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:

– RG Ryan Lilja, OT Barry Richardson and G Darryl Harris did not practice. Lilja’s injury was not obvious; RIchardson and Harris are dealing with knee problems.

– During practice those three were joined by RT Ryan O’Callaghan who started cramping in his right calf. Trainers worked on his leg, massaging it and applying ice and O’Callaghan tried to go back in, but eventually as pulled.

– C Rudy Niswanger was playing at the right guard spot in place of Lilja. In his time with the Chiefs, Niswanger has never played any position but center.

– When O’Callaghan went out, Colin Brown moved into right tackle spot.

– Luckily rookie G Jon Asamoah returned to practice after missing Sunday’s work because of an ankle injury. He was able to go and worked with the second offensive line. They lined up like this: LT Tyler Eastman, LG Ikechuku Ndukwe, C Lemuel Jeanpierre, Asamoah and Brown at right tackle again.

– OLB Mike Vrabel missed the first 20 minutes of practice, was on the field, and was then sent to the rehab area where he rode the stationary bike. There was no visible physical problem with Vrabel, but he pushed to nine the number of players not taking part in the workout.

– Joining Vrabel and the offensive linemen were FS Jon McGraw, TEs Jake O’Connell and Tony Moeaki and QB Brodie Croyle.

– Croyle was wearing a brace on his right arm right around the elbow and did not take part in any throwing during the afternoon.

– McGraw’s injury is not apparent, but he was able to ride the stationary bike and do some of the agility drills that go down in the rehab zone. Kendrick Lewis took his place in the starting defense.

– With Vrabel out, Andy Studebaker opened at the strong-side OLB, and when the defense went to nickel, ILB Jovan Belcher came in and worked inside beside Derrick Johnson.

– When the No. 1 offense went to its no huddle “Red Ball” attack they had big problems moving the ball against the No. 1 nickel defense. The very first play was a sack by Belcher. Later the defense added another sack.

– In the two-minute drill, QB Matt Cassel took the No. 1 offense down for a score, but it wasn’t easy. Here was the situation: the offense had 90 seconds to go in the game, they had to score a touchdown, they had two timeouts and started with the ball on their 35-yard line. It took 11 plays to get the ball into the end zone, as Cassel’s pass with time expiring found RB Jamaal Charles in the end zone.

– QB Tyler Palko and the No. 2 offense struggled to get any chance of getting the ball int he end zone. Handed a situation with 20 seconds to play, the ball at the defense’s 30-yard line and one timeout remaining, Palko’s pass into the end zone was broken up by S Ricky Price.

– Cassel and his favorite target WR Chris Chambers hooked up again for another touchdown play. This one was about 30 yards out and Chambers beat CB Jackie Bates on the play, hauling in the ball in the corner of the end zone.

– On special teams the Chiefs worked on their kick return, specifically the wedge ahead of the returners.