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Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007: Training Camp News

Some 195 fans showed loyalty to the Chiefs at this afternoon’s practice despite 91 degree heat. A welcome wind blew in from the west north-west at 12 miles per hour, gusting to 18 miles per hour. The dew point was 55, and humidity was down to 30 percent.

Offense

It was a light practice for the Chiefs today rep-wise, but slacking off was not a part of it. A hot and muggy climate did not stop the players from playing with intensity throughout the practice session.

Chiefs first-round draft pick wide receiver Dwayne Bowe could be seen running sprints and drills with a member of the strength and conditioning staff this afternoon. Bowe has previously practiced with a squad of other players including running back Priest Holmes, but split off to be the only player practicing within the stadium itself today.

No practice is practice without warm-up drills, and as they have everyday, the Chiefs started practice with position specific drills. Quarterbacks gave hand-offs, pitches and outlets to receivers who ran through schemes without defenders. Tight ends Keith Willis, Mike Pinkard and Michael Allan each zigzagged around five cones and took an underhand pitch from an assistant coach. The line went 3-on-4. Four linemen with pads faced three linemen without pads as they worked on moving as a unit and locating the defense for the block. Ball carriers focused on the short run game. They ran from the end zone across the five-yard line ( marked with a blue rope) for flats to the middle and took outlets from quarterback Jeff Terrell when he joined the group. Receivers were all about sprinting, stutter-stepping and stopping when they worked the sideline to get open for a pass from the middle of the field. Running routes from the middle out to the sideline was another approach the pass catchers attended to.

After warming up, the offense used both ends of the field for a one-on-one drill in the red zone. Quarterbacks Jeff Terrell and Casey Printers paired up on one end and quarterbacks Brodie Croyle and Damon Huard on the other. One offensive player battled one defender; the object was for the offensive player to make a move to get open for a mid-range pass from the quarterback and for the defensemen to cover the pass and keep the offensive player out of the end zone. Players were enthusiastic on the sideline and enjoyed hassling one another. Head Coach Herm Edwards observed the drill and pulled defenders off to the sides to give them instruction on how they could improve their cover technique. “Oh no, no, no, no, no,” said Edwards as running back Kolby Smith got around tackle George Batiste on a run down the left sideline for a touchdown during the last rep of the play

Two sessions of 11-on-11 was broken up by one session of a 5-on-7 drill in the red zone. Quarterback Damon Huard led the first unit and took 15 snaps during 11-on-11 and got 9 reps in during 5-on-7. Huard was 8-12 in passing on the 11-on-11 and 7-8 on the 5-on-7. Defensive end Jared Allen intercepted on of Huard’s passes that was intended for wide receiver Samie Parker on the left side of the field. Safety Bernard Pollard tried to rip the ball out of wide receiver Rod Gardner’s hands with no success after Gardner caught an on-the-money pass from Huard that was sent 12 yards down the right sideline. Gardner created separation between him and Pollard for the pass and put the Chiefs at what would be the plus-two yardline if it had been a game.

Quarterback Brodie Croyle led the second unit for 16 reps during the 11-on-11 and five during the 5-on-7 drill. Croyle was 7-10 in passing for 11-on-11 and was 4-5 during the 5-on-7 drill. Croyle threw one interception when cornerback Michael Bragg stepped in front of wide receiver Titus Ryan on a mid-range pass to the right sideline. Croyle's drive seemed lost on the play and sent the ball slightly high. “Geronimo!” was shouted multiple times during the drill to let the players know that they were to pick up the game without the huddle between plays. One of the most well-executed plays of the evening came on a reversal play. Croyle pitched the ball left to running back Marcus O’Keith who then handed the ball to wide receiver Rod Gardner for a short run up the left sideline during 11-on-11. Showing what some would call confidence and others would call crazy, Croyle threw a pass in the midst of three defensemen to wide receiver Brad Ekwerekwu. The 14-yard pass was created off a trips (three players attempting to confuse the defense) on the left side of the line. Quarterback Jeff Terrell got in six reps as a play maker between the two drills and was 4-5 in passing. He handed the ball off once to running back Derrick Ross who carried the ball right; Terrell's incomplete came on a low 13-yard pass to wide receiver Titus Ryan in the middle.

Defense

This afternoon a few players did not practice on the defense under the warm Wisconsin sun. Cornerbacks Patrick Surtain and Ty Law did not suit up, giving some of the younger guys a chance to get some more work in. Cornerbacks Dimitri Patterson and Benny Sapp took the place of Surtain and Law, getting a chance to work against more wide receivers.

The defensive line worked on a drill where they swatted a dummy that was to the right of them, and then charged at a dummy tackling it. Defensive Line Coach Tim Krumrie placed the ball on the grass, and after the players tackled the dummy they covered up the ball.

The team then split up on practice field No.2, where quarterbacks Jeff Terrell and Casey Printer worked on throwing the ball to wide receivers as they were being covered by cornerbacks. On the south side of the field, quarterbacks Damon Huard and Brodie Croyle practiced throwing to running backs, tight ends and fullbacks, while safeties and linebackers attempted to cover them. During this drill, cornerback Justin Phinisee did a good job locking up the receiver. Wide receiver Ean Randolph could not get loose from Phinisee, and by the time he got five yards up the field, and Phinisee had to let go, Terrell would have been sacked.

This afternoon defensive tackle Alfonso Boone was back at his starting right tackle position. Boone played on the first team this practice in replace of Claude ‘Turk’ McBride, who re-joined the second unit. The defensive line did not get to the quarterback as much as they have in past practices. The offensive line had a great job at blocking out the defense.

There were a few outstanding interceptions by the defense in this afternoon’s practice. The first one was made when quarterback Brodie Croyle tried to force the ball to running back Marcus O’Keith at the right pile-on. Croyle only kept his eye on the right side of the field, tipping off the defense where the ball would go. He he faked the ball, bobbing it slightly before throwing in the direction of O’Keith. Cornerback Michael Bragg was able to read the play perfectly, intercepting the ball.

A few plays later, quarterback Damon Huard threw the ball to his left, but the pass was far too low. Defensive end Jared Allen has a great advantage when it comes to tipping passes, with his 6-6 stature. Allen jumped up in the air and caught an interception that was at his waist, taking the ball up the field.

On the last series of practice, the team worked on getting down the field as quickly as they could. The offense marched all the way down to the 5-yardline where they had one final play to get a touchdown. Quarterback Brodie Croyle rifled a pass through the middle of the field, but defensive end Jimmy Wilkerson got his arm up in the air to defect the ball. This play ended the drive, and the defense exited the field saying, “Game over.”

Special Teams

After the drills ended, the special teams unit got a chance to work on practice field No. 2. Kicker Justin Medlock made 4-4 field goals, ranging from about 25 to more than 50 yards.

Fans

Kavin O’Bryan and his wife, Lynell, from Monroe City, Mo., are back in River Falls for the 10th year and are excited to be watching and scouting the Chiefs for their upcoming 2007 NFL season.  The O’Bryan’s make it up to River Falls every year because of the people that they have met and the small-town, quiet atmosphere that River Falls brings.  “As long as the Chiefs come to River Falls, we’ll be coming here for our family vacations,” said Kavin.

Proudly showing off his autographed football, Sam Peterson of Kansas City, Mo., is excited to acquire even more signatures from his favorite team, the Chiefs.  Peterson has been coming to River Falls for 13 years and will continue to come, rain or shine.  His goal is to get every signature from the Chiefs line-up.  It is a big goal, but he is certain with his persistence, he will be able to make it happen.

A self-proclaimed Chiefs fan since birth, Steven Westland of River Falls, originally from Missouri, is excited that the Chiefs come to River Falls for summer training camp.  Westland takes off work just so he can come support "the guys".

Kit Avery Kirksey, 10, from Warrensburg, Mo., is in River Falls this summer for his first time at camp. Kirksey, who was doing an outstanding job this morning helping out with Kid’s Day, enjoyed getting autographs from players such as tight end Tony Gonzalez. Kirksey also plans to attend Family Fun Night tomorrow with his family and hopes to receive more autographs. Some of the highlights of camp for Kirksey include taking pictures with, and meeting players, as well as being able to spend time with his family.

Pam Nelson was at practice today with her husband Rick. The two have been coming to camp for the past seven years, and usually attend during the later half of the summer. Pam feels that it is more intimate when there are fewer fans around. The Nelsons traveled to River Falls for practice all the way from Chicago, Ill. Both are originally from Mo., and are proud to be die-hard Chiefs fans in Bears territory.

Ben and Christie Jeihr, from Wichita, Kan., were at camp this afternoon with their sons Lucas, 6, and Grayden, 8. The family is having a blast at their first ever Chiefs camp, and are enjoying being able to watch the players up close and get autographs. Lucas and Grayden are looking forward to Family Fun Night on Aug. 8, and hope to receive Head Coach Herm Edwards’ autograph, as wells as those of tight end Tony Gonzalez, defensive end Jared Allen, and running back Priest Holmes.

Valeri Chapman from Omaha, Neb., made a solitary journey to Chiefs camp for the first time today. “I’ve always wanted to come to Chiefs camp, and for the last five or six years, I’ve been trying to make it,” said Chapman. “I’m enjoying every minute of it.” Chapman says her husband is not as big a sports fan as she is, and he decided not to accompany her. When asked about her favorite member of the Chiefs, she said, “There’s a lot of new players. I really like [defense end] Jared Allen. I like his style; I like his hustle and the way he plays.” Chapman has also been sampling some of the local fare, and lists River Falls’ Copper Kettle as one of her new favorite restaurants.  

Extra, Extra...

Pizza sticks and frozen lemonade flew off the shelves of the concessions stand at Ramer Field today.  “We sold more than 75 cups of lemonade this afternoon,” said worker and UWRF student Tressa Gustafson. “People should buy more nachos. The cheese is really good.” Gustafson and co-worker Brittany Smith both recommended special Chiefs sunglasses for purchase to fans. The shades, which are available in both youth and adult sizes, are emblazoned with the Chiefs logo in red and gold on the lenses, but look just like regular sunglasses to the wearer’s eyes.

Nicholas Anders, senior electronic technician at UWRF Student Services and Programs, dropped by Ramer Field today with a student employee to set up a stage for tomorrow’s Family Fun Night event.

Defensive end Jared Allen spent a few minutes after practice answering questions about the Chiefs’ defense, his health during camp and mentoring offensive tackle Will Svitek. “I feel like I've been at camp for a few weeks. The body feels good, the legs are tired; the mind is tired but you push through,” commented Allen about how his body is handling stress. When asked about the improvement expected from the defensive line this season, Allen said that games are the real test, but as far as what he as seen at camp there has been huge improvement. As to giving sideline advice to offensive tackle Will Svitek, Allen replied, “I try to give him a little advice. He asks questions and I try to help him out. Will’s a really good player.” Svitek is expected to step in at left tackle while Damion McIntosh is out.

In this afternoon’s press conference, retired Chiefs guard Will Shields spoke to the media. When asked if he missed the game he said, “I miss football; you always do. You always love the sport, and love to be around it.” Although he loves it, he said he does not want to come back. Shields was also asked if he was testing out coaching while he was out there. He replied, “I’m watching coaches right now. You sit and critique everything else and you watch the players and the little nuances of the game. I have interest in different things, coaching, front office, a little bit of everything, but my options are open.”

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).