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[Hog Rider]

It's down due to the storm.

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by Hog Rider

It's down due to the storm.

Thanks!

[Tribal Warfare]

http://www.uwrf.edu/chiefs/prev_upda...07-26-08am.htm



Saturday, July 26, 2008: Morning Practice

The Chiefs and 63 fans enjoyed nice weather conditions this morning. A cool five mile per hour wind out of the west accompanied the cloudless sky above the practice fields, helping to make it a beautiful start to the day. The temperature was 73 degrees with a humidity of 65 percent. Word got around quickly that the Chiefs' first-round draft pick Glenn Dorsey had signed with the team last night. General Manager Carl Peterson is expected to hold a press conference on the signing later today.

Defense

Before practice got under way on Ramer Field, cornerback Dimitri Patterson took a few passes from the Juggs machine. He was catching them off routes from the left, the right and straight on.

Veteran safety Bernard Pollard spent some time on the sidelines working on catching and footwork. Both members of the coaching staff and their young children helped Pollard.

As the defense left Ramer Field, linebacker Demorrio Williams complained to Assistant Equipment Manager Allen Wright that his helmet didn’t feel right; he wasn’t getting enough air. Wright helped Williams fix the problem and sent him on his way.

After parting from Ramer Field, each defensive position stayed together as a collective group and ran a formation drill. A coach would mock the snap, and the group would sprint to either the northeast or northwest corners of practice field No. 2. This drill was ran until the coaching staff could tell each defensive man was putting his all into it. “Don’t be the last one back in the damn huddle,” Defensive Backs Coach David Gibbs hollered. “We ain’t listening to you, Gibbs. You too short,” an unidentified player said back. The comment sparked laughter from the whole group.

The positions split up correspondingly: the defensive backs headed toward the sleds. After the downpour the fields got yesterday, the players were having a rough time keeping their feet as they slid and slipped all over the muddy ground. Defensive Backs Coach David Gibbs told everyone to “play the nickel.” The players did just that, hitting only the first, third and fifth dummies on the sled. Rookie cornerback Brandon Flowers got the brunt of Gibbs’s scrutiny. “Come on Flowers, you ........ Punch the ....... mat. If Flowers don’t do it right, we’ll go down and back again,” he told the players. Knowing the importance of performing well at training camp and being aware of the open cornerback spot, Flowers followed Gibbs’s advice, and the defensive backs didn’t have to go down and back with the sleds again.

Near the defensive backs, Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach Gunther Cunningham had his men taking on a single tackle dummy. “You aim for the right shoulder,” he yelled. Linebacker Derrick Johnson encouraged his teammates, hollering, “kill him, kill him,” as they plowed through the dummy and threw it on the ground.

The defensive linemen were practicing their footwork as they ran around three stationary dummies Defensive Line Coach Tim Krumrie had set up. “Bust your (butt) for the ball. If you stop, I’ll personally find and kick yours,” he ranted. When veteran defensive tackle Alfonso Boone slipped on the wet ground, Krumrie yelled, “You gotta snap your head. You’re slow. Get outta the mud, baby!”

The defense worked on its basic 4-3 defense at the 10-yard line on the south end of the field. Cornerback Brandon Flowers was the rookie who lined up with the first string. Rookie safety DaJuan Morgan saw time with both the first and second strings. Rookie defensive tackle Maurice Murray and defensive end Brian Johnston also booked spots practicing with the second string. Promising cornerback Brandon Carr and newly acquired free agent linebacker LeRue Rumph also rotated in during the second string’s practice time.

Ten minutes were put on the scoreboard on Ramer Field, and the team ran 9-on-7. Nine defenders (including two safeties) took on seven offensive players. Following the 9-on-7 drill, the team moved to an 11-on-11 drill. Ten more minutes were issued on the clock. Defensive tackle Alfonso Boone head butted the football back to the coach. When the coach gave him a look, Boone said, “What? That’s my pass.” Another highlight of the 11-on-11 scrimmage was linebacker Donnie Edwards’s near interception of a Brodie Croyle pass. Edwards picked off the pass, but lost the handle as he fell to the ground. Gasps and cheers from the crowd in the stands followed. As the 11-on-11 drill was winding down, Defensive Line Coach Tim Krumrie was getting frustrated with his line. “Win one-on-one blocks. Win them!”

Running back Larry Johnson made a solid run when cornerback Tyron Brackenridge tried to make the tackle. After the play was blown dead by the officials, Brackenridge didn’t seem to lighten up so Johnson made gave him a shove with his forearm. Nothing escalated.

Offense

The Chiefs morning practice picked up right where the previous afternoon’s practice left off before the rainout. The offensive line worked on one-on-one drills in two groups. The quarterbacks warmed up by throwing passes to wide receivers, tight ends, running backs and fullbacks running go routes.

After the team split up into positions, receivers ran 5-yard curls with assistant coaches throwing to them. The running backs and tight ends ran 5-yard curls with the quarterbacks throwing to them.

The tight ends then joined the offensive line on the practice field while the quarterbacks made pitches to running backs with the fullbacks working on blocking.

The quarterbacks then headed over to work with the wide receivers throwing 10 and 15-yard curl routes and 30-yard flag routes.

The running backs went and worked on the agility ropes as Running Backs Coach Curtis Modkins yelled, “Ain’t no shortcuts, the only way to get there is in these ropes!”

The defense joined the offense on Ramer field at 9:45 and did a 9-on-7 drill for 10 minutes. Defensive Coordinator Gunther Cunningham yelled to the players, “Everybody have your chinstrap snapped, or it’s $25,000!”

Running backs Larry Johnson, Kolby Smith, and Jamaal Charles all ran with the first string during the 9-on-7 drill, with Johnson taking the bulk of the carries. Smith, Charles and running back Jackie Battle split carries with the second string.

The team finished the practice with an 11-on-11 drill. Quarterback Brodie Croyle completed 6-8 passes. Tight end Tony Gonzalez dropped the first pass of the drill but came back towards the end of the drill and showed why he is one of the elite tight ends in the league by making a diving catch that brought on a roar from the crowd.

Wide receiver Dwayne Bowe only caught one pass in the drill but broke two tackles to get into space, making a couple of great moves.

Special Teams

The special teams kickoff unit took 20 minutes after the team stretch on Ramer Field to practice coverage. Kickers Nick Novak and Connor Barth simulated kicks from the 45-yard line. The players worked on plugging the lanes and pinning the ball carrier to a spot. “Find the return man when you drop,” shouted Special Teams Coach Mike Priefer, “Don’t stop show team, get your hands on the ball.” Players who went out with the first squad: cornerback Dimitri Patterson, tight end John Paul Foschi, linebacker Steve Octavien, safety Jon McGraw, E.J. Kuale and running back Jackie Battle were instructed to no let their man make a play. Cornerback Tryon Brackenridge received praise from Priefer. “Good job, 34. He fought his tail off and put his hands inside,” said Priefer to the other players.

Press Conference

Head coach Herm Edwards addressed the media after practice, but did not comment on the recent signing of draft pick defensive tackle, Glenn Dorsey. Edwards observed about the first day of practice with pads on: “As usual you play high the first day with pads on. We got to go a lot faster this afternoon. No one’s gonna practice their best on the first day and I understand that.”

Edwards also talked about rookie cornerback Brandon Flowers coming into the league with the potential to make an impact. “Flowers is gonna get a lot of chances to make plays because the ball is going to come his way a lot. You better be mentally tough when you go outside the numbers because it’s a tough position to play, and he’s a mentally tough kid.”

Extra, Extra...

Chairman of the Board Clark Hunt and Executive Vice President Denny Thum were both on the field once again for morning practice. They seemed to be a little more impressed with today’s weather. They talked throughout practice while looking over several sheets of paper and glanced up to watch the players practice every so often. Once the team all got together on Ramer Field, General Manager Carl Peterson was headed out to join Hunt, Thum, and the rest of Chiefs’ personnel on the field.

Rookie wide receiver Kevin Robinson spent a good chunk of his morning on the stationary bikes under the training tent nursing his knee. Yesterday, Head Coach Herm Edwards said Robinson had surgery on his knee to “clean it out.” Edwards said he expects Robinson will be ready to go for the first preseason game at Chicago.

Sports Field Manager Andre Bruce and another Chiefs’ staff member noticed the shape of the field and discussed what could be done to make the north-northwest corners of the field better. Talk of how players would fare on the sleds—near the most damaged parts of the field—was the main priority as the two made arrangements.

As members of both the offense and the defense headed back into Ramer Field at 9:33 a.m., Defensive Line Coach Tim Krumrie’s voice could be heard following his defensive linemen: “You need to be sure you hit the man. Attitude. Attitude. We’re too damn nice!” As practice continued inside the Ramer Field stadium, sweat could be seen rolling off the forehead of defensive end Tamba Hali.

Practice ended at 10:25 a.m., 25 minutes later than originally scheduled. This is a rare occurrence for a clockwork team.

The In-Zone

Life is unpredictable. He knows. It has been over eight years since he lost his best friend, twin brother and teammate Devaughn on Feb. 26, 2001. Devaughn had been preparing for the upcoming football season at Florida State University—where he and his twin brother played on scholarship their freshmen year-—when he passed after a workout session due to complications from the sickle cell trait. With the death of his brother, wide receiver Devard Darling was threatened with the demise—he has the hereditary trait, too—of his dream of someday playing football in the NFL. The dream he shared with Devaughn.

Darling was pulled from clearance to play for the Seminoles. After multiple Division I schools turned him down, Darling would go through dozens of medical tests and doctors’ examinations before Washington State would clear him to play. Overcoming the odds and asserting his faith, he would become one of Cougars’ best wide receivers. In just two years, he recorded 16 touchdowns and over 1,500 yards.

In 2004, the Baltimore Ravens drafted Darling in the third round. Although he has yet to distinguish himself, he joins the Chiefs this year as a free agent with promising talent. He will compete for playing time alongside wide reciever Dwayne Bowe, and is also expected to contribute on special teams.

Today he continues to pursue his and Devaughn’s dreams while he helps underprivileged youth pursue theirs. In 2006 Darling founded the As One Foundation to provide underprivileged youth with educational and developmental opportunities through athletic endeavors, educational programming and spiritual enrichment. His goal is to bring the love of football to his birth place and home country, the Bahamas.

His life has been forever changed but his vision to make a difference in underprivileged youths’ lives through his passion for football will change the lives of others for the good.

Darling and his wife Cicely reside with their son Devard Jr. in Houston, Texas.

Darling's practice today:
Darling worked with the first string today, taking passes from quarterback Brodie Croyle. He looked energetic and poised on the field. Croyle threw Darling a low 15-yard pass to the right sideline during a warm-up drill between QBs and wide receivers. “Ah. That was my bad," said Croyle to Darling. Later on, Darling would complete a catch on another low pass from Croyle to score a touchdown. “Good job,” a coach told Darling.

Running routes with the wide receivers during position work, Darling was the first in line on the right side each time. His cuts were sharp and quick. Coaches noticed his effort and Darling received pats on the back. Some of the routes he ran were curls to the sideline for an outlet pass, up the middle with a change in direction to the sideline for a cross-field pass and straight up the sideline for 20- to 30-yard passes.

When the team came together for a 11-on-11 drill, Darling worked primarily on the right side and switched with wide receiver Dwayne Bowe to work on the left side for a couple of takes. He came out with the first string every time. The team worked primarily on the run game so Darling didn’t receive too many passes.

After practice concluded Darling stayed on the practice fields to work on his technique and take passes from a Juggs machine for 10 minutes. The five-yard passes were fed to Darling at different angles and heights.

After Practice Comments:
Q: How was your practice this morning?
A: “It went well. It felt good to put the pads on and get out on the field and catch the ball.”

Q: “What is going to get you through camp?”
A: “Consistency. Coming out and being consistent every day. For me it’s catching the ball and running the right routes. That’s the way you last in this league.”


Fans

Chris and Dan Hollis of Elk Falls, Kan., and Ron Davis of Wichita, Kan., drove 10 hours through the night to be at morning practice. They’re staying for a week. The group said they’re most excited to see all the new players. “We’re very, very pleased with the draft,” said Dan.

Todd Moore of Parkersburg, Iowa, and Jeff Lawhon of Blue Springs, Mo., are enjoying their eighth training camp. They’re looking forward to seeing a better rebuilt team and all the friends they’ve made over the years. They enjoy going to Coach’s Sports Bar & Grill downtown.

John Leach of Olathe, Kan., has driven to camp for weekend practices for the past six years. He’s excited to see how the draft choices are going to help the team. His favorite player is Tony Gonzalez because he’s been with the team all the way. “You always see different coaches come and go,” said Leach.

Scott Bryant, a native of Kansas City currently living in Woodbury, Minn., is a Chiefs season-ticket holder. This is his sixth training camp. He’s excited to see what Dwayne Bowe does because he said Bowe looks like he’s going to have a good season.

The Hackel family came down to camp from Rice Lake, Wis., to enjoy the beautiful weather and watch great football. Rick and Callie—along with their three children Bradley, Tyler and Izzy—are waiting to see first-round draft pick, Glenn Dorsey. The Hackels have been coming to the Kansas City Chiefs Summer Training Camp since 1998.

Pete Richie and son Nick from the small town of Smithville, Mo., traveled to River Falls. Pete has been attending camp since the first camp in 1991. The Richie’s favorite player is Will Franklin. They said their favorite hangout in town is Bo’s ‘N Mine. They will be watching camp for a couple of days before heading back south.

Second-year visitor of the Chiefs summer training camp Kevin Droll and first-year visitor Nichole Droll enjoyed a nice summer day in the Ramer Field bleachers. The Droll family plans on staying the day to watch both the morning and afternoon practices. Kevin mentioned he’s here to see the big names like Tony Gonzalez and Dwayne Bowe. The last time he was here Dante Hall was the starting kick returner.

Twins Cities native Huy Tran was also at training camp this morning. Tran has seen the Chiefs play at Arrowhead Stadium and said it was “crazy” to see the Packer fans when the Packers are down in Kansas City. He also said he was at the game against Jacksonville in 2006 when running back Larry Johnson broke the record for all-time rushing attempts (416) in a season.