Mitch Holthus on Des Moines radio daily during camp...updates here

[htismaqe]

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".

[the Talking Can]

I like good news.

[the Talking Can]

I also like AS and Gun competing.

[Fire Me Boy!]

The Gun/Saunders thing is awesome!

[morphius]

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?

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by morphius

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.

[Chiefnj]

Originally Posted by Fire Me Boy!

The Gun/Saunders thing is awesome!

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.

[cron912]

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.

[Scaga]

Originally Posted by cron912

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

Nice...rep

[Fire Me Boy!]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj

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.

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.

[Shox]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj

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.

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

[Braincase]

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.

[tomahawk kid]

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.

[Chiefnj]

Originally Posted by tomahawk kid

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."

[bobbything]

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.