Chiefs Teicher: Chiefs have plenty of new faces at offseason practice

Coogs · 05-20-2008, 07:49 AM

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/627096.html
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I wish they would list the 10 new starters instead of leaving us to speculate. And are they 10 new starters from opening day last year or close of season? That would make it a lot easier to figure out.
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Chiefs have plenty of new faces at offseason practice
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

Their world didn’t turn itself upside down in a day. That process started in the dying days of last year’s 4-12 season and continued right through the draft.

But the reality landed its blow for Chiefs survivors on Monday, the first day of offseason practice. They were able to see for themselves the change on the practice field, where the Chiefs lined up with new starters in 10 different positions, and in the locker room, where 33 rookies prowled wide-eyed but determined.

It wasn’t just like the first day of school for the veterans. It was like showing up on a different planet.

“They’re in the minority now,” Chiefs coach Herm Edwards said. “They kind of looked in the locker room and a bunch of them grabbed me and said, ‘Who are these guys?’ I said, ‘You’d better figure out who they are because that’s kind of what our team is right now.’ ”

Age and experience, qualities that were prized as recently as last season, are now in rare supply. The Chiefs are down to nine players who are 30 or older, but will be down to even fewer than that by the start of the regular season.

One such veteran, safety Greg Wesley, did not show up for practice Monday and is certain to be traded or released shortly. Another, J.P. Darche, is a deep snapper. A third, Damon Huard, could eventually be traded or released if the Chiefs are satisfied with the progress of their two young quarterbacks, Brodie Croyle and Tyler Thigpen.

“At one time, we had 17 or 18 players 30 years old or older. That’s too many,” Edwards said.

“We were lopsided as a football team. We’ve got a bunch of young guys now. We’ve got some middle-aged guys that are good players, and we’ve got a group of guys that have 10 or more years of experience, but not that many.

“I’m comfortable with it. If you look through it, now it’s more balanced.”

The Chiefs sealed off their practice to the media but said everyone except Wesley and rookie safety Ron Girault participated. Girault has college class commitments at Rutgers.

Running back Larry Johnson, who missed the last half of last season because of a broken foot, practiced.

“He made it through,” Edwards said. “He did everything. He’ll practice again (today).”

The other six veterans are starters: Tony Gonzalez, Brian Waters, Damion McIntosh, Alfonso Boone, Donnie Edwards and Patrick Surtain. One veteran privately expressed reservations about playing for a team undergoing such a massive rebuilding project during one of the final seasons of his career.

But Herm Edwards said he was getting a different message.

“I’ve spoken to a lot of those guys before this even took place, way back to when the season was over,” Edwards said. “They anticipated what was going to happen. I’ve spoken to them since it happened, since after the draft. They’re excited. They really are. It’s just the first day of school, so everyone’s excited, but there’s a different demeanor. There’s a different way they’re carrying themselves right now.

“For the other guys that are here, they don’t know anything else. It’s all new to them. They’re sitting in the classroom for the first time in the National Football League, so they’re excited. They’re coming in trying to win a job.”

Monday started the cumbersome process of meshing everything. The Chiefs have 14 more scheduled practices in the next month, including a three-day minicamp in June.

Before offseason practice is finished, the Chiefs would like to solidify their starting lineup and get everyone familiar with their new offensive system, among other projects.

“Somewhere in that (locker) room, everyone is at a different stage in his career,” Edwards said. “Some are trying to begin a career. Some are trying to hold on to a career. Some are in the middle of it and trying to figure out how many more (seasons) they have.”

05-20-2008, 07:49 AM	Topic Starter
Coogs In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Northern Kansas Casino cash: $1534349	http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/627096.html ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________ I wish they would list the 10 new starters instead of leaving us to speculate. And are they 10 new starters from opening day last year or close of season? That would make it a lot easier to figure out. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________ Chiefs have plenty of new faces at offseason practice By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star Their world didn’t turn itself upside down in a day. That process started in the dying days of last year’s 4-12 season and continued right through the draft. But the reality landed its blow for Chiefs survivors on Monday, the first day of offseason practice. They were able to see for themselves the change on the practice field, where the Chiefs lined up with new starters in 10 different positions, and in the locker room, where 33 rookies prowled wide-eyed but determined. It wasn’t just like the first day of school for the veterans. It was like showing up on a different planet. “They’re in the minority now,” Chiefs coach Herm Edwards said. “They kind of looked in the locker room and a bunch of them grabbed me and said, ‘Who are these guys?’ I said, ‘You’d better figure out who they are because that’s kind of what our team is right now.’ ” Age and experience, qualities that were prized as recently as last season, are now in rare supply. The Chiefs are down to nine players who are 30 or older, but will be down to even fewer than that by the start of the regular season. One such veteran, safety Greg Wesley, did not show up for practice Monday and is certain to be traded or released shortly. Another, J.P. Darche, is a deep snapper. A third, Damon Huard, could eventually be traded or released if the Chiefs are satisfied with the progress of their two young quarterbacks, Brodie Croyle and Tyler Thigpen. “At one time, we had 17 or 18 players 30 years old or older. That’s too many,” Edwards said. “We were lopsided as a football team. We’ve got a bunch of young guys now. We’ve got some middle-aged guys that are good players, and we’ve got a group of guys that have 10 or more years of experience, but not that many. “I’m comfortable with it. If you look through it, now it’s more balanced.” The Chiefs sealed off their practice to the media but said everyone except Wesley and rookie safety Ron Girault participated. Girault has college class commitments at Rutgers. Running back Larry Johnson, who missed the last half of last season because of a broken foot, practiced. “He made it through,” Edwards said. “He did everything. He’ll practice again (today).” The other six veterans are starters: Tony Gonzalez, Brian Waters, Damion McIntosh, Alfonso Boone, Donnie Edwards and Patrick Surtain. One veteran privately expressed reservations about playing for a team undergoing such a massive rebuilding project during one of the final seasons of his career. But Herm Edwards said he was getting a different message. “I’ve spoken to a lot of those guys before this even took place, way back to when the season was over,” Edwards said. “They anticipated what was going to happen. I’ve spoken to them since it happened, since after the draft. They’re excited. They really are. It’s just the first day of school, so everyone’s excited, but there’s a different demeanor. There’s a different way they’re carrying themselves right now. “For the other guys that are here, they don’t know anything else. It’s all new to them. They’re sitting in the classroom for the first time in the National Football League, so they’re excited. They’re coming in trying to win a job.” Monday started the cumbersome process of meshing everything. The Chiefs have 14 more scheduled practices in the next month, including a three-day minicamp in June. Before offseason practice is finished, the Chiefs would like to solidify their starting lineup and get everyone familiar with their new offensive system, among other projects. “Somewhere in that (locker) room, everyone is at a different stage in his career,” Edwards said. “Some are trying to begin a career. Some are trying to hold on to a career. Some are in the middle of it and trying to figure out how many more (seasons) they have.”
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