OFFICIAL UWRF Chiefs training camp updates thread

[Hammock Parties]

Looks like the first update is about to go up.

http://www.uwrf.edu/chiefs/prev_upda...07-27-07pm.htm

[C-Mac]

Pictures are already up...
http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?t=166607

[Fire Me Boy!]

Can we get this sticky'ed?

[Direckshun]

Originally Posted by Fire Me Boy!

Can we get this sticky'ed?

Please & thank you.

[pikesome]

All I see on that page is a picture which I hope isn't our prospective OLmen.

[KCTitus]

I dont think they're the OL, but I'd like to see the blond and brunette in some tight football pants...

[Direckshun]

Originally Posted by KCTitus

I dont think they're the OL, but I'd like to see the blond and brunette in some tight football pants...

Queer.

[FAX]

I think the lineman second from the left in front has potential.

I'd need to see her in her stance, though.

FAX

[KCTitus]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

Queer.

Sorry, I you can look at the dudes...I was referring to the the blond, front row 2nd from left and brunette front row, 2nd from right.

[luv]

Originally Posted by KCTitus

Sorry, I you can look at the dudes...I was referring to the the blond, front row 2nd from left and brunette front row, 2nd from right.

Damn, I'm good. I knew exactly which two you were talking about before you even explained yourself.

[Hammock Parties]

This is interesting.

Head Coach Herm Edwards talked to running back Michael Bennett in private after the Chiefs arrived in River Falls. The pair stood less than a foot a part as they were engrossed in conversation in a secluded section of Rodli Commons. The conversation lasted less than 10 minutes.

[Marlboro_Chief]

I already rubbed one out to Amie Eller. Thanks for the link.

[Pitt Gorilla]

Good Lord, people. Have you never been on a college campus?

[FAX]

Originally Posted by GOATSE

I'm gonna hookup with her. She'll be impressed by my bigshot media credentials.

Sounds good, Mr. GoChiefs.

Just be sure to wash real well down there before you whip out your badass credential.

FAX

[Hammock Parties]

Friday, July 27, 2007: Afternoon

An air horn sounded at 3:44 p.m.today, letting all those assembled at Ramer Field know that the first official Chiefs practice was underway. Fans were able to take in a relatively fair first practice, weather-wise. The temperature was 81 degrees, with winds from the north at nine miles per hour. The light breeze helped cool fans standing in direct sunlight, and the humidity was down to 45 percent. 355 fans were in attendance.

Offense

Dressed in white uniforms, the offense started the first practice secession of the 2007 Chiefs Summer Training Camp with skill drills. The quarterbacks spilt from the offensive line at the sound of an air horn to work on foot exercises. The o-line made their way to the end zone of the first practice field and began running a series of shoulder to shoulder drills. Guard Chris Bober and rookie tackle James Newby paired up on the left side. Joining the side for runs on the left were center Rudy Niswanger and guard Brian Waters, who hit defeners holding pads in sync. Getting the feel on the right were center Casey Weigmann and guard John Welbourn. Also working on the right side of the line were guards Rob Hunt and Tre Stallings.

Green and yellow pennies were handed to various offensive players as they prepared for the first 11-on-11 drill. The quarterbacks did not have to face the pressure of the rush as they threw a series of outlet passes to their receivers. Quarterbacks Brodie Croyle and Damon Huard threw an even amount of takes. Both Croyle and Huard connected on passes to wide receivers Samie Parker, Brad Ekwerekwu, and Jeff Webb. During the second take of the11-on-11 drill, Croyle was 6-6. He got the ball to fullbacks Boomer Grigsby and rookie Gilbert Harris, running backs Kolby Smith and Marcus O’Keith, and rookie wide receiver Maurice Price. Huard was 5-6 with an incomplete 15-yard pass to fullback Greg Hanoian on his second throw. Huard demonstrated extraordinary poise with an outlet pass to Smith, recognizing he could not make the pass to his receivers, who were covered by four defensive players.

Black trash cans with the Chiefs logo were brought on to the field to stand in for the offensive tackles during a 7-on-7 drill. Quarterbacks Brodie Croyle and Damon Huard both had one incomplete pass. Croyle’s incomplete was to wide receiver Chris Hannon and Huard’s was on a 15-yard pass to wide receiver Samie Parker. Tight end Tony Gonzalez dominated the middle and had no trouble making himself available for the short pass.

At 4:41 p.m., the defense joined the offensive line for another 11-on-11 drill. There was plenty of helmet slapping and butt patting among the players as they encouraged each other to "get their jobs done". Coaches from both sides of the line did not hesitate to vocalize what they wanted from the players. One coach could be heard saying, “Lazy feet, you’re standing in the mud” three times. Even in snaps, quarterbacks Brodie Croyle and Damon Huard worked on hand-offs. Running backs Michael Bennett, Kolby Smith and rookie Marcus O’Keith took the ball under their arms on the run.

Kicker Casey Printers spent time during afternoon practice kicking field goals with the precision goal post. One of his kicks was so forceful the ball nearly struck the adjacent Hunt Arena and two University grounds crew members. The crew members seemed unfazed by the close call and did not move until Printers kicked another almost identical field goal.

Defense

The team's main focus after individual work-outs was the 11-on-11 drills and the 7-on-7 drills. Head Coach Herm Edwards was vocal, always yelling, “Talk it out defense!” and “Got to have eyes!”

On one of the most breathtaking defensive moves was by cornerback Michael Bragg. He leapt into the air, nearly intercepting a 25-yard pass that was thrown by quarterback Casey Printers. Bragg will be fighting for playing time as a defensive back and plays like this will most certainly help. During both the 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 drills, the defense worked hard to control the offense and avoided injuries, always a top goal in training camp.

Fans

Ally Torgerson, 3, from Hudson, Wis., was accompanied to camp by her father, Derrick. Both were enjoying the first practice from the bleachers. When asked if she liked football, Ally said, “Yeah, that’s why I have a football hat.” Father and daughter may be attending one of the two scheduled Kids’ Days at camp.

Jeremy Page, 14, a native of River Falls, remarked, “I come to almost every practice the Chiefs have. I ride my bike up here.” Page is an active participant in volunteer activities with the Chiefs. At last year's training camp he was one of several volunteers handing out free coffee on Senior’s Day.

Mark Wakeland, 12, and his brother Jordan, 9, from Milan, Ill., have come to the last two Chiefs training camps held in River Falls. They got to visit their big sister Kacey Olson and husband Keegan and take in some of their favorite Chiefs players at the same time. Marksaid, “The Chiefs are one of my favorite teams because I get to come and see them. I think they will go nine and seven this year.” Although Mark and Jordan are leaving to go home tomorrow, they hope to make it to the Punt, Pass & Kick contest before getting their pennants autographed by some of the players and staff.

This is the first year of training camp for the Furseth family from Winnebago, Ill. Rhonda, John, and son Mitchell, 12, are excited to be in River Falls, and are looking forward to seeing players such as tight end Tony Gonzalez and wide receiver Eddie Kennison. Mitchell, who was wearing jersey printed with number 27, hopes to see running back Larry Johnson before the end of camp. John has been a Chiefs fan his whole life and enjoys the team because they are “tough” and have a great history of players.

Linda Cook from Overland Park, Kan., and Leslie Theurer from Kansas City, Mo., were present this afternoon at their second year of training camp. Leslie was there with children Tamar, 9, Esther, 5, Freedom, 3, Noah, 7, and Jonny, 10. Cook stated that she is glad to see linebacker Donnie Edwards back and hopes to see running back Larry Johnson make the trip to camp.

Rick Gordley and Keith Evans from Kansas City, Mo., were excited to be back at training camp for the second time. Gordley and Evans, both camping in River Falls during their 10-day stay, are glad that the weather is not as hot as last year. They also enjoyed their time watching players such as safety Bernard Pollard and quarterback Casey Printers. Gordley would also like to see running back Larry Johnson work out a contract with the Chiefs and come back for camp. Gordley and Evans also both like Head Coach Herm Edwards and feel that he is a great defensive coach.

Back in River Falls, Wis. for their fifth summer at training camp were Suzanne Lassman and Marty Shanahan from Overland Park, Kan. Lassman and Shanahan, glad to be in River Falls due to its relatively cooler weather, are looking forward to seeing linebacker Donnie Edwards and running back Priest Holmes. They would also like to see the Chiefs sign their remaining draft picks.

Ben Mallonee from Minneapolis claims the title of the biggest Chiefs fan in Minnesota, and he has the ink to prove it: a bold Chiefs logo tattoo emblazons his left bicep. Originally from Kansas City, Mallonee has been present at all 17 summer training camps at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. “I’ve been following the Chiefs since I was four,” says Mallonee. “We used to get milk cartons printed with their stats in the cafeteria, and I would just sit and memorize them.” Accompanying Mallonee to camp was his son, Ben III, 13, who spent his time at practice with a large group of youngsters waiting to catch any balls that flew past the fence.

Not content with merely watching the day’s events, a group of boys from River Falls decided to have their own practice behind the bleachers. Bryce Paulson, Luke Murphy, and Spencer Langer, all 11 years of age, are members of a local kid’s football team. Each declared their undying allegiance to Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre, but admitted they were fans of Chiefs running back Larry Johnson as well. The boys plan to visit camp every day it is in session. “We’re waiting to see someone get laid out,” said Paulson.

The Hail family from Olathe, Kan., took in their first time at Chiefs camp while comfortably seated in the shade close to the field. John, wife Cyndy, and their son Brendan, 3, drove from their hometown to visit Brent Blacklock, from Blaine, Minn., and his daughter Grace, 10 months. “We were visiting Brent and it just worked out really nice to come over here,” said Cyndy. John mentioned an on-the-road conversation with Cyndy. “We were driving to Brent’s house and going through Wisconsin, and asked each other, ‘Don’t the Chiefs practice in Wisconsin?’ ‘Where’s River Falls, anyways?’ When I heard it was only about 40 miles away from Brent’s place, I said, ‘We’re going.’ No question,” said John.

Extra, Extra...

Practice ended at 5:17 p.m. Head Coach Herm Edwards and defensive end Jared Allen talked while walking off the field before Edwards moved closer to Hunt Arena for a press conference. When the two were done conversing, Allen patted Edwards on the back and both smiled.

UWRF Chancellor Don Betz and Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance Mary Halada got the opportunity to talk to Chief’s Chairman of the Board Clark Hunt on the sidelines at today’s practice. Betz said the three spoke on numerous topics. “We were talking about the return of the Chiefs here for another year and opportunities to continue to work together, which is wonderful,” said Betz. “Clark spoke highly of our relationship, and talked about his kids, and we all talked about how fast this camp seems to be going already. Also, we talked about the HBO ‘Hard Knocks’ show. All three of us think it’s a wonderful opportunity for all involved.” When asked about their favorite team members, Betz replied that he was waiting to view more practices. “I’m always interested to see what new talent shows up. Talk to me in a week or two and let you know,” said Betz. Halada also divulged a “soft spot” for wide receiver Eddie Kennison. In the upcoming weeks Halada will be bringing various legislators and university staff out to the practice fields. “It gives them a different angle on campus,” said Halada.

Two young men closely related to Chiefs staff members could be seen watching practice intently from the sidelines. Cameron Winston, son of Lamonte Winston, executive director of player development, and Michael Priefer, Jr., son of Special Teams Coach Mike Priefer, eyed the plays made by the Chiefs, and later tried out a few of their own. After practice both boys donned cleats and tossed the pigskin around with two Chiefs players.

Head Coach Herm Edwards engaged in his first press conference of the camp as he stood in front of a backdrop printed with the Chiefs logo. His 20th training camp did not complicate his philosophy: when asked what his message to the team was, Edwards replied, “It’s real simple. Compete.” He was asked the obvious questions - about how he thought the team did on during their first practice of camp, and his expectations for the team. Edwards noted that training camp is a serious time for the players. “A lot of these guys are fighting for jobs,” he said. He was also quick to mention that work should not come without some play. “Football has to be fun if you loose sight of that, you’re in trouble.”

A popular topic as the press conference continued was that of running back Priest Holmes' arrival to River Falls tomorrow. Edwards was straightforward in what lies ahead for the Pro-Bowler. “We’ll take it day by day.” Edwards explained that Holmes will be placed on the physically unable to perform list while coaches evaluate what he is capable of.

Running back Larry Johnson was not forgotten as Edwards explained that his absence allows for running backs Michael Bennett and Kolby Smith to take more snaps; just no more than his rule of 25 before the pre-season. Johnson’s contract was not discussed but his comparison to Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson was. “They’re different backs, both fantastic football players,” said Edwards. “If I had to flip a coin I’d take either one of them.” He put tried to put to rest that "L.J." doesn’t measure up to "L.T." Edwards explained that any player in the NFL called by their initials are extraordinarily talented.

Many might think that current number two running back Michael Bennett might not want to see running back Priest Holmes return due to Holmes' past NFL success. Bennett had this to say: “I’ll welcome Priest with his jersey so I can get his autograph. I am a big fan of his and am very excited he will be here. When I found out that Priest was coming, I said, "Are you serious?'” Bennett is looking to get more carries this season and looks to learn a lot from Holmes.

After practice defensive end Tamba Hali, tackle George Batiste, and defensive end Jared Allen graced fans with their presence and signed autographs. All of the players spent a long time making sure to get an autograph for everyone. Many happy kids got signatures on footballs, cards, hats, and even one boy's cast.

UWRF student Brittany Smith worked the concessions stand today at her first summer at training camp. Smith, a senior double-major in marketing communications and health and human performances, is excited to be a part of camp this summer. Smith mentioned that fan favorites for the first day at camp were the popular frozen lemonade and the player replica t-shirts.

After practice ended, players including fullbacks Boomer Grigsby and Greg Hanoian worked on techniques drills on the sleds before heading to the locker room. Working on the jugs after practice today were wide receivers Ean Randolph and Chris Hannon.