Chiefs Teicher: Chiefs drafting backup practice plans in case of lockout

**Tribal Warfare** · 03-06-2011, 02:06 AM

Chiefs drafting backup practice plans in case of lockout
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

If, come spring, you see what appears to be a group of Chiefs practicing on a football field in your neighborhood, it probably will be a group of Chiefs.

Jamaal Charles and Eric Berry have indicated they would like to organize some informal workouts in Kansas City if the NFL experiences a prolonged work stoppage.

Both players were in Kansas City on Saturday to receive their awards — Charles as the Chiefs’ MVP and Berry as rookie of the year — at the annual 101 Awards banquet at the Westin Crown Center Hotel.

“We will have to get the people together,” Charles said.

Berry indicated that some players already have loose plans to gather in Kansas City in early April if the team’s off-season program, scheduled to begin in late March, hasn’t started.

If owners and players can’t agree on a new collective bargaining agreement by late next week, owners have indicated they will lock out the players. At that point, much of the league’s business would be suspended. That includes organized off-season workouts and practice.

“We’ll just come up then, find somewhere to work out or just see what’s going on,” Berry said. “I know we could work out somewhere. That’s the date we kind of set to come up and either have a meeting or something to kind of get on the same page.

“We’ll probably move toward something like that, just to make sure we’re all in accord. Our goal is to come out ahead. I’ve been talking to everybody in the off-season. They’re pretty much ready to go. Everyone’s been working out and getting ready for this upcoming season. We don’t know when it’s going to start but I’m pretty sure the Chiefs are going to be ready.”

In the meantime, communication between players and coaches is not allowed. Todd Haley was also honored at the banquet as AFC coach of the year but wasn’t allowed to do much more than say hello to Charles and Berry.

“I’ll congratulate both of them on well-deserved awards,” Haley said.

Charles said he has been working out with some former University of Texas teammates in Austin since the Pro Bowl. He indicated his workout routine is his own and not provided by the Chiefs, something that also isn’t allowed until a new labor agreement is reached.

“We’ve got to do our own thing,” Charles said. “We’ve got to remember the stuff we learned from coach Mike (Clark), the strength coach.

“That’s all I can do right now. We don’t know what’s going to happen the next few months or the next few weeks. All I can do is keep being me and keep working hard. I know all the hard work is going to pay off.”

Charles said he was concerned about a prolonged work stoppage ruining the momentum the Chiefs built last season when they improved by six games over 2009 and won their first AFC West championship since 2003.

“You worry about that,” he said. “It’s on my mind sometimes. You’ve got to make sure you’re calling your friends and making sure they’re working out.”

An extended break could also ruin Charles’ momentum. He was second in the NFL last season with 1,467 rushing yards.

“I’ve been blessed this off-season with all the honors I’ve been getting,” Charles said. “It’s been like a roller-coaster, it’s been so great. I have a new contract.

“It’s just been an incredible season. I’ve just been so excited this year. I thought I was going to be here for the (AFC offensive player of the year, won instead by New England quarterback Tom Brady). That’s one of my goals for next year.

“The Pro Bowl was a blessing to me and something special. I know I want to go there every year. To get there, you have to keep working hard.”

Berry also played in the Pro Bowl and since has been training at his off-season home in Georgia.

“I took a little break after the Pro Bowl,” Berry said. “I just sat down and took some time to get my body right. I talked with Jamaal and kind of envisioned my first NFL off-season and he was telling me when he started to work out and how long his break was. I’ve just been trying to do what my schedule tells me.”

Berry also said that if the Chiefs weren’t practicing by April, he would work in Florida with a trainer he used last year to prepare for the NFL scouting combine.

“He’s thinking about having some kind of (practice) with different types of players,” Berry said. “It’s going to be the same structure as when we’re with our teams. There will be enough guys down there for us to handle the situation.”

03-06-2011, 02:06 AM	Topic Starter
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $772813	Teicher: Chiefs drafting backup practice plans in case of lockout Chiefs drafting backup practice plans in case of lockout By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star If, come spring, you see what appears to be a group of Chiefs practicing on a football field in your neighborhood, it probably will be a group of Chiefs. Jamaal Charles and Eric Berry have indicated they would like to organize some informal workouts in Kansas City if the NFL experiences a prolonged work stoppage. Both players were in Kansas City on Saturday to receive their awards — Charles as the Chiefs’ MVP and Berry as rookie of the year — at the annual 101 Awards banquet at the Westin Crown Center Hotel. “We will have to get the people together,” Charles said. Berry indicated that some players already have loose plans to gather in Kansas City in early April if the team’s off-season program, scheduled to begin in late March, hasn’t started. If owners and players can’t agree on a new collective bargaining agreement by late next week, owners have indicated they will lock out the players. At that point, much of the league’s business would be suspended. That includes organized off-season workouts and practice. “We’ll just come up then, find somewhere to work out or just see what’s going on,” Berry said. “I know we could work out somewhere. That’s the date we kind of set to come up and either have a meeting or something to kind of get on the same page. “We’ll probably move toward something like that, just to make sure we’re all in accord. Our goal is to come out ahead. I’ve been talking to everybody in the off-season. They’re pretty much ready to go. Everyone’s been working out and getting ready for this upcoming season. We don’t know when it’s going to start but I’m pretty sure the Chiefs are going to be ready.” In the meantime, communication between players and coaches is not allowed. Todd Haley was also honored at the banquet as AFC coach of the year but wasn’t allowed to do much more than say hello to Charles and Berry. “I’ll congratulate both of them on well-deserved awards,” Haley said. Charles said he has been working out with some former University of Texas teammates in Austin since the Pro Bowl. He indicated his workout routine is his own and not provided by the Chiefs, something that also isn’t allowed until a new labor agreement is reached. “We’ve got to do our own thing,” Charles said. “We’ve got to remember the stuff we learned from coach Mike (Clark), the strength coach. “That’s all I can do right now. We don’t know what’s going to happen the next few months or the next few weeks. All I can do is keep being me and keep working hard. I know all the hard work is going to pay off.” Charles said he was concerned about a prolonged work stoppage ruining the momentum the Chiefs built last season when they improved by six games over 2009 and won their first AFC West championship since 2003. “You worry about that,” he said. “It’s on my mind sometimes. You’ve got to make sure you’re calling your friends and making sure they’re working out.” An extended break could also ruin Charles’ momentum. He was second in the NFL last season with 1,467 rushing yards. “I’ve been blessed this off-season with all the honors I’ve been getting,” Charles said. “It’s been like a roller-coaster, it’s been so great. I have a new contract. “It’s just been an incredible season. I’ve just been so excited this year. I thought I was going to be here for the (AFC offensive player of the year, won instead by New England quarterback Tom Brady). That’s one of my goals for next year. “The Pro Bowl was a blessing to me and something special. I know I want to go there every year. To get there, you have to keep working hard.” Berry also played in the Pro Bowl and since has been training at his off-season home in Georgia. “I took a little break after the Pro Bowl,” Berry said. “I just sat down and took some time to get my body right. I talked with Jamaal and kind of envisioned my first NFL off-season and he was telling me when he started to work out and how long his break was. I’ve just been trying to do what my schedule tells me.” Berry also said that if the Chiefs weren’t practicing by April, he would work in Florida with a trainer he used last year to prepare for the NFL scouting combine. “He’s thinking about having some kind of (practice) with different types of players,” Berry said. “It’s going to be the same structure as when we’re with our teams. There will be enough guys down there for us to handle the situation.”
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