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Here's five random thoughts about the Kansas City Chiefs training camp in this early 2011-12 season.
The heat is still the story line coming from camp. At least for the fans. On Saturday, we were sitting at Spratt Stadium so there's no shade anywhere for about two and a half hours. I drank 64 ounces of water and two 32 ounce Gatorades on Saturday and still got into the car to drive home feeling a little off. I honestly don't know how the players do it. The coaching staff and medical staff must be on high-alert at all times.
WR Chandler Williams is still on the team. Many of you probably don't remember but the Chiefs picked up Williams mid-season in 2009, then he was hurt for all of the 2010 season and now he's back in camp. The odds are against him considering receiver is a crowded position right now but a number of times I've caught myself looking at the roster to see who No. 8 is. He has some moves to create separation on the ball and looks good working against his teammates. I'm not going to predict he makes the team but he's been catching my eye.
National reporters coming out to camp include FOX's Jay Glazer and SI's Don Banks. Peter King is coming next week and Sirius NFL radio will be here on the final day. I'm not sure when, or if, ESPN will send Mort or Adam Schefter.
Last year's rookie class turned into veterans quickly. Eric Berry, Javier Arenas. Dexter McCluster. Tony Moeaki. Kendrick Lewis. These are now veteran-like players. They're just in their second career training camp but they're veterans of the Todd Haley way. All those guys, that class in particular, just seemed to understand quickly the way things were done. Now the rookies and new free agents look to guys like Berry and Arenas as those to lead the way.
I thought Haley would be harder on WR Jonathan Baldwin. In fact, I thought he'd get the WR Dwayne Bowe treatment and get beat up and by Haley in the first year. I thought he would start the year on the third string of the depth chart or something. Well...maybe not. Haley hasn't really used the media much to motivate Baldwin and, despite a hamstring issue he suffered over the weekend, he's been in there participating without major issues.