Chiefs Training Camp St. Joseph

While most residents around St. Joseph, Missouri are excited to see just how much the Chiefs training camp being held this summer helps the local economy it's worth remembering that in some ways this is a zero sum game because while this is by most any measure a win for St. Joe it's a loss for River Falls, Wisconsin.

It's a little hard to feel too sad for River Falls because they certainly had their fair share of time hosting the Kansas City Chiefs training camp from 1990 through 2009, an honor most cities with populations of roughly 14,000 never get to experience.

Readers interested in learning more about how this blow is effecting the residents of River Falls, Wisconsin might find it interesting to read this article from Twin Cities.com (linked here) which discusses the void left by the departed Chiefs. If you think the Cleveland economy depended on Lebron James (see 30 mark on this You Tube video) then you might not realize that Cleveland leaning on Lebron is nothing compared to how much River Falls, Wisconsin depended on and loved seeing the Chiefs come to town every summer.

Encore You Tube video about Cleveland:

KC Chiefs Training Camp Dates

The specific 2010 Chiefs training camp schedule is laid out in the first post of this blog but for fans looking to understand the specific KC Chiefs training camp dates this post will outline what you have to look forward to so that you can plan your time accordingly.

The breakdown for the 2010 Kansas City Chiefs training training camp being held in Saint Joseph, Missouri from late-July through mid-August is as follows:

• Chiefs check in Thursday July 29
• Chiefs check out Thursday August 19
• First practice is Friday July 30 from 1:50 - 4 pm
  
• Kansas City Chiefs are in town for 22 days but actually leave St. Joe from August 12, 13, and 14th for a preseason game in Atlanta against the Falcons.
  
• The Chiefs have 24 practices on 17 days of activities in St. Joe with a schedule that mostly alternates with one practice a day and then two practices a day, etc.
  
• 1 inner-team scrimmage on Saturday August 7, 2010 from 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm.
• Chiefs training camp autograph session before the scrimmage on Saturday Aug. 7 at 1:10 pm.
• Last practice is Thursday August 19 from 1:50 - 4 pm

Chiefs Training Camp Autographs

Fans of all ages looking forward to getting Chiefs training camp autographs while the players are in town will be happy to know that the franchise has expected and planned for this. In fact there's actually a designated time for autograph seekers.

Although it's safe to assume fans will be asking for (and in most cases getting) autographs before and/or after most practices there is a specific autograph time on Saturday August 7 at 1:10 pm on "family fun day" (their phrase not mine) before the 1:30 Chiefs training camp scrimmage is scheduled to begin.

Fans over three years old showing up that day will be expected to pony up $10 for admission and if they want premium parking at Chiefs training camp it's $10 per car.

To recap: premium parking $10 per car; admission $10 per person; price of beer at the Chiefs training camp: TBD.

Chiefs Training Camp Players To Watch

The 2010 Chiefs training camp has five key position battles that fans taking in the festivities at the first annual St. Joseph Missouri Chiefs training camp at Spratt Stadium at Missouri Western will want to keep an eye on.

These aren't the Joe Montana AFC Championship Game Chiefs in terms of name recognition but for an informed fan there are still plenty of interesting football aspects to this training camp.

If you want to sound like you're talking about while taking in training camp with your friends and neighbors then learn these position battles:

Seventh round pick rookie Kendrick Lewis and nine year special teams player Jon McGraw at free safety.

First round pick Eric Berry may really have to carry the secondary as his complimentary starting free safety is going to be best of two bad choices in filling the hole left by Jarrad Page who at the time of this writing is refusing to play unless he's traded or released.

Jon McGraw

Kendrick Lewis

All-Big 10 (University of Iowa) rookie TE Tony Moeaki versus veteran Leonard Pope who has five years of experience.

These are both talented blockers but Moeaki has the youth and perceived superior athleticism when it comes to catching passes so even though Pope might be the starter in week one and running with the first team offense for most of training camp look for Moeaki to get the Lions share of playing time over the course of the season.

Tony Moeaki

Leonard Pope

Fifth round pick rookie outside linebacker Cameron Sheffield versus Andy Studebaker.

The edge goes to the rookie. The fact that the Chiefs are leaning on a little-heralded 5th round pick to shore up their defense as a starting linebacker doesn't bode well.

Cameron Sheffield

Andy Studebaker

Head Coach Todd Haley's familiar Jerheme Urban and second round pick running back Dexter McCluster.

Haley knows Urban from his time in Arizona but the Chiefs need McCluster to live up to pre-draft expectations right out of the gate if they want to exceed expectations this year and surprise some people.

Dexter McCluster

Jerheme Urban

Former key linebacker Derrick Johnson and hustler Corey Mays

Mays was given the job over Johnson for much of last season because despite Johnson's superior athletic ability he was put in the dog house for his effort (or lack thereof) and Mays was given an opportunity to move from special teams player to starting linebacker.

For the sake of the Chiefs' defense hopefully the benching of Johnson lit a fire under him.

Derrick Johnson
Corey Mays