From the FanPosts. -Chris
Good evening Arrowhead Pride!
Earlier today I was browsing through tweets and came across this story on ProFootballTalk: Tents, Bleachers Going up at Lehigh for Eagles Camp. I began to wonder, "With the headlines clogged with NFL lockout talk, could those wily Chiefs be setting things up here in St. Joe right under my nose without the faithful fan base knowing anything about it?"
Could the Chiefs be ready to go with just a few days notice upon agreement of a new CBA?
So, I grabbed my camera and hopped in my trusty steed, and off to the campus of Missouri Western I went.
My findings to follow...
What I would call the main entrance to Missouri Western State University. All looks quiet on a warm July afternoon. No red in sight, the trail is cold.
Oh, here's a clue - The Looney Complex. This is either a place they send hopeless souls such as myself or it could be named for the ever popular Chiefs PR guy, Josh Looney (or a distant relative with deep pockets that made a significant donation). The trail is getting warmer!
Here we go, something Chiefs related. However, I'm 99.987328% sure this was here last year when training camp opened for the first time. A completion date of Summer 2010 tells the story. It's a nice sign and I believe the Mo. West folks have reason to be proud of their "state-of-the-art" training facility. "The place has been here a year, but lets leave the sign, I dig it!"
So I pull into the parking lot of the football complex and see this. A Chiefs red pickup truck with a BBQ grill in the back. This gave me a warm feeling, similar to, but way better than peeing my pants. This Chiefs fan is ready for training camp and he is getting a jump on the crowd. Smart thinking on his part, but leaving his truck unoccupied with the windows rolled down, not so much. Did I mention I got a very nice car stereo during this trip? I'll sell it for cheap!
My first view of the field. Hmm...it's definitely looking more Griffony than Chiefy. However, I will say the Chiefs don't normally practice here, their practice fields are to the northeast. This will be where the Chiefs scrimmage for Family Fun Day...hopefully.
The players path from the locker room to the fields. It's roped off. The posts are all straight and the rope is taught. I don't believe this is just remnants from last season, someone has been getting prepared.
Ah, the practice fields. Nice and green, well manicured, and getting a drink. The goalposts are in place with wind streamers atop them. I will say the posts looked a bit crooked, but maybe this is just to jack with Succop. I think the kickers are the butt of many a football joke. And yes, there are some banners in place along the sideline.
Really? You just applied pesticide here for weeds or insects, or is it you just don't want me to be tempted to walk out there? Well, your sign is convincing enough to keep me off the grass and ya never know, big brother could be watching.
The bleachers are here, I doubt they ever leave the facility. I do recall the smaller bleachers being spread around the practice fields and I think there were more of them. This is something The University will still have to do.
Again, the sideline banners are ready to go!
This is the area behind the stands of the football stadium. It was full of tents that housed the concessions last year. I'm sure that's the plan for this year as well, but it's another thing The University will have to get in place. If they rent them, I can see why they're not here and they can probably get them up quickly. Hopefully policy has changed this year for concessions. The first week, you could walk up to an ice filled trough and buy your choice of drink. The second week, you had to stand in line to purchase food/drink tickets, then take your tickets, and wait in line again for food and drinks. This was complete B.S. especially with it being as hot as "two mice fu*king in a wool sock" as Ichiro Suzuki would say. Those that attended Family Fun Day last year know what I'm talking about.
Ironic, it says, "Back to Football." We can only hope. It sounds as if we've made tremendous progress towards the completion of the new CBA. I will continue to check back on the practice fields to let you know if anything is taking place up until it's time for "the big dance" when Joel can take over.
Your roving Training Camp reporter, Chief Willie, out!
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