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Sunday, July 29, 2007: Training Camp News

It was a sweltering 87 degrees at the Athletic Complex and Ramer Field as the practice horn sounded at 3:27 p.m. The wind was from the southwest at five miles per hour, and humidity was down to 33 percent. The dew point was 54. The stadium seats were filled with 175 fans.

Offense

Immediately after the Chiefs were finished warming up, the offense headed to Ramer Field to begin working on hand-offs in the red zone. Ball carriers ran from the 20-yard line to the end zone. Quarterback Brodie Croyle got reps with the first unit and quarterback Damon Huard got reps with the second unit during the seven minute drill.

Breaking into three groups, the offense split up by positions to work on skills. The wide receivers caught outlet passes ranging from 10-15 yards from a few assistant coaches. A one-on-one drill had the linemen working on blocking for the pass and run game against blocking pads. Footwork was the theme for the quarterbacks. They crossed-stepped over barriers that stood one foot high while holding the football in passing position. During the next drill, a difference in experience and ability between the quarterbacks was noticed. The drill required the quarterbacks to make a quick step to the left and right side twice, then to stop in the middle to finish with a 5-yard throw. Rookie Jeff Terrell had a tendency to lean on his back foot on the throw. Quarterback Brodie Croyle was quick and smooth in his movements. Quarterback Damon Huard, still wearing a brace on his right calf, had strong throws and quarterback Casey Printers was agile.

Wide receivers and quarterbacks practiced a drill set up to compete against a nickel defense. Five receivers went out on each run of the one-on-one drill for 15-yard passes. Quarterbacks Brodie Croyle and Damon Huard each threw out three reps to the middle while assistant coaches threw out two other balls to outlets and flats. This is the first time the Chiefs ran this particular drill at camp.

Quarterback Brodie Croyle was 6-7 in the 11-on11 drill. His first take was a 15-yard throw to wide receiver Samie Parker, who beat out his defender, cornerback Ty Law. Receiving a pitch from Croyle, running back Marcus O’Keith had a solid 20-yard run up the left sideline, spining off cornerback Patrick Surtain, who was told he was “burned” from onlookers on the side line. Quarterback Damon Huard was 3-3 with the three crew. Right guard Brian Waters was big on blocks and helped running back Michael Bennett to two successful gains. The first was a block for an 5-yard right-outlet pass from Huard that Bennett took on a 17-yard run. The second was a handoff from Huard, Waters stopped Bennett’s defender and Bennett gained 10 yards on a run middle. Quarterback Casey Printers was 7-7. Bennett, Parker, and running back Kolby Smith,  fullbacks Gilbert Harris and Greg Hanoian, and tight end Mike Pinkard averaged 62 yards between them for the drill. Quarterback Jeff Terrell threw all the passes for a second 11-on-11 drill to end practice. He was 9-9. Fullback Boomer Grigsby was exemplary, tearing the field up on the run game. Grigsby snuck through safety Chad Williams and cornerback Will Poole around the left corner for a clear 7-yard run during one of his handful of powerful takes.

Defense

The Chiefs were graced with more fair weather for their fifth pratice of training camp. All of the players started off on Field No. 3 stretching and getting loose. After this the defensive line split off with Defensive Line Coach Tim Krumrie to work on an exercise where players would go down on their knees with their hands down, then pushed up hard on a connected sled. Krumrie screamed at his players, "Roll your hips!"

This evening the linebackers were focused on improving their hands during interception drills. If one of the linebackers missed an interception, the player would go back in line and do 10 push-ups. Most of the linebackers had great hands and used their feet well. The only drops were by linebackers Brian Crum and Keyaron Fox and did their team justice by uncomplainingly completing the push-ups.

Defensive tackle Patrice Majondo-Mwamba had a stand-out day, performing well in a few drills. Majondo-Mwamba had quick arms in a drill where he lined up in front of three dummies, burst to the right and slapped the dummy, then went back to his left, slapping the dummy again, and then moved back to the right.

At 3:58 p.m., the defense joined the offense on Ramer Field. The first team defense started work on formations before they were called over for 11-on-11.

Unlike the previous days in camp where it appeared the defense was performing better then the offense, the offense took a leap in the right direction. The defense stuggled a little with the outside slot passes, along with the pitches to the outside. In previous practices the defense often faced passes across the middle. Although the offense performed well, the defense made great indivdual plays. Defensive end Jared Allen came around the outside with a swat move a few times getting to quarterback Brodie Croyle. 

Defensive tackle Alfonso Boone was acknowledged for chasing down running back Marcus O'Keith in a play where O'Keith turned the corner, running 20 yards down field. Boone ran a long distance to catch him and was rewarded with a pat on his backside.

The fans that were in attenance were lucky enough to see the camps first scrum. The mini-fight was between the offensive line and the defensive line. After the scrum, Coach Edwards told the team to take a water break. In a post practice interview, Head Coach Herm Edwards allluded to the scrum when he said, "It's good when things get hot. There's going to be pushing and shoving as long as it happens here, and not on Sundays or the weekend with the Vikings."

Rookie Claude McBride impressed coaches again with his quick moves around the offensive line. McBride made his way into the backfield numerous times on the left side, meeting running back Marcus O'Keith. Spending a second-round draft pick on McBride seemed like a good decision, and a good fit to step in to Allen's role for the first two games of the season.

The most impressive play made today and maybe even all of camp thus far was an interceptions by linebacker Nick Reid. Running back Marcus O'Keith had the ball in his hands, but then Reid pulled it away, rolling over the ball, while keeping clutched safely close to his chest.

Fans

Alex Nagel, 16, Jack Casey, 16, and Paul Stadem, 16, from Eden Prairie, Minn., were at today’s practices holding up a sign for wide receiver Jeff Webb. This is all three's second time at camp in River Falls, and they are looking forward to seeing their favorite players such as cornerback Ty Law, tight end Tony Gonzalez, defensive end Tamba Hali, and linebacker Derrick Johnson. They also like how they can get close to the players and were excited to receive Jeff Webb’s gloves at this mornings practice.

This is the sixth year of camp for Ty Harrison from Centralia, Mo. Harrison said he likes watching the drills at each practice because he is a football coach for Centralia High School. Some of Harrison’s favorite players include running back Priest Holmes, cornerback Ty Law and defensive end Tamba Hali.

Marilyn [last name withheld], from River Falls is in her 17th year of coming to Chiefs training camp. She enjoys seeing who is on the roster and who stays with the team during the upcoming NFL season. Some of Marilyn’s favorite players are free agents, and she remembers seeing her all-time favorite player quarterback Joe Montana when he used to come to camp.

Carissa and Ruth Bach from Eau Claire, Wis., took in afternoon practice today at their third year at camp. The pair visited Foster’s Sports store downtown earlier and purchased a football and a t-shirt they hope to get autographed. Accompanying Carissa and Ruth was their dog, Cheyenne, an avid fan of playing fetch with a football. “I hope the Chiefs beat Green Bay this year,” said Ruth.

What a birthday gift – Brooke Clemens of Sedalia, Mo., asked her parents if the family could spend their summer vacation at Chiefs camp to celebrate her 21st. Brooke and her mother, Janis, father Rob, and brother, Derek, as well as her grandmother, Betty, all piled in their family vehicle at 7:30 a.m. today and arrived at training camp just as the afternoon practice began. “We’re pretty much the biggest Chiefs fans ever,” said Brooke. Her mother confirmed this: “She’s been going to Chiefs events since before she could walk,” said Janis. “We’ve been season ticket holders since 1972, and we have come to camp for the last twelve years.” Brooke’s big day is Aug. 3 – if you see a young lady sporting a walking cast downtown, be sure to wish her a happy birthday.

In 17 years, Mike and Sara Payne of Olathe, Kan., have only missed two Chiefs summer training camps and have no desire to ever miss another one.  The Paynes make the eight hour venture up north not only to see their favorite team practice before their upcoming season, but to visit some friends that they have made along the way. “We met some people a number of years ago that just live outside of River Falls, every year we go and visit them when we’re up here and they have come to Kansas to visit us,” said Sara.  “We’re die-hard Chiefs fans!” said Mike. 

Melvin Finley, Raymor, Mo., a first-timer to Chiefs camp claims to be the oldest Chiefs fan watching the practices and at age 88, he just might be. Here with one of his sons, Mike, of Overland Park, Kan., they watched from underneath the bleachers as so many fans do just to avoid the heat.  Both father and son have interesting ties to why they love the Chiefs; Melvin’s other son is married to the daughter of former Chiefs player and Hall of Famer, Dave Hill.  Hill played with the Chiefs from 1963-75. Mike was at one of the longest games in NFL history; it was six and a half quarters of sheer football, where the Chiefs played Miami and unfortunately lost. There is no turning back for these gentleman; they will be die-hard Chiefs fans until the end of time.

Extra, Extra...

Defensive end Jimmy Wilkerson was the first player on the field this afternoon. He could be seen limbering up by running in place and also had a boxing match with a field dummy.

In an after-practice press conference, Head Coach Herm Edwards noted that "we had a shorter pratice this afternoon. Starting tomorrow through Wednesday it's going to be tough sledding for these guys. We need to find out about some of the guys on this football team." Running back Priest Holmes was also a hot topic. Herm Edwards addressed questions regarding Holmes by saying, "He's here to see where he's at. He finds himself in a situation where his body and mind felt like he wanted." Holmes has been out of football for 22 months now; a return is going to be tough. He has already brought lots of attention to camp. Edwards commented that Holmes would have to earn his way on the team just like everyone else, but was excited to sit down and talk with him. Those expecting Holmes to take a hit during training camp in River Falls will most likely be sorely disappointed. Holmes said, “The pads will probably not come on within the next three weeks. This will be a time for me to basically train, to kind of build a base and allow myself and our strength Coach Cedric [Smith] to build a platform on which to put the pads on.”

Concessions stand worker Tressa Gustafson said that today’s best-selling items were visors and hats. Most fans sported head coverings in order to beat the heat, and at least five gentlemen chose to forego their shirts.

Immediately following practice today was a brief autograph session including safety Greg Wesley, quarterback Brodie Croyle, wide receiver Samie Parker, and Head Coach Herm Edwards. Defensive end Jared Allen was also signing autographs and gave a happy little Chiefs fan his sweatband.

Six Chiefs spent extra time after practice working on their hands, despite having faced the hot sun throughout the practice session. Working on the jugs were wide receivers Chris Hannon, Brent Little, Titus Ryan, and cornerback Justin Phinisee. Each player took about 45 catches ranging from 3 to 8 yards.

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).