PRESEASON WRAP: AUGUST 18-19

Aug 19, 2007, 3:09:02 PM

By Josh Looney

Breakdown: Few things have changed for the Chiefs since they moved their training camp practices back to Kansas City last Wednesday. Gone are two-a-day practices and the cooler Wisconsin climate, but the intensity of players on the roster bubble competing for positions remains high. With the preseason schedule at its midway point, there are limited opportunities left for players to turn the heads of coaches and scouts. The next two weeks may prove to be the most important for some players seeking the final slots on the 53-man roster or on the eight-man practice squad.

After not taking the field last Wednesday preceding the Miami game, Edwards plans to turn up the heat in the practices leading up to this Thursday’s game against New Orleans.

“Our practices through Wednesday are going to be a pretty tough go,” Edwards said of his practice plan. “We’re going to be in full-pads and in shells. It will be some long practices for them. We have to get a lot done and we’re running out of time. We have three weeks left until our opener and there are a lot of things we need to improve on. That’s what we are going to attempt to do.”

Injury Update: FB Boomer Grigsby participated in limited drills at practice on Saturday, but practiced in full on Sunday. Edwards indicated he expects Grigsby to play in Thursday’s preseason game against New Orleans.

T Chris Terry, who was sidelined last Thursday against Miami, returned to practice on Saturday. He split first-team reps with T Kyle Turley throughout practice.

TE Jason Dunn was activated from PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) on Sunday and participated in team drills.

WR Brad Ekwerekwu missed both weekend practice sessions after having an ingrown toenail removed.

After missing a handful of practice sessions and the preseason game against Miami, WR Rod Gardner returned to practice on Sunday.

Although he hasn’t been cleared to return to practice, T Damion McIntosh is progressing nicely in his rehab work. After suffering a knee injury during the second week of training camp in River Falls, McIntosh was spotted on the Chiefs practice field on Saturday.

“I know he’s out this week, but next week’s another story,” Edwards said. “As the thing gets closer we’ll have a pretty good idea next week where he’s at and if he can be there for the opener or not.”

“We’ll see,” McIntosh said of a possible return at Houston for Opening Day. “Right now everything looks good and we are just working so I can play on a high level. It feels good now, but you never know how it can feel throughout the rehab process. I’m just keeping a positive outlook. That will be my goal.”

Holmes Still On PUP: RB Priest Holmes is the Chiefs lone player still on PUP (Physically Unable to Perform). Head coach Herm Edwards reiterated again on Sunday that the club would continue to be cautious with Holmes and would not rush him back onto the field prematurely after a 22-month layoff from football.

“He’s not ready,” Edwards said. “We had a long talk and the doctor said he was OK to participate. But in his mind and our mind we just felt that where he’s at right now he’s not up to 100%. He’s been laid off for a long time.

“I told him today that I’m not going to rush him,” Edwards continued. “I said take your time. We don’t want to be put in a situation where all of a sudden we take him off PUP and he starts practicing and two days from now he says he’s not ready yet. That’s OK for you, but that’s not OK for the football team.”

Plays Of The Day:
Saturday: CB Dimitri Patterson did his best imitation of a wide out when he out ran down QB Casey Printers’ overthrown corner route in the end zone.

WR Chris Hannon got past CB Benny Sapp on a streak route as QB Brodie Croyle hit him for a 40-yard touchdown connection.

WR Dwayne Bowe displayed great hands as he fully-extended his arms to haul in a 20-yard post route.

WR Eddie Kennison brought back memories of his over-the-shoulder catch against Jacksonville when he caught a perfectly thrown 34-yard post-corner route from QB Damon Huard.

S Jon McGraw timed a blitz from his safety position perfectly to meet RB Marcus O’Keith in the backfield as he caught the ball on a toss play. Had it been a full-contact setting, McGraw surely would have caused a fumble that potentially could have gone the other way for six.

Sunday: TE Michael Allan caught a touchdown pass from Printers on a five-yard out.

WR Samie Parker got loose on a corner route between Ss Bernard Pollard and Jarrad Page, placing both feet inbounds for a nice gain.

Both Croyle and Huard hooked up with TE Tony Gonzalez for numerous first-down connections.

LB William Kershaw laid a big hit on G Rob Hunt as he filled the hole on a run off-tackle.

RB Michael Bennett hit the ‘B-gap’ with authority on a misdirection play. After the linebacker was sealed, Bennett broke the run for a potential 98-yard TD run.

Look Who’s Talking:
“It’ll be a rough practice for them. It’s going to be hot; we’re going to be in pads. If you don’t like it join the boy scouts. It’s going to be hard.“
- Herm Edwards on Sunday’s practice plan.

“It’s kind of like going to the prom. Eventually you’ve got to pick a date or you’ll end up going alone.“
- Herm Edwards on eventually having to pick a starting quarterback.

Look Ahead: The Chiefs will conduct practice sessions daily leading up to their second home preseason contest with New Orleans on Thursday.

You Asked It: Submit your questions to Training Camp Wrap by clicking the link at the bottom of the page.

Jerry “Mr. J-Bone” C. from Kansas City: “Hello, I would like to know if WR Dawyne Bowe is catching passes better than the other receivers in camp?”

JL: Mr. J-Bone, Bowe unquestionably possesses the catching ability necessary to develop into a solid NFL receiver. He is also an asset in the run game as he isn’t afraid to throw his big frame (221 lbs.) into defenders. The thing that Bowe has been battling is the time he missed at the beginning of training camp. He played sparingly against Miami, but expect him to play in a bigger role on Thursday against New Orleans.

Mandy S. from Pratt, KS: “Who are the starting wide receivers as of right now?”

JL: Mandy, WRs Eddie Kennison and Samie Parker received the starting duties in the first two preseason games. The competition for the club’s second wide receiver slot, as well as the other remaining roster spots at WR is one of the most intense training camp position battles. It should be fun to see how the competition unfolds over the next two preseason games. You can find the most up to date wide receiver depth chart here.

Questions?: Is there a question about training camp or the Chiefs that you want answered? A handful of questions will be answered daily in the Preseason Wrap.

Click here to ask your Camp Question?

Have a specific question for a specific player? One fan question will be selected daily and featured in the Fan’s Want To Know portion of Camping With The Chiefs, which airs every evening of training camp on KCChiefs.com.

Click here to ask a player a Question?

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