Would you believe we are just one month until Chiefs training camp returns to Missouri for the first time in 20 years?The Rolling Stones' Start Me Up! is doing just that as I sit here on a day in which a 95-degree summer day brings back memories of two-a-days and salt tablets!
The Chiefs report to Missouri Western in St. Joseph on July 30, ending a 20-year run at their River Falls, Wis., summer home.
Matt is telling ya about the Chiefs offense for the upcoming year. My job today is to focus on the D and that will be headlined by first-round pick Eric Berry, a 6-foot 211-pound defensive back out of Tennessee who earned first-team snaps midway through OTA's this spring.
Just like his dad, James, he served as team captain and was a three-year starter at good ole Rocky Top, Rocky Top Tennessee! He studied dentistry there and sported a 3.75 grade point average and even interned this past summer at a Georgia dentist office. I just hope he causes some major pain to opposing players.
He nearly broke the all-time NCAA record for interception return yards. His 494 yards rank only behind the 501 yards generated by Florida State's Terrell Buckley from 1989-91. The strong safety ended up with 14 picks and was the 2009 Jim Thorpe Award winner (nation's best defensive back) and the SEC defensive player of the year.
"I am enjoying it," Berry said of his stint so far in KC. "I love being in Kansas City right now and it has been fun."
Just hope the fun is only beginning!
Another rookie DB poised to see some playing time is Javier Arenas, who made countless game-changing plays for Alabama. Since he moved to left corner his junior year, he picked off six passes and deflected 18 others.
His ability to play inside the box is unique. He made 63 plays against the opposing ground game and held carriers to just a 3.5 yard per carry average and no touchdowns. He logged seven QB sacks in his last 27 games, 17.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage and eight pressures - the highest figures for any starting CB in the FBS ranks the past two years.
Look for him to possibly see some time on special teams. His total of 215 kick returns (punts or kickoffs) rank second in SEC history while his total of 3,918 yards rank second in NCAA history.
Kendrick Lewis is another rookie DB to keep your eye on. The 6-foot 198-pounder from Ole Miss may be best remembered in these parts for his two-pick performance in this past year's Cotton Bowl against Oklahoma State. He started all 13 games at free safety and led the Rebels in four categories, including forced fumbles (3) and blocked kicks (2).
Demorrio Williams and Corey Mays began OTA's at inside linebacker with the first team defense. However, midway through OTA's Jovan Belcher and Derrick Johnson took over as first-team leaders there. The four players jockeyed their way on first and second team reps that never lasted more than a few consecutive practices.
"This time of year the depth chart stuff is really not something I get caught up and we're not caught up in it as a coaching staff - we're moving guys around for a lot of different reasons," Chiefs coach Todd Haley said.
The Chiefs didn't mess with ends Tyson Jackson and Glenn Dorsey during OTA's and both figure to be at their customary spot on Aug. 13 when the Chiefs open their preseason at Atlanta. When healthy, Mike Vrabel and Tamba Hali played nearly every snap at outside linebacker. Brandon Carr became the first Chiefs rookie corner to start all 16 games since Kevin Ross in 1984.
Tackle Ron Edwards begins his fourth year in KC and is expected to be the nose tackle in KC's new 3-4 defensive alignment, a system he has previously excelled in.
You have to wait until Aug. 27 to see the Chiefs play a home preseason game when the Philadelphia Eagles invade the new Arrowhead. Don't know if I can wait that long or not. The Royals are, well, the Royals and the world knows about my golf game. Start Me Up, Baby!
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