Holthus on Des Moines radio...only caught part of it...
 

8/18 Update posted by htismaqe
Hinted (like he hinted Monday about Tynes' arrest) that Todd Collins was in trouble. More to come later today from the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Vermeil appeared to have Tynes' back, but he was visibly upset with the kicker at other times. Still thinks competition will be brought in.

Surtain has been the star of camp. Said even though the guy is a top NFL CB, he approached camp like he was fighting for the 53rd spot on the roster. Great player and great example. Derrick Johnson is legit and has the chance to be up there with DT, Lanier, and Bell.

On the offensive side, talked alot about LJ and the o-line, and how stellar Roaf and Waters have been.

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8/16 Update posted by jspchief
Talked about Gunther on the rampage.

Morning practice, he tore Grigsby a new asshole for mistakes lining up.

Afternoon practice, he told Alphonso Hodge that he can find 100,000 people to do the job as good as he is, and that he fired the last player that played like that. Apparently Hodge talked back to him at that point, which can't be good for your lifespan.

Coaches that win a superbowl with one team have never won one with the next team.

Vermeil is frustrated with all the man hours missed. Is tired of guys sitting out for every little nick.

Some scrub from ISU quit the team.

Talked a bit about Bell, but didn't say anything that hasn't been in the other threads. Practicing in pads, but not hitting.

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8/15 Update posted by htismaqe
The news is not good boys.

The Chiefs gave up 8 plays over 15 yards. Gunther is beyond furious, Mitch said he was "beside himself". Jared Allen has been demoted, Jimmy Wilkerson is now starting.

Kevin Sampson has a toe tendon problem, out 2-3 weeks. Todd Collins has a possible fracture, out 2-3 weeks. Holcombe will be out 6 weeks.

He said Lawrence Tynes had a bad weekend "on and off the field". When asked to elaborate about the "off the field" comment, he hemmed and hawed and never did answer. Tynes must have gotten drunk too. Anyway, he said there will likely be competition brought into camp. The good news is that Tynes didn't miss a kick yesterday.

Will Shields participated in workouts and could see full practice later this week, so that's at least one good thing.
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8/12 Update posted by htismaqe
Talked about the game. Starters will play slightly more than 1 quarter, except for Priest, LJ, Green, Gonzo. They will likely play only a couple of series'. Shields won't play. Bell won't play. Dunn is out.

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8/11 Update posted by htismaqe
Not much today. Priest and Tony were "dancing like spring chickens" last night so that was good news.

Talked mostly about the defense and the need to create turnovers. Forget yards, the defense last year had only 21 takeaways (franchise record) and 85 plays of longer than 20 yards (NFL average is 55).

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8/10 Update posted by htismaqe
Talked about the WR's. Said, after Kennison, there isn't anybody that stands out. They're all the same. Talked a bit about Booth and McIntyre and their stints in NFLE. Said Freddie is still out, he tried to talk to him last night and Freddie just kinda grumbled and groaned and kept walking. Said that everybody at the position (WR) could be a 1-2 catch guy to compliment Holmes, Gonzo, and WILSON. Yes, he mentioned Wilson in the same breath as Holmes and Gonzales. Said the team will likely keep only 5 maybe 6 WR's.

He said the team is much healthier already. Both Priest and Gonzo were back last night and looking better. Not sure about LJ.

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8/9 Update posted by htismaqe
Concerned about special teams because of loss of Blaylock and Beisel. Said Boomer or Scanlon is going to have to step up. The good news is that Benny Sapp is turning into a monster on special teams.

Also concerned about reps on Friday vs. the Vikings. Gonzo is better, wasn't limping much last night, but he won't play. Dunn won't play. Priest probably won't play. Larry Johnson is now dinged up, minor, but might not play.

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8/8 Update posted by htismaqe
Very concerned about Tony's foot. He was limping pretty bad all weekend. Seemed concerned about Jason Dunn too.

Greg Wesley looks like he's out to prove that he's still a hitter. Layed a hit on Priest like you wouldn't believe. Derrick Johnson also looks like he's on a mission to let everyone know he's not afraid of contact like the draftniks said.

Talked again about Gunther unleashed, about the fights, and about the defense's passion.

Finally he said there's going to be a couple of games where the defense and LJ have to carry this team.

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8/5 Update posted by htismaqe
Was asked about Priest's concussion. Said the defense has been unleashed by Gunther, tired of being picked on. In goal line drills (when Priest got hurt) the defense stuffed them EVERY time except...

When Larry Johnson carried the ball. He was just too strong and drug people into the end zone. Easily the offensive MVP of camp so far.

Was asked about the fighting and if it was desired. Said "NO QUESTION" emphatically. Said the intensity is way up, especially on defense, and it's been missing for far too long. Vermeil has asked Gunther to go balls to the wall this year, leave it all on the field.

Said Bo is silently having a good camp and that he separates himself easily from the other WR's because he's 1) 4 inches taller and 2) a key to our ST's.

That's about all I can remember.

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8/4 Update posted by jspchief
Talking LBs mostly.

Said he doesn't think Woods or Fujita make the team, barring a string of injuries at either position.

That's about it. Short interview. Told interesting story about hot Svitek got to America.

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8/3 Update posted by htismaqe
Anyway, he did clarify or expound on a couple of his statements from previous interviews:

1) We have to get off to a good start this year. Yesterday, it was about the assistants looking for other jobs. Today it was the danger that a poor start would cause everybody -- players, coaches, and fans -- knowing that this is Vermeil's last year, to start discussing who the next coach would be instead of worrying about this season. I think from the brew-ha-ha yesterday we had on the very subject, despite the fact that the season hasn't even started, shows that he's probably right.

2) Ferentz being mentioned as a HC candidate. Bob Stoops would be in there too.

The only thing of substance that he talked about was YET ANOTHER back injury, this time to Jason Dunn.

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8/2 Update posted by htismaqe
Dexter McCleon IS the starter opposite Surtain. Not only that but Sapp is the nickel. Ambrose and Washington are both quite a bit behind. (Interestingly enough, I heard DA say the same thing on 610 about 30 minutes later).

Also, this year is not like last year. If we go 1-3 we could be done. This is Vermeil's last year and if we start out slow, the assistants could just start looking for jobs instead of focusing.

He also said that Kirk Ferentz' name has been whispered around Arrowhead.

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8/1 Update posted by htismaqe
I heard most of the part about the coaches and what's going on there:

Vermeil and Peterson have told Saunders, no excuses get Larry Johnson on the field -- Holthus editorialized a bit, said LJ looks SUPERB so far in camp

Gunther and Saunders may have it out at some point during camp. There's been a few fights. Vermeil asked Gunther to tone it down a bit last year, but this year Vermeil has let him go back to being his old self. Saunders and Gunther have the giveaways/takeaways on a huge poster in the locker room and the defense right now is +8. Gunther rubs it in every chance he gets.

That's really the big stuff I heard him say. Mitchell's injury didn't sound serious, he was confident Shields would be fine (although he did say it was a little concerning), Wiegmann looks rejuvinated, and Priest looks like a "spring chicken".

I like good news.

I also like AS and Gun competing.

The Gun/Saunders thing is awesome!

I'm not sure I understand the giveaway/takeaway board, I could see a takeaway/touchdown board, but the other doesn't make a lick of sense to me as shouldn't the D always be a plus here?

Don't know, just repeating what he said.

That is a dumb thing to say. It is never good when a teams offense and defense take sides against each other. Especially in this situation where it is so lopsided and the offense has been carrying the defense the last 4 years.

Gunther is no position whatsoever to talk trash against the offense.

Mitch was also on 1330 AM out of Wichita this morning.

He said so far, the defense is playing better than the offense. (Is the defense doing that good, or offense starting out slow?)
Shields is in KC today getting checked out.
FredEx is also in KC today getting looked at; knee will probably need to be scoped.
He talked a little about DJ getting signed; should be in River Falls later today, and went on how he will probably get razed by vets, and they'll tell him to 'earn his money'.
Gunther has his 'mojo' back. (And yes, he did actually say 'mojo')
He said one of his main concerns is replacing players on special teams, like Beisel and Blaylock.

If you can get 1330 AM out of Wichita, Mitch will be on every morning @ 8:19 during camp.

Nice...rep

I see it as friendly competition, and Gun ingraining the importance of takeaways. I think you're right about the offense carrying the defense, but it's a new year, and THIS offense hasn't done ANYTHING, which also means THIS defense hasn't done anything either... good or bad. It's camp, and IMO competition between the sides doesn't mean they're "taking sides against each other." It means they're learning to get better from each other's play. If the defense is good, the offense should get better. With the offense we have, the defense has a better opportunity to get better.

So take my "dumb thing to say" and stick it up your ass. It's just how I see it, you're welcome to view it how you like.

He also said "Patrick Surtain is a stud". Said he has looked outstanding so far.

Of course AS & GC are going at it. There's only one opening at HC next year, and Gun has a .500 record as a head coach.

The fact that the defense is ahead of the offense should have everyone VERY excited.

Normally, this is the trend early on in training camps. The fact that the Chiefs offense was carving up the defense early in TC the past few years was a good indicator that the D sucked.

How is the defense ahead of the offense at this point? When I see the recaps from River Falls and they go over the 7 on 7 and 11 on 11 drills it seems that the QB's have very high completion rates including the 2nd and 3rd stringers. For example from the last practice:

"During the final series of 11-on-11's quarterback Trent Green was 7-10."
"Quarterback Todd Collins was 2-3 in the final series of 11-on-11's."
"Quarterback Damon Huard was 3-4 this afternoon in the final series of 11-on-11's."

The offense has not opened up anything yet. Once they start practicing game day stuff, this defense will not look nearly as good. Taking nothing away from what the defense is accomplishing though. I'm glad they're fired up. I just hope it doesn't all go to their head really fast.

Really, they should do well against this offense. They've been practicing against them every day for the last 4 years. Against the KC offense, the best defense should be the KC defense.

Neither the offense or the defense has "opened up" yet. Gunther's defensive playbook is almost as large as Saunders' offensive playbook.

If anything, the offense should be farther ahead because most of those guys have been here. The defense has several free agents that have to get acclimated.

And I should make this clear: Holthus did not say that this was contentious. Vermeil actually seems to be harboring some competition this year. If you ask me, I think the offense needs it, they seem to act complacent at times.

Just going off of what was written in the initial post.......

I'm not knocking what you wrote. The reports coming from camp seem to conflict a lot.

I agree. I think we need a little more attitude on offense at times. How many times in the last four years has the offense had the ball late in a game in a position to come from behind, pad a lead or simply run the clock out, and failed?

I don't think anything's wrong with a little bad blood between the two units in camp, either, although I didn't see that mentioned anywhere. Just that there might be some between Saunders and Cunningham. As long as it seals itself up once the final roster's set in September. Working harder, or with more intensity, is going to make both units that much better, so long as everybody keeps their head on straight and nobody gets hurt.

JMO of course.

In that note, I would tend to go w/ Holtus' analysis over a 19 Year old UWRF student who writes like the 9th grader.

Just my $0.02......

I don't give a rat's azz what they do as long as this squad is thinking SB victory and nothing else.

My thoughts exactly. I hope the defense is pushing the offense.
I hope the D Line is getting some push up the middle. This is what I'm waiting to hear about out of camp.

fuck 'position.' If it helps him get a quality D on the field in the regular season, Gun has my permission to take a shit on Saunder's desk.

Yes, it's exciting to not have a turd defense. But it also raises the question of whether or not the offense can continue to sustain a high level of production. If you remember, the offense stumbled a lot at key times last year...not hanging the losses on them, but we would have been in the playoffs if not for the decline in our red zone production.

Part of that drop in the red zone has to do with Priest injured for half the season. Despite that LJ and Blaylock did great, Priest has a nose for the goal line.

Thank you! Nice tip!

I say fuck DV for trying to tell Gun to tone it down last year. Defense isn't for pussies. Does DV think he's running a fantasy football team or something? I'm glad DV is letting Gun be himself this year.

An opinion I happen to share!

I don't know where people get this idea that DV is so soft in terms of football thinking. DV has always talked about having a "level of violence". If he hadn't run into Martz/Saunders in his career, he'd probably still be a grind it out/blood and dirt football coach. Really, he still is, because you'll hear him piss and moan when Saunders gets too pass happy during a game.

Just a few more notes on What Holthus aid this morning...

He said the contract we signed DJ to doesn't have any big jumps or roster bonuses further down the line. Basically said that they have him inked for five years in a contract that will never get too high priced for them or make them weigh production versus cost.

Said Fredex could miss most or all of the pre-season with the knee scope.

DV has been nothing but soft during his tenure here at KC, as far as the defense is concerned. He hired a soft DC in Greggy poo, and totally supported the way he coached. I'm thankful DV is changing, thanks to Gun. I'm just going by what I've seen the last 4 years in KC.

I think our defense will be loads better this year, thanks to Gun and the added talent that we would not have added if it weren't for him. Terrible head coach, but good DC.

Remember in the 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 recaps, the defense is not allowed to hit the QBs and the offense doesn't give up the ball when Trent flings and INT.

Holthus on Des Moines Radio...8/2 camp update
 

Wasn't much to it this morning...

Dexter McCleon IS the starter opposite Surtain. Not only that but Sapp is the nickel. Ambrose and Washington are both quite a bit behind. (Interestingly enough, I heard DA say the same thing on 610 about 30 minutes later).

Also, this year is not like last year. If we go 1-3 we could be done. This is Vermeil's last year and if we start out slow, the assistants could just start looking for jobs instead of focusing.

He also said that Kirk Ferentz' name has been whispered around Arrowhead.

Interesting...

Then put a fork in us. I don't see us better than 2-2 after 4.

Hope I'm wrong.

Very interesting.

I wouldn't have a problem with him as coach.

Holthus actually said that? They're basically going to quit at 1-3? That's nuts.

What? If he said that, he's senile. There are quite a few teams in the NFL that has came back from a 1-3 defict to make it to the playoffs.

I can see it happening after the letdowns that have occured. I don't think it's right but it can happen.

Not teams that have 20 coaches in the final year of their contracts.

Holthus said the air around the FO is that a change needs to be made. At this point, he said even if Vermeil did want to come back, it might not happen.

Boy there is just so much optomism around the Chiefs this year. NOT! Now even Holthus is on the "cry about last year" bandwagon.

"Cry about last year"?

WTF are you talking about?

All Holthus said is that this team absolutely CANNOT afford to start off slow. He didn't even MENTION last year.

That's scary right there. Not the attitude that you want to have at the beginning of a contending season.

shit.

The part about Ambrose and Washington has me nervous as well. If McCleon and Sapp look better than those 2, we are in trouble. I don't think corner is a position that has a huge "learning curve" from a playbook standpoint, since these guys are basically on an island.

They're gonna be in the final year of their contracts whether they win or lose. Would not their employment prospects for 2006 improve if they worked hard to turn around a 1-3 start rather than quit and go in the tank, finishing 6-10 or whatever on the heels of a disappointing 7-9 the year before? What does a 2-year mark of 13-19 do for you on the open market? Aren't these guys supposed to be a bit more professional than that?

Quitting at 1-3 makes them no better than all us whiny bitches on the Planet. :p

OK, I see where this is coming from. I worded it wrong. Re-read the initial post now.

Hmm... not exactly the way I like to start off with. Unless it's the thought that Clark Hunt will be overtaking the franchise sooner than they're letting on. IIRC, Clark isn't too fond towards Carl, is he or is he not?

Either way, I was listening to the radio on the way to drop my sister off to work, and I didn't get the station, but they mentioned that Vermeil is pissed off. It turns out Freddie didnt go to KC to have his leg scoped. He went somewhere else for a 2nd opinion. He was supposed to get scoped today from what the radio said.

Just throwing in what I heard.

Freddie went to get a 2nd opinion instead of getting it scoped. 2nd opinion recommended getting the scope anyway, which is now scheduled for tomorrow. It set him back 2 days, which is why Vermeil is pissed.

If we go 1-3 we are realistically done for the year. Not toast but dang close.

Exactly, and our schedule gets a little more friendly after the "first quarter."
Kirk Ferentz'? Sounds like some Iowa homerism to me. I want Al Saunders!

He also said that Kirk Ferentz' name has been whispered around Arrowhead.

Too bad though, I don't think Ferentz is gonna listen to any whispering any time soon. It sounds like he LOVES his situation at Iowa right now.

I was talking to my son last night about Vermeil's replacement and my top 3 in no particular order were:

1. Kirk Ferentz :clap:
2. Jon Gruden
3. Herm Edwards

Welp, I guess we'll just simply say what the Cubs fans say it best.

"Wait until next year" :p

Mitch is VERY fond of "localizing". He's sponsoring the 1-A Earlham Cardinals football team for September. I think he just likes to show he knows a little something about the cities/areas he's being interviewed in. So you very well could be right...

As for the schedule, I don't care how many teams start 1-3 and make the playoffs.

This season isn't about the playoffs, it's about the Super Bowl. Know how many 1-3 teams have gone on to the Super Bowl? EXACTLY.

I think this first four game thing is overblown. First of all, I don't see why we shouldn't win 2-3 of the first 4, but even if we don't, looking at the rest of the schedule, I still see us finishing with 10 or 11 wins. If we start hot, I see 12 wins. Normal injury caveat, of course.

:Lin:

Ah, well I can understand why Vermeil is pissed about that. Basically Freddie is just throwing away his chances.

Eh, I'm not too worried about Freddie. If he contributes, along with his mouth stapled shut, I won't complain. But then, if he misses more time, then might as well cut him, since we already have solid, yet unexperienced, WR corps.

Only 1. The New England Patriots

Well then we could probably be the first. :p
I agree we are set up for making a Super Bowl run this year, probably better than any in many, many years.
Personally, I enjoy each game week in and week out. If we end up 11-5 after starting 0-4, why would we not have tremendous momentum going into the playoffs?

"Also, this year is not like last year. If we go 1-3 we could be done. This is Vermeil's last year and if we start out slow, the assistants could just start looking for jobs instead of focusing."

Your words or his (Mitch's)?

I like Kirk Ferentz for a couple of reasons. He is a simple, fundamental type of coach. His teams are highly emphasized on building inside the trenches. If we had Kirk Ferentz here, I would expect good lines on both sides of the ball. That is where it all starts imo.

I agree! I think a charged up team and crowd will be enough to take down the Jets in week 1. I also think if we are improved to the heights I think we are going to be on defense, we should split at the worst on the road two games... at worst. And Philly at Arrowhead... just feels like the type of game where the Chiefs always plays well against the best from the NFC.

Ok I admit... I have no idea who that is.

Head coach Iowa Hawkeyes NCAA

Iowa's Football Coach I believe. He has done a great job there, but he is still a college coach. I feel the same about Stoops.

college coaches can stay in college imo.

Same here until I read the whole thread ands see where it was mentioned he was the Iowa coach.

Ferentz was once Belicheks O Line coach in Cleveland.
He knows the Pro game.

As much as I'd hate to see him leave Iowa, I'd be thrilled if he bacame the Chiefs HC.

He who ignores history is doomed to repeat it.

We CANNOT afford to start off 1-3 or 0-4. Of course, I'm not really worried, I see us going 2-2 at worst.

My words. Which is why I edited.

I did not know of his Pro Game experience, thanks for the information. It makes me feel a little better. When I here of College Coaches I can not help but think of what happened to the Redskins when a College Icon took over.

Ferentz spent a few years as Bill Belichik's assistant and also helped build the Ravens offensive line. Jonathon Ogden still gives him credit for what he did for his game.

Ferentz knows the pro game, and more specifically he knows that games are won in the trenches.

Ok well then get over it. Everyone seems to be focused on the negative of last year. Personally I think we can go 1-3 and still kick ass. But I am just getting tired of people already glooming and dooming and we haven't taken 1 snap yet, that's all.

I agree with your history comment, but my glass is almost always half full.
If we started 0-4 or 1-3 I would probably have to check in to Rehab anyway.

No offense, but this is NOTHING compared to years past around here.

You'll get used to it.

Wait until TG's first interception.

Total chaos.

I'm not glooming and dooming, nor am I focused on the negative of last year.

I'm merely stating a statistical fact -- only one team has started 1-3 and still made it to the Super Bowl.

I have a degree in History, and cannot just ignore the above. It's just not in my nature.

Like I said, I feel STRONGLY that we cannot start any worse than 2-2. However, I also feel STRONGLY that we WILL NOT start any worse than 2-2. :thumb:

Not to harp here, we all thought at 0-2 last year we would next be 1-2, but we lost to Houston at home...0-3. We never recovered........

Sometimes shit happens.......

Remember when he 'smiled' after and interception? I think the thread was 300+ replies long.

Ahhh the good old days.

Week 2 will NOT be pretty for McCleon . Moss is gonna have 250 + yards... :shake:

I personally can't wait for the "McCleon/Ambrose/Whoever Sucks vs. No, we need better line penetration" argument to start.

Bet you a donut Surtain will have that assignment