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Monday, Aug. 13, 2007: Training Camp News

Some 52 fans made the journey to River Falls this morning for a practice that was re-scheduled for 11:15 a.m. A temperature of 82 degrees heated up the field for a lengthy practice which lasted more than two hours. The humidity was 47 percent, with a dew point of 60. Winds were from the southeast at 9 miles per hour.

Offense

It was quiet during the Chiefs' detail-oriented, laid-back practice, showing that the team is winding down camp. Offensive guard Brian Waters, center Casey Wiegmann and wide receivers Dwayne Bowe and Eddie Kennison were followed by a NFL Films crew onto Ramer Field. Quarterbacks Brodie Croyle, Damon Huard and Casey Printers, who took the bulk of the reps with 12, led a 11-on-11 simulation from the plus 30-yardline to get the practice started. Players took their time between reps that emphasized perfecting schemes and plays. Players went through the motions at quarter speed. Wide receiver Dwayne Bowe watched the action from the sidelines; he later got reps during team work. After that, the tempo picked up as the players were encouraged by Head Coach Herm Edwards to “go to work” on position-specific drills.

Running backs imitated protecting the ball on the carry and the line went one-on-one and practiced blocking for the pass; quarterbacks took the ball off of stands and worked on their footwork. Tight ends tried to run off their defenders during a 2-on-1 drill. Each tight end ran a gap between one defender holding a blocking pad and another who gave them a slight hit and curled for a 10-yard pass from an assistant coach. Quarterbacks Jeff Terrell and Brodie Croyle gave hand-offs and outlets to ball carriers while quarterbacks Casey Printers and Damon Huard gave passes to receivers who ran routes toward the middle of the field. A drill that rotated two and three offensive players against seven defensemen took up a short period of the practice and transitioned the team into a 11-on-11 drill. The defensemen were instructed to stay back and give the offense space during the drill.

Quarterback Damon Huard led the first unit during the 11-on-11 drill for 31 reps. He was 16-23 in passing during the half-speed drill against a light defense. Quarterback Brodie Croyle took the snap 20 times and was 12-14 in passing and quarterback Casey Printers led a third squad 11 times and was 8-8 in passing. Wide receiver Dwayne Bowe had a nice catch on a 15-yard pass from Printers to the right sideline. Bowe managed to save the long pass and stretched to complete the pass. Tight end Keith Willis displayed great athleticism when he used his springs to jump for a high, mid-range pass from Croyle to the back right corner of the end zone. Wide receiver Jeff Webb had an impressive one-handed catch on a pass from Huard across left field 15-yards to the sideline. The practice ended after tight end Tony Gonzales twisted his left ankle on a route to the middle. He shook it off and appeared to walk on his ankle fine.

Defense

The defensive was not in pads this practice, so the players were not allowed to hit each other. Whenever a defense can not practice in pads against in offense in pads, the practice is not run at full speed. Considering the team is recovering from a game against the Cleveland Browns this weekend, the team needed another day off from full contact.

The team ran many 5-on-7 drills and 11-on-11 drills during this practice session. The defensive backs worked on staying close and reading wide receivers' breaks on the ball. On a 5-7 play, veteran cornerback Patrick Surtain dropped back in to coverage so the wide receiver would not get past him on the outside. Surtain noticed that quarterback Brodie Croyle was going to his check down, so Surtain made a jump on the ball. Surtain helped with the tackle, as Defensive Backs Coach David Gibbs said, "Good reroute '23'."

The defense got its first training camp look at a very famous play called a 'flea-flicker'. A flea-flicker is where the quarterback hands the ball off to the running back. The running back acts like he is going to take the ball up the middle for a normal run, but instead turns to the quarterback and pitches the ball back to him. The quarterback then looks up field for the hopefully wide-open receiver. During this play in practice today, quarterback Casey Printers was able to find wide receiver Chris Hannon in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown. Even though the play scored for a touchdown, the defensive backs were not burned on the coverage. Cornerback Justin Phinisee and safety Marlon Fair were blanketing Hannon, but the ball was thrown perfectly by Printers. It was positive to see that none of the defensive backs bit too hard on the fake.

During the last part of practice the defense worked on stopping the offensive line before they could score. On the no-huddle drill, just over 1:20 minutes was placed on the Ramer Field game clock. The offense was given only one time-out to work with, while the defense was given two. The best play made by the defensive on this drive was made by safety Bernard Pollard. Quarterback Damon Huard threw a post route to the right sideline to wide receiver Eddie Kennison, which was right on target. Pollard and the ball got to Kennison at the exact same time, and Pollard was able to stick is hands between Kennison's to deflect the ball away. Huard drove the team down near the 30-yard line, but got stalled. Huard was sacked by defensive ends Jimmy Wilkerson and Jared Allen, which sucked the momentum out of the offense. The defensive was able to stop the offense from scoring during the drill.

Special Teams

The special teams unit took to Ramer Field to lead the Chiefs into a two-hour practice session. The unit warmed up with lines drills such as kick backs and high knees starting from the end zone out to the 20-yard line and back; they finished with multiple stationary stretches. Long snapper Jean-Philippe Darche shot out snaps, averaging 15 yards each to punter Dustin Colquitt, while kicker Justin Medlock practiced his approach for kick off. The first drill, run at half speed, focused on kick-off return coverage. Special Teams Coach Mike Priefer instructed players to “keep your leverage” and “find the returner” as they ran the lanes down the field and worked on squeezing in on the ball carrier. A punt return drill ended the unit’s practice. Receivers did not take the ball on the run and there was no rushing or tackling. Wide receivers Samie Parker and Ean Randolph and cornerback Justin Phinisee practiced calling the punt as their teammates searched for someone to block. “Turn and run and find someone to block,” coached Priefer.

Kicker Justin Medlock got a chance to work on his kicking during this practice. Medlock got a little help with the wind at his back, but looked like he did not need the help. Medlock was good from the 30, 35, 41, 47, and 55-yardlines, making each field goal with out a problem. He kicked mostly from the left hash mark and the center of the field. Being able to kick the ball 55-yards was very impressive, especially with such ease.

Fans

UWRF student Brittany Smith, who has been working at concessions this summer during training camp, said she is noticing vast changes at the stand as camp is about to break. Smith said that last Thursday and today were much slower than previous days, and the setup for the concession goes much faster after the past three weeks of camp. Smith also made a reference to the concessions during UWRF hockey games. Smith said, “The camp concessions are similar to hockey games during period breaks, which last 15 minutes. However, we have been busy during the entire practice.”

Sandra Cohen and Colleen Swartz, from Kansas City, Kan., were present today at the second-to-last practice during camp this summer. Cohen and Swartz are at their second camp and enjoy staying in River Falls until the end. Cohen likes the dynamic between the busy phase of camp, as well as the slower-paced last days. Both were at Family Fun Night on Aug. 8 and were thrilled to receive autographs from running back Priest Holmes and Head Coach Herm Edwards. Cohen and Swartz would like to see running back Larry Johnson come back soon, but are glad to have linebacker Donnie Edwards back with the Chiefs.

Michelle Fohyle, 9, from Independence, Mo., was having fun attending camp this morning. Fohyle was glad that camp was held earlier today because her family is leaving to go home this evening. She said, “We had our car packed up to go and stopped for lunch when we saw that camp was earlier, so we were able to watch them practice before we left.” Fohyle loves coming to camp after experiencing it for the first time this summer, and says she can't wait to come back next year.
 

Extra, Extra...

In a post-practice interview, running back Priest Holmes told media members that he was primed and eager to get some field time in soon. Holmes, who has been conditioning with a small group of other players, including first-round draft pick Dwayne Bowe, says he is “ready for all that team stuff. They’ll evaluate my conditioning and status, but I expect by the third pre-season game, I’ll be playing.”

In his second-to-last after-practice press conference at this year’s training camp, Head Coach Herm Edwards fielded questions regarding Saturday’s preseason game against the Cleveland Browns. “We did about the same as we did in last year’s first preseason game, and last year, we made the playoffs. At the end of the day, you’re preparing for the season opener.” Edwards also talked about future practices at Arrowhead Stadium after the team breaks camp at UW-River Falls. “I’ll look into practice times. Some of the practices will be at night. I told them we’re gonna be playing in 100 degree heat; the starters really need to get in some field time. They’re going to be playing a lot this week and next.” When asked about his season roster, Edwards was elusive, and would only comment that he had a “pretty good idea of who the guys are.”

Working the Juggs machine after practice today was cornerback Justin Phinisee and wide receiver Ean Randolph.

Sports Field Manager Andre Bruce was working with equipment assistants today to take the goalposts down from the practice fields. The south goalpost was removed during practice this morning, while the other will be taken down this afternoon.

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).