The Morning Fix: Chiefs News and Headlines 2/26/2014

Many people need their coffee to get up and going in the morning.  Here at Arrowhead Addict, we understand that for a Chiefs fan, coffee is simply not enough.

Here’s all that’s happening around Chiefs Kingdom today.

Welcome to The Morning Fix

The NFL Scouting Combine has come to and end and now begins the long wait until the draft in May. Yesterday the defensive backs took to the field at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis to show what they had. As expected, first-round safety prospects — HaHa Clinton-Dix from the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Louisville Cardinal Calvin Pryor — proved they are deserving of their first round stock.

The Kansas City Star’s Terez Paylor has the report from Indy. 

"According to draft analyst Eric Galkow of OptimumScouting.com and The Sporting News, neither player did anything to change that opinion after they completed their defensive back testing and drills on Tuesday.“I have a new mock draft coming on (Wednesday) that has both of them in the top 15,” Galko said. “I think teams need safeties, and a safety class like this, the last two years now, has been somewhat lackluster. If you want a top safety, you have to reach for a top safety, and those two guys are the two best.”"

As reported by Pro Football Talk last night and brought to you by AA co-editor Ben Nielsen shortly thereafter, the NFL salary cap could rise “in excess of $130 million” for the 2014 season. However, right now, it’s sitting right around $129 million. Adam Teicher has a break down of what the Chiefs cap situation looks like as of this morning.

"The Chiefs have $122,249,251 in salary cap commitments for their 51 highest paid players. Only the top 51 will count against the salary cap when the league year begins in March. The Chiefs have 68 players under contract.The Chiefs also have $3,505,823 in dead money, so called because it accounts for cash given in past seasons to certain players who are no longer under contract. Wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin and cornerback Dunta Robinson are among the players in this category."

Speaking of salary cap, one of the main reasons it didn’t look like the Chiefs would re-sign soon-to-be free agent left tackle Branden Albert was because of the cap situation. Many believed it was a foregone conclusion that Albert was going to test the FA market next month. Several possible landing spots for him have been discussed, with one of those being the Arizona Cardinals. But, at least one writer from Bleacher Report, NFC West Lead Writer Tyson Langland, thinks signing Albert would be a bad idea for the Cardinals.

"Unfortunately, chasing Albert would be a huge mistake for the Cardinals. Despite his high level of play in 2011, 2012 and 2013 as a pass-protector, the first-round pick out of Virginia has his fair share of downfalls. He turns 30 in November, he’s a subpar run-blocker and is known to play down to the competition.Sure, Arizona could overlook his run-blocking abilities, and the fact he sometimes plays down to the competition, but it can’t overlook his age. We all know what happens to players when they find themselves on the wrong side of 30. It’s like they hit a wall and fall off the face of the earth."

That’s it for today, Addicts. We’re hoping to get a final salary cap number this week and there’s a rumor swriling that the Chiefs are looking at a recently released free agent. As soon as it happens, you’ll know.

Enjoy your hump day and GO CHIEFS!