Haley On Coaches/Part 1 … Tuesday Cup O’Chiefs

Todd Haley got a late start putting together his coaching staff for the 2009 season.

That left him in a position where he was concerned about the kind of coaches he would be able to hire for his first chance at being a head coach.

When the smoke cleared, Haley was very satisfied with the group he put together especially men like offensive line coach Bill Muir (left).

“It exceeded my expectations because of the late start,” said Haley. “To get some of the guys that we were able to bring in here has been a huge help to me in getting everything off the ground. We are all learning from each other and I think that’s a great way to bring a staff together.

“Not one person has all the answers, so we sit and talk a lot about methods, philosophy and the way we want to get things done.”

None of those assistant coaches has been available to the media; that’s pretty much standard operating procedure in the football worlds where Haley and GM Scott Pioli learned their trade. Those restrictions will have to lessen a bit once the season starts because under NFL mandate coordinators must be made available to speak to the media.

But since the assistants have not been allowed to speak, we asked Haley to talk about his staff. On Tuesday, we’ll cover the offense. On Wednesday the coach will speak of his staff on defense and special teams. …Read More!

Explosion Needed … Monday Cup O’Chiefs

Think about it for a second.

How many explosive plays can you remember from the Chiefs over the last two seasons?

We are talking about game changing plays, like runs where the back burst through the line of scrimmage and got into the secondary for a major gain. Or long bombs in the passing game. How about punt and kickoff returns into the end zone for a score? Defensive touchdowns, like a sack, fumble, recovery and TD?

If they don’t come quickly to mind, there’s a reason: there weren’t many.

With a 6-26 record over the last two seasons, the Chiefs ability to win has been compromised by many things. One of the biggest factors has been the lack of big plays. They are few and far between for the Chiefs, whether on offense, defense or special teams.

Brandon Flowers picked off a Brett Favre pass and returned it 91 yards for a score in October ’08. Tyron Brackenridge picked up a fumble by San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers and scored on a 50-yard return in October ’07. Maurice Leggett returned a fake field goal fumble by Oakland 67 yards for a score and then grabbed an interception off Jay Cutler for 27 yards and a TD. Both of those came last season.

That’s it … the sum total of big plays. Four plays in four different games. The Chiefs were 2-2 in those games.

Doesn’t sound like much, but when a team goes 4-12 and 2-14, that’s 33 percent of the victories. …Read More!

Colquitt’s Comeback … Weekend Cup O’Chiefs 6-27/28

First it was a groin pull, where eventually the muscle pulled away from the bone.

Then it was a sports hernia.

Finally, there was damage to his pelvis.

Physical problems No. 1 and 2 required surgery. All three meant a great deal of rehab that started in January.

Through those injuries last year, Dustin Colquitt kept punting. He missed two games when the groin pull became too much to bear. But he came back and kicked the rest of the season. In that time, he couldn’t practice during the week and he had problems running. Every day was an adventure in pain, treatment and patience.

Years from now, fans will look at Colquitt’s numbers for the 2008 season – a -yard gross average and a -yard net average – and think it was an ordinary to good year for the punter out of Tennessee.

Those numbers can in no way explain the physical, mental and emotional pain that Colquitt endured during what proved to be a long, long season.

“It was a tough year,” Colquitt said. “I read and heard some things where people said I had lost it, or wasn’t having a good year, that it was time for the Chiefs to find another punter, stuff like that … if people only knew.”

There are some fans who think being mysterious about injuries is something new to the Chiefs under the direction of GM Scott Pioli. Not so. Last year under Herm Edwards players were told specifically not to talk about their injuries. Sometimes they slipped and revealed too much to the media. They ended up hearing about it from the coaching staff and one player said he was fined for giving away information on his health. …Read More!

Chiefs Sign Another Choice

Seventh-round draft choice Jake O’Connell signed with the Chiefs on Friday.

The tight end out of Miami of Ohio signed a three-year deal for $1.3 million.

He becomes the third of the Chiefs eight draft picks to sign, joining fifth-round OT Colin Brown and fellow seventh-rounder K Ryan Succop.

Haley’s Special Teams View … Friday Cup O’Chiefs

Over their first 49 seasons of play, the kicking game has always been important to the Dallas Texans-Kansas City Chiefs.

The Texans won the 1962 AFL Championship with Tommy Brooker’s field goal to beat the Houston Oilers in double overtime. Jan Stenerud is the only kicker in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and he was drafted and played most of his career with the Chiefs. Noland Smith and Dante Hall are in the game’s record book for their kick/punt returning performances.

The team has had two head coaches who got their starts in pro football as the NFL’s first special teams coaches: Dick Vermeil and Marv Levy. They had a third head coach in the late Frank Gansz who is considered one of the best kicking game coach in league history.

None of that was visible during the disastrous 2-14 season of 2008. Other than a solid punting year from an injured Dustin Colquitt, the kicking game had nothing but turmoil and ordinary performances. The kicker, the snapper, the returners, the coverage people were all found wanting. They finished among the five worst special teams groups in the league.

The Chiefs look to recapture those glory days in the kicking game under Todd Haley and special teams coach Steve Hoffman (right), with help from defensive assistant Ronnie Bradford.

“The first time we got to hear from Coach Haley, he made it plain that special teams are important,” said punter Dustin Colquitt. “He pointed out our special teams coach Steve Hoffman and said ‘If you want to make this team, everybody go talk to him because you won’t make it if you can’t play special teams.’

“He made sure everybody knew there was an emphasis on it.” …Read More!

Haley’s Defensive View … Thursday Cup O’Chiefs

“You don’t have to put yourself in a box.”

Those words belong to Chiefs head coach Todd Haley and that is the attitude his team will take into preparing its defense for the 2009 season.

While those outside the team may be hung up on whether it will play a 4-3 or a 3-4 defense, Haley is more concerned with using the talents on his roster to field a stout and dominating defense that will give the Chiefs a chance to win.

“You have to utilize the players that you have,” Haley said, later mentioning by name LB Derrick Johnson (right). “If you have some creativity and imagination with these guys you can find some things these guys do pretty well.”

There’s no question the Chiefs are moving toward a base defense that will be dominated by the 3-4 scheme. But that’s unlikely to happen in the first year under defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast. Along with assistant coaches Tim Krumrie, Gary Gibbs, Ronnie Bradford and Pat Perles, they will be mixing and matching all sorts of defensive concepts, based on the roster and what opponents may be doing on offense.

Has too much been made about whether it’s a 4-3 or 3-4 defense?

“Yes, I think there’s been too much made of it,” said Haley. “In today’s game, with more and more teams spreading out on offense, half the time you are in the nickel package any way. There are so many variations and things that are going on to be labeled one thing.”

According to Haley, eventually the Chiefs will be a team that runs the 3-4 defense.

“I just think that’s good business,” said Haley. …Read More!

Chiefs Sign Another Brown

Kansascity.com is reporting this afternoon that the Chiefs have come to an agreement with veteran safety Mike Brown.

An unrestricted free agent after nine seasons with the Chicago Bears, the 31-year old Brown joins the roster with 415 total tackles, five sacks, 17 interceptions and four touchdowns on INT returns.

Injuries have been a major problem for the Nebraska product in recent seasons, although he did play 15 of 16 games last season with the Bears.  He played only one game in 2007, six games in 2006, 12 games  in 2005 and two games in 2004.  The last time he played a full 16-game schedule was six years ago.

Chiefs Reach Deal With Brown

The Scout website is reporting Wednesday morning an agreement between the Chiefs and fifth-round draft choice Colin Brown.

Reportedly it’s a three year deal, totaling $1.34 million with a signing bonus at $154,000.

Brown was represented by agent Joe Linta.  He becomes the second of eight draft choices to agree to terms with the team,  joining K Ryan Succop.

Haley’s Offensive Philosophy … Wednesday Cup O’Chiefs

The play was called Fake Toss 339 Taxi Pass X-Pylon.

How it came to be created, implemented and called tells us something about Todd Haley, his approach to offense and how he hopes the Chiefs will go about moving the football in the upcoming 2009 season.

But before we find out about the play call mentioned above, we must touch on the basics with the Chiefs new head coach for his offensive philosophy and those who have influenced his approach.

“It sounds like coaching jargon, but my offensive philosophy is to utilize the players that we have to the best of their ability,” Haley said. “That’s the way I’ve been taught; whatever gives us the best chance to win.

“If that is three yards and a cloud of dust, we don’t turn the football over and we play great defense, I’ll be the happiest guy after games.”

Last year, when he was creating game plans and calling plays as the offensive coordinator of the Arizona Cardinals, the best chance to win was throwing the football. With Kurt Warner behind center and receivers like Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, it didn’t make much sense to do anything else.

That the Cardinals finished last in the NFL in rushing yards per game (73.6 yards) had nothing to do with scheme or preference, and everything to do with not having the tools necessary to be a good running team.

“That’s a great example of what I’m talking about,” Haley said. “We were not able to run the ball real efficiently. There were a number of reasons for that. We had a big problem at tight end with injuries. At the end of the year we picked up a tight end off the street in Steve Spach and once we had him, we started to run the ball more effectively.

“We could have said, hey we are going to run it and we don’t care about the results. We obviously showed pretty quick that we could move the ball through the air, so we tried to play to our strengths.” …Read More!

Look at ’09 Draft Class Part 2 … Tuesday Cup O’Chiefs

On Monday we looked at the performances of the first four Chiefs 2009 draft choices during the off-season program and their prognosis for playing time and contributions during the coming season.

Today, we look at the remaining four draft choices, starting with sixth-round selection WR Quentin Lawrence.

The adjustment from McNeese State to the NFL has been a tough one at times for Lawrence. He’s heard the voice of Haley in his ear several times, and the head coach wasn’t whispering sweet nothings to his young receiver.

“The transition from college to the NFL has been the toughest part,” Lawrence admitted. “College was laid back, but here everything is up tempo, Coach Haley wants everything done in a certain way and he wants a certain tempo and that’s fast. Every day it gets a little bit easier.

“But yeah, I’ve heard from the coach.”

Focus has been Lawrence’s problem. It’s shown up on offense, as he’s run some bad routes and dropped a few passes. It showed up on special teams, when he was catching punts and dropped two of the four kicked to him.

“I definitely got an education with that,” Lawrence said of the punt returns. “I really didn’t do much of that in college, so it’s not something I’m used to.”

What Lawrence has shown is the athletic ability and speed that made him a draftable player. Several times in passing drills he simply ran past young cornerbacks trying to cover him. That’s why Haley has been tough on him, because he sees the skills that Lawrence could bring to the offense. His speed is something nobody else on the roster has at that position.

But none of it matters if he can’t get to where he’s supposed to be on the route. …Read More!

Look At ’09 Draft Class Part 1 … Monday Cup O’Chiefs

It happened in the Chiefs first OTA session several weeks ago.

When the offensive and defensive lines went to a pass protection drill, No. 1 draft choice Tyson Jackson put his hand on the ground and went against 12-year veteran guard Mike Goff.

Jackson went three times against Goff. In the space of about 90 seconds he was welcomed to the NFL.

“They know everything those offensive linemen,” Jackson said last week as the Chiefs wrapped up their off-season practices. “A guy like him (Goff) has seen everything and there wasn’t much I could show him.”

This comment comes from Jackson with a smile on his face, because he knows that if he’s going to be successful in the NFL, he must find a way to show those offensive linemen something they haven’t seen before from him.

“Oh yeah, I tried some stuff and I’m going to keep trying some stuff,” he said. “If I’m going to get to the quarterback, then I’ve got to find some moves that work.”

Jackson and the rest of his fellow draft choices got welcomed to the NFL over the last six weeks since they were selected back in late April. They’ve learned the way Todd Haley and his staff want them to practice. They learned that they must get in better shape because the veterans had an entire month head-start in the strength and conditioning program.

They learned that there’s a lot they need to learn.

“Oh yeah, it’s something new every day,” said third-round draft choice Alex Magee. “At the start it was all new and your head is spinning. Now, I know I feel more comfortable.” …Read More!

Players on Longer Season …Weekend Cup O’Chiefs

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY TO ALL THE DADS OUT THERE.

From America’s Highways & Byways

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell wants to expand the NFL’s regular-season schedule.

Goodell wants 17 or 18 games, rather than the current 16 that has been the league’s schedule since the 1978 season.

Chiefs veteran RG Mike Goff answered a question with his own question when asked about the expanded schedule.

“Has the Commissioner ever played 16 games in a season?” the 12-year veteran asked.

When told Goodell had never played pro football, Goff scratched his beard and shook his head.

“I don’t know what the answer is, but at some point it’s too much,” Goff said.

That reflected many of the comments from other veteran players in the Chiefs locker room who were asked about the possibility of a longer regular season. At the NFL meetings back in March, Goodell floated the idea of expanding the regular-season schedule to either 17 or even possibly 18 games. The Commissioner has said the time-frame would remain the same as today’s 21 weeks for four pre-season games, 16 regular season games and a bye week. …Read More!

Chiefs Slice Four

The Chiefs on Friday released four players: long snapper Thomas Gafford, wide receiver C.J. Jones, DT T.J. Jackson and LB Darrell Robertson.

Gafford snapped in nine games last year, while Jackson appeared in four games.  Jones and Robertson had never stepped on the field wearing a Chiefs uniform.

The team’s roster stands at 81.

What Didn’t Get Done … Friday Cup O’Chiefs

From America’s Highways & Byways

There was a lot that got done with the Chiefs during the last six months.

But then, there was a lot to do.

And the new regime of Scott Pioli/Todd Haley has not solved all the problems, plugged all the holes or gotten every questioned answered.

There are some things that didn’t get done.  Here’s the top five.

GETTING BRIAN WATERS ON BOARD

There’s no question that Waters is one of the team’s best players. Now, that may be damning him with faint praise given the team is 6-26 over the last two years, but other than Larry Johnson, he’s the only returning Chiefs player who has sniffed the Pro Bowl.

Most people consider Waters one of the team’s leaders. Now again, that’s a tainted label given the fact the team has performed so poorly in recent years. The media likes to label Waters a leader, but that’s because the guard is always approachable and always willing to talk. If he’s as much a leader as everyone thinks, then he needs to start doing a better job of leading.

No matter what happened between Waters and Haley in their now famous hallway conversation back in February, that situation should be history. It appears it is not from Waters perspective. His only appearance was for the mandatory mini-camp, when missing would have lead to a fine. He showed up and was out of shape compared to his teammates. There was still pout in his demeanor.

It’s going to be very interesting to see what type of shape Waters is when he arrives in Wisconsin. It’s going to take him a lot of work over the next six weeks to get his conditioning to the level that Haley is looking for from his players. …Read More!

What the Chiefs Got Done … Thursday Cup O’Chiefs

The veterans are out and about, enjoying a six-week vacation from the Chiefs facilities. The rookies are hanging around for another week, before they must head off to the NFL Rookie Symposium and then get their vacation.

Scott Pioli spent six months working on the roster. Todd Haley and his staff spent five months trying to mold the players into three units that will be prepared to perform come September. And some 85 players spent the last three months sweating, toiling and working to understand the new coach and his assistants.

OK, make that 83, leaving Brian Waters and Mike Vrabel out of the equation.

So just what did the Chiefs get accomplished over the last few months? Here are five things that they got done. On Friday, we’ll look at five things that did not get done.

THE PLAYERS GOT INTO CONDITION

Haley made it obvious to the players from the first day of their off-season program that there was going to be a new emphasis on strength and conditioning. This is something Haley brought with him from his previous coaching experiences and it’s also something designed to overcome one of the Chiefs biggest problems in recent years: the fourth quarter. …Read More!

Haley Rewards Work … Wednesday Cup O’Chiefs

So big, bad, nasty Todd Haley really is a softie?

Wasn’t it just a few days ago we read a lengthy piece in the local fish wrap headlined on the paper’s website with “Chiefs coach Haley not the type to take it easy on his team.”

Of course that story ran without any mention of Haley taking his team bowling last Friday afternoon, rather than practice. And Haley made the story look even more misplaced on Tuesday when he cancelled the rest of the Chiefs OTA sessions and sent his players home for what will now be a six-week vacation.

So the Chiefs are so good right now that their hard-edged coach is rewarding them by slicing what amounts to four practices in a week?

“We’ve got a long way to go but from where we started to where we’re at right now I think the guys really worked hard every day and we had such a good attendance with so many guys here, that it was worth throwing them a bone,” said Haley.

“Was there going to be a case of diminishing returns because again these guys started early, have been working really hard? I just thought it was worth the sacrifice.”

The Chiefs accomplished a lot in this off-season as a group. Everything isn’t perfect, everything isn’t in place. There are many, many things to work on. More than likely, they could have put those four practices to good use.

But obviously Haley believes his team has gotten the message he was delivering. …Read More!

Peterson Will Lead USA Football

Carl Peterson’s long involvement with growing the game of youth football has lead to his being named the new chairman of USA Football.

Based in suburban Washington, D.C., USA Football is the sport’s national governing body for youth and amateur football. Created in 2002 from endowments from the NFL and the NFL Players Association, the non-profit is composed of youth coaches, league commissioners and game officials.

USA Football stages coaching schools and clinics, officiating schools and clinics, and provides grants for equipment and other uses, as well as creating a national rule book and playing standards. USA Football also assembles national teams for international competitions.

Peterson will replace the late Jack Kemp, who had been the chairman of the group’s board of directors for several years. Kemp passed away in April. Previously, Peterson has served on the board of the NFL Youth Football Fund and was chairman of the board of trustees for Pop Warner Football.

The position is not a full-time job and Peterson will continue to live and spend most of his time in Kansas City. Back in April, Peterson turned down a chance to go to the Miami Dolphins as the team’s chief executive officer. He called the Miami offer intriguing, but felt it wasn’t the right time or opportunity to return to the NFL.

OTA Update 6/16

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs organized off-season worked ended Tuesday, as head coach Todd Haley put his team through a conditioning test and then dismissed them until July 30th when they head to training camp in Wisconsin.

There were two more OTA sessions scheduled for Wednesdsay and Thursday, but Haley was pleased with the progress and work that his players had gotten done in the last three months.  He and his coaching staff decided to allow an early exit for the team.

“This wasn’t pre-meditated,” said Haley, the guy who is supposed to be so mean and nasty to players. “We made a lot of progress overall … we’ve come a long way in strength and conditioning and I think we’ve come a long way schematically and guys understanding what they have to do.

“We as a staff felt like it was the right thing to do for the guys.” …Read More!

Brodie Prepping To Play … Tuesday Cup O’Chiefs

He can’t help it.

Whether he’s riding the stationary bike, or pushing a weighted sled up and down the field, or walking around carrying barbells, Brodie Croyle has to peek. He looks over at the field where the Chiefs are working against each other and tries to get a brief glimpse of what’s happening there.

“You’ve got to try and find your release somewhere, and mine is actually trying to watch the fun part of it, the practice,” Croyle said with a smile.

That’s the tortuous part of rehabbing his injury; the being on the outside looking in feeling when everybody is over there taking part in practice and he’s on the rehab team.

Croyle is sick of it. But the chance to get back into the action keeps him pushing through the sweat and toil of getting his injured left knee into shape and ready again for football.

“It’s just the opportunity to play again, that’s all you want,” Croyle said Monday after spending another morning rehabbing while the Chiefs went through their 11th OTA session of the off-season. …Read More!

OTA Update 6/15

From the Truman Sports Complex

Well, the Chiefs didn’t have as much fun Monday morning in their OTA session as they did last Friday.

That’s when they went through a walk-through session and then head coach Todd Haley took the team bowling.

Yes, the hard-edged head coach gave his team a little sugar.

“Because we have worked very hard as a group, we went and had a little team building work at the bowling alley, which was well attended and went over well,” Haley said.

“Today, we had another two-minute session which was good. We had a couple red (zone) area works which I thought was good.”

The Chiefs began their last week of OTAs working indoors because of morning showers at the Sports Complex. There were 82 bodies in the house, including fourth-round draft choice CB Donald Washington, who was making his first on-field appearance since the team’s rookie-mini-camp in early May.

Missing were DE Alfonso Boone and the usual suspects, LB Brian Waters and OLB Mike Vrabel.

DT Ron Edwards returned to practice, leaving just QB Brodie Croyle and RB Kolby Smith in the rehab work.

Some observations from the workout: …Read More!

Quarterbacks In The News … Monday Cup O’Chiefs

It’s the middle of June. The Stanley Cup finals are just over (Go Pens!); same with the NBA finals (Go Lakers.) Baseball is really warming up. This week it’s the U.S. Open golf tournament.

The radar screen of sports is full. But there are reasons the NFL is America’s favorite pastime and why pro football can always grab headlines, no matter the time of year or competition.

One of those reasons is quarterbacks. And, there have been plenty in the news just over the last three days as we enjoyed an early summer weekend. Let’s update.

KYLE ORTON IS DENVER’S STARTING QUARTERBACK: New head coach Josh McDaniels made the announcement of his decision Saturday morning at a team meeting as the Broncos were holding mini-camp in suburban Denver.

“We said from Day One that when it was clear and apparent to us through the number of practices and meetings that you evaluate the quarterback on, that we would make a decision and we have,” McDaniels told the Denver media. “Kyle has the job right now, but we’ll see if he can keep it.”

But really, why now? The regular season is three months away. Training camp is five or six weeks away. What’s the hurry? …Read More!

Kansas City/Pittsburgh Penguins Win Stanley Cup

The Pittsburgh Penguins won the 2009 Stanley Cup on Friday night in Detroit.

Pens 2, Red Wings 1. Pittsburgh took the series in seven games.

Now hockey doesn’t pop up much on this site. Or at least it doesn’t without some connection locally or to football.

Local Connection: Imagine for a moment if back several years ago the Penguins had moved to Kansas City. Would there be a celebration going on this weekend in the Plaza, Westport, the P&L? That’s impossible to tell since all things would not remain equal with a move of the franchise from Pittsburgh to Kansas City. But a girl can dream, can’t see?

Football Connection: There’s only one person happier than me about the Pens victory in Game Seven. That would be Chiefs head coach Todd Haley, who is a major hockey fan and a full-blown Penguins junkie.

They did it Coach!

Offensive Problems? … Weekend Cup O’Chiefs

With four OTA practice sessions to go, many things could change around the Chiefs before they head off to start their summer vacation late next week.

But who would have believed back in early February that come the middle of June the Chiefs defense would be ahead of the offense in its development under Todd Haley and the team’s new coaching staff?

Wasn’t offense the strongest of the three phases of the game for the Chiefs last year? Obviously the biggest weapon in that attack is gone: TE Tony Gonzalez. But everybody else that mattered in the offense last year returned, including coordinator Chan Gailey. Because of that, the playbook was altered only slightly. It seemed like the offense was set to welcome its big new addition in QB Matt Cassel (right, with WR Bobby Engram) and was ready to roll.

That hasn’t been the case, or at least it hasn’t been in the practices that have been open to the media. Right now the defense is ahead of the offense. Haley has talked about the problems of his passing game in the last week. Obviously, those four remaining practices allow the offense time to catch up. And let’s remember we are still three months away from the regular season opener.

I provide that note of caution because from e-mails and comments that have come in, I sense grave concern among some in the Chiefs Nation about what’s been coming out of mini-camp and these OTAs when it comes to the offense. …Read More!

Bottom of Bird Cage 6/12

It’s the 163rd day of the year.

On this day in 1939, the Baseball Hall of Fame opens in Cooperstown, New York. On June 12, 1942, Anne Frank received a diary for her 13th birthday. Living in Amsterdam at the time, she and her family went into hiding in July 1942 because of persecutions of the Jewish population by the occupying Nazi forces. They lived undiscovered for two years until they were betrayed and sent to concentration camps. Anne Frank died in early March 1945 in the Bergen-Belsen camp. She was not yet 15 years old.

On June 12, 1963, civil rights leader Medgar Evers was murdered in front of his home in Jackson, Mississippi by Byron De La Beckwith, a member of the Klu Klux Klan. On June 12, 1964, Nelson Mandela was sentenced to life in prison in South Africa. He would be imprisoned for 27 years.

And it was on this day in 1978, David Berkowitz (right), otherwise known as the “Son of Sam” killer was sentenced to six life sentences or 365 years for killing six people from July 1976 through July 1977. It was a crime spree that left New Yorkers even more paranoid and afraid than normal. It became the subject of various books and a Spike Lee movie Summer of Sam. It also served as a backdrop to the ESPN mini-series The Bronx is Burning about the New York Yankees of that time.

From the Miami Herald: All Dolphins fans should monitor the situation between the Kansas City Chiefs and Brian Waters. We all know the Dolphins are lately not in the business of being interested in 30-year-old-plus veteran players who are unhappy on other teams. But there are exceptions to every rule and, while nothing is imminent or certain, the Waters situation might eventually qualify as such an exception.

Waters is the 32-year-old veteran guard for the Chiefs. Acting as his own agent and in his own best-interest, he has requested the Chiefs trade him. The Chiefs, acting in their best business interest, have told Waters they will consider that option as long as the right opportunity to upgrade their team (read acceptable compensation) becomes available.
…Read More!

Mental Edge On Injuries … Friday Cup O’Chiefs

The smile was barely contained on Glenn Dorsey’s face.

It’s been a long time since anybody was so excited about getting back to an off-season football practice.

But on Thursday in the Chiefs OTA session, Dorsey was able to work with the full squad for the first time since the workouts started. No longer was he exiled to the rehab field.

“I’m so glad to be off that field and back in practice,” Dorsey said afterwards. “I’m telling you, there’s nobody that wants to be on that (rehab) field. Nobody.”

Not surprisingly, the Chiefs are taking on the attitude about injuries that stems from the Bill Parcells School of Coaching. Parcells doesn’t have anything written down, so to paraphrase the Big Tuna’s thoughts on injured players is this: he doesn’t believe in them. If there’s not a bone sticking out, or evidence of a ligament being torn in half, then it’s not an injury.

Muscle pulls? Forget about it. Sprains? You’ve got to be kidding. Sore? No kidding, take an aspirin and get back out there.

There is no question that injuries are part of the game of football. There’s also no question that teams that win divisions, conferences and Super Bowls tend to have fewer players sitting out because of football related health problems. Conversely, teams that don’t win tend to have injuries that have lengthy rehab periods. …Read More!

OTA Update 6/11

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs ran through their ninth of 14 OTA sessions on Thursday morning and if they were keeping score – which they aren’t – it would be another victory for the defense.

In the teamwork portion of the practice in a dozen plays, QBs Matt Cassel and Tyler Thigpen were a combined two of seven throwing the ball.  Cassel missed all three  of his throws, while Thigpen was two of four.  It was that kind of day for the offense.

“I feel like we made a lot of progress Tuesday on offense, but we kind of took a step back today,” said head coach Todd Haley. “After a day off, conditions were not ideal with a little wet field, we’ve got to learn to compete and execute in all types of conditions.”

For the first time in this off-season the Chiefs ran the two-minute drill and it did not end well for Cassel and the No. 1 offense.  They had to go 70 yards  in 90 seconds with two timeouts and they needed a touchdown to win. Cassel’s throw on the eighth play with 18 seconds left bounced off the hands and shoulder of WR Dwayne Bowe and was grabbed by CB Maurice Leggett for an interception.

The second offense faced a situation with 55 seconds to play, one timeout and they needed a FG to win, starting at their own 35-yard line. Thigpen got them into FG territory on six  plays with 11 seconds left before they used their timeout.

There were 82 of the team’s 85 players on the field.  Missing from the workout were the usual  suspects: rookie CB Donald Washington, LG Brian Waters and OLB Mike Vrabel.

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

Bottom of the Bird Cage 6/11

It’s Day No. 162 of the year.

On June 11, 1962, three men – Frank Morris, John Anglin and Clarence Anglin – became the only prisoners to escape the prison on Alcatraz Island. They were never found, and authorities believe they drowned in San Francisco Bay. But the prison that was supposed to be safe from escapes was closed the next year.

Some seven years later, Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt proposed building an entertainment complex on Alcatraz, with shopping and a museum to honor the U.S. space program. Plans called for a 364-foot tower and an aerial tram that would run from the island to Fisherman’s Wharf. Public opposition killed the plan.

Born on June 11, 1903 was football Hall of Famer Ernie Nevers and on June 11, 1956, Hall of Famer Joe Montana.

And born on June 11, 1913 in Brooklyn, New York was Vince Lombardi. At the age of 45, Lombardi became the head coach of the Green Bay Packers, where he spent nine seasons. His teams won five NFL titles and he had a 9-1 post-season record. In 1969, he coached the Washington Redskins. But in 1970 he was diagnosed with colon cancer in late June 1970. Ten weeks later he was dead.

Lombardi is remembered for many quotes and bromides. Here are some of the best:

• “If you believe in yourself and have the courage, the determination, the dedication, the competitive drive and if you are willing to sacrifice the little things in life and pay the price for things that are worthwhile, it can be done.”
• “If you aren’t fired with enthusiasm, you will be fired with enthusiasm.”
• “We are going to relentlessly chase perfection, knowing full well we will not catch it, because nothing is perfect. But we are going to relentlessly chase it, because in the process we will catch excellence. I am not remotely interested in just being good.”

If he were still alive, Vince Lombardi would be celebrating his 96th birthday. …Read More!

Remembering Montana Days … Thursday Cup O’Chiefs

The coincidence slapped me across the face, not because it was stunning. No, it just made me feel old.

On Wednesday came word that Nick Montana, the youngest child of Joe and Jennifer Montana’s four children had given a verbal commitment to the University of Washington to play football there starting in 2010. Nick Montana will be a high school senior this fall at Oaks Christian High School in Westlake Village, California.

Today is Joe Montana’s 53rd birthday.

Could it possibly be 16 years ago already that we had the remarkable Summer of Joe when the Chiefs pulled off the trade that brought Montana to the team from San Francisco? I can remember at his opening press conference back in April ’93, Montana mentioned that his two youngest kids, Nathaniel and Nicholas were in Arrowhead Stadium and probably tearing it up while Mom and Dad were doing the presser.

Nicholas would have been about two years old at the time. Now, he’s committing to colleges and becoming the first of the four Montana children who will not attend Notre Dame. That’s where sisters Alexandra and Elizabeth and brother Nate have or are going to school.

And could Montana possibly be cruising past the age of 50 now? There’s at least two generations of kids out there that probably think this Joe Montana character is Hannah Montana’s father. Joe was considered ancient when he showed up in Kansas City back in ’93. Montana was 37 years old and many wondered then if he was too old and washed up and figured Carl Peterson bought a pig in a poke with the deal.

In the end, you’d have to say the trade didn’t work out, because although Montana helped led them to the ’93 AFC Championship Game, there were no Super Bowls in the two years he spent with the Chiefs.

But my, oh my, it was an exciting time. …Read More!

Bottom of the Bird Cage 6/10

It’s the 161st day of the year.

It was on June 10, 1829 the first boat race between Oxford and Cambridge was held. The eight-man crews from the colleges have now met every year since 1856 with the exception of two World Wars. They row each spring on the Thames with over 250,000 people watching live and a reported 7 to 9 million watching on television. Oxford won the 2009 race.

It was on June 10, 1854 that the first graduates were honored at the U.S. Naval Academy.

And it was on June 10, 1944 that Joe Nuxhall (left) pitched two-thirds of an inning for the Cincinnati Reds in a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Crosley Field in Cincinnati. At the time, Nuxhall was just 15 years and 316 days old, making him the youngest person to play in the major leagues in modern baseball history.

Nuxhall was so young that the Reds had to get permission from his high school principal so that he could play that spring. World War II had depleted the pool of available players and Reds scouts were initially interested in signing Nuxhall’s father Orville. When he turned down that chance, they signed his son instead.

That first appearance was not a good one for Nuxhall. Down 13-0 to the Cardinals, the Reds went with the youngster and he had five walks, allowed two hits, threw a wild pitch and gave up five runs. After the game, he was sent down to the Southern League to play with the Birmingham Barons.

He wouldn’t get back to the majors for several years, but he played for 16 seasons in the major leagues, including spending the 1961 season with the Kansas City Athletics. Nuxhall finished his career with a 135-117 record and a career ERA of 3.90.

Once he retired, Nuxhall went into the Reds broadcasting booth and stayed there for three decades. He passed away in 2007 at the age of 79. …Read More!

Wednesday Cup O’Chiefs

Making assessments about a football team as it runs around in underwear during the month of June can be dangerous.

There is too much that can still happen in the football year, and that’s even before the teams head to training camp at the end of July. Throw in training camp and pre-season and there are a lot of players who will show themselves with an opening day roster spot, but they remain unknowns at this moment to media, fans and even sometimes the coaches. There are injuries, there are holdouts and there will be off-field incidents to come.

Taking all that into account, I’m going to go out on a limb here and predict that Chiefs fans are going to like this new Chiefs defense.

Based on what they’ve shown during the nine practices that have been open to the media, coordinator Clancy Pendergast (left) is loading up the kitchen sink with this defense. Pendergast is experimenting right now with personnel and schemes, but there’s one thing that comes through no matter what type of players are on the field. This defense is going to be an aggressive group that sometimes lines up in ways that have not been seen by Chiefs fans.

Over the weekend at mini-camp, the Chiefs were in a nickel-type defense where only one player had his hand on the ground for the snap of the ball. DE Tyson Jackson was in a two-point stance as he stood over the guard. Five other guys were also standing along the line of scrimmage. That was seven guys in the immediate grill of the quarterback. On one play, only four rushed. On the next it was five.

Before they were done, I swear there was a play where the Chiefs blitzed all 11 guys. Cornerbacks are coming off the corner. Safeties are flying up from the secondary. Linebackers are on pogo sticks, jumping up and back in various combinations. …Read More!

Bottom of the Bird Cage 6/9

This is Day No. 160 of the year.

Born on this day in 1891 was composer Cole Porter. Born on June 9, 1939 was Dickie V, basketball coach and broadcaster Dick Vitale. Also born on this day in 1961 was actor Michael J. Fox.

And on June 9, 1973 came one of the greatest sporting events in American history. A two-year old stallion named Secretariat finished horse racing’s Triple Crown with a convincing victory in the Belmont Stakes. Secretariat went off that day as a 1-10 favorite and there were just four other horses in the race, including Sham that finished second in both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness.

None were a match for Secretariat, who won by 31 lengths and ran the fastest 1.5 miles in horse history at two minutes, 24 seconds. He was the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years and the ninth in history.

Secretariat raced 21 times and won 16 races, finishing out of the money only once. After that ’73 performance, he was retired to stud. He died at the age of 19 in Kentucky. A post-mortem examination showed his heart weighed 22 pounds, the largest horse heart in history.

From the San Jose Mercury-News:  Mike Singletary’s office is large, bright and couldn’t be anybody else’s in the NFL or the world. Really, it’s more like a proud father’s den than your normal obsessive NFL film-and-playbook bunker. In the office of the 49ers coach, you see giant family pictures on the walls next to huge inspirational posters behind comfortable furniture and a line of weight and conditioning machines.

It’s Singletary’s space — ordered, colorful, paternal, thoughtful and furiously disciplined, not necessarily in that order. Let’s start with those machines. Mike, are you starting your own gym or something? “I don’t like wasting time,” Singletary said during a break in this past weekend’s mini-camp. “I don’t like going down to the gym and talking to everybody. I don’t like talking on the phone a whole lot.

“I want to come in, get my work done, know what I have to get done, and let’s go home. Because I have a responsibility there, as well.”

Time. Responsibility. Focus. Trust.

…Read More!

Darling Chases Starting Spot … Tuesday Cup O’Chiefs

Todd Haley says there are no starting jobs assured on the 2009 Chiefs right now.

That’s OK with Devard Darling. He’s more than willing to keep working for a starting job. He’s just excited that right now, he’s running with the first team offense as the other receiver with Dwayne Bowe.

It was Bowe who got all the attention on Monday as the Chiefs started another week of OTA workouts. Haley talked about Bowe, and then the wide receiver spoke to the media, something he’s done very little of during this off-season.

On the other side of the room was the team’s other starting receiver – at least for now. As always, Darling did not draw a lot of attention. It’s probably one of the biggest surprises of the new season so far that a guy considered an unrestricted free agent bust last year, has pushed himself into the mix in the Chiefs offense. A starting job in June does not mean he goes back to Baltimore in September and takes the field for the first offensive play.

But right now, Darling is getting the chance to build rapport with QB Matt Cassel, thanks to those reps with the first team.

“I’m excited about the opportunity,” Darling said. “It’s too early to think things are set. There’s a lot of work left to do, then training camp. I’m just going out and working as hard as I can every day that I’m here. That’s what I’ve done through this whole off-season and that’s what I’m going to continue to do.”

In a Chiefs passing game that has struggled in the last week or so to get things done, Darling has been very consistent and very productive. …Read More!

Bowe’s Working On Drops

From the Truman Sports Complex

Last year, Dwayne Bowe was among the NFL league leaders in one dubious category for a wide receiver: drops.

In fact, he finished second in the league with 13 drops. Only Cleveland’s Braylon Edwards had more, as the Browns receiver finished with 16 dropped pass. (See chart below).

That’s something the Chiefs are working on with Bowe and plan to increase that work load come training camp and even during the season.

“Coach said he’s going to have me doing all these ball drills and I probably won’t have one drop all season,” said Bowe. “There are going to be a lot of new drills this year, the same drills he used with Larry Fitzgerald.”

Todd Haley is an old receivers coach and he says dropped passes by receivers comes down to one of two things vision problems or concentration. Haley says the Chiefs receivers have had their vision checked so that’s not Bowe’s problem.

“You’ve got to look at technique, you’ve got to look at concentration,” said Haley. “There are all kind of drills and different things you can do to continue to work on it.” …Read More!

OTA Update 6/8

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs offensive struggles in throwing the ball during the weekend mini-camp definitely got the attention of head coach Todd Haley.  As the team went through its OTA session on Monday morning, there was extra time given to the passing game.

During individual position drills, Haley spent the time right in the middle of the wide receivers.  Remember Haley’s background as an assistant coach was working with the wide receivers.  During the practice, he saved  his sharpest retorts for the guys catching the ball, and especially those dropping the ball.

“We need work, we definitely need work, to improve our execution of just the basic pass game,” said Haley. “We are having a hard time in some simplier areas. We are making plays, it’s just that the execution has to pick up. ”

There were 81 of the 85 roster players on the field for the OTA.  Missing were LB Brian Waters and OLB Mike Vrabel, thus keeping intact their string of not taking part in anything this off-season that hasn’t been mandatory.  Also missing was the recently married TE Tony Curtis and rookie CB Donald Washington who is expected later this week once classes are over at Ohio State.

Here are some observations from the workout, which was held in very cool and windy conditions as the weather made a complete change from the hot, steamy weekend: …Read More!

Bottom of the Bird Cage 6/8

It is the 159th day of the year.

On June 8, 1949, Helen Keller, Dorothy Parker, Danny Kaye Fredric March, John Garfield, Paul Muni and Edward G. Robinson were named in an FBI report as members of the Communist Party. On June 8, 1966, an F-5 tornado smashed into Topeka, killing 16, injuring hundreds, destroying thousands of homes and creating $100 million in damages.

On this day in 1968, Robert F. Kennedy was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery.

And on June 8, 1917 in Ft. Collins, Colorado, Byron Raymond White was born. He would become known as Whizzer White, a name he would grow to despise. He was an All-America halfback at the University of Colorado, where he also played basketball and baseball. White was also the student body president. He graduated in 1938 and signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates of the still fledgling National Football League. White signed for $15,000, making him the highest paid player in the league.

White led the league in rushing that season, but spent 1939 in England at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. When he returned, White played the 1940-41 seasons with the Detroit Lions. World War II saw him enter the U.S. Navy where he was an intelligence officer. After the war, he went to Yale Law School, where he graduated magna cum laude in 1946.

It was in 1962 that President John F. Kennedy named Whizzer White to the United States Supreme Court, a post he held until his retirement in 1993. He helped rule on some of the biggest court decisions in American history.

Byron “Whizzer” White passed away at the age of 84 in 2002. …Read More!

Monday Cup O’Chiefs

Matt Cassel showed his savvy over the weekend during the Chiefs three-day mini-camp that finished up Sunday morning.

It wasn’t anything he did on the field. It’s what he said, or more correctly what he didn’t say when he met with the media on Saturday.

“Do you have a favorite BBQ yet?” Cassel was asked.

“I know there’s a lot of … I don’t want to say anything,” Cassel said with a smile. “But I love BBQ.”

There’s no sense making a decision known in the KC BBQ Derby this early in his career. Better to build up a few victories and touchdown passes in the fan bank before actually getting involved in something nuclear like who has the best ribs or best sauce in town.

Cassel has shown he’s a quick learner and while the sum total of his NFL starting career is 15 games with a team that finished the last two regular seasons 27-5, he’s got a good hold on what’s necessary to be the guy who helps lead the Chiefs out of the dregs of pro football.

Todd Haley says the competition for starting jobs is ongoing at 22 positions. That may be true at 21 other spots, but if the season started today, there’s no question who would be taking the snaps with the No. 1 offense. In his first chance to be a college or NFL team’s chosen starter, Cassel has not spit the bit. …Read More!

Mini-Camp Update 6/7 A.M.

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs wrapped up their three-day mini-camp on Sunday morning with practice No. 5 under sunny skies with a nice breeze blowing through the practice field.

It was a better practice for the offense than what they showed Saturday afternoon, but the defense was still the better of the two units over the three days.

“We made strides on both sides of the ball,” said head coach Todd Haley.  “I was encouraged defensively, especially since it’s a brand new scheme and new positions for guys and that those guys definitely in the last couple of days made strides and made marked improvement.”

The Chiefs worked on red zone offense and defense during the practice and overall the defense was better.

“It was clear to me that the effort was excellent, that each day we got a little bit better,” said Haley. “That’s what we’re looking for.”

There were 83 of the team’s 85 roster players taking part.  Missing was TE Tony Curtis, who got married last night and as noted before, fourth-round draft choice Donald Washington, who will return to Kansas City this coming week.  LB Monty Beisel returned to the workouts after attending his brother’s wedding on Saturday. 

ILB Derrick  Johnson was back running with the No. 1 defense.  CB Maurice Leggett remained with the first unit in place of Brandon Carr on the left side.

Some observations from the workout: …Read More!

Mini-Camp Update 6/6 P.M.

From the Truman Sports Complex

Practice No. 4 went down Saturday afternoon, as the Chiefs wrapped up Day No. 2 of their three-day mini-camp.  I’m going to bet head coach Todd  Haley wasn’t very happy with his offense when this one was over.

The team got on the field earlier than expected because their annual meeting with NFL Security was over quicker than scheduled.  Somebody must  have forgotten to tell the offensive side, because they were out of synch and out of sorts throughout the session. 

In the seven-on-seven passing drill, the football was on the ground more than it was in receivers hands.  CBs Maurice Leggett and Ricardo Colclough both had interceptions.  It was the second time on the day that Leggett had picked off QB Matt Cassel.  There were several other near interceptions, a handful of dropped passes and what seemed like plenty of mental mistakes from the offense.

Things got worse in the teamwork portion of the practice.  The Chiefs ran 12 plays and only three gained more than a few yards.  There were two near interceptions by the defense, which twice snuffed out screen passes behind the line of scrimmage.  The last play of teamwork and the practice ended with a shotgun snap from C Rudy Niswanger sailing over the head of Cassel.

There were 83 players on the field for the afternoon session; LB Monty Beisel was missing again as he was attending the wedding of his brother.  Absent from the afternoon session was TE Tony Curtis, who was getting married Saturday evening.  Congratulations to Curtis!

From that group, 79 took part in the practice work, as the rehab brigade continued on another field.  It’s no picnic on the sidelines during practice for the injured.  Those who are far enough along in their rehab to be able to move about are put through extensive drills by the strength and conditioning coaches.  Sometimes, it looks like they are getting more work in than the guys who are actually practicing.

Some other observations from the afternoon session: …Read More!

Cassel: “I’ve Proven That I Can Play”

From the Truman Sports Complex

Matt Cassel says he’d like some stability and hopes that a long-term contract can get worked out between himself and the Chiefs.

“You always love the fact you have some stability,” Cassel said. “This to me isn’t a one-year deal.  I want to come here and build this team and work towards a common goal of getting better, making the playoffs and winning championships.”

Cassel is playing under the $14.65 million franchise tender offer that was given to him by the New England Patriots.  Without a new deal, Cassel will be a free agent again after the 2009 season.  If there’s not a new agreement between players and owners, he will be a restricted free agent.

Does Cassel feel like he’s on a tryout basis as the Chiefs quarterback?

“No,” he said. …Read More!

Mini-Camp Update 6/6 AM

From the Truman Sports Complex

Practice No. 3 of the Chiefs mini-camp went down Saturday morning amidst a few rain drops.  There were 83 bodies taking part in the session.  The only one missing from Friday’s activity was LB Monty Beisel.

There were some changes on the No. 1 defense that lined up, as Demorrio Williams went inside at LB next to Zach Thomas, with Derrick Johnson moving to the second unit.  Plus, Maurice Leggett was working with the first team at left cornerback, ahead of Brandon Carr.

As head coach Todd Haley has said several times this weekend, there are no locked in starters with this football team. Too much should not be read into guys lining up on June 6th.

“There just looking at different combinations,” Leggett said after the practice. “It’s just something they tell us in meetings. I think they are just giving guys different looks.”

Leggett took advantage of his opportunity, picking off QB Matt Cassel during the seven-on-seven drill.  Had it been a game, the interception would have gone for six points.

Other observations from the morning practice: …Read More!

Weekend Cup O’Chiefs

When they finally showed up to sweat and toil with their teammates on Friday, Brian Waters said it was a business decision that kept him away and Mike Vrabel wrapped himself in the cloak of the collective bargaining agreement in explaining his absence.

In reality, both men said the same thing: at this point in my career, I’ve seen enough to know that I’m not going to commitment myself to the cause of the Kansas City Chiefs more than I’m contractually obligated to do.

Scott Pioli and Todd Haley say they only want players on their team that want to be part of the Chiefs. If they want Waters and Vrabel, they will have to take them on the players’ terms, not their own.

“I know a lot of people want to fall in love with the idea of wanting to be faithful to the team until you die because there’s a lot of that hometown feeling,” Waters said when speaking with the media on Friday. “This is a business, and as soon as they think you don’t fit, you are gone. So you have to make sure you maintain your business angle to it.”

Who could blame Vrabel for having a similar feeling? He’s spent most of his career with the Patriots, winning three Super Bowls. When New England felt he was no longer useful, he was shuffled off to Kansas City in the Matt Cassel trade. Last year, the Pats won 11 games; the Chiefs have won six in the last two seasons.

Vrabel had no say in the matter. His only alternative would have been to retire. But Vrabel says he wants to play – and get paid – so he was there on Friday, wearing a Chiefs practice jersey for the first time. …Read More!

Mini-Camp Update 6/5 P.M.

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs got through their second mini-camp practice on Friday afternoon with the same 80 of 84 players taking part in the workout that were there for the morning session.

“If you go back a month and a half ago to the voluntary mini-camp, where we are now I think is night and day,” said head coach Todd Haley. “Physically, conditioning, strengthwise, we look like a different group of players for the most part.

“We have lost 338 pounds, which is a significant amount of weight.  A team loses 125 to 150 pounds in a year, that would be a good average for a team getting back into shape.  I’m happy with the way the team is starting to look and shape up.”

QB Brodie Croyle, DE Glenn Dorsey, DT Ron Edwards and RB Kolby Smith continued to rehab injuries and did not take part in the practice.

Some observations from the afternoon workout: …Read More!

Vrabel: “I’m Excited To Be Here”

From the Truman Sports Complex

Mike Vrabel made it plain he wasn’t missing from the off-season work around the Chiefs because he was unhappy to be in Kansas City.

“I’m excited to be here,” Vrabel said after the team’s first practice of mini-camp on Friday morning. “It’s another opportunity to keep playing. If it wasn’t going to be in New England, I’m glad that it’s here.

“It’s good to finally get here, just get  out there with the guys … I’m happy as heck to be here right now.”

As to why he has not attended any of the off-season work to date, Vrabel fell back on the collective bargaining agreement between owners and playerse as his reason.

“Normally in New England in the past I have been there for mini-camps, I haven’t been there year round,” Vrabel said. “I think for lack of a better term, I’m just trying to excercise my rights in the CBA.  We bargained for rights to make these workouts voluntary. …Read More!

Waters: “I’m Glad To Be Here”

From the Truman Sports Complex

The last time Brian Waters was inside the Chiefs facilities things apparently did not go so well.   Reportedly he and head coach Todd Haley had a conversation that left the Chiefs guard upset and wanting to be traded.

Things were a bit better on Friday morning as Waters was with the team for their first practice of mini-camp.

“When it’s time for business, I try to take care of it at that time and when it’s time for football, I try to take care of it at that time,” Waters said.  “This weekend is about football.

“I’m glad to be here with my teammates.  I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future.  Whatever happens in the future is going to be between me and the organization. As of today, I”m a Kansas City Chief.”

When asked  if he wanted to be part of the Chiefs, Waters answer wasn’t very definitive. …Read More!

Waters-Vrabel Are In … Mini-Camp Update 6/5 AM

From the Truman Sports Complex

Both Brian Waters and Mike Vrabel were on the field Friday morning for the first of five mini-camp practices.

It was the first time the veteran guard and linebacker took part in any of the team’s off-season work.

While they were there, they certainly were not busy.  Waters ran with the third team offensive line, while Vrabel worked with the second team defense.  It’s safe to say their participation was limited.

The Chiefs had 84 of their 85 players on the field, missing only rookie CB Donald Washington, who by NFL rule cannot practice until Ohio State’s spring term is completed next week.

Four players did not take part because of injury: QB Brodie Croyle, RB Kolby Smith, DE Glenn Dorsey and DT Ron Edwards.

Some observations from the practice session: …Read More!

Mini-Camp Preview/Friday Cup O’Chiefs

There are 85 players on the Chiefs roster right now.

But there are only two players in the spotlight as the Chiefs begin their mandatory mini-camp Friday morning at the Truman Sports Complex.

All the reports out of Chiefs camp will be about whether G Brian Waters and LB Mike Vrabel are in the house and attending the weekend of work after missing all of the team’s off-season work.

No word on Vrabel. But Waters was spotted in the Chiefs building Thursday evening, an indication there’s a good chance he’ll be in the meeting room and on the field come Friday morning.

If not – and at this point it would be foolish to state anything as guaranteed – Waters can be fined if he’s absent without being excused. Same for Vrabel.

Also expected to be missing is fourth-round draft choice CB Donald Washington, who under NFL rules is not allowed to participate in the off-season work until Ohio State finishes its spring term. That won’t happen until next week.

So at the minimum, there will be 82 guys on the field and some 75 or so will be taking part in the workouts, with two sessions on Friday, two practices on Saturday and then one Sunday morning.

Haley does not view these practices any differently than the six OTA sessions that have already gone down. It’s just a chance to get five practices in over three days. …Read More!

Broncos Offense … Bottom of Bird Cage 6/4

It is the 155th day of the year.

It was on this day in 1584 that Sir Walter Raleigh established the first English colony on Roanoke Island in old Virginia (now North Carolina). On June 4, 1876 the first Transcontinental Express train arrived in San Francisco, some 83 hours, 39 minutes after leaving New York City.

And born on June 4, 1937 in New York was Robert James Marcella. Nobody but his family and early friends knew him by that name; they called him by his nickname, Gino. His professional name was Gorilla Monsoon (right).

In the 1960s and 1970s, he was one of the biggest names in professional wrestling. He started first as a villain in the 1960s, doing battle with heavyweight champ Bruno Sammartino all over the world. Then in the 1970s, he became a good guy, in fact sometimes wrestling with Sammartino as a tag team. Remarkably, in those days Sammartino, Gorilla Monsoon, Killer Kowalski, George “The Animal” Steele and others were some of the biggest sports figures in the country. This was long before Vince McMahon created the WWF, now WWE that we know today.

Once his career inside the ring was over, Monsoon because one of the voices and faces of the WWF, providing commentary and doing interviews.

Gorilla Monsoon passed away in 1999 at the age of 62 in New Jersey.

From the Denver Post: The Broncos are just over halfway through an 11-day passing camp, and for all the talk of progress, things haven’t always been running so smoothly for Kyle Orton and Chris Simms.

The quarterbacks, in the early stages of a duel to see who starts, often have found themselves on the receiving end of some profanity-laced tirades from coach Josh McDaniels.

“I hope nobody heard me swearing too much today. But that’s just part of this time of the year,” McDaniels said Wednesday. “We don’t slow down for anybody at this point of the year, because we’re going to try to put as much on their plate as we can handle, as coaches, and sometimes they can’t handle all of that at the same time, but that’s just part of the learning process.”

…Read More!

Rodney, Trent & Kurt/Thursday Cup O’Chiefs

Rodney Harrison stepped away from the playing field on Wednesday, retiring to a studio chair for NBC and their coverage of the NFL. That brought to an end his 15 years in the league that began as a fifth-round draft choice of the San Diego Chargers out of Eastern Illinois back in 1994.

Harrison will be remembered for many moments from that career, including two Super Bowl championships with the New England Patriots. But ten years ago, Harrison changed the lives of several people with one play in a single pre-season game at the Ed Dome in St. Louis.

With the Chargers playing against the Rams, a blitzing Harrison took a dive at QB Trent Green in a sack attempt. The collision ripped just about every ligament in Green’s left knee and ended his season on the spot.

The next day a tearful Rams coach Dick Vermeil told the media that Green was finished, but that the team had great confidence in so guy named Kurt Warner. At that time, nobody outside of St. Louis or Cedar Rapids, Iowa had a clue just who Kurt Warner was. There were more than a few in the ‘Loo that had no idea the former grocery clerk was the team’s backup quarterback. Before ’99, he had played in one game for the Rams, throwing 11 passes and completing four in a mop up appearance.

By the end of the year, Warner had led St. Louis to a Super Bowl championship. He would go on to start in two other Super Bowls, one with the Rams and then last year with the Arizona Cardinals. Warner is preparing for his 12th NFL season and Green is home in St. Louis right now, hoping somebody decides they need a veteran quarterback for the 2009 NFL season. …Read More!

Brown, Harrison, Steroids – Bottom of Bird Cage 6/3

Day No. 154 of the year.

On June 3, 1539 DeSoto claimed Florida for Spain. Almost immediately a deli opened on Miami Beach and DeSoto’s soldiers were seen walking around wearing white shoes.

It was on this day in 1937 that the Duke of Windsor married Wallis Simpson in one of those historical romances that reads like fiction. He was the King of England and he fell in love with a married American. Eventually, he abdicated his throne for his love, thus making it nearly impossible for any man afterwards to do anything to really impress their woman.

And it was on June 3, 1888 in the San Francisco Examiner newspaper when Ernest Lawrence Thayer’s iconic poem Casey At The Bat first appeared in print. It closes with the classic:

Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright;

The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,

And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout;

But there is no joy in Mudville— mighty Casey has struck out.

There are safeties in the NFL news today, plus a look at steroids and the NFL. Enjoy.

From the Chicago Sun-Times:
Ex-Bear Mike Brown will make a free agent visit to the Kansas City Chiefs today (Wednesday) … One of the most popular players in post-Super Bowl XX franchise history, the Bears bid goodbye to Mike Brown after this past season when his contract expired. Five years younger than Harrison at 31, Brown is looking to catch on with the Chiefs, who have been re-tooling their defense but lack depth in the secondary. A contract offer is possible and the timing would be ideal as Kansas City’s mandatory minicamp is this weekend. Jarrad Page and Bernard Pollard are the projected starters but Brown could push them for a job immediately.

…Read More!

Kolby’s Comeback/Wednesday Cup O’Chiefs

The hole opened up on the left side of the offensive line and Kolby Smith was accelerating into the second level of the Tampa Bay defense.

He planted his left foot, moved to his right and coming up from the secondary to his right was safety Will Allen. Smith planted his right foot just as Allen hit him high and safety Tanard Jackson hit him low.

Smith’s right foot stayed in the Arrowhead Stadium turf and his leg bent backwards, rupturing his patella tendon.

Season over.

As the Chiefs go through their off-season program, they’ve been working since March 30. That only puts them about eight weeks behind Smith. He started just after the first of the year, rehabbing that right knee and trying to speed up a recovery process that generally takes a full year.

“I’m probably 75 percent, maybe 80 percent right now,” Smith said this week. “My plan is to be ready to run in July at the start of training camp.”

That maybe ambitious, but then Smith has been trying to stay positive through the long process of returning his knee to where it was before the injury. The patella tendon connects the quadriceps muscle with the lower leg, crossing over the knee.

Right now, Smith is riding a stationary bike. He’s running sprints. He’s pushing a weighted sled around on the field. What he can’t yet do is what is so important to all running backs, but especially Smith. He hasn’t been able to cut yet, to move from side to side on the run.

If that can happen before the start of the regular season, it will be a remarkable rehab for Smith. …Read More!

Bottom of the Bird Cage 6/2

It’s the 153rd day of the year.

On June 2, 1692 Bridget Bishop was the first person to go on trial in the Salem witch trials. She was found guilty and hung eight days later. Supposedly Bishop’s ghost haunts the Lyceum Bar & Grill in Salem.

On June 2, 1835, P.T. Barnum and his circus started its first tour of the United States. On this day in 1896 Guglielmo Marconi received the first patent for his newest invention: radio. The next day he invented sports talk radio.

And born on this day in 1904 was Johnny Weismuller (left). He was born in Austria-Hungary in an area that is now part of Romania. He came with this family through Ellis Island on the S.S. Rotterdam in January 1905. He would grow up in a tiny coal mining town of Windber, Pennsylvania and in Chicago where his parents had family members.

He lied on his passport application so he could be a member of the U.S Olympic team, and he won three gold medals at the 1924 Summer Games in Paris, and followed that up in the 1928 Summer Games in Amsterdam with two more gold medals. He won 52 national championships, set 67 world records and never lost a swimming race as an amateur.  He was the first swimmer to break 1:00 in the 100 meters freestyle.

After swimming was his acting career and he made 12 Tarzan movies and an equal number of Jungle Jim movies. Despite earning big money at the time, late in life he was forced to work as a greeter at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas. Married six times – that’s where his money went - Weismuller died in Acapulco in 1984, the location where his last Tarzan movie was filmed.

Johnny Weismuller had a good grip on his career. “How can a guy climb trees, say “Me, Tarzan, you, Jane,” and make a million?” he asked. “The public forgives my acting because they know I was an athlete. They know I wasn’t make-believe.” …Read More!

Thanks Lamar!/Tuesday Cup O’Chiefs

Could the Cleveland, Los Angeles, Anaheim, St. Louis Rams may be on the move again.

The possibility of another city switch for the Rams is part of the word coming from the ‘Loo on Monday as ownership announced they have hired financial advisors to handle a possible sale of the team.

As the future of the Rams in St. Louis is now in doubt, here’s another opportunity for Kansas City and Chiefs fans to say thank you to Lamar Hunt. Here’s why.

The Rams said Monday they have retained the firm Goldman Sachs to “assist in a strategic review of the assets of her (Georgia Frontiere’s) estate, including the St. Louis Rams.”

Frontiere was the majority owner of the Rams up until her death early last year. Ownership of her 60 percent interest passed to her children Chip Rosenbloom and Lucia Rodriquez.

But like the family of Joe Robbie in Miami, Jack Kent Cooke in Washington and Paul Brown in Cincinnati, Frontiere’s children are going to have to sell their part of the team to pay the inheritance taxes. The Robbies and Cookes lost their teams for this reason, while the Brown family was able to keep the Bengals, but had to sell off part of parts of the team to pay the tax bill. …Read More!

More New Faces At Arrowhead

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs finally put names with some of the new faces that have been making their way around the team offices.  The club announced Monday they have completed their player personnel and football  operations staff.

Named assistant general  manager was Joel Collier.  A 19-season veteran of the NFL coaching ranks with New England (1991-93 and 2005-07), Miami (1994-04) and Tampa Bay (1990).  Collier served as a graduate assistant at Syracuse (1988-89), working on the same staff as his boss, Chiefs GM Scott Pioli.  A native of Buffalo, New York, Collier’s father Joe was head coach of the Bills for two seasons (1966-68) and spent 20 years as an assistant coach-defensive coordinator with the Denver Broncos.

Dom Green and Ryan Kessenich have been added to the player personnel department as area scouts. 

Green spent the last three years as a scout with Tampa Bay (2006-08).   His background is in college coaching, including five years as head coach at Southwest Mississippi Community College (2001-05).

Kessenich spent the last three seasons working on the football staff at Northwestern University (2006-08), where he most recently served as coordinator of player development and player personnel for the Wildcats.  He spent the 2005 season with the Washington Redskins as an assistant in the pro personnel department. 
 
Also, Chris Caminiti was named as manager of football operations. Caminiti spent the last two years working as part of Romeo Crennel’s coaching staff with the Cleveland Browns and began his NFL career as Director of Football Operations with the Patriots (2002-04).

OTA Update 6/1

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs had OTA session No. 5 on Monday morning and 82 of the team’s 85 players were on the field working in the 90-minute session.

Missing were G Brian Waters, LB Mike Vrabel and rookie CB Donald Washington, who cannot attend until Ohio State finishes its spring semester.

On the field working out, but not participating in the team portion of practice were QB Brodie Croyle, DL Glenn Dorsey, RB Kolby Smith and WR Mark Bradley.  DT Ron Edwards also did not participate in the team work.

With Edwards and Dorsey not taking part, Tank Tyler went with the first team defense at nose tackle and rookie Alex Magee was the starter at right defensive end.

RB Larry Johnson and OLB Tamba Hali who missed OTA No. 4 right before Memorial Day were back on the field and working with the first-team offense and defense.

Here are a few other observations from the workout: …Read More!

Bottom of the Bird Cage 6/1

It’s the 152nd day of the year. The Chiefs will have their first training camp practice two months from today in River Falls Wisconsin.

On this day in 1792 Kentucky became the 15th member of the United States of America. Tennessee joined on this day four years later, become state No. 16. On this day in 1926, Andy Griffith and Marilyn Monroe were both born. On this day in 1965 the great Packers coach Curley Lambeau died.

And on June 1, 1925 that Lou Gehrig played the first of 2,130 straight games for the New York Yankees. The man who would become “The Iron Horse” actually started that day as a pinch hitter. It was the next day, when Gehrig was in the starting lineup at first base for the slumping Wally Pipp.

Gehrig did not leave the lineup until May 2, 1939, when he pulled himself from the lineup. By then he was suffering from the effects of ALS, which ultimately killed him two years later. It was on July 4, 1939 that they held Lou Gehrig Day at Yankee Stadium and he reluctantly spoke to the crowd. Here’s part of his speech:

“Fans, for the past two weeks you have been reading about the bad break I got. Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth. I have been in ballparks for seventeen years and have never received anything but kindness and encouragement from you fans.

“Look at these grand men. Which of you wouldn’t consider it the highlight of his career just to associate with them for even one day? Sure, I’m lucky … When everybody down to the groundskeepers and those boys in white coats remember you with trophies, that’s something. When you have a wonderful mother-in-law who takes sides with you in squabbles with her own daughter, that’s something. When you have a father and a mother who work all their lives so that you can have an education and build your body — it’s a blessing. When you have a wife who has been a tower of strength and shown more courage than you dreamed existed â€” that’s the finest I know.

“So I close in saying that I might have been given a bad break, but I’ve got an awful lot to live for. Thank you.”

His record for consecutive games played lasted 56 years, before Cal Ripken, Jr. broke the mark in 1995.

Here’s a combo platter of assorted football notes columns that I found interesting from the weekend. Enjoy. …Read More!

Monday Morning Cup O’Chiefs

Matt Cassel hasn’t even played a game for the Chiefs, yet there has already been lengthy discussion about the contract status of the man expected to be the team’s starting quarterback.

And there’s no question that Cassel and his contract status will continue to be a major story for the 2009 Chiefs season.

There’s always the chance a deal will get worked out to have Cassel tied up for a longer term than just one season. That could happen any day. But generally contracts get done when it’s important for one side or the other to have a deal.

Right now, there is absolutely no reason for either side to hurry to the negotiating table, or more appropriately to hurry away from the negotiating table.

When the Chiefs made the trade with New England for Cassel and LB Mike Vrabel, they inherited the contracts those players had with the Patriots. With Cassel, that was the Franchise Player tender of $14.65 million for the 2009 season.

Cassel should send flowers to Bill Belichick every pay day for the rest of his career thanks to that offer. Here’s a guy that started 15 games in the last eight years of college and pro football, and he’ll be one of the highest paid players in the NFL for the 2009 season at that number. Oh, by the way, that money is guaranteed. Last year, Cassel made $520,000, the league minimum for a player with his years of experience. …Read More!