The Morning Fix

There’s another reason only 19 contracts have been turned into the league office: until a draft choice signs his contract, he does not count against the 80-man maximum roster that teams can have right now. At a time when almost every team is going through on-field practices, OTAs and mini-camps, having the extra bodies are always helpful and something coaches seek and enjoy.

Generally, rookie contracts go up between five and 10 percent each year. This year’s No. 5 choice, the Chiefs S Eric Berry, will likely sign a contract that’s about 7.5 percent bigger than the one inked last year by the player at the same position in the draft. That was QB Mark Sanchez, with a five-year, $50 million deal with a $28 million signing bonus. Berry’s contract should end up being between five and 10 percent bigger than that signed by the fourth choice in ‘09, LB Aaron Curry who went to Seattle in a 6-year, $60 million deal with $34 million in guaranteed dollars. That’s a more apples to apples comparison than with a quarterback.

Getting Rookies Inked … Thursday Cup O’Chiefs-BobGretz.com

Chiefs head coach Todd Haley had good things to say about veteran RB Thomas Jones on Wednesday. Jones is getting plenty of reps with the Chiefs this offseason with Jamaal Charles (shoulder) not able to practice. “I spend a lot of time in the weight room at this time of the year, and he’s the Alpha dog down there,” Haley said of Jones. “He is lifting, working, pushing. … I’m really excited to have a person and a player of his caliber on the team.” Jones’ best asset could be in scoring touchdowns, especially if the Chiefs have any concern over Charles’ shoulder early in the season.

Todd Haley Impressed With Chiefs RB Thomas Jones-Bleacher Report

The 1979 season finale between the visiting Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers went down as the most waterlogged game in NFL history. Absolute torrential rain fell on Tampa throughout the game, turning the contest into a glorified water fight.

The Chiefs were held to 80 yards and the Chiefs kicked a 19-yard field goal in the closing seconds to win the game 3-0.

10 Craziest Weather Moments in Sports-Bleacher Report

NFL doctors, trainers and players spent much of Wednesday discussing football and brain injuries. Their conclusion: They’ve still got a lot to learn.

“The fairly unanimous feeling today was that we needed new studies,” said Dr. Constantine Lyketsos of Johns Hopkins University.

Concussions in the NFL have become a major topic of concern during the past year. The league has implemented new return-to-play guidelines for players who suffer concussions in practice or a game, and each team must consult with an independent neurologist whenever there is a head injury.

While the NFL may have appeared less pro-active regarding concussions in the past – and at odds with independent research or the players’ union – the league’s representatives say that tone has changed.

“I think your key is ‘in the past,’” said Dr. Richard Ellenbogen, a co-chairman of the NFL’s revamped head, neck and spine medical committee. “I think going forward, we are walking lock step. We have a very audacious goal in front of us.”

Ideas aplenty at forum on NFL and brain injuries-KCStar.com

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