River Falls Update: July 30th morning practice.

[Direckshun]

Right now the website just has photos of the morning practice up, 600 of them: http://www.uwrf.edu/chiefs/photogallery/070730am/index.html

They also have a morning review for defense, but nothing on offense yet. I'll post the whole thing up soon as it's fully written.

[Direckshun]

Based on the pictures, it looks like the OL is completely set for starters.

No surprises.

LT - McIntosh
LG - Waters
C - Wiegmann
RG - Welbourn
RT - Terry

This is extremely good news, as they're all veteran guys and will have all of camp and preseason to gel.

[Direckshun]

To Priest's credit, he's been to every practice thus far.

http://www.uwrf.edu/chiefs/photogallery/070730am/full/070730-AM-022.jpg

[Redrum_69]

Where are the cheerleaders at?!?!?

[Redrum_69]

To Priest's credit, he's been to every practice thus far.

http://www.uwrf.edu/chiefs/photogallery/070730am/full/070730-AM-022.jpg


notice hes staring at the fannyback that says POWER on it???

[Direckshun]

Pollard supports the run, helping to engulf the RB.

http://www.uwrf.edu/chiefs/photogallery/070730am/full/070730-AM-060.jpg

[Direckshun]

McBride v. Bennett.

http://www.uwrf.edu/chiefs/photogallery/070730am/full/070730-AM-065.jpg

[Direckshun]

Far right side: the Big Apple just about ripping Jared Allen's jersey off to create a hole for Bennett.

http://www.uwrf.edu/chiefs/photogallery/070730am/full/070730-AM-077.jpg

Every single picture I see with those two involved, they are blasting one another.

[Direckshun]

Second-string LBs: Fox, Kershaw, Bell.

http://www.uwrf.edu/chiefs/photogallery/070730am/full/070730-AM-101.jpg

Not a bad second string if you ask me.

[Direckshun]

Chris Bober absolutely ransacked by Tank Tyler.

http://www.uwrf.edu/chiefs/photogallery/070730am/full/070730-AM-102.jpg

[Direckshun]

Welcome to training camp: Derrick Ross (#39) got to practice for the first time in pads.

http://www.uwrf.edu/chiefs/photogallery/070730am/full/070730-AM-111.jpg

[Direckshun]

FB Gilbert Harris, earning yards the hard way.

http://www.uwrf.edu/chiefs/photogallery/070730am/full/070730-AM-121.jpg

[Direckshun]

The Mexitackle (#75) seals off the weak side for a hole.

http://www.uwrf.edu/chiefs/photogallery/070730am/full/070730-AM-132.jpg

[InChiefsHeaven]

That is one big friggin' Mexican...

[Direckshun]

RT Chris Terry (#60) has the shit job of trying to contain Hali all camp, and his jersey's starting to show the damage.

http://www.uwrf.edu/chiefs/photogallery/070730am/full/070730-AM-146.jpg

[Direckshun]

Fumble! CB Justin Phinisee dives in for the ball.

http://www.uwrf.edu/chiefs/photogallery/070730am/full/070730-AM-183.jpg

[Skyy God]

Monday, July 30, 2007: Training Camp News

A cool breeze blew from the south at eight miles per hour this morning at Chiefs camp. The temperature was 79 degrees, with humidity at 47 percent and a dew point of 61. 182 fans lined the railings of the practice fields at the Athletic Complex and Ramer Field.

Offense

It was a slow start to practice for the fully-padded Chiefs this morning, Practice began with the kick-off crew. They ran through defensive coverage as a Juggs machine kicked out balls from the 30-yard line, to the end zone, and to receivers. Kicker Justin Medlock worked on his approach and onside kicks. Special Teams Coach Mike Priefer ran the crew through multiple scenarios like when to take the knee, as well as how to cover up the ball after an on-side kick. “Let’s go men. Let’s get better today,” said Priefer as he fired up the crew. Wide receiver Jeff Webb, tight ends Kris Wilson and Michael Allan, corner backs Benny Sapp and Justin Phinisee, and defensive end Chris Harris were on the field for multiple reps.

The offense spared no time splitting up for position and one-on-one drills to start the practice full of running. The line hit the sled for 10 yards each rep, and they pushed the sled the length of the field. The quarterbacks worked behind them, taking snaps and handing off to running backs who ran around alternating corners for 10 yards. Wide receivers took 10-yard outlet passes from assistant coaches as they rehearsed splitting defenders to get open for the pass. Receivers also took some time with their footwork; they practiced shortening their steps on passes to the sidelines. After that, the line got rough with one another while working on its blocking technique against pads. Fullbacks and running backs also faced blocking pads as they caught 5-yard flats from quarterback Jeff Terrell. The nickel drill had quarterbacks and wide receivers working on passes to the flats and outlets. Four receivers went out for the ball 10-20 yards as one quarterback and three assistant coaches threw out balls to each receiver. Quarterbacks Damon Huard, Brodie Croyle, and Casey Printers rotated each throw.

The offense could feel the pressure from the defense in a nine-on-seven drill designed to work on picking up first-downs at third and ten. Nine defensemen took on the offensive line. The emphasis was on the run game; quarterback Damon Huard got three reps, quarterback Brodie Croyle got six and quarterback Casey Printers got four. Rookie running back Kolby Smith ran the ball with authority. Smith drove off defenders on a 12-yard blazing run up the middle on a hand-off from Huard. Head Coach Herm Edwards was pleased to see the potential in the rookie, “Way to run the ball No. 21!” he shouted. Running back Derrick Ross had trouble keeping the ball off the ground during the drill; he fumbled twice. ‘I saw the same thing this spring,” yelled Edwards, “We knew it was going to happen.”

There was plenty of helmet clashing and pad smacking to end the practice with an 11-on-11 drill. Quarterback Damon Huard was 6-9. Huard’s three incompletes came on a 18-yard short pass, which was a 43-yard left-side line pass intercepted by safety Jarred Page and a low pass to the right for 15-yards; both were intended for wide receiver Chris Hannon. Quarterback Brodie Croyle was 10-10, throwing five passes and giving five hand-offs. Croyle gave the ball mostly to running backs Michael Bennett and Kolby Smith and wide receiver Eddie Kennison. Croyle almost went down when he slipped on the grass on a curl to the right, but he recovered to get a 18-yard pass to wide receiver Samie Parker on the sideline. Croyle showed that he is not afraid to block when he followed Kennison down the left for a 18-yard run. Although Croyle was not allowed to block due to coaches orders, he was available when he was needed on the field.

Defense

It was another beautiful morning in River Falls, Wis. as the Chiefs practice intensified further. Today's practiced started a little bit earlier with stretches and the normal morning drills. The defensive backs were the last one off the first field as the whole team converged to the third field at 9:30 a.m.

The defense then worked on changing the call at the line, depending on who went in motion. During camp it's important to work on these drills, come game time if a team puts someone in motion, he could be left wide open for an easy touchdown. Rookie end Claude McBride worked with the first team, a change from his normal second line duties. The second defensive line included tackles Ron Edwards and James Reed, end Jimmy Wilkerson, and linebacker Kendrell Bell. Bell mostly practiced dropping back in to coverage or faking the blitz on the right side. This drill is mostly for linebackers and the defensive line; the defensive backs were able to take a break.

At 9:45 the 11-on-11 began, noticeably more physical then any of the previous practices. Although they weren't tackling each other they were hitting and wrapping up harder, with the occasional knock downs. McBride did an excellent job on stuffing the middle, when he stopped running back Marcus O'Keith.

Both quarterbacks Damon Huard and Brodie Croyle worked on their hard counts, getting both the offense and defensive lines to flinch. Croyle's hard count got defensive tackles James Reed and Patrice Majondo-Mwamba to jump off-sides, angering coaches.

Along with being the hardest hitting practiced, there were also more turnovers then any other practice. Rookie fullback Gilbert Harris and running back running back Marcus O'Keith both fumbled the ball. Harris' got hit in the middle of the field by three different players causing the ball to pop loose, but the offense was able to recover. A shout came from a coach, "That's what you did in the spring; put the ball on the ground." O'Keith fumbled the ball in a similar location on the field, but cornerback Justin Phinisee dove on the ball making a huge play. Phinisee is trying to make an impression to make this team, either on special teams or as a backup cornerback.

Another outstanding play was an interception made by safety Jarrad Page. The 43-yard pass thrown by Huard was a jump ball that Page got in front of. He used his jumping abilities and his soft hands to pick the ball out of the air. Page made a good return on the play with the help of linebacker Napoleon Harris and defensive end Jared Allen blocking in front of him.

The crowd roared when linebacker Donnie Edwards tripped up running back Kolby Smith. The crowd reacted to how hard Smith hit the ground on the play sliding face first on the grass.

Defensive backs coach David Gibbs harped on rookie cornerback Tyron Brackenridge for only using his arms to tackle, when he should have been wrapping and driving. Gibbs later yelled at Brackenridge for not breaking up a screen.

The offense seemed to be working on more slants and out routes down the side lines this morning. From yesterday the run defensive looked to improve, but the pass defense wasn't as great, minus the interception.

The practice ended by Head Coach Herm Edwards inspiring the team by saying "Get it done in practice, if you want to be able to do it in the game." He also yelled, "Shut up when I'm talking," to get his teams attention during his speech.

[Direckshun]

Eck beats McGraw.

http://www.uwrf.edu/chiefs/photogallery/070730am/full/070730-AM-190.jpg

[Skyy God]

Running back Derrick Ross had trouble keeping the ball off the ground during the drill; he fumbled twice. ‘I saw the same thing this spring,” yelled Edwards, “We knew it was going to happen.”

Great news. I don't want Ross anywhere near the 2007 roster.

[Direckshun]

Chris Hannon wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiide open.

http://www.uwrf.edu/chiefs/photogallery/070730am/full/070730-AM-214.jpg

[Direckshun]

Webb beats Surtain.

http://www.uwrf.edu/chiefs/photogallery/070730am/full/070730-AM-258.jpg

[Direckshun]

Interception! Jarrad Page!

http://www.uwrf.edu/chiefs/photogallery/070730am/full/070730-AM-319.jpg

[Direckshun]

Parker putting a juke on Sapp.

http://www.uwrf.edu/chiefs/photogallery/070730am/full/070730-AM-357.jpg

[JBucc]

Chris Hannon wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiide open.

http://www.uwrf.edu/chiefs/photogallery/070730am/full/070730-AM-214.jpgDamn that guy's got some skinny legs.

[Dartgod]

Quarterback Brodie Croyle was 10-10, throwing five passes and giving five hand-offs.
Do they include handoffs in calculating completion percentage now?

[Direckshun]

Sapp can't wrap up O'Keith.

http://www.uwrf.edu/chiefs/photogallery/070730am/full/070730-AM-388.jpg

[Direckshun]

http://www.uwrf.edu/chiefs/photogallery/070730am/full/070730-AM-397.jpg

Le Darche: I'll have you know France invented democracy, existentialism, and the menage a troi.

Medlock: Well those are three pretty good things.

[Delano]

WTF?

http://www.uwrf.edu/chiefs/photogallery/070730am/full/070730-AM-364.jpg

[Direckshun]

TE Mike Pinkard makes the catch, but doesn't win many style points.

http://www.uwrf.edu/chiefs/photogallery/070730am/full/070730-AM-424.jpg

[Direckshun]

Turley is handsome as a devil.

http://www.uwrf.edu/chiefs/photogallery/070730am/full/070730-AM-455.jpg

[Direckshun]

Niswanger: You sure you don't want to interview me? Look, I'll even pose.

http://www.uwrf.edu/chiefs/photogallery/070730am/full/070730-AM-591.jpg

[Wile_E_Coyote]

WTF?

http://www.uwrf.edu/chiefs/photogallery/070730am/full/070730-AM-364.jpg

Some how I pictured Gochiefs to be much bigger

~could not resist

[Frosty]

Do they include handoffs in calculating completion percentage now?

I sort of get the impression that whoever it is writing about the offense doesn't know much about football. I am also not sure why they insist on describing the incompletions and ignoring the catches/routes/coverage, etc.

[CupidStunt]

Tank... beast.

[Rain Man]

Do they include handoffs in calculating completion percentage now?

Herm wants an airtight case for starting Croyle. "My god, the guy's got an 85 percent completion rate! We have to start him!"