Tribal Warfare
08-16-2010, 12:37 AM
Sunday in Chiefs camp | Offensive line has rough weekend; Lewis' goal is to start; Haley explains decision to defer (http://www.kansascity.com/2010/08/15/2152125/chiefs-day-in-camp-on-sunday.html)
Offensive line has rough weekend
As if the offensive line wasn’t discouraging enough in Friday night’s exhibition loss at Atlanta, the injury list afterward elicited further questions about how the Chiefs will protect their quarterbacks.
The Chiefs were down to 10 available offensive linemen when training camp resumed Sunday afternoon in St. Joseph. Three linemen — tackle Barry Richardson and guards Darryl Harris and rookie Jon Asamoah — spent the practice either walking around or on a stationary bike. Harris was injured last week, and Richardson and Asamoah were hurt Friday.
The situation at left guard has been rocky through much of camp, with Brian Waters missing part of the first two weeks because of an apparent leg injury.
Coach Todd Haley said Sunday that he wasn’t exactly inspired by the line’s performance Friday.
“Struggled at times,” Haley said. “Across the board up front, there were some good things, but there are some things that we’ve got to be better.”
Lewis’ goal is to start
Kendrick Lewis said Sunday that his goal is to be the Chiefs’ starter at free safety by opening day. He’s off to a good start.
Lewis, a fifth-round pick from Mississippi, has been one of the surprise standouts of training camp. Lewis said he wasn’t intimidated by the atmosphere inside the Georgia Dome in his de facto NFL debut.
“It really wasn’t what everybody makes it out to be,” he said. “I got out there, I was real comfortable. I was real comfortable with the play-calling that coach had us out there doing. I just went out there and played football when it all came down to it.”
Lewis worked with the first-team defense Sunday alongside another rookie, strong safety Eric Berry. Veteran free safety Jon McGraw suffered an unidentified injury during the workout, meaning Lewis could get more chances to earn that starting job.
“Definitely a goal of mine,” he said. “I’m going to work as hard as I can to get it, and hopefully good things come out of it.”
Haley explains decision to defer
Two days after the Chiefs won the coin flip and deferred possession to the second half, Haley said there was strategy in his decision.
“I wanted to put the defense out there, right out of the gate against a pretty good offensive team,” Haley said. “I think they tested us. They were, by no means, vanilla.”
Atlanta gained 55 yards on 10 plays before Matt Bryant kicked a field goal.
What you need to know about…
THE OFFENSE
Dexter McCluster had no shortage of touches Sunday, taking the majority of the carries while lined up at running back and most of the receptions while playing wide receiver. McCluster is listed as a wideout, but it’s becoming clear the rookie will be featured at multiple positions. … At least for one day, veteran Casey Wiegmann appeared to overtake Rudy Niswanger as the team’s No. 1 center. Wiegmann worked with the first team during Sunday’s practice. … With injured tight ends Tony Moeaki and Jake O’Connnell spending the afternoon in the conditioning area, Cody Slate got most of the work alongside Leonard Pope.
THE DEFENSE
Second-year end Tyson Jackson finally had an impressive play during a team drill, getting through the offensive line to stop fullback Tim Castille for a loss. Jackson still worked with the second-team defense during some 11-on-11 drills, although the personnel was mixed during many of those configurations. … Andy Studebaker was with the first-team defense during much of Sunday’s practice, getting work at left outside linebacker in place of veteran Mike Vrabel, who worked primarily with the nickel defense.
INJURY REPORT
In addition to offensive linemen Darryl Harris, Barry Richardson and Jon Asamoah and tight ends Moeaki and O’Connell, the Chiefs’ sent running back Kestahn Moore and safety Jon McGraw to the conditioning area after they apparently were injured during Sunday’s workout.
DAILY BATTLE
Defensive end Alex Magee worked with the third-team defense Sunday, another sign that last year’s third-round pick isn’t improving as the team hoped. Jackson is listed as the Chiefs’ starter at left end, and his backup is listed as Shaun Smith, whose experience is mostly as an interior lineman.
TODAY’S SCHEDULE
The Chiefs will practice at 8:50 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The afternoon practice will be held indoors and will be closed to the public.
Offensive line has rough weekend
As if the offensive line wasn’t discouraging enough in Friday night’s exhibition loss at Atlanta, the injury list afterward elicited further questions about how the Chiefs will protect their quarterbacks.
The Chiefs were down to 10 available offensive linemen when training camp resumed Sunday afternoon in St. Joseph. Three linemen — tackle Barry Richardson and guards Darryl Harris and rookie Jon Asamoah — spent the practice either walking around or on a stationary bike. Harris was injured last week, and Richardson and Asamoah were hurt Friday.
The situation at left guard has been rocky through much of camp, with Brian Waters missing part of the first two weeks because of an apparent leg injury.
Coach Todd Haley said Sunday that he wasn’t exactly inspired by the line’s performance Friday.
“Struggled at times,” Haley said. “Across the board up front, there were some good things, but there are some things that we’ve got to be better.”
Lewis’ goal is to start
Kendrick Lewis said Sunday that his goal is to be the Chiefs’ starter at free safety by opening day. He’s off to a good start.
Lewis, a fifth-round pick from Mississippi, has been one of the surprise standouts of training camp. Lewis said he wasn’t intimidated by the atmosphere inside the Georgia Dome in his de facto NFL debut.
“It really wasn’t what everybody makes it out to be,” he said. “I got out there, I was real comfortable. I was real comfortable with the play-calling that coach had us out there doing. I just went out there and played football when it all came down to it.”
Lewis worked with the first-team defense Sunday alongside another rookie, strong safety Eric Berry. Veteran free safety Jon McGraw suffered an unidentified injury during the workout, meaning Lewis could get more chances to earn that starting job.
“Definitely a goal of mine,” he said. “I’m going to work as hard as I can to get it, and hopefully good things come out of it.”
Haley explains decision to defer
Two days after the Chiefs won the coin flip and deferred possession to the second half, Haley said there was strategy in his decision.
“I wanted to put the defense out there, right out of the gate against a pretty good offensive team,” Haley said. “I think they tested us. They were, by no means, vanilla.”
Atlanta gained 55 yards on 10 plays before Matt Bryant kicked a field goal.
What you need to know about…
THE OFFENSE
Dexter McCluster had no shortage of touches Sunday, taking the majority of the carries while lined up at running back and most of the receptions while playing wide receiver. McCluster is listed as a wideout, but it’s becoming clear the rookie will be featured at multiple positions. … At least for one day, veteran Casey Wiegmann appeared to overtake Rudy Niswanger as the team’s No. 1 center. Wiegmann worked with the first team during Sunday’s practice. … With injured tight ends Tony Moeaki and Jake O’Connnell spending the afternoon in the conditioning area, Cody Slate got most of the work alongside Leonard Pope.
THE DEFENSE
Second-year end Tyson Jackson finally had an impressive play during a team drill, getting through the offensive line to stop fullback Tim Castille for a loss. Jackson still worked with the second-team defense during some 11-on-11 drills, although the personnel was mixed during many of those configurations. … Andy Studebaker was with the first-team defense during much of Sunday’s practice, getting work at left outside linebacker in place of veteran Mike Vrabel, who worked primarily with the nickel defense.
INJURY REPORT
In addition to offensive linemen Darryl Harris, Barry Richardson and Jon Asamoah and tight ends Moeaki and O’Connell, the Chiefs’ sent running back Kestahn Moore and safety Jon McGraw to the conditioning area after they apparently were injured during Sunday’s workout.
DAILY BATTLE
Defensive end Alex Magee worked with the third-team defense Sunday, another sign that last year’s third-round pick isn’t improving as the team hoped. Jackson is listed as the Chiefs’ starter at left end, and his backup is listed as Shaun Smith, whose experience is mostly as an interior lineman.
TODAY’S SCHEDULE
The Chiefs will practice at 8:50 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The afternoon practice will be held indoors and will be closed to the public.