****The Official 2009 Training Camp Update Thread****

[DaWolf]

Figure we might as well have one?

http://www.bobgretz.com/
http://www.uwrf.edu/chiefs/prev_updates.php
http://www.kcchiefs.com/default.asp
http://chiefsblog.kansascity.com/
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chiefs/
http://twitter.com/kb_kcstar
http://twitter.com/brandoncarr
http://kan.scout.com/
http://www.arrowheadpride.com/
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/teams/page/KC

[okiedokieokoye]

Originally Posted by okiedokieokoye

You guys are too quick to jump on the dorsey bust bandwagon. Let the guy play. He was a beast coming out of LSU and I don't remember being so excited about a Chiefs draft pick in quite a long time. Together will TJ, that defensive line is going to be better than anticipated. Oh, and Brodie Croyle will start the season as our second qb. He's fragile, but he can play circles around Thiggie. Mark my words. Mark them. Now!

From WPI today:

Quarterback Brodie Croyle is throwing the ball well. At today’s practice he took reps with the second string. Croyle has alternated between the second and third string but is starting separate himself from Tyler Thigpen.


Not the most accurate source, but my prediction will hold true!

[The Bad Guy]

Originally Posted by okiedokieokoye

From WPI today:

Quarterback Brodie Croyle is throwing the ball well. At today’s practice he took reps with the second string. Croyle has alternated between the second and third string but is starting separate himself from Tyler Thigpen.


Not the most accurate source, but my prediction will hold true!

Why are people so ****ing enamored with Brodie ****ing Croyle? What has he done ever to warrant such praise?

There's a better chance that Matt Blundin will be the 3rd string than Brodie Croyle beating out Tyler Thigpen.

[Sully]

A few observations I haven't seen posted from the AM practice...

Washington got beat like a drum twice for long TD catches. Worrisome for a high draft pick.

Studebaker looked decent.

Turk with nice coverage and a fumble recovery.

Wright looked good.

[Sully]

Howe, again, was a disappointment.

Not impressed with Thigpen.

If behind with seconds to go this year, look for a (kinda) hook and ladder, then a Titans-style throwback.

[Mizzou_8541]

Originally Posted by Bob Gretz

He played at DeLaSalle High School in Concord, California, probably the top schoolboy program in the country.

What the hell is a schoolboy program?

[TRR]

A couple of observations from me...

Rodney Wright should make this team. He is the best kick/punt returner on the team to date, and makes a big play in the passing game nearly every practice. He is also a solid gunner on special teams. He is small, but amazingly quick. If he can turn in a good preseason, he is on the roster...but the spot will come as a return man first and foremost. Quentin Lawrence has a tough time handling punts, and is not picking up the offense very well, lining up wrong on numerous occasions. A practice squad guy in my opinion with some potential.

Jackie Battle has looked very good, and needs a chance to see the field. I would like to see Battle used as a FB because he has great hands, good speed, and is a tank for any LB to handle. He is running as a tailback right now, and is beating the hell out of the 2nd and 3rd team defenders.

Matt Cassel is having a good camp, and is making an impact as a leader with this young team. He is energetic, and fiery. The O goes as he goes, and it's good to see. He has made some mistakes and bad throws....but you can tell that it bothers him, and that he can't wait for the chance to get that next snap to rectify the mistake. It is refreshing to finally have a young QB with a boatload of potential.

All of the WR's are being driven hard by Todd Haley in individual drills...especially Dwayne Bowe. Bowe can't do anything quote unquote "right" in Haley's eyes. He is all over DBowe, and you can tell he is not going to let up. He has dropped his fair share of balls, but some is because of a different ball being thrown by Cassel. Bowe is working hard...there is no doubt about that.

Tamba Hali is the surprise of camp for me. He looks great out OLB, and isn't being asked to do too much. He gets after the passer, and Pendergast is doing a great job of moving him around to create havoc. If the first week of camp is indicitive of how Tamba will be used, he should have a very productive season.

Cassel is clearly the #1, but the spot for #2 is interesting. Thigpen is up and down. He looks like a completely different QB from one practice to the next. When Thigpen is up, he does some really good things. When he is down...it's BAD! It's very comparable to his first/second half struggles from last season. Croyle has been very consistent in his efforts. He has done a decent job of not turning the ball over, and throws a tight spiral. The talent is and always will be there. The question is can he get through Preseason without getting injured. If he can, he may be the #2 QB. The seperation between Cassel and the other QB's on the roster is night and day.

Dorsey had a very good practive tonight, and should have a chance to get after it a bit more. His first practice back looked rough. He hobbled around like his leg was really bothering him, and didn't get much pressure. Tonight's practice looked completely the opposite. He was active, looked quick off the ball, and drove Waters and Albert into the backfield on numerous plays.

That's it for now...I will post more when I have time. The Saturday intersquad scrimmage should be interesting!

Quotes from Haley...

"We're not going to beat ourselves....We aren't good enough!"

"That's your life story Cottam...That's your life story" ~ After Cottam's ankle sprain.

"Get back and do the drill again Bowe...and don't laugh about dropping the ball...IT'S NOT FUNNY!"

"Don't bring the ball down Wright...your like 5'2 what do you think the DB is going to do when you bring the ball down?" ~ After a fade pass completion.

"A WR on the ground does us no good...We can't win with WR's falling down all over the place!"

[Hammock Parties]

Great post TRR. Sounds like Haley is riding Bowe hard.

Anything on Pollard or LJ? Darling? Engram, Bradley?

[salame]

Originally Posted by TRR

A couple of observations from me...

Rodney Wright should make this team. He is the best kick/punt returner on the team to date, and makes a big play in the passing game nearly every practice. He is also a solid gunner on special teams. He is small, but amazingly quick. If he can turn in a good preseason, he is on the roster...but will come as a return man first and foremost. Quentin Lawrence has a tough time handling punts, and is not picking up the offense very well, lining up wrong on numerous occasions. A practice squad guy in my opinion with some potential.

Jackie Battle has looked very good, and needs a chance to see the field. I would like to see Battle used as a FB because he has great hands, good speed, and is a tank for any LB to handle. He is running as a tailback right now, and is beating the hell out of 2nd and 3rd team defenders.

Matt Cassel is having a good camp, and is making an impact as a leader with this young team. He is energetic, and fiery. The O goes as he goes, and it's good to see. He has made some mistakes and bad throws....but you can tell that it bothers him, and that he can't wait to get that next snap to rectify the mistake. It is truly nice to finally have a young QB with a boatload of potential.

All of the WR's are being driven hard by Todd Haley in individual drills...especially Dwayne Bowe. Bowe can't do anything quote unquote "right" in Haley's eyes. He is all over DBowe, and you can tell he is not going to let up. He has dropped his fair share of balls, but some is a different ball being thrown by Cassel. Bowe is working hard...there is no doubt about that.

Tamba Hali is the surprise of camp for me. He looks great out OLB, and isn"t being asked to do too much. He gets after the passer, and Pendergast is doing a great job of moving him around to create havoc. If the first week of camp is indicitive of how Tamba will be used, he should have a very productive season.

Cassel is clearly the #1, but the spot for #2 is interesting. Thigpen is up and down. He looks like a completely different QB from one practice to the next. When Thigpen is up, he does some really good things. When he is down...it's BAD! It's very comparable to his first/second half struggles from last season. Croyle has been very consistent in his efforts. He has done a decent job of not turning the ball over, and throws a tight spiral. The talent is and always will be there. The question is can he get through Preseason without getting injured. If he can, he may be the #2 QB. The seperation between Cassel and the other QB's on the roster is night and day.

Dorsey had a very good practive tonight, and should have a chance to get after it a bit more. His first practice back looked rough. He hobbled around like his leg was really bothering him, and didn't get much pressure. Tonight's practice looked completely the opposite. He was active, looked quick off the ball, and drove Waters and Albert into the backfield on numerous plays.

That's it for now...I will post more when I have time. The Saturday intersquad scrimmage should be interesting!

Quotes from Haley...

"We're not going to beat ourselves....We aren't good enough!"

"That's your life story Cottam...That's your life story" ~ After Cottam's ankle sprain.

"Get back and do the drill again Bowe...and don't laugh about dropping the ball...IT'S NOT FUNNY!"

"Don't bring the ball down Wright...your like 5'2 what do you think the DB is going to do when you bring the ball down?" ~ After a fade pass completion.

"A WR on the ground does us no good...We can't win with WR's falling down all over the place!"

Did they have Dorsey at end or nose tackle

[KCChiefsMan]

I vision Todd Haley kind of being the Chef Ramsey of Hell's Kitchen. Which is a good thing, it seems harsh but it makes you better if you can take the heat. Herm Edwards always seemed like a "hey, that's ok, you'll catch the next one" kind of coach. I think Haley is going to be a Godsend for this team.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by KCChiefsMan

I vision Todd Haley kind of being the Chef Ramsey of Hell's Kitchen. Which is a good thing, it seems harsh but it makes you better if you can take the heat. Herm Edwards always seemed like a "hey, that's ok, you'll catch the next one" kind of coach. I think Haley is going to be a Godsend for this team.

This is a quote from Herm last camp:

"Tomorrow they'll forget everything they learned today. But that's OK, they're young."

Herm might have given Will Franklin another chance this offseason. Not Haley. And now no one in the NFL wants that trash.

[salame]

Silly herm

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

"We're not going to beat ourselves....We aren't good enough!"

You can't BUY moxie of that magnitude. This guy is just Epic Win everyday.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

I wonder if Bowe has been frantically texting Fitzgerald for advice at the end of the day?

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by Raised On Riots

I wonder if Bowe has been frantically texting Fitzgerald for advice at the end of the day?

"Fitz...wtf brutha Todd is ridin' me like I dun stole his MacDonalds or sumthin...WTF am I 'sposed to do? Holla back I 'bout to go crazy up in dis camp."

"Dwayne, shut up and work you bitch. Todd Haley not only taught me how to become a beast, he ripped the ebonics right out of me."

[JD10367]

Originally Posted by billay

Cassel is throwing alot of picks

Practice. We talkin' 'bout practice.



Seriously, though... you have to remember, Cassel didn't look bad in Patriots preseasons: he looked frigging abysmal. To the point that, even at the end of last preseason, most Patriots fans were screaming for his release and were shocked when he not only made the roster again but was still the #2. When Brady went down in that first game, everyone automatically assumed the season was over and that Cassel would come in and f**k up immediately, because we'd never seen anything remotely decent from him in training camps and preseason games. Only the most stalwart Kool-Aid drinkers were still chanting, "In Bill we trust, if he's kept Cassel around there must be a reason, in Bill we trust..."

Don't worry about how many picks Cassel throws in practice. Worry about how many he throws from Opening Day onward...