Boomer Article

Archie Bunker · 03-05-2007, 12:08 AM

http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2...rts/124053.txt

Grigsby returns to train with Redbird coaches

NORMAL - Boomer Grigsby has been getting back to his football roots, returning to the Illinois State campus where he became an All-American linebacker to train with the current Redbirds.

After two years in the NFL, Grigsby will begin looking more like he did as a Redbird in the coming season. The Kansas City Chiefs have changed Grigsby's number from 51 to the 46 of his glory days at Hancock Stadium.

The Chiefs, however, have a much more radical change in mind for Grigsby with a position switch from linebacker to fullback.

"It's a golden opportunity, and I have a desire to do it," said Grigsby, who spent his first two seasons with the Chiefs as a reserve linebacker and special terms performer. "I'm excited to be wanted. It's a new challenge."

Grigsby began working with the Kansas City running backs coach last season when fullback Ronnie Cruz suffered a season-ending knee injury. H-back Kris Wilson was moved to fullback, but the Chiefs feel Wilson's talents are better suited for H-back.

"They trained me as a goal-line fullback in case anybody went down," said Grigsby. "I looked pretty natural at it and I like it. They said I've got speed, strength, leverage and attitude. And they think I'm smart enough to pick up an offensive position."

That led to a postseason discussion with Kansas City coach Herman Edwards.

"I was already thinking about it, but he had made the decision already," Grigsby said. "He told me it (fullback) was my best chance to be playing and be a star in the NFL."

The 5-foot-11, 249-pound Grigsby has no experience as a running back, but he has an extensive background as a hitter.

"All it is, is a linebacker on offense. I get to block for who I think is the best running back in the league," Grigsby said of All-Pro tailback Larry Johnson. "They are not bringing me over to hand me the ball. They are bringing me over to pave the way for Larry."

In preparation for his new role, Grigsby has returned to ISU to work out under the supervision of Redbird strength coaches Rohrk Cutchlow and Landon Evans.

"They are outstanding. So far it's been remarkable. I've already thrown on 10 pounds of muscle mass," said Grigsby. "One thing I love about Bloomington-Normal is it's so easy to focus. It makes me remember how hard I had to work to get there (the NFL).

"I'm sacrificing some fun and great weather so when I get back to Kansas City I can hit it running and not start from scratch. I'm trying to get as familiar with it in the offseason so I look like I've been doing it for years."

Along with running and yoga classes, the three-time Gateway Conference Defensive Player of the Year is working to strengthen his neck and back to better absorb the pounding of blocking as a fullback.

The 25-year-old Grigsby will return to Kansas City later this month to begin fullback-specific drills with the Chiefs' coaching staff.

While he won't often be asked to carry the football or catch passes often, Grigsby wants to be prepared if needed.

"They told me to catch a lot of balls," he said. "I stole a ball from ISU. I'll make sure I get it back to them. I think I'll be a two-handed ball carrier and not take the risk of fumbling."

Grigsby, who will continue in his special teams role with the Chiefs, believes he can be an effective blocker even against top flight NFL defenders.

"I feel out of a three-point stance I'm faster than any linebacker in the league," he said. "I will beat them to the line of scrimmage. And it's not just about running people over. Sometimes it's just get in the way and not get run over, just get my arms on a guy good enough so Larry can keep going."

After two seasons of bone-rattling collisions on special teams, Grigsby is not intimidated by the prospect of taking on linebackers such as Brian Urlacher and Ray Lewis.

"They are great players, but I would much rather hit one man than two any day," said Grigsby, who is entering the third and final year of his original contract with the Chiefs. "I play wedge buster on kickoffs. I'm in a 50-yard sprint running at a guys in a 20- or 30-yard sprint."

While moving from linebacker to fullback might seem like a monumental adjustment, Grigsby simplifies the matter.

"When it comes down to it, it's all hitting," he said. "It's not like I'm a quarterback."

03-05-2007, 12:08 AM	Topic Starter
Archie Bunker The Wait Is Over Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Random Small Town Casino cash: $2048978	Boomer Article http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2...rts/124053.txt Grigsby returns to train with Redbird coaches NORMAL - Boomer Grigsby has been getting back to his football roots, returning to the Illinois State campus where he became an All-American linebacker to train with the current Redbirds. After two years in the NFL, Grigsby will begin looking more like he did as a Redbird in the coming season. The Kansas City Chiefs have changed Grigsby's number from 51 to the 46 of his glory days at Hancock Stadium. The Chiefs, however, have a much more radical change in mind for Grigsby with a position switch from linebacker to fullback. "It's a golden opportunity, and I have a desire to do it," said Grigsby, who spent his first two seasons with the Chiefs as a reserve linebacker and special terms performer. "I'm excited to be wanted. It's a new challenge." Grigsby began working with the Kansas City running backs coach last season when fullback Ronnie Cruz suffered a season-ending knee injury. H-back Kris Wilson was moved to fullback, but the Chiefs feel Wilson's talents are better suited for H-back. "They trained me as a goal-line fullback in case anybody went down," said Grigsby. "I looked pretty natural at it and I like it. They said I've got speed, strength, leverage and attitude. And they think I'm smart enough to pick up an offensive position." That led to a postseason discussion with Kansas City coach Herman Edwards. "I was already thinking about it, but he had made the decision already," Grigsby said. "He told me it (fullback) was my best chance to be playing and be a star in the NFL." The 5-foot-11, 249-pound Grigsby has no experience as a running back, but he has an extensive background as a hitter. "All it is, is a linebacker on offense. I get to block for who I think is the best running back in the league," Grigsby said of All-Pro tailback Larry Johnson. "They are not bringing me over to hand me the ball. They are bringing me over to pave the way for Larry." In preparation for his new role, Grigsby has returned to ISU to work out under the supervision of Redbird strength coaches Rohrk Cutchlow and Landon Evans. "They are outstanding. So far it's been remarkable. I've already thrown on 10 pounds of muscle mass," said Grigsby. "One thing I love about Bloomington-Normal is it's so easy to focus. It makes me remember how hard I had to work to get there (the NFL). "I'm sacrificing some fun and great weather so when I get back to Kansas City I can hit it running and not start from scratch. I'm trying to get as familiar with it in the offseason so I look like I've been doing it for years." Along with running and yoga classes, the three-time Gateway Conference Defensive Player of the Year is working to strengthen his neck and back to better absorb the pounding of blocking as a fullback. The 25-year-old Grigsby will return to Kansas City later this month to begin fullback-specific drills with the Chiefs' coaching staff. While he won't often be asked to carry the football or catch passes often, Grigsby wants to be prepared if needed. "They told me to catch a lot of balls," he said. "I stole a ball from ISU. I'll make sure I get it back to them. I think I'll be a two-handed ball carrier and not take the risk of fumbling." Grigsby, who will continue in his special teams role with the Chiefs, believes he can be an effective blocker even against top flight NFL defenders. "I feel out of a three-point stance I'm faster than any linebacker in the league," he said. "I will beat them to the line of scrimmage. And it's not just about running people over. Sometimes it's just get in the way and not get run over, just get my arms on a guy good enough so Larry can keep going." After two seasons of bone-rattling collisions on special teams, Grigsby is not intimidated by the prospect of taking on linebackers such as Brian Urlacher and Ray Lewis. "They are great players, but I would much rather hit one man than two any day," said Grigsby, who is entering the third and final year of his original contract with the Chiefs. "I play wedge buster on kickoffs. I'm in a 50-yard sprint running at a guys in a 20- or 30-yard sprint." While moving from linebacker to fullback might seem like a monumental adjustment, Grigsby simplifies the matter. "When it comes down to it, it's all hitting," he said. "It's not like I'm a quarterback."
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