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PM PRACTICE OBSERVATIONS
August 26th – 5:54 PM

Could this have been the final day of two-a-days for the Chiefs? Tomorrow is a one practice day and Friday is a Seattle-prep walk-thru, leaving just two potential double days available for the Chiefs this pre-season (next Monday and Tuesday - the Chiefs conclude the preseason at St. Louis next Thursday).

The end of doubles or not, head coach Todd Haley had his squad back outside in muggy conditions to complete Wednesday’s work.

•  Held out of practice were LB Zach Thomas, RB Kolby Smith, TE Jake O’Connell and LB Derrick Johnson
• The team practiced in shoulder pads and helmets
• Kickoff return was an emphasis of special teams work with a trio of running backs handling the deep duties - Jackie Battle, Jamaal Charles and Dantrell Savage
• WR Quinten Lawrence had a deep catch in practice that rivaled that of WR Ashley Lelie’s this morning. It’s nice to see the Chiefs two speedsters going head-to-head for top-play accolades.
• A special surprise awaited the Chiefs at the end of practice. The entire team lined up on the sidelines waiting for Haley to blow his whistle, signaling the start of conditioning. When an awkward silence anticipating gassers presented itself, Haley brought the team up to break things off for the day. There were lots of cheers and excitement about a break from conditioning.
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THIGPEN HITTING SECOND THIS WEEK
August 26th – 2:20 PM

QB Tyler Thigpen has seen his practice reps increase with the second-team offense at practice this week. After missing last week’s game at Minnesota and all of practice leading up to that game, Coach Haley said today that he’s getting Thigpen more looks to make up for lost time.

”(Thigpen) missed some time so it’s a chance to get him back going again and get into the flow of things,” Haley said. “When there are four (quarterbacks) generally there is an odd man out every day.“

If QB Matt Cassel plays into the third quarter on Saturday, playing time at the quarterback position will be at an even greater premium in the second half. Haley and his staff will have to prepare a strict personnel plan in order to evaluate the Chiefs reserves. Whoever comes second out of the chute on Saturday night might see the most action of the Chiefs QBs after Cassel.

Currently, QB Brodie Croyle has gotten the most looks at quarterback this preseason (in game action), logging the most time and attempting 37.8% of the Chiefs total passes (attempts - Croyle 28, Cassel 19, Thigpen 14, Gutierrez 13). If the Chiefs coaching staff is looking to even out game looks, Thigpen or Gutierrez would be candidates to see significant time at QB after Cassel departs on Saturday.

AVOIDING THE PASS RUSH
August 26th – 12:45 PM

One of the brightest spots of the Chiefs 17-13 loss to Minnesota at the Metrodome last Friday was the scrambling ability of QB Matt Cassel. Cassel was under heavy pressure throughout the entire evening, but managed to elude defenders and make plays with both his legs and his arms.

After being sacked 47 times last season with New England, Cassel focused part of his offseason training program on getting rid of the football quicker under pressure. Early results would indicate the work paid off as Cassel turned in a 108.9 QB rating vs. the Vikes.

“It’s something and a point of emphasis I tried to make this offseason,” Cassel said of throwing under pocket pressure. “I tried to get the ball out quicker, and if i need to run and makes plays, do it.“

Overall, however, Cassel is focused on executing the game plan and not turning over the football. If taking a sack is a safer option, Cassel isn’t afraid to tuck the ball away and take the loss.

“You try to get rid of the ball quickly and you try and make plays happen when you can, and sometimes what happens is you get sacked,” Cassel said. “That’s part of the ballgame. As long as you’re not turning the ball over and making costly errors, which a lot of times, some quarterbacks would rather throw the ball up, and all of a sudden something bad happens - that’s not what we want to happen. If I have to take a sack, I’ll take a sack.”

CASSEL TALKS SEAHAWKS
August 26th – 12:36 PM

The head coach has said it and the players know it. Saturday night’s game vs. Seattle will be the longest stint for Chiefs starters this preseason. Haley has yet to pin down specific playing rotations, but he indicated yesterday that he expects starters to gear-up after the half and take the field in the third quarter.

Excitement is high among Chiefs fans heading to Arrowhead Saturday, hoping to see the closest thing yet to a regular season-type playing pattern. Although the Chiefs front line players will receive extended action this weekend, Chiefs QB Matt Cassel warns that the team is still very much in training camp mode.

“Right now, we’re still in training camp mode,” Cassel explained. “This isn’t like a normal game week, we’ve got two doubles days this week. We’re treating this more of a camp week, and as we move forward, I think we’ll really start to tighten the screws down on getting more focused on Seattle.“

Despite a full offensive scheme set specific to a Seattle game plan, Cassel will still enter Saturday night’s game with a barometer to measure overall success.

“Ideally, we just want to go in and execute,” Cassel said. “If we execute the game-plan, and I think inevitably put points on the board, I think that’s the main thing I’d like to see.”

THIGPEN ADDRESSES TRADE TALK
August 26th – 12:05 PM

Multiple national media outlets, including Jason LaCanfora of NFL.com,have reported this morning that the Chiefs are potentially in talks with the Jacksonville Jaguars about a trade involving QB Tyler Thigpen. The Chiefs have yet to address the issue and, following practice today, Thigpen said that trade talks were news to him.

“I haven’t heard anything (about a trade) as of right now,” Thigpen said. “Right now my focus at hand is the Seattle Seahawks. All the other stuff I can’t control. The only thing that i can control is the way that I prepare myself to play against the Seattle Seahawks.“

Despite missing last week’s game at Minnesota, Thigpen is expected to play this Saturday vs. Seattle and has practiced in full all week.

“I’m back and good to go this game,” Thigpen said.

AM PRACTICE OBSERVATIONS
August 26th – 11:19 AM

What started off as an overcast morning turning into a complete downpour at the Truman Sports Complex. The team braved the weather as long as possible until head coach Todd Haley pulled the plug at 10:05 AM and the practice moved indoors. The smart onlookers of practice had rain coats and umbrellas in hand. Unfortunately, myself and “Voice of the Chiefs” Mitch Holthus weren’t part of that group.

Today’s practice observations are as follows…

• Held out of practice today were RB Kolby Smith, TE Jake O’Connell and LB Zach Thomas. O’Connell was wearing a boot while he worked out on stationary bikes.
• T Damion McIntosh received reps with the second-team at left tackle. He also took reserve reps at right tackle.
• New offensive linemen Andy Alleman and Ikechuku Ndukwe worked with the Chiefs second-team offense at right guard and right tackle, respectfully.
• I was hoping to see K Ryan Succop book field goals amidst a driving rain storm, but field goal period picked up and moved indoors.
• WR Devard Darling made a nice grab on a corner route that S Jarrad Page undercut and tipped. Darling made the catch with his momentum moving out of bounds, but still stuck his feet inside the chalk. Darling continued to work with the ones opposite WR Dwayne Bowe today.
• WR Ashley Lelie showed his speed and got loose on a deep ball down the left sideline. One of the reasons the Chiefs brought him here was to be a deep threat and his catch today really showed off his speed.
• WR Dwayne Bowe had a nice start to blitz period, catching three of Cassel’s first four throws. All of Cassel’s throws to Bowe were on the mark.
  
• The team ended practice with a competitive team drill with the offense backed out of their own end zone. A couple nice plays occurred that showed what kind of competition was going on between the offense and defense.

1. On the first play, RB Larry Johnson took a zone hand-off into a pile for about a five-yard gain. When he suddenly burst out of the pile and ran for a big gain, Cassel turned to Haley, smiling, and asked, “Hey, so this drill is over right?” Haley thought for a few seconds and yelled, “2nd and five from the five.” The offense continued to plead their case, but the head coach wasn’t going to budge.
2. One third-and-five on the same series Cassel hit RB Jamaal Charles on a swing pass that went for huge yardage (either tackled around the 40-50 yard line or to the house). Cassel followed Charles’ path with his hand in the air and gave Charles a chest-bump at the 50.
   

PLAYERS PLAY, COACHES COACH
August 26th – 5:57 AM

Every so often Chiefs head coach Todd Haley gets asked a question about a perceived rift between him and All-Pro G Brian Waters, dating back to Haley’s first few weeks on the job. Each time Haley is asked, he explains that his personal conversations with players are just that…personal. A good policy to have, no doubt.

Whether or not Haley and Waters have had, still have, or never have had an estrangement doesn’t really matter. It doesn’t matter because actions speak louder than words.

Pro Bowl players come to play every day despite outside distractions. They are leaders on the field by their actions, not their words. They make the players that surround them better and, somehow, they tend to come in bunches on winning teams.

Head coaches are not head coaches by default. There are just 32 in the pro game and those 32 have reached the height of their profession. Thousands seek their position, yet miniscule percentages actually achieve their status. They know what works for them, and what got them to where they are today. They also know that they need maximum effort from their players in order to be successful.

Below is about all you need to know about Brian Waters and Todd Haley. It is taken directly from Haley’s press conference yesterday, and the transcription speaks for itself.

Q: After what we heard at OTA’s from Brian Waters there appeared to be some friction. Do you feel like he’s completely bought into everything that is going on here?

HALEY: “None of my personal stuff with these guys will ever be talked about by me. Again, this is a player who has come in and done above and beyond what’s been asked of him every day. He obviously can play; he’s shown that. He’s got himself in very good condition which I think he’s seeing as an advantage. The guy is doing what is asked of him and he can do it well enough, which it looks like he’s got a chance, and if he continues to work he’ll be a part of this team.”

Q: Does this surprise you at all? Was it what you thought you’d get from him?

HALEY: “I just try to coach the way that I’ve always had and try not to speculate too much or worry a lot about what’s being talked about and go by what I see. That’s worked for me as a coach and that’s what I continue to do and not get caught up too much in the peripheral stuff. Again, if they’re doing what they’re supposed to do and if they’re good enough then they’ll be players for me.”