Camp Report: 8/23

Great news came out of the Chiefs Training Facility late Monday afternoon. CB Maurice Leggett, who left Saturday’s game in Tampa on a stretcher, isn’t expected to have any long-term health issues due to a spine and/or neck injury.

“Everything looks good,” head coach Todd Haley said. “There is nothing spinal or anything like that. He was in a pretty good condition and I think that the trainers and doctors did everything that they were supposed to do as far as taking all precautions. It’s a scary situation, but that part of it is out of the mix.”

Even better, Haley said that he expects to see Leggett return to the practice field “sooner, rather than later.”

“All things are pointing to the fact that this should not affect him career-wise,” Haley said.

Practice Inactives

G Darryl Harris

CB Maurice Leggett

CB Mike Richardson

Harris is the only member of Saturday’s scratches to remain sidelined today in the rehab area. QB Brodie Croyle, S Jon McGraw and RB Kesthan Moore all joined Harris as gameday inactives vs. Tampa, but were back to practicing on Monday afternoon.

Correction Period

The Chiefs spent nearly 20 minutes of practice time running an offensive and defensive correction period based on Saturday’s game.

“We had a correction period out there today and we were doing a couple of different things,” Haley said. “Plays in the correction period were plays from the Tampa game that we felt we needed to see again; or something that somebody made a mistake, or that we needed an adjustment.”

Battle Keeps Surging

In addition to running on three first-team special teams units, RB Jackie Battle was the Chiefs leading rusher in Tampa. He finished the game with 11 carries for 59 yards (5.4 avg.) and moved the chains a number of times in the process. Locked in competition with several other runners for a spot on the Chiefs 53-man roster, Battle’s performance only helped his case.

“We’ve been talking about these two and three year guys that need to develop, and I’ve talked specifically to a bunch of those guys about separating themselves from the pack in a good way,” Haley said. “I think that Jackie, in that game, appears that he’s trying to do that.”

Today, Battle was back at it again, turning in an outstanding run on his first carry during the team’s live developmental period. After bursting through a huge rushing lane produced by the offensive line, Battle showed a part of his game in the open field that many of us haven’t seen.

Typically thought of as a bigger, short-yardage, type of runner, Battle displayed some zigzagging moves in the open field to make multiple defenders miss (you could argue that he “broke” up to six ankles). The run went for roughly 40 yards and ended in the Red Zone. It was a nice encore to his Saturday night performance.

“He definitely got things going when he was in there,” Haley said of Battle’s game in Tampa. “He made a couple of runs that were well blocked, but I also think he made a couple of plays that I thought he made on his own. Out there today, I thought he made another real good run.

“He’s trying to separate himself from the other guys, and I think that’s what each guy on the team is really working hard at doing,” Haley continued. “Then it’s up to us to just evaluate them and try to get the best team together.”

Battle is currently competing for the Chiefs third running back position behind Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles. Haley specifically mentioned earlier in camp that the winner of that position battle will have to factor into the special teams game as well.

“All you can ask for is an opportunity,” Battle said. “When you get it, you have to take advantage of it the best that you can.”

Gilberry and the 3-4 Base

Despite limited snaps in a reserve role last season, DE Wallace Gilberry finished 2009 as the Chiefs sack leader on the defensive line. The smallest member of Kansas City’s front line, Gilberry carries as body type that is closer to that of an outside linebacker than a 3-4 defensive end. Gilberry’s physical stature has played a part in some to pigeon hole him as strictly a sub-rusher.

Gilberry’s role as a sub-package player took a bit of a turn in Tampa when he stayed on the field for a few first down plays following his normal third-down nickel package duties.

“This is an open competition up front,” Haley said. “Now, this game coming up we’re probably going to have to get into a little bit more role-related spots. Wallace is in a competition to try and be one of the guys in the front three of a 3-4 defense. I think that he can do that, but he has to play with great technique.”

Keep an eye out to see what personnel groupings and down/distance situations Gilberry enters against Philadelphia on Friday night.

Other Notables

OLB Tamba Hali had a nice one-on-one rush period against T Branden Albert. The two have traded victories in a very competitive nature throughout training camp and seem to be developing a bit of a friendly rivalry in the process. Hali also had a nice play in team period, releasing from a block to bat down a pass at the line of scrimmage.
CBs Brandon Carr and Jackie Bates both had pass breakups in coverage; LBs Derrick Johnson and Cameron Sheffield both had near interceptions in pass drops, but couldn’t corral the football.
WR Jeremy Horne had another nice catch today, but later drew some coaching points from Charlie Weis following a route that needed correction. A few plays later, he dropped the ball on a crossing route. It’s clear over the past few practices that the Chiefs coaching staff is pushing the rookie free agent who has made many notable plays over the course of training camp.
Horne’s locker neighbor and roommate, Rich Gunnell, also had a nice grab on a deep ball during 7-on-7.