Chief Roundup
07-28-2007, 02:58 PM
http://www.uwrf.edu/chiefs/prev_updates?page=2&Files=07-28-07am.html
Saturday, July 28, 2007: Morning
A pristine morning awaited Chiefs fans today at Ramer Field. The temperature was a cool 73 degrees, with a light east-southeast breeze at five miles per hour. Humidity was tolerable at 65 percent, and the dew point was 61. 276 fans lined the fences and filled the bleachers. Practice began at 8:57 a.m. sharp as a John Deere tractor pulled sleds onto the field.
Offense
The green grass was fresh and misted with dew for the first morning practice in shells. The Chiefs warmed up with a variety of exercises from grapevines to hip circles.
The punt team practiced their take-off and were instructed by Special Teams Coach Mike Priefer to “See the ball, then turn and run.” Priefer was happy with No. 57’s take-off. “Good angle there, Nick Reid,” he said. After continuous runs through the drill, the punt squad moved on to practice blocking for the run. Priefer coached intensely, and gave constructive advice to players. “Bernard, don’t give up the inside too quickly,” said Priefer to safety Bernard Pollard. Fullback Boomer Grigsby, defensive end Montez Murphy, tight end Michael Allan, and running backs Michael Bennett and Marcus O’Keith were the squad’s most noticeable performers.
The offensive line took the sled for a ride all over the field. They had no trouble manhandling the sled on the middle practice field as they practiced driving off the rush. Kicker Justin Medlock worked on short-range field goals. He amused fans as he kicked the football through the goal post over the heads of fans to several young children underneath a shade of a tree.
Quarterbacks Damon Huard, Brodie Croyle, Casey Printers and rookie Jeff Terrell worked on fundamentals. Focusing mostly on footwork, the quarterbacks were put through a short course of picking the ball up from a stand, back-pedaling over short barriers, then shuffling to the side through the gap of two fake blockers. The quarterbacks also worked on taking the snap and locating receivers.
At the end of practice Head Coach Herm Edwards brought the team to the first field for an 11-on-11 drill. Quarterback Brodie Croyle went out with the first unit and was 6-6. He found favor with running backs Michael Bennett and Kolby Smith. Quarterback Casey Printers came out with the second unit. He was 5-6, throwing an incomplete on his first pass. Tight end Keith Willis jumped early off the line and was upset when he caused an illegal procedure penalty on the fourth take. Quarterback Damon Huard came out with the third crew, still wearing a brace on his right calf. His was 4-4, giving the ball to running backs Michael Bennett and Kolby Smith and wide receiver Eddie Kennison. Smith was rocked on an outlet pass from Huard in the middle when linebacker Derrick Johnson hit Smith with a cracking tackle from the back that caused an incomplete pass. Players, coaches and fans gasped “ooh” at the sight of the play.
After practice, offensive guard Tre Stallings stayed on the field to work on getting out of his stance for pass protection.
Defense
This morning Defensive Line Coach Tim Krumrie was vocal with all defensive line units. During a drill where players drive and lift practice dummies, Krumrie yelled, “Drive him back!” in a effort to motivate his team. Then Krumrie strapped on foam arms for protection as he clubbed away at his players during a hand-swatting drill. Krumrie repeatedly said “Get out of the way!” and “Get off the field!” This kind of drill is one in which talented defensive ends such as Jared Allen are able to prove how well they can move.
The defense then gathered with each other and worked on different formations and play calling. Middle linebacker Napoleon Harris continued his work from yesterday, yelling out different positions that the defense should be assembled in. He also worked on changing their position as the stand-in offense rotated as the coaches directed. Performing the same duties on the second team was linebacker William Kershaw. This is only Kershaw's second year in the league, making it important that he is able to read defenses and be able to stand in for Harris in case of injury.
At about 9:47 a.m., Defensive Coordinator Gunter Cunningham had the team work on stunts. Rookie defensive tackle DeMarcus Tyler continued to work on the second team, proving that he could play in a key role the first two games of the season when defensive end Jared Allen will be absent.. The third team did not get many chances to show their skills before the team huddled.
The 11-on-11 drills started at 9:55 a.m. when players were strapped in the shells and ready to hit. The defensive line and offensive line matched up against each other in a drill working on rushing the quarterback, and defending against very move. In this drill, defensive end Montez Murphy was able to fake tackle Damion McIntosh out with a swim move. The swim move is a common technique used to get to the quarterback by knocking the offensive lineman hands down.
The most outstanding plays made this morning were on the 7-on-7 drills where safety Bernard Pollard made two consecutive interceptions. Pollard made two clean breaks on the ball and displayed his soft hands by holding on to both balls thrown by quarterback Jeff Terrell.
Head Coach Herm Edwards praised defensive end Tamba Hali when Hali broke into the backfield. Edwards yelled, “Way to show up red shirt!” Linebacker Derrick Johnson made the most devastating hit when he smoked running back Kolby Smith as he came across the middle. Smith popped up fast and was not injured on the play, but looked shaken.
The defensive line worked on coverage in an effort to help the linebackers out on short-passing plays. Defensive end Jared Allen made several plays, one in a catch by running back Kolby Smith, where Allen dropped back and made a solid hit.
In an interview after practice, Head Coach Herm Edwards commented on how it was good to be in pads again. He said, “The last time we were in pads didn’t go so well,” referring to their playoff defeat by the Indianapolis Colts. The media had numerous questions referring to the defensive line. Herm answered these by saying, “The defensive line is very athletic. We have a chance to have a good defense, we just need to work together. [Defensive Line Coach] Tim [Krumrie] rubs off on players.” Edwards said he expects running back Priest Holmes to arrive sometime today, but not to be at this afternoon’s practice. According to Edwards, when Holmes is at camp, he is not expected to get in pads, just to condition.
Saturday, July 28, 2007: Morning
A pristine morning awaited Chiefs fans today at Ramer Field. The temperature was a cool 73 degrees, with a light east-southeast breeze at five miles per hour. Humidity was tolerable at 65 percent, and the dew point was 61. 276 fans lined the fences and filled the bleachers. Practice began at 8:57 a.m. sharp as a John Deere tractor pulled sleds onto the field.
Offense
The green grass was fresh and misted with dew for the first morning practice in shells. The Chiefs warmed up with a variety of exercises from grapevines to hip circles.
The punt team practiced their take-off and were instructed by Special Teams Coach Mike Priefer to “See the ball, then turn and run.” Priefer was happy with No. 57’s take-off. “Good angle there, Nick Reid,” he said. After continuous runs through the drill, the punt squad moved on to practice blocking for the run. Priefer coached intensely, and gave constructive advice to players. “Bernard, don’t give up the inside too quickly,” said Priefer to safety Bernard Pollard. Fullback Boomer Grigsby, defensive end Montez Murphy, tight end Michael Allan, and running backs Michael Bennett and Marcus O’Keith were the squad’s most noticeable performers.
The offensive line took the sled for a ride all over the field. They had no trouble manhandling the sled on the middle practice field as they practiced driving off the rush. Kicker Justin Medlock worked on short-range field goals. He amused fans as he kicked the football through the goal post over the heads of fans to several young children underneath a shade of a tree.
Quarterbacks Damon Huard, Brodie Croyle, Casey Printers and rookie Jeff Terrell worked on fundamentals. Focusing mostly on footwork, the quarterbacks were put through a short course of picking the ball up from a stand, back-pedaling over short barriers, then shuffling to the side through the gap of two fake blockers. The quarterbacks also worked on taking the snap and locating receivers.
At the end of practice Head Coach Herm Edwards brought the team to the first field for an 11-on-11 drill. Quarterback Brodie Croyle went out with the first unit and was 6-6. He found favor with running backs Michael Bennett and Kolby Smith. Quarterback Casey Printers came out with the second unit. He was 5-6, throwing an incomplete on his first pass. Tight end Keith Willis jumped early off the line and was upset when he caused an illegal procedure penalty on the fourth take. Quarterback Damon Huard came out with the third crew, still wearing a brace on his right calf. His was 4-4, giving the ball to running backs Michael Bennett and Kolby Smith and wide receiver Eddie Kennison. Smith was rocked on an outlet pass from Huard in the middle when linebacker Derrick Johnson hit Smith with a cracking tackle from the back that caused an incomplete pass. Players, coaches and fans gasped “ooh” at the sight of the play.
After practice, offensive guard Tre Stallings stayed on the field to work on getting out of his stance for pass protection.
Defense
This morning Defensive Line Coach Tim Krumrie was vocal with all defensive line units. During a drill where players drive and lift practice dummies, Krumrie yelled, “Drive him back!” in a effort to motivate his team. Then Krumrie strapped on foam arms for protection as he clubbed away at his players during a hand-swatting drill. Krumrie repeatedly said “Get out of the way!” and “Get off the field!” This kind of drill is one in which talented defensive ends such as Jared Allen are able to prove how well they can move.
The defense then gathered with each other and worked on different formations and play calling. Middle linebacker Napoleon Harris continued his work from yesterday, yelling out different positions that the defense should be assembled in. He also worked on changing their position as the stand-in offense rotated as the coaches directed. Performing the same duties on the second team was linebacker William Kershaw. This is only Kershaw's second year in the league, making it important that he is able to read defenses and be able to stand in for Harris in case of injury.
At about 9:47 a.m., Defensive Coordinator Gunter Cunningham had the team work on stunts. Rookie defensive tackle DeMarcus Tyler continued to work on the second team, proving that he could play in a key role the first two games of the season when defensive end Jared Allen will be absent.. The third team did not get many chances to show their skills before the team huddled.
The 11-on-11 drills started at 9:55 a.m. when players were strapped in the shells and ready to hit. The defensive line and offensive line matched up against each other in a drill working on rushing the quarterback, and defending against very move. In this drill, defensive end Montez Murphy was able to fake tackle Damion McIntosh out with a swim move. The swim move is a common technique used to get to the quarterback by knocking the offensive lineman hands down.
The most outstanding plays made this morning were on the 7-on-7 drills where safety Bernard Pollard made two consecutive interceptions. Pollard made two clean breaks on the ball and displayed his soft hands by holding on to both balls thrown by quarterback Jeff Terrell.
Head Coach Herm Edwards praised defensive end Tamba Hali when Hali broke into the backfield. Edwards yelled, “Way to show up red shirt!” Linebacker Derrick Johnson made the most devastating hit when he smoked running back Kolby Smith as he came across the middle. Smith popped up fast and was not injured on the play, but looked shaken.
The defensive line worked on coverage in an effort to help the linebackers out on short-passing plays. Defensive end Jared Allen made several plays, one in a catch by running back Kolby Smith, where Allen dropped back and made a solid hit.
In an interview after practice, Head Coach Herm Edwards commented on how it was good to be in pads again. He said, “The last time we were in pads didn’t go so well,” referring to their playoff defeat by the Indianapolis Colts. The media had numerous questions referring to the defensive line. Herm answered these by saying, “The defensive line is very athletic. We have a chance to have a good defense, we just need to work together. [Defensive Line Coach] Tim [Krumrie] rubs off on players.” Edwards said he expects running back Priest Holmes to arrive sometime today, but not to be at this afternoon’s practice. According to Edwards, when Holmes is at camp, he is not expected to get in pads, just to condition.