[BigRedChief]

Sunday, August 10, 2008: Morning Practice
This morning’s practice weather included blue skies with a slightly cool breeze. A temperature of 69 degrees was partnered with an east wind of five miles per hour. The humidity was 41 percent with a dew point of 44 degrees. Thirty-nine fans attended practice.

Special Teams
Three scissor lifts with cameramen surrounded the second practice field behind the north and south end zones and the east side of the field for a special teams practice.

At 10:26 an air horn sounded and Strength and Conditioning Coach Cedric Smith ran the team through line drills and stretching—from karaoke to boomerangs—on the north end of the practice field. The offense and defense were divided up on different sides during warm ups.
A kickoff return drill started at 10:36. The drill was run at three-quarter speed and the cover team wore yellow skull caps. “Hands and feet, let’s go,” said Special Teams Coach Mike Priefer to the players at the beginning of the drill, “make good decisions.” Kicker Nick Novak took the reps with the first unit while kicker Connor Barth worked with the second. Running backs Dantrell Savage and Jamaal Charles and kick return specialist B.J. Sams took turns on the return. “Returners you’ve got to talk,” said Priefer about calling out the receive. A mix of players were out with the first return team: wide receiver Bobby Sippio, center Wade Smith, defensive tackle T.J. Jackson, defensive end Turk McBride, tight end John Paul Foschi, linebackers E.J. Kuale, Weston Dacus and LeRue Rumph, safety DaJuan Morgan and cornerbacks Tyron Brackenridge and Rashad Barksdale.

The punt team worked on cover protection beginning at 10:48. The cover unit worked at half-speed. Players worked on lane assignments as they ran north for 20 yards per rep. Cornerback Rashad Barksdale and running back Dantrell Savage shared reps on the return. They focused on catching the punts from punter Dustin Colquitt and not on the return itself.

At 10:57 the team turned its focus back to the kickoff and worked on a slow-tempo cover drill. The wedge was armed with blocking pads. The cover team worked on getting around the wedge and picking up and squeezing in on the returner coming up field.
A Juggs machine was brought onto the field at 11:06 for a short punt return drill. The Juggs shot out punts in place of punter Dustin Colquitt. The purpose of the drill was to align defenders with their cover assignments and give returners the opportunity to receive the ball given certain game-day situations like the end of the fourth quarter and being down.
Practice ended at 11:09.

Mike Priefer Press Conference
Special Teams Coach Mike Priefer held a press conference after today’s practice. He mainly talked about kickers Connor Barth and Nick Novak. He said they are both very close and currently have a 50/50 shot. Both kickers kicked yesterday from the 60-yard line where Barth missed his first kick in four practices. He said punter Dustin Colquitt needs to be more aggressive in practice. When asked about how the coverage was compared to last year, Priefer said they did good Thursday night against the Chicago Bears. He mentioned how excited he was for the young guys and their attitudes. Barth, being mentally tougher and learning and moving on from each mistake he makes, is completely different than last year’s rookie kicker Justin Medlock-who started last year but got cut after a bad first game.

Fans
One of the more dedicated couples that were out at practice was Dave and Mona Dykhouse who have been coming to River Falls for the last 16 years for camp. The two got here yesterday and will be departing to Mankato, Minn., to catch a Minnesota Vikings practice before heading home to eastern South Dakota. Mona joked how they were going to Mankato to see just how bad the Vikings would do. Last year the couple went to the Chiefs-Jacksonville Jaguars game, and Dave mentioned how he had an old Jack Del Rio jersey, the current head coach of the Jaguars. Dave went on to say he would be happy if the team finishes with a record of eight and eight.

Doug and Stephanie Mallard, residents of Prescott, Wis., were at practice for the first time ever today. They decided to stop by for something to do on a slow Sunday, with such nice weather outside. The two were having fun so far and were thinking about bringing their child to the upcoming Kids’ Day.
Mike, who grew up in Columbia, Mo., was with his son Colby Johnston, who is from the Kansas City, Mo., area. They enjoyed this morning’s session. The two now live in Ladysmith, Wis., which is just north of Eau Claire. They were going to try and get some autographs on a mini football helmet and a hat. Last year they came for the Chiefs/ Vikings practice, but the weather wasn’t as favorable as it is today. The two are stimulating the local economy this afternoon by shooting 18-holes of golf at the Kilkarney Hills course and will be back for the afternoon session.
Herman Suhr is starting his 25th season at Arrowhead Stadium as Field
Supervisor. This is his 18th year at training camp. He worked training camp the first 14 years and just comes up to enjoy himself and see his friends now. He’s spent the past four to five days in River Falls. Tomorrow he’ll go back home and get ready for the preseason game on Saturday.