http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chi...ry/655279.html
Chiefs’ pain underlies hoped-for gain
By KENT BABB
The Kansas City Star
The Chiefs downshifted Sunday — a day after a burst of enthusiasm at Arrowhead Stadium.
After three weeks and two phases of its offseason program, Kansas City wrapped up its mandatory minicamp with a mellow, one-hour practice that coach Herm Edwards admitted was a letdown.
It wasn’t because of the team’s performance. Instead, it came a day after a 90-minute practice in front of a crowd at Arrowhead. Sunday at a mostly empty practice facility, Edwards said, just wasn’t the same.
“Yesterday, it was real easy to practice,” he said. “You really would like to have ended it yesterday. But this is what you’ve got to get through.”
The Chiefs now are through three of four practice weeks. Edwards said it has been — and will continue to be in this week’s three practices — a time for coaches to test and observe players and for new faces to get used to what’s coming.
That doesn’t mean all of the changes, including a revamped offense under new coordinator Chan Gailey, have been easy on veterans.
“I guess I’m kind of struggling,” tight end Tony Gonzalez said. “They’re bringing me along. So when they say, ‘Break,’ I’ll go up to Brodie (Croyle) and be like, ‘OK, what do I got here?’ He’ll tell me. Then you go play football from there.”
The Chiefs’ growing pains haven’t come without a few real pains, either.
Rookie offensive tackle Branden Albert, a first-round pick in April, hurt his left ankle Sunday and sat out most of the session. He limped to a tent, where he had his foot and ankle bandaged. He later walked without assistance but was carted to the players’ parking lot. Edwards said Albert would be OK.
But Albert’s absence provided the Chiefs with a look into the past: uncertainty on the offensive line. Last year, the Chiefs struggled to find chemistry and consistency when injuries wore down an aging line.
On Sunday, Albert was in the trainer’s tent and right tackle Damion McIntosh sat out because of soreness. Herb Taylor took Albert’s place at left tackle, and Anthony Alabi replaced McIntosh on the right side.
Taylor and Alabi are young, and neither has started an NFL game.
Running back Larry Johnson and cornerback Patrick Surtain also sat out Sunday because they needed rest, Edwards said.
“They’ve been going for four days,” Edwards said, “and this was the fifth day.”
Edwards said he would spend the final week of practice trying to figure out which 12 players must be cut before training camp opens July 25.
If job security is not enough motivation, Edwards said he had spoken with players before Sunday’s session and reminded them that slow days occur in training camp, too.
“I told them, the intent has to be: We have to get better today,” Edwards said. “They were tired, they were fatigued, they had to think. We cut some things down.
“For the most part, I thought it was good.”