by Joe Tailgate on June 22, 2009
in NFL News
- Derrick Johnson said Friday that he has welcomed the Chiefs’ offseason overhaul. Kansas City has a new quarterback in Matt Cassell. The Chiefs also have a new general manager (Scott Pioli) and a new coach (Todd Haley) to turn around the franchise’s sagging fortunes. “Change is good, especially for a team that’s been losing for the last two seasons,” Johnson said. “(After finishing) 4-12 and 2-14, we need a change. We had developed a habit of losing, and we have to turn that around.”
- The Chiefs just might be the biggest losers in the NFL. To be specific, the Chiefs have lost a combined 340 pounds this year — and not, say, by cutting some rotund defensive tackle. They lost the weight through hard work, something apparently in short supply when the team went 2-14 last season. “We were out of shape and not really strong,” said new Coach Todd Haley, who has put a premium on his players dropping some pounds. “I talked to our strength coach at Arizona [where Haley was last season] and he said if you’re a highly efficient team that’s working, you lose about 120 to 150 pounds in the off-season. The players understood that to be around, we weren’t going to have a fat team,” he said. “And if you were fat, we’d probably just move on at some point as soon as we could.”
- Mike Vrabel, traded to the Chiefs after eight seasons and three Super Bowl rings with New England, may be another unhappy player in Kansas City. He missed all the voluntary workouts, showing up only for the mandatory minicamp. “For lack of a better term, I was just trying to exercise my rights within the (collective bargaining agreement),” Vrabel said. “We bargained for rights to make these workouts voluntary, and that’s all I was trying to do, to exercise my rights within the CBA.”
by Joe Tailgate on June 8, 2009
in NFL News
- Chiefs QB Matt Cassel has been impressive in adjusteing to his new role as starter in Kansas City. This weekend’s mandatory minicamp brought the team together for the first time this offseason. “We’re building chemistry, we’re building rapport and everybody’s working hard,” Cassel said. Kansas City coach Todd Haley refuses to name a starter, but it’s clear that it’s Cassel’s job. “He’s running the team,” said wide receiver Bobby Engram. “And I’m very impressed. He’s a very sharp guy. He’s watching film, he’s drawing up plays, he’s coaching everybody up. He’s shown early on that we’re going to be able to rely on him.”
- Colts WR Anthony Gonzalez did not practice Sunday due to an injured right leg he suffered Saturday, but head coach Jim Caldwell is not giving any details on the injury. Gonzalez stayed on the field after hurting his leg, but spent the remainder of Saturday’s practice stretching out. Caldwell said Gonzalez may return to the field Tuesday, June 9, or Wednesday, June 10.
- Brett Favre’s determination to play quarterback this season for the Minnesota Vikings prompted him to undergo arthroscopic surgery to repair his injured passing shoulder recently, according to two sources. However, Favre remains unable to make a commitment because subsequent throwing sessions indicate the shoulder is not yet 100 percent. While Favre has now clearly demonstrated his interest in coming out of retirement for a 19th season in the NFL, it seems equally obvious that he will not do so unless convinced he has recovered fully from the torn biceps tendon that undermined him last year with the New York Jets.
- Chiefs LB Mike Vrabel said he was “confused” when the Patriots traded him to Kansas City earlier this offseason. Vrabel skipped the team’s voluntary workout sessions but reported for a mandatory minicamp on Friday. “I’m here. I didn’t sign up. There’s a difference in this league in being a free agent and being traded,” Vrabel said, via the Kansas City Star. “I don’t know what to tell you. I got a call in March, and here I am.” Vrabel, a 12-year veteran who spent the past eight seasons in New England, clarified that he’s not upset with being a member of the Chiefs. “Don’t confuse that I’m not excited to be here, because I’m here and I’m happy,” he said. “I want to be here.”
- 49ers WR Michael Crabtree, the team’s top pick, was seen running for the first time during a session that lasted about 10 minutes. He is scheduled to continue his rehab from surgery in March on a stress fracture in his right foot. The club expects him to be ready to practice on the first day of training camp in late July.
- Saints RB Reggie Bush and WR Marques Colston fully participated in the final minicamp practice Sunday morning.
