Chiefs-Vikings Practice 7/31

From River Falls, Wisconsin

What a disappointment! It wasn’t so much that Jared Allen didn’t show up Thursday night for the Chiefs-Vikings practice.  That would have caused a world of problems and headaches,  which is probably why the Vikes left him at home.

The sad part was Branden Albert did not get the chance to get some practice time against an All-Pro defensive end.  That would have been a great indicator of his development and progress after a week of camp.  Likely it would have been only 10 snaps or less, but everyone around the Chiefs was looking forward to the battle.  Instead, Albert got Brian Robinson and then he picked up a sprained ankle.  Albert ended up missing about half the practice with the injury.  The Chiefs have to hope this ankle thing is not something chronic; remember he sprained an ankle during the off-season practices and ended up missing the last two weeks of work.

First Game In Chiefs History

It all got started for the Chiefs franchise on this day, 48 years ago.

The date was July 31, 1960.  The place was Kezar Stadium in San Francisco. The Dallas Texans opponent that day was the Oakland Raiders.

The Texans won that first game in franchise history, 20-13.

Practice on, No Jared?

From River Falls, Wisconsin

The weather has cleared enough and the fields are in good enough condition that the Chiefs-Vikings joint practice tonight here at UW-River Falls is still on.

However, rumor has it that Jared Allen will not be making the bus ride over from the Vikings camp in Mankato.  That’s the early word from several Minnesota front office types.  With Jared however, anything remains possible and he could be the first guy off the bus when it finally stops in the Falls.  Or he may come over and not even suit up.

Stayed tuned.

Finding Players Never Ends

From River Falls, Wisconsin

The business of player personnel in the NFL is a 24/7, 365-day job.  There are ebbs and flows, but always there are more bodies to evaluate, more rocks to turnover, more tape to analyze.

That goes for teams at the top of the standings and teams at the bottom.  Bad teams are always looking to get better and the good teams can’t take a breath and relax.  As Chuck Noll once told me, in the NFL you are either getting better or you are getting worse, you never stay the same.

Starting this Sunday night the NFL will play 65 pre-season games.  By the time that schedule is completed, the Chiefs personnel staff will have seen in person every team in the league.  They will spend more hours looking at tape.  Even as their own roster is being reduced to the final NFL limit of 53 players, the personnel staff will be out looking for new bodies to bring in.

Thursday Morning Cup O’Chiefs

From River Falls, Wisconsin

The Jared Allen circus rolls into the Falls this afternoon for tonight’s practice under the lights against the Vikings.  Chiefs are very interested in seeing how some of their young players fare against the purple people.  Sounds like Allen may be a very limited participant in what happens.  That will probably be the case as well for players like Tony Gonzalez and Brian Waters.

Afternoon Practice Update 7/30

From River Falls, Wisconsin

The Chiefs put practice No. 11 in the books Wednesday afternoon and it was a solid session.

There’s been great readership and reaction to these practice reports and it’s a pleasure to do them.  But let me re-affirm something: these sessions as single elements that constitute only a moment in time.  One day a guy is up, next day his legs are tired and he struggles through practice.  Nobody in training camp has 11 great practices in a row.  What I look for our trends, situations and performances that happen on a regular basis.

Offensive Line Gamble

From River Falls, Wisconsin

Are the Chiefs taking a big gamble in this 2008 season with their offensive line?

You bet they are.

Even Herm Edwards admits that.

“You are taking a gamble any time you go with as many young players as we are,” said Edwards.  “There is always a risk.  But what you build in this case is something that will last, not a one-year wonder.”

Morning Practice Update 7/30

From River Falls, Wisconsin

It was a perfect morning for football and the Chiefs had a good practice session in full pads.

One roster note: the Chiefs had an open spot and with their shortage of defensive ends, they are bringing back Jonal Saint-Dic, a rookie free agent out of Michigan State.  He was released at the end of the team’s off-season program.  Also, safety Ron Girault who was released when Glenn Dorsey signed has hooked on with the New York Jets.

Wednesday Morning Cup o’Chiefs

From River Falls, Wisconsin

It’s the quiet before the storm here in the northwoods.  On Thursday, the circus comes to town in the form of Jared Allen and his new teammates with the Minnesota Vikings.  While we are in Wisconsin, the state line with Minnesota is only a few miles west of RF, so the folks around here seem to be evenly split between Vikings and Packers fans.

Even without Jared, the place would be jumping with just the Vikings here.  Throw in good old No. 69, and you can bet the Kansas City media will be salivating for some pearls from Jared.  It will be good to see him; Jared was always one of my favorites.  He didn’t always do or say the right thing, but then who among us does?  In almost every occasion however, win or lose (and last year was a lot of losing) he stood up and answered questions from the media.

Afternoon Practice Update 7/29

From River Falls Wisconsin

It was a glorious summer afternoon here in the northwoods as the Chiefs went through practice No. 9.  They were in shells (that’s shoulder pads and no football pants for those who haven’t been following along.)

And score one for the offense!  Chan Gailey’s unit had their best practice of the training camp to date.  One can almost see the light bulbs going off over the heads of some of the offensive players as they go from day-to-day.  The basic Gailey offense is not very extensive and that’s all the team is working with right now.  So they should get better at execution each practice because they’ve run these plays before.

That was visible on Tuesday afternoon.

Morning Practice Update 7/29

From River Falls, Wisconsin

The subject was the kicking game during the Chiefs 50-minute workout this morning here in the northwoods.  There are 79 players on the roster and 60 of them were on the field for the work with special teams coach Mike Priefer.  They worked on the four major units: kickoff return, kick coverage, punt return and punt coverage.

Remember, special teams is one of the best predictors when it comes to a player’s chances of making the final 53-man roster.  If a player is not a starter and is not any front-line special teams units, his chances of making the team are not good.  Also remember it’s still July, and a lot change change in the five weeks before the first regular season game.

Here’s what we saw:

Tuesday Morning cup o’chiefs

From River Falls, Wisconsin

Herm Edwards foot comes off the gas pedal a bit today for the Chiefs players here in the northwoods.  They’ll have a special teams practice this morning.  These usually go for about one hour without pads with special teams coach Mike Priefer.  Some of the veteran players who are not part of the kicking game do not even attend the workout.  Instead they’ll lift weights or do some conditioning.  Then, everyone will be back on the field in full pads for an afternoon session.

Afternoon Practice Update 7/28

From River Falls, Wisconsin

The afternoon was sunny, hot and humid; perfect weather for a training camp practice.  The Chiefs were in shells, meaning shoulder pads, but no football pants.  That did not effect the intensity, as the workout may have been the most physical of camp so far.

And since it was the seventh practice of camp, some bumps and bruises are starting to show up. 

Tony G Likes What He Sees

From River Falls, Wisconsin

Not much is expected of the Chiefs this year, what with it being a rebuilding year and all.

Tony Gonzalez doesn’t see it that way.  Not at all.

One of the most veteran Chiefs believes the folks around him are already a better team than they were last year.

And, he knows there are skeptics.

Morning Practice Update 7/28

From River Falls, Wisconsin

The pace of this morning’s work here at UW-River Falls was more to the liking of Chiefs head coach.  That’s not to say everything was A-OK, but it was a step forward from what Herm Edwards saw on Sunday.

Missing from the practice work were DE Turk McBride (stomach ailment), G Brian Waters (unknown), TE Tony Gonzalez (rest) and WR-KR Kevin Robinson (knee).  During the practice, LB Derrick Johnson was suffering from cramps and did not participate over the last hour or so.

Also WR Timon Marshall was released,  so the Chiefs have 79 on the roster right now.

Monday Morning Cup o’Chiefs

 From River Falls, Wisconsin

The day has dawned bright and muggy here  in the northwoods, where the threat of thunderstorms is in the forecast for later today.  The Chiefs have two practices set for today, including one in the morning in full pads.

That figures to be an intense session because the head coach was not happy with his team yesterday.  Herm Edwards wants a faster tempo from his players and he’s not getting it right now.  The only thing the coach has vowed for himself this year is he’s going to stamp out stuff like this quickly.  This should be a fun day!

Check out my piece on kcchiefs.com about Edwards and his coaching staff.  It’s one of the smallest in the league.  I’ll have more on that in the coming days.

Breaking Down The Chiefs Roster

From River Falls, Wisconsin

The Chiefs roster here in Camp Herm 2008 is the youngest group in the franchise’s history.

The average age of the 80 players is 25.1 years.  The average time of experience in the league is 2.84 years.  Those are updated numbers and do not include the team’s European exemption, LB Aden Durde.

I wrote about this late last week on kcchiefs.com.  Here’s the link if you missed it.

Some more thoughts on the subject of going young. 

Sunday Practice Update 7/27

From River Falls, Wisconsin

It was a warm, muggy afternoon in the northwoods as the Chiefs went through a workout that was just short of two hours in length.  They were wearing shoulder pads but no football pants.  The players heard from Herm Edwards several times during the practice about picking up their pace.  Edwards drove home the point again to the players that because they do not have lengthy practices, when they are on the field, the players have to go as fast as they can.  This young group is still grasping that fact.

The head coach was not very happy when he left the practice field.

Sunday Morning Cup O’Chiefs

From River Falls, Wisconsin

Rain expected here in the northwoods today.  The day has dawned cloudy. The Chiefs have just one practice scheduled for this afternoon.

Glenn Dorsey and his signing have garnered the most attention in Camp Herm ‘08.  Here’s my take on his signing and the havoc it causes with the Peterson Haters.

COUNTDOWN

It’s 11 days from the Chiefs pre-season opener against the Bears in Chicago.  It’s 42 days to the regular season opener in Foxboro against the Patriots and it’s 49 days until the Chiefs return to Arrowhead Stadium for their regular season home opener against the Oakland Raiders.

And it’s 183 days until Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa.

Afternoon Practice Update 7/26

From River Falls, Wisconsin

The Chiefs were back on the field for a session wearing shoulder pads but not football pants.  However, that did not cause a drop in the intensity at all, as the hitting was louder and stronger than in the morning practice with full pads.

Glenn Dorsey was on the field and moved right into one of the starting tackle spots on the defense.  He looked like he was in good shape and seemed to handle the afternoon well.  He also had several big-league battles with veteran LG Brian Waters and I must say that Waters won most of them.  In fact, in just two on-field practices, Waters has easily been one of the most impressive performers.

The Skinny on Dorsey’s Deal

From River Falls, Wisconsin

Glenn Dorsey arrived on campus right around noon, signed his new contract, took a physical and he’ll be on the field this afternoon for the Chiefs afternoon practice.

The deal is being reported as six years for $51 million.

We can give you numbers closer to reality.

Morning Practice Update 7/26

From River Falls, Wisconsin

It was a beautiful sound Saturday morning.  Under blue skies, with a soft summer wind blowing in from the west, the Chiefs put on the pads and started the real process of football.  With contact.  There was the sound of pads crunching.  Now that’s football.

Here’s some of what we saw.

Dorsey Agrees To Terms

From River Falls, Wisconsin

There’s a very simple fact that is the engine that drives all negotiations.  It doesn’t matter if two countries are negotiating a treaty or a parent is trying to convince junior to eat his peas.  The only way any negotiation reaches a conclusion is if all parties want there to be an ending.

On Friday, there were finally two parties at the negotiating table looking to make a deal in the talks between the Chiefs and No. 1 choice Glenn Dorsey.

We can tell you exclusively that Dorsey agreed to a contract late Friday evening.  Terms are sketchy but the numbers that will likely be thrown around the most are $50 million if he maxes out all the bonuses in the contract.  The guaranteed money will be in the neighborhood of $22 million.

The defensive tackle out of LSU is expected here in River Falls on Saturday to sign the deal and get to work.

Saturday Morning Cup O’Chiefs

From River Falls, Wisconsin

It’s REAL FOOTBALL this morning here in the land of beer and cheese.  That’s if Mother Nature cooperates.  The Chiefs have two practices today, the first one starting at 8:30 a.m. and the players will be in full pads.  Finally, football as it’s supposed to be played!  We’ll have updates for you after both workouts.

Glenn Dorsey will be in town today.  Check our post for an update on the Dorsey situation.

COUNTDOWN

It’s 12 days from the Chiefs pre-season opener against the Bears in Chicago.  It’s 43 days to the regular season opener in Foxboro against the Patriots and it’s 50 days until the Chiefs return to Arrowhead Stadium for their regular season home opener against the Oakland Raiders.

Inside The First Meeting of Camp

From River Falls, Wisconsin 

The Chiefs arrived on the UW-River Falls campus late Thursday afternoon.  They picked up their room keys, handled personnel items, had their first meal of training camp and promptly at 7:15 p.m. had their first team meeting of the season. 

The head coach allowed us to sit in. 

There were several messages Herm Edwards wanted to deliver to this team.

Afternoon Practice Update 7/25

From River Falls, Wisconsin

Mother Nature put a major crush on the Chiefs afternoon practice on Friday.  A big old thunderstorm rolled across the Minnesota prairie, crossed the St. Croix River and smacked River Falls right upside the head.  Heavy rain, strong winds, hail.

The Chiefs were on the practice field and could see the storm coming.  LG Brian Waters kept pointing to the northwest and the darkening sky.  As a Texas native, he’s seen those kind of power clouds before and when the tornado sirens went off, Waters led the charge inside.  Good thing too, because less than five minutes later visibility was zero as the rain came down in buckets and the wind knocked over anything that wasn’t tied down.

Morning Practice Update 7/25

From River Falls, Wisconsin

A morning rain shower chased the Chiefs inside for their first practice of training camp.  Luckily it was a walk-thru session which could easily be moved inside and still get work accomplished.

Herm Edwards talked to his players about taking advantage of the practice with mental reps; i.e. paying attention even when not taking part in the play.

We decided to follow the coach’s advice and took some mental reps as well.  Here’s what we saw.

Friday Morning Cup O’Chiefs

From River Falls, Wisconsin

It’s Day One of Chiefs Training Camp here in the northwoods.  It’s 13 days until the pre-season opener against the Bears in Chicago.  It’s 44 days until the regular-season opener in Foxboro against the Patriots.

Herm Edwards will have a meeting with the squad early this morning, then they will hit the field for a short walk-through workout before lunch.  The first real practice of camp comes in the afternoon, although the team will not be in full pads.

Pads and the real hitting of football will start Saturday morning.

Touchdown River Falls

From River Falls, Wisconsin

The Chiefs rolled into UW-River Falls Thursday afternoon ready to begin the journey of the 2008 season.

As always, not much has changed in western Wisconsin over the last year, although when looking through the telescope of 18 years here in the north woods, this little burgh has changed quite a bit.  When the Chiefs first arrived in River Falls back in 1991, the road into town off I-94 was two lanes with nothing but corn fields on both sides of the highway.

The First Page of A New History

The Chiefs are headed for River Falls and the start of another training camp.

It’s year No. 18 in the land of beer and cheese and camp No. 49 in the history of the franchise.  That first training camp was held in Roswell, New Mexico.  Players on that first Dallas Texans team say it’s just a coincidence that their summer in Roswell came about the time the town became famous as the reported crash site for a UFO.

Welcome To Our Site

Decades of information, years of production, weeks of development and BAM … welcome to bobgretz.com.  We hope you enjoy what’s ahead.

Bear with us in the next few weeks as we get up and running.  This is a brave new world and there will be operator error from time-to-time.

So what’s ahead?

Wesley Now Wears an Eye Patch

It took less than a week for former Chiefs safety Greg Wesley to find a new home.

He signed on Monday with the Oakland Raiders, joining the silver and black asylum of Al Davis on a one-year contract.  With former first-round pick Michael Huff and big-money free agent signee Gibril Wilson ahead of him, Wesley figures to sit the bench with the Raiders. 

From across the pond

Despite the fact that the NFL owners pulled the plug on playing American football in Europe each spring, the league is still trying to keep up interest in the game overseas.

Why?  Of course television makes a difference as they hope more and more viewers in places like Great Britian and Germany tune up the games.  Plus, they are playing regular season games now, with the second one coming up this year in London between New Orleans and San Diego.