OTA Week #2/Recap

May 30, 2008, 9:20:41 AM by Bob Gretz - FAQ

There were just three on-field sessions this week for the Chiefs but the intensity got turned up quite a bit for this second round of OTA sessions. Not only were the practices more physical than the first week, but the mental workload increased as well. Plus, the workouts were longer, lasting close to two hours.

That’s probably why Thursday’s workout was very ragged on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Receivers had trouble lining up in the right spots and defensive linemen were jumping before the snap. There were several false starts and two little skirmishes between offensive and defensive linemen. The two officials working the practices threw more penalty flags on Thursday afternoon than they did in the previous six practices.

“They were tired, we’ve gone at a pretty good pace for the last three days,” Herm Edwards said. “They’ll learn that mentally they can’t afford to lose focus just because they are tired.”

Here’s more on what happened over the last three days. Plus our regular proviso: workouts in May come without pads and don’t always translate into what’s going to happen in September.

Athletic Ability
There was more teamwork in the last three practices than the first week and while watching the work it’s obvious that overall the Chiefs are a faster and quicker team. There’s more obvious athletic ability. That can be seen in many places, especially at left tackle where Branden Albert is trying to make the move from guard. The first-round pick has shown all the things the Chiefs evaluated in the draft, especially his feet. He’s quick, smooth and athletic as he handles a pass rusher. He’s got miles to go, but he’s got the base to be a big-time left tackle.

The other place that increased athletic ability can be seen is at running back. Larry Johnson is running well, with no visible problems from last year’s broken foot. Jackie Battle, signed at the end of last year, has been very impressive, showing both speed and power. Draft choice Jamaal Charles has shown his burst and a wiggle in his running style that leaves potential tacklers grasping for air. Even college free agent Dantrell Savage out of Oklahoma State has shown some nice moves.

Again, it’s May and there’s no hitting, but the Chiefs have more physical ability.

Linebackers Struggling
It started during Wednesday’s practice and continued through Thursday’s workout, and even after the OTA was over. The final players off the field were the linebackers. They stood as a group around Gunther Cunningham and the defensive coordinator/linebackers coach was stern in his comments.

“He’s not happy with us right now,” said Derrick Johnson.

That’s obvious in watching the workouts. The Chiefs linebackers are a step slow. There is a lot of thinking going on, as they adjust to Cunningham and what he’s demanding of them. A strong base of fundamentals is what Gunther is trying to build here and he’s not going to let up or move on until these guys are reacting with the right stances and steps.

At one point during Thursday’s workout, Cunningham pulled his defensive front (linemen and linebackers) off the field. There is some obvious frustration there, but better it shows itself in May and these problems are not happening in October.

Rookie Is the Clubhouse Leader
Rookie kicker Connor Barth proved he was human on Thursday. He was wide right by inches on a 48-yard attempt. It was the first missed field goal he’s had during the team practices over the last two weeks. That makes him the preliminary favorite to be the team’s kicker.

However, the Chiefs are not going to be making that decision this month or in June. Veterans Billy Cundiff and Nick Novak were both three-for-three on Thursday, but they’ve missed some kicks in the other practices.

The Chiefs will take two kickers to training camp in River Falls. Right now, it looks like Barth has one spot.

Injuries, Participation & Notes
Some bumps and bruises have been picked up over the last two weeks, but nothing that would be considered serious. CB Dimitri Patterson broke his left hand in Tuesday’s workout and he’s wearing a cast … LG Brian Waters missed the last two practices with a sore groin. Tre Stallings moved up and took his spot with the A line … RB Larry Johnson had some soreness on Thursday so he was given the day off … RT Damion McIntosh did not practice on Friday because of sore knees. Rookie Barry Richardson took his spot on the A line and looked pretty good working with the first group … LB Demorrio Williams did not work on Thursday because of an illness … veterans FS Jarrad Page, T Will Svitek, TE Michael Merritt, LB Johnny Baldwin and CB Tyron Brackenridge continue to watch as they recover from injuries. Right now, none of the injuries is serious enough to keep a player out of the start of training camp … Tony Gonzalez missed the entire week with a good excuse: he welcomed his daughter who was born on Tuesday in California … with the exception of Gonzalez and one other veteran starter who missed Tuesday’s workout, the Chiefs have had all bodies on the field, whether they can participate or not.. It remains the best attended off-season program in team history.

The opinions offered in this column do not necessarily reflect those of the Kansas City Chiefs.

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A former beat reporter who covered the Pittsburgh Steelers during their glory years, Gretz covered the Chiefs for the Kansas City Star for nine years. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Board of Selectors. He has been the senior columnist for the Chiefs web site since its inception.