Direckshun
08-02-2007, 07:39 PM
Eh. 45-minute special teams practice. Nothing to write home about.
Nonetheless, over 300 pictures: http://www.uwrf.edu/chiefs/photogallery/070802pm/index.html
Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007: Training Camp News
Some 125 fans filled the seats at Ramer Field today at the last practice before the Chiefs visit MSU-Mankato to scrimmage the Vikings. The temperature at the field was 88 degrees, with a dew point of 49 and low humidity at 26 percent. A considerable wind was from the west-northwest at 14 miles per hour, gusting to 20 miles per hour.
Special Teams
The Chiefs held an exclusive special teams practice this afternoon that lasted approximately 45 minutes on Ramer Field. Running back Priest Holmes and linebacker Nate Harris occupied part of the first practice field as they went through line drills and stretching exercises. A ladder was used so the two could work on their footwork speed and coordination.
NFL officials were here for the first day with the Chiefs as the special teams unit worked on kick-off and punt drills without pads. Coverage was the main theme of the practice, but the return was also worked on. During practice, the Chiefs also performed a free kick. The ball was placed at the 40-yard line and kicker Justin Medlock booted the ball through the up-rights of the goal posts. The Chiefs were lined up in kick-off formation and Assistant Coach Mike Priefer reminded the players that if the field goal was missed, the opposition could return the ball. Priefer was sure to tell safety Bernard Pollard to watch drawing a hold penalty, during one rep of kick-off coverage. “Hands at your side. Hands in. Stay with your man,” said Priefer. On a separate rep, safety Jarrad Page pretended he was a star basketball player and shot a few fake baskets while waiting to get started with the drill. Later on in practice, cornerback Justin Phinisee gave a nice ladder pass to wide receiver Maurice Price who took the ball on a short run up the left sideline, and the crowd loved it. The coverage unit was working on their assignments during that same drill. Head Coach Herm Edwards was quiet for most of the practice, but spoke up to tell Medlock what he wanted to see on the kick-off; “Medlock right down the middle,” he said, pointing to the middle of the field, “Right there.” Medlock got the ball to the middle his next kick.
The unit also practiced fake punts when Head Coach Herm Edwards secretly changed the play without Assistant Coach Mike Priefer’s knowledge. Punter Dustin Colquitt lined up under the center to take the snap; Colquitt then threw the ball down the right sideline to cornerback Will Poole, but he dropped the ball and was well covered on the play.
Safety Bernard Pollard took time during practice to have fun with two children playing with blocking pads on the sideline. He said to one, “I want to show you a tackling drill.” One boy was quick to respond with a laugh. Pollard spent a few minutes joking with the boys and showing them how to use the blocking pads. One of his last comments to one of the boys was, “This is a pit bull. I’m not going to let him go. I need to put him on the leash.” Both children enjoyed Pollard’s attention and continued to play after Pollard rejoined the team for a kick-off drill.
To end the practice, the team ran a two-on-one drill. Two defenders took on one ball-carrier in a drill that worked the defenders from the 30-yard line to the end zone, and the carriers from the end zone up to the 30. Two vertical lines of cones staked the territory where the carriers were allowed to run. The goal was for the defenders to close in on the ball-carrier to stop the run, and for the ball-carrier to get around the defenders for a run up field. Cornerback Justin Phinisee, wide receivers Titus Ryan and Chris Hannon got away from their defenders on the run. Hannon beat out starting safeties Jarrad Page and Bernard Pollard with a spin move.
Fans
Ken and Heather Phillips, from River Falls were back at camp this afternoon. The Phillips', who had a Chiefs-themed wedding three years ago in River Falls, brought along son Parker, 2. The Phillips, who previously lived 10 minutes from Arrowhead Stadium, mentioned that Parker goes “nuts” when he sees anything Chiefs and gets a big smile on his face.
Mary and Tom Condon were at afternoon practice today with grandson Ty, 10. The Condons traveled from Claire, Iowa, to be at Chiefs camp for the first time. Ty said that he is having a great time and was excited to receive autographs from tight end Jason Dunn, fullback Boomer Grigsby, and wide receivers Chris Hannon and Brad Ekwerekwu. Some of Ty’s favorite things about camp include seeing the players live. The Condons all agree on the same favorite players including Grigsby, running back Priest Holmes, running back Larry Johnson, and tight end Tony Gonzalez.
Eric Reinhart and Shelley Rickman and their sons Jarren, 14, and Jaron, 13, from Diamond, Mo., made a stop at Chiefs camp this afternoon. “We really like [tight end] Jason Dunn. He’s a good player and a super nice man,” said Shelley. Added Eric, “We’ve had our sons’ pictures taken with him two times.” The couple also had many great things to say about River Falls. “We love it here. People are so friendly and nice. So many people have just come up and started talking to us and asked where we’re from.”
Extra, Extra...
In a press conference after practice, Special Teams Coach Mike Priefer talked about today's good practice. At the previous Tuesday's afternoon practice, kicker Justin Medlock missed four field goals in a practice. Priefer said today that he told Medlock after that performance, “It is July 31, and that’s not a bad thing to happen. It is part of the process for a young kicker. Every football player has a bad day, and once he realizes that he is going to be fine. He came back the next two days and went 4-4 yesterday and 3-4 today; he is hitting the ball well.” Medlock was 8-9 before his bad day, and has been 7-8 since then. At the punt return position there is still fierce competition. Priefer is looking forward to this weekend against the Vikings to see who can show their skills. When asked about how hard it was to see what young guys are going to fit on special teams, Priefer said, “That is the [most] fun part of my job, I get to work with all these young guys; they are eager, and coachable. If there is a young guy and he is not a starter, he is competing against every other guy on this team for a job. The guys that stand out are the guys I trust.” Young guys that are not starters often get to play on special teams, but some starters do as well. Priefer went on to say, “You have to pick and choose your spots. If Bernard Pollard becomes the starting safety, then he can only play on certain teams. If [Jarrad] Page is a starting safety, then he can only play on certain teams. Linebackers Napoleon Harris and Derrick Johnson will also be used on certain teams, such as punt or field goal block.” These talented players could be very important if the team needs a field goal block to win the game.
Only two Chiefs players stopped to peruse the Juggs machine after special teams practice today: wide receivers Chris Hannon and Samie Parker. Before the two could get to work, however, there seemed to be a malfunction with the machine. Defensive end Chris Harris stepped in to help; after two good rips of the start-up cord, the machine roared to life and Harris headed for the locker rooms.
After signing autographs for several fans on his way in from the field, fullback Boomer Grigsby strolled towards the locker room, swinging his helmet and singing ‘Fishin' In the Dark’ by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. One member of the media stepped up to interview him, and after answering questions for nearly five minutes, Grigsby asked for instructions on using the interviewer’s camera. Grigsby took several shots of his teammates as they walked by.
Tressa Gustafson, concessions stand worker, said that today she and the other staff members were getting ready for the influx of fans when the Vikings’ visit Ramer Field. “We’ve had to bring in a second memorabilia shipment,” said Gustafson. “We’re completely sold out of youth hats and people have really been buying the yearbooks.” As to the food section of the stand, Gustafson has two recommendations for fans: “I really like the ice cream Snickers bars,” she said. “The pizza sticks are also really good.” Gustafson and her co-workers will be showing up to the field as early as noon on Saturday to get ready for the Vikings; the concessions stand will open at 3 p.m. for fans.
Signing autographs after practice today were several players including running back Kolby Smith, tight end Keith Willis, cornerback Benny Sapp, and safety Bernard Pollard.
Sprinklers turned on the first practice field at 4:22 p.m. Bikes and aerobic equipment were moved into Hunt Arena from the white cover tent that lines the back of the practice fields.
Nonetheless, over 300 pictures: http://www.uwrf.edu/chiefs/photogallery/070802pm/index.html
Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007: Training Camp News
Some 125 fans filled the seats at Ramer Field today at the last practice before the Chiefs visit MSU-Mankato to scrimmage the Vikings. The temperature at the field was 88 degrees, with a dew point of 49 and low humidity at 26 percent. A considerable wind was from the west-northwest at 14 miles per hour, gusting to 20 miles per hour.
Special Teams
The Chiefs held an exclusive special teams practice this afternoon that lasted approximately 45 minutes on Ramer Field. Running back Priest Holmes and linebacker Nate Harris occupied part of the first practice field as they went through line drills and stretching exercises. A ladder was used so the two could work on their footwork speed and coordination.
NFL officials were here for the first day with the Chiefs as the special teams unit worked on kick-off and punt drills without pads. Coverage was the main theme of the practice, but the return was also worked on. During practice, the Chiefs also performed a free kick. The ball was placed at the 40-yard line and kicker Justin Medlock booted the ball through the up-rights of the goal posts. The Chiefs were lined up in kick-off formation and Assistant Coach Mike Priefer reminded the players that if the field goal was missed, the opposition could return the ball. Priefer was sure to tell safety Bernard Pollard to watch drawing a hold penalty, during one rep of kick-off coverage. “Hands at your side. Hands in. Stay with your man,” said Priefer. On a separate rep, safety Jarrad Page pretended he was a star basketball player and shot a few fake baskets while waiting to get started with the drill. Later on in practice, cornerback Justin Phinisee gave a nice ladder pass to wide receiver Maurice Price who took the ball on a short run up the left sideline, and the crowd loved it. The coverage unit was working on their assignments during that same drill. Head Coach Herm Edwards was quiet for most of the practice, but spoke up to tell Medlock what he wanted to see on the kick-off; “Medlock right down the middle,” he said, pointing to the middle of the field, “Right there.” Medlock got the ball to the middle his next kick.
The unit also practiced fake punts when Head Coach Herm Edwards secretly changed the play without Assistant Coach Mike Priefer’s knowledge. Punter Dustin Colquitt lined up under the center to take the snap; Colquitt then threw the ball down the right sideline to cornerback Will Poole, but he dropped the ball and was well covered on the play.
Safety Bernard Pollard took time during practice to have fun with two children playing with blocking pads on the sideline. He said to one, “I want to show you a tackling drill.” One boy was quick to respond with a laugh. Pollard spent a few minutes joking with the boys and showing them how to use the blocking pads. One of his last comments to one of the boys was, “This is a pit bull. I’m not going to let him go. I need to put him on the leash.” Both children enjoyed Pollard’s attention and continued to play after Pollard rejoined the team for a kick-off drill.
To end the practice, the team ran a two-on-one drill. Two defenders took on one ball-carrier in a drill that worked the defenders from the 30-yard line to the end zone, and the carriers from the end zone up to the 30. Two vertical lines of cones staked the territory where the carriers were allowed to run. The goal was for the defenders to close in on the ball-carrier to stop the run, and for the ball-carrier to get around the defenders for a run up field. Cornerback Justin Phinisee, wide receivers Titus Ryan and Chris Hannon got away from their defenders on the run. Hannon beat out starting safeties Jarrad Page and Bernard Pollard with a spin move.
Fans
Ken and Heather Phillips, from River Falls were back at camp this afternoon. The Phillips', who had a Chiefs-themed wedding three years ago in River Falls, brought along son Parker, 2. The Phillips, who previously lived 10 minutes from Arrowhead Stadium, mentioned that Parker goes “nuts” when he sees anything Chiefs and gets a big smile on his face.
Mary and Tom Condon were at afternoon practice today with grandson Ty, 10. The Condons traveled from Claire, Iowa, to be at Chiefs camp for the first time. Ty said that he is having a great time and was excited to receive autographs from tight end Jason Dunn, fullback Boomer Grigsby, and wide receivers Chris Hannon and Brad Ekwerekwu. Some of Ty’s favorite things about camp include seeing the players live. The Condons all agree on the same favorite players including Grigsby, running back Priest Holmes, running back Larry Johnson, and tight end Tony Gonzalez.
Eric Reinhart and Shelley Rickman and their sons Jarren, 14, and Jaron, 13, from Diamond, Mo., made a stop at Chiefs camp this afternoon. “We really like [tight end] Jason Dunn. He’s a good player and a super nice man,” said Shelley. Added Eric, “We’ve had our sons’ pictures taken with him two times.” The couple also had many great things to say about River Falls. “We love it here. People are so friendly and nice. So many people have just come up and started talking to us and asked where we’re from.”
Extra, Extra...
In a press conference after practice, Special Teams Coach Mike Priefer talked about today's good practice. At the previous Tuesday's afternoon practice, kicker Justin Medlock missed four field goals in a practice. Priefer said today that he told Medlock after that performance, “It is July 31, and that’s not a bad thing to happen. It is part of the process for a young kicker. Every football player has a bad day, and once he realizes that he is going to be fine. He came back the next two days and went 4-4 yesterday and 3-4 today; he is hitting the ball well.” Medlock was 8-9 before his bad day, and has been 7-8 since then. At the punt return position there is still fierce competition. Priefer is looking forward to this weekend against the Vikings to see who can show their skills. When asked about how hard it was to see what young guys are going to fit on special teams, Priefer said, “That is the [most] fun part of my job, I get to work with all these young guys; they are eager, and coachable. If there is a young guy and he is not a starter, he is competing against every other guy on this team for a job. The guys that stand out are the guys I trust.” Young guys that are not starters often get to play on special teams, but some starters do as well. Priefer went on to say, “You have to pick and choose your spots. If Bernard Pollard becomes the starting safety, then he can only play on certain teams. If [Jarrad] Page is a starting safety, then he can only play on certain teams. Linebackers Napoleon Harris and Derrick Johnson will also be used on certain teams, such as punt or field goal block.” These talented players could be very important if the team needs a field goal block to win the game.
Only two Chiefs players stopped to peruse the Juggs machine after special teams practice today: wide receivers Chris Hannon and Samie Parker. Before the two could get to work, however, there seemed to be a malfunction with the machine. Defensive end Chris Harris stepped in to help; after two good rips of the start-up cord, the machine roared to life and Harris headed for the locker rooms.
After signing autographs for several fans on his way in from the field, fullback Boomer Grigsby strolled towards the locker room, swinging his helmet and singing ‘Fishin' In the Dark’ by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. One member of the media stepped up to interview him, and after answering questions for nearly five minutes, Grigsby asked for instructions on using the interviewer’s camera. Grigsby took several shots of his teammates as they walked by.
Tressa Gustafson, concessions stand worker, said that today she and the other staff members were getting ready for the influx of fans when the Vikings’ visit Ramer Field. “We’ve had to bring in a second memorabilia shipment,” said Gustafson. “We’re completely sold out of youth hats and people have really been buying the yearbooks.” As to the food section of the stand, Gustafson has two recommendations for fans: “I really like the ice cream Snickers bars,” she said. “The pizza sticks are also really good.” Gustafson and her co-workers will be showing up to the field as early as noon on Saturday to get ready for the Vikings; the concessions stand will open at 3 p.m. for fans.
Signing autographs after practice today were several players including running back Kolby Smith, tight end Keith Willis, cornerback Benny Sapp, and safety Bernard Pollard.
Sprinklers turned on the first practice field at 4:22 p.m. Bikes and aerobic equipment were moved into Hunt Arena from the white cover tent that lines the back of the practice fields.