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Monday, Aug. 6, 2007: Training Camp News

Offense

Running back Priest Holmes was joined by new arrival wide receiver Dwayne Bowe and offensive tackle Chris Terry for a conditioning workout. “Welcome to camp, D-Bowe,” said a fan. “We’ve been waiting for you.” Bowe and Terry warmed up with line drills going down and back 20 yards. High skips, butt kicks and cross-overs were among the exercises used. Holmes used the ladder to work on his foot speed and coordination. Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach Brent Salazar demonstrated multiple routines for Holmes to do with the ladder. Holmes could later be heard grunting with effort as he ran through precision drills with Strength and Conditioning Coach Cedric Smith. After they were done warming up, Bowe and Terry ran the width of the field with short breaks in between each rep. Terry was done after three cycles, but Bowe continued to run seven more times by himself. “Relax. Relax and run, stay relaxed,” instructed Smith.

A 5-on-7 drill broke up two sessions of a 11-on-11 drill. Quarterback Damon Huard came out as the play maker with the first unit for five reps. Huard was 3-5 in passing. Wide receiver Eddie Kennison flashed into the middle of the field from the right sideline to receive a 22-yard pass from Huard without a defender around. Quarterback Brodie Croyle took the snap next, matching takes with Huard. Croyle had one incomplete; he threw a long 30-yard pass across left field that went long and wide of his wide receiver Brent Little. Quarterback Casey Printers threw the ball twice and earned one incomplete on a long pass.

During the 11-on-11 drill, quarterback Damon Huard led the first unit with 17 reps. Huard handed and pitched the ball five times. Running back Michael Bennett carried the ball three of those times; he took it to the right, middle and left of the field. Tight end Kris Wilson took the ball once to the left and running back Marcus O'Keith grabbed a pitch to the right. Huard threw two incompletes; one was on a pass to tight end Tony Gonzalez that was wide and long on the left side line. Huard's second incomplete was on a left outlet to running back Kolby Smith that was tipped out of its route. Huard gave a pass with quick rotation to wide receiver Samier Parker. The 13-yard pass across left field was a little low, but Parker followed it as it headed towards the ground and saved the pass.

Quarterbacks Casey Printers and Jeff Terrell gave passes to the outlet and flats to receivers, not participating in the first session of the drill. The receivers went one-on-one against a defender as they worked to get open for the pass. The Chiefs got a water break at 4:27 p.m. to break up the sessions and briefly worked in the red zone after the action started again.

Quarterback Brodie Croyle took 15 snaps and handed the ball off seven times. Running backs Kolby Smith and Derrick Ross shared the carriers. Croyle had four interceptions; two of those were mistakes of tight end Michael Allan. The ball ricocheted off of Allan’s arm on a right outlet pass from Croyle and another was on a 8-yard pass to the right side of the field in which there was double coverage on Allan; the ball slipped from his hands. Croyle gave a 22-yard pass across left field to wide receiver Jeff Webb that if Croyle would have been playing darts, it would have been a bull's-eye. Webb did a good job of keeping cornerback Marcus Maxey on his outside during the play. A couple reps later, wide receiver Ean Randolph took an left outlet pass from Croyle and then continued for a short run up the left sideline, where he took a few hard knocks. Randolph showed he is not afraid to play rough and took the hits with grace.

Wide receiver Maurice Price took a hit from the front and was knocked flat on his back during a rep of the drill. He laid on the ground for a few minutes, then got up holding his arms. He was attended to by Chiefs personnel on the sideline. Offensive tackle Damion McIntosh was hurt early in the drill. He was pushed down on a pile of players and laid there, holding his right knee long after the play concluded. McIntosh was taken off the field on a cart. There has been no word on the conditions of Price or McIntosh as of yet.

Defense

In this afternoon’s practice, the players took the field it pads, after only wearing spiders in the morning. They worked on stretching and drills to open up practice. Defensive tackle Alfonso Boone worked with the defense with shoulder pads and a helmet, but no pads below his waist. Boone worked on all of the drills with Defensive Line Coach Tim Krumrie and Boone looked just as fast as the other guys even though he has been out for a week. Boone was kept out because of a hand injury, only doing running exercises most of last week. He did not participate in the 11-on-11 or 7-on-7 drills today, but looks like he is getting better.

During this practice, Defensive Coordinator Gunther Cunningham was more vocal than usual, possibly even louder than earsplitting Assistant Coach Tim Krumrie. Cunningham berated his group of players for not finishing plays hard enough and not wrapping players up. Safety Jarrad Page got an earful from Cunningham. Cunningham yelled, “No over running it, wrap him up!”

There were numerous good plays by the defense this afternoon. Defensive end Jared Allen made an excellent play when he rushed around the tackle, got an arm free, and tipped the ball thrown by quarterback Damon Huard.

On another play during the 11-on-11 drill, safety Greg Wesley stepped in front of the wide receiver and intercepted the ball. This interception never would have happened if it was not for a rush by defensive end Montez Murphy on the outside. Murphy got around the end and put a hand in quarterback Casey Printers' face. Printers panicked and threw the ball off his back foot and missed his target.

During the 7-on-7 drill, the defense still continued to make good plays. Safety Jarrad Page continued his excellent interception rate at training camp with another one during the drill. He was able to win a jump ball and snag the ball thrown by quarterback Damon Huard.

Defensive Coordinator Gunther Cunningham seemed angry at the defense again during the second set of 11-on-11 drills which took place at 4:45 p.m. On the play safety Bernard Pollard was confused on the formation that was called by linebacker Napoleon Harris. A lot of the players were looking around, unsure knowing what formation was called. When the ball was snapped, tight end Tony Gonzalez did a short slant route and made an easy catch. On the next play, Cunningham yelled out to his defense, “Don’t get confused!” To that, Harris said, “I never get confused.” On the sidelines when the second team went in, linebackers Napoleon Harris, Derrick Johnson and Donnie Edwards discussed what formation should have been called on the previous play.

Special Teams

Today the special teams unit worked on the punt return. Punter Dustin Colquitt took the ball about 40 yards down field with each rep to receivers, who waited in the end zone. Wide receivers Samie Parker and Ean Randolph, cornerbacks Justin Phinisee and Benny Sapp, and safety Bernard Pollard were among those players who practiced locating and calling the punt for the catch. The drill focused on coverage for the punt return. “Be physical. Let’s go,” said Special Teams Coach Mike Priefer during the drill. “Pick up the ball. There’s the returner.” Ball carriers did not run with the ball; there were no hits. Players defending the return practiced squeezing in on the ball carrier.

Kicker Justin Medlock set up for five field goals during the practice session. He was 5-5, kicking three from the right hash and two from the left. He started about the 20-yard line and worked his way back to the 45.

Fans

The Woodrow family from Leawood, Kan., traveled to Chiefs camp for their fourth year today. Joe, his wife Karen, their son Eric, 12, and daughter Madison, 8, lined the rail near the center practice field’s goal post. “We wanted to wait until the kids were old enough to appreciate being here,” said Karen. Eric hung back, hoping to catch a field goal from kicker Justin Medlock. Madison, who takes dance lessons at home, says she wants to be a Chiefs cheerleader when she grows up. “They’re really pretty and really good dancers,” said Madison. "I wish they came to camp." The family plans to be in River Falls all week and to attend Family Fun Night on Aug. 8.

Cory Zentner, a recent UWRF grad and former Punt, Pass, & Kick volunteer, was at practice today for the second time. Zentner enjoys stopping by camp each summer to be able to watch an NFL team. Some of the highlights at camp for Zentner include seeing running back Priest Holmes and the die-hard Chiefs fans. Zentner also mentioned that if he is still around, he plans to attend more summer training camps as long as the Chiefs keep coming back.

Michelle and John Cahoj, from Hoxie, Kan., are celebrating their fourth year in a row at camp this summer. The Cahojs love coming to camp each summer because they are able to see friends that they have met over years, and think of it as a reunion. They also enjoy coming to River Falls because they can relax and simply enjoy football. The Cahojs love all of the players, but list running back Priest Holmes, wide receiver Eddie Kennison and safety Bernard Pollard as some of their favorites. The Cahojs said they love getting autographs at practice, and have received many over the years, but feel that shaking the players hands and wishing them good luck is more exciting. Celebrating their 29th wedding anniversary on Aug. 13, the Cahojs love being together at camp and would like to say hi to all of the Hoxie Chiefs fans, especially the Niermeiers and "Mom and Dad".

Brianna and Mathew Pontske, ages 11 and 9 respectively, were at practice today with their dad Jim. The Pontskes traveled to River Falls from Olathe, Kan., on Saturday to catch the Chiefs/Vikings practice and plan to stay until the end of the week. The Pontskes visited camp for their second summer in a row, and are looking forward to Family Fun Night on this coming Wednesday. Some of the players that Brianna and Mathew hope to receive autographs from include tight end Tony Gonzalez, running back Priest Holmes and linebacker Donnie Edwards. Mathew, who hopes to be an NFL football player in the future, enjoys watching the team practice live, and getting an overall feel for what training camp is like.

Jeff Oxford of River Falls came out to watch the Chiefs afternoon practice. Oxford, accompanied by his chocolate lab Tide, were enjoying watching football while both sipped on some water from the concession stand.  Although coming to watch practice was not in the cards initially when they started their walk, Oxford said, “I’m glad we came to watch.  I’ve lived in River Falls for almost 13 years and this is my first time coming to watch the Chiefs practice; it is a pretty neat experience,” said Oxford.

Carol Thies from Olathe, Kan., is back in River Falls with her husband for their 10h tyear to watch the Chiefs practice.  The pair almost did not come up at all, but at the last minute decided they had to.  “We’re Chiefs fans through and through.  We’re season ticket holders,” said Carol. Besides watching some awesome football, the Thies’ also enjoy going antiquing and sight-seeing.

Extra, Extra...

A van from Missouri decorated in Chiefs red and gold was displayed under the trees surrounding Ramer Field at this afternoon’s practice. The van’s hood was emblazoned with the words, “Go Chiefs!” and it featured two large Kansas City arrowhead logos with flames on each side. The vehicle also was imprinted on its back door, letting all those seeing it from behind know it was “Bud’s Tailgate Wagon”. Bud must have been tailgating elsewhere, however; the van was bereft of an owner, though many families took pictures with it.

Wide receiver Dwayne Bowe had a warm welcome by some of his teammates today. Fellow wide receiver Eddie Kennison escorted Bowe to one of the goal posts where plastic wrap, duct tape, and a cooler of ice and blue Gatorade awaited.  Kennison bound Bowe to the goal post with the plastic wrap, but was unsatisfied, so he also duct-taped him for reassurance that he would not escape. “I love you Eddie, c’mon Eddie,” said Bowe, pleading to be tied more loosely. "You're cutting off my circulation." Fullback Boomer Grigsby and running back Michael Bennett hoisted up the cooler and poured it slowly over Bowe. Bowe answered the ice shower, saying “Woo.. it feels refreshing.”  As reporters and team members walked away, Kennison said jokingly, “Anyone cuts him lose, they’re next; only this time they’re going to be taped to the inside of a trash can.”

In an interview after practice, defensive end Tamba Hali spoke about how he was in his second year with the team, and his second year under the same strategy, methods, and system. Hali said, “I’m mentally there, I know what I’m doing. I'm not making as much mistakes as I made last year.” Hali was asked how much better the defensive tackles are this year. Hali replied by saying, “We have four guys that can push it [the offensive line] back, and if the quarterback steps up, he will step into them [defensive tackles], but if he backs up Jared [Allen] and I will be coming off the edges.” Hali was also asked about the possibility of himself or defensive end Claude 'Turk' McBride playing defensive tackle. Hali said he would "in certain defenses, but mostly Turk will do it. He’s got the size; he plays really well. They want me to be more flexible standing, instead of moving down there.”

Working the sleds after practice today were tight ends Jason Dunn and Mike Pinkard. Wide receiver Samie Parker practiced receiving the ball from the Juggs machine.

Running back Kolby Smith laid his arm across the shoulder of linebacker Nate Harris as they walked engaged in conversation to the Chiefs locker room after practice.

Defensive end Claude 'Turk' McBride took some time after practice to discuss his relationship with fellow teammate defensive tackle DeMarcus Tyler. “We bond off the field pretty well and we bond on the field pretty well,” said McBride. “We plan on being around here for a long period of time, so we kind of need to know it other.” McBride went on to explain that going through their first training camp together has been beneficial for both him and Tyler as they can discuss their questions with one another and help each other out. When asked about his expectations for the preseason game versus Cleveland on Saturday, McBride shared his excitement saying, “It’s a true test for me as a player; this is one of my dreams.”

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).