By Josh Looney

The 2008 edition of the Kansas City Chiefs gathered in whole for the first time today as approximately 90 players turned out for the club’s first Organized Team Activity (OTA) at the Truman Sports Complex. Although many of the Chiefs have been working out with strength and conditioning coach Cedric Smith at Arrowhead over the past month, today was the first occasion that players were allowed to run through drills conducted by the Chiefs coaching staff.

“The thing the veteran guys realized was that they’re in the minority now,” Chiefs head coach Herm Edwards said following the first OTA session. “A bunch of them grabbed me and asked, ‘who are these guys?’ I said, ‘you’d better find out who they are, that’s what this team is.”

“I told (the new players) it’s like going to school on the first day,” Edwards continued. “When you go from elementary school to junior high school you always had a nice shirt on, your pants were clean and you had a sharp pencil. You need to stay sharp 10 days from now and it can’t go dull. It’s about learning and that was established early today in how we’re going to coach them in the classroom. Take it from the classroom to the practice field and try to apply it.”

First-Day Observations:

• Each of the club’s 12 draft choices were present at the practice session, marking the first occasion that the entire 2008 Draft Class has been together at Arrowhead.
• First-round draft pick T/G Branden Albert worked out at left tackle. T Damion McIntosh, last year’s starter at left tackle, worked out primarily at the right tackle position.
• RB Larry Johnson, who missed the final eight games of 2007 due to injury, participated fully in the practice session.
• The fight for training camp roster spots has already begun. Of the 90-some players in attendance, approximately 11 percent won’t make the trip to training camp in River Falls as NFL rules stipulate that each club may only take 80 players with them to training camp.
• Although all OTAs are voluntary practice sessions, all of the club’s veteran players were in attendance with the exception of S Greg Wesley.

Looking Forward:
Don’t miss the final stop of the 2008 Chiefs Total Access Tour on Tuesday, June 3rd at the Olathe Family YMCA from 4:00 – 6:00 PM. Chiefs rookies, veterans and coaches will sign autographs, taking pictures and meeting with fans at this free event. “Voice of the Chiefs” Mitch Holthus, KC Wolf and the Chiefs Cheerleaders will also be in attendance.

Chiefs fans will have their first opportunity to catch a glimpse of the 2008 squad in action at the Arby’s Mini-Camp at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday, June 7th. Fans can pick up a complimentary ticket at any of the Kansas City Metro area Arby’s locations. Parking is free with lots opening at 9:30 AM, Stadium gates will open at 10:30 AM and the Chiefs will take the field for practice from approximately 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM.

The Chiefs will hold 14 OTA sessions over the next four weeks, capped off with a final OTA session open to the public in St. Joseph, Missouri at Missouri Western State University on Thursday, June 12th.