CHIEFS CAMP BUZZ
HERMISM “We need to go play football Saturday night. This isn’t one of those ‘We’re just going to slop it around’ kind of things. We practiced too long since the spring to get to Saturday to see where we are. It’s important that we perform well.”
| Edwards on the preseason opener at Houston
Houston bound
The Chiefs won’t do much in the way of preparation for Saturday’s game against the Texans. They won’t prepare a game plan or do anything specifically designed to attack the Texans, as they would during the regular season.
“We’re just going to run the Kansas City Chiefs offense,” offensive coordinator Mike Solari said. “We’re going to work our schemes and evaluate our players.”
Sampson’s back
Forgive right tackle Kevin Sampson if he just wants to walk off the Reliant Stadium field Saturday without a significant injury.
Sampson was the starting right tackle in camp last year and appeared destined to hold on to the job. Then he injured his toe while blocking for a point-after touchdown attempt late in the preseason opener.
He returned after several weeks, but the Chiefs moved on without him and his season was essentially ruined.
Sampson is again the leading contender for the starting job.
“I feel like I’m in the process of getting my job back,” he said. “I’m already hearing it from my teammates about this being the first preseason game, so I’ve got to watch out. I just want to stay healthy.”
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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT …
OFFENSE
The offensive line personnel was shuffled. Jordan Black took turns with the starters at both left guard and left tackle. Rookies Tre Stallings and Rudy Niswanger also took turns with the No. 1 unit at guard. … Quarterback Casey Printers took a hit during the morning practice and sat out in the afternoon as a precaution.
DEFENSE
Julian Battle replaced Ty Law as a starting cornerback in the morning practice. Law was resting his foot as a precaution. In the afternoon, Patrick Surtain was given a rest and was replaced by Benny Sapp, who took advantage of the opportunity. He deflected a pass to linebacker Kendrell Bell, who made the interception. … Rookie free safety Jarrad Page took a turn with the first team in the morning practice. He made another impressive play when he blitzed and destroyed a running play when he beat the block of fullback J.R. Niklos. … Coach Herm Edwards said Tamba Hali was unlikely to play in Saturday night’s preseason opener in Houston. Hali’s ribs are sore from a collision in practice on Monday.
INJURIES
Quarterback Brodie Croyle (shoulder), running backs Michael Bennett (hamstring), Ronnie Cruz (head) and Priest Holmes (neck), wide receivers Darrell Hill (hamstring), Scott McCready (shoulder) and Craphonso Thorpe (shoulder), offensive lineman Johnathan Ingram (ankle), defensive linemen John Browning (back), Tamba Hali (ribs), Carlos Hall (knee), Junior Siavii (knee), Jimmy Wilkerson (groin) and Stephen Williams (knee) and defensive backs William Bartee (Achilles’) and Lenny Walls (hamstring) did not practice.
TODAY’S SCHEDULE
The Chiefs will practice at 9 a.m. in full pads and at 3:45 in light pads.
