from Kansas City in satellite trucks were KMBC-TV 9 and KSHB-TV 41, as well as a crew from Fox 4 News. Cameras from NFL Films were present along with several production assistants, getting ready to shoot some of the first footage for HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’. About 15 other members of the media were present.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car was front and center when the Chiefs pulled up to the curb. There were four gentlemen representing the company in matching Kansas City Chiefs ties along with crisp white shirts and black dress slacks. Enterprise had 10 vehicles in the Rodli Commons parking lot, both SUVS and mid-size sedans, including Range Rovers and a Hummer H3. Many of the players rented cars while in River Falls for personal use. A rental vehicle from Enterprise costs anywhere from $40 to $80 per day depending on the vehicle type. Enterprise also had two coolers full of bottled water and Gatorade for the players upon arrival.

General manager of The Route bike shop Adam Schmidt and Drew Kennedy, head technician, waited out the rain under shelter from Rodli Commons. With approximately 50 white and red Trek mountain bikes lined up before them, they tracked the weather radar on a computer screen and enjoyed cold Dairy Queen ice cream while waiting for the Chiefs. Players were able to rent the bikes for $75 for the duration of camp with the option to purchase the bike for $200 at the end of camp. Fullback Boomer Grigsby was one of the last players to park his bike outside of McMillan Residence Hall.

Bob Moore, the director of public relations for the Chiefs, is glad to once again be in River Falls for the team's 17th training camp. Moore, who is entering his 19th year with the Chiefs, stated that this was the first year the team had rain upon arrival. Moore also said that the flight was long due to the plane making a 45-minute circle, and that the traffic on the way to UWRF was "bumper-to-bumper." However, Moore said he was looking forward to getting settled in his air-conditioned residence hall room while waiting in line to get his bike. Also waiting in line to get their Chiefs bike were tackle Will Svitek and quarterback Jeff Terrell.

While waiting for his luggage to be unloaded, running back Michael Bennett joked with Assistant Trainer David Glover, calling him “Tiger Woods” in front of the NFL Films crew taping for HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks'. Bennett and Glover both laughed and then shook hands.

At 5:58 p.m. an Astleford Idealease truck backed up to backside of McMillan Residence Hall. Volunteers dressed in Chiefs gear helped to unload the packed truck in a drizzly rain. HP laser printers, AeroBed air mattresses, large luggage bags and brown boxes labeled “Equipment Department, Hunt Arena” were among items taken off the truck and stacked on the wet pavement in front of McMillan. Luggage ranged from black trash bags to Louis Vuitton leather suitcases.

The residence living staff plays a large role in making the camp run without any problems. There were many members of the staff unloading luggage and working hard in both Grimm and McMillian Halls. Although the rain was coming down strong, all of the workers did their jobs efficiently. Head Custodian Bob Karras remarked, “Everything went smoothly today, since the five or so years I have been here everything seems to work out good."

After receiving his room assignment, defensive end Tamba Hali asked for directions to the cafeteria from the driver's seat of a black Cadillac Escalade. He was cordial, making sure to thank two UWRF staff members after they directed him to the University Center.

Fullback Boomer Grigsby showed off two new assets to his fellow teammates: a new hairstyle and a new digital video camera. Grigsby ran his fingers through his Mohawk and kept a tight grip on his camera as he shook hands and high-fived other Chiefs players. He also found a silver lining in the many rain clouds that covered River Falls: after locating his sport bag, Grigsby said, “At least it’s waterproof!”  

Groups of players could be seen headed to the University Center’s lower entrance, which is reserved for Chiefs players, coaches, and staff for the duration of camp. The players were on their way to their first meal at UWRF – dinner was served at 6 p.m.

2007 Staff

Students and staff covering the Chiefs this year include in front row, left to right: Dave Urbaniak (Defense), Amie Eller (Fans, Punt, Pass & Kick), Jim Thies (Sports Information Director), Jennifer Pengra (Fans, Kids Days), Shawna Carpentier (Offense). Back, left to right: Mark Kinders (Public Affairs Director), Brenda Bredahl (Public Affairs Editor), Jens Gunelson (Photographer), Lisa Stratton (Fans, Web Site Editor), Deb Toftness (Office Manager). Not pictured is Zach Nagle (Student Photographer).