Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel and eight teammates gathered for a throwing session, continuing the quarterback's series of local workouts for interested players, *The Kansas City Star* reported Tuesday.
The workout began with a 2½-hour conditioning session at a local gym, followed by an hour-long session at a local high school. Wide receivers Jeremy Horne, Dexter McCluster, Quinten Lawrence, tight end Brad Cottam quarterback, Tyler Palko and defensive backs Jon McGraw and Rashard Langford were among the participants.
"I've been working out (in Florida) but there's nothing like coming back here and getting with the teammates you know," McCluster said. "You can do this (in Florida) but it's not the same guys and it's not the same routine. You're just running routes. Here, I know the game plan and I know the guys and I'm comfortable with them.
"I want to be on top of my game. It starts now."
As was the case with previous workouts, only a few were able to attend. Cassel attributed the low turnout to finances, saying he believed younger players could not afford the trip, but hoped to grow the group over the next month.
The players remain on their own after Monday's decision by the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to grant the league a lockout-enabling stay and Tuesday's conclusion of another round of mediation ended with progress but no resolution. Cassel called plays from the team's playbook, gave imaginary defensive coverages and re-ran plays if they were not executed well, the Star reported.
"We've got a lot of young guys out here trying to get better. If we come out here and I say, 'Just run a slant,' then they're not thinking about coverages or trying to get better," he said. "This is all about, 'Why are we running this route?' You'll hear me say, 'OK, they're in man coverage. What do we want to do here? It makes them think. They have to make the adjustments.
"I'm a perfectionist," he added. "It's about not allowing yourself to get lazy. It matters because sooner or later, we're going to be in that game situation and that throw is going to come up and it has to be right."
