| DaWolf |
07-31-2009 12:24 PM |
Go ahead and go to the link, they seem to update the page every few minutes as they get more interviews.
http://www.uwrf.edu/chiefs/prev_upda...s=090731pm.htm
Quote:
Friday, July 31 - Todd Haley Press Conference
Safety Jarrad Page talked with media around lunchtime. When asked if he was worried about the competition he'd face against safety Bernard Pollard, Page said, "I don't really get into competition. I just go out and see what happens." Page said the defensive transitions were going smoothly thus far. "Coach (Clancy) Pendergast is doing a great job explaining why we do everything the way we do," he said. Page also commented that the key to improving defense is to "just tackle."
Tight end Brad Cottam showed up to lunch at the University Center wearing a yellow cut-off shirt and green visor. He commented on the conditioning test that Head Coach Todd Haley had the players participate in earlier in the morning. "Most guys made it," Cottam said. He said the team knew the test was coming, so they had been preparing for it and working hard in the off-season. Cottam said that the mentality of the team so far has been "exciting and new." "We'll see in a week how things are looking," he said. Cottam also said that he's excited to get pads on and practice.
Brad Cottam, Chiefs tight end, said that at last year's training camp he got to room with former Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez and learn a lot from him. "Last year was an adjusting year for me," Cottam said. "I know what to expect a little more this year." Cottam also said that last year he was most worried about showing up to camp, being big in stature. "I was 280 last year," he said. This year, he said he is more focused on being in shape. As far as Cottam's goals in the the upcoming season are concerned, he said he wants to excel at both aspects, blocking and receving, of the tight end position.
Tight end Brad Cottam said that part of the reason he enjoys training camp in River Falls is because the team is able to get away and focus. "There are no families," he said. "It's just the team. It's just us."
Running back Jamaal Charles was pleased with how this morning's conditioning test went, commenting that everyone made time, and as a whole, the team looks to be in good shape. Personally, Charles has gained eight pounds in the off-season. Even with the additional weight, Charles is not concerned about his speed. "I've been running on the track to keep up my speed," he said. "The extra pounds won't affect me." When asked how he was able to put on the pounds, Charles said, laughing that he learned to "never miss a meal."
Jamaal Charles, Chiefs running back, said that his responsibilities are going to be a little different this year. He wants to prove himself as an every-down running back. "It doesn't matter if someone's big or strong if you've got heart," he said. When asked how last year's season affects the team's mentalitiy this year, Charles simply said that he doesn't count last year. "We had no wins."
The common question in today's lunchtime interviews was how the conditioning went earlier in the morning. Center Rudy Niswanger was all smiles as he spoke to reporters. He commented on the fact that the team knew about the conditioning test, so they were all able to prepare, train and stay focused. "Yeah, it's a good thing the conditioning test is done," Niswanger said. "Now we can move on to football."
When asked if he thought this year's team was in better shape than last year, center Rudy Niswanger said, "Oh yeah." Niswanger said that being in shape allows for the players to stay better conditioned and learn how to approach plays smarter. With being better conditioned, Niswanger forsees his team as being able to stay fresh throughout an entire game. "We'll have better fourth quarters," he said. "Therefore, we'll have less fourth quarter losses."
Rudy Niswanger, Chiefs center, said the team has a great mentality heading into training camp. "Our attitude is about competition and excitement," he said. Niswanger said that the team has been approaching every drill as competition, and that leaves the center excited about the possibilities.
The Chiefs have had several young guys on their team in the last two years. Center Rudy Niswanger said that battle at each spot is intense. In his spot at center, Niswanger said it's a battle everyday. Regardless, of the young average age of the team, the offensive line has a couple individuals whose age is increasing. "I'm not worried about age," Niswanger said. "Age is just a number." Niswanger also commented on the addition of guard Mike Goff.
Linebacker Derrick Johnson said that at the completion of the team's conditioning test in the morning, he could really tell that people had worked hard to prepare for it. "The coaches really hyped up the test," he said. "We were all anxious to get it over with." Personally, Johnson said he weighs in at 237 pounds, which fulfills his goal of staying beneath 240. At his weight, Johnson said he will be seeing time primarily as an inside linebacker.
Under new Defensive Coordinator Clancy Pendergast, linebacker Derrick Johnson said the defense is mentally trying to learn everything about the new scheme their implementing. "Once we get the mental part out of the way, we'll be good to go by the first game," he said. Apart from the mental transitions the Chiefs defense is undergoing, Johnson said they really need to focus on tackling as well. "You have to tackle to have a better defense," he said. "A good defense is a good tackling team." Near the end of Johnson's interview, defensive end Alfonso Boone left the University Center and kicked the back of Johnson's knees. To wrap up, Johnson said that he's psyched about the defense's new scheme, commenting that it's simliar to things he had run at the University of Texas.
Defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey said that he's still got a ways to go after the team's conditioning test. Dorsey met with reporters before lunch with his left shin on ice. He said that it wasn't anything to worry about, though. Dorsey had missed a couple Organized Team Activities, and said he's ready to get back to where he was, ready to get back in shape. "There's always pressure to perform well," the second-year defensive lineman said. Dorsey is expected to spend some time working as a defensive end this season. "It's just a different name. There's a lot of things similar between being a tackle and being an end," he said. "I'm looking forward to it. I know I can do it."
Last year, defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey was the Chiefs first selection in the NFL Draft. Dorsey didn't sign with the Chiefs and make it to training camp until a couple days after the team arrived. Similarily, this year's first selection defensive end Tyson Jackson has not arrived at camp yet. Dorsey said he has talked with Jackson, and right now, the rookie is taking care of the business aspect of everything. Dorsey anticipates that Jackson will be on his way shortly. Dorsey said that he has talked to Jackson about the grief he should be expecting from the veteran players when he finally gets to camp. Dorsey said he understands how frustrating it is to want to speed up the process, but he's told Jackson to focus on taking it "one day, one hour, one minute at a time." "I'm familiar with the pressure and anxiety to get here," he said.
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****The Official 2009 Training Camp Update Thread****
(https://chiefsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?t=211147)