Only 42% humidity in River Falls? (via UWRF)
Updated: 10:15 PM
Practice number five for the Kansas City Chiefs is in the books. We've got most of the updates in, save for the UW-RF update. We'll drop those in when they post it and we'll put a note in this post noting when we updated it.
Here are a few important notes:
- LJ is working on blitz pick up at the start of practice with LB Mike Vrabel
- Two of the Chiefs' tight ends are having ankle issues
- A linebacker left with an ankle issue
Plus more on who sat out of today's afternoon practice, after the jump.
General stuff- Great weather: low 80s, 40% humidity (National Weather Service)
- Chiefs practiced in shells (not full pads) for this practice (Gretz at CBS)
- All Chiefs offensive and defensive linemen are wearing knee braces to cut down on sprains that have plagued DE Glenn Dorsey and T Damion McIntosh in past camps (Josh Looney at the mothership)
- The "hogs" got into a skirmish which resulted in a 200 yard penalty run (Josh Looney at the mothership)
- Quarterback Ingle Martin tried to punt a few footballs that were left on the field after practice was over this afternoon. One landed amusingly close to a group of media writers that were mingling around the press area. (UWRF)
- While walking back to the locker room after signing autographs, one fan yelled to linebacker Mike Vrabel, asking if the 13-year veteran would smile for a picture. The big-hearted player promptly turned and gave a huge smile as the man took a few quick snapshots and yelled back his thanks. (UWRF)
Offense
- TE Jake O'Connell was on the field marking his training camp debut (Josh Looney at the mothership)
- RB Larry Johnson has been starting practice with blitz pick-ups against Mike Vrabel (Josh Looney Twitter)
- And LJ looked good in those pass protections (Gretz at CBS)
- Two trash cans were stacked on top of each other in the corner of the end zone - QB Ingle Martin sunk it from 30 yards out (Josh Looney at the mothership)
- Vrabel was helping LJ with pass protection - a "pro's pro" (Mitch Holthus Twitter)
- QB Ingle Martin was the first player off the field today (UWRF). It has been rumored that he was the QB working out the three tryout wide receivers today.
- C Rudy Niswanger was working on snapping the ball in shotgun and then getting ready for the block (UWRF)
- Colin Brown was asking Branden Albert for some tips on pass blocking drills (UWRF)
- Quinten Lawrence and Taurus Johnson had notable drops while Terrance Copper caught a great pass in the end zone from Cassel (UWRF)
- Three quarterbacks participated in the 7 on 7 drill: Matt Cassel (5/8), Tyler Thigpen (5/9) and Brodie Croyle (3/4) (UWRF)
Defense
- Vrabel continues to impress in one-on-one drills in the afternoon practice (Josh Looney at the mothership). He worked with defensive line coach Tim Krumrie after practice yesterday.
- CB Brandon Flowers made a diving interception off a Matt Cassel throw to Dwayne Bowe (Josh Looney at the mothership)
- For one of the first times this camp, Haley watched a lot of the defensive line drills (UWRF)
- Quarterback Matt Cassel handed the ball off to running back Larry Johnson who was immediately stopped by linebackers Mike Vrabel and Zach Thomas. (UWRF)
- Later, Cassel faked a handoff to Johnson, but looked up field for a receiver. Cornerback Brandon Flowers was all over the play defensively, knocking the ball down, almost making the interception. (UWRF)
- Defensive ends Alfonso Boone and Dion Gales and defensive tackle Derek Lokey jumped offsides during the drill on separate occasions. Defensive Line Coach Tim Krumrie made the men run down and back from the north 10-yard line. (UWRF)
- Last year when he arrived at camp, Tyler was 315 pounds. He managed to work his way to 305 by the end of camp. This year, Tyler says he’s at 303. (UWRF)
Special teams
- K Ryan Succop nailed a 53 yarder (Josh Looney at the mothership)
Injuries
- TEs Brad Cottam and Tony Curtis are not participating in the PM practice due to ankle injuries (Gretz at CBS). Cottam was previously seen with a heavily taped ankle during lunch.
- Complete list of those not practicing: RB Kolby Smith, S DaJuan Morgan, TE Jake O’Connell, LB Demorrio Williams, LB Derrick Johnson, G Edwin Harrison, DT Glenn Dorsey, G Wade Smith, TE Tony Curtis and TE Brad Cottam (Josh Looney at the mothership)
- LB Wes Dacus left practice early with what appears to be a right foot problem (Gretz at CBS)