KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Day two of the Chad Ochocinco experiment was decidedly less hectic than Day 1, but the wide-receiver-turned-footballer still managed a few memorable moments.
After an unquestionably average first day in Sporting blue, manager Peter Vermes said Ochocinco was able to make more of a mark on Thursday after shaking off some rust the day before.
“He actually had two of the best crosses in the game today that we played.” Vermes said before chuckling at the thought. “He was OK. I think the game is fast for him. I think the play is maybe a little higher than even he expected. Some things he’s alright in. Some things he’s far behind in just because he doesn’t play on a regular basis.”
Vermes said the plan remains for Ochocinco to conclude his four-day trial on Saturday (Sporting’s reserves are scheduled to train Saturday and Sunday), after which the coaching staff will make a decision on his future with the team.
And although his presence is expected to end this weekend, Vermes said the players and coaching staff haven’t been distracted by the attention or media hordes that follow No. 85’s every move.
“When you are inside the white lines playing and doing your training, you really don’t know that anyone is out there,” he said.
If anything, Vermes said the attention was positive for the club in a general sense and forced Kansas City’s players to be accountable for their own performances since a large media contingent was there to potentially document their every move.
[inline_node:331883]Bunbury possible starter against Fire
Teal Bunbury could be in line for his first start of the season if this week’s training sessions are any indication.
After being eased into full contact activities after dislocating his elbow this preseason, Bunbury is participating fully in training, although he is still required to wear a brace on the elbow to prevent any further damage.
He was named as a substitute last weekend against Chivas USA, spending the game on the bench, but has been training with the de facto first team this week as Kansas City prepare to face the Chicago Fire without Kei Kamara, who is on national-team duty with Sierra Leone.
Vermes refused to elaborate on who would start but emphasized that Bunbury was cleared by the medical staff to participate fully.
“I think it was great last week that we didn’t have to use him and put him into a situation where he would have to sort of fight against some players that might have put him in a precarious situation,” Vermes said. “I think the more that we can hold him off, the better it’s going to be for him and us in the long run because then he’ll be fully fit again.”
The reality though is that Bunbury is the most likely candidate to slide in for Kamara at right forward, allowing Omar Bravo and C.J. Sapong to start on the left and in the center as they did in week one.
Smith weeks away from return
Ryan Smith is back working with the ball, but Vermes said it could still be a long time before the forward returns to training with the full team.
“I still think he is weeks away from really starting to participate fully in practice,” Vermes said Thursday.
Smith had been experiencing pain and extreme soreness during and following workouts since having knee surgery this offseason. Vermes said the pain was gone but that Smith was still dealing with unusual soreness after some workouts and slowly trying to work back to full fitness.
“He is back to running, starting to do some agility stuff and doing some ball work,” Vermes said. “He has good days, and he has bad days.”
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