Practice Report/Update – 12/30

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs enjoyed sunny skies and a chilly wind from the north as they went through their final practice of the 2011 season.

It was a pretty vocal bunch as they ran through their pre-practice stretching routine; it was a little bit like the last recess of the school year. But the coaching staff quickly got them back on track and worked on getting better prepared for Sunday’s finale against the Broncos in Denver.

RB Jackie Battle will not play in Denver because of the foot injury he suffered last Sunday against Oakland. He’s officially listed as out. That will put more bread on the table of veteran RB Thomas Jones, since he and Dexter McCluster are the only running backs left on the roster, along with FB Le’Ron McClain.

Offensive coordinator Bill Muir thinks Jones relishes the chance to close out his 12th NFL season with a heavy workload against Denver. …Read More!

Practice Report/Update – 12/29

From the Truman Sports Complex

For the final Thursday practice of the 2011 season, the Chiefs could not have asked for better weather conditions for their second session in preparation for facing the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

Temperatures were in the high 50s, with plenty of sunshine and no wind and it made for a delightful afternoon of football heavy lifting for Romeo Crennel and his team. There’s just one more practice left in a football season of practices that began on August 1 in St. Joseph for training camp.

“It was a great day out today for December so I think that helped the attitude of the guys as we were out there practicing,” Crennel said. “We’ve got this game Sunday and I think we are trying to get ready for it. We are going to play hard and they are going to do good and we’ll go from there.”

Two bodies were missing from the practice field – RB Jackie Battle and WR Jeremy Horne – and one was there, but did not practice – SS Jon McGraw. Battle is dealing with a foot injury that likely has ended his season a game early. McGraw did not work becauseof his high ankle sprain. That would be a setback for the veteran safety who did some limited work on Wednesday. Horne was absent from practice becasue of illness but he was in the building and attending meetings.

From Denver, the Broncos injury/practice report remained unchanged from Wednesday. S Brian Dawkins (neck) did not practice. Limited in practice were S David Bruton (Achilles) and CB Chris Harris (neck). Full participation involved S Quinton Carter (hip) and LB Von Miller (thumb).

Chiefs Practice Report/Update – 12/28

From the Truman Sports Complex

RB Jackie Battle was the only player on the roster that was not taking part in Wednesday’s practice session, the first of the season’s final week of preparation.

Head coach Romeo Crennel said Battle was wearing a boot and that he was undergoing tests of all kinds on his injured foot. Crennel said if he had to label him on Wednesday for Sunday’s game against Denver, Battle would be doubtful.

The rest of the squad appeared to be taking part in the early part of practice without problems. SS Jon McGraw was the only other player on the injury/practice report, listed as a limited participant because of his ankle injury.

The Broncos have five players on their injury/practice report. S Brian Dawkins (neck) did not practice. Working as limited participants were S David Bruton (Achilles) and CB Chris Harris (neck). Full participants were LB Von Miller (thumb) and S Quinton Carter (hip).

Practice Report – 12/22

From the Truman Sports Complex

Romeo Crennel decided that Thursday was the right day to help acclimate his team to the December weather in the Midwest, so the Chiefs second practice of Raiders Week was outside.

Temperatures were in the low 30s, with a 20 mph wind from the north that dropped the feel-like wind chill to the low 20s. Trust me … it was cold and tough going, especially for some of the rookies from the South who were really getting their first taste of very cold weather. DE Allen Bailey from the University of Miami and Sapelo Island in Georgia appeared to be wearing every sweatshirt he owned underneath his practice jersey.

The National Weather Service forecast for Saturday sounds like a heat wave compared to Thursday. It calls for sunny skies and temperatures in the low 40s, with only a light breeze and no chance of rain.

All 61 available bodies appeared to be working in the open media period, including SS Jon McGraw who has been fighting that high ankle sprain that he suffered nearly two weeks ago against the Jets in New Jersey. As he ran, McGraw still showed a bit of a limp.

Practice Report – 12/21

From the Truman Sports Complex

Although the weather was relatively balmy for a day in the second half of December, Romeo Crennel kept his team indoors for their practice on Wednesday; their first preparation for Saturday’s game hosting the Oakland Raiders.

Playing on Saturday leaves the Chiefs with one fewer day of preparation time and also messes a bit with their internal football clocks.

“I talked to those guys about being ready on Saturday because sometimes that body clock, you get on a schedule,” Crennel said. “We’ve been playing on Sunday and all of that, but now we are going to play on Saturday so we need to speed up that clock a little bit so that we are ready to play. We need to be able to get off to a good start from the kickoff, from when the whistle blows, start good and continue to be good throughout the game.” …Read More!

Practice Update/Orton Set To Start – 12/16

From the Truman Sports Complex

Kyle Orton will start at quarterback for the Chiefs this coming Sunday when they face the Green Bay Packers at Arrowhead Stadium.

That was the word from head coach Romeo Crennel after Friday’s practice where Orton threw the ball well and had no problems taking snaps from center with that dislocated right index finger.

“Kyle did a nice job and it looks like he’s throwing better and so we are going to start him in the game – he’s going to be the quarterback,” Crennel said. “The ball has not been on the ground at all this week, so that’s a good sign there have been no fumbles with him (because of the finger injury.)”

Crennel said the team was not as sharp Friday as they were during practice the previous two days.

“They were pressing a little bit,” Crennel said. “I talked to those guys about fixing problems and moving on to the next play. There’s always another play that you have to get ready to go with.

“Towards the end of practice, they were sharper and looked better. I think they’ll be OK and ready to go.”

Offensive coordinator Bill Muir will move back into the coaching booth starting with Sunday’s game. A month ago, after Matt Cassel was injured and gone for the season, Muir moved down to the field and has been there the last four weeks. …Read More!

Practice Report/Orton Update – 12/15

From the Truman Sports Complex

Kyle Orton took another step towards starting at quarterback against Green Bay with his performance in Thursday afternoon’s practice.

Working outside in chilly temperatures and a gusty wind, Orton had no problems throwing the ball with his dislocated right index finger.

“Yesterday, Kyle did more than I expected he would, so we gave him more today and he seemed to have weathered the storm pretty good,” said head coach Romeo Crennel. “We feel good right now about where he is. We’ll have to see how it feels in the morning, how the soreness might be and how he handles it.

“But I thought today would be a good test with the weather. If you can execute in the cold weather and survive it, then I think you’ve got a pretty good chance of playing.”

Waiting to see how Orton’s finger reacts Friday was the only thing holding Crennel back from saying without a doubt he would open the game under center.

“He probably will start for us,” Crennel said. “Like I told him and told the team, if he can go, that he was going to be the guy. He’s done decent so far, and he’ll probably be the guy.” …Read More!

Practice Update – 12/14; Palko Benched, Orton Throws

From the Truman Sports Complex

When the Chiefs hit the practice field Wednesday afternoon, they had a new starting quarterback.

The only problem is they don’t know if it was going to be Kyle Orton or rookie Ricky Stanzi. All they know for sure is new head coach Romeo Crennel has benched Tyler Palko.

“If Orton is able, Orton will be the starting quarterback,” Crennel said. “If he can’t do it because of his finger, then Ricky Stanzi will be the quarterback.”

Going into Wednesday’s session, Orton had not practiced since dislocating his right index finger on December 3rd in Chicago. Crennel revealed that this week, Orton has been throwing passes with the trainers over the last two days.

“They said for short passes, he has been doing pretty good,” Crennel said. “Now, we will have to see how he does in practice. We might have to protect him a little bit from taking the snap.” …Read More!

Practice Report/Update – 12/9

From the Truman Sports Complex

The chances of QB Kyle Orton being available to play on Sunday when the Chiefs face the New York Jets is somewhere between slim and none.

For the third straight day Orton was a “limited participant” in practice on Friday because of his dislocated right index finger that he suffered last Sunday in Chicago. On their injury report to the league, the Chiefs have listed Orton as “doubtful” for the game, which translates to only a 25 percent chance of playing. Expect Orton to be inactive on Sunday.

The Chiefs list ILB Demorrio Williams (groin) and ILB Jovan Belcher (shoulder) as questionable, although both were full participants in Friday’s practice. C Casey Wiegmann (fingers) is listed as probable, as is DE Wallace Gilberry, who was added to the report on Friday after suffering a chest injury in practice.

For the first time this week, Todd Haley had his team outside practicing in the elements Friday morning; It was a sunny Kansas City morning with temperatures in the low 30s, with a light breeze. The National Weather Service forecast for the Meadowlands on Sunday is sunny, with a high near 42. There will be a wind out of the north at 6 mph slowly turning to a west wind.

For the Jets, they continued to list 16 players on their injury report, but only two did not practice at all this week: DL Mike DeVito (knee) and RG Brandon Moore (hip). Here’s how New York classified their walking wounded:

• DOUBTFUL: DL Mike DeVito (knee).
• QUESTIONABLE: RG Brandon Moore (hip), DT Marcus Dixon (hip), RB Joe McKnight (elbow).
• PROBABLE: DB Ellis Lankster (back), LB David Harris (ankle), S Eric Smith (knee), OL Vlade Ducasse (knee), RB Shonn Greene (ribs), WR Jeremy Kerley (knee), C Nick Mangold (ankle), LB Calvin Pace (groin), LS Tanner Purdum (back), OL Matt Slauson (knee), RB LaDainian Tomlinson (knee); DE Muhammad Wilkerson (shoulder).

Practice Report/Update – 12/8

From the Truman Sports Complex

The defense has risen to the lead position for the Chiefs in the last month, as they’ve played good, sometimes very good football, while the offense has been ineffective and lacking in production. Over the last five games, the Chiefs have been outscored by 63 points.

Opponents have recently scored 13 and 17 points against the Chiefs defense and have still been able to win the game. Is the defense getting tired of carrying the load? Not in the mind of the Chiefs leading tackler Derrick Johnson.

“Regardless of whatever has happened on the field we have to go out and play defense,” Johnson said after the Chiefs wrapped p Thursday’s practice in their indoor facility. “Our concern is not what our offense can and can’t do. To play defense you have to focus on what you have to do. This is very much a team game and we need to help our offense, like giving them good field position. If they are having problems, we need to help them out.”

The Chiefs were in pads for the 13th time this season. Under the new NFL rules, they have just one more padded practice available to them over the last three weeks.

“There was very good energy and focus out there today,” said head coach Todd Haley. “They understand where we are with four games left and one real big one this weekend with the New York Jets.”

QB Kyle Orton was more spectator than participant as the Chiefs opened their Thursday practice session. …Read More!

Practice Report/Update – 12/7

From the Truman Sports Complex

The cold and wind chased the Chiefs indoors for Wednesday practice, their first of the week in preparation for this Sunday’s game against the Jets in New Jersey.

Todd Haley said it wasn’t really so much to do with the weather, but the playing surface. The Chiefs worked inside on the fake stuff, the same type of turf they will play on at MetLife Stadium when they face the Jets. He expects to have his team outside for practice later in the week.

Early weather reports for the swamps of New Jersey over the coming weekend call for sunny skies and temperatures in the mid 40s.

All 61 players were on the field for the workout, but QB Kyle Orton was doing a lot more watching than taking part in anything because of the dislocated right index finger. Orton was wearing what appeared to be a small splint on the end of his finger, but it was not heavily bandaged or protected in any way. He made a few hand offs with an imaginary football, and did not attempt any passes during the open period of Chiefs practice.

The team’s practice report listed three players. LB Demorrio Williams (groin) was a full participant, with C Casey Wiegmann (finger) and QB Kyle Orton (finger) as limited participants.

The Jets have 16 players on their injury report, but only seven did not practice or were limited:

• Did not practice – DL Mike DeVito (knee), DB Ellis Lankster (lower back), OL Brandon Moore (hip).
• Limited participation – DL Marcus Dixon (hip), LB David Harris (ankle), RB Joe McKnight (elbow), DB Eric Smith (knee).

Practice Report/Update – 12/2

From the Truman Sports Complex

Friday morning, the Chiefs went through their final practice of the week in preparation for Sunday’s game in Chicago. And, they did it outside in cold, blustery conditions not unlike what apparently they will face on Sunday at Soldier Field.

“It’s like Indian Summer around here,” Todd Haley said after practice, where he was in shorts and just a thin jacket in conditions where the wind chill was somewhere in the low 20s. “When is it going to feel like winter?”

Haley likes to display his “mental” toughness by going to practice, no matter the weather conditions, wearing just shorts and a windbreaker. It’s a habit/tradition/lunacy he started when he was an assistant coach for three years with the Chicago Bears. It was part of an “I dare you” moment with his receivers when he challenged them on handling the cold during a practice in Lake Forest where the Bears have their facilities.

Cold and even snow were part of the forecast earlier in the week for Chicago on game day, but the National Weather Service has altered its report for Sunday, taking the chance of snow out of the forecast. They are calling for a 40 percent chance of rain before noon, with cloudy skies, winds out of the south-southwest from 10 to 20 mph and a high near 44.

All bodies were on the field for practice, and everyone was taking part in the early work. C Casey Wiegmann (finger), LG Ryan Lilja (head) and ILB Demorrio Williams (groin) all appear capable of playing.

Practice squad RB Shaun Draughn who missed the first two days of work returned on Friday.

On the Chiefs official injury report to the league office, Wiegmann is listed as probable, with Lilja and Williams as questionable.

For the Bears, injured players are listed like this:

• OUT – QB Jay Cutler (right thumb).
• QUESTIONABLE – DT Anthony Adams (back) and CB D.J. Moore (ankle).
• PROBABLE – CB Charles Tillman (knee) and Zackary Bowman (groin).

Practice Report/Update – 12/1

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs worked in full pads Thursday afternoon in the most important practice of the week for the team in preparation for facing the Bears in Chicago on Sunday.

“There was good, spirited energy, some good work,” Haley said of the practice. “We only have a few of these padded practice days left and we have to take advantage of them. We did that today.”

The quarterback situation remained unchanged on Thursday, as Haley said both quarterbacks did a good job in practice. Tyler Palko remains the starter and Kyle Orton is trying to get caught up with the offense and his new teammates so he could make a contribution if he had to play.

“Tyler’s got to continue to work hard and improve on the things that he did in the game that weren’t quite what he or we wanted,” Haley said. “We have to continue to get the other guys, Ricky (Stanzi) included, ready to go.

“As we’ve seen around the league, Houston in particular, you had better have a couple guys in the hopper ready to go.” …Read More!

Practice Report/Update – 11/30

From the Truman Sports Complex

Head coach Todd Haley loves to break the season up into quarters, four games per quarter, a total of four quarters, 16 games in all.

But the current Chiefs situation has led Haley to make a change in his math and his season template. Forget the third quarter that has one game remaining, and the fourth quarter with four games to play.

Right now the Chiefs are facing a five-game season says Haley. Its five games that need to produce five victories and then dreams of the playoffs might still be possible. Those dreams are pretty flimsy. Oddsmakers like TopBet Sportsbook can’t even fathom the possible odds on a five-game winning streak.

“We are in it, we are not one of those teams that are out of it,” Haley said Wednesday. “We’ve got our work cut out for us. It’s basically a five-game season for us, where we have to make sure we are doing whatever we have to win this season. It starts with a difficult Chicago team. It will be a great challenge.” …Read More!

Practice Report/Update – 11/25

From the Truman Sports Complex

We have a Kyle Orton sighting. He’s alive and wearing No. 8 for the Chiefs.

Under the lights at Arrowhead Stadium Friday night for the final practice of the preparation week for Sunday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers Orton made his first public appearance with his teammates. During the open period of practice, he threw a few passes, but mostly watched as Tyler Palko led the offense through some final work on scoring zone plays.

Orton arrived in Kansas City around 2 o’clock Friday afternoon, and immediately hit the medical trail, taking exams and getting tested. Orton landed at the team’s facility late in the afternoon, got a quick tutorial and was with the offense as it went about practice on the Arrowhead turf. …Read More!

Practice Report/Update – Thanksgiving Day

From the Truman Sports Complex

There was no Kyle Orton at the Chiefs practice Thursday afternoon, but all the other 60 available players were on the practice field for a Thanksgiving workout.

Orton, claimed on waivers from the Broncos on Wednesday, but he was nowhere to be seen on the practice field or in the Chiefs facility.

Head coach Todd Haley spoke with Orton Wednesday evening after he was awarded to the Chiefs on waivers from the Broncos.

“He had a couple of personal things that he had to attend to,” Haley said of Orton. “We talked (Wednesday) night and had a real good conversation. We as an organization and team are excited about bringing him a board in an effort to continue to create competition, more importantly in this situation to give us depth at the same time.

“We’ve been working via the phone trying to get him caught up with the offense.”

Orton is expected to be with the Chiefs for practice on Friday. Whether he’ll be active and available for Sunday night against Pittsburgh remains to be determined. Haley said Tyler Palko will start the game for the Chiefs. …Read More!

Practice Report – 11/19

From the Truman Sports Complex

High winds chased the Chiefs out of Arrowhead Stadium and into their indoor practice facility Saturday evening for their final practice of preparation week for Monday’s game against New England.

During the open media window, all players looked like they were participating in the workout. On Thursday and Friday, DE Glenn Dorsey did nothing but work in the rehab area riding a stationary bike. He was not there Saturday, but was working with his fellow defensive linemen on his injured left knee. The team listed him as questionable on the league injury report submitted Saturday.

Also listed as questionable were CB Brandon Flowers (back), CB Brandon Carr (ankle) and SS Jon McGraw (neck/shoulder). Of the three, Flowers seemed to be the one still having difficult on Saturday evening.

Out of the game are QB Matt Cassel (hand) and LB Demorrio Williams, who will miss his second consecutive game with a groin injury.

On the Patriots injury report to the league, LBs Dane Fletcher (thumb) and Brandon Spikes (knee) were declared out of Monday night’s game. Listed as doubtful was CB Devin McCourty (shoulder). There were 13 players listed as questionable and two as probable.

QUESTIONABLE: CB Kyle Arrington (foot), S Patrick Chung (foot), C Dan Connolly (groin), DE Shaun Ellis (ribs), RB Kevin Faulk (knee), RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis (toe), LB Gary Guyton (shoulder), S James Ihedigbo (shoulder), WR Taylor Price (hamstring), WR Matthew Slater (shoulder), OT Nate Solder (concussion), OT Sebastian Vollmer (back) and LB Jeff Tarpinian (illness).

PROBABLE: RG Brian Waters (knee) and WR Wes Welker (knee).

Practice Report/Update – 11/18

From the Truman Sports Complex

A brisk November wind drove the Chiefs indoors for practice on Friday, although head coach Todd Haley had the building nice and chilly for his players as they went through their second on-field session for Monday night’s game against the Patriots.

“We wanted to make sure the passing game on both sides of the ball that we were able to work on timing and get a good look,” Haley said. “On top of that, we were able to work on the (artificial) turf a little bit.

“It was a good, spirited, energetic practice. I feel like we got better today.” …Read More!

Practice Report/Update – 11/11

From Arrowhead Stadium

It’s Todd Haley’s thought that being able to practice in the place they play helps the Chiefs.

So despite the 2-2 home record at Arrowhead Stadium this season, the Chiefs were back inside the stadium on Friday morning for their final practice of the week in preparation for Sunday’s game against Denver. They are 2-4 in their last six home games.

“I don’t know that it’s been reflected in how we’ve played, but overall from a comfort level, getting the lay of the land, the field and all those things,” Haley said. “As the year goes on with these outdoor stadiums and grass, it’s interesting each game. I think it gives us an advantage of understanding our field and what kind of shoes we want to wear and all of those things.”

All 61 players were on the field, but ILB Demorrio Williams was not participating in practice because of a groin injury. He hasn’t practiced all week. The Chiefs have declared that he won’t play on Sunday in their official injury report to the league office.

CB Javier Arenas appeared limited in what he was doing in the early part of practice because of continuing problems with an ankle injury. According to the team, he was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice, but was limited on Thursday and on Friday was again a full participant. They list him as probable.

SS Jon McGraw took a full practice turn on Friday, but the Chiefs list him as questionable because of that neck/shoulder injury.

For the Broncos, they list two players as questionable: LB Wesley Woodyard (knee) and CB Cassius Vaughn (hamstring). Listed as probable were S Brian Dawkins (thigh), TE Virgil Green (neck), FB Spencer Larsen (FB), S Rahim Moore (concussion) and RB Willis McGahee (hand).

Denver arrived in Kansas City on Friday evening and will hold a walkthrough on Saturday in the Kansas City area.

Practice Report/Update – 11/4

From Arrowhead Stadium

WR Dwayne Bowe, CBs Brandon Flowers and Brandon Carr were all fined by the NFL office this week for violations of the uniform code during Monday night’s game against San Diego.

The trio replaced the normal white socks with red and gold piping with solid red socks. But that wasn’t why they were fined according to Bowe. He said the fine came because of their shoes. They spray painted black shoes red and that drew the discipline because they did not display an appropriate NFL approved logo.

No word on the size of the fine, but uniform violations usually fall in the $5,000 to $10,000 range depending on the nature of the transgression and how often the player might be an offender.

As has become their custom on the Friday of home games, the Chiefs held their last practice of the week inside Arrowhead Stadium. Todd Haley was happy with what he saw from his team.

“I think the guys are over the hump from Monday night,” the head coach said. “There was a good pace throughout the practice. Things go quick when you have a short week.”

Things did not go quickly for veteran SS Jon McGraw, who did not practice this week because of a shoulder injury suffered Monday night against San Diego. On the Chiefs official injury report to the league office Friday afternoon McGraw is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins. If McGraw does not play, the Chiefs defense will be down to their third different starting strong safety this season, likely to be Donald Washington.

Also on that injured list as of Friday is CB Javier Arenas with an ankle injury. He was a limited participant in practice the past two days and is listed as questionable.

All 10 players on the Dolphins injury report have a chance of playing on Sunday. They break down this way:

Questionable – CB Vontae Davis (hamstring), WR Edmond Gates (groin) and RB Daniel Thomas (hamstring).

Probable – S Yeremiah Bell (toe), OT Marc Colombo (knee), C Mike Pouncey (neck), OLB Jason Taylor (hip), G Richie Incognito (ankle), DE Kendall Langford (hips) and QB Matt Moore (ribs).

Practice Report/Update – 11/3

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs secondary was down two players on Thursday when they hit the field for practice.

SS Jon McGraw and CB Javier Arenas were both on the sidelines riding stationary bikes as the team began the session outside in cool and windy weather conditions.

McGraw suffered a shoulder injury Monday night against San Diego and left the game. He did not participate in practice. Arenas’ injury was not reported by the Chiefs and he was not listed as a non-participant. Arenas said the move was just precautionary.

“I could have practiced, but they were just making sure,” he said.

The Dolphins still had 10 players listed on their injury/practice report and all of them took some part in the team’s Thursday practice. Limited participation – CB Vontae Davis (hamstring), WR Edmond Gates (groin) and RB Daniel Thomas (hamstring).

Full participation – S Yeremiah Bell (toe), OT Marc Colombo (knee), C Mike Pouncey (neck), OLB Jason Taylor (hip), G Richie Incognito (ankle), DE Kendall Langford (hip) and QB Matt Moore (ribs).

Practice Report/Update – 11/2

From the Truman Sports Complex

The players had an extra day off from practice on Wednesday, as Todd Haley welcomed back his group from its day off with a shortened session.

Concerned because the Chiefs have played two physical, division opponents in the last two games, Haley had the squad report on Wednesday at lunch time for a film session and then they held a walkthrough session indoors. It was a mental start to preparations for this Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins at Arrowhead Stadium.

“This is going to be a big challenge for us as a group to get back physically and mentally to be where we need to be,” said Haley.

When it comes to actual injuries, the only player listed on the team’s report for Wednesday was SS Jon McGraw. He left the game in the fourth quarter with a shoulder/neck injury and did not return. McGraw said after the game he did not think the injury as serious enough to keep him out of action this coming weekend.

But there are plenty of bumps, bruises, contusions, scrapes, cuts and aches within the 46 players who have saw action against the Chargers.

“Yeah, you feel like you’ve been run over by a truck and then you remember what happened in the game and it doesn’t feel so bad,” said ILB Derrick Johnson. “With a short week, you just have to take extra care of your body.”

The Chiefs official injury/practice report to the league had only McGraw listed, and he did not participate.

For the Dolphins, they had 10 players on their injury report. Did not practice: S Yeremiah Bell (toe), RT Marc Colombo (knee), C Mike Pouncey (neck) and OLB Jason Taylor (hip). Limited participation: CB Vontae Davis (hamstring), WR Edmond Gates (groin), G Richie Incognito (ankle) and RB Daniel Thomas (hamstring). Full participation: DE Kendall Langford (hip), QB Matt Moore (ribs).

Cassel Spends Day Running For His Life

From Arrowhead Stadium

Among NFL quarterbacks, Matt Cassel is not known for his mobility.

By no means is he a statue that can’t move. But he’s far from one of those passers who can provide his offense with opportunity through his legs. Going into Sunday’s game against Miami, Cassel had run 14 times for 45 yards. That was an average of two runs per game for a little more than six yards.

Sometimes, a quarterback has to do what a quarterback has to do, and against the Dolphins, Cassel had to run, and run, and run. He had to do it if he wanted to stay in a vertical position. The Miami pass rush was intent on having him horizontal.

“We knew this was going to be a major test,” head coach Todd Haley said of the Miami defense. “They’ve got a bunch of guys that can bring it and they’re not afraid to bring additional players. (Defensive coordinator) Mike Nolan does a terrific job of disguising what they are doing.”

The Dolphins had five sacks of Cassel in 44 passing plays, or basically one every nine times Cassel went back to throw, he ended up on the ground.

But that doesn’t really cover the entire waterfront of how bad that pressure was. Cassel ran the ball nine times in the game. That’s nine times when he was supposed to be throwing, but instead was running away from trouble. That’s nine runs, and those five sacks. That’s 14 passing plays where the ball was not thrown.

“You go out there and play the game and sometimes that happens,” Cassel said of the pressure from the pass rush. “They have a good pass rush and we knew that coming in. It came up where I had to get outside of the pocket a little bit more than I had in the past.”

Since he became a starting quarterback, he’s on average run the ball 3.3 times in those 52 starts. Those nine rushing attempts equaled a career high; he did it previously in a 2008 game against Buffalo when he was still in New England.

“That’s on us,” said LT Branden Albert, speaking for the offensive line. “Our guy (Cassel) shouldn’t be running around out there like he was today. That’s no good. We have to be better.”

Invariably three things happen when a quarterback starts getting away from pass rush pressure and ends up running around. First, his completion percentage goes down. Second, interceptions go up. Three, he ends up being carted off the field due to injury.

Cassel fell victim to No. 1, as he completed just 51.3 percent of his passes, far below his season average that is now 60.7 percent after eight games. Luckily for him, he did not throw an interception and he was able to walk to the locker room under his own power.

“Today, I think offensively we just never got into a rhythm,” said Cassel. “Our whole team didn’t get into a rhythm. They beat us in all three phases. It’s one of those situations where we are going to have to go back in and review the film and get back to work.”

Practice Report/Update – 10/28

From the Truman Sports Complex

Last Sunday was an expensive day for Brandon Flowers and Tamba Hali – both Chiefs defenders were fined by the NFL for actions in the victory over the Raiders.

For his end zone celebration after scoring his pick-six touchdown, Flowers was penalized 15 yards and the league office fined him $10,000 for using the football as a prop. OLB Tamba Hali was fined $15,000 for hitting Oakland QB Carson Palmer below the knee on the pass rush. Two members of the Raiders also were fined: LB Aaron Curry ($10,000) and CB Stanford Routt ($7,500). They were penalized for actions the NFL considered over and above acceptable action.

The Chiefs enjoyed another glorious day of autumn weather on Friday as they put in their second on-field practice of the week in preparation to face the San Diego Chargers.

Missing from the practice field were RB Dexter McCluster. Head coach Todd Haley said McCluster was absent because of personal business and he expecte him to return soon. It’s not injury related. Practice squad CB Quinten Lawrence was also missing from the practice field. …Read More!

Practice Report/Update – 10/28

From the Truman Sports Complex

On Thursday afternoon, all hands were on deck for the start of field work for Monday night’s game against the San Diego Chargers.

FS Kendrick Lewis came out of the victory over Oakland last Sunday with an ankle injury, but he appeared to be active in practice during the open media window. The Chiefs listed Lewis as a limited participant on their injury/practice report.

With an extra day to prepare, Todd Haley used Wednesday as a day to work on the mental side of the preparation, as he put the players through a walk-through session. “We had a good mental day in the afternoon and a real good physical day in the weight room yesterday,” Haley said. “We were able to use that day in a positive manner.”

That made Thursday like a normal Wednesday for the Chiefs. They’ll practice on a normal Thursday schedule for Friday and then Saturday evening they will work inside Arrowhead Stadium under the lights.

The Chargers listed 10 players on their injury report, including five that did not practice on Thursday: DE Luis Castillo (broken leg), G Kris Dielman (concussion), WR Malcom Floyd (hip), OLB Shaun Phillips (foot) and RB Michael Tolbert (hamstring/hand). Listed as limited participants were FB Jacob Hester (foot), OL Scott Mruczkowski (neck) and LT Marcus McNeill (neck). Full participation came from TE Antonio Gates (foot) and RB Ryan Mathews (thumb).

One other note: apparently the NFL has decided that FB Le’Ron McClain will get to keep credit for the touchdown in the Oakland game that he fumbled into the end zone and was recovered by teammate Jon Asamoah. The league decided to take a second look at the play, but they apparently did not open their eyes.

Practice Report/Update – 10/21

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs final practice of 2011 Raiders Week I went down Friday morning with head coach Todd Haley putting his team through a 90-minute workout.

In the team stretching period they were a lively and vocal bunch, with many players taking a hand at doing their imitation of ESPN’s Chris Berman saying “the RAIDERS…”

The starting lineup change on defense that went down in Indianapolis looks like it remains in effect, as Andy Studebaker was working with the starters in the base defense. Against the Colts, Studebaker moved into the opening lineup, with rookie Justin Houston stepping into the sub-defense as a pass rusher opposite Tamba Hali.

Only practice squad FB/TE Shane Bannon was missing from the practice field on Friday. He missed Thursday’s session as well, due to an ankle injury.

The Chiefs injury report to the league will list RB Jackie Battle and FB Le’Ron McClain as probable for Sunday’s game. Both participated in Friday’s practice.

On the Raiders report, QB Jason Campbell (collarbone) and CB Chris Johnson (groin) are out of Sunday’s game. Listed as questionable are RB Rock Cartwright (calf), CB Chimdi Chekwa (hamstring), LB Rolando McClain (ankle), FB Marcel Reece (ankle), S Michael Huff (ankle), K Sebastian Janikowski (hamstring), WR Chaz Schilens (groin) and DT Richard Seymour (knee).

Janikowski and Seymour are big additions to the list. If either one is out, that’s a huge edge for the Chiefs.

Listed as probable were TE Richard Gordon (hand), C Samson Satele (ribs) and TE Brandon Myers (ribs).

The Raiders also announced Friday that they had sold enough tickets to lift the local TV blackout. That’s four games in a row that Bay Area fans have gotten the chance to watch the silver and black.

Practice Report/Update2 – 10/19

From the Truman Sports Complex

Todd Haley said Wednesday that his team would spend the week preparing to see Carson Palmer and Kyle Boller at quarterback for the Oakland Raiders.

Palmer was acquired on Tuesday by the Raiders in a trade with Cincinnati. Rumors persisted around the NFL grapevine on Wednesday morning that Palmer would start against the Chiefs this Sunday in Oakland.

However, Raiders head coach Hue Jackson told the Kansas City media Wednesday morning that no decision had been made.

“We haven’t even had a practice yet,” Jackson said.

None of that matters to the Chiefs. Haley said the defense would get ready for two QBs much like they did against Indianapolis when there was a chance that Kerry Collins could return from a concussion and replace Curtis Painter.

“Carson has a long track record in the NFL,” Haley said. “The good thing is we have a lot of tape on Carson and our staff has very good familiarity with his strengths. Same with Kyle, we’ve seen him a number of times over the years in different places. He’s on tape from last week.

“We have to prepare for two guys. That happens on occasion.”

All 61 available players were on the field for Wednesday afternoon practice as the Chiefs continued their preparations for the Raiders. Coming out of the Indianapolis game 10 days ago, FB Le’Ron McClain (neck) and RB Jackie Battle (head) were the only injuries of note. Both were in full participation during the open media window to practice. They were the only players listed on the team’s injury/practice report for Wednesdsay.

The Raiders listed 10 players on their injury report, with six players that did not practice: QB Jason Campbell (collarbone), RB Rock Cartwright (calf) CB Chimdi Chekwa (hamstring), LB Rolando McClain (ankle) and FB Marcel Reece (ankle). Listed as limited participants were TE Richard Gordon (hand), S Michael Huff (ankle) and C Samson Satele (ribs). TE Brandon Myers (ribs) was a full participant in Wednesday’s workout.

Practice Report/Update– 10/7

From the Truman Sports Complex

Todd Haley still would not commit on Friday to first-round draft choice WR Jonathan Baldwin being active for Sunday’s game against the Colts in Indianapolis.

“He has been working very hard, but he hasn’t had a ton of action in a team setting,” Haley said after Friday’s practice. “There are a lot of factors at play, the least of which right now is his health. He’s physically ready to go.”

Baldwin went through his third practice of the week and continued to impress the Chiefs coaches with how he’s handled himself in the offense during practice. In fact, Haley said he thinks that one positive of his time away from playing (three pre-season and four regular season games) actually had an upside for Baldwin because while he couldn’t catch with his broken right thumb, he could run.

“The guy’s had the benefit doing the (mental) work and getting comfortable with his responsibilities,” Haley said. “He essentially got OTAs and mini-camps while the team practiced and that’s priceless time for a young receiver.”

Baldwin, SS Jon McGraw (shin) and WR Terrence Copper (illness) were all listed as probable when the Chiefs turned in their official injury report to the league office Friday afternoon. …Read More!

Practice Report/Update – 10/6

From the Truman Sports Complex

All hands were on deck Thursday when the Chiefs held their second practice of the week in preparation for Sunday’s game in Indianapolis.

All 61 available bodies were dressed and were taking part in the workout during the media window. WR Terrence Copper was back after missing Wednesday’s practice with an illness.

Head coach Todd Haley was pleased with the workout.

“It was physical and good energy again; we had a bunch of guys running around feeling good,” Haley said of the practice in full pads. “I feel like we made progress. We’re just trying to get a little bit better every day.”

One player that has made progress in Haley’s view is his first-round draft choice, WR Jonathan Baldwin. In just his second full practice since breaking his thumb on August 16, the coach said he was better than he was the day before.

“I thought he had another real good practice,” Haley said of Baldwin. “I’ve been impressed by what he’s done here early on after being out as long as he was. He’s had two real good days and that’s encouraging to everybody.”

Will Baldwin play on Sunday? …Read More!

Practice Report/Update – 10/5

From the Truman Sports Complex

WR Jonathan Baldwin was a full participant in the Chiefs practice on Wednesday afternoon.

Missing from full-time participation since he broke his right thumb on August 16 in a training camp altercation with teammate Thomas Jones, Baldwin took part in all aspects of the practice, including team work.

In the past seven weeks, Baldwin has done limited positional drills with the wide receivers and then gone to a separate field where he’s worked in the rehab area and ran some plays by himself with the help of a coach.

Whether or not Baldwin is active for Sunday’s game in Indianapolis is another story. To get a spot on the 46-man roster he will have to contribute on special teams, so the biggest hurdle he must overcome this week will be what he does in the kicking game. Baldwin is not viewed as a returner, so his efforts will have to come as a blocker or in coverage.

The Chiefs made a change on the practice squad, adding RB Shaun Draughn and releasing OL Butch Lewis. Draughn (6-0, 250) came out of the University of North Carolina and signed with the Washington Redskins as a rookie free agent. The Tarboro, N.C. native ran for 2,070 yards and 10 touchdowns during his career with the Tar Heels.

Not at Wednesday’s practice was WR Terrance Copper, who was out because of an illness. Also listed on the injury report was Baldwin and SS Jon McGraw (shin), and both were listed as full participants.

Lengthy injury/practice report from the Colts. QB Peyton Manning is out with his neck injury. Not practicing on Wednesday were LT Anthony Casonzo (ankle), G Ryan Diem (ankle), DE Dwight Freeney (abdominal), DT Fili Moala (ankle) and DT Drake Nevis (back). Limited participants were QB Kerry Collins (concussion) and LB Ernie Sims (knee). Full participation was TE Brody Eldridge (knee), G Mike Pollak (arm) and G Joe Reitz (ankle).

Practice Report/Update – 9/29

From the Truman Sports Complex

If you were hoping to see first-round draft choice WR Jonathan Baldwin on the field this Sunday against Minnesota then prepare for disappointment.

After appearing to take a step forward in his rehab of a broken right thumb on Wednesday, a day later Baldwin was back spending his practice time in the rehab area. In fact, almost immediately after the team finished its pre-practice stretching period, he went right to the stationary bikes and other apparatus used to keep the injured in shape.

There now appears to be no chance that Baldwin will be ready to see his first real NFL action. By missing the game against the Vikings, that will be seven games he’s lost due to the injury suffered on August 16 in a locker room incident with teammate Thomas Jones.

CB Brandon Flowers was working with the No. 1 secondary in Thursday’s practice, and he was moving around much better on that right ankle injury. Not so with SS Jon McGraw who still seemed to be restricted in his movements by a bruised shin just below his left knee. Donald Washington was working with the starters at strong safety. …Read More!

Practice Report/Update – 9/28

From the Truman Sports Complex

CB Brandon Flowers was taking part in the Chiefs practice Wednesday afternoon, although he was obviously moving at less than full speed.

Flowers injured his right leg ankle against San Diego last Sunday and left the game in the second quarter and did not return. He went through the positional drills with the defensive backs during the media open window of practice, but he was moving gingerly.

The same could be said for SS Jon McGraw who suffered a bruised left knee shin in San Diego. He was dressed, taking part in practice, but moving at less than 100 percent. Added to that list could be OLB Tamba Hali and DE Glenn Dorsey, who took part in some of the position drills, but no others.

Rookie WR Jonathan Baldwin caught the ball for the first time in six weeks, as he was active in part of the early practice. He appeared to have nothing on his right hand but a glove. But at one point, Baldwin left the field and went to the locker room. He returned just as the media was ushered off the field, so his activity after that is unknown.

The team’s official injury/practice report listed Flowers, McGraw and Baldwin as limited participants. Rookie DE Brandon Bair did not practice because of illness.

Baldwin spoke to the media for the first time in six weeks but refused to talk about the locker room incident with teammate Thomas Jones that caused his broken right thumb, but he did say that he feels at home with the Chiefs. “My teammates see me every day,” Baldwin said. “They know what I’m about.” …Read More!

Practice Report/Injury Update– 9/23

From the Truman Sports Complex

There was some speculation that this week was when first-round draft choice Jonathan Baldwin would return to full participation in practice and be ready to play after rehabbing his broken right thumb.

It did not happen and he’ll be inactive again on Sunday when the Chiefs visit the Chargers in San Diego. That will be 6 games total that he’s missed – 3 pre-season and 3 regular season – since he and Thomas Jones tussled on August 16 in St. Joseph. He continues to wear a brace on his right hand/wrist.

Along with declaring Baldwin out of Sunday’s game, the Chiefs list DE Wallace Gilberrry (knee) as questionable and OLB Tamba Hali (ankle) as probable. The Chiefs said both were full participants in Friday’s practice.

Over on the Chargers side they have ruled out DE Luis Castillo (broken leg). Listed as doubtful were WR Malcom Floyd (groin), DE Corey Liuget (ankle) and S Bob Sanders (knee). TE Antonio Gates (foot) is questionable and WR Vincent Jackson (abdomen) and RB Mike Tolbert (calf) were listed as probable. Both were full participants in practice. Also missing from practice for the Chargers was CB Quentin Jammer down with an illness. He’s listed as probable. …Read More!

Practice Report/Update – 9/22

From the Truman Sports Complex

If the early portion of Thursday’s practice was any indication, the Chiefs were banging some heads during their workout under sunny skies.

The media only gets to see a small window of the practice, but the inside linebackers were going through position drills and banging pretty hard on each other as they worked on tackling. Assistant coach Adam Zimmer had the volume turned up and even head coach Todd Haley was across the field with his eye on the linebackers.

Thursday is the day the Chiefs practice in full pads, so it’s always going to be the most physical of their sessions. But after getting smashed 89-10, it would obviously be time to step on the accelerator at practice.

“It was a good, energetic, hard working day so far,” Haley said after practice was over. “The guys understand what their goal and what they need to do this week in all phases. It will be a supreme challenge. We need to be at our best. The guys are working hard to get ready to have their best game.”

WR Jonathan Baldwin was again a limited participant because of his broken right thumb. He continues to spend most of his practice time in the rehab area.

All other players were taking part in the workout during the open period to the media, including DE Wallace Gilberry (neck) who was a limited participant in Wednesday’s session. OLB Tamba Hali (ankle) appeared to be a full participant in Thursday’s session.

Also in the early period, practice squad FB Shane Bannon was working with the tight ends in a blocking drill against the outside linebackers.

For the Chargers, they placed LB Jonas Mouton on the injured-reserve list with a shoulder injury.  The rest of the injury/practice report remained the same as Wednesday. Not practicing were DE Luis Castillo (tibia), WR Malcom Floyd (groin), TE Antonio Gates (foot), WR Vincent Jackson (abdomen), DE Corey Liuget (ankle), S Bob Sanders (knee) and RB Mike Tolbert (calf).

Friday Practice/Afternoon Update – 9/16

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Kansas City Star is reporting that the Chiefs and CB Brandon Flowers have agreed to a contract extension.

The NFL Network is reporting that the deal is for six years, $50.6 million with $22 million in guaranteed money.

Flowers was in the final year of the contract he signed as a rookie after being a second-round choice of the Chiefs in the 2008 NFL Draft. He joins RB Jamaal Charles, ILB Derrick Johnson and OLB Tamba Hali as young starters that have been re-signed to long term contracts. Only Hali reached free agency, but he was given the franchise player tag that limited his ability to seek deals from other teams.

Before they reached the practice field, the Chiefs started the day with a roster move, as they shuffled tight ends, bringing back journeyman TE Anthony Becht. To make room for him, they released TE Jake O’Connell.

Becht was part of the initial 53-man roster after the end of the pre-season but he was waived early in the week when the Chiefs claimed OT Steve Mareni on waivers. Becht hasn’t played since the 2009 season when he was with Arizona. Before that, the 6-6, 270-pounder played 158 games for the Jets, Buccaneers, Rams and Cardinals. Over his career, Becht has caught 185 passes for 1,511 yards and 21 TDs.

…Read More!

Practice Report/Update – 9/15

From the Truman Sports Complex

If Todd Haley said it once, he’s said it a dozen times this week to his players, to the media, probably to his kids.

“One week does not form an identity of a team,” Haley said Thursday, after the Chiefs wrapped up their second practice session of the week. “I think after four or five games you’ll start to recognize an identity. But I think it’s very important that everybody understands one week you aren’t able to draw a whole bunch out of that other than last week, we didn’t play very good and we need to be better this week.”

Haley was willing to admit what might have been askew with his team last week that led to the Buffalo loss.

“I think there’s a better understanding on the team that we have to be a lot better, that we aren’t there yet,” Haley said. “We weren’t there last year, even though we did some good things. We weren’t really as good as we thought we were. So we need to make sure we understand that. When you do understand that, and take that step towards humility, that helps you coming back and saying ‘We have a lot of work to do.’

“The biggest difference we’ve seen is the sense of urgency from the guys getting ready.” …Read More!

Practice Report-Update – 9/14

From the Truman Sports Complex

Reshard Langford is back with the Chiefs, signed to take the roster spot of starter SS Eric Berry who was officially placed on the injured-reserve list on Wednesday.

Langford was with the team through the 2010 season and into training camp and the pre-season this year before he was released as part of the Chiefs roster cut to 53 players.

During the open media window to Wednesday’s practice, the secondary was working in the nickel defense, and Sabby Piscitelli and Donald Washington were working in Berry’s spot. Veteran Jon McGraw figures to be the starter in the base defense.

All 61 players on the active roster and practice squad were on the field for Wednesday afternoon’s session. WR Jonathan Baldwin continues to be a limited participant because of that broken right thumb. He was back in the rehab area once the receivers started catching passes. He continues to wear a brace on the right wrist and hand. Of course, no word from the Chiefs on how far away he may be from being a full-time participant in practice, let alone playing in a game.

OT Jared Gaither (knee) appeared to be taking part in the practice while the offensive line worked in position drills. He was inactive for last Sunday’s game because of that injury.

The Chiefs also made moves on their practice squad roster. They brought back FB Shane Bannon and OL Butch Lewis, who were released from the practice squad last week. To make room for them on the eight-man team, they released TE Kyle Nelson and OL Lucas Patterson, who they signed last week.

In fact, Patterson was added to the practice squad on Saturday and was released on Wednesday, without taking the field for a practice. It’s an odd move by the Chiefs. Nelson was a “Lookie Lou” because of his ability as a long snapper.

On the Chiefs injury/practice report only Baldwin was listed as did not practice. For the Lions, listed as did not practice were S Louis Delmas (hip), DT Nick Fairley (foot), T Jason Fox (foot), WR Calvin Johnson (ankle) and DE Kyle Vanden Bosch (not injury related). CB Alphonso Smith (foot) and WR Maurice Stovall (hand) were limited in practice.

Practice Report/Update – 9/9

From Arrowhead Stadium

Backup OT Jared Gaither was not practicing with the Chiefs during their Friday morning workout inside the stadium and he’s been listed as questionable for Sunday’s regular season opener against Buffalo. That’s not good news when it comes to offensive line depth.

The big man did not immediately head to the rehab area, but after the stretching period Gaither joined the offensive linemen as an observer. Since he signed in the first week of camp, Gaither has had knee problems. The injury report lists knee as his problem and said he did not practice on Friday.

The only other OT on the active roster is recently claimed on waivers Steve Mareni, who has not yet played in an NFL regular season game. On the practice squad is rookie David Mims, who has not played in a regular season NFL game. Should either Branden Albert or Barry Richardson go down during the game, it would be a real scramble to see who would take his place. Other than Mareni, the only other blocker on the active roster is rookie Rodney Hudson.

Also popping up on the injury report on Friday was WR Steve Breaston, who was limited in Friday’s practice by a hamstring problem. He’s listed as probable, as is QB Matt Cassel with his cracked rib. WR Jonathan Baldwin is officially out of Sunday’s game;  Baldwin continues to be a non-participant in practiced due to his broken right thumb.

There were 61 of 61 players on the field for the practice. LG Ryan Lilja was back and Cassel didn’t appear to be any worse for the wear of the week on that cracked rib suffered last week.

For the Bills, LB Arthur Moats (knee) is out, with NT Troup Torrell (lower back) and WR Marcus Easley (illness) were listed as questionable.

Practice Report/Cassel Update – 9/7

From the Truman Sports Complex

If there was anything bothering QB Matt Cassel in the first part of Wednesday afternoon’s practice at the Chiefs facility, it wasn’t noticeable.

Cassel and his rib injury took part in all the early stages of the session, or at least that part where the media is allowed to watch. The only part where he did not seem fully engaged was in the team stretching, where he continued to sit out some of the movements.

But once Cassel got up on his feet and start throwing the ball, he did so with more authority than he did in Monday’s practice. Working on play-action fundamentals with QB coach Jim Zorn, he seemed to move without being restricted in faking handoffs away from his body, movements that would certainly rile up a sore rib cage.

Later, Cassel was throwing some red zone passes and again, showed more zip on the ball than anything he displayed 48 hours before.

All 61 players were on the field for the workout. WR Jonathan Baldwin headed to the rehab area once the quarterbacks joined the receivers for some pitch and catch. It appeared that he was wearing a smaller brace on his right wrist/hand area than he’s been sporting since breaking his thumb.

All other players appeared to be fully taking part in practice. The team will release a participation/injury report later in the afternoon.

Pre-Season Practice Report – 8/29

From the Truman Sports Complex

While the intensity of the play has not gone up in Chiefs practices, certainly the tone of the conversation has become much more intense and that’s courtesy of the head coach.

Todd Haley was all over the field late Monday morning as the Chiefs went through their second practice of the week. They have just one more full practice before heading to Green Bay for the pre-season finale against the Packers. Haley’s voice carried across the practice fields, as he was in the ear of any number of people, from QB Matt Cassel, to WR Verran Tucker, to TE coach Bernie Parmalee, to WR coach Richie Anderson, to special teams coach Steve Hoffman, to the offense as a group, to the defense as a group and sometimes to no one in particular.

The elevated chatter was not so much due to the 0-3 pre-season record, but because the Chiefs are screaming towards the start of the regular season. Haley was making sure his guys remembered what’s ahead and he was making the point that performance, consistency and intensity need to be pushed forward another level. Essentially, the Chiefs have just six practices before facing Buffalo in the opener.

Haley not only turned up the heat, but changed the schedule to bring it back towards what the team will face come the start of the regular season. That means early morning workouts, meetings, a late morning practice, and then more meetings.

“It was a good day today,” Haley said after practice. “I thought it was a good lively day. We were able to create a number of situations out there throughout practice and I felt positive about the way things went.”

Here are some details and observations from the session: …Read More!

Watching A Lockout Practice

There were 45 men on the field Thursday morning when the Chiefs held the last of three practices that amounted to a players’ created mini-camp in this lockout summer.

It all went down at Bishop Miege High School in Roeland Park, the home of the Stags and their head football coach, former Chiefs center Tim Grunhard.

The players worked for 90 minutes and showed good timing as they were off the field just as it began to show lightning and the rain started. Just like the real workouts, the media was around to ask questions afterwards.

The players were in shorts and t-shirts and obviously there was extremely limited physical contact, with no tackling or anything close to that. As ILB Derrick Johnson said, it was a more mental practice than physical.

Here are some of the highlights:   …Read More!

Friday 1/7 Practice Report-Waters Returns

From Arrowhead Stadium

Despite the cold, blustery wind and a few snowflakes in the air, the Chiefs were outside for the final practice session of the week getting ready for Sunday’s game in the playoffs against Baltimore.

Sticking to his mantra of studying for the test at the place his team is going to take it, head coach Todd Haley had his team inside Arrowhead for the 80-minute workout where they covered short yardage, goal line, red zone and special teams.

“The wind was blowing and it was a good day,” Haley said. “It was a good practice.”

And all players were on board for the work, as LG Brian Waters return to practice after missing two days because of an illness. It was a stomach virus that laid Waters low, but he was a full participant in Friday’s practice, back working with the No. 1 offensive line at left guard. …Read More!

Thursday 1/6 Practice Report-Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

WR Dwayne Bowe was back, LG Brian Waters was not and SS Eric Berry was honored.

That was the roll call of importance on Thursday as the Chiefs went through their second practice of the week in preparation of Sunday’s post-season game against Baltimore at Arrowhead Stadium.

“We had a re-emphasis lesson, kindergarten rules of wash your hands in warm water for two minutes,” head coach Todd Haley said about trying to handle the flu bug that’s entered his locker room. “The important thing is to just get Brian back to health. That’s no fun (the flu), everybody knows it.”

Bowe was back and was listed as a full participant in Thursday’s practice. But the flu bug claimed another victim on Thursday in WR Quinten Lawrence who did not take part in practice.

With a grizzled veteran like Waters, missing two practices will have very little effect on him if he’s capable of playing on Sunday. “A guy like Brian has been around while,” said Haley. “If he can play, I’m sure he will.” …Read More!

Wednesday 1/5 Practice Report-Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

Illness kept two Pro Bowlers from the practice field Wednesday as the Chiefs began their preparation week for Sunday’s game in the first-round of the AFC playoffs against Baltimore.

Head coach Todd Haley said that both LG Brian Waters and WR Dwayne Bowe were absent because of illness. They were not on the field during the open period of practice and were not in the locker room after practice was over. Haley provided no timetable on how long either one would be out. “I just go by today and today they were not able to go,” Haley said.

Waters and Bowe were the only players missing from the field, as newly signed WR Kevin Curtis was taking part in the work. He was wearing No. 17.

“I’m approaching this to do what they ask me to do,” said Curtis, who missed all but two weeks of the 2010 season as he recovered from surgery for testicular cancer. “I’m here to learn, to get in the playbook and if called upon be ready to go.” …Read More!

Friday 12/31 Practice Report-Weis Update

From Arrowhead Stadium

The Chiefs went through their final regular-season practice on Friday, getting their workout done inside Arrowhead Stadium where they were a protected a bit from the strong north wind that started blowing in the last morning.

But then a strong wind started blowing out of the state of Florida. Reports by both ESPN and the Gainesville Sun newspaper say that offensive coordinator Charlie Weis is either a.) interested in becoming the offensive coordinator for the University of Florida, or b.) has already committed to the job with the Gators.

The reports came out of the blue as the Chiefs wrapped up preparation for Sunday’s regular season finale against the Raiders. Head coach Todd Haley said “it would be news to me” about Weis and Florida.

“I’m unaware of anything,” Haley said after Friday’s practice. “Charlie was out there coaching today and we are getting ready to beat the Oakland Raiders.” …Read More!

Thursday 12/30 Practice Report-Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

Should the Chiefs face any type of windy conditions in the playoffs, they can look back to their Thursday practice as a moment when they had to adapt.

Working outside in unexpected temperatures around 60 degrees, the Chiefs had to deal with a 24 mph wind blowing from the south that was sometimes gusting to 36 mph.

Not surprisingly, it’s the kind of day and wind that Todd Haley enjoys seeing his team work in for practice.

“As a former receivers coach these our days I really embraced,” Haley said. “When you get conditions like today you have to focus. You can get distracted by the wind blowing. Obviously It effects the passing game, catching the ball takes great focus and concentration. I always termed it a day you could get a lot better on. I feel like we did that on both sides of the ball.” …Read More!

Wednesday 12/29 Practice Report-Bowe Player of Week

From the Truman Sports Complex

It’s been a big two days for WR Dwayne Bowe. On Tuesday evening he found out he was named to the AFC team for the Pro Bowl. On Wednesday morning the league let the Chiefs know that Bowe was the AFC’s offensive player of the week.

Bowe’s performance against the Titans earned him the honor, as he caught 153 yards worth of passes, including a 75-yard touchdown play that was the longest catch of his four-year career. He becomes the first Kansas City wide receiver to receive the player of the week honor since J.J. Birden got it in the final week of the 1991 season. Joining Bowe and Birden among Chiefs receivers who have gotten the award are Henry Marshall (1984) and Stephone Paige (1985).

The Chiefs enjoy nearly balmy 43 degrees as they practiced Wednesday, beginning their preparation week for Sunday’s regular season finale against Oakland.

“We had a good day’s work,” said head coach Todd Haley. “It was a good football day today. We’ve got to use all the time allotted to stay focused and get to the goal at hand.”

That goal is to beat Oakland; Haley didn’t hesitate to say again that he planned to play the game just like the 15 previous games this season. …Read More!

Friday 12/24 Practice Report-Update

From Arrowhead Stadium

As has become his custom for home games,Todd Haley took his team inside Arrowhead Stadium on Friday morning for their last workout before facing Tennessee on Sunday. The playing surface was covered Thursday evening/Friday morning so the field was in pretty good shape for the workout.

“I thought it was a good day,” Haley said of his team’s just less than 90-minute practice, highlighted by work on the red zone and situational football. “The guys had a good concentrational level and understand the task at hand.”

The team’s injury report to the league had the names of just two players: DB Donald Washington, out with a bum left ankle and LB Cory Greenwood listed as probable after suffering from an illness all week.

Greenwood was on the field Friday for the first time this week, but how much he was participating was impossible to tell during the media window. His presence is important to the Chiefs special teams where he’s one of the leaders.

Washington was in the rehab area riding on the stationary bike for the third consecutive day.

It also appeared that DL Shaun Smith was not participating in the workout. Smith was on the field and dressed, but he was not going through the defensive line drills.

For the Titans, all the players listed on their injury report were down as probable:  QB Chris Simms (illness), DE Jason Babin (shoulder) K Rob Bironas (groin), QB Kerry Collins (finger), DT Jason Jones (shoulder), LB David Thornton (hip) and DT Sen’derrick Marks (ankle).

Thursday 12/23 Practice Report-Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

Todd Haley had the Chiefs back outside Thursday for the second practice of week in preparation for Sunday’s game against Tennessee.

For the players and staff it was a bit warmer than Wednesday’s workout, as temperatures were right around 35 degrees and the wind was light. Right now, the weather forecast for game day has temperatures in the mid 20s, with partly cloud skies.

Haley liked what he saw on Thursday.

“I felt like it was another good practice for us,” Haley said. “Our guys understand that this Tennessee Titans team is a very good team that’s won a lot of games over the years.”

What especially concerns Haley and the Chiefs defense is the ability of the Titans to hit the big plays on offense. With players like RB Chris Johnson, WR Nate Washington, WR Kenny Britt and possibly WR Randy Moss, Tennessee has the tools to achieve big chunks of yardage. …Read More!

Wednesday 12/22 Practice Report-Update2

From the Truman Sports Complex

It was cold outside late Wednesday morning. It will be cold outside this coming Sunday. So as the Chiefs began their preparation week for facing the Tennessee Titans, Todd Haley had his team practicing outside.

And, the head coach was outside wearing shorts. Haley was the only coach, player, trainer, equipment man on the field with legs exposed.

Is the man crazy?

“No, not really, you know what point he’s trying to make,” said veteran LG Brian Waters. “You appreciate the fact he’s trying to make that point. We all realize that it’s cold, but it’s something you just have to deal with and it’s something that it’s up to you to not let it affect your game.” …Read More!

Friday 12/17 Practice Report-Update2

From the Truman Sports Complex

Head coach Todd Haley said QB Matt Cassel was limited in his participation in the team’s Friday practice and was listed as questionable when the league’s official injury report came out Friday afternoon.

Under the league’s definition, questionable means there’s a 50-50 chance that Cassel will play on Sunday.

Haley indicated a decision on whether Cassel will play likely will go down to pre-game on Sunday in St. Louis.  “It will probably go right up to the wire with what we’re able to do with Matt,” Haley said.

Ultimately the decision will be made by medical personnel along with Haley, the emphasis being on the medical personnel. “Because this isn’t your run-of-the-mill injury that a lot of us have a lot of experience with so we do have to lean to the doctors a bunch in making sure that the right thing’s being done,” said Haley.

And if doctors say Cassel should not play, Haley will follow that advice?

“Absolutely,” Haley said. “Player safety is number one in any situation, but obviously in this one that we have less experience on than other things.”

Cassel was still limited in the stretching period of Friday’s practice, as he did not do any of the moves that put any strain on the abdominal area. But once they broke into football moves, he threw the ball with good velocity and power. Cassel was quicker in setting up to throw, his footwork was better than in recent days and he was using his entire body, not just his arm to throw the ball.

For the third consecutive day, all 61 available players were working on the practice field.

Down I-70 in the ‘Loo, the Rams ruled TE Mike Hoomanawanui (ankle) out of Sunday’s game. Listed as questionable were LB David Nixon (hand) and RB Ken Darby (chest). Listed as probable were CB Ron Bartell (neck), P Donnie Jones (illness) and G Jacob Bell (knee).

Thursday 12/16 Practice Report-Update2

From the Truman Sports Complex

There were no updates on QB Matt Cassel after Thursday’s practice.

Head coach Todd Haley said the situation remains day-to-day. In the locker room after practice, Cassel said only that “he felt good” and that everything in practice “went well.”

Cassel was taking a regular part in all the drills during the window given the media to watch practice. Whether progress was made from Wednesday to Thursday is debatable. The Chiefs listed him as limited in participation on their official practice/injury report for the day.

But Haley made it plain that the coaching staff was getting Brodie Croyle ready to start as well as Cassel.

“You don’t know exactly how it’s going to turnout and even in best case scenario and everything goes well and Matt is out there, you still have to be prepared.”  Haley said. “It’s a balancing act to get both guys to be ready in all scenarios.”

Haley also said he would not rely only on Cassel’s assessment of his health in making the decision on his status for Sunday’s game in St. Louis.

“He is competitive and he wants to play and that does make it challenging,” Haley said. “You’ve got guys that want to be in there no matter what. That’s why you’ve got a medical staff and trainers that you really trust and have great confidence in to make the right decision.”

In the stretching segment, any move or stretch that would put any type of strain on the lower torso was something that Cassel did not do. That’s not a good sign. …Read More!

Wednesday 12/15 Practice Report-Update2

From the Truman Sports Complex

After the 31-0 loss in San Diego, veteran guard Brian Waters said the best thing the Chiefs could do in the aftermath is forget the game and move on.

Based on the tone of the Chiefs locker room after Wednesday’s practice, they have done that.  Certainly, OLB Tamba Hali did, as he sat in front of his locker with what appeared to be an I-Pad and basically was holding a karaoke-rap session with some of his teammates. They were having a good time.

“I think you can tell by the vibe in here that this team has put that behind us,” Waters said on Wednesday. “That’s what good teams have to do.”

It didn’t hurt the vibe of the locker room that they got through practice with their starting quarterback Matt Cassel taking part in the work. The Chiefs called his participation limited in the workout, but he was on the field, throwing the ball and taking snaps with the No. 1 offense.

“I think right now we are day-to-day,” Cassel said of his status for playing on Sunday in St. Louis. “The trainers and coaches will discuss it and we’ll proceed with caution and see where I’m at.”

His teammates did not see anything different from Cassel.

“He looked just like Matt always looks,” said WR Terrance Copper. “You couldn’t tell there was anything wrong with him.” …Read More!

Friday 12/10 Practice Report-Update2

From the Truman Sports Complex

Because of his appendectomy, QB Matt Cassel is listed as doubtful on the Chiefs official injury report to the league that was made Friday afternoon.

During a morning practice session, Cassel was on the field, but he did not take part in the workout.

“Did not practice” and “doubtful” were the only bits of information that head coach Todd Haley would share on his starting quarterback. Haley would not provide news on any other decisions that may have been made involving Cassel, a decision like whether he will even make the trip to San Diego on Saturday? And if Cassel does go on the road, how will he be handled on Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium? Will he start? Will he be the No. 2 QB? Will he dress and be the inactive third quarterback? Will he not dress at all and be one of the team’s eight inactive players? If he’s there, will he even be on the sidelines? Might he be in the coaching box where he’s away from potential collisions and has a place to sit?

What’s even more obvious is that Brodie Croyle will make his 10th NFL start on Sunday as Cassel’s replacement. Croyle got the reps with the first team offense in the team’s 90-minute Friday practice. …Read More!

Thursday 12/9 Practice Report-Update2

From the Truman Sports Complex

There was no Matt Cassel sighting at the start of Thursday’s practice session at the Chiefs indoor facility.

And while not providing a final status report on Cassel for Sunday’s game in San Diego,  Todd Haley said Thursday practice time was spent preparing Brodie Croyle to be the starting quarterback. The head coach says there’s a lot of similiar traits to the way Cassel and Croyle play the position.

“I think they can both be viewed as dropback quarterbacks,” Haley said. “They both have enough mobility to get themselves out of trouble when necessary. Obviously, Matt is a little bigger (Cassel is 6-4, 230, Croyle is 6-2, 205) but arm strength and all those things there are a lot of similarties. For that reasons when you do have to work one or the other in, you don’t have to make a whole lot of adjustments.”

The Chiefs added some things to practice on Thursday, like a play clock to help Croyle get back into the flow of getting from play to play. As they always do, they had crowd noise pumped into their indoor facility. “We turned it all the way up today,” Haley said.

But Haley said there shouldn’t be much extra that needs to be done, since it was up to the coaching staff to have everybody on the roster ready to go each and every week of  the season. …Read More!

Wednesday 12/8 Practice Report-Cassel Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

Todd Haley said Wednesday that starting QB Matt Cassel was not at practice because of an “illness.”

“He’s on the practice report as illness and we’ll take it from there,” said Haley, who would not provide a timetable of when he expects Cassel to practice, or even whether his illness will allow him to play on Sunday in San Diego.

Haley also said it was “a coincidence” that Cassel was missing on the same day that QB Tyler Palko was promoted from the practice squad. “We had to make a move in another area and we had the chance to move somebody up and that determination was made. It’s actually a total coincidence, it really is.”

Cassel’s absence gave all the No. 1 offensive practice reps to backup Brodie Croyle.

“I got some reps; I’ve got to be ready to go at any time,” said Croyle, who has not taken a game snap since the pre-season. “I’m going to prepare like I always do and if my number is called I have to be ready. It’s no different than any other week.” …Read More!

Friday 12/3 Practice Report-Update

From Arrowhead Stadium

It will be a battle  between two bruised and battered secondaries when the Chiefs host the Broncos on Sunday afternoon.

For the Chiefs, they have four defensive backs on their NFL injury report, including CB Jackie Bates who will not play because of a knee injury. On the other side, Denver has three defensive backs who have been ruled out: S Brian Dawkins (knee), CB Andre Goodman (hip) and S Darcel McBath (quadriceps).

When these teams met three weeks ago the Chiefs secondary was limping a bit without a pair of safeties. The Broncos took advantage of that with several long touchdown passes down the middle of the field. During Friday’s practice inside the stadium, Bates was not working and CB Brandon Flowers (hamstring) and FS Kendrick Lewis (ankle) appeared to be doing more watching than practicing.  Both were listed as limited participants in the session. FS Jon McGraw (head) was a full participant in practice.

Is there any advantage for the Chiefs in adjusting to these secondary injuries the second time around?

“When you have people miss or you think they are going to miss, sometimes you are able to get guys some developmental work,” said head coach Todd Haley. “That’s the good thing. There are some guys with good experience, even if its practice experience under their belt. Guys are working hard to get their bodies prepared and ready to go as possible. 

“I’m sure that’s an area where we will be working guys out right up until the last minute (on Sunday).” …Read More!

Thursday 12/2 Practice Report-Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

Led by the AFC’s Offensive Player of November, the Chiefs went through practice No. 2 of Broncos Week outside in the sunshine and mild temperatures for December in Kansas City. Plus, they had one of their offensive weapons going full speed and saying he would play on Sunday against Denver.

“Yes sir,” is how WR/RB Dexter McCluster answered the question of whether he was going to play against the Broncos. “After spending five weeks out, I”m 100 percent and ready to go. I’m just trying to go out there and not make mistakes and play fast.”

QB Matt Cassel received the player of the month honors from the league on Thursday, becoming only the second quarterback in franchise history to receive the honor. Steve DeBerg was named player of the month for September 1990.

“It’s quite an honor but it’s definitely more of a team honor than anything else,” Cassel said after practice. “It’s been quite a season so far and I just hope we can continue to get better each and every week.”

In the month of November, Cassel was completed 90 of 144 (62.5%) for 1,111 yards, 12 TDs, one INT and a 111.2 passer rating for the month. His 12 TD passes led the league during November and his passer rating was third in the NFL over that span. …Read More!

Wednesday 12/1 Practice Report-Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

Another item for the file labeled “Chiefs coaches leaving no stone unturned” add K Ryan Succop with his own tackling drill during Wednesday’s practice.

Head coach Todd Haley had his team working outside in the cold and breezy sunshine and Succop was over near the defensive lineman with special teams coach Steve Hoffman, grabbing and knocking down tackling dummies.

All 61 players were on the field for practice, but only CB Jackie Bates was in the rehab area. Bates suffered a left knee injury in the second half on Sunday in Seattle. On the team’s official practice/injury report he was listed as did not participate. Everyone else was dressed and in practice, however many of them were doing more watching than working.

On the offensive line, RG Ryan Lilja (foot) was watching while Jon Asamoah was in with the No. 1 offensive line. LT Branden Albert was back working with the first team. Lilja was down as a limited participant. …Read More!

Friday 11/26 Practice Report-Update2

From the Truman Sports Complex

It has been a week of experimentation and what ifs this week for the Chiefs coaching staff when it comes to replacing CB Brandon Flowers.

Flowers appeared to be the only player ho was not working at all in Friday’s practice, the last of the week in preparation for Sunday’s game in Seattle.  He was in the rehab area riding a stationary bike and he’s not participated at all in this week’s practiced. Figure him as one of the eight inactive players on Sunday, although the Chiefs did not declare him out of Sunday’s game; he was designated doubtful.

But how do the Chiefs go about replacing him? That’s what’s led to a lot of discussion and ideas between Haley and his defensive coaching staff. That there’s not an obvious answer is one of the problems the Chiefs have with their roster right now.

“Injuries for us of any kind are going to be an obstacle for us at most spots,” Haley said on Friday. “What we need is for guys to be ready for the call to duty so to speak. That’s part of the development of your younger group.”

The possibilities include rookie nickel back Javier Arenas, first-year man Jackie Bates and veteran journeyman Travis Daniels. …Read More!

Thanksgiving 11/25 Practice Report

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs kicked off their Thanksgiving holiday with a full morning of work at their facility, including a normal Thursday practice session held outside in very chilly conditions.

Returning to work in the practice was FS Jon McGraw. He’s missed time the last two weeks with knee and head issues. McGraw did not practice on Wednesday, but he was dressed and went through the position portion of the drill. When the Chiefs went to work as a secondary, he was not with the first unit.

Not practicing was CB Brandon Flowers (hamstring). He spent his time on the stationary bike.

WR Dexter McCluster (ankle) appeared to be fully involved in the workout. So did Tony Moeaki (concussion). But LT Branden Albert (hip) and RG Ryan Lilja (foot) continued to do more watching than participating in practice.

Wednesday 11/24 Practice Report-Update2

From the Truman Sports Complex

They were wearing all the pads. They were outside and it was cold and windy and mist was falling.

It was quite possibly the most perfect conditions ever for the Chiefs to get prepared to play in Seattle this Sunday.  The early forecast for Sunday in Seattle for the Chiefs-Seahawks game is cloudy, slight chance of precipitation and a temperature of 41 degrees. As the Chiefs began their work week on Wednesday, the weather outside was cloudy, some light precipitation and temperatures in the low 40s.

“We were out there in pads today, trying to continue to make progress,” said head coach Todd Haley. “For us, it comes down to fundamentals, doing the things we have to do in order to have a chance at success. ”

It always helps the chances off success when the team can field its entire roster, something that didn’t go down with the Chiefs on Wednesday. The injuries are piling up and there were at least five players who had their participation limited because of injuries. As Haley said again on Wednesday, he told his players that he “needs everybody now, not next week.”

CB Brandon Flowers (hamstring) and FS Jon McGraw (knee/head) did not participate in practice. They were in the rehab area riding stationary bikes during the media window into practice. They were not dressed like they were participating in any of the workout.

Among the other injured players there appeared various levels of participation during the open window: …Read More!

Friday 11/19 Practice Report-Update2

From Arrowhead Stadium

For Sunday against Arizona, that’s a yes for Todd Haley and Brian Waters, a no for Tony Moeaki and Jon McGraw, a maybe for Dexter McCluster and a surprise unknown with Ryan Lilja.

That’s the availability/injury report after the Chiefs closed out their preparation week with a practice inside Arrowhead on Friday.

“The game is coming fast now and I’m really excited that we are at home and our fans get a chance to come back out and let it loose for us,” said Haley, who indicated he would be on the sidelines and there would be no restrictions on his movements because of his leg injury. “This is a dangerous Arizona Cardinals team. They have a number of players that can disrupt us. We have to be on our ‘A’ game.”

Moeaki was not on the Arrowhead field for the workout and he will not play on Sunday because of his head (concussion) injury.  Neither will McGraw (knee/head) was on the field, but he was not taking part in any of the practice work for the second consecutive day.

McCluster did some work running routes as the Chiefs offense worked the passing game, but he was not taking a full practice turn on that sprained ankle. There seems a slight chance that he may be dressed on Sunday but it doesn’t appear that he’s close to full speed. He’s listed as questionable. …Read More!

Thursday 11/18 Practice Report-Update2

From the Truman Sports Complex 

The Chiefs had fun on Thursday. 

At least their head coach thought they did as they went through their second practice of the week in preparation for Sunday’s game against Arizona. 

“We had another spirited  practice and I felt like we got back to having a little more fun,” Haley said after practice. “I think that was one of the keys to what was going on early in the season. It’s just a feeling. We have a sign up here that says  don’t confuse routine for commitment. Sometimes I think you get into a routine a little too much. One of the things I know I felt all the way through training camp and the beginning of the year that guys were running around having fun, and felt pretty good about themselves. I felt that here this week.” 

ILB Derrick Johnson backed up his coach’s feeling. 

“It was exciting,” Johnson said of practice. “Just running around out there, it was cold, bodies aren’t fresh but it’s football. You don’t want to think too much. When you lose the last two games that we lost, you just have to get back to where we were before mentally. We can’t lag around and feel sorry for ourselves.” 

TE Tony Moeaki remained absent from the practice field. The rookie out of the University of Iowa is dealing with a head injury, most likely a concussion, he suffered in the fourth quarter of last Sunday’s game in Denver. …Read More!

Wednesday 11/17 Practice Report-Update2

From the Truman Sports Complex

Todd Haley called the weekend in Denver a “wake-up call” for the Chiefs as they got back to work on Wednesday, starting the preparation week for Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals.

“If nothing else it was a wake-up call for us as a (coaching) staff that we have to get back in the mindset that was allowing us to compete and be in games, because we were in every game until last week,” Haley said. “It was really a wake-up call game that we can’t play games like that. We just can’t have them. They happen in the league and we saw it in other games over the weekend, but we can’t have them, they can’t happen to us.

“We can prevent those games from happening and that’s what going back to basics, that’s all it is. ”

The Chiefs were in full pads for Wednesday’s practice, something that’s not unusual for them, and it seems like they will be in pads for the full week given the fundamental things that Haley is talking about. …Read More!

Friday 11/12 Practice Report-Update2

From the Truman Sports Complex

For the second time in three games, the Chiefs are facing an opponent that’s in the midst of changing its base defense. Like the Buffalo Bills a few weeks ago, the Denver Broncos are moving from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defense and doing it on the run.

At any point during Sunday’s game at Invesco Field, the Chiefs could see varying defensive alignments.

“This team you will see the 4-3, the 3-4, then the 3-4 with 4-3 principles and vice-a-versa,” said head coach Todd Haley. “You’ve got to do your study. We’ve had to allot a certain amount of time in our defensive-look team so we are aware.”

It’s the type of thing that forces coaches and players to spend more time watching tape in the days of preparation.

“It causes a little bit of guessing because they are going back and forth between a 3-4 and a 4-3 within the last month,” said offensive coordinator Charlie Weis. “One week they are a 3-4, the next week they are a 4-3. They are interchanging inside of the game. It requires your players to do extra mental preparation; you have to be ready to face multiple fronts.”

Said Haley: …Read More!

Thursday 11/11 Practice Report-Update2

From the Truman Sports Complex

Todd Haley was determined to make a coaching point during Thursday’s practice.

The defensive backs were going through a drill that coaches use with wide receivers, where they try to improve their concentration by distracting them as they are catching the ball. The Chiefs defense has been working hard in practice on ways to create more turnovers, and sometimes it comes down to simply holding on to an interception.

Well, the defensive backs on Thursday were showing why they ended up as defensive backs and not wide receivers. They were having a hard time holding onto the football. Haley was watching and saw enough.

The head coach put himself into the drill and assistant coach Otis Smith fired a pass about five-feet in front of Haley. But the head coach went horizontal and made the play.

“I caught the ball, which is more than most of them did,” Haley said. “The DBs got exposed as to why they are DBs. They were struggling and I heard a little chirping from them; nobody was concentrating on the ball the way they should.

…Read More!

Wednesday 11/10 Practice Report-Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Denver Broncos are coming off their week as they prepare to play the Chiefs on Sunday at Invesco Field and Todd Haley thinks that provides them with an edge.

“They’ve had two weeks to prepare and they have a very good coaching staff,” the Chiefs head coach said after practice on Wednesday. “I’m sure they’ll be ready to go. They are a game-plan group so they’ve have something to attack our weaknesses.”

The emphasis in Wednesday’s practice was the fundamentals that allowed the Chiefs to win five of their first seven games.

“Today we worked really hard at getting back to the basics of the things we need to do to have a chance to be a good football team,” he said. …Read More!

Friday 11/5 Practice Report-Update-2

From the Truman Sports Complex

“Their skill position guys are all really fast.”

Those words were spoken Friday by Chiefs defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel. But there hasn’t been a season in the last 40 years or so when that comment couldn’t have been made about the Raiders wide receivers and sometimes running backs. Speed has always seemed to be a condition for being part of the silver and black offense.

What’s different from recent vintages of the Raiders is their willingness to rely on the running game when they have the ball. Oakland is No. 2 in rushing yards, trailing only the Chiefs.

“They are running the ball really well; their backs, even their fullback runs the ball well,” said Crennel. “They’ve been able to create seams to get those runners started and once they get started, they gain yards. It looks like they’ve made a commitment to run. They are trying to eliminate negative plays and not turn the ball over.

“If can run the ball and not turn it over, you give yourself a chance to be in the games.”

The Raiders said Thursday evening that Jason Campbell would start at quarterback against the Chiefs.  Campbell has been the quarterback in this two-game stretch where Oakland has outscored opponents 92-17.

“He  has done a nice job of operating their offense and getting the ball in the hands of those speed guys and then he has enough ability that if you put pressure on him, he’s able to move in the pocket and he’s able to make a throw if he has to,” said Crennel. …Read More!

Thursday 11/4 Practice Report-Update2

From the Truman Sports Complex

Todd Haley has been head coach of the Chiefs for 23 games and just two of those were against the Oakland Raiders. Coming up on Sunday is Game No. 24 for Haley and his third chance to face the silver and black.

He’s quickly caught on to the fact that Chiefs fans don’t care for the Raiders. That’s just fine with him because he’s also not a fan of Al Davis’ team. He’s  Raider Hater from way back, although he would not use the word hate.

“Growing up a Steelers fan and all the games that the Raiders took away from some of my boyhood dreams and my father’s dreams, it was easy to dislike them,” Haley said.

Those dreams would have been in the 1970s when the Raiders were facing off against the Pitsburgh Steelers teams that Dick Haley helped build as the team’s player personnel director.  The Steelers and Raiders played in the AFC playoffs in 1972-74-75-76. …Read More!

Wednesday 11/3 Practice Report-Moss Update2

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs did not claim WR Randy Moss on waivers and should he become available as a free agent, it doesn’t sound like they have any interest in signing him.

“At this time, I’d say no,” said head coach Todd Haley when asked if he Moss was the type of guy he would be interested in working with. “All personnel decisions that we make around here, there are a lot of different factors that go into them. Whenever there are names on the wire, we have good discussion, but it’s how we think different guys can help us. I’ll leave it at that.”

Moss was claimed by the Tennessee Titans. Former San Diego LB Shawne Merriman was claimed by the Buffalo Bills, so the Chiefs never got a shot at him.

QB Matt Cassel spent two years with Moss as his teammate with the New England Patriots (2007-08) and had nothing but good things to say about the man and the player.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for Randy,” said Cassel. “A guy that I really enjoyed being around, a guy that was a professional  who works extremely hard and did nothing but good things for us. I have nothing but positive things to say about Randy Moss. I wish him nothing but the best.”

Did Cassel lobby Haley and GM Scott Pioli to claim Moss? …Read More!

Friday 10/29 Practice Report-Update 2

From Arrowhead Stadium

One of the concerns for the Chiefs this week as they prepared for the Bills was the changing face of Buffalo’s defense. They started the season in a 3-4, but they have been making an in-season transition to a 4-3 defense, largely due to a lack of quality linebackers.

That’s forced the Chiefs to prepare for both defensive fronts.

“It’s a potential problem, no different than last week when you had a numuber of different quarterbacks that could play,” head coach Todd Haley said after Friday’s practice. “You aren’t for sure what you need to prepare for, whether it’s an odd front or an even front. That starts to effect your practice reps and you have only a limited number of practice reps to begin with.

“Our front five (offensive line) plus the tight ends and the backs need to have a great understanding of that and you can only do that through practice. If they do one thing and one thing only, then you’ve used reps on something they aren’t doing. You must be prepared for both. The good thing for us is we’ve seen some 3-4 teams and we’ve seen some even front teams. That should help a little bit.”

It appears more and more likely that Haley’s offensive front will have a new member on Sunday against the Bills. For the third consecutive day RG Ryan Lilja appeared limited in his participation during Friday’s practice because of the right hand/wrist injury. During the brief open window to practice for the media, rookie  Jon Asamoah was at RG with the No. 1 offense. But on their practice report, the Chiefs listed Lilja as fully participating in practice. …Read More!

Thursday 10/28 Practice Report-Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

Earlier this week, there were indications in a Kansas City Star story that Chris Chambers felt like he suddenly was in a situation with the Chiefs similar to what happened to him in San Diego last year that eventually led to his release.

On Thursday, Chambers said that’s not the case.

“That was a mix up; I didn’t actually say it felt like San Diego,” Chambers said. “This is an entirely different team. I haven’t had a chance to get going this year. I’ve missed like three games because of some injuries. It was similar in less opportunities when I was in and out of the lineup (in San Diego.) That’s what I was referring too.”

Chambers suffered a dislocated ring finger on his left hand while blocking against the Colts. Since then, he finished out the game in Indianapolis and he’s been inactive the last two games. Chambers expected to play last week against Jacksonville and was surprised when he was told he would not play.

“It was about getting some guys up to contribute because we were short in some areas, and being a good teammate and wanting to see us win,” Chambers said. “I pretty much took a back seat in the last game.” …Read More!

Wednesday 10/27 Practice Report-Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs practice participation report for Wednesday’s session lists both WR/RB Dexter McCluster and RG Ryan Lilja as limited participants.

McCluster is listed with an ankle injury and Lilja with a right-hand injury.

During the brief window where practice was open to the media, McCluster did not take part in any of the individual wide receiver drills. At the other end of the field, Lilja watched as the Chiefs offensive line and tight ends worked on blocking moves. His right hand and wrist was bandaged and he was sporting what was a brace/cast on th right hand in the locker room afterwards. Rookie Jon Asamoah was working at the right guard spot with the No. 1 offensive line.

Also listed as limited in his participation was S Reshard Langford with a lower left leg injury.

As always, head coach Todd Haley would not address the injured players and their maladies. “All these guys are not going to feel any better today than they did yesterday,” said Haley. “That’s just the way it is. We have a bunch of guys fighting through a lot of things. I”m sure Dexter is no different than everybody else. That’s part of the NFL, that’s part of becoming a good football player.” …Read More!

Friday 10/22 Practice Report-Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs found out Friday afternoon that the number of Jacksonville quarterbacks they must prepare to face on Sunday fell from four to three.

The Jaguars announced that starter David Garrard would not play on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium because of the concussion he suffered Monday night while playing the Tennessee Titans.  Back-up Trent Edwards is now on top of the list, with newly signed Todd Bouman and Patrick Ramsey are still in play.

“The’ve got experienced guys,” said defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel. “We’ll just have to see what happens on game day and I’m sure they’ll hold that until the last minute.

“Our personnel department gives us run downs on all guys and we look at tape of all guys, so we’ll have an idea of what we are facing.”

Garrard was the only Jacksonville player listed as out of Sunday’s game. For the Chiefs, they reported that S Reshard Langford would not play on Sunday, missing his fourth consecutive game because of a lower left leg injury. …Read More!

Thursday 10/21 Practice Report

From the Truman Sports Complex

The NFL told DL Shaun Smith this week that they were rescinding the $10,000 fine levied against him after the Chiefs game with San Francisco on Sept. 29.

The league office said that Smith had grabbed 49ers OT Anthony Davis in the groin during the game at Arrowhead Stadium. Davis was the second player in two weeks that claimed Smith had grabbed their package. When the fine was passed down to Smith, he said he was going to appeal.

That appeal was successful and Smith gets to keep $10,000. In a letter to Smith from the NFL office, the league says there was “no conclusive evidence” to backup the charge. The letter was signed by Art Shell, the former Raiders Hall of Fame offensive tackle, who also once worked as an assistant coach with the Chiefs.

Smith posted the letter next to his locker.

“I’m happy; it’s been a cloud hanging over my head since week three,” Smith said. “But through the process the bashing of my name, you know I have kids and they looked at it and heard it. I’m just glad it’s over.” …Read More!

Wednesday 10/20 Practice Report-Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

Did the Chiefs sign their newest player so they could pick his brain for knowledge about his former team?

No, says head coach Todd Haley. That’s not the reason that DL Atiyyah Ellison was signed to fill the roster spot that opened up when DE Alex Magee was traded on Tuesday to Tampa Bay. Ellison played in 15 games last season with Jacksonville, as the Jaguars head to Arrowhead Stadium for a game this Sunday.

“It’s not a get something on Jacksonville situation,”  Haley said after practice on Wednesday. “We worked him out a month ago. We keep a short list, a hold the fort list, a future list … we got a lot of lists. He was on one of our important lists. He’s somebody that we have done a lot of work on.”

The 6-3, 315-pound Ellison has been a journeyman defensive lineman since he was a third-round choice of the Carolina Panthers in 2005. He spent time with the Panthers, Ravens, 49ers and last year he was on the Jaguars roster and played in 15 games. Ellison had 28 total tackles, a sack and a deflected pass in the ’09 season.

“He’s been in the league a little bit and he’s a big defensive end that we feel like has a chance to fit here,” said Haley. …Read More!

Friday 10/15 Practice Report-Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

Although they will be playing Sunday in a stadium with a roof over the heads, Todd Haley kept his team outside for their final practice in preparation for Sunday’s game against Houston.

Reliant Stadium has a retractable roof and a grass playing surface. The Texans have already announced that the roof will remain closed for this game, supposedly because temperatures are expected to reach the high 80s.

So the Chiefs enjoyed a picture perfect October day, under bright sunshine and mild temperatures.

“We are just trying to be ready to go against an AFC opponent that is fighting for the same things that we are,” Haley said.

The Chiefs official injury report to the league included one new name added on Friday: FS Kendrick Lewis. He’s listed as questionable with a hamstring injury. It was evident during the media window to practice that Lewis was bothered by something and it turns out t be a hammy. Also down as questionable are WR Chris Chambers with that finger injury on his right hand and weekly participants RT Ryan O’Callaghan (groin) and DE Tyson Jackson (knee).  S Reshard Langford has been listed as out of Sunday’s game because of his ankle injury.

Friday is normally red zone day and that’s certainly an area where the Chiefs offense needs improvement, especially on the road. In two games away from Arrowhead Stadium they’ve yet to score an offensive touchdown. …Read More!

Thursday 10/14 Practice Report-Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

It’s hard to stop Chiefs head coach Todd Haley for practically gushing about this Sunday’s opponent for his team, the Houston Texans.

“This is a very, very dangerous team we are playing,” Haley said Thursday, after the Chiefs had wrapped up their second practice of the week. “Their record hasn’t quite reflected it over the last couple years specifically. They have been close to making that run that gets you into the upper echelon of teams, but they just haven’t been able to do it.

“It has nothing to do with the skill level out there in all areas.”

The Texans have the worst pass defense in the NFL right now, giving up nearly 330 yards per game. But Haley insists that has more to do with some of the teams they’ve played, like Indianapolis, Dallas and Washington, than exposure of a Houston weakness.

“Those statistics can be misleading based on who they played,” said Haley. “Then it becomes which came first, the chicken or the egg. Are they throwing in these games (against Houston) because they can’t run, or are they throwing because they think they can throw. I don’t have all those answers. I think you have to be careful to get too overburdened statistically with this team. It doesn’t look like there are many weakneses out there.” …Read More!

Wednesday Practice 10/13 Report-Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs got back to work on Wednesday and began their preparations for the Houston Texans with the normal mid-week practice.

But it wasn’t the first time this week that the locker room was busy with players preparing for the next game, according to head coach Todd Haley.

“On Monday, there were a bunch of guys working overtime in here,” Haley said after Wednesday’s practice. “There were a bunch of guys in here Tuesday on their day off, getting ready for the game. Their focus is on getting a little better every day.”

And how did the bounce back from suffering the first loss of the season?

“I like what I’ve seen and how they worked today,” Haley said. “They got a little bit better today than we were last Wednesday and that’s what we are asking for, a little bit better every day.” …Read More!

Friday 10/8 Practice Report-Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

Speaking for the first time since his gall bladder surgery last week, Chiefs offensive coordinator Charlie Weis says he’s doing fine and “moving on” from the problem.

“It was perfect timing,” Weis said of the brief time he missed between the Monday after the victory over San Francisco to Thursday when he was back at bye-week practice with the team.

Weis was reticent to talk about much else involving the problem, procedure and recovery. “Too many times someone becomes the story, when it’ not about that person, it’s about the team,” Weis said. “I’m fine and moving on.”

Defensive counterpart Romeo Crennel brushed aside the notion that because of his past work against the Colts and QB Peyton Manning, he’s the key to the team’s defensive effort on Sunday. …Read More!

Thursday 10/7 Practice Report-Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

Todd Haley sounded more like a politician than a football coach.

“We’ve really been working hard at trying to find more jobs for more people,” Haley said.

But this was no stump speech geared to next months elections. It’s designed to get the most out of his roster every Sunday they step on the field.

“We are working hard at making sure all our players are aware that we need all 45 of them on Sunday,” Haley said. “I”ve been doing a lot of research on snaps played by our guys on their sides of the ball and on special teams.

“That gives the guys we do put in uniform a role, or a bigger role each week. That’s a way we’ll continue to get better.” …Read More!

Wednesday 10/6 Practice-Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

Todd Haley laid out in simple terms the goals for his team this coming Sunday in Indianapolis against the Colts.

“Clearly, it’s a big, big challenge for us to go in there, in a hostile environment, execute at a good level and be competitive; that would be a real good thing for us,” Haley said Wednesday afternoon.

“Obviously this will be a real big test for the Kansas City Chiefs. First and foremost, I want to see that we can be competitive. If we can be competitive, then I’ll feel pretty good.”

The Chiefs are 3-0 and the Colts are 2-2, but there isn’t any doubt in the minds of anyone why Indianapolis is favored to win this game. They are playing at home and they have that explosive offense, led by Peyton Manning. Haley says there’s no sign on the game tape of a team that may having problems after so many seasons of success.

“I see a group that had a long field goal kicked on them last week, one that you don’t think is going to be made very often,” Haley said of Josh Scobee’s 59-yard FG that allowed Jacksonville to beat the Colts on the final play of the game. “They are a good team. They are fast. Watch that Giants game (a 38-14 Colts victory) in their place where it’s loud and tackles are slow off the ball or a hair behind on the count, and those ends (Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis) give you nightmares.”

Haley also spoke on several other subjects: …Read More!

Thursday 9/30 Practice Report

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs final bye week practice session went down this morning under sunny skies and with offensive coordinator Charlie Weis returning to the field.

Weis, who underwent gall bladder surgery on Monday, was on the scooter he’s used since suffering a knee injury right before the start of training camp. Since the coaching duties were being handled by the players, Weis never left his seat and simply observed.

While he wouldn’t directly address the return of Weis, head coach Todd Haley talked in general terms about the commitment his players and staff have made.

“For us to become what we need to become, this is going to be a team effort,” said Haley. “I’ve worked real hard at making sure that’s the way I think, that’s the way I keep my focus. When you become a good team, it’s about the entire unit, not individuals. That’s the way our guys think. That’s the way our coaching staff thinks. I know we have more and more players that understand that, and understand that to get to where we want to, we have to be a team.”

Haley did say that Weis being absent for most of the week did no harm to the work that got done during the bye week. “We had plenty of coaches and we got plenty of work done in a lot of different areas,” Haley said. “We had a very productive day today. We got better across the board. I feel very good about how the week played out and now we get some much needed rest and then we’ll be back at it on Monday.” …Read More!

Wednesday 9/29 Practice Report-Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

The AFC Defensive Player of the Week was not working on his pass rush moves Wednesday morning during practice #2 of the Chiefs bye week.

OLB Tamba Hali was in his role this week as an assistant coach, working with Mike Vrabel coaching the outside linebackers through drills. Hali was named the conference’s best defensive player for week No. 3 thanks to his three-sack performance against San Francisco.

Under sunny skies and perfect temperatures the second of three worouts this week went down on the team’s outdoor practice fields.  The picture was much the same as Tuesday’s first practice as 15 veteran players were working as assistant coaches with each position group. Make that 16, as injured-reserve WR Jerheme Urban was out there again working with the receivers. Urban tore ligaments in a finger on his right hand in the final pre-season game, ending his season. He still has a large brace on that hand.

“They are prideful guys and prideful people don’t ever want to be part of something negative,” Haley said of his player/assistants. …Read More!

Tuesday 9/28 Practice Report – Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs first practice of the bye week had a few more coaches working with the players on Tuesday morning.

One of them was not offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, who was expected to be released from a Kansas City hospital on Tuesday after gall bladder surgery on Monday morning.

Head coach Todd Haley had the most veteran members of his roster working as assistant coaches for this workout. There were 15 players who wore baseball caps rather than helmets, led by the most veteran of players C Casey Wiegmann and OLB Mike Vrabel.

“In a lot of different discussions with veteran players in the last year in asking about what parts of the bye week they like, what parts they don’t,” Haley said. “I came to the conclusion that veterans didn’t like the bye week period. I came up with this thought of getting some or our leaders and veterans a little more involved in the communication process with the other players.

“Through one day, I’m happy with how things went. I thought it was a real productive day for us. We definitely got a little bit better today, and that was important for us.”

This was not a one day thing for the players turned assistants; they’ll continue in that role over the next two days. In fact, most of those players were not in the locker room when it was open to the media, because they were about to have a “staff” meeting.

“They had their own run and lift (session) this morning and they had some meeting time,” said Haley. “We are using our resources. This is no different than using all 45 players on game day in my mind.” …Read More!

Friday 9/24 Practice Report – Update

From Arrowhead Stadium

The Chiefs went through their final practice of the week in preparation for the San Francisco game on Friday morning.

And they did so inside Arrowhead Stadium. On Friday’s before home games, it sounds like head coach Todd Haley is always going to move his players from the team’s facility to the stadium for that session.

“I heard one time that if you study for the test where you are going to take the test that your results go up,” Haley said. “As long as they let me get away with it, we’ll do it.

“I don’t know whether there is benefit or not, but I like being up there in the stadium where we are going to play. Overall it was a high tempo practice and we made a little bit of improvement. Now, it’s up to guys to take care of their bodies, stay in their books and it will be time for the game.”

It will not be time for LDE Tyson Jackson or RT Ryan O’Callaghan …Read More!

Friday 9/23 Practice Report

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs got some good news on Thursday when it comes to their pass rush for this Sunday against San Francisco at Arrowhead Stadium.

OLB Tamba Hali and DE Wallace Gilberry were both full participants in Thursday’s sessions, after being held out the day before because of injury. Hali has missed practice time in the last three weeks because of an injury to his right foot/ankle. Gilberry has missed practice time as well, but his back problem has not kept him out of any games today.

Hali and Gilberry were the team’s two leading sackers last year, and they remain so this year after two games.

“On the injury report we got a few more guys back and that’s always good for us,” said head coach Todd Haley.

Plus, FS Jon McGraw returned to full participation after missing last week’s game and several practices with a hamstring injury.

LDE Tyson Jackson and RT Ryan O’Callaghan were the only players that did not practice on Thursday, instead spending their time in the rehab area riding stationary bikes. It’s doubtful either will play against San Francisco.

Added to the practice report was S Reshard Langford with an ankle problem. He was listed as a limited participant.

Wednesday 9/22 Practice Report

From the Truman Sports Complex

Two games into the 2010 season the Chiefs are 2-0 and a tight end is the team’s leading receiver.

That might have been believable back in the Tony Gonzalez Era with the Chiefs. But it is rookie Tony Moeaki who after the first games of the season is on top the receiving stats, such as they are for an offense that’s struggled in the passing game. Moeaki has eight catches for 79 yards and his playing time is increasing dramatically from game-to-game. For all intent, he’s the start, supplanting veteran Leonard Pope. In the first two games, the Chiefs have had both TEs on the field for their first offensive play.

Moeaki battled through some minor injuries in training camp, and Todd Haley thinks his third-round pick out of Iowa has to understand that he’s more lineman, than he is wide receiver.

“Tight ends in training camps I want them to feel like offensive linemen; generally they aren’t going to feel very good,” said Haley. “That mentality is critical to the development of tight ends and Tony is developing that. He’s got a ways to go, but there are some encouraging signs.”

Moeaki was one of 59 players who took part in practice on Wednesday. …Read More!

Friday 9/17 Practice Report

From the Truman Sports Complex

After four days of having their weekly routine jumbled by the aftermath of the Monday night opener, the Chiefs went through a normal Friday at their facility. That included a 90-minute practice session outside where they finalized preparations for Sunday’s game against Cleveland.

The Chiefs may still go into this game undermanned at defensive end, even though Wallace Gilberry was back working with the defense. Both Gilberry and Tyson Jackson did not practice on Thursday and will likely be listed as questionable or doubtful when the team releases its weekly injury report to the league office in the afternoon.

That loss of manpower doesn’t help this defense when facing the Browns offense and the running attack they can throw at the Chiefs. When they did so last year, Cleveland ran for 351 yards and RB Jerome Harrison ran into the team record book with his 286 yards.

“Our system is not a complicated system, so guys that have been working, I think they understand the system, where they need to fit,” said defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel. “We are confident that when they go into the game they will be able to perform and do the job for us.”

Because the Browns are a game-plan team, Crennel doesn’t expect Cleveland to go away from what worked last year. …Read More!

Thursday 9/16 Practice Report-Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

Give up 351 rushing yards to an opponent one year, and it does not present much of a mystery as to what that same opponent will do nine months later if given a chance.

The Chiefs expect to see the Cleveland Browns running game most of the time Sunday afternoon when the two teams meet at Cleveland Stadium. Last year’s record-setting performance against the Kansas City defense should not lead to any change in emphasis for the Browns offense.

“They ran the ball down our throats last year, over and over and over again,” said head coach Todd Haley. “They are going to research your weaknesses and they are going to try and attack your weaknesses. They obviously came into last year’s game with the perception that we were going to have a difficult time stopping the run. And, that’s what they did. They were right.

“For us to have a chance to be in this game, or potentially win it, we have to be able to stop the run, I believe.”

To help pull that off, the Chiefs may have to find some help at defensive end. As they worked their way through their first full practice of this week, they were light on defensive ends. Both Tyson Jackson and Wallace Gilberry did not take part during the media window early in practice. …Read More!

Wednesday 9/15 Practice Report-Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs had a short walkthrough practice Wednesday afternoon rather than a normal full two-hour practice.

Earlier Wednesday the players lifted weights and did some running, and then had just over one hour on the field as the coaches presented their game plans for Sunday’s game in Cleveland.

“In this mode of thinking outside the box, it was a different schedule for us on a Wednesday but I think it was a productive day,” said head coach Todd Haley. “They got a good run in this morning, and then we had a mental day in the afternoon. Tomorrow we’ll be back on a traditional schedule.”

Taking part in the workout was new LB Charlie Anderson, wearing No. 52. A seven-year NFL veteran, Anderson has played in 92 games in his six seasons in the league, spending five years with Houston and then last season with Miami. He came into the league a sixth-round choice of the Texans in the 2004 NFL Draft.

Haley said he was still getting to know the player, but knew he was big, fast and has a history of helping on special teams. “I’ll take all those guys that I can get,” said Haley. “That’s an area that I know we have to win every week.”

On the Chiefs practice participation report for Wednesday DE Tyson Jackson did not practice, while RT Ryan O’Callaghan (groin), DE Wallace Gilberry (back) and OLB Tamba Hali (foot) as limited.

…Read More!

Saturday 9/11 Practice Report – Dex Doubtful

From the Truman Sports Complex

Chased inside Friday night by lightning, the Chiefs finally got their practice under the lights at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday evening.

Working in the practice was WR/RB Dexter McCluster who earlier had been listed as doubtful for Monday night’s season opener against San Diego because of an illness. But in the media window for practice, McCluster was working with the receivers and the offense, doing all the things he did before he missed Friday night’s workout. He did not look like somebody that has a 75 percent chance of not playing, which is what doubtful means.

Also working in the Saturday evening practice was OLB Tamba Hali who is listed as questionable with a foot injury on the injury report. Hali was working with the linebackers, although they were walking through various defenses so we didn’t see Hali run.

Not practicing were OLB Cameron Sheffield (neck), who has been declared out of Monday’s game and RT Ryan O’Callaghan (groin) who is listed as questionable. O’Callaghan was riding a stationary bike during the early part of practice. …Read More!

Friday Night 9/10 Practice Update – Where’s Dex?

From the Truman Sports Complex

It seemed like a good idea at the time – take the Chiefs inside Arrowhead Stadium for practice Friday night so they could work under the lights like they will in their season  opener on Monday night against San Diego.

But Mother Nature got involved. Just as the Chiefs were getting ready to start practice, the skies were a glow with lighning as the sounds of thunder rattled off the empty Arrowhead seats. Head coach Todd Haley called a time out and it was back to the indoor facility to get in their practice.

One guy missing during the media window to Friday’s night’s session was WR/RB Dexter McCluster. He was nowhere to be seen on the field. The Chiefs practice participation report said that he did not practice because of illness. Also not practicing was OLB Cameron Sheffield because of his neck injury. Listed as limited participants were RT Ryan O’Callaghan and OLB Tamba Hali.

It’s a foot problem for Hali, which may be tied to the injury that kept him out of the pre-season finale against Green Bay. During the media window, O’Callaghan was doing laps around the indoor field and then was working on the statitionary bike. He’s dealing with a groin injury.

Out in San Diego, OLB Shawne Merriman (Achilles) and QB Billy Volek (knee) were listed as limited participants in the Chargers practice on Friday.

The Chiefs are scheduled to work inside the stadium on Saturday night as well, if Mother Nature cooperates.

Thursday 9/9 Practice Report – Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

Todd Haley didn’t pull any punches in assessing his team in comparison to San Diego, their opponent in the Monday night season opener.

“I know this team that we are playing on Monday … we are not nearly as skilled as they are,” the Chiefs head coach said Thursday afternoon after wrapping up the second practice of the week dedicated to the Chargers. “It’s not close. That’s no disrespect to our guys. That’s just the way it is.”

It’s hard to run away from that reality, as the Chargers have won four straight AFC West division titles, while the Chiefs have just gone through the worst three-year period in the team’s history.

But don’t think Haley is conceding anything going into this game. …Read More!

Wednesday Practice Report / Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

Say this for Todd Haley: the Chiefs head coach is persistent.

For the second time since starting assignments were declared for the season opener against San Diego, Haley was asked by the media about one of those decisions. Specifically, he was asked what he’d seen from Derrick Johnson to move him into the starting lineup ahead of last year’s starter Demorrio Williams.

And for the second time the coach did not answer the question, but continued his campaign for changing the football landscape.

“I’m trying to take anything like ones and twos out of the vocabulary,” Haley said after Wednesday’s practice session. “The more our guys can think that way, the better for us. Every one of our guys has to think of themselves as a front-line contributing player for us. To me that inside backer position in the base defense is no more important than say a gunner on the punt team.”

More from Haley and how he’s going to approach his 45-man game-day roster: “We are going to have guys that are penciled in as starters playing on special teams. I’m not going to take insurance policies to the game. I don’t think we have the depth or the margin of error to do that. We need everyone that’s putting on shoulder pads, helmets and cleats on, other than maybe the No. 2 quarterback to be contributing and more than one, two or three snaps.”

The Chiefs dove head first into their preparations for the Chargers on Wednesday.

“They have good stability there; Coach (Norv) Turner has been there a number of years and it’s clear they understand what he expects,” said Haley. “They have a number of good players on offense and defense and special teams that create a lot of problems.”

The Chiefs second practice of the opening week of the 2010 regular season went down outside at the team’s facilities with the players in shoulder pads and shorts. Here are some observations from a very short open period where the media was allowed on the field: …Read More!

Monday Practice Report – Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

There’s no depth chart for the Chiefs season opening game that has been released yet by the team. And Monday afternoon, head coach Todd Haley did not provide any new information on the spots where there was obvious competition for the starting jobs in training camp and the pre-season: center, inside linebackers and free safety.

In fact, Haley wants to change the mindset of everyone, including his players and coaches, about the significance of being a starter.

“It’s critical for our team, the players and coaches to get out of our heads this first team, second team stuff,” Haley said. “We are going to need everybody, every player to have some sort of impact.”

A true statement, but players, coaches, the media, administrators … just about everyone cares about the best players on a team and generally those are  the starters.  During the 20-minute open period in Monday’s practice when the media was allowed to watch,  Casey Wiegmann was running with the No. 1 offensive line. On defense, Derrick Johnson and Jovan Belcher were working with the No. 1 defense at inside linebacker, as was free safety Jon McGraw.

Whether those decisions are final remains to be seen, as Haley would not address the matter Monday afternoon. But at some point in time – maybe as late as Monday night’s game against San Diego – they will become known to the public. …Read More!

Tuesday Practice 8/31 Report

From the Truman Sports Complex

With a short week to get ready for Thursday night’s pre-season finale against Green Bay, the Chiefs had what amounted to a Wednesday/Thursday/Friday practice on Tuesday. Todd Haley put his club through a two-hour session where they spent time trying to cram in all the things they would do over three days in a regular season week.

But luckily this is pre-season, and a game that does not count. Haley was unwilling to reveal just how much time his starters would be playing against the Packers, saying final decisions were to be made in a Tuesday afternoon meeting of his staff.

“We had to be on our toes this week and try to get as much done as we could, while keeping in mind the Green Bay game is coming fast,” said Haley. “We do have to give them some offensive, defensive and special team looks that they will see against the Packers.”

The Chiefs started the day getting down to the NFL roster limit of 75 when they released WR Lance Long. He joined the club in the second week of the ’09 season, after spending opening weekend on the roster of the Arizona Cardinals. Long joined the K.C. practice squad but then moved up to the active roster.

Here are some observations from the session: …Read More!

Monday Practice 8/30 Report

From the Truman Sports Complex

With a short week to finish off the pre-season, the Chiefs got back to practice Monday, putting in a two-hour session where they spent most of their time working on corrections from last Friday’s game against Philadelphia and situations.

“We cleaned up some things from the Eagles game and then we were competitive with the two-minute drill,”said head coach Todd Haley. “The guys responded fairly well today.”

The two-minute drill battle between the No. 1 offense against the No. 1 defense was the highlight of practice. A run off a draw play by Jamaal Charles gave the offense a first down at the defense’s 11-yard line. QB Matt Cassel stopped the clock with a throw into the dirt.

But then his next three passes went incomplete. Cassel threw high to WR Dwayne Bowe at the back of the end zone, with CB Brandon Carr in coverage. On third down, he threw the ball away when everybody was covered. Then on fourth down, Cassel’s throw to WR Chris Chambers was broken up by Carr.

It was a nice bit of work by the first nickel defense that was on the field for that segment

Here are some other observations: …Read More!

Wednesday Night Practice Report

From Arrowhead Stadium

The Chiefs opened the doors to Arrowhead Stadium and a couple thousand fans enjoyed a free taste of the renovated stadium and a two-hour practice from Todd Haley and his team.

The head coach liked the idea of getting his team into the stadium for a look before Friday night’s pre-season game against Philadelphia. It’s a place that a good portion of the roster has never seen and those that have been there might not recognize many parts of the building that underwent a $375 million renovation.

“I’m pretty anxious to get up there and see some of it, and here before too long, once I find a little free time, I want to get up there and take a good look around,” Haley said. “We as a team are really looking forward to this, going up there and getting a feel for our new stadium before we actually hit the field.

Once they did get on the field, the focus was the Philadelphia Eagles and preparing to meet one of the NFC’s better teams on Friday evening.

Here are some observations: …Read More!

Tuesday P.M. Practice Report

From the Truman Sports Complex

Was Tuesday afternoon’s Chiefs practice a moment when the status of DE Tyson Jackson changed?

It sure seemed that way as the Chiefs went through a two-hour workout at their facility, the second practice of the day for Todd Haley’s team.

In all previous practices, Jackson ran with the first-team defense. That was not the case Tuesday afternoon. There were moments when Jackson was with the first unit, but other times he was replaced by DE Wallace Gilberry.

Where it really became visible was when the Chiefs defense was doing scout team work for the Chiefs offense. That’s not normally a chore that falls to the starters, and it did not for DE Glenn Dorsey, NT Ron Edwards, or Gilberry. But Jackson was out there. In one drill, he stayed out there even though the other guys on the defensive line changed twice.

Remember a single practice is but a snapshot in time and does not qualify as an entire movie. This may have been just some coaching experimentation, or the like.

But when a recent No. 1 draft choice who has been a starter is working with the scout team, something is up. Head coach Todd Haley and the players were unavailable following the P.M. practice but they will speak on Wednesday.

Some other observations from practice: …Read More!

Tuesday A.M. Practice Report

From the Truman Sports Complex

It has the feel of a training camp practice – in River Falls, Wisconsin – on Tuesday morning as the Chiefs ran through a two-hour session at their facility.

Cloudy skies kept the sun covered up and temperatures were mild compared to most of the pre-season, with a nice breeze from the north providing even more relief.

“Whoever arranged for the weather today, thank you,” said DE Glenn Dorsey.

The Chiefs were in full pads for this practice, the 28th time this year that they’ve worn shoulder pads for a practice. There was a lot of situational work, especially in the red zone, where the offense produced mixed results and the defense had a good practice.

When they hit the field for practice this afternoon, they’ll spend most of their time going over the Philadelphia Eagles, their opponent Friday night at Arrowhead Stadium.

Here are some observations from the morning work: …Read More!

Back Home Practice #1 Report

From the Truman Sports Complex

Chiefs head coach Todd Haley had good news to report Monday afternoon on the condition of CB Maurice Leggett.

In Saturday’s game in Tampa Bay, Leggett took a knee to the head/neck area and went down on the field. Trainers and doctors immobilized him, strapped him to a back board and then loaded him on a cart. He was taken to a Tampa hospital where he was kept Saturday night.

While refusing to acknowledge whether Leggett is out of the hospital in Tampa, or back in Kansas City or in some other location, Haley did say that all signs are positive for the third-year cornerback.

“All signs point positive,” Haley said. “The neck and all those issues, the tests came back negative. Sounds like he’ll be able to get back at it sooner rather than later.”

Monday afternoon’s practice was a continuation of the pace and manner of the workouts that were held in St. Joseph. They were in full pads and went for two hours, including a developmental period at the end where players on the second and third team got about 10 live plays, while the starters ran gasers on a adjoining field.

Here are some observations: …Read More!

Last Training Camp Practice Report

From St. Joseph, Missouri

It seemed only appropriate that the Chiefs final practice of training camp at Missouri Western State University would go down under sunny skies, high temperatures and muggy air. If there’s one thing this camp will be remembered for after the return to Missouri was the extreme weather conditions the Chiefs dealt with in practice.

They didn’t seem to mind much on Thursday afternoon as practice No. 23 went in the books for a two-hour session that was short on physicality and contact and long on mental reps and planning for Saturday’s pre-season game in Tampa against the Buccaneers.

“I was encouraged coming in Day No. One and I’m still encouraged so I would say we’re either on schedule or a little ahead,” said head coach Todd Haley about his team’s three-week stay on campus. “I haven’t felt any major dips.

The Chiefs seemed to work more on plans and plays for Saturday against the Bucs than they did last week in prepping to play the Falcons. It could be because of the outcome of that game, and especially the slow start that had Haley and staff working on more identification of opponent’s plays and schemes.

When the Chiefs leave for Tampa on Friday they will likely leave four players behind – QB Brodie Croyle, RB Kestahn Moore, FS Jon McGraw and G Darryl Harris.

Here are some observations from a hot afternoon: …Read More!

Training Camp Practice #22 Report

From St. Joseph, Missouri

Under the lights at Spratt Stadium and in front of a crowd placed at more than 3,000 fans, the Chiefs took another step towards wrapping up their training camp stay at Missouri Western State University. The two-hour night practice was the next to last workout on campus.

The Chiefs will practice Thursday afternoon, then will do a walkthrough on Friday morning before hitting the road back to Kansas City to catch a flight to Tampa for Saturday’s pre-season game No.2 against the Buccaneers.

It was a nice crowd, but certainly the smallest of the three events that were staged inside Spratt Stadium. After a very physical morning practice, Todd Haley slowed the pace down a little bit in the evening practice, as they worked hard on situations.

Here are some observations from the practice: …Read More!

Training Camp Practice #21 Report

From St. Joseph, Missouri

It was a warm, muggy morning for the first of two Chiefs practices on Wednesday. With a workout this evening under the lights, that may have held down attendance, because it was one of the smallest crowds in three weeks at Missouri Western State University.

The players came out at the start of practice and were a bit lackadaisical compared to previous sessions and they soon heard about it from the coaching staff. Todd Haley and his guys have been working hard this week on getting the players up and moving quickly into the practice. They want to combat what happened last Friday night in the pre-season opener down in Atlanta where it seemed the Chiefs did not wake up until late in the first quarter.

Right off the bat Wednesday morning the offense wasn’t getting it done and coordinator Charlie Weis could be heard two fields away screaming at them to “wake up.” Folks in the graveyard on the other side of I-29 from campus heard Weis rip his guys.

Later, during the situation period the players appeared to be walking through the drill which was based on the offense having no timeouts, needing a touchdown and thus forced to throw the ball on the sidelines. When they stumbled through this a few times, Haley lit them up verbally with a blast. When QB Tyler Palko threw a pass short of a receiver on the sideline, Haley blasted him, calling into question his intelligence and homeland. What some of the fans who reacted to the coach’s harangue don’t know is that Palko grew up in a western Pennsylvania village about 15 miles away from where Haley grew up.

At the end, things were much better as they went to a live goal-line period and the first defense and first offense got after each other.

Here’s what happened: …Read More!

Training Camp Practice #20 Report

From St. Joseph, Missouri

At Prattville High School in Alabama and then during his college career with the Crimson Tide at the University of Alabama, Bobby Greenwood played defense. Only defense.

Until Tuesday afternoon’s Chiefs practice at Missouri Western State University. Greenwood was still wearing a jersey with the No. 74, but it was now a white jersey of the offense, not the red jersey of the defense.

Greenwood found out Tuesday that he was going to be an offensive lineman. The Chiefs injury situation along the offensive line was such that they needed a body to help out in practice. He did that a bit in 2009 when he spent the entire season on the Chiefs practice squad. Those guys will play any number of positions for show teams to help the offense or defense.

But this wasn’t show team work on Tuesday. He took snaps in pass protection, dueling with guys that just the day before he was sharing a meeting room with. He took some reps during team work as an offensive tackle.

And as far as the first-year player knows, on Wednesday he’ll still be an offensive lineman.

“They told me to play offensive line, I play offensive line,” Greenwood said. “I talked a little bit with the coaches before practice. Wherever I can get a spot on this team, I’m willing to do it.”

What’s hard to tell at this point is whether Greenwood’s move is just temporary to get through the week. Here’s what’s going on with the line situations: …Read More!

Training Camp Practice #19 Report

From St. Joseph, Missouri

There was no double-bill for the Chiefs on Monday. After their morning practice was cancelled by Todd Haley so the team could go to the movies, they were back on the field in the afternoon and put in a strong two-hour practice.

The head coach was pushing competitive to his team and despite the fact they were out there without the normal football pants and the pads that go with them, there was contact galore and some very enthusiastic and head-thumping line play.

Offensive line was a problem in the afternoon workout because by the time the practice was over, they were down to 10 available offensive linemen. They have 14 on the roster, but three of them started practice in the rehab area and they were joined halfway through practice by another blocker.

“This is training camp and if you don’t bang each other a lot, then physically you are not ready to go,” said offensive coordinator Charlie Weis. “I’m confident we’ll have everyone geared up and ready to go as the pre-season goes a long and we get into the season.”

Here’s how the Chiefs were juggling the offensive line in the workout and other observations: …Read More!

Chiefs Go To The Movies-Update

From St. Joseph, Missouri

On one of the most pleasant mornings in the Chiefs stay here at Missouri Western State University, the players made their way down the hill from the locker room and onto the practice fields and began going through their normal pre-practice routines.

That’s when Todd Haley threw the bone.

Haley called the players together and told them to walk back up the hill, change back into their street clothes and head out to the buses in the parking lot. They were going to take part in a team building moment. The morning practice was over.

After a 15-minute bus ride, the team arrived at Hollywood Theaters in the Shoppes of North Village on Belt Highway. From there, the players had about a half-dozen movies to pick from, with the head coach picking up the tab at the concession stand. “But I reminded them that we have weigh in,” Haley said.

The head coach watched The Other Guys, comedy featuring Will Farrell and as Haley said showing his age “Marky Mark” otherwise known today as Mark Wahlberg. So how did he like it? “I couldn’t hear most of it because Shaun Smith was sitting behind me and he was snoring,” Haley said. “I’ve never heard a human snore that loud.”

P Dustin Colquitt watched Dinner With The Schmucks and gave it 3.5 stars out of four. “It’s a funny movie,” he said.

The most attended showing was the action flick The Expendables. That’s where DE Glenn Dorsey went. “It was good, a lot of action,” said Dorsey. “We had a lot of guys in there.”

The goal for Haley was simply to give his team a break from the monotony of camp and have them still do something together. …Read More!

Training Camp Practice #18 Report

(THE CHIEFS HAVE CHANGED THE START TIME OF MONDAY’S SECOND PRACTICE. IT WILL BEGIN AT 4:30 P.M. THE MONDAY MORNING PRACTICE IS INSIDE AND NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.)

From St. Joseph, Missouri

The Chiefs were back to work on Sunday afternoon and despite their loss in the pre-season opener in Atlanta, that didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the red and gold fans.

A crowd of over 3,600 was on the campus of Missouri Western State University to watch the two-hour session in full pads. It was a hot Sunday, but nowhere near the temperatures that dominated the first two weeks of camp.

What that big crowd saw was a team that kept hearing their head coach yelling about tempo. Todd Haley thinks his team was caught off-guard by the high tempo that the Atlanta Falcons displayed on Friday night. He doesn’t want that to happen again.

So Haley and the staff went on and on about speeding things up, going faster. Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis entertained the crowd with his banter as the offensive skill position players ran through a tackling machine. There was no mercy in his heckling of players that ran with their head down or did not protect the football.

There were some injuries that came out of the 20-10 loss, but nothing appeared to be serious. Remember, the Chiefs do not talk about injuries during the pre-season. They don’t even acknowledge that anything has happened.

Here’s the injury situation and a couple changes to the starting units that we observed in Sunday’s work: …Read More!

Training Camp Practice #17 Report

From St. Joseph, Missouri

Outside the sun was beating down on the grass practice fields at Missouri Western State University. The empty grass practice fields on this Wednesday afternoon.

Coach Todd Haley took his team inside to work in the second of the day’s two practices. There were multiple reasons why.

“It gives us a chance to beat the heat, but the No. 1 reason is we are playing in a dome and on (artificial) turf,” Haley said. “We have a chance to practice in the atmosphere we will see Friday night in Atlanta.”

So the two-hour practice went down with a lot of work done preparing both the offense and defense for the Falcons. There’s no game plan in place for this game with the Chiefs, but the coaches wanted them to be familiar with some of the plays like are likely to see.

They also practiced another part of every game: half-time. That’s right, they practiced half-time. About 90 minutes into practice, Haley blew the whistle and the players left the indoor field and went back to their locker room. They spent approximately 10 minutes there, and then came back out for the rest of practice.

And the first thing the Chiefs did when they started the “second half” was work on their kickoff return.

All of this came at the suggestion of assistant head coach Maurice Carthon.

“It’s an area of the game where we really struggled last year,” Haley said. “We’ve got this nice setup here so we’ll see how it goes.”

Here are some afternoon practice observations: …Read More!

Training Camp Practice #16 Report

From St. Joseph, Missouri

The outdoor oven that has been northwest Missouri for the last two weeks continued Wednesday morning. But luckily for the Chiefs, there was a nice breeze coming out of the south that provided a bit of relief as they when through their first of two practices today.

As practices go it was less than inspiring, especially in the early going as there seemed to be little enthusiasm for matters of football. Ultimately it seemed that everything got back on track towards the end of the session, that ended with a long talk from head coach Todd Haley to his team.

Another guy that has been talking to the team is veteran RB Thomas Jones. This is his 11th NFL training camp and he’s seen plenty during his career and according to Haley, Jones is willing to share that knowledge in constructive ways.

“I’m here to help win football games and the way you do that is to work hard, doing the extra little things – those are the kind of things I try to bring to the team,” Jones said. “It’s been a tough camp with the weather and the typical grind of training camp. Guys are really pushing, working hard and doing the things that we need to do to get better.”

Here are some observations from the morning practice: …Read More!

Chiefs Practice Changes

From St. Joseph, Missouri

The Chiefs are trying to beat the heat in their first training camp in 20 years in Missouri, so they continue to adjust their practice schedule. This time they are going inside.

On Wednesday, the second practice of the day will be conducted at 4:30 p.m. in the Griffon Indoor Facility. Next Monday, the first practice of the day will also go down inside at 8:50 a.m. Both of those practices will be closed to the public.

Here’s the remaining schedule of practices: …Read More!

Training Camp Practice #15 Report

From St. Joseph, Missouri

Yes, Emmitt Thomas said, there were days in Liberty back in the day that were just as hot as Tuesday at Missouri Western State University.

“Oh yes, I can remember many,” Thomas said.

It was certainly the hottest day of training camp so far, as temperatures pushed up against 100 degrees. There was a nice breeze coming out of the south, but it was blowing only hot air onto the practice fields.

While head coach Todd Haley did cut some time off the end of the two-hour practice, the players did have to do running for conditioning purposes afterwards.

It was an afternoon where the offense made a bit of a comeback, after the defense has ruled the practice roost for the last four or five workouts. The passing game with QBs Matt Cassel and especially Brodie Croyle (right) was more effective than in recent practices.

For Thomas, it was his first training camp in red and gold since his final season with the Chiefs defense back in 1978 at William Jewell College about an hour away from here.

GM Scott Pioli and head coach Todd Haley handed him three draft choices and Thomas has been busy since April working to get them up to speed so they can contribute in the 2010 season.

“They are progressing real well, but they have a lot of work ahead of them,” Thomas said of the three rookies that he’s working with in the secondary: Eric Berry, Javier Arenas and Kendrick Lewis. “We haven’t played anybody in another colored jersey yet, but for right now they are working real good.”

Here are some observations from Tuesday’s session: …Read More!

Training Camp Practice #13 Report

From St. Joseph, Missouri

The Chiefs welcomed veteran guard Brian Waters back to practice Monday morning. And he welcomed the opportunity to finally get into the mix, after missing the first 12 practices of camp.

“It’s like riding a bicycle, you just get back on,” Waters said of his return to practice. “I’m glad to be out there with my teammates. It’s one of the worst things watching your teammates work hard and be tired and coming in and feeling like you haven’t put in an honest day’s work. That’s not the best feeling.”

Waters indicated that his return for Monday’s work was part of a plan that was set before camp started. Last year on the first day of training camp he suffered a right ankle/foot injury that he played with all season. It appears now that his absence from the first part of camp had more to do with being cautious with his return from that injury than any new problem. Remember, on the Thursday the team arrived at Missouri Western State University, Waters passed the club’s fitness test on a series of 300-yard shuttle runs.

“Part of the plan right now is to start and go and go and go and do a little bit more each day,” Waters said.

Head coach Todd Haley was glad to see him back.

“I’m just happy to have him back,” said Haley. “He’s a guy who put a lot of work into this off-season. I know he’s been chomping at the bit to get back and he got through this morning without incident. We’ll see how this afternoon goes.”

Both Haley and Waters said they had no idea at this time whether or not Waters would play in the pre-season opener on Friday in At

…Read More!

Training Camp Scrimmage Report

From St. Joseph, Missouri

The Chiefs intra-squad scrimmage Saturday afternoon before 10,721 fans that jammed Spratt Stadium showed us one thing for sure – the defense is ahead of the offense after 10 days of training camp.

Defensively, the Chiefs were all over the field in the 90-minute workout, especially when it came to putting pressure on the quarterback. Matt Cassel, Brodie Croyle and Tyler Palko all had to run for the lives and had the rushers been able to sack the quarterback, the defense would have had close to 10 takedowns.

Rookie Cameron Sheffield continued his impressive play on the pass rush, and DE Wallace Gilberry was all over the place. OLB Tamba Hali had several nice rushes as well.

The offense was able to score only a pair of touchdowns, as the second and third groups hit for scores. Croyle connected with TE Jake O’Connell on an 18-yard TD throw and RB Jackie Battle punched in a one-yard run in a goal line situation.

The Chiefs made a roster move on Saturday because of the injuries they’ve had at guard with both Brian Waters and Darryl Harris not practicing. They signed OL Dan Santucci, a 6-4, 305-pound former Bengals draft choice (2007) who played at Notre Dame for Charlie Weis.

To make room for Santucci, the Chiefs released injured FB Tervaris Johnson.

Here’s how things broke down at Missouri Western on Saturday: …Read More!

Training Camp Practice #11 Report

From St. Joseph, Missouri

As the Chiefs went through their second practice of Friday and their 11th of this year’s training camp, it turned into a good day for young defensive ends Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson.

While Dorsey has had a solid camp, Jackson has been very inconsistent. But working against the Chiefs offense, especially on running plays, both of the former first-round choices more often than not got the job done.

On one play Dorsey was hit by three blockers, but was not moved off his spot, forcing the ball carrier inside where there was plenty of help to make the tackle. Jackson did a good job of shedding blockers and getting involved in plays, something he’s done only sporadically during this camp.

It wasn’t all peaches and cream for the young guys. One play after Jackson made RG Ryan Lilja look bad on a pass rush, he was stoned by the veteran guard on the next snap, barely getting his nose across the line of scrimmage.

Here are more observations from the workout that featured a big crowd watching under sunny skies: …Read More!

Training Camp Practice #10 Report

From St. Joseph, Missouri

There was a big crowd watching the Chiefs first practice of Friday at Missouri Western State University this morning. The crowd was announced at 2,500, one of the bigger turnouts in the first eight days of camp.

Head coach Todd Haley put the team through a two-hour session in hot, but not miserable conditions. They worked in full pads, with a second session scheduled for Friday afternoon.

(That’s Jackie Battle left, being interviewed after Friday’s practice. When a team has been in camp for eight days, even the fourth running back ends up doing press duties.)

It was a nice day for the passing offense, as quarterbacks Matt Cassel and Brodie Croyle threw the ball well. Both have picked out favorite receivers and they connected on several nice plays with them during the workout. For Cassel it’s WR Chris Chambers. For Croyle it’s WR Jerheme Urban.

It was Cassel to Chambers on a nice play in the seven-on-seven session that produced big yardage. But later in the team work the offense ran a gadget play where the running back takes the handoff and then tosses back to the quarterback. Chambers ran down the left sideline and Cassel put the ball right in his hands. But with three defenders around him, Chambers dropped the ball. The big crowd groaned with angst over the play.

Here are a few more observations: …Read More!

Training Camp Practice #9 Report

From St. Joseph, Missouri

It was a good afternoon for the running backs as the Chiefs put in their ninth practice of training camp here at Missouri Western State University.

Even though veteran RB Thomas Jones was somewhat limited by what appears a right knee injury, the other halfbacks on the roster were snapping off runs throughout the long workout in warm and muggy conditions.

Jamaal Charles, Jackie Battle, Javarris Williams and Kestahn Moore all picked up a few more reps with Jones on a lighter schedule. All of them took advantage of the opportunities. Charles had some of his best runs of the week-old training camp, hitting a couple runs on the edge and turning them up field for big yardage. On one play he got into open space with Mike Vrabel in front of him and juked the linebacker out of the way. Battle was big on runs between the tackles and he made a nice cutback in the middle of the scrum on one play that would have led to a TD run.

Williams continues to show more power than he did at any time last year. On one run, he bulled into Alex Magee, hitting him in the chest and knocking the defensive end backwards. Moore continued to show he has some skills in the same form as Jones, as he broke off a couple of nice runs and took a couple of shots from defenders but kept on running.

Right now the Chiefs look like they’ll end up releasing a halfback that can play in the NFL.

Other observations from Thursday’s practice: …Read More!

Training Camp Practice #8 Report

From St. Joseph, Missouri

Rookies WR/RB Dexter McCluster and S Kendrick Lewis were the stars of the Wednesday night practice that entertained a big crowd of 8,000-plus Chiefs fans at Spratt Stadium on the Missouri Western State University campus.

In near perfect weather conditions with much cooler temperatures, low humidity and a nice breeze Todd Haley put his team through a two-hour plus workout. The session was not designed to showcase any particular player, but it was second-round choice McCluster and fifth-round pick Lewis that left the biggest impressions.

McCluster showed his speed and quickness and made a nice over-the-shoulder catch for a 50-yard score. Later, despite tight coverage from CB Brandon Flowers, McCluster caught a slant and raced away from one of the Chiefs fastest players.

During the practice McCluster lined up in 13 different positions on the field as a wide receiver, slot man and running back. “I just go where they tell me,” McCluster said. “I’ll go wherever they want.”

Lewis was a ball hawking machine in the red zone drills, knocking down three passes in one segment. One of those should have been an interception as he got a nice jump on a pass from QB Tyler Palko. But he couldn’t pull in the ball.

“I love football and I love to play football under the lights,” Lewis said. “The crowd being out here got us fired up. I think everybody on our defense had a good night.”

The practice was one of those sessions that Haley was looking forward too, enough so that he cut short a scheduled morning practice to give his players time to rest their legs for working in full pads and on the artificial surface of the stadium.

“I think any time you can change the variables and create a different situation for the guys to react to and to not be distracted and to keep their focus and concentration, I think it’s an opportunity for us to improve,” Haley said. “We’re going to play four pre-season games under the lights and our first (regular season) game is under the lights. So I think it’s a good opportunity for us as a staff and as a team to have a good practice.”

Here are some more observations: …Read More!

Training Camp Practice #7 Report

From St. Joseph, Missouri

The Chiefs earned their training camp pay Tuesday afternoon. Andre Bruce and his crew won’t have to water the fields at Missouri Western State University because they took on enough sweat during the Chiefs practice.

“It felt like 120 degrees out there, especially with all these pads,” said rookie WR/RB Dexter McCluster, who had a big practice day. “But practicing in these conditions gets you ready for when it does come in the game.”

The heat index was 104 degrees as the Chiefs got in their seventh practice of training camp. Head coach Todd Haley cut short some of the sessions and there was no after-practice running session, which is the normal routine.

For awhile it seemed like the heat may have gotten to assistant head coach/running backs coach Maurice Carthon. Coaches are always trying to find different ways to keep drills and practices interesting. Carthon took it to another level in a pass catching drill. He used a port-a-john next to the field. He had one back sit inside, another opened and closed the door and he threw passes into the john.

Asked about it afterwards, Jamaal Charles just laughed. “That’s Coach Mo,” he said.

Here are some more observations from the workout: …Read More!

Training Camp Practice #6 Report

From Hades … St. Joseph, Missouri

Even the shade was hot Monday afternoon as the Chiefs went through their second practice of the day.

Bowing to the effect of 94 degrees and a heat index of 109 degrees, head coach Todd Haley stopped for more than double the normal water breaks in a practice. The team pretty much took a breather after every segment of the session and there was no post-practice running.

It was the smallest crowd of the camp, far below the numbers that showed up for workouts over the weekend. There was one set of bleachers on the west side of the practice fields that was in the shade and it was standing room only in those seats.

The conditions made it a great afternoon for finding out the mental toughness of this team. And as one would expect, they were up to the task at some points, and failed on others. Mental mistakes had Haley really chewing on some of his players and coaches.

Here are some other observations on what went down on what felt like the surface of the sun on Monday afternoon: …Read More!

Training Camp Practice #5 Report

From St. Joseph, Missouri

I’ve got to hand it to Andre Bruce, Terry Lee and other members of the Chiefs grounds crew who are on hand here at Missouri Western State University for training camp.

About 7:15 a.m. a big thunderstorm had finally cleared the campus, leaving a quarter-inch of rain that fell in less than a half-hour. Come 90 minutes later, the Chiefs were working on the two new grass practice fields with nary a problem.

Overall, Todd Haley was pleased with the morning’s work.

“I continue to be encouraged with the way the guys are all working right now,” Haley said. “What’s starting to occur now is we are moving in to our sixth practice, guys are getting acclimated to their surroundings, the conditions, the weather conditions, those kinds of things. They are settling in to a little bit of a routine right now, which I think is good.

“Things are moving in the right direction.” …Read More!

Training Camp Practice #4 Report

From St. Joseph, Missouri

Through the first days of camp the loudest voice heard on the practice field at Missouri Western State University has been offensive coordinator Charlie Weis.

But another voice piped up during Sunday afternoon’s practice, and it was a familiar sound. It was a ticked off head coach.

When the Chiefs began the teamwork portion of their fourth training camp practice, the offense was working in the red zone. Before the drill started, Haley talked to both offense and defense about the need to eliminate penalties, turnovers and mental mistakes inside the 20-yard line.

(Photo: the Chiefs pick out kids in the crowd after each practice to carry a player’s helmet from the field to the locker room. That’s Chris Chambers with his little guy after Sunday’s practice.)

Then on play No. 1, QB Matt Cassel dropped back to pass, couldn’t find anybody open and was touched down for a sack by OLB Tamba Hali.

That lit the fuse on Mt. Haley.

“Throw the ball away Matt,” he yelled. Then he sent the entire group of offensive players over the neighboring field to run a penalty sprint. From there he started the drill over.

There was a lot of that during Sunday’s full-pad practice for the offense. There were some plays made by Cassel and company, but there were also moments where it was obvious they were not at their best.

When the team was in the nine-on-seven running drill, the first play saw OLB Mike Vrabel tackle RB Thomas Jones for a two-yard loss and the second snap turned into a busted play. That had Weis working his lungs. “That’s two wasted reps,” he screamed at his offense and delighting the large crowd of fans who were watching the workout under sunny skies.

Again, the depth chart on August 1 is meaningless in September, but Derrick Johnson and Jovan Belcher were running with the first defense in this practice. Both players looked like they had a good day, especially in filling the gaps against the running game and sniffing out screen passes.

Here’s a lot more on what went down Sunday afternoon: …Read More!

Training Camp Practice #3 Report

From St. Joseph, Missouri

The Chiefs hit the field for their third practice in 24 hours Saturday afternoon. That’s what training camp is all about. A lot of practice, a lot of quick recovery and then some more practice.

“I told the players that there’s not a lot of light at the end of the tunnel right now,” said head coach Todd Haley. “Their heads are down, their noses are on the grindstone and they are trying to get a little bit better each day.”

Whether or not the Chiefs got better Saturday afternoon is something only the coaches can judge. But from observation it was the poorest of the three sessions so far in the ’10 camp.

That’s to be expected given the amount of football in such a short period of time, with the weather conditions – hot and muggy. It’s the kind of football weather that Haley loves.

“The players probably hate me, but I like the weather,” Haley said. “It’s hot, it’s sticky, it’s miserable. It means training camp. It means everybody’s a little ornery, mad, a little nasty. Those are all good things.”

Here’s some of what went down in the afternoon session: …Read More!

Training Camp Practice #2 Report

From St. Joseph, Missouri

It didn’t take long for the heat and humidity to get to the Chiefs. They ended their Saturday morning practice with one of those training camp fights that generally happen after five or six practices.

As the Chiefs were running a live session at the end of the workout, rookie WR/RB Dexter McCluster got vigorously tackled by the defense. At the bottom of the pile there was a lot of pushing and shoving and offensive players came to the aid of their teammate. That led to more pushing, shoving and even a few punches.

But the disturbance was quickly qwelled and they ran one more play and finished up the morning.

On the field for his first NFL practice was first-round draft choice S Eric Berry. He moved right back into the No. 1 defense, playing the strong safety position next to Jon McGraw. Afterwards, he did double-duty carrying to the locker room the shoulder pads of WR Dwayne Bowe and the helmet of CB Maurice Leggett.

“Whatever they want me to do,” Berry said. “I’m just excited to be here today and excited to get to work.”

A large crowd watched the workout and they have a new favorite player in McCluster. It was the first time they got to see his quickness. In a one-on-one drill, he stuttered stepped so many times that Berry was grabbing at air as he ran past. …Read More!

Training Camp Practice #1 Report

From St. Joseph, Missouri

If the type of storm that blew through Missouri Western State University on Friday afternoon had happened in River Falls, Wisconsin, the Chiefs opening practice of training camp would have been a washout.

But on their first full day in new camp facilities, they were able to begin practice indoors and then move it outside to finish up. That’s thanks to the $13 million indoor facility that was built by the school, Chiefs, the state of Missouri and the city of St. Joseph.

It allowed the Chiefs to accomplish everything their head coach wanted to get done on the first day of the 2010 pre-season.

“It wasn’t the best of circumstances, but it was a productive day for the Chiefs,” Haley said. “This game is about adjustments on the fly and the guys did a good job of focusing and adjusting.”

By getting outside they did not disappoint the crowd that showed up to watch – estimated by the Chiefs and the college at over 3,000 people. It wasn’t so much the heavy rain, but the lightning that had Haley making decisions on the fly. The first hour of practice went down inside, and then the last 90 minutes happened on the two new practice fields built for the Chiefs camp. …Read More!

Mini-Camp Practice #5 Report

From the Truman Sports Complex

Another summer thunderstorm rolled in Sunday morning and again chased the Chiefs inside for their final practice of the 2010 mini-camp.

And the players received a mini-camp surprise from their head coach, as Todd Haley cut short the session, putting the squad through a workout that lasted just a tad over 60 minutes.

“I just felt progress that we had made through this weekend and that part of it was going to be review and as hard as these guys have worked over the last three months it was worth giving something back to them,” said Haley. “They did a good job today, they were working hard and didn’t seem distracted.”

The session finished up with the two-minute drill, where both the offense and defense had big plays. The first offense’s turn with the ball produced a TD pass from QB Matt Cassel to TE Tony Moeaki, where the rookie made a very nice catch in the back corner of the end zone. The second offense’s time with the ball ended rather quickly as QB Tyler Palko’s pass was picked off by CB Travis Daniels, who had a very good weekend.

There are two more days of the off-season program left for the veterans. On Monday most will be involved with the Chiefs Ambassadors Golf Tournament at Shadow Glen Golf Club. On Tuesday will be the final OTA practice session.

The rookies will stay another two weeks, getting most of their work in strength and conditioning.

Observations from Sunday’s workout: …Read More!

Mini-Camp Practice #4 Report

From the Truman Sports Complex

Saturday morning’s rain kept the Chiefs  indoors for their afternoon practice, the fourth of five scheduled for the three-day mini-camp.

There was a lot of action in all three phases of the game. The offense worked almost exclusively out of the shotgun with one-back/three wide receiver alignment. The defense continued to shuffle players in, including the No. 1 unit. The special teams worked on kick returns and we got our first look at who is among the possible returners in the view of the coaching staff.

The primary kick returners were rookies WR/RB Dexter McCluster and CB Javier Arenas. But also catching kicks at the end of practice were rookie WRs David Grimes, Rich Gunnell and Jeremy Horne, along with RBs Jackie Battle and Kestahn Moore and CB Maurice Leggett.

Defensively,  the No. 1 unit lined up this way: Tyson Jackson and Glenn Dorsey at DE, Derek  Lokey at NT, Mike Vrabel and Tamba  Hali at OLB, Derrick Johnson and Jovan Belcher at ILB, Brandon Carr and Travis Daniels at CB and Eric Berry and Kendrick Lewis at S.

Offensively, the Chiefs worked hard with their quarterbacks and receivers in the red zone, including a session where the wideouts went one-on-one against the defensive backs.

Here are some observations from the afternoon: …Read More!

Mini-Camp Practice #3 Report

From the Truman Sports Complex

With the sound of thunder and a torrential morning thunderstorm pounding on the roof, the Chiefs moved indoors for their first of two mini-camp practices scheduled for Saturday at the team’s facilities.

The 90-minute session went down pretty much as the sessions before it, as the Chiefs continued a review of what they learned during a dozen OTA practices. Saturday morning was a bit faster paced and advanced than Friday’s double sessions, especially on offense.

The coaching staff continued to mix and match players in an attempt to get different looks at the same players.

“It’s all mixing and matching,” said head coach Todd Haley. “It’s giving guys a chance to go against different guys on the other side. Sometimes when you just stay the same and nobody changes, you might be going against the same guy every single snap. They get to know each other, and get to know their little tricks and moves and their steps.

“By moving guys in and out, you get different matchups.”

Casey Wiegmann got work with the first team offense Saturday morning at center, with Rudy Niswanger going with the second unit. On defense, Derek Lokey was the nose tackle with the No. 1 defense, ahead of Ron Edwards and Shaun Smith.

When the Chiefs went to their No. 1 nickel defense, OLB Mike Vrabel was moved inside, replacing Jovan Belcher, and Andy Studebaker was on the corner.

Other observations from Saturday morning’s practice: …Read More!

Mini-Camp Practice #2 Report

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs wrapped up the first day of their weekend mini-camp with an afternoon practice that was quite a bit hotter and more uncomfortable than the Friday morning session at their facility.

It was hot and it was humid as the team rolled through a 90-minute session that pretty much stuck to the focus from the morning workout: review and fundamentals.

The receivers and running backs had some one-on-one drills against the defensive backs and linebackers and  that provided some glimpses into what type of athletes are currently on the roster.

There were 85 players on the field. Punter Dustin Colquitt was missing. No official word on his absence but he and his wife are expecting their third child any day now.

Some observations from the afternoon session: …Read More!

Mini-Camp Practice #1 Report

From the Truman Sports Complex

With the exception of two guys wearing zebra shirts it was pretty hard to tell the difference between the 12 Chiefs OTA sessions and the first practice of the club’s three-day mini-camp that went down Friday morning at the team’s facility.

A pair of active NFL officials Tom Quick and David Oliver were on the field to help out as 86 of 87 players took part in the 90-minute session. As always, the only guy missing was restricted free agent S Jarrad Page who has not signed his tender offer.

Quick and Oliver will be on the field all weekend and will also be in meetings with players, watching tape and providing input.

“It’s an opportunity for us to learn a little bit,” said Chiefs head coach Todd Haley. “They are going to help explain and detail from their perspective. It’s an effort to try to educate, learn and eliminate penalties.”

The focus of this first mini-camp practice was review, as better than 90 percent of what the Chiefs worked on Friday morning they’ve done before. The practice plan was very basic on both sides of the ball, with the only difference from the OTAs being two periods for the special teams and some extra plays of team work.

“That gives us a little more time to evaluate some of the guys that we didn’t get to see quite as much of in the OTAs,” said Haley. “We also had some one-on-ones there with the O-Line and D-Line and this afternoon we’ll have the receivers and DBs go against each other.”

Some Friday morning mini-camp observations: …Read More!

OTA #11 Report

From the Truman Sports Complex

The constant evaluation process continued for the Chiefs on Tuesday with OTA practice No. 11.

Going into the session, head coach Todd Haley was interested in seeing whether his offense, particularly the passing game, could bounce back from a bad day on Monday. And he was interested in finding out whether his defense could come back with another strong effort like the day before.

Both questions got answered in the affirmative during the 90-minute session that went down indoors after the practice facility was hit with heavy rain and wind Tuesday morning.

“I was interested to see how both sides would respond,” Haley said. “The offense showed some signs of life and bounced back and the defense was able to build on what they did yesterday. It was a good day.”

QB Matt Cassel threw the ball much better in this practice. After completing 50 percent of his throws on Monday, Cassel hit 16 of 21 in the 7-on-7 drill and teamwork. He ran into some problems in the two-minute drill, when he hit just one of four throws.

“There’s a lot of different stuff going on out there,” Cassel said. “The defense is putting in new schemes and we are trying new stuff. Yesterday the defense had a better day than we did and today, we just came out and we executed better.”

The defense stepped up big in the two-minute drill as Cassel and Tyler Palko each got a series. Cassel’s throw into the end zone on a fourth down play ended the first attempt and then Palko’s second throw was picked off by CB Mike Richardson, ending the drill.

Earlier in the workout, Cassel and rookie WR Dexter McCluster connected on a long pass down the middle of the field. McCluster made a nice catch over his head on what was a nice throw by Cassel that dropped right in between coverage from CB Javier Arenas, S Eric Berry and S Kendrick Lewis.

“Dexter has done a great job so far,” said Cassel. “He’s come in and worked hard. He’s obviously an exceptional athlete, with wonderful physical characteristics that we like. He had a lot of success in college and hopefully there’s a transition for us this year.”

Observations from the workout: …Read More!

OTA #10 Report

From the Truman Sports Complex

The defense again held the upper hand in the Chiefs 10th practice session of the off-season Monday morning at the team’s facility.

It was late last week in the OTAs that the defense started to make some plays and that continued in the 90 minutes of work that went down to start the week. Romeo Crennel’s unit had a pair of interceptions, with CB Travis Daniels and FS Kendrick Lewis grabbing the passes.

Overall in the 7-on-7 passing drill and team work portions of the practice, Chiefs passers were a combined 15 of 30 attempts with the two picks. Defensive backs were breaking up passes all through the session.

“We had been making good progress as a group in the passing game until today,” said head coach Todd Haley. “We hit a little bit of a rough patch so to speak, so it will be good to see how they bounce back tomorrow.”

Under cloudy skies, the Chiefs had 85 of their 87 players on the field. Taking part was newly signed TE Cody Slate, who was wearing No. 80. Missing were a pair of safeties: Jarrad Page and DaJuan Morgan. Page has missed all of the off-season work as an unsigned restricted free agent. Haley said Morgan was absent due to a personal issue.

The session was the first of eight practices the Chiefs will have in the next seven days. They’ll have OTA sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday, and then on Friday kick off a three-day, five-practice mini-camp that will run through Sunday.

“This will be a concentrated week for us,” said Haley. “It will somewhat simulate training camp, especially on the weekend with the two practices on Friday and Saturday. It’s a big week for us.”

Observations from OTA #10: …Read More!

OTA #9 Report

From the Truman Sports Complex

Overall, it was a nice OTA session for Romeo Crennel’s defense as they controlled the two-minute drill that ended the ninth practice of the off-season. A pair of interceptions from CB Javier Arenas and S DaJuan Morgan kept the offense from generating any points.

It was the conclusion of the third week of off-season practices, with three more OTAs coming up next week along with the team’s weekend mini-camp.

“I felt like we had a really good work week overall,” said head coach Todd Haley. “I feel like the guys got better.

“Time’s going fast right now and before too long these guys are going to be heading home and we’re trying to use the time as efficiently as possible to get as much done.”

Arenas picked off QB Matt Cassel in the two-minute drill and took it back for what would have been a pick-six. Morgan got his interception off QB Matt Gutierrez on a desperation last pass as the clock was about out of time in the drill.

Morgan had another interception earlier in the practice when a well thrown ball from QB Tyler Palko bounced off the hands of TE Jake O’Connell.

QB Brodie Croyle again watched the work, but he did have the bandage removed from the right index finger that he injured a week ago. Croyle banged the digit off a helmet on his follow through; it’s an injury that Haley says is nothing serious.

Again, for the ninth practice, the Chiefs had 85 of the 86 players on the field for the workout; the only missing player was FS Jarrad Page.

Some other observations from the OTA and its aftermath: …Read More!

OTA #7 Report

From the Truman Sports Complex

It was a tough day for some of the rookies as the Chiefs got back to work Monday morning for their third week of OTAs.

It started differently for the young guys right off the bat. Until Monday, the rookies had their own lifting session before any of the veterans. That changed when they were all thrown in with the veterans.

On the field, the coaching staff turned up the heat a bit. And it showed. Rookie TE Leroy Banks made a great catch over his head in the end zone for a touchdown. But several plays later, offensive coordinator Charlie Weis threw him out of the huddle and asked for a different tight end because of confusion over an assignment.

Head coach Todd Haley spoke at length to his team about mistakes in the scoring zone, and how those had to be eliminated whether they were penalties or turnovers. Just two players later, rookie RB Dexter McCluster coughed up the ball on a run to the left side.

“The whole idea of the OTAs is to go through the training camp installation (of offense and defense) as best we can,” Haley said. “When we get to the mini-camp, we get through it again. That will give them a second time through and then when we get to training camp, we will do it again.

“They are getting a lot thrown at them right now and it stars to add up. You are seeing some of those things from the rookies maybe kind of catching up to them.”

QB Brodie Croyle did not take part in the practice, but he watched with his right index finger bandaged. Croyle banged the digit off a helmet during last Thursday’s OTA. Haley said “it should not be anything serious” about the injury.

Of the 86 players on the Chiefs roster, 85 were on the field. Again, the only missing player was FS Jarrad Page, a restricted free agent who has not signed the tender offer from the team.

Here are some other observations from the 90-minute workout: …Read More!

OTA #6 Practice Report

From the Truman Sports Complex

It’s the type of play that Todd Haley and Charlie Weis dreamed of when they were evaluating and then selecting RB/WR Dexter McCluster in the second round of last month’s NFL Draft.

Working in the two-minute offense at the end of Thursday’s OTA practice, QB Matt Cassel threw a short pass – less than 10 yards – to McCluster on a slant from the right side. The quick and speedy rookie then took off down the field and ran 60 yards for a touchdown.

Although it wasn’t ruled a touchdown by the game official, who just happened to be Haley and he got an earful from his starting quarterback for his ruling of a healthy gain, but no score.

“He’s an excitable guy,” Haley said of Cassel. “You like that about him. You love the enthusiasm. At the same time, he’s got to keep control. He was yelling at the official, and the official happened to be me. He thought I made a bad call.

“It was a very productive day as we got into some red zone stuff and had a couple sessions of the two minute. It was very competitive out there.”

Whether the game official for this practice credited Cassel and McCluster with a touchdown, it was the type of play that the Chiefs are looking for from the combination.

“No doubt,” said Haley. “All those young guys have been making steady progress.” …Read More!

OTA #4 Report

From the Truman Sports Complex

Guess who the first player off the practice field was on Monday after the Chiefs had completed their fourth OTA session of the off-season?

Showing the same speed he normally reserves for trying to get past defensive backs, WR Dwayne Bowe came scampering down the steps from the team’s practice fields several moments ahead of any teammates.

About 20 minutes later when the media had finished listening to head coach Todd Haley and entered the locker room, Bowe was nowhere to be found. His locker held only workout clothing and went untouched during the time frame when the media was allowed to loiter in the room.

If Bowe can get away from defensive coverage this season as well as he cleared the media coverage, it could be a big season. That left others to speak to his words that appeared in ESPN the Magazine claiming that during a trip to San Diego in 2007 some of his teammates imported women to the team’s hotel for companionship.

But the others were saying very little. “No comment,” answered DE Tyson Jackson when asked about Bowe. “Nothing really needs to be said,” was how FB Mike Cox addressed the situation.

Todd Haley spoke of the matter in his meeting with the media, but as could have been predicted, he talked that the situation was being “handled internally.”

“It was discussed and handled internally and we are moving forward,” Haley said. “We are worrying about the progress we are making as a team as we go forward and that is really what’s important to me right now.”

From the football side of things, here’s what went down in the OTA session: …Read More!

OTA #3 Practice Report/Wednesday

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs closed out their first week of OTAs on Wednesday morning by tip-toeing through the rain drops on the outdoor fields at their facility.

“Though we have an extremely long way to go, I think we had a very good week and definitely made progress in areas where we need to make progress,” said head coach Todd Haley.

After the first week of practices, Haley said the physical condition of the players compared to last year at this time is a night and day difference.

“It’s not even close,” said Haley. “There are guys that may be at similar weights as they were at this time last year, but they are in so much better condition. We’ve really had a good off-season to this point. The guys are excited and energized and it’s fun to be around them. There’s a great overall energy to the group. This is a good time.”

Roll call was similar to the first session on Monday that was open to the media. The Chiefs newest player LB Cory Greenwood was on the field working on the inside and wearing No. 93.

Among the 86 players on the roster, the only one missing was veteran S Jarrad Page. There were seven players out of the action and working on injuries. Joining the group that was out all week was WR David Grimes, who pulled a hamstring during Tuesday’s session.

Also watching were RB Jamaal Charles, CB Brandon Flowers, TE Brad Cottam, WR Quinten Lawrence, WR Lance Long and rookie TE Tony Moeaki.

Charles said after practice that the team has given him no idea when he’ll be allowed to practice. He’s recovering from shoulder surgery back in January. “I’m not worried about it right now,” Charles said. “I’m doing what I can to get myself into shape and ready for the season.

“What matters is that I’m ready to go for training camp. I guess they are going to be careful.”

Here’s some of what went down on the field in the third session: …Read More!

OTA #1 Report: Only One Player Missing

From the Truman Sports Complex

On Monday morning, the Chiefs had 85 signed and unsigned players on their roster. When they took the field for their first OTA practice session of the off-season, 84 were on the indoor field at the team’s facility.

The only man missing was S Jarrad Page. As a restricted free agent, Page has not yet signed his tender offer and thus can’t take part in the workout without signing an injury waiver. Head coach Todd Haley declined to talk about Page and his absence, preferring to “talk about the guys that are here.”

Two of those guys that “were here” came as a surprise: veteran LG Brian Waters and OLB Mike Vrabel. Two of the oldest and most experienced players on the roster, Waters and Vrabel did not attend any of the OTA work last year. The only time their shadows cross the door at the team’s facilities came for the mandatory mini-camp.

But there was No. 50 lining up with the first defense and No. 54 was at his normal spot with the No. 1 offensive line.

“With both of those guys, I was in a good place,” Haley said of the veterans. “We were on the same page. This whole off-season has been a good sign of commitment by everybody involved. This isn’t just about today; it’s about the last few months. These guys are really working, and working together. Now we have the chance to take another step towards the goals that we want to reach.” …Read More!

Practice Report 5/2 Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

The final practice of the Chiefs rookie camp was outside Sunday morning as Todd Haley and his coaching staff put 32 players through the workout, wrapping up the three-day session.

“It was very, very productive,” Haley said afterwards. “I’m excited about these guys. I feel comfortable that they understand how important the next couple weeks are so they keep
working.”

Under NFL rules, the rookies can’t return to the Chiefs facility until May 16th or the day their college holds graduation. All seven draft choices and 11 college free agents will be back and on the field for the team’s first OTA session on Monday, May 17th.

There was plenty of teaching and learning going down at the camp, and not just by the players.

“There was a lot of learning on both sides,” Haley said. “We are chomping at the bit as a staff … we now have a couple weeks to get prepared and get our ducks in a row and be ready when OTAs start.”

First-round S Eric Berry and second-round CB Javier Arenas were both active  in this practice after sitting out Saturday afternoon. The Chiefs do not talk about injuries until the regular season, but Haley allowed that there were no major problems for either player.

“”There were some existing situations; it’s nothing serious,” said Haley. “It was done as a precautionary measure. We wanted to be smart. They’re fine.” …Read More!

Tryout Players At Chiefs Rookie Camp

The Truman Sports Complex

There are a handful of tryout players taking part in the Chiefs rookie camp this weekend.

We have been able to identify the following: Kansas State DE Jeffrey Fitzgerald, Pittsburgh QB Bill Stull, Notre Dame WR David Grimes, Troy ILB Boris Lee, Vanderbilt DE Steven Stone, Virgina Tech LS Matt Tuttle and Eastern Michigan P Zach Johnson.

Berry, Arenas Out Of Rookie P.M. Practice

The Truman Sports Complex

Two of the Chiefs first three draft choices were watching practice Saturday afternoon at the team’s rookie camp. The other pick was very busy.

1st-rounder S Eric Berry and 2nd-rounder Javier Arenas were dressed but did not participate in most of the workout. Both Berry and Arenas were dressed and worked in some of the defensive back drills. But when it came time for team work, both were on the sidelines with secondary coach Emmitt Thomas. There was no obvious physical problem with either player.

Second-round WR/RB Dexter McCluster was practicing … boy was he practicing! The diminutive target was moved all over the offense by coordinator Charlie Weis. McCluster lined up at the left and right slot, the left and right wing and in the backfield as a running back. All this in just the third practice of the season. The only problem for McCluster was staying on his feet; the Chiefs moved outside for the P.M. practice and the turf was still wet from recent rains.

Third-round TE Tony Moeaki showed some of the receiving skills that caught the attention of the Chiefs in their evaluation of him. Several times he got free down the hashmarks and made very nice catches away from his body and with his hands.

The Chiefs worked briefly on the return game and with Arenas out, those catching balls off the jugs machine were McCluster, S Ricky Price and CB Jackie Bates.

Also sitting out the practice was first-year  WR Chandler Williams, who was in the rehab area riding the stationary bike.

Saturday/Rookie Mini-Camp Practice #1

From the Truman Sports Complex

Day 2 of the Chiefs 2010 rookie mini-camp started with a morning practice inside the team’s facility because of wet conditions on the outside f ields.

All 33 that took part on Friday were back for Saturday morning’s session. One change was 2nd-round draft choice Dexter McCluster working with the running backs. He worked with the wide receivers the day before.

For some totally meaningless information on May 1st, here was the starting offensive line for the workout: C-Andrew Lewis, G-Lemuel Jeanpierre and Jon Asamoah and T- Jermail Porter and Tyler Eastman.

A totally meaningless No. 1 front seven on defense was: DE-Bobby Greenwood and unknown tryout player, NT-Garrett Brown; OLB-Cameron Sheffield and Justin Cole; ILB-Michael Johnson and tryout LB Boris Lee.

Two more tryout guys were identified in the workout: Lee, a teammate and linebacker-mate with Sheffield at Troy. He’s 6-0, 245 and is a native of Georgia. At WR is David Grimes, who played at Notre Dame. He’s 5-10, 177 pounds and signed last year with Denver after the draft but did not stick.  

More updates to come.

Practice Report 4/30 Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs 2010 Rookie Camp began Friday as Todd Haley and his coaching staff started throwing the team’s programs and fundamentals at the 33 players on the field.

“I have strong convictions of doing it this way with just the rookies in here at this time,” said Haley. “I think it really gives them a chance to get their feet wet without that added pressure of guys that know what to do.”

Todd Haley welcomed seven draft choices, 11 college free agents, seven first-year players and eight tryout players.

“There is a positive energy about this whole group,” Haley said. “I continually remind them that they don’t really know anything right now. They don’t know what they don’t know.

“We don’t care how you got here. Once you are here you are just another helmet with a piece of tape on it and we are going to try to figure out if you can help us win.”

All of the team’s draft choices and college free agents were on the field. The Chiefs do not release the names of their tryout players, but the lone quarterback was Bill Stull (above) out of Pittsburgh. During his five seasons with the Panthers, Stull threw for 5,252 yards, 32 touchdown passes and 18 interceptions. …Read More!

Practice Report 1/1

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs first practice of 2010 was the final practice of the 2009 season and it went off indoor at the team’s facility this morning.

There were no indications of a lot of players recovering from the festivities of New Year’s Eve and Todd Haley said his team had a crisp workout in preparation for Sunday’s  game in Denver.

G Andy Alleman was not at practice for the second day in a row and Haley said he would not play against the Broncos. CB Brandon Flowers (shoulder) and DE Alex Magee (hamstring) will be on the league injury reported listed as probable.

Haley said he would not approach this final game of the year any different than the previous 15. His objective is to win, not necessarily give young players who haven’t played much a chance to get game action, players like recently acquired S Reshard Langford.

“We’ll do the things necessary to win,” said Haley. “We’ve been forced by circumstances that some of those guys their play time and practice time has been accelerated. We will play and use the guys that give us the best chance to win.”

Practice Report 12/31

From the Truman Sports Complex

If there’s anybody on the Chiefs who has checked out early on the 2009 season, Matt Cassel can’t find him.

 ”We’ve had two great days of practice,” Cassel said Thursday afternoon after the Chiefs wrapped up their indoor workout. “We are super focused. Everybody is treating this like a game in the playoffs for us.”

Said head coach Todd Haley: “That’s got to be our mentality. That’s a winning team’s mentality all the time. Guys that are banged up try to play. You practice hard. You do your tape study. You continue to do all the things you did in week No. 1. That’s got to be the mindset and that’s the mindset that I would expect.  I think that’s what they have and I don’t think it matters if you are going for 16-0 or trying to get your fourth win against a division opponent on the road.”

They had all but one player taking part in the practice, as G Andy Alleman was out with a back problem. CB Brandon Flowers returned to full participation with his sore right shoulder after missing Wednesday’s practice. DE Alex Magee was also a full participant on his sore hamstring.

Practice Report 12/30

From the Truman Sports Complex

It’s the final preparation week of the 2009 season for the Chiefs. By this time next week they will have scattered around the country to begin their off-season.

But after the team’s Wednesday practice, Todd Haley said nobody seems to have checked  out earlier on the disappointing season.

“We just lined up out there for the 16th week of the season and ran gassers and they lined up and ran hard,” said Haley. “They practiced hard. They were into it. They were communicating. They are here on time regardless of the weather conditions. They are working together to do the things necessary to be a good team. That’s progress.”

Only three players turned were on the injury/practice report for Wednesday. CB Brandon Flowers was listed as limited, but he did not take part in any of the early practice work and was on the field without a helmet. That’s a pretty good indication of very limited practice work.

Also listed as limited was G Andy Alleman with a sore back. DE Alex Magee had a full practice on the hamstring injury that kept him out of last Sunday’s game against Cincinnati.

It was just 24 days ago that the Broncos slapped the Chiefs with a 31-point defeat at Arrowhead Stadiuim, 44-13.  It was the Chiefs worst Arrowhead loss in more than 30 seasons. The key to that Denver victory was the difference in rushing yards between the two teams, 245 to 94. That 151-yard edge for the Broncos has been a familiar factor in who wins this AFC West battle.

“They have a very good offensive line and the last time we played these guys, they clearly won the line of scrimmage,” said Haley. “Obviously, we have to be better there.”

Practice Report Update 12/25 – Chiefs Add Safety

From the Truman Sports Complex

Maybe it was the holiday cheer from Christmas Eve or the thrill of opening presents around the tree on Christmas morning, but the Chiefs showed up for practice on Friday afternoon in much better shape than they’ve been for the last two weeks.

They also had a new teammate, as the Chiefs signed S Reshard Langford off the Eagles practice squad. Langford is 6-1, 213 and played his college ball at Vanderbilt. The Alabama native was not drafted and signed with Philly as a college free agent. He survived until the final cut before the regular season and was signed to the Eagles practice squad on Sept. 7.

Head coach Todd Haley said it was doubtful Langford would be active for Sunday’s game in Cincinnati. “We got him in here a little later than we wanted,” said Haley.

Langford played in 48 games at Vanderbilt, never missing one because of injury. He finished  his career with 247 total tackles and eight interceptions. He’s more of a strong safety type and made a name for himself in the SEC for his hitting and intelligence. 

With the exception of S DaJuan  Morgan (chest) and LB Justin Rogers (thigh), the rest of the team was working in the early portion of practice. That included LG Brian Waters, who was working with the No. 1 offensive line in the early drills, something he hasn’t done for the last two weeks.

Other players who have been on the injury report lately were all taking part.

The Chiefs official injury report to the league will read like this: DOUBTFUL – S DaJuan Morgan (chest) and LB Justin Rogers (thigh); QUESTIONABLE – LG Brian Waters (hamstring), DE Glenn Dorsey (knee), RT Ryan O’Callaghan (knee), DE Alex Magee (hamstring). PROBABLE – CB Brandon Flowers (shoulder), S Jon McGraw (hand).

Here’s what the Bengals turned in for their injury report: DOUBTFUL – DT Domata Peko (knee), S Chris Crocker (ankle); PROBABLE – DE Robert Geathers (knee), DE Frostee Rucker (illness), DT Tank Johnson (foot).

Practice Report Update 12/24

From the Truman Sports Complex

Good news for the Chiefs in their Thursday practice as CB Brandon Flowers was back in full uniform, taking a regular turn in position drills.

Flowers watched most of Wednesday’s session, but had his shoulder pads and helmet on for Christmas Eve, a hopeful sign that the shoulder injury that has bothered him all season will not keep him out of Sunday’s game in Cincinnati.

Joining Flowers on the full participation list were DEs Glenn Dorsey (knee) and Wallace Gilberry (back).

Otherwise, not much changed on the injury front with the Chiefs after getting the second practice of the week under their belts. S DaJuan Morgan (chest) and LB Justin Rogers (thigh) were in the rehab area for the second consecutive day, but were listed as limited

Others listed as limited participants in practice were LB Brian Waters and DE Alex Magee (hamstring).

The Chiefs will have an adjusted and abbreviated schedule on Christmas Day, as they will not  practice until the afternoon. Also, some of their meeting time has been moved to Saturday to accommodate the holiday.

Practice Report Update 12/23

From the Truman Sports Complex

TE Brad Cottam is recovering from surgery to help repair a cracked verterbrae in his neck on Tuesday.

Breaking his normal policy of revealing only the basics about player injuries, head coach Todd Haley reported that Cottam’s is doing well after the procedure.

“He’s already on the road to recovery,” Haley said of the tight end. “Everything went very well fromwhat I was told. He was uncomfortable there for a couple of days. From a safety standpoint, we wanted to keep him in a safe position.”

Cottam suffered the injury during Sunday’s game against Cleveland. After making a catch, his legs were taken out from under him on the tackle and Cottam landed awkwardly on the back of his head and neck.  He was momentarily dazed but walked off the field to the sidelines and after being examined by team doctors and trainers, he went back in to the game.

“We checked him out and he said he was good to go,” Haley said.  “It was only well after the fact that he started experiencing any pain.”

Sunday evening Cottam was hospitalized where x-rays and other tests showed the crack. The second year tight end out of Tennessee never lost any ability to move his arms and legs.

“From everything that I’ve been told there’s a great chance of him getting back on track,” Halely said. …Read More!

Practice Report 12/18 Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

It’s not looking good for Brian Waters playing on Sunday against the Browns.

Waters was again limited  in his practice participation on Friday because of a left hamstring injury. The team is listing him as doubtful on the NFL  injury report they’ll  turn in late Friday afternoon. In the last eight years, Waters has missed only two games because of injury, those came in the 2006 season because of a right knee  injury. That ended a string of 79 consecutive starts. Since missing those two games, Waters has starteed 52 straight games.

“I haven’t given up hope that Brian can go,” said head coach Todd Haley. “We’ll see how Brian comes along in the next day in a half.

If Waters can’t play, Andy Alleman figures to get the start at left guard. He’s been working with the first team in practice this week.

Haley was unwilling to share any information on whether WR Dwayne Bowe will play on Sunday, after missing the last four games because of an NFL suspension. By all accounts, Bowe has looked good in practice and has been taking snaps with the No. 1 offense. …Read More!

Practice Report Update 12/17

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs had all hands practice on Thursday as they continued preparations for Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns.

Todd Haley took his team outside where they experienced weather conditions that sound like they will match what they will face  at Arrowhead against the Browns: temperature in the 30s, with a light breeze and no precepitation.

WR Dwayne Bowe got his second practice session in after being away for a four-week NFL suspension and Haley remained reticent to declare him ready to play on Sunday.

“Dwayne made it through yesterday,” Haley said. “He’s picking up a handful of new stuff that we’ve evolved since the suspension. I’m encouraged by where he’s at in two days.”

QB Matt Cassel said of Bowe: “We have missed Dwayne over the last few weeks. He’s a playmaker and to have him back on the field will be great. He’s still trying to get caught up to speed. We are doing a lot of different things in the time since he left. It will be up to the coaches to decide how far he’s progressed during the week.” …Read More!

Practice Report Update 12/16

From the Truman Sports Complex

LG Brian Waters and DE Glenn Dorsey were limited participants in the Chiefs practice on Wednesday.

Both players are coming off injuries they suffered in last Sunday’s game against Buffalo, with Waters dealing with a left hamstring injury and Dorsey a left knee problem. Head coach Todd Haley remained optimistic that both Waters and Dorsey would be available this coming Sunday against Cleveland.

“I’m optimistic … I think they have a chance to play,” said Haley. “We’ll see as the week goes on.”

Also limited in practice on Wednesday were FS Jon McGraw (hand) and DE Wallace Gilberry (back). Again, Haley expets them to be ready to play vs. the Browns.

CB Brandon Flowers who missed practice time last week was a full participant on Wednesday, as the Chiefs worked indoors at their facility. Flowers has battled a sore shoulder all season.

Haley was pleased with what he saw on the practice field from WR Dwayne Bowe, taking part in his first session since serving his four-game NFL suspension. …Read More!

Practice Report 12/11 Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

CB Brandon Flowers is listed as questionable on the official injury report that the Chiefs turned in to the NFL office Friday afternoon.

Flowers has been dealing with a shoulder  injury and in the early part of Friday’s practice outside, he was on the stationary bike. The Chiefs listed him as a limited participant in the session. Flowers missed Thursday’s workout because of the shoulder problem, which is something he’s dealt with all season.

Head coach Todd Haley said Flowers was improved from Thursday to Friday. Haley wouldn’t say who would start if Flowers can’t go, but more than likely it would be Travis Daniels, who has been serving as the nickel back for the last three weeks.

Everybody else on the injury report is listed as probable: RB Jamaal Charles (shoulder), RB Dantrell Savage (ankle), DE Wallace Gilberry (back), G Andy Alleman (knee) and LB Justin Rogers (thigh).

The Chiefs worked outside in Friday’s practice, under sunny skies and temperatures in the low 30s. The weather forecast for Sunday afternoon is cloudy, with temps in the low to mid 40s and a chance of rain.

Also, the team announced Friday morning that Sunday’s game will be broadcast locally and not blacked out. The team said early in the week that they needed to sell 3,500 tickets for the blackout to be lifted. It makes the streak of Chiefs games on local TV 156 consecutive games.

Practice Report 12/10 Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

CB Brandon Flowers did not practice on Thursday as the Chiefs went through their second workout of the week.

Chiefs head coach Todd Haley said a shoulder injury is bothering Flowers and that’s why he did not practice. Flowers was limited to walking laps around the field in the team’s indoor facility.

“We’ll  know more on Friday about his availability,” Haley said of Flowers chances to play on Sunday against the Bills.

Flowers has not been on the injury report since early in the season when he had a shoulder injury that kept him out of the season opener against Baltimore.  The second-year CB missed two games last year with a shoulder injury. At 5-9, 187 pounds, shoulder injuries  figure to be a problem Flowers will have to deal with in his career.

If Flowers is out, that hurts the Chiefs defense given the fact they are playing an offense with receivers like Terrell Owens, Lee Evans and Josh Reed. …Read More!

Practice Report 12/9 Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

The rehab area was uninhabited on Wednesday morning as the Chiefs began their practice week in preparation for the Buffalo Bills.

Only DE Wallace Gilberry was on the practice report as less than a full participant, as he was limited because of a sore back. Despite plenty of bumps and bruises, all 60 available players were practicing.

That included RB Jamaal Charles, who was pretty banged up after the game, but was out and working in the early part of practice with the other RBs and the offense.

“He’s showing signs of being a good player and one of those (signs) is the ability to play through bumps and bruises,” said head coach Todd Haley.  “Good back in the league have to do that. If he wants to be a good back, he’s got to do that and I think that’s what he has shown.”

The Chiefs practiced inside, despite Haley’s plans and hope to be outside. The Chiefs grounds crew cleared snow off the tarp that was covering the practice field, but a decision was made that it was too windy. Haley said it had nothing to do with a windchill factor of zero.

“i just didn’t think we could be productive out there throwing the ball with the way the wind was blowing,” said Haley. “”I was disappointed. I don’t know whether they (players) were. Working in those conditions will make us a better team.”" …Read More!

Practice Report 12/4

From the Truman Sports Complex

RB Kolby Smith has been declared out of Sunday’s game against Denver, and RB Dantrell Savage will be listed as doubtful.

It sounds like Smith’s ankle injury could be a season-ender. Head coach Todd Haley said the club was waiting for further evaluation on Friday before making a decision as to how they will proceed with Smith this year and with the running back position this weekend.

If Savage can’t play, that leaves only starter Jamaal Charles at halfback. FB Tim Castille has also been taking snaps at the halfback position.

On the team’s practice squad is seventh-round draft choice Javarris Williams. “That’s a possibility,” Haley said of promoting Williams. “We’ll have to see where Savage is at and where we are as a group. We have a couple plans we are ready to go with one way or another.”

OLB Mike Vrabel will be listed as questionable on the team’s injury report to the league later today. “He’s gotten better as the week has gone along,” said Haley. “I’m optimistic with Mike.”

Smith and Savage were the only players  who did not take part in Friday’s practice session that Haley moved inside for the first time this week.

Practice Report 12/3 Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

RB Kolby Smith suffered a setback in his return from an ankle  injury and did not practice with the Chiefs on Thursday. That puts in doubt his ability to play Sunday against the Broncos.

Head coach Todd Haley said that more would be known about Smith and his chances for playing against Denver on Friday.

That leaves only Jamaal Charles and Dantrell Savage as halfbacks on the roster. Savage was limited in Thursday’s practice as he recovers from an ankle injury. Haley said that Savage was better on Thursday than he was on Wednesday.

“We got a Plan B, Plan C ready to go one way or another,” Haley said of the situation at running back. “I think we’ve done the things necessary to be ready. I’m happy we have a guy like Tim Castille that can play both positions, halfback and fullback. We’ll be ready to go regardless. Any time you have an injury, it’s a setback but somebody has to move up and fill the void.”

The Chiefs were outside for practice again on Thursday, in temperatures that were even colder than what they went through Wednesday. The only difference was a bit of sunshine broke through the clouds at times, making it feel a few degrees warmer. 

Maybe because of the weather, but the Chiefs were done with practice earlier than normal.

“They were moving fast,” Haley said with smile. “They were in and out of the huddle and off the field quicker.”

Practice Report 12/2 Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs got back to practice Wednesday morning and head coach Todd Haley had them working outside despite temperatures in the high 30s  and with a strong wind ripping across the practice fields that made it feel 10 degrees colder.

It is December and with five cold weather games to play starting this Sunday against Denver, Haley wants to make sure his team is ready for all conditions.

“Wind is probably the biggest factor to me,” said Haley. “That’s what would most effect a game plan. I’ve been in games in the snow where teams moved it up and down the field pretty good. Wind and rain have to be taken int account.”

Sunday’s early forecast from the National Weather Service is cold, windy but right now a limited chance of precipitation.

In the early part of  Wednesday’s practice, everyone was taking part; the only player in the rehab area was OL Colin Brown, who is on the injured-reserve list. The Chiefs practice report had just RBs Kolby Smith and Dantrell  Savage listed as limited in participation. Both have ankle injuries.

OLB Mike Vrabel was back on the field and he was back working with the No. 1 defense. G Andy Alleman was back as well, but he did not step right back into the starting spot at RG that he held when he was injured. It looks like Wade Smith is going to continue to work with the first-team offense at that spot.

LB David Herron (knee) and LB Justin Rogers (thigh) were also taking part in the early practice segments.

On the field were the two newest members of the team’s practice squad: NT Derek Lokey and OL Jermail Porter. Lokey is wearing No. 69, while Porter has No. 77.

Practice Report 11/27 Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

Three players have been declared out of the Chiefs game against the Chargers on Sunday, and one more is very unlikely to play.

G Andy Alleman (knee), RB Dantrell Savage (ankle) and LB Justin Rogers (thigh) were declared out of action on Friday by head coach Todd Haley.  The fourth is OLB Mike Vrabel (knee) who is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game in San Diego but is unlikely to be dressed or on the playing field.

Also on the team’s injury report to the league are LB David Herron (knee), who is listed as questionable and RB Kolby Smith (ankle) who is probable.

The Chiefs are still at 52 on the 53-man active roster and the coaches and personnel people were meeting Friday afternoon to decide how to handle the open spot. The team will either promote somebody from the practice squad, or leave the spot open. If they do the latter, they will then have to declare only seven inactive players on Sunday, not the normal eight when a team has a full roster.

Candidates to move up from the practice squad would appear to be S Ricky Price and WR Quinten Lawrence.

On the nicest weather day of the week so far, Haley decided to take his team inside to practice on Friday morning. Something about being able to turn up the crowd noise and create louder conditions to work in as the Chiefs finished up their practice week.

Haley was pleased with the focus and intensity of his players coming back after having Thanksgiving Day off, but allowed that the true test on whether the holiday off was a good move would come Sunday in San Diego.

Practice Report 11/25 Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs placed DB Maurice Leggett on the injured-reserve list on Wednesday, ending his 2009 season.

Leggett suffered a shoulder  injury on Sunday against the Steelers. It’s the second time his season has ended by being placed on the IR list with a shoulder problem. The same thing happened last year when he injured his shoulder on December 7 against Denver. He missed two games and was then placed on the IR list on December 26th.

Todd Haley said Leggett is headed for surgery. “It’s a pretty significant (injury),” said Haley. “We had moved him to safety and he was really excited about it and showing real promise. So this is a setback. He’s a great kid, with great enthusiasm and I think he’ll put everything into it to get back.”

No word yet on who will replace him on the 53-man active roster.

Despite chilly temperatures, a couple rain drops and a nice cold wind from the north, Haley had the Chiefs outside for practice again Wednesday morning. …Read More!

Practice Report 11/24 Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs are a bruised and sore team just two days removed from their victory over Pittsburgh, but there were only two players not taking part in the team’s Tuesday morning practice.

“We moved around pretty good; I felt like we made progress,” Todd Haley said of the session. “There was good energy from the guys and we got off to a good start,  which we’ll need against this team (San Diego).”

Haley changed the team’s schedule this week, moving the players normal day off from Tuesday to Thanksgiving Day. Thus, Tuesday was like a Wednesday around the Chiefs facility.

The team is not required to give a practice participation report until Wednesday under league rules and Haley was unwilling to provide that  information a day early. But DB Maurice Leggett (shoulder) and LB Justin Rogers (thigh) were the only players not taking part in the session. …Read More!

Practice Report 11/20

From the Truman Sports Complex

A streak of 113 consecutive games played by OLB Mike Vrabel will likely end on Sunday as a left knee injury will keep the 13-year veteran out of action against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The last time Vrabel was not dressed for his team’s game was October 12, 2003 when the New England Patriots played the New York Giants.

Vrabel will be listed as doubtful when the Chiefs turn in their injury report to the league office late Friday afternoon.

RG Andy Alleman and RB Dantrell Savage will also be listed  doubtful to play against the Steelers; Alleman because of a right knee injury and Savage with a left ankle sprain.

Also on the injury report are LBs David Herron (knee) and Justin Rogers (thigh) and they are listed as questionable.

Vrabel, Alleman, Rogers and Savage did not practice on Friday morning as the Chiefs went through their final workout before facing the Steelers on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium.

Practice Report 11/19 Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

More and more it looks like Andy Studebaker will be starting in the Chiefs defense on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Starting OLB Mike Vrabel spent another day out of practice because of a left knee injury. It’s doubtful the Chiefs will go with Vrabel for this game.

And th means the 24-year old product of Division III Wheaton College will be in the Chiefs defense. Studebaker got playing time in the second half last week and held down the position quite well.

“You are never as good as you think you are and never as bad as you think you are,” Studebaker said after watching the tape  of the Oakland game.  “I left the game and thought I fit in the defense pretty well, but at the same time I made some mistakes too. This week, I’m working on minimizing those.

“It was game time-situation type stuff, things I thought I saw, but didn’t happen.” …Read More!

Practice Report 11/18 Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

Chiefs coach Todd Haley didn’t have anything to add to the Dwayne Bowe suspension story other than he needs the other receivers to fill the void.

“It’s no different than if there’s an injury,” Haley said after Wednesday’s practice. “Our receiver group must step up now. We lose one of our better receivers. I’ve said here for the last couple weeks I feel like the receiver group was improving as a whole.  That group needs to step up and fill the void.”

During Wednesday’s practice, Bobby Wade and Mark Bradley got snaps with the first team offense opposite Chris Chambers.

“Bobby Wade will be back playing and that’s good for him,” said Haley, who would not get  into any specifics about how the offense might look without Bowe. “His not playing had nothing to do with him. It was a roster thing; he was the last guy both weeks. Bobby helped us a bunch when he got here and now he’s looking to help us again.”

Haley had his team working outside in Wednesday’s practice and the coach liked what he saw.

“We had a very good day of practice today,” Haley said. “The guys were enthusiastic. The win put some gas in their tanks and they are excited and ready to play the defending world champions.” …Read More!

Practice Report 11/12 Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

There are a lot of memories this week for Chiefs QB Matt Cassel. Last season as he was getting prepared to play the Raiders in Oakland, another situation came on his personal radar screen.

Cassel had to deal with the death of his father.

On Tuesday, December 9, 2008, Greg Cassel passed away in his home in San Bernardino, California. He was 57.  Matt was in San Jose with the New England Patriots, who were spending the week in the Bay Area between games against Seattle and Oakland.

He spent several days with his family in southern California and then rejoined the Patriots. Cassel played against the Raiders that Sunday – five days after his father’s death - and threw four touchdown passes in a 49-26 New England victory.

This week has brought back the events of 11 months ago.

“There are a lot of memories and it will probably be a little emotional,” Cassel said after practice on Thursday. “What better way was there to honor him than to go up there on Sunday and we won.”

Cassel called the week “a whirlwind of emotion” as he left the team, returned to his family, and then returned to the Patriots.

“I came back and had a good discussion with Coach (Bill) Belichick and it was decided that I would be ready to go,” said Cassel. “Coach (Josh) McDaniels who was my (quarterback) coach last year was a rock for me during that time and really helped  me. He just said whatever we have to do to get you ready for this game, let’s do it.

“It was pretty special, especially with the way the whole team reacted.” …Read More!

Goff Gone-Practice Report Update 11/11

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs placed starting RG Mike Goff on the injured reserve list Wednesday, ending his season because of a shoulder injury.

Goff started seven of the eight games this season, after coming over as a UFA from the San Diego Chargers. The 12-year veteran had a string of 113 straight starts snapped in Jacksonville last Sunday. He appeared for one play against the Jaguars, stepping for Andy Alleman when he got dinged.

Alleman will take Goff’s spot in the starting lineup; he started there against the Jaguars. Taking Goff’s place on the active roster is LB Justin Rogers, back for a second tour with the Chiefs. Rogers was signed on October 14th, after RB Jackie Battle was sent to injured reserve. He was released on October 17th when the Chiefs promoted OT Barry Richardson from the practice squad.

…Read More!

Practice Report 11/6 Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

Ordinarily, a football player sprains his medial collateral ligament in his knee and he’s out four to six weeks. But every person’s body and mind are different when it comes to injury and Rudy Niswanger is  proving that again.

It looks like the Chiefs are going to have their starting center available for Sunday’s game in Jacksonville. Niwsanger was a full  participant in Friday’s practice and Todd Haley has him listed as probable for playing against the Jaguars.  Niswanger sprained the MCL in his left knee on Oct. 25 against San Diego. He missed the bye week practices, but returned this week.

But added to the injury report on Friday was RG Mike Goff with a shoulder injury. Goff was limited in his participation in Friday’s practice and is listed as questionable for the game. …Read More!

Practice Report 11/5 Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

Apparently bored with football talk around a 1-6 team, the media horde made the topic of conversation in the Chiefs locker room on Thursday about signage.

When the Chiefs returned from their bye weekend they found new slogans, placards and the like posted around the facility. The media got a look at one of those, because it’s posted in the hallway between the team’s locker room and the administrative offices. The sign reads:

“Losers assemble in small groups and complain about the coaches and other players. Winners assemble as a team and find ways to win.”

The signage came from Todd Haley and his coaching staff, and according to the coach was posted at this time because his assistant who was “in charge of signage and posters and he’s just been slow.”

“They are just word that I think are important,” Haley said. “They may be signs that I’ve had up in other places, or thoughts that we came up with as a staff. I think you’ll see more and more.

“They are little reminders to the players to keep them thinking about the direction they ought to be thinking.” …Read More!

Practice Report-Roster Move 11/4 Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs placed FS Jarrad Page on the injured-reserve list today and re-signed CB Travis Daniels to take his spot on the active roster.

Page’s departure from the roster and the continuing injury problem of Jon McGraw has left the Chiefs very thin on the back line of the defense.

“Safety is an area of concern,” said Todd Haley. “We have been cross-training some of those corners to be alert in an emergency situation. It will be tenuous to say the least as we go forward, certainly for this week.” 

Reportedly, Page suffered a calf injury during the team’s practice last Thursday. The move to IR ends what has been a disappointing season for the fourth-yea safety, as he has been inactive for several games even when healthy.  Page finished the season with 19 total tackles and one forced fumble in five games. …Read More!

Bye-Week Practice Report 10/27

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs ran through a 90-minute practice session on Tuesday afternoon, the first of three bye-week workouts on their schedule.

“Very productive day; this is a very important week for us,” said head coach Todd Haley. “I think these bye weeks are important, especially to teams like us.  This is an opportunity to do a little catchup offensively so to speak and to clean up some of the issues that have consistently given us problems.”

The Chiefs got what sounds like good news on the left knee injury suffered by C Rudy Niswanger. He underwent an arthroscopic procedure on Monday and the report was good. Haley said Niswanger would return this season and he  wouldn’t even rule him out for the Chiefs next game on Nov. 7 against Jacksonville.

FS Jon McGraw did not participate in practice, and Haley said only that he has a strained leg muscle. WR Lance  Long did not practice, as he deals with the after-effects of the head trauma he sustained on Sunday. And out of the work on Monday was NT Ron Edwards, who was ill.

Oh, and RB Larry Johnson was not with the team, told to stay home by the club until investigations of his comments from Sunday and Monday are concluded.

LT Branden Albert worked with the No. 1 offensive line and seemed to be moving around quite well on that left ankle.

Back on the field was WR Quinten Lawrence, added to the Chiefs practice squad after being released from the active roster over the weekend. Lawrence took the spot held by Long, who was promoted to the 53-man roster over the weekend.

The Chiefs announced no other roster moves.

Practice Report 10/23 Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

The chances do not look good for starting LT Branden Albert being on the field Sunday against the Chargers with the No. 1 offense.

Albert is listed as questionable on the Chiefs official injury report to the league office. Head coach Todd Haley said it would be a game time decision. Haley did not rule out the possibility that Albert could be active and not start.

Other than Albert, there appears to be no game-day inactive decisions that will be based on injuries. Also on the club’s injury report are LG Brian Waters (ankle), RT Ryan O’Callaghan (shoulder) and FS Jarrad Page (shoulder). All are listed as probable. O’Callaghan suffered some sort of neck/shoulder  injury during Thursday’s  practice,  but he was working with the No. 1 offense on Friday, wearing a neck roll.

Haley took his team indoors for Friday’s final practice of Chargers week.

Albert was not working with the first or second team offensive lines, so the chances  of him starting are slim. Wade Smith will open at LT. It appears that Jon McGraw will open at free safety, which would likely mean that Page would be  inactive since his special teams involvement is minimal.

Practice Report 10/22 Upate

From the Truman Sports Complex

Todd Haley pretty much thought the heavy stuff wasn’t going to come down for quite awhile. So he took his team outside to practice Thursday morning despite a steady rain that had soaked everything and everyone in a matter of minutes.

“I like the rain,” Haley said afterwards. “It was pretty pleasant out there today. These are conditions that we have to play in. Days like today, being a wide receivers coach for so long, you kind of wanted days like this to really concentrate. I loved windy days and rainy days as a receivers coach because it required great concentration to get the job done.

“I thought today was very productive before it was all over. It didn’t start that way, but it ended up pretty good.”

No, at the start there were a lot of dropped passes by receivers. The ball was wet, the receivers’ gloves were wet and the rain was still falling. At one point, Haley pulled all his quarterbacks and receivers together for a huddle. His words could  not be heard but his point was being made very clearly: concentrate. …Read More!

Practice Report 10/21 Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs got back to work Wednesday morning, showing no hangover from their first victory of the season.

“I thought today was a good tempo and had a good feel to it, from meeting and through practice,” said head coach Todd Haley. “It seemed like everybody was concentrating and ready to get to work.”

Working outside, where a few sprinkles were falling 45 minutes into the session, Haley had 51 of 53 active roster players taking part. Missing were RG Mike Goff and LT Branden Albert. Goff  was absent with permission, handling some personal matters according to Haley. He’s expected back on Thursday

Albert missed last Sunday’s victory over Washington because of a left ankle injury. He was in the rehab area and did some light jogging along with walking laps. Albert is no longer wearing a boot on the left foot. “He’s night and day from where he was,” said  Haley. “I’m hopeful from the progress he’s shown from when he had the injury until  now, he’s got a chance.”

Working with the No. 1 defense was Jon McGraw at free safety, stepping into Jarrad Page’s spot. Haley acknowledged the change, but said the position would be evaluated on a daily basis.

Taking part  in practice was RB Kolby Smith. He’s been on the Physically-Unable-To-Perform List since the start of training camp, recovering from the knee injury he suffered back on November 2, 2008 against Tampa  Bay. …Read More!

Practice Report 10/16 Updated

From the Truman Sports Complex

FS Jarrad Page was back to practice Friday morning but LT Branden Albert was still riding the stationary bike as the Chiefs went through their final workout of the week.

Page is coming back from a shoulder injury, but whether he’s active on Sunday against the Redskins remains questionable. Jon McGraw will start in his spot. Since Page’s role in the kicking game is minimal, there’s a chance he could be an inactive player.

“He’s  much improved,” Todd Haley said of Page. “He was in there running around and he made great strides from yesterday to today.”

Wade Smith was again working with the first-team offensive line at left tackle for Albert and looks like the starter there on Sunday. But Haley would not rule Albert out of action. …Read More!

Practice Report 10/15 Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

When Dick Vermeil and Herm Edwards were the head coach, the Chiefs practice Thursday morning would have been held indoors.

But for the second day in a row, Todd Haley took his team outside in cool, breezy and wet conditions. In fact, they are pretty much the conditions expected in suburban Washington D.C. on Sunday when the Chiefs play the Redskins at FedEx Field.

“Having been in Arizona for two years I really thought that was something that hurt us, the fact it was too  nice all the time,” Haley said. “We never really had the mental mindset to play in poor conditions. I think it could be a huge advantage for us here, as long as it’s not holding us back.

“The fields are a little bit of an issue when it’s messy, but I still  think the benefits out weigh the negatives.”

The National Weather Service prediction for Sunday afternoon in Landover, Maryland is temperatures in the mid 40s, with a 60 percent chance of percipitation.

“It’s good to get acclimated to the environment, cold weather and the conditions,” said QB Matt Cassel. “I know Sunday the forecast is kind of bleak, so it’s good to be out there  in the cold weather and getting used to the conditions.”

The Chiefs also have a new advisor on the practice field for several weeks: former NFL cornerback Otis Smith. …Read More!

Practice Report 10/14 Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

The mystery of No. 55 has been solved and it’s bad news for RB Jackie Battle.

A shoulder injury sent Battle to the injured-reserve list on Wednesday, ending his season after five games. Head coach Todd Haley said the team expects Battle will need surgery on the injury.

Taking his spot on the active roster on Wednesday was the unknown No. 55 who was practicing with the team: OLB Justin Rogers. At 6-4, 246 pounds, Rogers is in his third NFL season. He broke into the league with the right pedigree to get picked up by the Chiefs, as he was a sixth-round selection in the 2007 NFL Draft by … the New England Patriots.

Rogers was released after his rookie training camp, but claimed on waivers by the Cowboys. He played in 31 games over the last two seasons,  with three tackles on defense and 34 in the kicking game. Special teams is obviously where he’ll get the chance to make his first impressions with the Chiefs.

Battle had carried the ball seven times for 21 yards and caught two  passes for minus-three yards. But he was leading the team with six tackles on special teams and the second-year RB was on all four major kicking game units.

The move with Battle opens the door to a quick trip back to the active roster for RB Kolby Smith. He’s currently on the PUP List because of the knee injury he suffered last year. Starting next week, Smith can begin practicing and the team would then have a three-week window to make a decision on his future. The Chiefs have indicated they think Smith is ready to play.

The possibility of LT Branden Albert playing this Sunday against Washington doesn’t sound good based on the comments of Haley after Wednesday’s practice. …Read More!

Practice Report 10/9 Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

Todd Haley took his team outside for practice Friday morning, despite wet field conditions and cold temperatures. But then, that’s the weather forecast for Sunday when the Chiefs face the Cowboys at Arrowhead.

OT Ikechuku Nduwke and DE Wallace Gilberry were both injured in practice this week, Nduwke with a stinger and Gilberry with a head injury. Both players were dressed and taking part in Friday morning’s work. Haley said they would be listed as probable when the team submits its injury report to the NFL office later on Friday afternoon.

Two players were not on the field for the session: QB Brodie Croyle and DE Alex Magee.  Croyle was dealing with a family matter and Magee came down with a fever Friday morning and was sent home. Haley said he expects both players to be available for Sunday’s game.

The Chiefs will watch with interest the Cowboys injury report later today as five players have not practice this week because of various maladies: CB Michael Hamlin (wrist), LB Curtis  Johnson (hamstring), RB Felix Jones (knee), S Gerald Sensabaugh (thumb) and WR Roy Williams (ribs). Sensabaugh and Williams are starters for Dallas.

Practice Report 10/8 Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

Speaking after practice on Thursday, Larry Johnson did not provide any sort of explanation of his one-word answer to most media questions after last  Sunday’s game against the Giants: ego.

“That’s last week,” said Johnson. When asked for a hint, he declined.

But  Johnson made it plain that it’s time for the Chiefs offense to get its act together and to do it for four quarters.

Practice Report 10/7 Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

Todd  Haley is pushing hard on this 0-0 theme with his football team.

“We are making this a fresh start for ourselves,” Haley said on Wednesday after practice. “It’s time to figure out a way to win.”

But Haley acknowledges that approach can be a tough sale with some players, who won’t ignore the 0-4 start.

“The tough part is to sell it to a group of guys that hasn’t had success,” said Haley. “Just staying in the present tense,  knowing that if you can go 3-1, 3-1, 3-1 and 3-1, you are probably going to the playoffs each year. It’s a tough sale, but it’s what you have to do. It’s a way to survive.”

Are the players buying that approach? …Read More!

Practice Report 10/2 UPDATE

From the Truman Sports Complex

WR Dwayne Bowe was running routes and seemingly running them with speed and explosion during the Chiefs practice Friday morning.

Afterwards, Todd Haley said he was “definitely encouraged” by what he saw from Bowe, who is dealing with a right hamstring injury.

“He was much better than yesterday,” Haley said. “We’ll list him as questionable, that’s 50-50 and that’s where he is right now.”

The only other player on the injury report that will be turned into the league Friday afternoon was ILB Derrick Johnson, who will be probable with his groin injury. He was a full participant in practice all week.

In his practic work, Bowe certainly moved with more power on that injured right hamstring than he did during  Thursday’s session. …Read More!

Practice report 10/1 Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

QB Matt Cassel says the Chiefs 0-3 record to start the season is not an indication of what the team can be.

“We are not a bad football team,” Cassel said after Thursday’s practice. “We are just making dumb decisions out there and the result is bad outcomes. We are three games into the season, so it’s not time to hit the panic button. We just have to keep pushing forward,  eliminate our mistakes, the penalties and the bad football and we will immediately get better.

“If we change that, the wins will come.”

All hands were dressed and taking part in Thursday’s practice. WR Dwayne Bowe was a limited participant in the session. In position work with the wide receivers Bowe ran routes, but did so gingerly and with no explosion on that injured right hamstring. When the receivers went over to work against the defensive backs, Bowe sat out the drill. At one point he changed the shoes he was wearing on the grass field that was moist from early morning rain.

“He was out there, so he’s better than yesterday,”  Todd Haley said of Bowe. “We are going to be cautious with the injury. We’ll see what he can do (Friday).” …Read More!

Practice Report 9/30 Updated

From the Truman Sports Complex

The changing Chiefs roster this week had nothing to do with the results of last Sunday’s game in Philadelphia.

“We’ve made it pretty clear whenever we have the opportunity to make this team better whether now or in the future, we are going to do it,” said Haley, a day after the club swapped  out three spots  on the active roster. “We are in the process of shaping this team and I think it’s critical that we understand,  all the players understand that this is the beginning stages of the process.

“One thing that’s made clear to the players is that there are going to be changes as we try to improve and get better reach week. They can’t let it effect them in any way shape or form. That’s the way we are going to continue to operate.”

New faces on the field Wednesday morning for their first practice session of the week were TE Leonard Pope, LB David  Herron and CB Mike Richardson. Pope is wearing No. 45, Herron has No. 42 and Richardson No. 23. …Read More!

Practice Report 9/25 Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

As the Chiefs started their final practice in preparation for Sunday’s game in Philadelphia, ILB Derrick Johnson was riding a stationary bike and WR Dwayne Bowe was practicing, sort of.

Todd  Haley said both would be listed as questionable when the team turns in its injury report to the league office Friday afternoon.

On Thursday, Johnson declared himself out of the meeting with the Eagles because of a groin injury. Of course, D.J. hasn’t realized yet that he’s not the final word on whether he dressess or not. That would be Haley. But his work on the bike indicates his chances of being suited up in Philly are slim.

Bowe was on the bike patrol Thursday and the Chiefs reported him as a limited participant in practice. He was with the offense and receivers in the part of Friday’s session open to the media. But to say he was practicing would be a stretch. Bowe did not run as much as trot on his pass routes. He has what Haley called “a problem with his leg”; he was wearing a wrap on his right knee after practice on Thursday. …Read More!

Practice Report 9/24 Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

ILB Derrick Johnson said Thursday after the Chiefs  practice that he would not play this Sunday against Philadelphia.

Johnson suffered a groin injury in that final defensive series last Sunday against Oakland.  He worked in the rehab area early in Thursday’s practice during the time the session was open to the media.

“I’m not going to go,” Johnson said.

The linebacker has been bothered by hamstring and groin injuries since the first practice of training camp. It’s one of the reasons he ended up losing his starting job.

Joining Johnson in the rehab area on Thursday was WR Dwayne Bowe, who the Chiefs listed as a partial participant in Thursday’s practice. It appears to be a right knee problem but  Todd Haley would  only say Bowe “has a little something with his leg. I’m hopeful that it will clear up.”

Everybody else was available and practicing on Thursday as the Chiefs prepared for their trip this weekend to Philadelphia. That included QB Matt Cassel who reports the strength in his left knee  improves on a daily basis.

“I’m getting better each and every week,” said Cassel, who added he came through his first game with no problems. “There was not anything more than normal, just bumps and bruises you always have after the game.” …Read More!

Practice Report 9/23

From the Truman Sports Complex

For the first time in a month, the Chiefs had no new faces on the roster for a Wednesday practice.

And all 61 players – 53 active roster and eight practice squad guys – took part in the full pads session.

Really, the only new faces at this workout were manager Terry Francona and members of the Boston Red Sox, who watched practice with GM Scott Pioli. The Sox are in town playing a series against the Royals.

QB Matt Cassel (left knee), CB Brandon Flowers (left shoulder) and LG Brian Waters (left ankle) were all on the practice field and active during the brief window available for the media. …Read More!

Practice Report 9/18 Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

Todd Haley said Friday afternoon the decision on whether Matt Cassel is the Chiefs starting QB against Oakland will be made Sunday morning.

“I think that’s safest with this; if I make a promise now and something may not go according to plan,” said Haley. “Both of those guys, Matt and Brandon Flowers, are clearly ahead of where they were last week at this time, so that’s positive. We’ll make a decision Sunday morning.”

All indications point to Cassel getting the start because of his increased mobility and work load during the week of practices.

“I think there was enough work mentally and physically to feel like he’s ready to go,” Haley said of Cassel. …Read More!

Practice Report 9/17 UPDATE

From the Truman Sports Complex

It was more of the same Thursday morning for QB Matt Cassel during the team’s practice session.

In the portion of practice that the media is allowed to view, Cassel went through all the position drills, including those that required movement. He seemed to have the same quickness and manuvered as he did during Wednesday’s drills. Cassel’s throws looked strong and accurate and he did not seem to have problem putting weight on that injured left knee.

“I’m leaps and bounds ahead of where I was last week,” Cassel said after practice. “I feel like I’ve made a lot of progress. My (practice) work load definitely went up this week. Coach has said we are going to take it day-by-day.”

That day may be Friday.

“Our evaluation will include tomorrow,” Haley said. “He’s made  progress.” When asked if he would like to have a decision on Friday, Haley said he would.

“There are medical issues involved when an injury occurs and there are certain times that things take. But like I said, the player is doing everything under his power to be ready and that’s usually a good thing.”

Cassel would welcome news as early as possible. ‘Sooner rather than later,” Cassel said. …Read More!

Practice Report 9/16 – Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

As the Chiefs quarterbacks went through their position drills during the early part of Wednesday’s practice, Matt Cassel was a full participant.

Cassel took part in all the drills, including those that required movement by the quarterback. Last week in these same drills, he did not take part when the quarterbacks shuffled through pads or when they would roll or sprint out and throw.

“As I thought he would, he moved around a little better than he did at the end of last week,” said Haley. “This
is still going to be an evaluation deal with him. He’ll go on the injury report as questionable today.”

Cassel did everything the other three  quarterbacks did. There was noticeable improvement on his pass drops; they were quicker and more pronounced. His follow through on that left knee also looked stronger.

Overall, he looked far better than he did at any time last week.

“To me eye he looked like he moved better in all situations,” said Haley. “To me he was improved.”

Overall, Haley was happy with the first practice session of Raiders Week, where the combination of opponent and a home game has the team focused.

“It wasn’t a hard sell to get guys up and going,” said Haley. “This is a big week for us. It means a lot to everybody in this state and in this city. I thought the players practiced accordingly and got off to a good start.” …Read More!

Practice Report 9/10 Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

QB Matt Cassel’s left knee must be holding up because he did more in the open portion of Thursday’s practice than he did in either the Monday or Wednesday sessions.

“It’s doing well,” Cassel said of his knee. “I’ve been working hard. I’ve been out there each day at practice. I feel like I’m making progress every day.”

But will he play Sunday against Baltimore?

“That’s up to the coach, ” Cassel said. “I think it’s a decision that will probably go right up until game time. As long as I’m able to walk and get out there, I’m ready to go. It’s their job (coaches/trainers) to decide.”

So what does the coach say?  Same thing as Wednesday, same thing as Tuesday, same thing as …

“This is going to be a full week evaluation,” said Haley. “This will go down to the wire. On game day we will probably still be trying to figure it out.” …Read More!

Chiefs/Cassel Practice 9/9 Updated

From the Truman Sports Complex

QB Matt Cassel was back on the practice field this morning as the Chiefs went through their Wednesday session in preparation for Sunday’s regular-season opener against Baltimore.

Chiefs coach Todd Haley said Cassel was able to get through practice with no problems. But he was unwilling to commit to whether Cassel will play Sunday against Baltimore. “That’s going to be a situation that we evaluate as the week goes on,” said Haley. “I don’t know that we’ll have an answer until right before the game.”

Haley allowed that Cassel would be listed as questionable when the team’s first  injury report comes out on Wednesday.

In the short window where practice is open to the media, Cassel did pretty much the same work he did during Monday’s practice. He worked that injured left knee in the position drills, although he did  not take part in any drill that required movement beyond a pass drop. Cassel worked some on hand-off timing with the running backs and then threw to the wide receivers.

Just as he did on Monday, Cassel did not look brisk in his pass drops. He did seem willing to put more pressure  on his left knee on the follow through, however. …Read More!

Practice Update 8/31 A.M.

From the Truman Sports Complex

It was another day, another adventure around the Chiefs during their Monday morning practice session.

Generally, we show up for these workouts and do a roll call of the players. Monday, it was the coaching staff where the roll call was needed, as Chan Gailey was not on the field when the media arrived. A few minutes later the team made the announcement that Gailey had been relieved of his duties as offensive coordinator.

But practice went on, with head coach Todd Haley handling the play calling and working with the quarterbacks. He got help from offensive quality control assistant Nick Sirianni.

Then came the roll call of the players. Missing from the field were QB Matt Cassel and WR Devard Darling. Both suffered injuries to their left legs during Saturday night’s game against Seattle. Both are thought to be knee injuries, with Cassel spraining his MCL and Darling tearing his ACL.

Haley refused to discuss any injured players after the practice.

He also said that a starting quarterback for Thursday night’s pre-season finale in St. Louis against the Rams had not been determined, although Tyler Thigpen took almost all of the snaps with the first team offense in the practice.

Here’s some other tidbits and news from the practice: …Read More!

Chiefs Update 12/24

From the Truman Sports Complex

Chrismas Eve was just another Wednesday in the 2008 season for the Chiefs, more a holiday because it’s the last Wednesday on the schedule.

The Chiefs went through a two-hour workout and all hands on deck participated.  Sixty players took part, as the Chiefs are down two bodies on their practice squad.  CB Maurice Leggett (shoulder) was a limited participant while DE-DT Alfonso Boone (thigh) participated fully in the work.

They will practice again on Christmas Day, although Herm Edwards has moved back the schedule so players can leave home a little later and those with children can enjoy a few minutes around the tree.

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis is giving his players Thursday off, but that was after practicing them on Tuesday, their normal day off.

Lewis also talked on Wednesday about his coaching counterpart Herm Edwards:

“He’s got a great perspective on things with his background as a player and with coming up through the ranks there in Kansas City, both coaching and scouting with the Chiefs. So he’s got a great perspective on the league. And, he’s really been a great resource and somebody I’ve spent a lot of time with. He holds the NFL, and the privilege of playing and coaching in the NFL, in high regard. So I think when you’re around him, he has that aura about him, which is outstanding. He has a real appreciation for what he’s had an opportunity to do. The way he carries himself all the time as a person and a man is exceptional.”

Lewis was asked if he has great empthay for what Edwards has gone through this year with the Chiefs:

“He and I talked in Mobile last year (at the Senior Bowl practices).  Herm talked at that point that he felt they really needed to find a way to get a younger football team together for this season. That was going to be one of their goals as an organization. It’s difficult. They had been a successful team, always on the brink of moving on in the playoffs, and being able to enjoy the playoffs, and so you hang onto some of your older, mature players a little longer, because of that. The fans have an affection for them, and so everybody thinks, `Because he’s here this year, he should be here next year and the year after that and the year after that,’ and then you look up and see they can’t do the same things anymore. That gets to be an issue, because people they’re competing with are at a different speed.  So I know they felt the need to make some of those kind of moves. And then what we’ve been through, it looks like they did, too. You lose your quarterback like that, so you’re playing with people you didn’t expect to, and I think that compounds the issue a little bit. They’ve done a great job defensively this year. Gunther (defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham) has stuck to his guns, and they’re getting turnovers and takeaways, keeping them in football games, and lately they’ve been very explosive on offense.”

Chiefs Update 12/18

From the Truman Sports Complex

Herm Edwards said after the Chiefs practice session on Thursday that C Rudy Niswanger’s participation in Sunday’s game against Miami would be a “game-time decision.”

Niswanger was a limited participant during Thursday’s indoor session that lasted just a shade under two hours.  He injured that knee on Dec. 7 in Denver and did not play last week.

CB Maurce Leggett was a full participant in Thursday’s workout according to the Chiefs.  He’s trying to come back from a shoulder injury that kept him out of the San Diego game.

Not practicing were DT-DE Alfonso Boone (thigh) and LB Donnie Edwards (knee).

Chiefs Update 12/15

From the Truman Sports Complex

For quite a few Chiefs players it was a quick in and quick out of the team’s facility on Monday.  That’s the way it is when a team is coming off an emotional loss like the one-point game against San Diego.

“We have to make sure we don’t confuse effort with results,” said safety Jarrad Page.  “We don’t have the results.”

That’s pretty obvious at 2-12 and coming off a game like Sunday’s where they held a 11-point lead late in the fourth quarter and did not win the game.  It’s never too late to take the lessons learned from an outcome like the San Diego game and put them to use over the season’s final two games.

“Hopefully, (next year) we aren’t coming off a season where we haven’t figured it out,” Page said. “We still have time to show what we’ve learned.”

But that time is running out.  Ahead is the final home game of the season against Miami and then a visit to Cincinnati to close out the schedule.  Two weeks from today, the season will be over.

“I’m ready to play right now,” Page said of getting back on the field.  He later added: “The only way you can deal with a game like that is go out and play again.”

After the game, the Chiefs reported no new major injuries.  They will wait to see how C Rudy Niswanger responds this week with the knee injury he suffered in Denver.  Originally he was projected to be out two weeks.  They also hope to get CB Maurice Leggett back from his sore shoulder.  Both Niswanger and Leggett were inactive against San Diego, along with LB Donnie Edwards (knee).

Chiefs Update 12/11

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs had another missing body during their second practice of the week to get ready for San Diego.

RT Damion McIntosh was out ill with the crud that seems to have infected every household in the Kansas City area.  The Chiefs expect him to recover and be ready to play this Sunday against the Chargers.  Herb Taylor worked at RT in his place.

Also not practicing on Thursday was C Rudy Niswanger.  He has not been officially ruled out of the San Diego game but it appears highly unlikely that he will play because of the knee injury he suffered in Denver last Sunday.

Add CB Maurice Leggett to the limited practice group as he fights a sore shoulder suffered in Denver.  Same for WR Mark Bradley and his calf.  Also limited were LB Donnie Edwards (knee) and CB Pat Surtain (quad), although Surtain took more snaps in practice than he normally does because of Leggett’s injury.

Chiefs Update 12/10

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs pushed through a just under two-hour practice indoors on Wednesday without two of their offensive starters: C Rudy Niswanger and WR Mark Bradley.

Niswanger did not participate because of the left knee injury he suffered against Denver that will likely keep him out of this Sunday’s action, although the Chiefs have not said that publicly.  Bradley is still trying to recover from a calf injury that’s taken him out of action for the better part of three weeks now. He was a limited participant.

The Chiefs did get starting RG Adrian Jones back to practice.  Jones who suffered an ankle injury against the Chargers in San Diego on November 9.  He’s not played since that game. Jones worked with the first-team offense.  Also back and working with the defense in a limited form was LB Donnie Edwards, bouncing back from a knee injury that he suffered on Nov. 16 against New Orleans.

Also limited in participation was CB Maurice Leggett, who suffered a shoulder injury against Denver and veteran CB Pat Surtain with his quad injury.

Chiefs Update 12/5

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs have declared WR Mark Bradley out of Sunday’s game in Denver against Broncos.

Speaking after Friday moring’s 90-minute practice, Herm Edwards said the team is hoping the rest will give Bradley’s  injured calf an opportunity to heal.  He’s been dealing with the injury for about two weeks now and has limited his practice and playing time.

Also declared out of the trip to Denver were LB Donnie Edwards (knee) and CB Pat Surtian (quad).

Listed as questionable are LB Pat Thomas (hamstring) and G Adrian Jones (ankle).  It’s unlikely either one will play against the Broncos.

The Chiefs list C Rudy Niswanger (knee), G Wade Smith (ankle) and DE Tamba Hali (ankle) as probable.  All three were full participants in Friday’s practice.

From Denver, LB D.J. Williams is listed as doubtful with a knee injury.  Listed as questionable are CB Champ Bailey (groin), DE Ebenezer Ekuban (back), LB Spencer Larson (hip) and S Marlon McCree (ankle).  All were limited in their praticipation in Friday’s Broncos practice.

The Broncos do not expect either Williams or Bailey to play.  Williams sprained his the MCL in his left knee on Nov. 6.  Bailey suffered a partial tear of his left groin in a game Oct. 20 against New England. Both were expected to be ready for this game, but now it appears that they will not play.

Returning this week is LB Nate Webster.  He sprained the MCL in his left knee on Nov. 6 and has not played since.

Chiefs Update Thanksgiving Day

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs went through a two-hour practice session Thanksgiving morning and then had the rest of the day off to enjoy the holiday with family and friends.

One piece of bad news was the addition of DE Tamba Hali to the injury list with a sore  ankle.  He did not work at all in Thursday’s  practice and Herm Edwards seemed pessimistic that he would be ready for action on Sunday against the Raiders.

DT Tank Tyler and DE/DT Alfonso Boone were both limited participants in Thursday’s work.  Depending on the improvement of Tyler (hip) and Boone (back) in the next few days, the Chiefs starting defensive line against Oakland could have Wallace Gilberry and Jason Babin at end with Glenn Dorsey and Ron Edwards at tackle.

Others who did not work on Thursday were CB Pat Surtain (quad), WR Mark Bradley (calf), LB Wes Dacus (knee), LB Donnie Edwards (knee/hamstring) and G Adrian Jones (ankle).

Both LB Pat Thomas (hamstring) and s Jarrad Page (groin) were full participants in the practice work.

The Chiefs will practice Friday morning at their facility and then take an afternoon flight to San Francisco where they will be headquartered until Sunday’s game across the bay in Oakland.