****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

[penchief]

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

Starting Thigpen would have brought us an UNTOLD shitfest. A return to the days of Bill Kenney.

Huh?

Tyler Thigpen a return to the days of Bill Kenney?

I'm guessing you never saw the Bill Kenney play.

[The Poz]

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

Is that just a random fan, or...?

Appears to be just a random fan.
http://www.uwrf.edu/chiefs/photogall...1/index20.html

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by KnowMo2724

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...09/mmqb/1.html

Translation:

"I really wish Pollard would have hit Cassel's knee and ****ed his career up".

Peter King: YOU are DOOSH!

[Tribal Warfare]

Bowe demoted?

Dwayne Bowe was running with the second and third teams during today's practice. Terrance Copper took his spot in the starting lineup.

Todd Haley afterward made it sound like a demotion.

"There's no spot taken right now," Haley said. "We're going to do everything we can to find players that do it our way. Each day that may change but we'll find guys that do it our way and do it the way we feel gives us the best chance to win, period."

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

Bowe demoted?

Dwayne Bowe was running with the second and third teams during today's practice. Terrance Copper took his spot in the starting lineup.

Todd Haley afterward made it sound like a demotion.

"There's no spot taken right now," Haley said. "We're going to do everything we can to find players that do it our way. Each day that may change but we'll find guys that do it our way and do it the way we feel gives us the best chance to win, period."

[chiefsplanet]BUST![/chiefsplanet]

[Coogs]

Gretz's Morning Practice Report...

http://www.bobgretz.com/chiefs-footb...html#more-9888


August 10, 2009 - Bob Gretz |

From River Falls, Wisconsin


It was a mentally grinding practice for the Chiefs on Monday morning. Todd Haley put them through two hours plus of work and most of it dealt with special teams and situations.

The morning proved frustrating for the head coach.

“I want a mentally and physically tough team that is smart,” Haley said. “Specifically, situationally smart. The game these days is all situations. You are either coming out, you are in the red zone, you are in short yardage, you are in goal line, it’s end of the half, end of the game. The game is made up of a lot of situations and in order to be a smart team you have to know what’s going on. You have to understand the situations and you almost have to do it without coaches.

“Today was a lot less coaching to see what they know. There were a handful of them (players) who it was clear to me had not studied and stayed up on the situations. So yeah, I was upset about that.”

Haley’s verbal hammer fell on not only players but special teams coach Steve Hoffman. The head coach was especially upset when the team had what they call a “May Day” situation on a field goal. That’s where the game clock is running and the FG team has only seconds to line up and get off a kick. Haley explained the situation to the whole team,

But when it came time to kick, long snapper Tanner Purdum did not run on the field.

“I’d say that’s a problem,” Haley said afterwards. We won’t repeat what he said on the field because this is a family website.

Earlier, the Chiefs offense was in a situation where the clock was winding down and they needed a TD to win. They set up a hook and ladder type play, where a receiver catches the ball and then hands off to another receiver. Only the first time the offense ran the play, rookie RB Javarris Williams tried to hand off but WR Mark Bradley didn’t run the play and wasn’t there to take the handoff.

It was that kind of morning in the northwoods. Here’s more of what went down:
– Not working in the session were eight players: S DaJuan Morgan, LBs Zach Thomas, Demorrio Williams and Monty Beisel, RBs Jamaal Charles and Kolby Smith and Gs Wade Smith and Tavares Washington.

– In position drills the wide receivers were beaten up; staff members held pads and when the receiver was about to catch the ball, he was hit with these pads, sometimes two back-to-back, or high and low. It was a struggle for most of the WRs to hold onto the ball. Rookie Quinten Lawrence had the most problems, as several times he had alligator arms and didn’t fully reach for the pass because he knew he was about to get hit. Veterans Bobby Engram and Mark Bradley had troubles as well. Dwayne Bowe and Amani Toomer were the receivers who dropped the fewest passes while being smashed.

– Two ends of the veterans spectrum: OLB Mike Vrabel was talking and communicating all through a snap in a blitz period. Even as the ball was snapped, he was directing traffic. RG Mike Goff jumped early in the blitz period and had to take a penalty run.

– Offensive coordinator Chan Gailey and QB Matt Cassel had a long one-on-one conversation at the end of practice, and then they gathered up Lawrence and went back on the field and worked on several passing plays. Bradley eventually joined the group as well.

– Rookie DL Tyson Jackson and Alex Magee put in extra time after practice working against a one-man sled with D-Line coach Tim Krumrie.

[ToxSocks]

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

Bowe demoted?

Dwayne Bowe was running with the second and third teams during today's practice. Terrance Copper took his spot in the starting lineup.

Todd Haley afterward made it sound like a demotion.

"There's no spot taken right now," Haley said. "We're going to do everything we can to find players that do it our way. Each day that may change but we'll find guys that do it our way and do it the way we feel gives us the best chance to win, period."

I feared that Bowe wouldn't take Haley's coaching style well. Hopefully he isnt pouting about getting yelled at all the time.

[the Talking Can]

they're challenging Bowe....hope he reacts the right way

Herm isn't around to kiss your ass anymore, boys

[Titty Meat]

Bowe being demoted is like when Gunther demoted Jarred Allen.

[CupidStunt]

The Chiefs may have next to no talent, but I haven't felt this confident in a Chiefs coach in years -- maybe ever.

[the Talking Can]

Originally Posted by Coogs

Gretz's Morning Practice Report...

http://www.bobgretz.com/chiefs-footb...html#more-9888




“I want a mentally and physically tough team that is smart,” Haley said. “Specifically, situationally smart. The game these days is all situations. You are either coming out, you are in the red zone, you are in short yardage, you are in goal line, it’s end of the half, end of the game. The game is made up of a lot of situations and in order to be a smart team you have to know what’s going on. You have to understand the situations and you almost have to do it without coaches.

Haley is spot on here....

[Coogs]

river falls site morning practice info...

Monday, August 10: Morning Practice

Attendance was lower at the 13th Kansas City Chiefs practice than it was during last week's practice. There were 95 fans today, which gathered along the south and eastern sides of the field. Though today’s number was low, it made it easier for fans to view the practice and gave them a better chance at getting a player autograph. Practice No. 13 started off at 70 degrees and a partly cloudy sky. A slight breeze came through every once in awhile with the wind was due north-northwest at two miles-per-hour. The humidity was at 84 percent with a dew point of 65.

Offense

The inactive offensive players for this morning’s practice were; running backs Jamaal Charles and Kolby Smith and offensive linemen Wade Smith and Tavares Washington. Washington got hurt in an earlier practice.

Offensive Line Coach Bill Muir was heard telling the offensive line it was time to get to work during the individual position work. “Button up and let’s go to work,” Muir said.

The receivers participated in a new drill this morning. Instead of the usual 1-on-0, the coaches were defending the receivers. The coaches were given hand shields and hit the receivers the second the ball reached them. There were a lot of balls on the ground during this drill. Some of the receivers had a tough time staying on their feet. Wide receiver Bobby Engram was knocked down twice during the drill, once maintaining control of the ball.

Quarterback Matt Cassel had a rough start to the teams 11-on-11 situational drill. Cassel’s first three passes were all incomplete. One of which hit the ground without a receiver in the area. His only completion came on a third-and-eight for a first down. Cassel was 1-4.

Toward the end of practice, the offense worked on late game situations where they were trying to run out the clock. One such instance put the offense ahead with just a few seconds to go. Facing fourth down, and not wanting to have a punt blocked, the quarterback was told to launch the ball high and out of bounds. Quarterback Tyler Thigpen had one ball land inbounds. Head Coach Todd Haley had a few words for Thigpen; “Tyler, how can you screw that up? All you have to do is throw it high and out of bounds!”

The last session of practice was a situation where the offense was 70 yards from the end zone and in need of a touchdown with only five seconds remaining. Quarterback Matt Cassel threw the ball across the middle to running back Javarris Williams who in turn was suppose to flip the ball to receiver Mark Bradley. Bradley was no where to be found and Williams seemed very confused. Bradley got an earful from Head Coach Todd Haley. “The Kansas City Chiefs just lost the game cause Mark Bradley didn’t know where he was suppose to be. You have to explain that to your teammates!”

Wide receivers Dwayne Bowe, Amani Toomer and Bobby Engram spent time on field 2 with the quarterbacks. The quarterbacks threw a few passes to the receivers who ran varying routes. Head Coach Todd Haley said that there was no significance in the fact that the three receivers weren’t practicing with the rest of the team. After the receiving drill, Toomer and quarterback Matt Gutierrez threw the football back and forth while chit-chatting.

Wide receiver Devard Darling talked with some reporters after practice. Darling said he’s pleased with how camp is going thus far. “We’re going to turn this thing around,” the six-year veteran said. When asked about learning an offense last season then turning around to learn a different one this season, Darling said there are similarities in the offenses, and he has no problem learning more. Darling was asked how he felt about Chiefs new quarterback Matt Cassel leading the team this year. Darling said, “I love Matt. He’s definitely ready.” Darling said that every day at camp is a competition, but he feels that he is at a slight advantage. “I have to take advantage of having Bobby (Engram) and Amani (Toomer) as receivers,” he said. When asked to compare the coaches he’s had in the NFL, Darling simply said that each of the coaches he’s played for have “taken care of [their] players.” Darling said that Chiefs new Head Coach Todd Haley really preaches about the mental toughness of his players, which is something new for the receiver. Darling ended by simply saying, “I want to work hard every day. I’m going to show the coaches they can trust me.”

Special Teams

In a change of pace, the teams started with a special teams session before going into their team warm-ups. The team took the field in shells for the first time during the morning practice.

Kicker Ryan Succop was catching punt snaps today during the team’s special teams sessions. Succop didn’t actually punt any balls, but was lined up as the punter. Succop has 85 career collegiate punts.

Todd Haley Press Conference

Head Coach Todd Haley’s press conference began with Haley saying that they devoted this morning’s practice to all phases of special teams. “It’s an area that we’re putting a lot of stress on. It’s an area we’ve got to be better in,” he said. “We obviously know that it’s a big part of these games.”

During his post-practice press conference, Head Coach Todd Haley was asked about how newly signed defensive end Tyson Jackson performed during this morning’s practice. Haley said that Jackson is on some of the teams that were focused on during practice. Haley said he was more or less paying attention to the whole scheme and team of the practice.

When asked how preparation changes with the first preseason game approaching, Haley said, “We’re still grinding. ‘There’s no light at the end of the tunnel’ is what I told them last night.” Haley said that as the week progresses, they’re going to have to get into more of the opponent stuff, but until then, Haley said, “We’ll try to stay as close to training camp mode as possible.”

Haley had been visibly frustrated more than once during this morning’s practice. Haley has been running countless situation plays during camp because he said he wants a “mentally and physically tough team that’s smart, specifically situationally smart.” Haley said that in the league today, you’re almost always in a situation-like circumstance. “The game is made up of a lot of situations,” he said. “In order to be a good team, you have to know what’s going on; you have to understand the situation, and you’ve almost got to do it without coaching.” Haley said that today’s practice involved a lot less coaching, so he could see what the players knew. “There was a handful of them that it was clear to me, they had not studied and stayed up on the situation, so yeah, I was upset about that,” he said.

Haley said he’s pleased with his group of linebackers because they’re a group of guys who can “run and hit.” Haley said Jovan Belcher and Pierre Walters are two players who look like they can run and hit. “It looks like they should be good special teams players,” he said. Haley said the core of a special teams has to come from the linebacker position, especially in a 3-4 defense. Overall, Haley said he’s “encouraged by this group of linebackers.” Haley said that linebacker Corey Mays has surprised him every day thus far. Mays was brought to the Chiefs as a core special teamer. Haley said that it now looks like Mays will be able to help the team out as a linebacker, as well. Haley said, “He just works hard. He’s very physical. He’s smart. When he’s out there, he runs the defense. He runs a tight huddle, a tight ship out there. I see that he’s not afraid to get on the guys and get them organized and lined up where they have to be. And he runs and hits, and I like guys that run and hit.”

Haley commented on linebacker Mike Vrabel’s passion for the special teams. Vrabel entered the league as a core special teamer, so Haley said “special teams is close to his heart.” “I think he’s into it,” Haley said about the 13-year veteran, “and I like guys that are into it and passionate about it.” Haley said when Vrabel’s not on the field, “something’s missing.” “He’s a great communicator. He’s a smart football player that understands those situations I was talking about. He’s the guy who’s helping coach everybody on the field,” Haley said. “We need more guys thinking and acting that way.”

During practice, long snapper Tanner Purdum wasn’t on the field during a field goal drill. “That’s a problem,” Haley said. “If you’re kicking a field goal, you must have eleven [men] out there. One of those should be a snapper, and one of those should be a kicker for sure or you’ll have major problems.”

Haley said he is going to keep running situation drills, saying, “If you learn something, you get it, and then you lose it, that’s a problem to me.”
Defense

Cornerback DaJuan Morgan and linebackers Zach Thomas, Demorrio Williams and Monty Beisel continued to sit out of practice this morning.

After practice, rookie defensive ends Alex Magee and Tyson Jackson spent time with Defensive Line Coach Tim Krumrie. The trio was working on getting off the line of scrimmage and correct hand and arm placement while busting through the block. Cornerbacks Maurice Leggett, Jackie Bates and Londen Fryar took balls off the Jugs machine. The balls were sailing in as though they were kicks. The backs worked on their returning skills.

[Titty Meat]

Even though Cassel struggled atleast he completed a pass on 3rd down.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by CupidStunt

The Chiefs may have next to no talent, but I haven't felt this confident in a Chiefs coach in years -- maybe ever.

Gotta' agree. There is NOTHING "collect a check"-like about Todd Haley. He wants wins, and players that can make them happen.

"WHY ARE YOU PEOPLE MAKING SUCh A BIG DEAL ABOUT BOWE AND DROPPED BALLS"-Homer McBowe Fan

We're not making shit, dumbass; go talk to Haley if you got a fookin' problem with.

[Nzoner]

Didn't read everything so apologies if this was mentioned but I heard on the radio that during the special teams screw-ups Mike Vrabel was heard to yell,"Mother ******!"

Apparently Haley turned to say something to Vrabel and when asked what he said he replied,"I'll keep what Mike and I talk about between us."He went on to say something like I do like players who are fired up though and want to take a lead.