Practice Report 10/15 Update
From the Truman Sports Complex
When Dick Vermeil and Herm Edwards were the head coach, the Chiefs practice Thursday morning would have been held indoors.
But for the second day in a row, Todd Haley took his team outside in cool, breezy and wet conditions. In fact, they are pretty much the conditions expected in suburban Washington D.C. on Sunday when the Chiefs play the Redskins at FedEx Field.
“Having been in Arizona for two years I really thought that was something that hurt us, the fact it was too nice all the time,” Haley said. “We never really had the mental mindset to play in poor conditions. I think it could be a huge advantage for us here, as long as it’s not holding us back.
“The fields are a little bit of an issue when it’s messy, but I still think the benefits out weigh the negatives.”
The National Weather Service prediction for Sunday afternoon in Landover, Maryland is temperatures in the mid 40s, with a 60 percent chance of percipitation.
“It’s good to get acclimated to the environment, cold weather and the conditions,” said QB Matt Cassel. “I know Sunday the forecast is kind of bleak, so it’s good to be out there in the cold weather and getting used to the conditions.”
The Chiefs also have a new advisor on the practice field for several weeks: former NFL cornerback Otis Smith.
He played 13 years in the league with the Eagles, Jets, Patriots and Lions, including two stints each with New York and New England. It was in 1997-99 with the Jets that Haley was around him.
”He was an excellent DB and he’s in here for a couple weeks just to help with some technique things with these younger corners,” Haley said of Smith.
G Andy Alleman was back in practice after sitting out Wednesday’s session with spasms in his neck and back.
LT Branden Albert (ankle) and FS Jarrad Page (shoulder) were in the rehab area. Working at left tackle with the No. 1 offensive line was Wade Smith. Working with the No. 1 defense at free safety was Jon McGraw.
Haley said both Albert and Page “feel better and made progress” but their participation in Sunday’s game remains very questionable.
On the Redskins practice report LT Chris Samuels, DE Philip Daniels and P Hunter Smith did not practice on Thursday. DT Cornelius Griffin did get some limited practice snaps after missing Wednesday’s session
First time injuries will test Haley’s ability to game plan. It should be very interesting to see how he handles his offense.
The Chiefs have actually been pretty lucky with injuries so far this year. When you look at other teams injury reports, most are a lot longer than the Chiefs and include some “key” players.
I’m not sure how much Albert being out for the game would hurt. He’s been getting smoked pretty regular this year…especially in the Dallas game.
When your team is in good shape , the better = less injuries.
From Arrohead Pride— “For the Chief’s to play no huddle more often, it would have to come with the understanding that a higher risk offence mean’s more oppertunities for mistake’s.”
I would love to see Todd and Matt light it up from the first snapt to the last.
I really know the outcome when #27 comes out and , nothing ! there’s not going to be any type of ball controll , makes it look like the chief’s are working for #1 draft choice .
I don’t even care if they don’t win , but at least it would like they are putting up a fight !
How does any one else feel ?
Lucky or is Haley’s conditioning showing up (less injuries ) . I believe its conditioning .PnS
Fear of losing your job is a great motivator for staying on the job …..when you don’t feel like it. No one is safe on this team…..unless you make 63mil…. then you get a lot of reprieves.PnS
Anonymous says:
“No one is safe on this team…..unless you make 63mil…. then you get a lot of reprieves.PnS”
Oh yes…because we all know Brodie Croyle is a MUCH better QB than Matt Cassel, and should be starting. Right?
Please.
The 63mil thing is wearing a bit thin. Cassel critics throw that out there like they’re paying it personally out of their own pockets (sure, if you go to the games, yadda yadda whatever…)
He got a big contract because he’s a good QB who’s going to be here a long time. He’s something they can build around. Is he going to work a miracle and win games with a crappy O-line and shoddy receiving corps? Nope, but I can’t think of any QB who could really. Does he get reprieves, sure. Because the coaches know that deep down he’s all they’ve really got.
Mad ….we have had this debate …..old news….. If I was a coach After the play of Croyle in the Ravens game .I would see if a change at any position would help .That said Haley has except at the QB . Some of us would like a series /mop up/ anything ???? Not only if it would >…I said …If …..but to showcase Croyle for a trade if nothing else. Do you think Croyle well stay in KC after his contract is up ???? He well be looking for a starting QB chance.PnS
Wait. Stop. Hold on.
Are you saying that Croyles more than anemic performance in Ravens game (was there even a first down in the first half?) is evidence that he’s the second coming of Rich Gannon?
Seriously?
I’ve tried to figure out what the Croyle backers see in him that everyone else misses and I can’t. The only thing I can come up with is sympathy for the perpetually wounded underdog.
Will Croyle stay in KC after his contract is up? Only if they still need a back-up. Will he be looking for a starting position elsewhere? Unless Peterson and Edwards get hooked up with an NFL team again, Croyle may as well rename himself Don Quixote if that’s his goal.
Interesting fact just seen on Showtime’s “This wk in the NFL” show:
Tampa, KC and Buf have a combined record of something like 1-14. What do they all have in common?
Answer: They all fired their OCs on the eve of the 2009 season. Coincidence or panic or stupidity? The Showtime guys seem to think it’s the latter.
Anonymous says:
“I would see if a change at any position would help .That said Haley has except at the QB.”
He hasn’t tried changing starter at RB , either. And I would say that Cassel has played MUCH better than LJ has.
If Croyle could start for any other team in the league…I can’t think of who that team might possibly be.
Try the Raiders /Titans/Redskins …..Look I’m not saying he is anybody ….neither was Thigpen ……did we get a pick for him ….Yes. At 06 we have nothing to lose in trying anything at this point . That’s the end of the debate for me PnS
PnS,
I understand your point. I really do. I feel the same way about LJ.
You think Croyle might give us a better chance to win. I think replacing LJ with ANYONE might give us a better chance to win. Apparently, Todd Haley does not agree with us.
I said I wouldn’t comment further on the QB . I feel I must say why some of us use the 63mil on the subject . Pioli /Haley have 63mil reason for not trying Croyle in any roll …… for fear he just …..that is …he just might cause a call for Croyle to start. They don’t want to seem to have made a mistake IF They Have. I don’t know that they have ….. but the only way to find out is by playing ….in some roll.Isn’t that what Haley said ….leave no stone unturned in finding a winning combo on this team.Unless you don’t want to have made a 63mil mistake.PnS
PnS I am a season ticket holder and have been for 21 years. I want the Chiefs to stick with Cassell. I want a quarterback finally instead of someone else’s retread (Grbac, Bono, Deberg, Krieg) It is time we develope our own QB. With our O line in the current shape it is in I am not for sure if any quarterback could survive. Cassell will be just fine.
I could understand people wanting to replace Cassel after the Raiders game or Eagles game, but after the Dallas game? Seems to me he’s finally starting to, in the words of Todd Haley, “get it”.
Come on people (specifically Anonymous),
Nobody wants to win worse than Haley. You mentioned it earlier when you said that the fear of losing your job is a great motivator for staying on the job. The same applies to Haley. His current job and future (lucrative) career depend on winning games. Cassel’s contract has nothing to do with it. If he really thought Croyle gave them a better chance to win, he would play him. It’s comical to think there’s a conspiracy going on here. In addition, Haley had nothing to do with giving Cassel the $63 mil. Essentially you’re suggesting that Pioli would rather hang onto his pride and forfeit a better chance of winning games…that sure doesn’t seem consistent with his resume. You’re trying to make Pioli and Haley into an Al Davis character…I’m not buying. Go sell your crazy in Oakland.
I can’t fathom what anyone could possibly have seen from Brokie Croyle in the past to think he’d be better than Cassel.
I wouldn’t sign my moniker on that idea either.
Here is an interesting article on Sporting news on ten players that should be traded including Larry Johnson of the Chiefs. There are a couple of players I would like to see brought to the Chiefs, Bolden and Kearse to name two.
https://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/article/2009-10-14/10-pack-trades-should-be-made-before-deadline
To all ….What part of the words in my blogs don’t you understand. If it would/Look I’m not saying he (Croyle) is anybody/made a mistake if they have/I don’t know if they have… I’m not stating fact…. just questions….. that haven’t been answered….. IN My Opinion Only. Feel free to disagree ….as I do even with my own question marks on this subject. PnS
Otis Smith helping our def backs. I don’t think that is a good idea. Isn’t that the same Otis Smith that Chris Berman use to talk about getting burnt by receivers all the time. I would’ve rather had James Hasty or Dale Carter come back and work with these young corners more so than him. At least those two guys were pro bowlers.
And to add to that both guys are former Chiefs.
Dale Carter is probably stoned somewhere, not the type to have around your young guys. Otis Smith was fine in his prime. He started to get burnt a little at the end. Lost his speed.
Getting help on the field from Otis Smith on deffence in going to help .
The Chief’s have three QB’s that are learning here , they are really devolping at a good pace , by being part of the team daily , they can step in when needed and move forward on the spot .
Otis Smith is a joke,this guy was never a half-way decent player ever…u people are always defending Haley/Pioli decisions. I’m personally tired of seeing all the former Patriots getting first class access. I agree we should have brought Hasty or Mark Collins in or Neil Smith 2 teach pass rushing moves instead of ol’ Otis.(what a joke)