ESPN training camp observations - The Orange Mane

Bob's your Information Minister · 08-07-2006, 04:44 PM

RIVER FALLS, Wis. -- Here are five observations about the Chiefs based on their Aug. 4 scrimmage against the Vikings:

1.
All the magazine covers, the fantasy football ads, the 2,000-yard talk, the MVP predictions -- budding star Larry Johnson has to feel like there's a big bull's-eye on his back, right? Actually, it's just the opposite. He's out to inflict more punishment on those who dare tackle him.

"Everybody is going to be gunning for me. It's like a trophy for some people to see if they can keep me under 100 yards," he says.

Realizing there are doubts about his ability to compete at last year's level over a full season, Johnson committed himself this offseason like never before. He took the offseason more seriously because for the first time, he's going into the season as The Guy. Rather than retreat to a fancy desert training facility, Johnson spent three hours a day at the Chiefs complex with one of the team's trainers. Get this: He says he feels faster and stronger.

"My goal is to stay consistent," he says. "Be put in that elite category of those elite backs and do it over 16 games."

Head coach Herman Edwards is already doing his part to make that happen by managing Johnson's practice schedule, including holding him out of the Vikings scrimmage. The addition of a quality backup in Michael Bennett will allow the Chiefs to rest Johnson at the end of wins that are in the bag rather than keep him on the field as they did last year. Johnson has worked to break his habit of always carrying the ball in his right hand. He's also tried to improve his technique in pass protection. Even with the turnover at the tackle spots, don't expect a disappointing follow-up season.

2.
The Chiefs have issues at the tackle spots, both at offensive left and right tackle and at the defensive tackle spots. Right tackle John Welbourn, according to a league source, retired earlier this offseason rather than face a six-game suspension for violating the league's steroid policy. Future Hall of Fame left tackle Willie Roaf abruptly retired before camp; the Chiefs are still holding out hope that he will eventually change his mind.

Former All-Pro Kyle Turley, who's been out the past two seasons battling back problems, was supposed to compete for the starting right tackle spot. Now it looks like he'll start at left tackle. The good news is he's an athletic veteran who knows what it takes to get the job done. He's not Roaf (who is?) but that spot shouldn't be a weakness. Turley seems to be in great shape, although at his current weight of 270 pounds, he looks more like a tight end than a left tackle. He needs to get up to about 280, 285. He'll probably never get back to his listed weight of 300.

Right tackle is a little shakier. Third-year man Kevin Sampson and Jordan Black, who started 10 games (six at left in place of Roaf, four at right) are battling for the position. Regardless of who wins the right tackle job, the key is keeping veteran guards Will Shields and Brian Waters, who is dealing with a foot injury, and center Casey Wiegmann healthy. The Chiefs will try to protect the ageless Trent Green by making the play-action game a bigger part of the offense.

The starters on the interior of the defensive line might be the only real area of concern on that side. Ryan Sims has yet to live up being the sixth overall pick of the draft. Next to him the Chiefs have Ron Edwards, a free agent from Buffalo.

Herm Edwards and defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham can't stop raving about the defensive staff they've assembled, including defensive line coach Tim Krumrie, the former standout lineman for the Bengals. Maybe he'll make a difference.

3.
File these names away: Bernard Pollard and Jarrad Paige. Pollard is the Chiefs' second-round pick out of Purdue; Kansas City took Paige, out of UCLA, in the seventh round.

Chiefs coaches can't stop talking about the great instincts of these two young safeties. Cunningham loves how these rookies don't make the same mistake twice. Paige (6 feet, 225 pounds) is impressing at a rate of a play per day. He always seems to find the ball. He's your classic ball-hawking free safety. Pollard, on the other hand, if given a choice between the ball and the receiver, will go after the latter. He's a 6-foot-1, 224-pound enforcer. They have a chance to play together in the back end for many years. Despite their youth, they do a good job of positioning themselves to make tackles.

Chiefs people don't think it's a coincidence that starting free safety Greg Wesley happens to be having a great camp, too. At the very least, Paige and Pollard should make significant contributions on special teams if they don't command playing time in the regular defense.

4.
The Chiefs were locked in on Penn State's Tamba Hali long before the draft and it's easy to understand why. Hali is a high-energy, effort player with great closing speed who is faster in pads than he is in workouts. Cunningham compares him to former Chief and Charger Leslie O'Neal in that way.

You won't ever hear about Hali taking plays off; the other day he practiced so hard he needed two IVs -- then practiced the next day against Minnesota. He showed off a nice inside spin move against a helpless Vikings lineman in one-on-one pass-rush drills. Hali will make a lot of plays in the second half when his opponents are tiring. He's the kind of guy who could quietly amass double-digit sacks by the end of the season.

"He'll play as fast in the fourth quarter as he does in the first," Edwards says.

5.
With all the attention that is sure to be paid to Johnson, the wide receivers have to make plays on the outside. Can 33-year-old Eddie Kennison keep it up? Can third-year man Samie Parker be a viable second option? And can the Chiefs figure out a way to get Dante Hall the ball in space, where he is most dangerous?

Without serious threats on the outside, teams can simply man-up and bring safeties closer to the line of scrimmage to stop Johnson. The receivers have to keep defenses honest.

Michael Smith is a senior writer for ESPN.com. Contact him here.

Gcver2ver3 · 08-07-2006, 04:48 PM

Is this the chiefsplanet Gochiefs?

ward63 · 08-07-2006, 04:48 PM

Bob, we really don't care! You got freakin Kyle Turley replacing a to-be HOF, a RB that thinks he's going to get 2000 yards, a WR that's b****ing, a D that still CAN'T tackle(w/2 washed up corners I think), and a QB that's going to wish that he retired right after Roaf did(if Willie stays retired).

Bob's your Information Minister · 08-07-2006, 04:49 PM

If Johnson is faster than last year...wow.

Sodak · 08-07-2006, 04:51 PM

I must have accidentaly hit the hidden link to cheepsplanet. Jesus ****ing Christ this gets old. Where's the link to the Vikings board

?

Florida_Bronco · 08-07-2006, 04:52 PM

SCREW THE CHIEFS

GO BRONCOS!

ward63 · 08-07-2006, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Florida_Bronco

SCREW THE CHIEFS

GO BRONCOS!

I totally agree! I know being a Broncos fan that I should hate the Raiders the most, but since they suck every year and I can't stand Chief fans AT ALL!!! I hate the Chiefs w/a passion.

DomCasual · 08-07-2006, 04:56 PM

Holy cow, dude - are you just posting this stuff to piss everyone off?

What am I saying - of course you are!

Seriously, no one here cares.

Play2win · 08-07-2006, 04:56 PM

BAN HIM !!! .

eddie mac · 08-07-2006, 04:59 PM

Without serious threats on the outside, teams can simply man-up and bring safeties closer to the line of scrimmage to stop Johnson.

Sodak · 08-07-2006, 05:00 PM

Ban him? Please! Where's the poll? Ban him? I don't care, ban ME, just so I don't have to see these threads any more... uggh. I'd ban myself if I could get Broncos news somewhere else.

Garcia Bronco · 08-07-2006, 05:00 PM

"he addition of a quality backup in Michael Bennett will allow the Chiefs to rest Johnson at the end of wins that are in the bag "

Dang....Bennet won't even get to play

Play2win · 08-07-2006, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sodak

Ban him? Please! Where's the poll? Ban him? I don't care, ban ME, just so I don't have to see these threads any more... uggh. I'd ban myself if I could get Broncos news somewhere else.

YEP !!!

Gcver2ver3 · 08-07-2006, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sodak

Ban him? Please! Where's the poll? Ban him? I don't care, ban ME, just so I don't have to see these threads any more... uggh. I'd ban myself if I could get Broncos news somewhere else.

Rep.....

Garcia Bronco · 08-07-2006, 05:02 PM

Turley at left tackle...you guys are about to get Teagued if Roaf doesn't come back....but he will

Bob's your Information Minister · 08-07-2006, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddie mac

Without serious threats on the outside, teams can simply man-up and bring safeties closer to the line of scrimmage to stop Johnson.

Good thing we've got two speedy wide receivers...

Bob's your Information Minister · 08-07-2006, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garcia Bronco

Turley at left tackle...you guys are about to get Teagued if Roaf doesn't come back....but he will

Teagued?

ward63 · 08-07-2006, 05:09 PM

Lynch is gonna love playing the Cheifs I think.

DenverBrit · 08-07-2006, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DomCasual

Holy cow, dude - are you just posting this stuff to piss everyone off?

What am I saying - of course you are!

Seriously, no one here cares.

The very definition of a Troll!!!

Dedhed · 08-07-2006, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob's your Information Minister

If Johnson is faster than last year...wow.

I heard he shaved a whole second off his 40 time.

ward63 · 08-07-2006, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob's your Information Minister

Good thing we've got two speedy wide receivers...

To bad we've got three corners that can run w/almost any WR down the sidelines.

Bob's your Information Minister · 08-07-2006, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ward63

To bad we've got three corners that can run w/almost any WR down the sidelines.

Don't make me post video.

Bob's your Information Minister · 08-07-2006, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ward63

Lynch is gonna love playing the Cheifs I think.

Why? He's never been especially effective against us...or LJ, for that matter.

DenverBrit · 08-07-2006, 05:14 PM

Don't Feed The Troll!!

Garcia Bronco · 08-07-2006, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob's your Information Minister

Teagued?

Trey Teague...the turn style that was out LT that got Griese killed and in part represented his p***Y like play

08-07-2006, 04:44 PM	#1
Bob's your Information Minister Chiefs > Broncos Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 25,920 Adopt-a-Bronco: CHRIS KUPER!!!	ESPN training camp observations RIVER FALLS, Wis. -- Here are five observations about the Chiefs based on their Aug. 4 scrimmage against the Vikings: 1. All the magazine covers, the fantasy football ads, the 2,000-yard talk, the MVP predictions -- budding star Larry Johnson has to feel like there's a big bull's-eye on his back, right? Actually, it's just the opposite. He's out to inflict more punishment on those who dare tackle him. "Everybody is going to be gunning for me. It's like a trophy for some people to see if they can keep me under 100 yards," he says. Realizing there are doubts about his ability to compete at last year's level over a full season, Johnson committed himself this offseason like never before. He took the offseason more seriously because for the first time, he's going into the season as The Guy. Rather than retreat to a fancy desert training facility, Johnson spent three hours a day at the Chiefs complex with one of the team's trainers. Get this: He says he feels faster and stronger. "My goal is to stay consistent," he says. "Be put in that elite category of those elite backs and do it over 16 games." Head coach Herman Edwards is already doing his part to make that happen by managing Johnson's practice schedule, including holding him out of the Vikings scrimmage. The addition of a quality backup in Michael Bennett will allow the Chiefs to rest Johnson at the end of wins that are in the bag rather than keep him on the field as they did last year. Johnson has worked to break his habit of always carrying the ball in his right hand. He's also tried to improve his technique in pass protection. Even with the turnover at the tackle spots, don't expect a disappointing follow-up season. 2. The Chiefs have issues at the tackle spots, both at offensive left and right tackle and at the defensive tackle spots. Right tackle John Welbourn, according to a league source, retired earlier this offseason rather than face a six-game suspension for violating the league's steroid policy. Future Hall of Fame left tackle Willie Roaf abruptly retired before camp; the Chiefs are still holding out hope that he will eventually change his mind. Former All-Pro Kyle Turley, who's been out the past two seasons battling back problems, was supposed to compete for the starting right tackle spot. Now it looks like he'll start at left tackle. The good news is he's an athletic veteran who knows what it takes to get the job done. He's not Roaf (who is?) but that spot shouldn't be a weakness. Turley seems to be in great shape, although at his current weight of 270 pounds, he looks more like a tight end than a left tackle. He needs to get up to about 280, 285. He'll probably never get back to his listed weight of 300. Right tackle is a little shakier. Third-year man Kevin Sampson and Jordan Black, who started 10 games (six at left in place of Roaf, four at right) are battling for the position. Regardless of who wins the right tackle job, the key is keeping veteran guards Will Shields and Brian Waters, who is dealing with a foot injury, and center Casey Wiegmann healthy. The Chiefs will try to protect the ageless Trent Green by making the play-action game a bigger part of the offense. The starters on the interior of the defensive line might be the only real area of concern on that side. Ryan Sims has yet to live up being the sixth overall pick of the draft. Next to him the Chiefs have Ron Edwards, a free agent from Buffalo. Herm Edwards and defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham can't stop raving about the defensive staff they've assembled, including defensive line coach Tim Krumrie, the former standout lineman for the Bengals. Maybe he'll make a difference. 3. File these names away: Bernard Pollard and Jarrad Paige. Pollard is the Chiefs' second-round pick out of Purdue; Kansas City took Paige, out of UCLA, in the seventh round. Chiefs coaches can't stop talking about the great instincts of these two young safeties. Cunningham loves how these rookies don't make the same mistake twice. Paige (6 feet, 225 pounds) is impressing at a rate of a play per day. He always seems to find the ball. He's your classic ball-hawking free safety. Pollard, on the other hand, if given a choice between the ball and the receiver, will go after the latter. He's a 6-foot-1, 224-pound enforcer. They have a chance to play together in the back end for many years. Despite their youth, they do a good job of positioning themselves to make tackles. Chiefs people don't think it's a coincidence that starting free safety Greg Wesley happens to be having a great camp, too. At the very least, Paige and Pollard should make significant contributions on special teams if they don't command playing time in the regular defense. 4. The Chiefs were locked in on Penn State's Tamba Hali long before the draft and it's easy to understand why. Hali is a high-energy, effort player with great closing speed who is faster in pads than he is in workouts. Cunningham compares him to former Chief and Charger Leslie O'Neal in that way. You won't ever hear about Hali taking plays off; the other day he practiced so hard he needed two IVs -- then practiced the next day against Minnesota. He showed off a nice inside spin move against a helpless Vikings lineman in one-on-one pass-rush drills. Hali will make a lot of plays in the second half when his opponents are tiring. He's the kind of guy who could quietly amass double-digit sacks by the end of the season. "He'll play as fast in the fourth quarter as he does in the first," Edwards says. 5. With all the attention that is sure to be paid to Johnson, the wide receivers have to make plays on the outside. Can 33-year-old Eddie Kennison keep it up? Can third-year man Samie Parker be a viable second option? And can the Chiefs figure out a way to get Dante Hall the ball in space, where he is most dangerous? Without serious threats on the outside, teams can simply man-up and bring safeties closer to the line of scrimmage to stop Johnson. The receivers have to keep defenses honest. Michael Smith is a senior writer for ESPN.com. Contact him here.

08-07-2006, 04:51 PM	#5
Sodak Clueless... Who stole my avatar? Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Black Hills of Dakota Posts: 3,080	I must have accidentaly hit the hidden link to cheepsplanet. Jesus ****ing Christ this gets old. Where's the link to the Vikings board?

08-07-2006, 04:56 PM	#9
Play2win Ring of Famer Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 9,610 Adopt-a-Bronco: The Duke	BAN HIM !!! . Last edited by Play2win; 08-07-2006 at 04:59 PM..

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08-07-2006, 04:48 PM	#2
Gcver2ver3 Ring of Famer Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Tampa Bay, FL Posts: 6,629 Adopt-a-Bronco: not Lance Ball	Is this the chiefsplanet Gochiefs?

08-07-2006, 04:48 PM	#3
ward63 The Burner Returner Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,160 Adopt-a-Bronco: Quincy Morgan	Bob, we really don't care! You got freakin Kyle Turley replacing a to-be HOF, a RB that thinks he's going to get 2000 yards, a WR that's b****ing, a D that still CAN'T tackle(w/2 washed up corners I think), and a QB that's going to wish that he retired right after Roaf did(if Willie stays retired).

08-07-2006, 04:49 PM	#4
Bob's your Information Minister Chiefs > Broncos Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 25,920 Adopt-a-Bronco: CHRIS KUPER!!!	If Johnson is faster than last year...wow.

08-07-2006, 04:52 PM	#6
Florida_Bronco Got trolls? Welcome to Mile High, Brady! Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 13,810 Adopt-a-Bronco: Brady Quinn	SCREW THE CHIEFS *GO BRONCOS!*

08-07-2006, 04:56 PM	#8
DomCasual The Dude abides. Shameless Homer Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Cocytus Posts: 13,167 Adopt-a-Bronco: Gus Frerotte	Holy cow, dude - are you just posting this stuff to piss everyone off? What am I saying - of course you are! Seriously, no one here cares.

08-07-2006, 04:59 PM	#10
eddie mac Ireland's No1 Bronco Eddie Mac 87 gone but never forgott Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: IRELAND Posts: 15,572 Adopt-a-Bronco: Rod Smith	Without serious threats on the outside, teams can simply man-up and bring safeties closer to the line of scrimmage to stop Johnson.

08-07-2006, 05:00 PM	#11
Sodak Clueless... Who stole my avatar? Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Black Hills of Dakota Posts: 3,080	Ban him? Please! Where's the poll? Ban him? I don't care, ban ME, just so I don't have to see these threads any more... uggh. I'd ban myself if I could get Broncos news somewhere else.

08-07-2006, 05:00 PM	#12
Garcia Bronco Hokie since 1993 Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 45,991 Adopt-a-Bronco: Tom Jackson	"he addition of a quality backup in Michael Bennett will allow the Chiefs to rest Johnson at the end of wins that are in the bag " Dang....Bennet won't even get to play

08-07-2006, 05:02 PM	#15
Garcia Bronco Hokie since 1993 Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 45,991 Adopt-a-Bronco: Tom Jackson	Turley at left tackle...you guys are about to get Teagued if Roaf doesn't come back....but he will

08-07-2006, 05:09 PM	#18
ward63 The Burner Returner Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,160 Adopt-a-Bronco: Quincy Morgan	Lynch is gonna love playing the Cheifs I think.

08-07-2006, 05:14 PM	#24
DenverBrit Just hanging out. Got a breath mint?? Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Denver Posts: 11,072 Adopt-a-Bronco: The Team	Don't Feed The Troll!!