Chiefs camp buzz
Too many fumbles
Running backs are fumbling at a rate much too high to please coach Herm Edwards. Rookies Kolby Smith and Marcus O’Keith, as well as Derrick Ross, have been victimized.
“We put the ball on the ground too much,” Edwards said. “You can’t do that. Last year as a football team we put the ball on the ground 25 times, and the opponent got it 14 times. That’s almost one a game, and you can’t do that if you’re going to be a good football team on offense. You can’t turn the ball over.”
Edwards rarely calls out a player in practice, but after Ross’ fumble, he shouted to running-backs coach James Saxon about the player’s frequent drops.
“He’s one of those runners who’s a tough guy,” Edwards said of Ross. “He keeps his legs driving. Then he relaxes his arms, and guys pull it away from him. This league is like piranhas. Once they know you put the ball on the ground, you’ve got a problem. Everybody is trying to get the ball away from you.”
After fumbling twice early in camp, Smith has paid more attention to securing the ball. Defenders, Jared Allen in particular, have tried to pry the ball from Smith.
“I’ve talked to him about it,” Edwards said. “He understands you can’t put it on the ground.”
Waiting on Bowe
With no apparent movement between the Chiefs and the agents for Dwayne Bowe, it could be a while before their first-round draft pick signs.
The Chiefs are busy at training camp installing their offense but are waiting to unveil some key elements until Bowe arrives.
“When we get Dwayne Bowe in here, we’ll go more three (wide receivers) so we can (utilize) our playmakers,” quarterback Brodie Croyle said.
The Chiefs have been using Eddie Kennison and Samie Parker as their starting wide receivers. Jeff Webb plays when the Chiefs use three wide receivers with Parker moving into Dante Hall’s old spot as the slot receiver.
Chiefs president/general manager Carl Peterson recently said the talks with Bowe were moving slowly in large part because his agents were busy negotiating a contract for another one of their first-round draft picks, Oakland quarterback JaMarcus Russell.
Remembering Bill Walsh
While others were remembering former 49ers coach Bill Walsh, who died Monday, for his football accomplishments, Edwards recalled Walsh for another reason.
“If you really think about the (NFL’s minority coaching) fellowship program, he was way ahead of that,” Edwards said. “When Tony (Dungy) retired (as a player), he went to San Francisco after he left Pittsburgh. For a year or so, he had Tony as one of his coaches. He gave him an opportunity.
“Coach Walsh was always like that. He had great vision of what the league could become. He was way ahead of things.”
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT . . .THE OFFENSE
Neither Brodie Croyle nor Damon Huard was able to take the offense for a touchdown during two-minute drills. Croyle’s series ended on two sacks, Huard’s on a penalty and an incompletion. … Rookie wide receiver Brad Ekwerekwu of Missouri made the play of the day when he outjumped safety Jon McGraw for a poorly thrown Casey Printers pass. Ekwerekwu won’t make the team, but could stick on the practice squad.
THE DEFENSE
Rookie free agent Tyron Brackenridge is, for now at least, the first-team nickel back. The Chiefs were impressed enough by his play in the offseason practices to give him this opportunity and he hasn’t been disappointing in camp. He broke up a deep Printers pass along the sideline that was intended for Brent Little. Benny Sapp, who has played a lot of nickel back for the Chiefs, has played exclusively at cornerback. … Safety Bernard Pollard made a spectacular interception. He blitzed, jumped to tip Croyle’s pass into the air and then caught the deflection.
INJURY REPORT
Running back Priest Holmes (neck), tight end Jason Dunn (back) and linebacker Nate Harris (foot) did not practice.
CONTRACT WATCH
Bowe is unsigned and not in camp. Running back Larry Johnson continued his holdout and is also not in camp.
TODAY’S SCHEDULE
The Chiefs will practice both in the morning and the afternoon.
