Q&A with coach Dick Vermeil

[Hammock Parties]

http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2005/10...ch_vermeil1az/

Q&A WITH COACH VERMEIL
Oct 19, 2005, 5:14:42 PM

Q: Are you preparing contingencies in case Hurricane Wilma hits Florida this weekend when you are scheduled to play Miami?

D. VERMEIL: “We’re going through our normal routine as if it’s going to be a Sunday game played at the normal time because the only thing we have control of is our preparation. We can’t let the other things distract us. We’re totally aware of the situation but it’s business as usual right here.

“We don’t have a choice, do we? We have to do what the league tells us; that’s the way this league is run. I’m sure they’ll do what’s best for both teams and we’ll go do whatever they tell us to do. But I’m not going to sit here and make it a big problem for my football team and my coaching staff. We’ll just do what we’re instructed to do. If they’re smart they’ll bring the game to Kansas City where it’s warm and sunny.

“I think you’re conscious of that and you make sure that you’re prepared from the standpoint of the kind of offense that you would run best in that environment. But it hasn’t been a real significant part of our thinking right now. This has been materializing each day and getting a little more critical each day. As you and I talk it’s probably getting more critical. We’re just waiting to do what we’re instructed to do. But we’re trying to do the best that we can at not letting it interfere with our normal preparation.”

Q: Do you have any idea when the league will make its decision?

VERMEIL: “No, but I think we’ll probably know this time tomorrow. Sooner or later the preparation has to be made for both sides of the line of scrimmage. It just seems sort of funny that you’d bring people to a storm. But I have no control over it. They’ve already cancelled the college game in Miami (Saturday). Whatever they say we do we’ll honor.”

Q: Is bringing it here a real possibility?

VERMEIL: “I have no clue, I have no idea. Our people in this building like Carl Peterson are working on it and being advised accordingly. But nobody has said or defined anything yet.”

Q: Samie Parker and Dexter McCleon did not practice today.

VERMEIL: “They’re both questionable. We’ll know better tomorrow and each day as we progress. But they’re both walking without limps and feeling better.”

Q: How did Kevin Sampson look today?

VERMEIL: “Well, he was given permission to go through the agility drills and fundamental periods which take about 20 minutes. He got a little bit tired and then he stayed and was running during the team drills. He’s fallen back physically a little bit but I don’t think it’ll take him long to catch up. I think tomorrow they might let him start practicing.”

Q: How was Eric Warfield today?

VERMEIL: “Good. I was impressed. I thought he did a good job.”

Q: Did he work with the first team?

VERMEIL: “Yes, he did part of the time. He split the reps.”

Q: With Washington?

VERMEIL: “Yes.”

Q: Good enough to play on Sunday?

VERMEIL: “Oh, I don’t know that. I would imagine especially if Dexter can’t play. Someone’s got to play. He would end up playing. It’ll take a while for him to get really sharp, but he did some good things on the field today.”

Q: Was it 50/50 with Warfield and Washington with the reps?

VERMEIL: “About that. I didn’t count them, to be honest to you. I watched him work.”

Q: You said he did some good things. Specifically what did he do?

VERMEIL: “When we were in tight man coverage he did a good job covering. When the service team works against our defense they work full speed, especially the receivers since they’re trying to become pro receivers themselves. So that’s their practice. I thought he did a good job.”

Q: Nice league honor today for Jared Allen as Player of the Week.

VERMEIL: “Very nice. Very deserving. When you get three sacks and strip the quarterback of the ball twice and once when you flushed him out of the pocket and ran him down from behind. He made some other very good plays, too. He got a great hit on the fumble that was picked up by Sammie Knight after Carlos Hall stripped it out. We’re proud of him and now we’ve just got to make sure that he remains focused on the main things.”

Q: Is that a challenge for a young player?

VERMEIL: “I think he’s got a pretty good value system and is squared away in regard to his career and football. I don’t think you ever have to worry about him being a fat head or a big timer. He just loves playing football and that’s part of his profile. I don’t anticipate him being a problem.”