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Monday, July 30, 2007: Training Camp News

A cool breeze blew from the south at eight miles per hour this morning at Chiefs camp. The temperature was 79 degrees, with humidity at 47 percent and a dew point of 61. 182 fans lined the railings of the practice fields at the Athletic Complex and Ramer Field.

Offense

It was a slow start to practice for the fully-padded Chiefs this morning, Practice began with the kick-off crew. They ran through defensive coverage as a Juggs machine kicked out balls from the 30-yard line, to the end zone, and to receivers.  Kicker Justin Medlock worked on his approach and onside kicks. Special Teams Coach Mike Priefer ran the crew through multiple scenarios like when to take the knee, as well as how to cover up the ball after an on-side kick. “Let’s go men. Let’s get better today,” said Priefer as he fired up the crew. Wide receiver Jeff Webb, tight ends Kris Wilson and Michael Allan, corner backs Benny Sapp and Justin Phinisee, and defensive end Chris Harris were on the field for multiple reps.

The offense spared no time splitting up for position and one-on-one drills to start the practice full of running. The line hit the sled for 10 yards each rep, and they pushed the sled the length of the field. The quarterbacks worked behind them, taking snaps and handing off to running backs who ran around alternating corners for 10 yards. Wide receivers took 10-yard outlet passes from assistant coaches as they rehearsed splitting defenders to get open for the pass. Receivers also took some time with their footwork; they practiced shortening their steps on passes to the sidelines. After that, the line got rough with one another while working on its blocking technique against pads. Fullbacks and running backs also faced blocking pads as they caught 5-yard flats from quarterback Jeff Terrell. The nickel drill had quarterbacks and wide receivers working on passes to the flats and outlets. Four receivers went out for the ball 10-20 yards as one quarterback and three assistant coaches threw out balls to each receiver. Quarterbacks Damon Huard, Brodie Croyle, and Casey Printers rotated each throw.

The offense could feel the pressure from the defense in a nine-on-seven drill designed to work on picking up first-downs at third and ten. Nine defensemen took on the offensive line. The emphasis was on the run game; quarterback Damon Huard got three reps, quarterback Brodie Croyle got six and quarterback Casey Printers got four. Rookie running back Kolby Smith ran the ball with authority. Smith drove off defenders on a 12-yard blazing run up the middle on a hand-off from Huard. Head Coach Herm Edwards was pleased to see the potential in the rookie, “Way to run the ball No. 21!” he shouted.  Running back Derrick Ross had trouble keeping the ball off the ground during the drill; he fumbled twice. ‘I saw the same thing this spring,” yelled Edwards, “We knew it was going to happen.”

There was plenty of helmet clashing and pad smacking to end the practice with an 11-on-11 drill. Quarterback Damon Huard was 6-9. Huard’s three incompletes came on a 18-yard short pass, which was a 43-yard left-side line pass intercepted by safety Jarred Page and a low pass to the right for 15-yards; both were intended for wide receiver Chris Hannon.  Quarterback Brodie Croyle was 10-10, throwing five passes and giving five hand-offs. Croyle gave the ball mostly to running backs Michael Bennett and Kolby Smith and wide receiver Eddie Kennison. Croyle almost went down when he slipped on the grass on a curl to the right, but he recovered to get a 18-yard pass to wide receiver Samie Parker on the sideline. Croyle showed that he is not afraid to block when he followed Kennison down the left for a 18-yard run. Although Croyle was not allowed to block due to coaches orders, he was available when he was needed on the field.

Defense

It was another beautiful morning in River Falls, Wis. as the Chiefs practice intensified further. Today's practiced started a little bit earlier with stretches and the normal morning drills. The defensive backs were the last one off the first field as the whole team converged to the third field at 9:30 a.m.

The defense then worked on changing the call at the line, depending on who went in motion. During camp it's important to work on these drills, come game time if a team puts someone in motion, he could be left wide open for an easy touchdown. Rookie end Claude McBride worked with the first team, a change from his normal second line duties. The second defensive line included tackles Ron Edwards and James Reed, end Jimmy Wilkerson, and linebacker Kendrell Bell. Bell mostly practiced dropping back in to coverage or faking the blitz on the right side. This drill is mostly for linebackers and the defensive line; the defensive backs were able to take a break.

At 9:45 the 11-on-11 began, noticeably more physical then any of the previous practices. Although they weren't tackling each other they were hitting and wrapping up harder, with the occasional knock downs. McBride did an excellent job on stuffing the middle, when he stopped running back Marcus O'Keith.

Both quarterbacks Damon Huard and Brodie Croyle worked on their hard counts, getting both the offense and defensive lines to flinch. Croyle's hard count got defensive tackles James Reed and Patrice Majondo-Mwamba to jump off-sides, angering coaches.

Along with being the hardest hitting practiced, there were also more turnovers then any other practice. Rookie fullback Gilbert Harris and running back running back Marcus O'Keith both fumbled the ball. Harris' got hit in the middle of the field by three different players causing the ball to pop loose, but the offense was able to recover. A shout came from a coach, "That's what you did in the spring; put the ball on the ground." O'Keith fumbled the ball in a similar location on the field, but cornerback Justin Phinisee dove on the ball making a huge play. Phinisee is trying to make an impression to make this team, either on special teams or as a backup cornerback.

Another outstanding play was an interception made by safety Jarrad Page. The 43-yard pass thrown by Huard was a jump ball that Page got in front of. He used his jumping abilities and his soft hands to pick the ball out of the air. Page made a good return on the play with the help of linebacker Napoleon Harris and defensive end Jared Allen blocking in front of him.

The crowd roared when linebacker Donnie Edwards tripped up running back Kolby Smith. The crowd reacted to how hard Smith hit the ground on the play sliding face first on the grass.

Defensive backs coach David Gibbs harped on rookie cornerback Tyron Brackenridge for only using his arms to tackle, when he should have been wrapping and driving. Gibbs later yelled at Brackenridge for not breaking up a screen.

The offense seemed to be working on more slants and out routes down the side lines this morning. From yesterday the run defensive looked to improve, but the pass defense wasn't as great, minus the interception.

Fans

Jarren Reinhart from Diamond, Mo., is here for the first time with his father to watch the Kansas City Chiefs Summer Training Camp.  Father and son are excited to be up in River Falls. They have been trying for years to get up this way, not only to support their favorite team but to visit some friends that live a mile outside of town. The Missouri natives going to watch some Chiefs football, and take in a great game of baseball - the Minnesota Twins are set to play the Kansas City Royals at the Metrodome in Minneapolis.

Ian Wolf, 11, and younger brother Isiah, 6, from Des Moines, Io., are up in River Falls watching their all-time favorite NFL football team, the Chiefs.  These youngsters have been fans for as long as they can remember.Their father, Evan, said “My kids grew up Chief.  I was raised in St. Louis, Mo., My father was a Chiefs fan and I’m sure so was his father. We’ll always be Chiefs fans.”  Visiting River Falls for the first time at training camp, it will for sure not be their last.  “We’ve already made plans to come back next year if the camp is still in River Falls,” said Wolf.

Bill and Mary Fairgauld of Bloomington, Minn., are excited to be in River Falls for the first time and are enjoying watching real NFL athletes “less then 20 feet away.”  The pair decided to take a day off from work and make the 45-minute drive to see what all the hype was about. “This is really exciting being out here.  We definitely want to bring our grandkids to Family Fun Night and we hope to try and make it on Saturday for when the Chiefs play the Vikings,” said Mary.  Though originally Vikings fans, the Fairgaulds may be wearing gold and red very shortly.

Bob and Shelia Kaihai from Minneapolis, Minn., were at practice today for their third time. Originally from Kansas City, Kan., the Kaihai’s are huge Chiefs fans and are delighted to see linebacker Derrick Johnson and cornerback Ty Law. Other favorite players include running backs Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson. Bob and Shelia love coming to River Falls each summer because the people and fans are nice and friendly.

Jason and Brad Johnson are excited to be at their first time of training camp in River Falls this summer. Jason, 12, and Brad, 17, traveled from Overland Park, Kan., to see their favorite team up close and personal. Brad and Jason also hope to receive autographs from their favorite players, including linebacker Derrick Johnson, defensive end Jared Allen, and quarterback Brodie Croyle.

Daniel and Aimee Kumm, from Woodstock, Ill., are enjoying their first time at camp this summer. The Kumms are also joined by family members Allan and June Kumm, from Platteville, Mo., and Stu, Elizabeth, Michael, Wesley, and Kristia Lantz, from Kansas City, Kan. Twins Elizabeth and Michael, 10, and Wesley, 12, are excited to see their favorite players including quarterback Brodie Croyle, tight end Tony Gonzalez, wide receiver Sammie Parker, running back Michael Bennett, and wide receiver Eddie Kennison. While Elizabeth is disappointed that quarterback Trent Green is gone, she is delighted to have linebacker Donnie Edwards back. Stu, who remembers watching the Chiefs practice at William Jewell in Liberty, Mo. as a kid, is once again enjoying watching the players close up at practice. The two families hope to see Head Coach Herm Edwards take the Chiefs further and get them to Super Bowl XLII.

Rob and Nancy Mitchell were at the Chiefs morning practice today with sons Brady, 12, and Mike, 8. The Mitchells, who from Kansas City, Mo., are in River Falls for their second camp. The family is planning on attending Family Fun Night on Aug. 8, and hope to receive autographs from players such as quarterback Brodie Croyle, linebacker Derrick Johnson and tight end Tony Gonzalez. When asked about their favorite part of camp, Rob replied, “The people are great and we love being able to watch the team closely, and hear all the calls from Head Coach [Herm] Edwards.”

Extra, Extra...

Over 60 fans lined the fence of Field No. 1 to watch the Chiefs' defense in action.  Though only practicing fumble recoveries, the fans were cheering and snapping pictures of their favorites as if they were taking in a game at Arrowhead.  Not doubt about it, these fans are one of a kind.

Mark Aumann, aide to U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, took time to visit Chiefs camp today. He was the guest of UWRF Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance Mary Halada and Mark Kinders, director of public affairs.

Working on the jugs after practice today was cornerback Justin Phinisee and defensive end Cluade McBride.

Fans were excited to get autographs after this morning’s practice from wide receivers Chris Hannon and Jeff Webb, safeties Chad Williams, and Jarrad Page, linebackers Rich Scanlon, and Keyaron Fox, cornerback Marcus Maxey, tackle Will Svitek, center Rudy Niswanger, guard Tre Stallings, and running back Colby Smith.

Head Coach Herm Edwards gave the press 12 minutes after practice, during which he talked about what he says is the hardest week of training camp for the Chiefs. “Obviously if you're not going to participate against another opponent before the first preseason game, this is the toughest week. Players get a little agitated,” he explained. Edwards also discussed the live play during practice and the improvement the team needs to make in keeping the ball off the ground. “We’re putting the ball on the ground too much, we can’t do that. Last year the football team put the ball on the ground 25 times, that’s almost one a game. That’s too many," said Edwards. Among other topics discussed were the quarterback competition. When asked if he has noticed if he has seen a difference in quarterbacks Damon Huard and Brodie Croyle this far into camp, Edwards replied, “Not really…more and more will find out. We’re going to see some separation. We’ll have to make a decision once we get to the pre-season.” Edwards told the press what he likes about running back Kolby Smith when asked about Smith’s solid performance at camp. He said that Smith has great vision, speed, and is what he called “a no-nonsense runner.” Edwards' personal relationship with defensive end Jared Allen was mentioned, and he talked about how Allen has grown up and improved. Edwards said Allen has a duty to give something back to the league and to young players, and that Allen wants to be a voice for being a responsible citizen and football player.

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).