Kansas City Chiefs begin offseason program

For Kansas City Chiefs fans, today represents New Years. The team is finally back in Arrowhead Stadium as a group, going through the first day of Phase One in their conditioning program. Sure, the pads are not on and the team is not going through training camp yet, but this is the first team activity since we last saw the Chiefs beating the San Diego Chargers to close the 2014 season.

For all intents and purposes, this phase of the offseason training program is to lift weights and get in superior shape. These days, most athletes are in-shape throughout the calendar and this time serves as a moment for coaches to check out the players, making sure things are going well. This phase will last for two weeks before the team disbands again.

On May 26, phase two of the offseason program begins when the team has actual practices. These are non-contact practices, better known as OTAs (Offseason Training Activities). There will be two three-day sessions and then a four-day session to wrap up phase two, ending on June 9. All of these events are not mandatory, although all of the players are expected to attend barring injury or personal issues.

Phase three is a mandatory minicamp which runs June 16-18. This will double as Justin Houston Watch, with everybody having a full-blown coronary if the All-Pro outside linebacker decides to stay home. Just so you know, he will absolutely stay home unless he has a new contract at that point.

Even though the Chiefs are just lifting and running on treadmills, it is exciting to know the team will be together for the first time. This is a good moment for guys like Jeremy Maclin, Tyvon Branch, Paul Faniaka and Ben Grubbs to get to know their teammates in a no-pressure situation.

After a long wait, Kansas City football is slowly coming back.