On The Run … Friday Cup O’Chiefs
From River Falls, Wisconsin
Year-to-year, not much is different in this western Wisconsin burg.
The farm fields on the outskirts of town are green with corn and soybeans. Main Street looks like it did last year, and the year before that, and the year before … although there is a new Best Western Motel set to open downtown, right across the street from the campus of UW-River Falls.
It’s a very familiar setting for the Kansas City Chiefs, even though so many of them were seeing it for the first time. As the team arrived in River Falls late Thursday afternoon, there were 41 players, 10 assistant coaches, a GM, a head coach and an assistant GM seeing the town for the first time.
That’s why Dwayne Bowe led a bunch of rookies out to the Shop-Ko store on the edge of town so they could pick up a few items to brighten up their rooms in the South Fork Suites. Shop-Ko is a Wisconsin version of Target.
But Todd Haley wasn’t out shopping, or checking out the local watering holes, or hitting the local coffee shops. What he wants to see more than anything in River Falls comes down Friday morning.
“I want to see everybody pass the test,” Haley said. “But before that I want to see everybody make weight.”
“The test” is the conditioning test that Haley will put his roster through. At 10 a.m. on the UWRF practice fields they will have to prove to the head coach that over the last six weeks they’ve maintained or improved their physical conditioning.
And if they are worried about it, Haley thinks that’s good.
“It hangs over their head a little bit and I think that’s good,” Haley said. “I think it’s a challenging enough test where you have to be working. You can’t work for two days and pass it. It keeps guys working and from what I’ve seen, that’s what they’ve done.”
In a very unscientific look at the bodies that stepped off the buses and walked into the dorms, and alter in to the chow hall, it doesn’t appear that any player just let himself go over the last six weeks. RB Larry Johnson in particular looks to be in the best shape he’s flashed since his rookie season; he’s definitely leaner. LG Brian Waters appeared to be down a few pounds from the shadow he cast during the team’s mandatory mini-camp; he’s the player that everyone is interested in finding out what type of shape he’s in.
Is Haley obsessed with this conditioning theme? Maybe, but there’s a plan here and it has everything to do with creating football players, not setting a record for the most weight lost or re-arranged.
“It’s about practicing efficiently, so we can come right out of the gate and get as much done as possible,” Haley said.
Translation: if they show up in shape, we don’t have to waste valuable training camp time trying to get them in shape.
There’s a lot of work that this team must get done before it heads to Baltimore to play the Ravens in the regular season opener. What goes down Friday morning is an important part of that plan.
But it won’t be until Saturday morning that the folks in River Falls hear the sounds of real football. On Friday, it will just be a lot of huffing and puffing.
WHAT THE SCHEDULE IS LIKE IN CAMP HALEY
Right now, there are 24 practices scheduled for the fields of River Falls. There are eight days with two practices and eight days with just one session.
When the Chiefs have two workouts they will not have evening meetings, which provides them with what might be their only free time in River Falls. When they practice just once they will take part in meetings until 9:30 or 10 o’clock.
Breakfast opens at 6:30 a.m., but it is optional for the players. Lunch and dinner however, are mandatory and missing one will result in a fine.
Curfew is 11 p.m., and yes there is bed check as an assistant coach and trainer will check every player in as they make their rounds.
ONLY JACKSON REMAINS UNSIGNED AMONG CHIEFS PICKS
It was no surprise that No. 1 draft choice DE Tyson Jackson was not on the Chiefs flight north.
But now there’s a chance he could be a lot closer to finding his boots on the ground in River Falls.
On Thursday, the St. Louis Rams reached a deal with the second player taken in the 2009 NFL Draft, giving OT Jason Smith a five-year deal that maxes out at $62 million, with $33 million in guaranteed money.
With the slotting system that becomes part of compensation for draft choices, that brings into focus the type of numbers that Pioli and Jackson’s agent Eugene Parker are likely talking about.
CELEBRATING D.T. AND THE HALL OF FAME
A Kansas City celebration of Derrick Thomas’ induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame will go down on Friday evening from 5 to 8:30 p.m. in the historic City Market.
Staged by The Derrick Thomas/Neil Smith Third and Long Foundation, the event is a salute to Thomas and his career both on the playing fields of the NFL and off-the-field with his many charitable endeavors.
Part of the evening will be a panel discussion on Thomas and his career that will including former teammates like Neil Smith, Kimble Anders, Tim Grunhard and Dan Saleaumua, among others. The former players will also sign autographs. Denny Thum, the President of the Chiefs, will be on hand to honor D.T. as well. The Chiefs Cheerleaders will visit, as will K.C. Wolf.
There will be music, inflatables and face painting, and Derrick Thomas Hall of Fame merchandise will be for sale, along with food and drink items.
Admission is free.
SIGNINGS & MOVEMENT AROUND THE LEAGUE
- BEARS – released S Glenn Earl.
- BROWNS – agreed to terms with second-round draft choice WR Brian Robiskie.
- COLTS – signed sixth-round draft choice QB Curtis Painter and seventh-round OL Jamie Thomas.
- COWBOYS – signed WR Jesse Holley; placed DT Tim Anderson and LB Stephen Hodge on the PUP List; placed WR Travis Wilson on the Injured-Reserve List.
- FALCONS – signed first-round draft choice DT Peria Jerry; signed LB Jamie Winborn.
- GIANTS – signed second-round draft choices LB Clint Sintim and OT William Beatty.
- JAGUARS – signed third-round draft choice CB Derek Cox and seventh-round WR Tiquan Underwood.
- LIONS – signed second-round draft choice S Louis Delmas; released DE Eric Hicks.
- PACKERS – signed first-round draft choice LB Clay Matthews.
- PATRIOTS - placed OLB Shawn Crable, OL Mark LeVoir, G Rich Ohrnberger, DL Darryl Richard, and DT Ty Warren on the PUP List; placed CB Shawn Springs and WR Brandon Tate on the Non-Football Injury List.
- RAIDERS – signed first-round draft choice WR Darrius Heyward-Bey; released QB Andrew Walter.
- RAMS – agreed to terms with first-round draft choice OT Jason Smith.
- RAVENS – signed WR Thomas White; activated RB Willis McGahee and G Ben Grubbs from PUP List; placed WR Kelley Washington on the PUP List.
- SAINTS – signed fourth-round draft choice S Chip Vaughn and fifth-round P Thomas Morstead.
- TEXANS – released G Dan Stevenson (failed physical.)
I have been ready for the start of training camp since the day after the draft! (I’m one of those nerds that takes a vacation day just to watch the draft.)
It sounds like Ty Jackson should make it to camp without missing too many, if any practices which is awesome! Come on Eugene Parker, get our boy to camp! We need him! I am STOKED!
And as always, Bob, I look forward to your daily reports like a kid the night before Christmas. Keep up the great work!!
A Rookie cap would take care of all of this! I am soooo stoked that it starts today!!! Uh-hmmm, Go Chiefs!!
I’m pretty excited for this thing to start as well. It was pretty crazy how they signed the rest of their draft picks, with the exception of Jackson, almost at the last possible moment before leaving for camp.
Did anyone else notice that Eric Hicks was released? I think it’s safe to say it’s UFL or bust for him.
Waters likely needed to lose more than a “few pounds”
findthedr says:
“Waters likely needed to lose more than a “few pounds””
Well hopefully, he lost his piss-poor attitude with those “few pounds”.
Hey, didn’t we need to cut a couple of players before camp? I thought we could only have 80 players on the roster…and currently had like 82 or something like that. Did I dream this?
No, I think you’re right, Scott. It’ll be interesting to see who they cut.
Here, let me save Rin some trouble -
Blah blah blah ’search’ blah blah ‘check’ nee blah blah ‘any 22′ blah blah blah daddy-o.
That should cover it.
Rin? Who’s that?
Personally, I’ll not waste another second of my time reading his posts…or responding to his nonsense. His treatment of Jimbo (whom I highly respect) yesterday was the very last straw for me.
Once Jackson gets signed the Chiefs will have to cut one player, or, if I’m not mistaken, they can put someone on the PUP. I’d guess that this conditioning test may determine who the casualty will be.
Bob,
I’m sure it has already been said, but thank you for all the hard work that you put on behalf of Derrick Thomas’ candidacy for the HOF. We have had a long history as a team, and only a few are good enough to be called the best of the best. Thomas was certainly one of those. Thank you for separating his accomplishments through pusuasion from the other less deserving players that were his competition.
Scott, you’re right. I didn’t even see that. I didn’t think my respect for him could get any lower but it has. It’s not just amusing banter anymore. It’s just the ramblings of a bitter old man looking for attention.
He said it himself - he’s only a “fan” out of habit. He’s suffering because he lives in the past and he tries to make everyone else suffer with him. I will never ever read or respond to another one of his posts. Believe me - that will hurt him more than anything any of us could possibly say to him.
Bob, We’re going to require hourly training camp updates from here on in. Are you ready?
I’ll weigh in on Rin…he lives to get our goats. If you don’t respond to him, he WILL go away…to “Paris”, or some other vacation destination I’m sure he’s made up in his head. He used to be clever, and amusing, now he’s just sad, old and like you said, Scott L., stuck in the past.
I was once a member of the “Eff Rin, Don’t Read His Pathetic Posts Club”, but I’ve waivered in the faith and even addressed him personally in the past few weeks (the last of which, he couldn’t so much as retort with anything intelligent, but simply ragged on my mother). I’m going back to the altar to confess my sins. I’ll not be like the dog going back to his vomit (a la Rin’s posts) anymore.
Amen and amen.
This isn’t going to be the Herm Hotel this year! Even if we only win 4 games, these boys are going to be in SHAPE!
And by the way Bob, can you block Rin? search and check.
Mi gente! Mi gente! Welcome - welcome to training camp 2009!
Real Rin ® daddy-o will be your guide 2009 TC and too throughout the regular season- word is it’s going to be taedium vitae, but Rin willst be here to help liven up that otherwise dull & version.
And so as new day dawns begins the beguine (more so guillotine, Chiefs neck on the chopping block every other NFL team)- together all we of fandom rejoice!
Getting things off to an predictable start, Scott ‘I’m Just Like Carl P’ Pioli comes a campin’ sans his #1 draft pick in tow…smoke smoke smoke that discontent! Some things ne’er change…
More to come; till Rin’s pen creates again…
BREAKING NEWS - 10:30 a.m. CST
Still no break in the stalemate nee sighting of #1 pick Jackson… more details in our expanded newscast later.
Don’t look so shocked ’search’ - it’s all your fault ( yours and that other boob of “any 22″ infamy, aka ‘check’ )
Back at 10, see you then…
Real Rin ® daddy-o
“Staged by The Derrick Thomas/Neil Smith Third and Long Foundation, the event is a salute to Thomas and his career both on the playing fields of the NFL and off-the-field with his many charitable endeavors.”
A worthy player deserving a lot of honor which Search, Check, and even Rin can affirm.
Bob, top notch job in presenting DT to the HOF voters the past few years. In a word, “THANKS!”
Why in the f&*k are you feeding the bear?? GOD, first day of camp and you guys start the blog talking about rin
YOUR JUST AS BIG OF AND IDIOT AS HE IS!!!
“any 22 will do”…that’s what Rin’s mom said when she realized she was within 22 of breaking the world’s g*ngb*ng record.
Exactly. SG - from here on out the name of said dog shall be the Name That Shall Never Be Spoken. Just like a certain former Chiefs kicker that will forever live in infamy….
Haha! He sounds like Lord Voldemort when you put it that way, Scott L.
“He who must not be named”. haha
I found it interesting that if a player at camp misses lunch or dinner he is fined. Is it because he needs the nutrition & calories?.. or the “bonding thing” while breaking bread with his comrades?.. or keeps the players on campus & out of trouble?.. or no high fat food at KFC or Taco Bell for anybody?.
I think the Chiefs need to cut two more players. They signed three and cut Barth. I haven’t seen anything on who they were. Have any of you? I also look for Jackson to sign this weekend. According to the the paper, he indicated he is very close to a deal. I don’t think a couple of days late will hurt him that much, only a long holdout.
Jimbo,
I think it’s a combination of all the things you said, actually…and part of doing things as a team.
And I find it amusing that Gorillafan comes in blasting the “Idiots” for mentioning a certain individual…and then does it himself. Classic!
jimbo,
I do not know. I think your right tho, and problably right on all of them. One, they are trying to build a team, so they need to act as a team, sleep as a team, and eat as a team. Two is proper nutrition. Three, that the coachs can keep an eye on them all the time. ect…
I like the way we are doing things
I also like the way my mom works on her back though her the right 53 customers work on her head to toe.
She not only takes it lying down she’s the b***h that keeps on giving.
that “any 22 will do” crap wasnt me, and neither was the last post.
I dont care to take part in the stupid games.
Real Rin ® daddy-o sez
Dateline River Falls
Time (as in ‘check’ nee it’s too late now) 11:41 a.m. CST
(The scene) futilely ’searching’ for his invisible man nee #1 draft pick…
(epilog) Status quo - as in ‘no’ Tyson.
To borrow fromst that classic ‘The Twilight Zone’ episode “In The Eye of the Beholder” -
“NO CHANGE - NO CHANGE AT ALL!”
I just want to say that every post that I typed with my name on it is mine.
Don’t forget about me. I’m an idiot too.
Anyone know the time the NFL Network is showing the Chiefs/Seahawks game monday night?
“NO CHANGE - NO CHANGE AT ALL!” - That’s what Rin’s mom said when one of her customers asked if she could break a ten.
“NO CHANGE - NO CHANGE AT ALL!” - That’s also what Scott’s mom said when one of her customers asked if she could break a ten.
Yes Scott we see you and ur an idiot. The biggest along with me.
Wow, this gets old. Bob - DO SOMETHING!!
Real Rin ® daddy-o sez
My my my…
“Wow, this gets old. Bob - DO SOMETHING!!”
- Scott L (as Dobbs) from the movie “Catch 22″; as it was originally written, Bob as Yossarian; aft the rewrite - twas:
“Dobbs: [Over the radio] Help him! Help him!
Yossarian: Help who?
Dobbs: Help the bombardier!
Yossarian: I’m the bombardier, I’m all right.
Dobbs: Then help HIM, help HIM!
Real Real ® daddy-o
Seriously, dude. Don’t you have anything better to do than ruin a good man’s website? And a bunch of good Chiefs fans trying to talk football?
How sad and pathetic your life must be.
Rin, you have nothing but complaining to do when a pick is not signed(its pretty darn early, itll happen soon) but Magee didnt matter….right…your logic is WEAK.
Seriously Scott, dude. Don’t you have anything better to do than ruin a good man’s website? And a bunch of good Chiefs fans trying to talk football?
How sad and pathetic your life must be.
alex k, you have nothing but complaining to do when your mom isn’t working on her back. No lunch money for you.