ChiefsPlanet - Q&A with MIKE SOLARI

Q&A with MIKE SOLARI - 7/29
Jul 29, 2006, 7:21:23 PM

Mike Solari- Windows Media | Real Video

TRAINING CAMP

Q: Is there any transition for your veteran quarterbacks switching offensive coordinators?

SOLARI: “They are picking up right where we left off. The key thing is that this is the Kansas City Chiefs offense and it’s the exact same thing with picking it up. The nice thing is in the transition is that we don’t have to take a step back and we know where we need to go.”

Q: Have you heard any updates on G Brian Waters today?

SOLARI: “No, I have not.”

Q: Talk about what you are seeing at the fourth wide receiver spot right now.

SOLARI: “Well the fourth receiver, we’re early right now, again we’ve only had three practices, but some of the young guys are stepping up, they’re working hard and they’re competing for it. Right now it’s an open spot and it’s something we have time to work on and develop for somebody to step up and come along as we work in the preseason.”

Q: You have a lot of young guys and there is very little experience at the back up wide receiver position.

SOLARI: “Yeah, and it’s exciting because Charlie Joiner who is an outstanding wide receivers coach has this opportunity to work and develop these guys and the nice thing is that is what training camp is for. It’s for these guys to show that they can play and help us win games.”

Q: How are you working on the offensive line with the injury to G Brian Waters and T Willie Roaf missing?

SOLARI: “With Willie Roaf missing, right now we have T Kyle Turley working at left tackle, we’ve got T Jordan Black who is competing there and we have T Will Svitek who is competing there. We’ve also got some young guys that we’re looking at, but again it’s early and that’s what this time is for this training camp.”

Q: Can you talk a little bit about what QB Trent Green means to you and this offense?

SOLARI: “Trent Green is the Kansas City Chiefs offense. He knows this package inside and out. We have some great playmakers in TE Tony Gonzalez and RB Larry Johnson and WR Eddie Kennison and we’re excited about WR Samie (Parker) as he keeps developing and keeps getting better, so we’ve got some tools. Trent just knows this offense so well and he’s doing a great job leading us.”

Q: What about Trent Green as a leader?

SOLARI: “There’s nobody better. There’s nobody better. I mean he’s got all the intangibles. Trent Green is an outstanding quarterback and for people who appreciate the quarterback mechanics and techniques, it’s outstanding the way he does the play action, the fakes and the little things he does. Sometimes maybe the normal fan wouldn’t notice because you’re watching the ball and you’re excited about the playmakers making plays. Trent’s outstanding and again, he brings great, great leadership.”

Q: Is he (Green) underrated in this league?

SOLARI: “I believe he’s got great respect in the league. I don’t believe that, I just know what he brings to the Kansas City Chiefs and I think he’s been a tremendous leader for the Kansas City Chiefs.”

Q: What about the number two running back position?

SOLARI: “It’s very early to say that somebody’s doing really well right now, it’s really early. I mean today was the first day of pads and the thing is that a lot of guys look good in shorts and so forth and so on, and it’s not been playing performance under pressure. Right now it’s pads and putting them in a game-like situation, but again the most important thing is giving them the opportunity to make plays and put them in a position to make plays and show their talents.”

Q: Do you have enough talent backing up RB Larry Johnson?

SOLARI: “We believe so right now, but again some guys have got to step up and show us that they can do it. There are a lot of unknowns and uncertainties and that’s what the preseason games are for, but right now what we’re doing is teaching the offense to some of these young guys and giving them an opportunity, putting them in the best position to make plays and our job as coaches is to develop them and put them at their fullest ability where they can make plays and help us win.”

Q: Is QB Brodie Croyle showing you about what you expected?

SOLARI: “Brodie’s coming along. (Quarterbacks coach) Terry Shea does a great job with the quarterbacks and Brodie’s coming along developing. QB Casey Printers is doing a good job developing and QB Damon Huard is doing a nice job taking off where he was last year. The nice thing is that he (Huard) is taking number two reps and the more reps you get the better football player you are.”

Sounds like it's going to be the same offense, mostly, I guess.