By MATT PIKE
Tragedy struck returning offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and his family just before the official start of Training Camp in St. Joseph.
On the final day of practice for rookies and quarterbacks, Bieniemy was not present, after flying home to be with his wife MIa who was allegedly shot by the couple's son. Back with the team, Bieniemy thanked everyone for respecting the families privacy during the trying time, and reported Mia is doing well and is on the road to recovery
"It's one of the main reasons why I'm back here, because of her recovery," Bieniemy tells reporters after practice. "She's truly a solider, she's a saint, and it's been incredible to watch, but with that said, I know I was driving her and a bunch of my family members crazy in the house, so she was like you have my blessing to leave, so it was time to get back."
Bieniemy missed 11 practices, but was back with the team just before the first preseason game Saturday. Even while home though, Bieniemy's voice was present for Chiefs players and coaches after some time.
"Tell you, technology is pretty impressive now, you can watch practice live and through a stream, and I had an opportunity to go through the script, my language probably got a little colorful in the house and I had a bunch of family members that was there that never really heard some of that language that was used," Bieniemy explains. "But, I had a great time and it felt good just to see the guys work, but on top of that just to feel like I was still a part of it."
Bieniemy says there were times where he would yell at coaches, players, and sometimes even himself for the play selection within the game script. Second year running back Brashard Smith remembers what that communication was like, even from afar.
"We would just be sitting in the meeting room, it's quiet, and we would just hear EB just come screaming from out of nowhere," Smith says. "I feel like we need that still, he's away from here but we still needed that and I feel like it worked out for us real well, he's back and its better."
Bienemy returned to the team just before the first preseason game, his first practice back August 10th before being back on the sideline Saturday when the Chiefs hosted the Rams. Bienemy, who is known as a hard nosed, no nonsense coach, says the offense which was unable to score, is still in camp mode learning, and he knows they aren't quite where they need to be
"There was some good, but these practices that we've had the past few days, the guys have stepped up," Bieniemy says. "They've accepted the challenge and they understand what needs to be accomplished, so we're just going to continue to grow from here on out."
Bieniemy says these are the dog days of camp, but its their job as coaches to make sure everyone understands and is ready for gameday. There are two practices left in St. Joseph. The next is tomorrow at 9:15am.
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