|Zach|
05-02-2005, 05:45 AM
http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2005/05/02/gretz_postcards_from_rookie_camp/
Thoughts, reflections and info that came from the Chiefs rookie mini-camp over Friday/Saturday/Sunday at the Truman Sports Complex. The first practice for the 40-plus players was inside, but they got outside on the weekend and it was a nice little reminder of what football was all about. There were no pads, just shorts, practice jerseys and helmets … pajamas is what Dick Vermeil called them. But it was football.
And, the lack of pads didn’t stop the young guys from getting after it in each of the sessions. Considering the fact that many of them were probably getting their last chance to make an impression on the NFL and continue their football careers, it was no surprise that the intensity went up each day.
Here’s what we saw and what we learned.
GUNTHER’S OUT OF THE BOX: Not much has been heard from the Chiefs defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham since the end of last season. Now that the off-season moves have been completed, Gun is talking again and he dropped this little nugget on Saturday. He’s coming out of the coaching box and will coordinate the defense on game day from the sidelines.
He wants to be among the players during the game, where he might be able to provide a bit of motivation, so to speak. It’s one thing to put on a head set and listen to Gunther yell in your ear. It’s another when he’s right in front of you, spitting fire and brimstone.
One thing however: the worst seat in the house is on the sidelines during a game. Unless he gets somebody in the booth who can give him the information he wants, in a timely manner, then this move may be short-lived.
QUARTERBACKS STRUGGLE: The media ranks at camp were swollen by reporters from Oklahoma, there to document Jason White’s opportunity with the Chiefs. Ironically, the only other quarterback in camp was another Oklahoma product, seventh-round draft choice James Kilian from the University of Tulsa.
Neither distinguished themselves in the three workouts and it’s unlikely that White will get a contract offer from the Chiefs. Being a draft choice, Kilian will get a chance to show more of his abilities in May and June when he can come back and work with the full team.
SOME INTERESTING CORNERBACKS: The group of young corners was topped by draft choice Alphonso Hodge and free agent Gabriel Helms out of NW Missouri State. Both showed some of the abilities that drew the attention of the Chiefs.
So did two other young corners: Tony Tiller from East Tennessee state and Justin Perkins out of Connecticut. Tiller was in this rookie camp last year and suffered a foot injury which iced him for the whole football season. He’s been given another chance and he showed some ability. Perkins went undrafted and could find himself with a chance to go to River Falls.
LOOKING AT THE EARLY DRAFT PICKS: It takes all of about 10 seconds of watching LB Derrick Johnson move around the football field to see that he’s physically gifted. Excellent speed and good reactions … Punter Dustin Colquitt got off a punt on Saturday with 5.61 seconds of hang time. His kicks are very high. The Chiefs liked what they saw … WR Craphonso Thorpe was unimpressive and never flashed his speed. There might have been too much thinking going on there … LB Boomer Grigsby did not disappoint, as his personality came through. The Chiefs won’t get serious about covering punts and kicks until training camp when the pads go on. That should be some show with Boomer.
One more draft pick note: there were three altercations in the last two practices and sixth-round pick T Will Svitek was in the middle of all three. More on Svitek coming on Wednesday.
The opinions offered in this column do not necessarily reflect those of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Thoughts, reflections and info that came from the Chiefs rookie mini-camp over Friday/Saturday/Sunday at the Truman Sports Complex. The first practice for the 40-plus players was inside, but they got outside on the weekend and it was a nice little reminder of what football was all about. There were no pads, just shorts, practice jerseys and helmets … pajamas is what Dick Vermeil called them. But it was football.
And, the lack of pads didn’t stop the young guys from getting after it in each of the sessions. Considering the fact that many of them were probably getting their last chance to make an impression on the NFL and continue their football careers, it was no surprise that the intensity went up each day.
Here’s what we saw and what we learned.
GUNTHER’S OUT OF THE BOX: Not much has been heard from the Chiefs defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham since the end of last season. Now that the off-season moves have been completed, Gun is talking again and he dropped this little nugget on Saturday. He’s coming out of the coaching box and will coordinate the defense on game day from the sidelines.
He wants to be among the players during the game, where he might be able to provide a bit of motivation, so to speak. It’s one thing to put on a head set and listen to Gunther yell in your ear. It’s another when he’s right in front of you, spitting fire and brimstone.
One thing however: the worst seat in the house is on the sidelines during a game. Unless he gets somebody in the booth who can give him the information he wants, in a timely manner, then this move may be short-lived.
QUARTERBACKS STRUGGLE: The media ranks at camp were swollen by reporters from Oklahoma, there to document Jason White’s opportunity with the Chiefs. Ironically, the only other quarterback in camp was another Oklahoma product, seventh-round draft choice James Kilian from the University of Tulsa.
Neither distinguished themselves in the three workouts and it’s unlikely that White will get a contract offer from the Chiefs. Being a draft choice, Kilian will get a chance to show more of his abilities in May and June when he can come back and work with the full team.
SOME INTERESTING CORNERBACKS: The group of young corners was topped by draft choice Alphonso Hodge and free agent Gabriel Helms out of NW Missouri State. Both showed some of the abilities that drew the attention of the Chiefs.
So did two other young corners: Tony Tiller from East Tennessee state and Justin Perkins out of Connecticut. Tiller was in this rookie camp last year and suffered a foot injury which iced him for the whole football season. He’s been given another chance and he showed some ability. Perkins went undrafted and could find himself with a chance to go to River Falls.
LOOKING AT THE EARLY DRAFT PICKS: It takes all of about 10 seconds of watching LB Derrick Johnson move around the football field to see that he’s physically gifted. Excellent speed and good reactions … Punter Dustin Colquitt got off a punt on Saturday with 5.61 seconds of hang time. His kicks are very high. The Chiefs liked what they saw … WR Craphonso Thorpe was unimpressive and never flashed his speed. There might have been too much thinking going on there … LB Boomer Grigsby did not disappoint, as his personality came through. The Chiefs won’t get serious about covering punts and kicks until training camp when the pads go on. That should be some show with Boomer.
One more draft pick note: there were three altercations in the last two practices and sixth-round pick T Will Svitek was in the middle of all three. More on Svitek coming on Wednesday.
The opinions offered in this column do not necessarily reflect those of the Kansas City Chiefs.