Q&A DV 7-29 and Q&A Grigsby
 

Q&A with DICK VERMEIL
Jul 29, 2005, 6:16:25 AM


TRAINING CAMP


Q: Tell us about the first day of practice.

VERMEIL: “It went alright. It started slow and got better as soon as we competed against each other in things other than drills. It got better. Typical first day.

Q: Why weren’t the injured players practicing?

VERMEIL: “They haven’t passed a physical yet. We’re going to work them out now independently with our trainers. If they work out fine and feel good after the workout then they’ll be on the field tomorrow and they’ll get clearance. Right now they are physically unable to perform until they pass this next stage.”

Q: Did Will Shields tweak something?

VERMEIL: “No, just taking it real slow with him. His back was bothering him a little bit so we’re going to very patient with his preparation.”

Q: You’re planning on being patient and slow with a lot of these guys in this camp, aren’t you?

VERMEIL: “Well with the two seasoned players especially, Willie Roaf and Will Shields. And then from time to time a few other guys. But we’ll really monitor their work.”

Q: What can you tell us about CB Dewayne Washington?

VERMEIL: “He was out there. We had a space and a locker open and we brought him in. He’s played a lot of football, he’s had a great career. He was a number one pick at one time. I think he’s started about 160 games in his career. We had a spot and he was available so we gave him a chance.”

Q: Was the Washington signing in reaction to CB Eric Warfield’s four-game suspension?

VERMEIL: “That influences a lot of things. It also increases competition. He’s got the experience to line up and play. He lined up and played against us in Jacksonville – and they beat us. So that’s why he’s here.”

Q: Would you talk about CB Dexter McCleon working opposite CB Patrick Surtain?

VERMEIL: “I’ve said it all along that I have tremendous confidence in him and I believe he’s physically, mentally and emotionally prepared to have a great training camp and a great season. I think if he gets back to where he was the season before last and we do the right things with him and he does what he’s capable of doing he’ll play very well and it’ll be tough to replace him when Eric (Warfield) comes back.”

Q: Did you promise Warfield his job back when he returns from suspension?

VERMEIL: “You don’t promise those things, but normally guys don’t lose their jobs due to injuries or in this situation suspension, but it gives somebody a heck of an advantage on you to get all the work. We can’t work Eric with all the reps that he would normally get to help him prepare. So he’s got to be very disciplined on his own and really work the drill work and take advantage of each rep when he does get one.”

Q: Can you talk about how WR Freddie Mitchell did today?

VERMEIL: “He did a good job today. He caught a few balls. I was pleased. I thought he did a good job.”

Q: How helpful with the new locker room and training facilities be for the team?

VERMEIL: “I think it’s great for the attitude of the players. It also shows that this school and the State of Wisconsin respects the Kansas City Chiefs. They treat them like a pro football team and put them in facilities that are equivalent to a pro football team. It’s really nice.”

Q: Is that to say the State of Missouri doesn’t?

VERMEIL: “I don’t know. I don’t what the State of Missouri does. I’ve never seen their facilities other than at Arrowhead and they need a lot of work. It’ll happen. Missouri is first class. It’ll have to happen, this is pro football.”

Q: Is it a challenge integrating all the new players on defense?

VERMEIL: “I don’t think that’s as big of a problem. It’s easy to write about and talk about, but I don’t think that’s as big of a problem. There are so many OTAs, mini-camps, meetings and all that kind of stuff. We lined up today and practiced today as if we’ve been practicing for weeks. It’s so different than it used to be when you didn’t have all that time with your players. The players are so disciplined for the most part of really staying involved in the game when they leave mini-camp and wait for training camp to open. They jump right in and get going full speed again.”

Q: Is bonding of the new guys important?

VERMEIL: “I think it’s important. I think team chemistry is always important. And that will take place. When those new guys are the right guys it happens quickly.”

Q: Does signing Washington mean signing Ty Law is out of the picture?

VERMEIL: “It doesn’t change anything. Ty Law is in no picture until he clears a physical somewhere.”

Q&A LB BOOMER GRIGSBY
Jul 29, 2005, 6:13:33 AM


TRAINING CAMP


Q: How was your first training camp practice?

GRIGSBY: “It was great. You dream about it since you were a little boy and to finally get here and run around with the big dogs is so inspiring. I look at everybody and I had to get over the shock and awe of it. I respect everyone of them, but now it is to time to play and go get them.”

Q: Is it different than from your off-season practices?

GRIGSBY: “It is a little bit longer. I think the difference will come when we put the shoulder pads on and we start banging around a little bit more. As of right now it has been the same schedule as OTAs and mini-camp.”

Q: Are your expectations still to make the team as a special teams guy?

GRIGSBY: “I am going to assume the role they give me. I am here to play special teams and I am going to try to knock guys around on special teams. I am going to try and compete at linebacker. If that is the way the path leads me this year than that is the way it leads me. I am going to do what I am told and try to be the best I can be. I am here to compete.”

Q: What to you think of River Falls, Wisconsin?

GRIGSBY: “I love River Falls. I am from the Midwest. Kansas City, Canton, Illinois, River Falls, Wisconsin, they all fall in the same middle of the country.”

Q: Do think playing special teams is still the route you have to go to make the team?

GRIGSBY: “I think so. Every player that is not a starter has to contribute on special teams. It is a performance based business. I haven’t earned anything until I lock them down on Sundays. My way right now onto the team is on special teams. If a starting role is in the future for me then it has not happened yet.”

Q: How was your first training camp practice?

GRIGSBY: “It was entertaining. It was pretty exciting. I got here and at first I was getting those little chills. My faced turned red and I started to stomp on the ground like a bull, but then you realize you are against your own teammates. You are not here to really hurt anybody and you are out here in these little spider pads so you need to slow it down a little bit. You need to play hard, but control your speed. You want to make sure you are not hurting any of your teammates.”

"... Except for that Northern elitist snob Rich Scanlon. After I'm done with him, they'll need a body bag."

WTF kind of question is that?

Here is a resounding endorsement:

VERMEIL: “He was out there. We had a space and a locker open and we brought him in. ROFL

"Q: Why weren’t the injured players practicing?"

what dumbass asked this question? Nick Athan?

oops, beat me to it...for the record, it's a "Nick Athan" question....

A Nick Athan question would have been the same, but with a few spelling errors in it.

another carlrufus-esque shot across the bow of the media ..... maybe the fans.

Did anyone else notice that the interview with Boomer began and ended with the exact same ****ing question?