During the 2012 NFL season, the Kansas City Chiefs were doing a pretty good impression of the late 2000s Cleveland Browns.

Head coach Romeo Crennel?

Check.

Starting QB Brady Quinn?

Check.

RB Peyton Hillis?

Check.

Offensive Coordinator Brian Daboll?

Check.

A terrible football team?

Check. Check. Check.

The 2012 season ended for the Chiefs the same way the 2008 season ended for the Browns; with everyone getting fired.

Why the 2012 Chiefs tried to follow the same playbook that led to doom in Cleveland (well, more doom in Cleveland) we may never know.

The one person that was not in Cleveland during the late 2000s that was responsible for creating the Chiefs’ version of the Browns, was GM Scott Pioli.

The NFL is a small world. Pioli worked in Cleveland when Bill Belichick was the head coach back in the 90s. After a stint with the Ravens (formerly the Browns) Pioli landed in New England and became Belichick’s right hand man. The Patriots created a dynasty under Belichick and the people that were a part of the organization during that time have been getting jobs because of it ever since. Guys like Pioli, Charlie Weis, Romeo Crennel, Brian Daboll, Thomas Dimitroff, Eric Mangini and countless others.

The Browns have been big fans of copying the Patriots, despite the fact that their attempts to do so have failed over and over again. Both Crennel and Mangini have been hired and fired as head coaches of the franchise. Daboll was the offensive coordinator there before heading to Miami and eventually Kansas City.

You would think that the Browns organization would have learned to stop hiring ex-Patriots but you’d be wrong.

As the team rebuilds yet again, the new ownership decided to hire Belichick disciple and former NFL Network analyst, Mike Lombardi, to be their new GM and VP of Player Personel.

Belichick disciples tend to have a history of secrecy and a petty management style and it appears Lombardi is no different.

When Mangini was with the Browns, he was known for strict and unnecessary rules.

Take this article from ESPN from September of 2009:

During training camp, where he blared music during practices to sharpen his team’s focus and made players run laps when they made a mistake, it was learned that he had threatened to fine players for offenses like failing to park in their assigned spots and other conduct he felt was “detrimental” to the team.

There was also his drawn-out quarterback competition between Quinn and Anderson, which concluded with Mangini keeping the winner a secret until an hour before kickoff of the season opener.

Mangini didn’t make many friends in New York, where he was dubbed “Mangenius” after taking the Jets to a playoff bid in his first season.

Last week, former NFL quarterback and CBS analyst Boomer Esiason criticized Mangini’s secretive ways.

“Eric Mangini can take the fun out of a 10-year-old’s birthday party with Big Bird there,” Esiason said. “That’s how miserable this guy is becoming.”

Yahoo!Sports reported that Mangini recently fined an unidentified Browns player $1,701 for failing to pay for a $3 bottle of water he drank in his hotel room during a preseason road trip.

Mangini did not confirm or deny the bottled-water fine, but said he imposes guidelines for his team to follow “because we have a very diverse group of people, and the rules are set up to make sure we can operate effectively as possible.”

Fines over water bottles?

Sound familiar?

Scott Pioli faced some of the same criticism during his time in Kansas City. A piece by Kent Babb, then of the Kansas City Star, called “Arrowhead Anxiety” highlighted some of the peculiar and in some cases, borderline abusive behavior being reported by employees about the Chiefs’ front office. In fact, one incident mentioned was Pioli becoming angry at two employees for parking in the wrong place when they were in working in the middle of the night.

After a while, a saying was adopted by top administrators for behavior that didn’t fit the new standards: “That’s so 2-and-14,” they would say, referring to the Chiefs’ win-loss record in 2008. This pertained to matters large and small: Stephanie Melton, who worked 11 years on the team’s operations staff, recalled Pioli’s reaction after she and a coworker, after working past midnight on a weekend, had parked a courier van in the unmarked space usually occupied by Pioli’s car. The women had forgotten to move it, and Pioli was livid the next morning. Melton said she was made to feel for several days that she’d be fired.

Pioli was also known for bringing an almost comical secrecy to the organization. Babb’s article outlined several of Pioli’s policies, such as forcing business employees who had offices facing the practice field to lower their window shades during practices. Pioli was so paranoid that people that worked for him might let information slip, that he sent security guards around to make sure the shades were down.

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then it sounds like the 2013 Cleveland Browns were so flattered by the 2012 Chiefs’ late 2000s Browns impression, that they’re returning the compliment by trying to turn themselves into the 2009-2012 Chiefs.

Lombardi seems to be following Pioli’s playbook in Cleveland. Take this fantastic piece from Chuck Klosterman of Grantland. Klosterman was to be given access to the Browns in the days leading up to and during, the 2013 NFL Draft. What Klosterman ended up getting, however, was a lot of “off the record comments” from the new regime in Cleveland.

Take this passage, which if you didn’t know what team Klosterman was writing about, you could almost put money down that it was about the Pioli-led Chiefs.

In so many ways, this denial represents the grand irony of the Browns organization (and, I would assume, every other organization in the NFL). The Browns live in a state of perpetual war, endlessly convincing themselves that every scrap of information they possess is some kind of game-changing superweapon that will alter lives and transmogrify the culture. They behave like members of a corporate cult. Yet what do these cultists watch on the day of the draft? They watch ESPN. They log on to the Internet and scan ProFootballTalk. The comments they make about college prospects are roughly identical to whatever your smarter friends might glean from the Plain Dealer. I’ve never witnessed this level of institutional paranoia within a universe so devoid of actual secrets. I don’t even know what they don’t want me to know.

Check out the whole article. It is a fascinating read.

It will be interesting to see if the new Browns (or the old Chiefs, depending on how you want to look at it) benefit from their new Pioli-style football police state.

Something (history) tells me that they won’t.

May 15, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of the Kansas City Chiefs on the field after the organized team activities at the University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

I am not going to focus just on the stats but on what I have witnessed by watching each and every Chiefs game last season, as hard as it was. I watch football differently than I used to, at least I watch the Chiefs differently. I used to just watch the games, all games, game after game, just for the sheer enjoyment of it. Now I watch games much more critically. I will focus my attentions on an individual player or position each series of each Chiefs game, focusing on how a specific player is performing. I spent a lot of time last season watching nose tackle Dontari Poe.

The defensive line is an area Kansas City has struggled to develop for a long time. When Chiefs took Poe with the 11th overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, you could see why the Chiefs liked him. He was big – 6’3 1/2″, 350 pounds. Scouting reports pointed out the combination of his size, quickness, and mobility. Those same reports mentioned things like his upper body strength needed improvement (what lineman, on either side of the ball, can this not be said of), and that he could be handled by a single blocker. The hope was that a great defensive minded coach like former Head Coach Romeo Crennel would be able to improve his weaknesses while at the same time taking advantage of his size and athleticism. Alas, that wasn’t the case.

KC Kingdom

Tom Wort’s NFL career suffered a blow after the Crawley-born linebacker was waived by the Tennessee Titans after failing a physical due to a hamstring injury.
The draft hopeful was picked up as an unrestricted free agent by the AFC South franchise – but the Kansas City Chiefs are now a possible destination for the 22-year-old.
6ft, 16 ½ stone Wort impressed with the Oklahoma Sooners since 2009, but suffered an injury during his second 40-yard dash during OU’s Pro Day.

Daily Mail

In 2010, Bowe was able to put up the numbers he did with Matt Cassel as his signal caller. While Cassel went on to have a career year as well in 2010, almost every fan in football would agree that newly acquired quarter back, Alex Smith, is a tremendous upgrade at the position. When head coach Andy Reid and General Manager, John Dorsey were hired, they were not quiet about the importance of getting Bowe a contract extension. It came down to the wire, literally, but the Chiefs came through and gave Bowe a healthy 5 year $56million dollar extension.

That speaks volumes to how much this new staff felt about what Bowe means to the Chiefs. Andy Reid has always been considered a “pass happy” west coast offensive mind. He’s known for quick throws and screens to his receivers, ultimately meaning that having a top level player at the position is necessary for his offense to be effective. You’re only left to think that Bowe will be seeing just as much, if not more passes thrown his way.

Having that upgrade at quarterback might just help the numbers as well. So that leads us back to the question, how much does his predictions bother you?

KC Kingdom

Former Kansas defensive end/running back Toben Opurum signed a free agent contract with the Kansas City Chiefs Friday. Opurum, who attended mini-camp over the weekend with the organization, will join the Chiefs immediately for organized team activities (OTAs) after taking part in KU graduation festivities over the weekend. He is slated to play the fullback position with the Chiefs.

Opurum began his KU career as a running back earning Rivals.com Freshman All-Big 12 honors in 2009. He was the first freshman to lead Kansas in rushing in a season since Clark Green in 2002. As a freshman he shared time with senior running back Jake Sharp, but carried 133 times for a team-best 554 yards and nine touchdowns. His career-best rushing game he piled up 109 yards against Southern Miss. During his one season on offense, Opurum caught 13 passes out of the backfield for 105 yards and one touchdown.

KU Athletics.com

May 15, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of the Kansas City Chiefs practice field after the organized team activities at the University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

“The transition has been kind of easy, being able to play under Coach Saban the past four years,’’ Johnson said, referring to Alabama coach Nick Saban. “The terminology is a little different. That’s kind of what I’m struggling with now, but I’m learning as I go, but each and every day is getting easier and easier.’’

Working alongside Derrick Johnson, a consummate pro, won’t hurt Nico Johnson, either.

“He’s really the first player out of the Chiefs roster to hit me up on Twitter and just tell me congratulations and that it’s time to get to work,’’ Nico Johnson said. “I felt that as motivation to want to go out and do my best and show them I’m willing to work.

KC Star

“We’ve got some flexibility,” coach Reid said. “Donald gives us a little flexibility. (Chiefs OL Geoff) Schwartz gives you flexibility inside. The guys that are in there are doing a nice job with what they’re presented with. That seems like a close knit group, and they have to be. You’ve seen that they have that in them. They’ve welcomed the new guys in. It seems like they’re working hard there.”

Stephenson described his current role on the team, saying, “I’m a plug-in guy; wherever they see fit or wherever they need me, that’s where they plug me in at.”

He also gave me a description of the OL.

“We’re a young group,” Stephenson said. “When you’re young, there’s a lot more hunger, so, you’re ready to get after it. We can do a lot of different things, everybody is versatile.”

The versatile group added another member, OL Matt Reynolds, who was claimed off waivers this week.

KCChiefs.com

While Reid was at Green Bay, the Packer tight end Mark Chmura had three Pro Bowl seasons, as di Chad Lewis playing under Reid in Philadelphia. L. J. Smith averaged 55.5 catches in 2005-2006 with the Eagles and Brent Celek has averaged over 59 receptions over the past four seasons with Philadelphia, including 76 in 2009. Obviously, Andy Reid likes to integrate the tight ends into his game plans and he knows how to get the ball into their hands.

The incumbent tight end is Tony Moeaki. He had off season surgery on his knee but is expected to be healthy for the start of the season. Moeaki has a reputation as an injury risk but when he has played, 2010 and in 2012, he has been productive. In those two seasons, he averaged 40 catches a year and 12.6 yards per reception. Those numbers were accumulated in an offense that seemed to ignore the tight ends much of the time.

KC Kingdom

Bray’s preparation habits and seriousness about being an NFL quarterback were two huge question marks that teams had about him going into the draft.

As with everything in the NFL it’s very early and all new to the rookies. Eventually the first year players will hit the “rookie wall” as the summer turns into a grind. Bray will have to show he can keep his focus and keep working hard to improve himself as a quarterback and a leader.

Bray’s teammate, and fellow Tennessee Volunteer, Eric Berry likes what he’s seeing so far in the rookie quarterback.

All For Tennessee

Feb 22, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kansas City Chiefs general manager John Dorsey speaks at a press conference during the 2013 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs announced Friday that the club has signed former Kansas FB Tobin Opurum.

From the Chiefs’ press release:

Opurum (6-1, 250) played defensive end and linebacker at the University of Kansas where he recorded 109 tackles (59 solo), 6.5 sacks (-47.0 yards), four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and seven passes defensed. Opurum played running back for the Jayhawks in 2009, rushing 133 times for 554 yards and nine touchdowns. He also served on the school’s special teams unit. The Richardson, Texas, native prepped at  Plano East High School in Plano, Texas.

The Kansas City Chiefs did their best to retain as many of their top free agents as they could, but one player that was allowed to depart was DE Glenn Dorsey. Dorsey’s replacement, former New York Jet Mike DeVito, is already hard at work helping  his new teammates learn defensive coordinator Bob Sutton’s defense. DeVito played for Sutton for four years in New York.

“Yeah, it’s been a real blessing being in this defense for four years,” said DeVito. “When you’re coming to a new place, I’m sure that’s probably one of the hardest things is learning the playbook. So I really have been trying to help these guys, especially up front to get lined up, to get set. But these guys have got it. Tyson [Jackson], [Dontari] Poe, Dan Muir, these guys pick it up fast because they’re true professionals and you can see that in the classroom and on the field. So you don’t really have to say too much and that’s great because now these guys can get lined up and focus on what they’re supposed to do and not have to worry about the playbook.”

DeVito is expected to step in and start in Dorsey’s old DE spot. If the line remains the same as last year, he will play alongside two first-round picks in NT Poe and DE Jackson. According to DeVito, both players are exhibiting their talents and athleticism at OTA practices.

“Man, I’ll tell you. Poe, he reminds me of Kris Jenkins, just so big and so athletic,” said DeVito. “When he puts his hand down and gets going there’s just no stopping him. Tyson, just a complete player. A guy that can play the run, explosive with his hips, can rush the passer. Those guys are great to be around and I’ve learned a lot from them to try to implement some of the things that they do into my game.”

One area where all three of the Chiefs’ projected starting defensive lineman have struggled, is in the pass rushing department. Sutton’s defense is reportedly much more aggressive than former head coach and defensive coordinator, Romeo Crennel’s scheme. It will be interesting to see if the varied blitz packages the Chiefs are expected to implement will help DeVito, Poe and Jackson create more pressure.

What do you think, Addicts? Will the Chiefs’ defensive line be better in 2013 than it was in 2012?

Jan 22, 2013; Mobile AL, USA; Kansas City Chiefs general manager John Dorsey discusses with his scouts and coaches following the Senior Bowl South Squad practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs are busy with OTA practices this week but the organization is also formalizing some personnel moves.

The team announced a bunch staff hires today. Most of the moves are on the the scouting side of things. Now that the NFL draft is in the books, GM John Dorsey will want to get his own guys in place.

“We’ve got a great bunch of guys on our personnel staff that bring a wide range of experience to the table,” Dorsey said. “They’re all hard workers that are thoughtful, dedicated and detailed. We’re happy we were able to add, as well as retain, some very talented individuals.”

The info from the Chiefs’ press release is below:

The Kansas City Chiefs announced several personnel moves on Thursday including the hiring of Will Lewis as the club’s Director of Pro Scouting and Marvin Allen as the team’s Director of College Scouting. The Chiefs have also hired Randy Ball as the team’s Pro Scouting Assistant and Trey Koziol to serve as an Area Scout.

Additionally the club has promoted Mike Borgonzi to Assistant Director of Pro Scouting, Dom Green to Assistant Director of College Scouting, Brett Veach to Pro and College Personnel Analyst and Ryan Poles to College Coordinator.

Lewis (Director of Pro Scouting) most recently served as the Vice President of Football Operations for the Seattle Seahawks (2010-12). He spent 13 years with Seattle, originally joining the club as Director of Pro Personnel in 1999. Lewis joined the Seahawks after three seasons in the Packers scouting department (1997-99). Lewis served as the team’s Assistant Director of Pro Personnel after originally joining the Packers as a pro scout. He worked with Dorsey at both stops. From 1995-96, Lewis was a defensive assistant coach for the Atlanta Falcons.

Lewis signed as an undrafted free agent cornerback with the Seahawks in 1980. Following his career with Seattle he played three seasons with the Houston Gamblers of the USFL (1983-85) and four seasons in the CFL (1986-89). He began his coaching career in NFL Europe with the New York/New Jersey Knights (1991-92). He coached defensive backs at his alma mater, Millersville State, from 1992-93 before brief stints at the University of Maine (1994) and the University of West Virginia (1995). He and his wife Kimmberly have three sons.

Allen (Director of College Scouting) spent the last four years as a national scout with the Atlanta Falcons. Prior to joining the Falcons he served 16 seasons in the New England Patriots personnel department, including 12 years as an area scout for the club. The Wichita Falls, Texas, native is a graduate of Tulane University. A former running back, Allen was drafted by the Patriots in the 11^th round (294^th overall) of the 1988 NFL Draft.

“Will and Marvin are tremendous at what they do,” Dorsey said. “I had the privilege of getting to know Will while working with him in both Seattle and Green Bay, and he has a lot of experience that will benefit us. Marvin’s been in this league a long time, and he is an incredible person with a lot of ability.”

Ball (Pro Scouting Assistant) enters his first season with Kansas City in 2013. Prior to joining the Chiefs, Ball served as the Director of Player Personnel for the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League (UFL). Before moving to the UFL, Ball served as the defensive line coach at Drake University in 2007. He served as the head coach at Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo., from 1999-2005, compiling a 34-42 record in seven seasons with the Bears football program.

Prior to joining Missouri State, Ball was head coach at Western Illinois (1990-98), leading the Leathernecks program to a 64-41-1 record in nine seasons. In 1997, Ball was the Eddie Robinson Award finalist for the national coach of the year, in addition to being named the Bruce Craddock Award recipient and Gateway Conference Coach of the Year.

Prior to being named head coach in 1990, Ball served as an assistant coach at Western Illinois for seven years (1982-89). As a student-athlete, Ball was team captain and earned all-conference honors (1970-71) as part of the Northeast Missouri State football program (now known as Truman State University) in Kirksville, Mo.

He spent four years as a high school coach before coaching stints at Missouri Western (1977), Illinois State (1978-80) and his alma mater, Truman State (1982). A native of Muskogee, Okla., Ball prepped at Hickman High School.

Koziol (Area Scout) enters his first season with the Chiefs. Prior to joining the club, he spent five seasons with the Tennessee Titans, four as a pro scout after joining the team as an intern for the 2008 season. Koziol helped scout future Titans opponents and assess talent in all professional leagues including the NFL, the Canadian Football League and the Arena Football League. He also helped coordinate free agent visits and tryouts and monitor NFL transactions.

After attending Hinsdale Central High School in Hinsdale, Ill., Koziol attended Boston College where he played tight end from 2003-07. Koziol returned to Boston College as a graduate assistant in 2008 prior to his stint with the Titans.

Borgonzi (Assistant Director of Pro Scouting) begins his fifth season with Kansas City in 2013. He spent the previous two years as a Pro Personnel Scout for the club. In 2010, he served as the Manager of Football Operations where he coordinated logistics and performed other duties for the club’s football staff. In 2009, Borgonzi served as the club’s college scouting administrator. Prior to joining the Chiefs, he served two seasons as the Assistant Recruiting Coordinator at Boston College (2007-08). Prior to a stint in the financial sector, he served as tight ends coach at Amherst College in 2002.

The Everett, Mass., native had a tryout with the Buffalo Bills in 2002 and attended training camp with the Green Bay Blizzard of Arena Football 2 in 2003 before an injury forced his retirement. He was a four-year starter as a fullback at Brown University, earning All-Ivy League honors three times.

Green (Assistant Director of College Scouting) enters his fifth season with the Chiefs in 2013. Prior to being elevated, he served as a Regional Scout for the club in 2010 after originally joining the Chiefs in 2009 as an Area Scout.

Prior to joining the Chiefs, he spent three campaigns as a scout with Tampa Bay (2006-08). He previously served as the head coach at Southwest Mississippi Community College (2001-05) after coaching the offensive and defensive lines for two campaigns (1999-00). Green spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Middle Tennessee State (1995, 1997-98). He served as a strength intern with the Miami Dolphins in 1996.

The Largo, Fla., native served as a graduate assistant at the University of Mississippi (1993-94), working with the defensive backs, offensive line and as a strength coach. Green began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Mississippi College in 1992, working with tight ends and offensive tackles.

Veach (Pro & College Personnel Analyst) enters his first season as a member of the Chiefs player personnel department in 2013 and his fourth as an NFL scout. He joined the Chiefs after spending six years with the Philadelphia Eagles organization.

Most recently, Veach served as a southeast regional scout (2011-12) after originally joining Philadelphia’s player personnel department as a pro and college scout in 2010. Prior to entering the scouting department, Veach served as an assistant to Head Coach Andy Reid for three season (2007-09) while Reid held the same title with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Before joining the Eagles, Veach served as supervisor of intercollegiate athletic events at his alma mater, the University of Delaware (2005-06). He was a four-year letterman as a wide receiver for the Blue Hens, catching 99 passes for 1,470 yards (14.8 avg.). He left Delaware as the school’s all-time leader in kickoff return yards with 1,558 yards. Born in Mt. Carmel, Pa., Veach was a standout running back for Mt. Carmel High School.

Poles (College Coordinator) enters his fifth season with Kansas City in 2013. Prior to his promotion, Poles served as the club’s College Scouting Administrator after joining the team as a Player Personnel Assistant in 2009. Prior to joining the Chiefs, Poles served as a Recruiting Assistant for his alma mater, Boston College (2008-09), after signing with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2008.

The Canandaigua, N.Y., native played offensive tackle for five seasons for the Golden Eagles (2003-07), protecting current Atlanta Falcons QB Matt Ryan. Poles was honored with the Paul Cavanaugh Award in 2007 as the student-athlete with total commitment to football both on and off the field and for his dedication to volunteerism, ethics and community. He played his prep football at Canandaigua Academy in Canandaigua, N.Y.

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City Chiefs WR Dwayne Bowe told reporters yesterday that he would lead the NFL in receptions and touchdowns in 2013 but he also had some praise for his new QB, Alex Smith.

“Just watching Steve Young back in the day, he’s that kind of guy,” Said Bowe on Wednesday. “He’s not too vocal about it, but when he’s in the huddle, he makes his presence known. He’s demanding guys speed up — I mean, I never had a quarterback like that.”

Wow. That is pretty high praise.

Bowe isn’t the only player heaping praise on Smith. Despite being early on in the process, the players seem to be warming to Smith as their new leader. Two of those players are WRs Dexter McCluster and Jonathan Baldwin.

“He’s a great quarterback, a guy that’s mobile, a guy that knows how to read defense and take advantage of mismatches,” McCluster said. “He’s definitely confident. As a quarterback, you need to be confident. But knowing him, he’s never shaken.”

Baldwin noted that he is already developing a rapport with his new QB.

“We communicate all the time. We text back and forth, talking about different things we see, different things we want to do,” said Baldwin. “He kind of understands where I’m going to be, and I understand what he’s thinking, and the more you have a relationship with your quarterback off the field, the better it is on the field.”

For Baldwin and McCluster, Smith could be just what the doctor ordered. While McCluster has had a bit more success, both players have failed to meet the expectations that come along with being taken in the first two rounds of the draft. Andy Reid’s offense, combined with Smith’s accuracy, could be the combination that finally helps McCluster and Baldwin get to the next level as receivers.

What do you think, Addicts? How big of an impact is Alex Smith going to have on the Chiefs’ offense?

May 15, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Donald Stephenson (79) and Jon Asamoah (73) run drills during organized team activities at the University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

“Just watching Steve Young back in the day, he’s that kind of guy,” wide receiver Dwayne Bowe said Wednesday. “He’s not too vocal about it, but when he’s in the huddle, he makes his presence known. He’s demanding guys speed up — I mean, I never had a quarterback like that.”

It took Smith more than five years in the NFL to adjust to the expectations that come with starting at the game’s most glamorous position. But given a fresh chance under a new regime in San Francisco, he thrived during the 2011 season, going 13-3 and leading his team to the playoffs.

He was doing it again last year, too, as the 49ers got off to a 6-2-1 start. But when a concussion forced him from the field, Colin Kaepernick stepped in and emerged as the next big thing in an era of mobile quarterbacks.

Kaepernick led the 49ers to the Super Bowl as Smith watched from the sideline.

Westport-News

How will Jamaal Charles fit into Andy Reid’s offense?

Heath Evans said he thinks new Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid will use Jamaal Charles very similarly to how he used LeSean McCoy with the Philadelphia Eagles. Evans predicted that Reid might even use Charles in new schemes that he did not use in Philadelphia.

Reid’s hiring of Chris Ault, the pioneer of the pistol offense, also could indicate that Reid is trying to develop new offensive strategies to keep up with the changes in the NFL, Evans said.

NFL.com

New Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid recently lured Mike Frazier from the Philadelphia Eagles as his statistical analysis coordinator, Frazier’s second NFL job. Before his nine years with the Eagles, he had internships with Smith Barney and Wachovia Securities. Finance is not always the path to a key NFL front office job, but it’s increasingly representative of a skill set being tapped to influence football moves.

The Eagles, meanwhile, are continuing an investment into analytics that has existed for nearly a decade, with full-time staffers employed in a department that falls under the coaching and scouting umbrella.

“Every team in the league is going to spend the next two or three years to see if they can build a better analytics department,” Demoff says. “Everybody’s trying to see if there’s a silver bullet.”

USA Today

Oct 27, 2012; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) follows the block of fullback Braden Wilson (37) on Texas Tech Red Raiders safety Cody Davis (16) during a game at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Kansas State won the game 55-24. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs continue to ink their draft picks. The team announced today that they have signed FB Braden Wilson.

From the press release:

The Kansas City Chiefs announced on Wednesday that the club has signed the second of the team’s two sixth-round draft picks (204th overall) fullback Braden Wilson. Wilson is the fourth of Kansas City’s eight selections to sign with the club.

Wilson (6-4, 256) appeared in 51 games (27 starts) at fullback in four years at Kansas State. He recorded 21 carries for 44 yards (2.1 avg.) with two touchdowns and added 18 receptions for 144 yards (8.0 avg.). Wilson was a two-way standout at running back and defensive end at Smith Center High School in Smith Center, Kan.

The Chiefs have already locked up RB Kile Davis, DE Mike Capatano and C Eric Kush. That’s half the draft class inked and it is still May.

Not too bad, Mr. Dorsey. Not too bad at all.

Go Chiefs.

Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

As the Kansas City Chiefs enter their second day of OTA practices, WR Dwayne Bowe is already feeling confident. In fact, he’s making some pretty bold predictions.

“Jamaal Charles is going to lead the league in rushing this year,” said Bowe in comments obtained via the Kansas City Star, “and I’m going to lead the league in receptions and touchdowns.”

When former Chiefs GM, Soctt Pioli and former head coach, Todd Haley, arrived in Kansas City in 2009, their first order of business was to get Dwayne Bowe to shut up and behave himself. Haley treated Bowe as if he was an infant, demoting the the WR to the bottom of the depth chart for a portion of the preseason. The thinking, I suppose, was that by putting Bowe in his “place” that the receiver would focus and improve. When Bowe had a career year two seasons later, folks liked to credit Haley’s demotion for the receiver’s success.

Looking back, I don’t think Haley had anything to do with Bowe’s improvement. I don’t think that forcing the receiver to hide from the media and requiring that he refer to himself as “Dwayne” instead of “D-Bowe,” made a lick of difference in his play.

Bowe has always been a talented receiver that sometimes lacks focus and drops the ball. He’s explosive but inconsistent.

Bowe’s successful 2010 season had more to do with then offensive coordinator, Charlie Weis than it did Haley. Weis got the most out of the Chiefs’ offense and because a lot of passes were called in the red zone, Bowe got a lot of touchdowns. But even in 2010, Bowe had a stretch of games where he didn’t perform well. The receiver also vanished in the team’s playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Daywne Bowe will likely become a more consistent player as soon as he gets more consistent play from his QB. “The Show” hasn’t had consistent QB play, not ever, in his entire career. Perhaps his newfound confidence is the result of two days catching the ball from former No. 1 overaal pick, Alex Smith.

I don’t think Andy Reid and John Dorsey care about Dwayne Bowe’s mouth. I think what they care about, is his production on the field.

I don’t care about Dwayne Bowe’s mouth either. In fact, I think it might benefit Bowe to bring back the “D-Bowe Show.” A little swagger can be a good thing for a receiver. Frankly, I want Bowe going out on the field looking to prove he’s the best receiver in the league.

Todd Haley spent the 2010 season telling his players and anyone else that would listen, that his team wasn’t any good, even as they marched steadily toward an AFC West title.

A couple of years later, another young coach by the name of Jim Harbaugh brought his family’s motto to his football team. Growing up, Harbaugh’s father used to ask the family, “who’s got it better than us,” to which his family would respond “nobody.”

From the day Harbaugh arrived in San Francisco, few teams have had it better than the 49ers. The coach arrived with a message that essentially says “you are who you are and you have what it takes.”

Perhaps the young and talented Chiefs, are ready to embrace a similar message under Andy Reid. Despite coming off a 2-14 season, Reid has not said a single negative thing about his new team or even the regime that he and his coaches are replacing. Reid has said that the team is talented and will keep working to get better.

For an offense that couldn’t move the ball at all in 2012, a little confidence might be a good thing. Sure, predictions can sometimes backfire but Bowe wants the best for himself and his teammates.

And I’m not sure there’s anything wrong with that.

Give em’ hell, Dwayne.

Check that.

Give em’ hell, “D-Bowe.”

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs recently hired former Nevada head coach and creator of the Pistol offense, Chris Ault, as a consultant, leading many to speculate that the Chiefs would be exclusively running the Pistol offense.

Speaking to the media yesterday after the Chiefs’ OTA practice, head coach Andy Reid said his team would not necessarily be running only Pistol plays.

“Well it is an option, literally,” said Reid when asked if running the Pistol offense was an option. “We do a little bit of everything, so that’s what we’ve always done. We’re not featuring that. But we mess around with a little bit of everything.”

Reid clarified that Ault isn’t moving to Kansas City and that he will work on special projects given to him by Reid. The coach also mentioned that Ault will work with the Chiefs’ Spread Game Analyst, Brad Childress.

“Chris is a consultant and I brought him in,” said Reid. “He’s actually been here once and visited with the defense and spent some time there. He visited with Brad Childress a little bit and they went over some stuff. He will not be here, he’s not moving here, that’s not what he’s doing. He’s living in Reno. I’m doing with him what I did with Tommy Brasher for the last six years and that was I would give him projects to do and between him and Brad [Childress], they’ll do that and work together on some things for us.”

The Chiefs aren’t going to come out and talk too much about what their plans are for their offense. While I doubt KC will use only Pistol formations, even if that was the plan, Reid isn’t likely to tip his hand in May.

Chances are the Chiefs will run a bit of a West Coast/Pistol hybrid. Reid has always been a West Coast guy and QB Alex Smith thrived in a similar system in San Francisco.

Still, the Chiefs will benefit from mixing things up a little bit in an effort to keep their opponents guessing. With more and more teams running versions of the Pistol and other college offenses, the Chiefs’ defense will also benefit from practicing against the Pistol.

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

“Everybody makes mistakes. Through this whole process, I realized I made mistakes,” Albert said Tuesday, via The Associated Press. “I shouldn’t have said certain things. That’s part of the game — learn from it and move on.

Albert didn’t give details about his mistakes, but it’s a good bet that he regrets skipping voluntary workouts and team meetings as well as airing his grievances with the organization on Twitter.

Now that trade talks are dead and Albert has been re-installed at left tackle, the rest of the offseason should go smoothly.

“I’m just happy to be here,” Albert. “I’m here right now, and this is God’s honest truth, I wanted to a Chief. I had to go through the process and now I’m here.”

NFL.com

“I told Coach Reid, ‘Whatever I can do to help you win a Super Bowl, I’ll do it,’ ” the 66-year-old Ault told the Reno Gazette-Journal in a story published Monday.

The pistol offensive formation lines up the quarterback a few yards behind center, but short of the traditional shotgun formation. The idea is to give the quarterback, particularly those with the ability to run the option, more versatility immediately after the snap.

Ault utilized the offense at Nevada with Colin Kaepernick, who led the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl this past season. The 49ers and other NFL teams have begun to implement it, with the Redskins and quarterback Robert Griffin III using it to great success.

Kaepernick, of course, replaced Alex Smith as the 49ers’ starting quarterback, allowing the team to trade Smith to the Chiefs this past offseason. And while Smith hasn’t done much running in the NFL, he ran a spread-option system for coach Urban Meyer in college at Utah.

ESPN

“He’s actually been here once and visited with the defense and spent some time there. He visited with Brad Childress a little bit and they went over some stuff. He will not be here, he’s not moving here, that’s not what he’s doing. He’s living in Reno. I’m doing with him what I did with Tommy Brasher for the last six years and that was I would give him projects to do and between him and Brad [Childress], they’ll do that and work together on some things for us.”

Now, is the pistol offense an option for the Chiefs?

“Well it is an option, literally,” Reid said. “We do a little bit of everything, so that’s what we’ve always done. We’re not featuring that. But we mess around with a little bit of everything.”

Arrowhead Pride

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs are still searching the free agency bargain bin in an attempt to improve their roster.

According to the Baltimore Sun, the Chiefs hosted free agent defensive lineman Ryan McBean on Monday.

You may remember McBean as a former Denver Bronco.

From the Sun:

McBean spent last season on the Ravens’ injured reserve list after breaking his left ankle in a preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons and undergoing surgery to repair the damage.

The Ravens didn’t sign McBean to a new contract as an unrestricted free agent after his one-year, $1.214 million contract expired. During free agency, the Ravens signed a pair of veteran defensive linemen in Chris Canty and Marcus Spears.

McBean, 29, is a former Pittsburgh Steelers fourth-round draft pick who has recorded 77 career tackles and four sacks.

McBea’s last season in Denver did not go well. He started for the Donkey’s, playing over 700 snaps. Pro Football Focus graded him a -21.9 on the season. He wasn’t much better in 2010, scoring a -17.9 grade in 447 snaps.

McBean seems to have some pass rushing ability but he doesn’t appear to be a player the Chiefs will want starting for them. Still, the Chiefs need depth on their defensive line and if healthy and utilized properly, McBean could be a sub-package contributor.

What do you think, Addicts? Do you want the Chiefs to sign McBean?

Charles LeClaire-USPRESSWIRE

The Kansas City Chiefs are still busy shaping their roster.

The team has added former New York Giants DB Buddy Jackson and former Philadelphia Eagles OT Matt Reynolds. Both players were acquired off of the waiver wire. Since the Chiefs had the worst record in the NFL in 2012, the team gets first crack at any released players that must clear waivers.

Jackson was an undrafted free agent out of Pittsburgh. He was signed by the Indianapolis Colts and then landed on the Washington Redskins practice squad. He appears to be a raw prospect with heaps of athletic ability. Unfortunately, being strong and fast doesn’t always mean a guy will be a good football player. Check out this tape of his Pro Day.

Reynolds will turn 27 at the end of the month. He played college ball at Bringham Young and went undrafted in 2012.

Neither of these moves seem to be particularly significant. It seems that Andy Reid and John Dorsey are trying to bring in as many of their own guys as possible to fill out the bottom of the roster and to create competition. The Chiefs will likely continue to churn the bottom of the roster guys until they hit training camp.

The Chiefs also cut CB DeQuan Menzie earlier today. It will be interesting to see if any more Scott Pioli draft picks get cut before camp. Reid and Dorsey have kept most of the core Chiefs in place but bubble players from the previous room could be in danger as the new-look Chiefs move forward.

(h/t Arrowhead Pride)

Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs have cut former Alabama CB DeQuan Menzie.

Menzie is the latest Scott Pioli-drafted Alabama CB to bite the dust. Recently, the Chiefs also traded CB Javier Arenas to the Arizona Cardinals.

The Chiefs haven’t announced the deal yet but the news comes from Menzie’s twitter account.

I wanna thank the chiefs nation for the support…..keep balling my brothers @neiko15 @t_hart2 @stuntman1429 @klewis23 @younghemi21…1

— De’Quan Menzie (@menzie24) May 14, 2013

@countryboi567 I did

— De’Quan Menzie (@menzie24) May 14, 2013

I don’t get this move at all. Then again, I didn’t understand the Arenas trade either.

The Chiefs selected Menzie in the fifth round of the 2012 NFL Draft. The guy never even played a regular season down for the team, as he was placed on IR before the season started last year.

Unless Menzie has some unresolved injury issue, I can’t understand why the Chiefs wouldn’t at least bring him to camp. As a fifth round pick, he wasn’t exactly eating into the team’s salary cap.

The Chiefs are set for starters at CB with Brandon Flowers, Dunta Robinson and Sean Smith. But what about behind those players?

Flowers and Smith are still in their primes but Robinson just turned 31 years old. The Chiefs drafted Sanders Commings but they have said they plan to play him at safety and the former Georgia Bulldog is no more or less proven at the NFL level than Menzie.

The Chiefs just signed six players that participated in their rookie minicamp on a tryout basis. I find it hard to believe that all six of those players have a better shot at making the team than Menzie.

I know that Reid and Dorsey want to get their own guys but it is hard to see the Chiefs cutting draft picks. Like I said, there might be a good reason for this but right now it doesn’t seem to me that Menzie got a fair chance in KC.

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid keeps defying expectations.

After a fourteen years as the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, Reid’s tenure ended in failure. His last years with the Eagles were marred by losing seasons and despite a long history of success, Reid was never able to guide Philadelphia to a championship. The organization decided it was time for a change.

As the end of the 2012 season approached and Reid’s eventual fate was becoming more and more apparent, there were some in the media that suggested that Reid should probably take a year or two off from football. Fourteen years is a long time for an NFL coach to hold the same job and Reid had recently lost his son Garrett, who died at Eagles training camp last August from an accidental heroin overdose.

But Andy Reid had no intention in taking time off. Just days after being fired by the Eagles, Reid was being introduced as the next head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Given Reid’s history and status as one of the most respected head coaches in the NFL, the media got right back to jumping to conclusions. It was written over and over that Reid would have full control in Kansas City and would have the final say in all personel decisions, even over the GM.

Yet everything we’ve seen from the Chiefs this offseason seems to indicated that GM John Dorsey and Reid really do have their own areas of power. After being hired, Reid was quoted on multiple occasions to the press,as saying that Dorsey had the final call on personel decisions.

Thus far, that appears to be the case.

Chiefs owner Clark Hunt seemed to have had his fill of power plays with former GM Scott Pioli. Pioli had total control over everything from the personel decisions right down to who picked up candy wrappers in the stairwell. Pioli’s power trip caused strife in the front office and on the field with former head coach Todd Haley.

Hunt may have allowed Reid a say in who the eventual GM of the Chiefs would be. Reid was the big fish and I am sure Hunt wanted the coach to have a GM that he was comfortable with. But just because Reid was afforded a say in putting together the team, doesn’t mean that he was granted all-encompassing power.

Reid seems to trust Dorsey and so far at least, there have been no reports of any disagreements between the two. Reid’s willingness to defy expectations and work with a GM instead of having the GM work for him, should only benefit the Chiefs as they build their team. Running a successful NFL franchise is a large and difficult task and not many men can do it on their own. Instead of being the football czar in KC, as he was originally projected to be by the media, it appears Reid is content with doing what he does best, which is coaching a football team.

Finally, Reid and Dorsey have decided to hire former Nevada head coach and creator of the Pistol offense, Chris Ault, as a consultant. While it isn’t clear exactly what Ault’s duties will be, there are reports that he will be helping install some form of the Pistol on offense, while also helping to coach the defense on stopping it.

This is yet another move that shows Reid’s ability to adapt to the ever-changing and evolving NFL. College offensive schemes are becoming more and more prevalent in the pros and if the Chiefs want to keep up with their competition, then they need to change with the times.

Kansas City has also hired former Minnesota Vikings head coach, Brad Childress, as the team’s “Spread Game Analyst.” While it is unclear exactly what Childress’ duties will be, it is apparent that the Chiefs are wisely bringing in talented and experienced consultants to help them survive and thrive in today’s NFL.

Instead of getting the hotshot, veteran head coach that was going to come in and call all the shots and put everyone in their place, the Chiefs appear to have gotten a thoughtful, forward thinking leader that has learned from both his success and his failures.

We’re way too early in the process to know if this new Chiefs regime will be successful. But the early returns seem positive.

If Reid and company can put it all together, there could be something very special happing in Kansas City.

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs made some roster moves yesterday, cutting three players and signing six.

Here are the details:

DL Risean Broussard, S Greg Castillo, DE Miguel Chavis, S Justin Glenn, RB Jordan Roberts and DB James Rogers.

Broussard (6-2, 278) played in eight games in one season at Hinds Community College, recording 61 tackles (43 solo), six tackles for a loss, 6.0 sacks (-42.0 yards), an interception (-15.0 yards) and two forced fumbles. He attended LaGrange High School in Lake Charles, La.

Castillo (5-11, 187) played in 41 games (seven starts) at Iowa, recording 55 tackles (32 solo), two interceptions and four passes defensed. The Mount Laurel, N.J., native earned first-team all-Catholic and all-city honors at St. Joseph’s Prep (Pa.).

Chavis (6-5, 285) played in 47 games at Clemson and had 71 tackles (37 solo), 1.5 sacks (-9.0 yards) and a pass breakup. The Fayetteville, N.C., native prepped at Terry Stanford High School before playing football at Hargrave Military Academy.

Glenn (5-11, 214) appeared in 40 games (16 starts) in four years at the University of Washington, recording 152 tackles (93 solo), three tackles for loss, four fumble recoveries, three interceptions and four passes defensed. Earned honorable mention All-Pac-12 as a senior and was named the Most Outstanding Special Teams Player at the team’s postseason awards banquet. The Mukilteo, Wash., native prepped at Kamiak High School where he was a defensive back and running back.

Roberts (5-10, 222) played in 11 games for the University of Charleston as a senior in 2012, rushing 238 times for 1,572 yards (6.61 avg.) with 18 touchdowns, earning WVIAC Offensive Player of the Year honors. The Yawkey, W. Va., native prepped at Scott High School in Madison, W. Va., earning the Kennedy Award as the best high school player in the state of West Virginia.

Rogers (6-1, 188) played in 46 games (15 starts) at the University of Michigan as a defensive back and wide receiver, starting 13 games at cornerback and two games at wide receiver. He caught three passes for 64 yards (21.3 avg.) during his career and added three interceptions and four passes defensed, as well as 15 special teams tackles. The Madison Heights, Mich., native prepped at Lamphere High School where he was a three-year varsity letterman.

RELEASED 

D’Imperio (6-3, 240) originally joined the Chiefs this offseason as a free agent on March 21. He played in 12 games (one start) in two NFL seasons with the Minnesota Vikings (2010-11). After spending the 2010 season on the club’s practice squad, D’Imperio was promoted to the active roster in October of 2011, recording two catches for seven yards. He originally entered the NFL as a seventh-round draft choice (237^thoverall) of the Vikings in the 2010 NFL Draft. D’Imperio played linebacker at Rutgers. He prepped at Washington Township High School in Sewell, N.J.

Eachus (5-10, 212) originally joined the Chiefs as a rookie free agent in 2012. He played in 11 games (two starts) with the club last year, recording five rushes for 18 yards and one catch for 19 yards. Prior to joining the Chiefs, he played collegiately at Colgate. He prepped at Hazleton Area High School in Hazleton, Pa. 

Gumbs (5-10, 210) originally entered the NFL as a rookie free agent with the New Orleans Saints on April 30, 2012. Gumbs was released by the Saints on Sept. 7. He originally signed on with Kansas City’s practice squad on Dec. 5, 2012. Gumbs was a starter at Monmouth. He prepped at Hebron Academy in Hebron, Maine.

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs held a three-day rookie minicamp over the weekend. While a majority of the players were in town only on a tryout basis and aren’t likely to be brought back, drafted rookies Braden Wilson and Mike Catapano will at least be given the chance to go to training camp.

Both Wilson and Catapano will likely have to fight for a roster spot, as both were taken in the late rounds of the draft.

Wilson was selected in the sixth round but shortly after the draft, the Chiefs traded Javier Arenas to the Arizona Cardinals for FB Anthony Sherman.

“I just know I’m going to approach the situation the same as I would have regardless,” said Wilson when asked about the Sherman trade. “I just have to do the work and do everything I can to earn myself a spot if I can.”

Wilson, who grew up in Kansas, is excited to have the chance to play for favorite team.

“Yeah, like you just said, I grew up a Kansas kid, this is the team I cheered for when I was growing up. I just need to capitalize on this situation and make a dream come true.”

As for Catapano, he is also facing long odds. A seventh-round pick out of Princeton, Catapano hopes to be one of the few Ivy League players in recent memory to make a splash at the NFL level.

“I wouldn’t say surprised, but I was definitely hopeful,” said Catapano hen asked if he was surprised he was drafted. “You control the controllable. I tried to take advantage of every opportunity whether it was my pro day, I wasn’t really concerned. I just knew whatever was going to happen was going to happen, and I’d roll with it and play to the best of my ability with whatever team I ended up with.”

Catapano played DE in college but will transition to OLB for the Chiefs. The rookie said he is up to the challenge of learning a new position at the highest level.

“It’s a mental battle right now” said Catapano. “When you stand up, your eyes open up. You’re used to just putting your head to the ground and going forward, so now there is a whole new world out here. I think for me most of all, it’s the mental battle because physically I feel good. I feel quick at this weight. I think the biggest transition is learning the coverages and the mental battle.”

May 12, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Tyler Bray (9) throws a pass during the rookie minicamp at the University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs wrapped up their three-day rookie minicamp yesterday and as the team looks ahead to OTAs this week, head coach Andy Reid spoke with the media to talk about the last few days.

Reid got specific about a couple of players. First, he was asked about third-round pick Knile Davis. Davis has had a history of broken ankles in college and Reid weighed in on how much he though the injuries impacted Davis in his final years at Arkansas.

“No, what you see consistently, whether it is the college level or the NFL – Adrian Peterson kind of blew this up, but he is a little different character, he is pretty special that way – but most of the time, when guys have a major injury it usually takes them about a year to get themselves all the way back,” said Reid. “I think if you take time into that statement that I am making then you have enough evidence of that.”

Reid was also asked wich players he thought stood out on the final day of the minicamp and he interestingly singled out QB Tyler Bray.

“Tyler Bray had a nice day today, I think that is obvious,” said Reid. “He made some nice throws down in the red zone. He has to continue to make progress, but he did some nice things. It was good to see [Sanders] Commings work at safety. He played a little bit of corner but was primarily at safety. It was nice to see the progress that he made as he went on. We feel like he can still play corner but that gives us the flexibility to play that free safety position. We will see, that is kind of where we are at.”

There are a lot of folks that think Bray has loads of potential and that he could have been a first-round pick had be decided to stay in college for another season. If the former Tennessee Volunteer continues to impress in practice, he could find himself on track to be an eventual replacement fro Alex Smith.

First things first, however. Bray has to start with making the team.

May 12, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid watches drills during the rookie minicamp at the University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs concluded their three-day rookie minicamp yesterday. The group was made up of rookies the team has signed, either through the draft or as free agents and a group of rookie free agents in town on a tryout basis.

Most of those rookie free agents will be given a pat on the back and be sent on their way. Still, some of them may have done enough over the last three days to have earned a shot at going to camp with the Chiefs.

Head coach Andy Reid told reporters on Sunday that there are a couple of players he might like to bring back, as long as he can get permission from GM John Dorsey.

“Yeah, I think we will, but I have to get with Dorse [John Dorsey] and see,”said Reid. “But he had his guys out here, the three days, evaluating them and watching tape. He is meeting with them now, so I will see where that goes.”

Though only have three days to evaluate some of these players presents its challenges, Reid told the media that the Chiefs approached every player the same way.

“Well, really you get two walkthroughs and you get three practices,” said Reid. “You want to do the best you can. We gave the kids a lot of reps. You do the best you can off of film study and how they take your coaching that you are able to give them. Our coaches, it doesn’t matter whether you were the first pick or a college free agent, we don’t care, we are going to coach them all the same. We have a chance to see how they pick it up and them we make our decision. Does that mean that the kids that you let go don’t have a chance? No, some of them are going to have an opportunity somewhere else, but you do the best you can.”

Every season, there are a few unknown rookie free agents that end up making NFL teams. It will be interesting to see if any of the guys the Chiefs decide to bring back stick around come September.

October 26, 2012; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cheerleaders perform for the crowd during the game against the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium. The Broncos won 17-9. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

I’ve thought all along that whatever happens with the fraternal hazing Te’o gets, he’ll be measured among his teammates by performance. If the guy can play and is an earnest worker, he’ll get respect in time. It’s naïve to think the phony girlfriend won’t come up, and I’m sure Te’o knows it’s coming, and he just has to take whatever comes his way. But then it’ll be over. Then the questions will be about his play. Will he hold the point of attack when big and fast Oakland back Darren McFadden lowers his head up the gut on third-and-two? Will he be able to pivot and cover Denver tight end Jacob Tamme, and hold his own when he’s caught in a mismatch against versatile Chiefs back Dexter McCluster? He’ll be tested by good weapons in the AFC West.

SI.com

Two weeks ago, he became the first player from Princeton to be selected in the NFL Draft since 2001. And while Ivy League graduates are generally well-respected, it’s not usually for their abilities on a football field. Only six players from the Ivy League appeared in an NFL game last season.

Catapano is trying to change the conventional thinking.

“Everybody always says, ‘Hey, at least you’re bringing up the team GPA,’ ” Catapano said. “but I came here to play. I’m proud to represent the Ivy League. The Ivy League is smart guys that like to play football, and that’s what I’m here to show — that we can play the game just as (well) as everybody else.”

KC Star

Harris is trying to find a spot on the Chiefs roster at this weekend’s minicamp. It’s clear after watching an hour of practice that he hasn’t played football in four years. He sits on the sideline — watching — most of the time. A coach is near him, explaining things to him as the day goes on. If he was in on more than a half dozen plays during practice then I didn’t see it. Limited reps to be sure. He isn’t even sweaty when practice ends.

He’s tall, but not bulky. If you look close enough you could convince yourself that’s a basketball player’s body and not a football player’s but to say he looked different than any of the other tight ends would not be accurate. He’s just slightly taller at 6’7. I expected to see skinny legs — basketball player and all — but his legs look like the rest of the players on the field.

Arrowhead Pride

It’s been a wild and crazy ride for New Orleans Saints center Brian De La Puente, but he has finally emerged as one of the best players the NFL has to offer.

You wouldn’t know it.

De La Puente entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He bounced around with the San Francisco 49ers twice, the Kansas City Chiefs, the Seattle Seahawks twice and the Carolina Panthers before joining the Saints in October of 2010.

Two years later, and De La Puente is the exact role model each Saints’ undrafted free agent should be looking up to.
De La Puente took over as the starter in New Orleans after Olin Kreutz elected to ditch the NFL altogether in the middle of the 2011 season.

Who Dat Dish

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs may not have had a very good record in 2012 but that doesn’t mean the roster was devoid of talent.

NFL Network is running down its top 100 players of 2013. This is a yearly event where NFL players vote on which players they think are in the top 100 in the league, based on the pervious year’s performances.

Kansas City Chiefs CB Brandon Flowers checked in at #75.

“I’m glad to have him on my team,” said Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles when interviewed for the program. “I know when its time to play, he’s going to come to play. He come up and hit now, he not a scared cornerback.”

Oakland Raiders WR Denarius Moore also heaped some praise on Flowers.

“Last year, he intercepted the ball and took it all the way back on us,” said Moore. “It’s just little plays like that you think you have him beat but he’s still right there beside you and he’ll hurt you in the long run.”

Chiefs safety Eric Berry told NFL Network that the night before the Chiefs played the Broncos last season, Flowers saw something on tap he thought he could exploit.

“Yeah, it was just like a deep skinny post,” said Berry. “They ran the play and he picked it off. A lot of stuff he called, he calls his shots, just like in pool, you know? I think that’s pretty cool too.”

Flowers likely won’t be the last Chiefs player listed in the top 100. Recent commercials seem to indicated that WR Dwayne Bowe will be in the next grouping and chances are that RB Jamaal Charles could make the list as well.

How many Chiefs players do you think belong in the top 100?

Aug 07, 2012; St. Joseph, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Terrance Copper (10) catches a pass as Arizona Cardinals defensive back Larry Parker (41) defends during the Kansas City Chiefs and Arizona Cardinals practice at Missouri Western State University. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Morning Addicts. Just wanted to apologize if you had some trouble getting on the site yesterday. We had some issues around the network that we are pretty sure we have resolved now.

Here is your Morning Fix:

1. The Chiefs had eight draft picks on the field, along with 13 undrafted free agents, 36 tryout players and another eight first year players. The practice was light, with lots of instructional time slotted in.

2. Watching practice from the sidelines was GM John Dorsey, who wore shorts and a Chiefs sweatshirt, and Mayor Sly James, who wore a red hat, red shirt and a suit coat.

Arrowhead Pride

As the Star pointed out, Chase Daniel is the current back up and behind him there is just Ricky Stanzi who is likely not going to be a challenge against Bray. Had he stayed in college and used his final year of eligibility, he could very well have been a top prospect heading into the 2014 NFL Draft. But Bray chose to leave Tennessee early thinking that fortune would grace him this season.

It didn’t and he went undrafted. But his misfortune seems to be the Chiefs blessing. Not only is Bray capable of passing up Stanzi on the depth chart but he very well could end up being a rookie backup at some point in the season. Bray has an NFL size arm and impressive football I.Q., and the only reason he fell in the draft was due to questions about his maturity.

FanSided.com

“I’ve disappointed you,” Verna Hali remembers her stepson telling her. He was facing one-game suspension, which cost him about $1.3 million dollars.

Hali had been suspended for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy, which covers recreational drugs and the abuse of prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs and alcohol, but not performance-enhancing drugs. Hali was apologetic but has never revealed the specific reason for his suspension.

But Mom, Verna Hali in New Jersey, was quick to say that she knew better.

“There is nothing my Little Tamba could do to make me disappointed in him. It’s not in him,” said the Jamaican-American woman, whose voice still has the lilting accent of the island.

KC Star

Give credit to Branden Albert for deciding to join the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday.

Albert previously said he would stay away from the team until the mandatory session begin, Yet, Albert will join voluntary session. New Kansas City coach Andy Reid called Albert, and the two have come to an accord.

Expect both sides to continue to talk about coming to terms on a long-term deal. No deal is close, but both sides are interested in getting a deal done. If not, Albert will play for the $9.8 million franchise tag and be a free agent next year.

In the meantime, Albert is joining his team and putting a spring holdout behind him.

ESPN

Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs and LT Branden Albert have yet to work out a long-term contract but according to head coach Andy Reid, Albert will join the team on Monday.

“He’ll be in here Monday,” Reid said of Albert. “Branden will play the left side for right now and Eric will play the right side. I think that gives you two pretty good bookends right there. We also know we have Donald Stephenson, who is also a good football player.

“He’s very eager to get going. He’s very excited.’’

That has to be good news for Chiefs fans, many of whom (at least on this website) have said they just want the drama to be over with.

The Chiefs aggressively tried to trade Albert ahead of the 2013 NFL Draft. It appeared they were close to dealing him to the Miami Dolphins but the two sides were never able to agree on compensation. Since the draft, it appears the trade market has gone dry. As such, the Chiefs have reportedly began trying to sign Albert to a long-term contract.

Inking Albert long-term would help give the Chiefs some much needed salary cap relief, depending on the contract. Albert reportedly wants top dollar but the Chiefs may be able to structure his contract in such a way that balances out Albert’s big pay day with other high-paid players already on the roster.

The Chiefs and Albert have until July 15th to work out a deal. If they can’t, Albert will be forced to play the 2013 season under the franchise tag, which will pay him a little over $9 million for the year.

Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs may have selected LT Eric Fisher No. 1 overall in the 2013 NFL Draft but it appears Fisher will be playing the right side, at least for now.

The Chiefs kicked off their three-day rookie minicamp on Friday and Fisher lined up at RT. Since it was a rookie minicamp, there were no veterans present, meaning Fisher was clearly the best tackle present. Still, KC had him get started at RT which means the move there is probably set in stone. Fisher played LT in college so the Chiefs will likely want to acclimate him to playing the right side as fast as possible.

Fisher’s presence on the right side is another sign that the Chiefs plan to stay true to their word that Branden Albert will play LT when he returns to the team next week. Albert has been adamant that he has absolutely no interest in moving positions, whether it be to guard or right tackle.

To his credit, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has been saying for a while that he views both tackle positions equally in terms of importance. Putting the No. 1 pick at RT seems to indicate that their is at least some truth to that.

I think this move by Reid is smart. Putting Fisher at RT at a practice for just rookies shows Branden Albert that Reid means it when he says the LT role belongs to the veteran. A happy Albert could mean a slightly increased chance that the LT will adjust his expectations a bit in order to sign a long-term deal with KC.

If that were to happen, the Chiefs could have a very, very good offensive line for years to come.

Mar 13, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs general manager John Dorsey (left), quarterback Alex Smith (center), and head coach Andy Reidx speak to media during the press conference at The University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

After the sides were unable to agree on terms of a long-term contract, the Chiefs designated Albert as their franchise player, effectively preventing him from testing the free-agent market. Albert soon signed the Chiefs’ one-year contract offer worth $9.83 million, but has stayed away from the voluntary off-season conditioning program that began April 1.

He also was absent for last month’s full-squad mini-camp. Albert indicated in a television interview in April that he wanted assurances from the Chiefs that he wouldn’t be traded and that when he reported, he would play left tackle, his position since he joined the Chiefs in 2008 as a first-round draft pick.

KC Star

“I’m just trying to keep a level head,” Fisher said. “You can’t really get ahead of yourself or let the expectations get to you or let the pressure get to you. It’s good be here, finally.”

As the first pick in the draft, Fisher will have to live with those expectations, for better or worse. He got a lesson just how different his life would be the morning after the draft.

He boarded a plane from New York to Kansas City, and as he walked past the cockpit, he was recognized by the captain, who asked Fisher to pose for a photo.

KC Star

Canadian Cory Greenwood can see why Detroit Lions star Calvin Johnson is rated by many as the NFL’s best receiver.

“He’s the first in the weight room and when he’s done lifting he’s on a treadmill running with a weighted vest on,” Greenwood said during a recent telephone interview. “Man, he’s a beast.”

Last season the six-foot-five, 236-pound Johnson, nicknamed Megatron by a former teammate because of his huge hands, led the NFL with 122 catches for a league-record 1,964 receiving yards. He also set league marks for consecutive 100-yard games (eight) and consecutive contests with 10 or more catches (four) while tying Hall of Famer Michael Irvin’s single-season record of 11 100-yard contests.

CTV News

Tammy and her husband, former Birds coach Andy Reid, are selling almost everything they owned that’s Eagles-related, to raise money for the high school football team and Laurel House, a shelter and anti-domestic violence agency.

“We’ve got anything that we wore or collected over the last 14 seasons of Eagles gear,” she told WIP host Angelo Cataldi. “You know, jackets, shorts, pants, tops, sweatpants, my rainboots, my cowboy boots that have Eagles on ‘em. Everything’s autographed and ready to go.”

Philly.com

Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs said they plan to play No. 1 overall draft pick Eric Fisher at RT if LT Branden Albert decides to report to practice. Some people have called that strategy foolish, claiming that it doesn’t make sense to take a LT so high in the draft only to start him on the right side.

Will Shields is not one of those people.

The former Chief guard knows a thing or two about offensive line play. Shields was a Chief his entire career. He was drafted in the third-round of the 1993 NFL Draft and played until 2006. Shields racked up 12 Pro Bowls, eight All-Pro nods, the Ed Block Courage Award and threw in the Walter Peyton Man of the Year Award for good measure. One day soon, a bust of Shields will sit in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

With those credentials, when Shields talks about line play, people listen.

And Shields says Fisher is good enough to play anywhere, so long as he works hard at it.

“It just depends on how good you are as an athlete,” said Shields in comments printed in the Kansas City Star. “How are you going to work at it to make yourself work on both sides. In high school, I played left. Then, all through college, I played right. It depends on your mental makeup of ‘Hey, can I switch sides …’ What are you going to do win a job, that’s what it comes down to.”

To his credit, Fisher has had a great attitude so far. Whenever he’s ben asked, Fisher has responded that he will play anywhere the Chiefs need him to, so long as he can help the team.

It may be that where the Chiefs need Fisher, at least in 2013, is at RT.

And if the rookie is half as talented as Shields, he should do just fine.

Nov 24, 2012; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Tyler Bray (8) during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won by a score of 37 to 17. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs have announced that the club has signed two of their 2013 draft picks, as well as 13 undrafted college free agents.

The Chiefs have inked seventh-round pick, DE Mike Catapano and sixth-round selection, C Eric Kush. That is two of the Chiefs’ eight draftees already inked to deals. The other picks should follow shortly, as the new rookie wage scale makes signing players, even first-round picks, easier than ever before.

From the Chiefs’ press release:

Kush (6-4, 313) was selected as Kansas City’s first of two sixth-round picks (170th Overall) in the 2013 NFL Draft. Kush played collegiately at California University of Pennsylvania where he appeared in 49 games (31 starts) on the offensive line for the Vulcans. A three year starter, he primarily served as the school’s center. Kush became the highest ever player to be drafted from California (Pa.). Kush prepped at Chartiers Valley High School in Bridgeville, Pa.

Catapano (6-4, 270) was selected as the Chiefs seventh-round pick (207th overall) in the 2013 NFL Draft. He was a three-time All-Ivy League defensive end at Princeton where he recorded 145 tackles (60 solo), 29 tackles for loss, 19.0 sacks (-129.0 yards), four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 13 pass breakups. The Bayville, N.Y., native prepped at Chaminade High School.

The following college free agents have officially signed with the club: Tyler Bray, Darin Drakeford, Otha Foster, Frankie Hammond, Demetrius Harris, A.J. Hawkins, Colin Kelly, Rob Lohr, Brad Madison, Josh Martin, Brad McDougald, Rico Richardson and Ridge Wilson.

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs have a new Director of College Scouting in Marvin Allen, according to Pro Football Talk. Allen comes from the Atlanta Falcons, where he served as a national scout.

Via Twitter:

Chiefs hire Marvin Allen to serve as director of college scouting, per source with knowledge of hire.

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) May 10, 2013

From Allen’s profile in the Atlanta Falcons staff directory:

Marvin Allen has been with the Falcons for four years and spent 16 seasons with the New England Patriots, including his last 12 in the player personnel department as an Area Scout. He was responsible for the collection of data on all prospects in his assigned region. Allen is a graduate of Tulane University and was selected by the Patriots in the 11th round (294th overall) of the 1988 NFL Draft. In four seasons with New England, he rushed for 378 yards and two touchdowns on 94 carries (4.0 avg.).

With the 2013 NFL Draft in the books, we had a feeling these types of moves would be coming. With a new regime in town, GM John Dorsey will want to start getting his own scouts in place.

Dorsey kept on most of the scouts that were already in Kansas City as he prepared for April’s draft. Most of those scouts would have been brought in during the Scott Pioli regime.

Now it is time for Dorsey to start bringing in people he trusts to help build the Chiefs for the future. I like that Dorsey is looking outside the Green Bay organization to find talent. The Falcons have certainly been doing a great job of scouting talent recently so hopefully Allen can bring a little bit of that skill to Kansas City.

Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs rookies are about to head to camp.

Today marks the start of a three-day rookie minicamp. It’s just the rooks, as well as a number of tryout players. The camp will be at The University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex, May 10-12.

Here is the specific schedule:

ROOKIE MINICAMP

Friday, May 10 Rookie Minicamp Practice at 1:45 p.m.

Saturday, May 11 Rookie Minicamp Practice at 1:45 p.m.

Sunday, May 12 Rookie Minicamp Practice at 11:25 a.m.

Head coach Andy Reid will address the media after practice on the first and last days of the camp. These practices will also be open to the media so we should get a pretty good picture painted for us of how things are going.

The most interesting aspect of this camp will be the tryout players. Since this is rookies only and since the Chiefs only drafted eight players and signed a handful of undrafted free agents, the team has invited a number of other players at certain positions to attend the camp on a tryout basis. These players are not signed to contracts but will get the shot to show the Chiefs’ coaching staff what they can do live and in person.

Every offseason, there are players around the NFL that make an impression as undrafted free agents or tryout players. It will be fun to see if any future Chiefs emerge from this weekend’s camp.

I’m a jersey guy.

I’m not ashamed to admit it. I try and often fail, not to take myself to seriously in life. But sometimes it can be difficult.

As someone who has never played in an organized football game in his life (does paper football count, cause if so, I used to run tournaments) I do sometimes feel slightly silly sliding on my Jamaal Charles jersey. Here I am, a grown man, wearing a mock-uniform that another man, a man with actual talent, wears for his job.

Imagine if Jamaal Charles wore a Patrick Allen uniform. Which, give that I work from home, would consist of a pair of boxer shorts and white t-shirts in various stages of whiteness. On my uniform, Charles would have “Allen” printed on the tag of the boxers, rather than on the back. Don’t worry though, Jamaal. Working from home in the blogging industry is way more than just livin the dream of no pants. For formal events and Google Hangout conference calls with other FanSided officials, I have a pair of pinstriped boxers.

Anyway, my point is, I like sporting my Chiefs jerseys and I’m not afraid to admit it.

But any seasoned fan can tell you that buying the jersey of an NFL player is a risky proposition. Do you REALLY want that Larry Johnson jersey? Well, maybe you did then, but do you now? Do you still wear it and hope that people just don’t notice the big #27 on the front in and the back, secretly hoping they think you’re wearing a DERRICK Johnson jersey?

Did the Matt Cassel I special ordered from China (the one I paid to have altered because it was so long it looked like I was wearing a really ugly dress) really pay off for me? What the hell am I going to do with that Matt Cassel jersey now? It’s got the stitched on numbers and everything! The NFL hocks those things for $100s of dollars. Oh, well, at least I only paid $40. Plus $12 for the alteration. Eat it, NFL!

Where was I?

Oh, yeah.

How about that bad ass black and red Tony Gonzalez jersey I bought like 4 months before Scott Pioli traded him? You know what I am talking about, right? Those alternate Chiefs uniforms the NFL sold for a while that the team has never actually worn? I know a lot of people hate those jerseys but I loved them.

I wore that thing one time, while watching another team play in the Super Bowl. Such is the life of a Chiefs fan.

At least with the Gonzo jersey, I can bust that think out of the closet again after he retires. Especially if he stays true to his word and retires a Chief.

So all the rambling brings us to the question at hand. What are the coolest Chiefs jerseys to own?

Do you roll only with current players? What about just old school guys who have already cemented their legacy? Or do you like to mix up your favorite players with your old school guys?

I am starting to feel more and more like I should only target the old school. Even though I wasn’t old enough to enjoy their careers, I’d feel less like a chump wearing a Bobby Bell jersey than I would wearing Kendrell Bell.

Then again, their is a certain hilariousness to having obscure jerseys of players that most folks might not even remember played for the Chiefs. Like, who doesn’t enjoy going to Arrowhead and seeing someone busting out a Pat Surtain jersey? Is there anything more satisfying than drunkenly stumbling into the stadium bathrooms only to see Steve Bono and Keith Cash standing there taking a piss with a urinal between them, just calling to you to join them in your Webster Slaughter jersey?

I was at Arrowhead back in 2010 for the Monday Night Magic victory against the Chargers. I was there with a friend of mine who, I sh*t you not, is named Patrick Allen. We walked down and were watching warmups when Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt walked by and began signing autographs. Patrick (my friend, not me) got really excited and called out “Dustin, will you sign my Colquitt jersey?”

Dustin looked up at him. This had to be a strange thing for Dustin to hear. For one thing, no matter how much you get used to it, it has to be strange to hear someone call out your name to ask you if you will sign their piece of clothing that has your name on it. For another, it probably isn’t something a punter ever expects to hear.

I mean, at the time, Dustin was our best player.

I’m not exactly sure where I stand on this issue any more. On one hand, I’d love to have a Brandon Flowers jersey. But I’ve been burned before. I’m hesitant.

Perhaps, the coolness of the jersey is in the eye of the beholder. Maybe one day, my Matt Cassel jersey will be just as cool as one of those vintage Damon Huards.

All right, Addicts. I’ve mused enough. I want your thoughts on the matter. What os the coolest Chiefs jersey to own?

I know, I know… Derrick Thomas.

Nov 25, 2012; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cheerleaders perform before the game against the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium. Denver won the game 17-9. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

My name is Major Sean Heidgerken. Last February was my 22nd anniversary of shipping off to basic training to become a US Soldier. Last month, I once again reported for duty, only this time with much less yelling and no push-ups, to join the storied Kansas City Chiefs.

Recently, the main question I have been asked is, “What is an Army Officer doing working for a professional sports team?”

In short, I have been selected to represent the Army in a first of its kind partnership between the Chiefs and the Army. More specifically, I am working with the award-winning 65 Toss Power Trap Productions team in the epicenter of the franchise, through the Department of Defense’s Training with Industry program (TWI).

The TWI program seeks to improve defense readiness by placing military members with various civilian companies, like the Chiefs, to gain valuable knowledge and skills not fully available through traditional military training.

KCChiefs.com

One name that popped up multiple times as a long-shot candidate during the NFL head coaching carousel this year really made me wonder.

Keith Armstrong.

Keith who?

Three teams, the Kansas City Chiefs, Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles, interviewed the Atlanta Falcons special-teams coordinator for jobs Andy Reid, Marc Trestman and Chip Kelly ultimately landed.

Armstrong, 49, who has never been a head coach on any level and previously had never interviewed for an NFL head coaching post, spent at least four hours with each team as part of a wham-bam Friday-Saturday in Atlanta during the Falcons’ first-round playoff bye. He didn’t get a second interview, but all three teams complied with the Rooney Rule, which requires at least one minority interview for each head coaching job.

USA Today

Asked how the Kansas City Chiefs’ new coach will be treated in his return to Philadelphia for the Week 3 matchup with the Eagles, McCoy said the players will “definitely be happy and excited” to see Reid.

“He means a lot to me and a lot of other players,” McCoy said. “We’ll give each other a big hug, and then once the game starts, I know how coach Reid is. He’s so focused. All in all, we always know it’s always love and mutual respect between each other, but we have a job to do.

NFL.com

Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs added eight rookies to their 2013 roster during this year’s NFL Draft. As we begin to take a close look at the class later this week, we also wanted to see which player Chiefs fans think will have the most impact in 2013.

Since the Chiefs decided to make LT Eric Fisher the No. 1 overall pick, it is evident that most would expect Fisher to be the team’s most active contributor. As such, we are going to remove him as an option from the poll.

The Chiefs used their second-round pick to acquire QB Alex Smith and so beyond Fisher, Kansas City has a pretty mixed back of mid to later round picks that could be in the mix.

Let’s take a quick look at the candidates:

Round 3: 

Travis Kelce, TE

Kelce will join Tony Moeaki and Anthony Fasano on the TE depth chart. Will he be ab;le to surpass one or both veterans to get on the field as a rookie?

Knile Davis, RB

When it comes to running the football in Kansas City, there is Jamaal Charles and everyone else. In this case, “everyone else” includes Cyrus Gray, Shaun Draughn and now Davis. Can the speedy rookie beat out the Pioli’ regime’s hand-picked backs in the race to spell JC?

Round 4: 

Nico Johnson, ILB

Johnson will look to take over the starting role once occupied by Jovan Belcher. But will Johnson be ready in time to play next to the other Johnson?

Round 5: 

Sanders Commings, DB

Commings will reportedly get a look at safety. Should FS Kendrick Lewis continue to have injury issues, Commings could see some playing time alongside Pro Bowler Eric Berry.

Round 6:

Eric Kush, C

Kush is a center from a small school . He likely needs some work before he is ready to compete at the NFL level but sometimes even rookies from small schools surprise. And sometimes injuries force them int action early.

Braden Wilson, FB

Wilson will have to compete with a crowded FB depth chart of he wants to be the lead blocker for Jamaal Charles.

Round 7:

Mike Catapano, DE

Catapano is clearly a fringe guy, having been drafted in the seventh round, however the Chiefs lack depth at DE. Can he make an impression in camp so he can make an impression on the field?

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs were the worst team in the NFL at the end of the 2012 season but the offseason has brought enough change that experts seem to think that KC is better, at least on paper.

Fox Sports analyst and former head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, Brian Billick, has released his post-draft power rankings. Given their putrid 2-14, record, presumably the Chiefs were at or near the bottom of Billick’s rankings when the season ended.

But not any more.

22. Kansas City Chiefs

Eric Fisher wasn’t the sexiest of draft picks, but he will be a long-term fixture at left tackle and will allow Brandon Albert to play his more natural position of left tackle . . . if he isn’t traded in the meantime. This team has a talented roster and Andy Reid should help that correlate to wins on Sunday.

I like these rankings a lot, mostly because Billick is an ex-coach, as opposed to a grouping of media talking heads. He clearly sees that the Chiefs are a talented team with some new pieces in place.

As for the other AFC West teams, the Chiefs managed to come in ahead of the San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders. The Chargers came in one spot behind the Chiefs at #23 and the Raiders are all the way down at #32! Considering both the Chargers and Raiders swept the Chiefs last season, I am not sure that is totally fair but I’ll take what I can get.

The Broncos are still kings of the AFC West, at least according to Billick. They rank #2.

What do you think, Addicts? Is 22 a fair ranking for the Chiefs?

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs haven’t won a playoff game since January 16th, 1994 when they defeated the Houston Oilers 28-20.

It is safe to say that Chiefs fans are ready for a winner, something that has not been lost on the team’s new QB, Alex Smith.

The Chiefs have made a habit of picking up ex-49ers QBs. It was former 49er Joe Montana that led the Chiefs to that last playoff victory and GM John Dorsey and head coach Andy Reid are hoping Smith can follow suit.

As are Chiefs fans.

“It’s just been great getting a feel for the people in the area and how hungry they are,” said Smith in an interview with KCChiefs.com. “First of all, they’re very loyal and hungry for wins and that’s what you want out of a fan base. I see how supportive they are and I can feel how bad they want it, for this team to take those steps to get into the playoffs, win playoff games and then, the goal is the world championship, so it’s a good thing to have. I’ve been around the fans; it’s such a great thing.”

Obviously, things are a little bit different in Kansas City now then when Montana came to town. The Chiefs are coming off one of their worst seasons in franchise history and, let’s face it, Alex Smith is no Joe Montana.

But Smith’s recent play in San Francisco seems to indicate that he may be a bit of a late bloomer as an NFL QB. If Smith is finally just beginning to realize the potential that caused him to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, the the Chiefs may have made the best move of the offseason.

What do you think, Addicts? Is Alex Smith still on the rise or his he merely a placeholder?

Apr 26, 2013; Kansas City , MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs first round draft pick offensive tackle Eric Fisher (72) poses for a picture with head coach Andy Reid (right), chairman Clark Hunt (second from left) and general manager John Dorsey (far left) during a press conference at the Kansas City Chiefs Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Last season, Jamaal Charles was the unquestioned starter with Peyton Hillis backing him up. Charles came off a torn ACL and was everything Chiefs fans hoped for, rushing for 1,509 yards on 5.3 yards per carry while scoring five touchdowns.

Hillis was far less effective, amassing a disappointing 309 yards. Now Hillis is gone, replaced by third-round pick Knile Davis from Arkansas. As has been discussed repeatedly here, Davis has elite skills but a major fumbling problem and an injury history.

The third and fourth backs on the roster, Shaun Draughn and Cyrus Gray, are holdovers from last year entering their second seasons.

Arrowhead Pride

Cedar Grove High School alums Josh Jarboe and Gerald Rivers signed as undrafted free agents with NFL teams after the draft completed. Jarboe, a former Arkansas State wide receiver, signed with the Washington Redskins and Rivers, a former Ole Miss defensive end, signed with the St. Louis Rams.

A.J. Hawkins, a former M. L. King High School and Ole Miss offensive lineman, also signed as an undrafted free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Slaughter’s 2012 season with Notre Dame was cut short after tearing his Achilles tendon last September against Michigan State. In 2011, he started in 10 games and had 45 tackles—including four for loss. He also had an interception, forced fumble and two pass breakups. He has a career total of 98 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions and one forced fumble.

Champion Newspaper

“I think for us, it’s just come in every day and expect to perform at a high level, work your butt off, preparing yourself and try to have a good day, work as hard as you can every single day and just try to put good days together,” Smith said. “I think that’s what it’s all about, don’t get complacent. Don’t think, ‘I got 10 OTAs and another minicamp,’ you have the next day and a chance to get some work in and work as hard as you can that day and make as much of a stride as you can that day and come back the next day and do it again. Just get as good as you can, push yourself as hard as you can, as fast as you can.”

When the Chiefs traded for Alex Smith in March, offseason activities couldn’t begin soon enough for the team’s new QB.

“I was just excited about the opportunity,” Smith admitted. “For me, it was about getting to work. So much of being able to play quarterback starts mentally, even before you get on the field. If you can’t understand the system and grasp it, I don’t care how well you can throw it, how athletic you are, it starts there. It’s really (important) to get that down, so that you can go out on the field and execute, make plays. I’m going to work my tail off as hard as I can just to really soak up this offense and master it.”

KCChiefs.com

John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Former Kansas City Chiefs great and NFL Hall of Famer, Derrick Thomas, was denied entry into the College Football Hall of Fame today. It was the third-straight year Thomas has been snubbed.

While playing at Alabama, Thomas set the single-season sack record in 1988. He also holds the record for most career sacks, with 52. Both marks still stand.

Here is a list of players and coaches that made the cut.

Players

• Ted Brown, North Carolina State running back (1975-78)
• Tedy Bruschi, Arizona defensive end (1992-95)
• Ron Dayne, Wisconsin running back (1996-99)
• Tommie Frazier, Nebraska quarterback (1992-95)
• Jerry Gray, Texas defensive back (1981-84)
• Steve Meilinger, Kentucky defensive end (1951-53)
• Orlando Pace, Ohio State tackle (1994-96)
• Rod Shoate, Oklahoma linebacker (1972-74)
• Percy Snow, Michigan State linebacker (1986-89)
• Vinny Testaverde, Miami quarterback (1985-86)
• Don Trull, Baylor quarterback (1961-63)
• Danny Wuerffel, Florida quarterback (1993-96)

Coaches

• Wayne Hardin, Navy /Temple
• Bill McCartney, Colorado

What do you think, Addicts? Should DT already be in the College Football Hall of Fame?

July 29, 2012; St. Joseph, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs center Rodney Hudson (61) and defensive end Amon Gordon (99) run blocking drills during training camp at Missouri Western State University. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

“It’s official,” Albert posted Sunday on Instagram. “I’m comin home tell the world I’m comin home #ItWasFun #DestinedforGreatness #ChiefNation #kcchiefs.”

NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports both Albert and the Chiefs want an extension and already have started discussions.

Per Rapoport, Albert is seeking a contract on par with the six-year, $53.4 million extension signed by Houston Texans offensive tackle Duane Brown last summer.

With Albert locked in on Alex Smith’s blindside, an interesting side note is that the first two offensive tackles since the 1970 merger to go 1-2 in the draft will both start their NFL careers at right tackle.

Although the Jacksonville Jaguars drafted Luke Joeckel in part because their analytic department views right tackles as just as important as left tackles in today’s NFL, the Chiefs’ initial preference seemed to be installing No. 1 overall pick Eric Fisher on the left side.

NFL.com

To their own first-, second- and third-round picks, the 49ers have added the conditional pick from the Smith trade and an extra third-rounder from the Tennessee Titans, who traded up from No. 40 to No. 34 to select Tennessee wide receiver Justin Hunter in the 2013 NFL Draft.

The last of the picks comes with an asterisk. The 49ers almost certainly will receive a third- or fourth-round compensatory pick for losing free-agent safety Dashon Goldson to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

If the Chiefs take advantage of an easy schedule to hit .500, 49ers general manager Trent Baalke will boast a first-, two second-rounders and three third-rounders next April. Just as we saw two weeks ago, those extra picks will allow Baalke to wheel and deal. He’s not afraid to trade up for a top prospect in a position of need (first-round safety Eric Reid, for example), or trade down to stockpile currency for future deals.

NFL.com

The Alex Smith trade will return a 2014 second-round choice to the San Francisco 49ers if the Kansas City Chiefs finish 8-8 or better.

Otherwise, the 49ers will receive only a third-round selection.

That was among the notes Peter King passed along Monday when noting that the 49ers and St. Louis Rams are holding additional picks in the 2014 draft. So, 49ers fans should root for the Chiefs this season. The rest of the NFC West should root against them.

ESPN

The late Derrick Thomas, who starred at Alabama from 1985-88, has been snubbed the past two years in College Football Hall of Fame balloting.

The Class of 2013 will be announced Tuesday in New York. It will include 12 former players and two former coaches.

Former Nebraska quarterback Tommie Frazier and former Miami quarterback Vinnie Testaverde will be among the players inducted.

Thomas is the only man on the ballot with an Alabama connection. That ballot includes 77 former All-America players and five elite coaches.

Thomas set records for sacks in a single season (27 in 1988) and a career (52) that still stand.

AL.com

Michael Hickey-USA TODAY Sports

The Branden Albert – Kansas City Chiefs offseason drama continued this weekend with a cryptic Instagram post from Albert.

i_amlengend76
It’s official. I’m comin home, I’m comin home tell the world I’m comin home. #ItWasFun #DestinedforGreatness #ChiefNation #kcchiefs

This message caused quite a stir among Chiefs fans. Some thought it meant that Abert had signed a long-term deal with the team. Others thought it meant that Albert had been traded, mostly because of the “#ItsBeenFun” part.

According to Ian Rapoport, who has been doing a terrific job covering the Albert saga for NFL Network and NFL.com, it means neither.

From Rapoport’s Twitter:

#Chiefs OT Branden Albert tweeted this yesterday: instagram.com/p/Y787lCyDtR including “I’m coming home.” Yet no new deal yet. Just acceptance.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 6, 2013

My understanding: With Clabo-to-MIA deal, he realizes what became clear last week: He’s playing for #Chiefs in 13. Both sides want extension

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 6, 2013

Albert bought a home in Miami last year. Was 1 attractive thing about trade. But didn’t happen RT @cubanlou: @rapsheet isnt his home Miami?

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 6, 2013

Chiefs head coach andy Reid was asked about Albert’s comments on 610 Sports Radio this morning by Bob Fescoe and Johsh Klingler. According to Reid, no deal is in place.

“There hasn’t been anything done yet,” Reid said. “We’re talking so we’ll see how everything works out down the road here. I’m glad he feels that way. He’s a good kid. I know the business side of this can make guys look like bad guys but there is a business side to it. We understand that and we work through it and try to make it work for both sides. Unfortunately they put a cap on things so you have to work through all of that stuff and how you situate your money. I’m glad he put that out there.”

Just because Reid is saying there is no deal in place right now doesn’t mean the two sides aren’t close. If Albert was told by his agent that a deal is just about done, that could have led Albert to send out the Instagram message. Teams don’t like to announce these things publicly until the ink on the contract is dry.

Based on what we’ve heard Albert is looking for money-wise, for a deal to be close, Albert’s camp probably would have had to make some adjustments to their expectations. A big deal for ALbert would create a salary cap space situation for the Chiefs and so some massaging would have had to have been done to reach a deal.

The other possibility here is that Albert finally got the clarification he has been looking for from the Chiefs. He has long said that he just wants to know what position he will be playing and for what team. The Chiefs, if they have decided Albert will be with them for at least 2013, may have confirmed to Albert that they have no plans to trade him this year and that he will play LT in 2013. That may have been enough to convince Albert to decide to send out the message.

The Chiefs and Albert can still work towards a long-term deal until July. After that, Albert will be forced to play the 2013 season under the franchise tag.

What do you think, Addicts? Are the Chiefs and Albert close to a deal or is this business is usual?

(h/t Arrowhead Pride)

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

We all know the Kansas City Chiefs traded their 2013 second-round draft pick to the San Francisco 49ers for Alex Smith but until today, we didn’t know exactly what else they traded.

When the news of the Smith trade broke, reports indicated that there was a conditional 2014 pick involved. Supposedly KC offered up a third-round pick that could become a second-round pick. But nobody knew the conditions.

Peter King of Sports Illustrated has revealed that if the Chiefs go 8-8 or better in 2013, KC has to give the 49ers their 2014 second-rounder.

A third- or second-rounder from Kansas City, the remnant of the Alex Smith deal. Now it can be told: The second draft choice San Francisco will receive from the Smith deal will be K.C.’s second-rounder in 2014 if the Chiefs go 8-8 or better this season. It will be a third-rounder in 2014 if Kansas City is under .500 this season.

So: San Francisco will probably have first-, second- and four third-rounders next year. But if the Chiefs surprise, it’ll more likely be a one, two twos and three threes. As we’ve seen, GM Trent Baalke is dangerous with extra picks in his hands. If Colin Kaepernick is very good, the Niners should be annual contenders for years with the picks laid out that way.

I can live with this. I’d rather the deal be “if the Chiefs make the playoffs” but if KC can get to 8-8, they should be in the playoff race for most of the season. Eight wins would mar a +six game improvement. Considering the Chiefs managed to win seven games a couple of years ago with Tyler Palko at QB and no Jamaal Charles, I think it is reasonable to think the squad could get to 8-8 with Smith and Andy Reid.

Then again, I thought the Chiefs could win the AFC West with Romeo Crennel as the head coach so what the hell do I know?

What do you think, Addicts? Did the Chiefs get a raw deal here?

Jan 27, 2013, Honolulu, HI, USA; Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) stiff arms Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston (50) in the 2013 Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium. The NFC defeated the AFC 62-25. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

I don’t think you saw it the last couple of years in Philadelphia. The way you see Andy now is the way I knew him way back when in Green Bay and my first few years in Philadelphia. There’s a fine line between having fun and getting your work done, and he knows how to do that,” said offensive coordinator Doug Pederson, who has known Reid since 1995. “It’s very refreshing for all of us to see him like that, shoulders back, chest out, eyes are up. He’s just blowing and going. It’s a great feeling for all of us, really.”

The big, hearty, guttural laughs haven’t stopped in the three months since Reid was hired, and have come as a welcome sound both to those closest to Reid and to those in the Chiefs’ organization who had endured off-field heatbreak and on-field struggles in the past nine months.

Courier Post Online.com

The discipline in the offseason has Houston motivated to accomplish bigger and better things in 2013, just like the rest of the team.

“I can see (that) everybody is hungry,” Houston admitted. “I think everybody wishes we could fast forward this (offseason) part and get ready for the season. I’m pretty sure everybody is excited for training camp.”

When the season starts, Houston will be joined by a former Georgia Bulldogs teammate, rookie Sanders Commings, who the Chiefs selected in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

“I talked to him for a split second on Twitter,” Houston said, “I congratulated him. I’m ready to work with him; he’s a good player. We’re going to teach him some things, so he can move forward and help us get better.”

KCChiefs.com

But the draft doesn’t need to be Hamlet. It needs only to exist, because the appetite for football is so intense. So the draft is corn feed, liberally spread. It is also upbeat, which is probably 90% of its appeal. The draft inverts the NFL hierarchy—the bad teams, punch lines September through January, get the best picks and command most of the attention. Fans of the Kansas City Chiefs or New York Jets get to have serious conversations about the future of the Kansas City Chiefs and the New York Jets, and nobody breaks into sidesplitting laughter. It is an optimist’s paradise.

Wall Street Journal

The Dolphins whiffed on their best chances for a pure left tackle this offseason. They didn’t draft a left tackle, they failed to land Branden Albert in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs and free-agent Bryant McKinnie re-signed with the Baltimore Ravens. It’s also curious that the Dolphins passed over free-agent right tackle Eric Winston, who was a star at the University of Miami.

The Dolphins signed who they felt is the best right-tackle option, but they are taking a risk with Martin potentially on the left side. Martin’s development is one of the biggest keys to Miami’s success this upcoming season.

The Dolphins whiffed on their best chances for a pure left tackle this offseason. They didn’t draft a left tackle, they failed to land Branden Albert in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs and free-agent Bryant McKinnie re-signed with the Baltimore Ravens. It’s also curious that the Dolphins passed over free-agent right tackle Eric Winston, who was a star at the University of Miami. The Dolphins signed who they felt is the best right-tackle option, but they are taking a risk with Martin potentially on the left side. Martin’s development is one of the biggest keys to Miami’s success this upcoming season.”

ESPN

The scholarships — each worth $5,000 — are being funded by The Brossman Charitable Foundation, and they will be presented every year to two seniors in LCCTC’s automotive technology program who are interested in continuing their education.

“This is a commitment that the foundation has made (to LCCTC) in perpetuity,” said Bill Barnett, vice president and senior trust officer at ENB Money Management Group, which is the trustee for the Brossman foundation.

The foundation was launched by Bertha Brossman Blair, whose family founded D&E Communications in Ephrata.

Vermeil once served as a spokesman for D&E and is friends with Garth Sprecher, Blair’s nephew and a retired D&E chief accounting officer.

Louis Vermeil is Dick’s late father, who owned an automotive repair garage and raced cars in California, according to Barnett.

“Dick’s a big car guy,” Barnett said. “He always said if he didn’t go into football, he would have been in the auto business.”

Lancaster Online

October 07, 2012; Kansas City, MO, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Ed Dickson (84) runs the ball as Kansas City Chiefs inside linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) attempts the tackle in the second half of the game at Arrowhead Stadium. The Ravens won 9-6. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs were the worst team in the NFL in 2012 but there were players that managed to have productive seasons despite the chaos around them.

One of those players was Chiefs ILB Derrick Johnson.

The folks over at Pro Football Focus heave released their list of the top 101 players of 2013. Johnson was the first Chiefs player to make the list, coming in at a respectable #67.

Here is what PFF had to say about Johnson:

67. Derrick Johnson, LB, Kansas City Chiefs (28th)

While the Chiefs suffered a disappointing 2012, it wasn’t for the efforts of Johnson. As impactful against the run as any defender in the league, Johnson was as good as it gets finding his way to the ballcarrier. Whether he be working through traffic or shedding blocks, it was an exhibition of what makes a great run defender in the 3-4.

Best Performance: Week 10 at Pittsburgh, +5.9

Key Stat: His 60 defensive stops in the run game were the most of any inside linebacker.

Johnson was 28th last year so he had a significant drop off in his ranking. The problem for DJ is that Chiefs were so often trailing by such a large margin that it made things much for difficult on the defense.

I expect that if the Chiefs can perform better as a team in 2013, Johnson will be ranked higher on this list next offseason. It sounds crazy to think about but DJ is 30-years-old and will turn 31 in November. We have seen ILBs play at a high level into their mid-30s before but the reality of the situation is that DJ is turning the corner toward the final years of his career. Hopefully KC can win now, while Johnson is still able to perform at his highest level.

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs are a completely different team now than they were during the 2012 season.

For the 2012 Chiefs, everything that could have gone wrong, did go wrong. But now, with a new coaching staff and a slew of new players, Kansas City, on paper at least, is much improved.

Let’s take a look at five reasons the Chiefs will be better in 2013.

1. Alex Smith

It all starts with the QB. As 2012 went on, it became evident that the Chiefs were a team playing with very little confidence. In the NFL, the team goes as the QB goes. Matt Cassel and Brady Quinn did little to inspire confidence in their teammates. Without a leader under center, the Chiefs were doomed.

Smith has had his struggles. Based on his last two seasons in San Francisco, Smith appears to be the kind of QB the Chiefs have been lacking for. If Smith can duplicate his recent success in Kansas City, he could convince his critics that he is a late-bloomer. Was Smith’s poor past performances the result of poor coaching and management or was his recent success a result of excellent coaching and a dumbed down offense designed to limit Smith’s mistakes?

The Chiefs and the rest of the NFL are about to find out.

2. The offensive line

It is looking more and more like LT Branden Albert is going to be with the Chiefs in 2013. If that is the case, KC could end up with the best offensive line in the NFL. There are some question marks on the interior of the line with youngsters like Rodney Hudson and Jeff Allen but Andy Reid and John Dorsey have done a great job of adding depth and competition this offseason. If the interior of the line holds up, the Chiefs will be hard to stop running the football.

3. Andy Reid

Head coach Andy Reid should make a massive difference in the Kansas City locker room. The 2012 Chiefs did not lack for talent, save at the QB position, but they were as a mistake-prone and undisciplined team as I’ve seen in a while. What was most frustrating about Romeo Crennel’s Chiefs was how talented they were. When Herm Edwards led the Chiefs to a 2-14 mark in 2008, it was hard to be angry about the team’s performance. The roster had been gutted and Chiefs fans were basically watching a college team playing in the NFL. They had no chance.

Crennel’s group showed often that they could play with any team in the NFL…but only until the shot themselves in the foot.

Reid will need to use his considerable experience to discipline this young Chiefs team. For all his faults, former Chiefs coach Todd Haley produced a much more mentally tough team that managed to make a playoff run with the likes of Tyler Palko playing QB.

These guys can win but they need the right leader to help them get there.

4. Justin Houston

Justin Houston was one of the few bright spots on an absolutely dreadful 2012 squad. Entering his third-year, Houston had Pro Bowler written all over him. If the Chiefs can manage to move the football and actually play with a lead on occasion, Houston and fellow linebacker Tamba Hali could find themselves among the league leaders in sacks.

5. Eric Berry

To most, Berry has been a disappointment. The former first-round pick has flaws in his game, mainly in coverage. But Berry has had a rough deal. He had a rough start to his rookie season but by the end of that year, he was a Pro Bowler. Then, an injury knocked Berry out for the entire 2011 campaign. 2012 began much the same way Berry’s rookie season did. Yet again, by the end of 2012, Berry was heading to Hawaii for his second Pro Bowl.

While Berry probably didn’t deserve his second Pro Bowl nod, his improvement over the course of 2012 was evident. If he stays injury free, 2013 will be the first time Berry has played consecutive seasons since entering the pros. I don’t expect any steps back from Berry from here on out. Only steps forward.

Aug 30, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Kansas City Chiefs guard Jon Asamoah (73) during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. The Packers defeated the Chiefs 24-3. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Take it from Kelso native Colin Kelly, who signed a free agent deal with the Kansas City Chiefs last Saturday.

“Finally, after all my hard work for so long … it’s just kind of the accumulation of all that,” Kelly said. “I have played football for 15 years now, and to see that pay off, there’s no better feeling.

“There’s no better accomplishment that I can think of in my life than that moment.”

The offensive lineman out of Oregon State was projected as a possible late-round pick. Though Kelly wasn’t drafted, it gave him the freedom of choice.

Kelly received interest from the Seattle Seahawks, New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens in the whirlwind hour immediately following the draft. But Kansas City, which had scouted Kelly throughout the process and was particularly impressed with his pro day at OSU, emerged as the best fit.

TND.com

One such draft pick was Alabama LB Nico Johnson, who was selected by the Chiefs in the fourth round.

Johnson left Alabama with his third BCS title win, helping the Crimson Tide defeat Notre Dame 42-14. His senior campaign included five starts, while playing in all 13 games, finishing fourth on the team with 55 tackles. He also forced two fumbles and broke up a pass.

The rookie linebacker has a head start when trying to grasp Chiefs defensive coordinator Bob Sutton’s 3-4 scheme, thanks to his four-year run in Tuscaloosa.

“I am familiar with their defense as far as what they run, because they run something similar to what we run at Alabama,” said Nico Johnson during a post-draft conference call. “I’m just ready to get there and learn as much as possible….. and try to earn their respect as much as possible….I’m ready to get to the next level and make a difference.”

KCCHiefs.com

As discussed here last week, an acquisition for Arizona Cardinals fullback Anthony Sherman complicated the Chiefs’ roster with four (and arguably five) fullbacks competing for one spot, following the sixth round selection of Kansas State fullback Braden Wilson. And while Wilson was likely unexcited about the trade for Sherman, the recent release of FB Patrick DeMarco should help him rest at least a little easier.

DeMarco came to Kansas City in August of 2012 as a free agent. However, he was not a highly valued component of the team and only saw action in five games – all towards the end of the season when Kansas City’s shot at a division title was already toast.

Jug of Snyder

One thing that is encouraging is that Reid has also featured the tight end in his offense. Over the past 4 seasons, the Eagles’ Brent Celek has averaged nearly 60 passes a year. The Chiefs seem to be stronger there with Tony Moeaki and Anthony Fasano. Kansas City added Travis Kelce in last week’s draft, and he could prove to be a threat to the middle of the field. Still, will this be enough talent for the Chiefs throw the ball as much as the Eagles did?

With Branden Albert now apparently back at left tackle and number one overall draft pick Eric Fisher slated, for now, to play right tackle, the Chiefs offensive line is in good shape. Jamaal Charles, newly drafted Knile Davis, and returning Cyrus Gray make up a strong running back squad. Dorsey has also accumulated several options at fullback. These components are certainly strengths for Kansas City. The wide receivers after Bowe, are much more question marks than probably more than any other unit on the team. Two or three, even four, of the guys from the group which includes not only Avery, McCluster, Baldwin, and Wylie, but also Josh Bellamy, Terrance Copper, Mardy Galyard, Junior Hemingway, Jamar Newsome, Tyler Shoemaker, and Jerheme Urban, have to step up and take control. Someone needs to excel opposite Bowe. It will be hard for the Chiefs to have an effective passing game if only Dwayne Bowe can be counted on.

KC Kingdom

Oct. 09, 2011; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Cory Greenwood (93) seen during warmups before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory credit: Michael Hickey-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs cut a quartet of players earlier in the week and at least one of them has already found another job.

Linebacker Cory Geenwood has been claimed off waivers by the Detroit Lions.

Geenwood is a former first-round pick (in the CFL Draft) and was mostly a special teams player for the Chiefs. He was with KC for three seasons.

It will be interesting to see if Greenwood can get a little more playing time in Detroit than he did in Kansas City. The Chiefs are actually pretty shallow as far as depth at the linebacker position goes so I am not sure why they decided to get rid of Greenwood. Then again, Greenwood played only 51 snaps for the Chiefs last season and though it was a very small sample size, Pro Football Focus graded him a -2.4 overall with a -1.3 run defense grade and a -1.1 pass coverage mark. If I had to guess, I’d say Chiefs GM John Dorsey reviewed all of Greenwood’s tape and decided he wasn’t making enough progress to bother keeping around.

For more on the Lions, you can check out FanSided’s excellent Detroit site Side Lion Report.

What do you think Addicts? Should the Chiefs have held on to Greenwood?

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs have a new personnel guy coming over from the Chicago Bears.

According to Adam Caplan of The Sideline View, Bears personnel executive Chris Ballard is coming to KC for a promotion.

From Caplan:

Chicago Bears director of pro scouting Chris Ballard is leaving the team to take a job with the Kansas City Chiefs, an NFL source said.

Ballard, who was promoted in June of 2012 to his current role with the Bears, will oversee pro and college scouting departments for the Chiefs under general manager John Dorsey, according to the source.

Ballard, now in his twelfth season in the NFL, spent his first 11 seasons as a Southwest area scout for the Bears.

Now that the NFL Draft is over, there is bound to be some shakeups in scouting departments around the league. There will probably be more moves coming for the Chiefs, as new GM John Dorsey will want to get his own scouts in place.

Just as Scott Pioli did when he came to Kansas City, Dorsey kept most of the scouts already in-house in place through the draft. Since Dorsey couldn’t exactly bring an army of scouts with him from Green Bay, he needed to rely on the guys that Pioli hired to give him intel on perspective draftees. Let’s just hope Dorsey’s first draft does better than Pioli’s did.

Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Former Kansas City Chiefs QB Matt Cassel may be gone but he is still hilarious.

“I taught Tom (Brady) everything. I thought he really started to flourish after I got there,” Cassel joked to the St. Paul Pioneer Press. “A lot of people don’t understand how much time we spend together. It’s important to be together and be good teammates. And when you have a good (quarterback) room, it makes everybody better in the room. That’s what it’s all about.”

Cassel has always been a bit of a jokester.

Matt is in Minnesota now and is charged with being the backup to incumbent starter Christian Ponder. Ponder hasn’t exactly lit things up for the Vikings and it isn’t inconceivable to think that Cassel could end up starting for Minnesota, should Ponder struggle.

The main reason for Cassel’s presence is that the Vikings lacked a solid backup option last season. Minnesota made it to the playoffs, largely behind RB Adrian Peterson’s ridiculous season carrying the football. The Vikes qualified for the playoffs but QB injuries left them virtually no chance of winning.

Minnesota is a good fit for Cassel. The team is build to run the football and play defense. Cassel has proven that in the right situation, he can be efficient. He’s an ideal backup for a team like the Vikings.

What do you think, Addicts? Will Cassel end up starting in Minnesota?

Mar 13, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith speaks to media during the press conference at The University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs released four players from their roster on Thursday.

The Chiefs terminated the contract of center Bryan Mattison and placed fullback Patrick DiMarco, linebacker Cory Greenwood and quarterback Alex Tanney on waivers.

Greenwood saw the most playing time during his time with the Chiefs though it was primarily on special teams. He appeared in all 48 games over the last three seasons for Kansas City.

Pro Football Talk

Players such as Bernard Pollard, Brian Waters and Tony Gonzalez all challenged his leadership and the choice of his first head coach. So in gaining nothing from the first two exits, he traded Gonzalez for a second round draft pick that on Wednesday, was eventually shipped for the aforementioned, Anthony Sherman.

When Cornerback, Javier Arenas, the man traded to the Cardinals, came to the Chiefs from Alabama; he was a blitzing, nickel defensive back that could rush the passer. As a bonus, and the reason Pioli drafted him with the Gonzalez pick, he was also a stellar return man.

Though, he had flashes of competence in Kansas City, Arenas never showed the all around ability to play a either high level of cornerback or a bring it to the house return man.

As has been the case with most of Pioli draft picks, outside of a few players, they’ve generally been busts or under achievers. And Arenas certainly fit that bill in Kansas City.

It’s not like he wasn’t a good athlete nor had good coaching. But for a player who was such an intricate part of the Crimson Tide defense, he flat out never adjusted to the speed of the NFL game as back-up or fill in starter

Warpaint Illustrated

Gov. Sam Brownback has appointed a former Kansas City Chiefs player and businessman to the board that oversees operations of the state’s only toll road.

Brownback’s office announced Thursday that David Lindstrom of Leawood will serve a four-year term on the Kansas Turnpike Authority board.

Lindstrom was a defensive end for the Chiefs in the 1970s and 1980s before entering the restaurant business and becoming a real estate associate and securities broker. He’s also served on the Johnson County Commission and the state arts commission.

Kansas.com

Mike Catapano came out of Bayville, N.Y., five years ago ready to do whatever he could to excel at Princeton University.

He’s ready to do the same now for the Kansas City Chiefs after they made him the first pick in the seventh round of the NFL draft Saturday.

”I ended up at a great place, and I’m fulfilling a long-time dream of mine,” Catapano said. “And it’s just beginning.

”I’m really excited about that,” he added. “It’s a clean slate. It’s a fresh opportunity. That’s great for me. Coming into the league and having an organization in a time of change and renewal, everything is fresh and new. I’ll do my best to make the most of my opportunity.”

The Ivy League’s top defensive player in the 2012 season, Catapano was the 207th overall pick in the draft. He was at home in Bayville with a small group of friends and his family when he got the news.
”I almost fell off my chair,” Catapano said. “It was just a rush of emotions. Then we see my name came up on the screen.”

Central Jersey.com

When Matt Cassel came to the New England Patriots rescue when Tom Brady was injured he had earned a starting job in the NFL. He found a home with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he had a average four seasons. Now as a back up to Christian Ponder, Cassel is highlighting his time in New England as proof that he is the man for the job, the back up job that is.

“I taught Tom (Brady) everything. I thought he really started to flourish after I got there,” Cassel joked to the St. Paul Pioneer Press. “A lot of people don’t understand how much time we spend together. It’s important to be together and be good teammates. And when you have a good (quarterback) room, it makes everybody better in the room. That’s what it’s all about.”

NFL Spin Zone

Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs may have used the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft on LT Eric Fisher but the rookie will begin his career at RT, according to Andy Reid.

Reid did an interview today on SiriusXM NFL Radio today and told Rich Gannon and Bruce Murray that Fisher will indeed play RT.

“Well, yeah, that’s right. I’m gonna play the five best guys,” said Reid. “You saw me do that with Shawn Andrews in Philadelphia. Shawn Andrews was as good an offensive lineman as I’ve ever seen at the college level and then he came to the pros and he was the same thing. He was one of the best I’ve ever coached, now, as far as being athletic and being a football player.MWell, we had two veteran tackles who were two pretty stinking good players and so we put Shawn at guard and he ended up being a Pro Bowler there.”

Reid also talked a bit about how the team tried to trade Albert prior to the draft.

“We allowed Albert’s people to talk and look and do that whole thing and it didn’t work out one way or the other,” Reid said.  “And so, you never know, I mean, in this business you’d love to say that he’d be here or not be here, one of the two, but I know he’s a good kid, I know he’s a hard worker and I know he’s a good left tackle. So that gives us a whole lot of flexibility and if he was here today he would be the left tackle. And then we go from there and we just see what happens down the road.”

Reid is being pretty clear here. If the Chiefs get a decent enough offer for Albert, they are still willing to trade him. If they can’t get a good deal for him, then Reid is prepared to keep Albert at LT and play Fisher at RT.

There have also been reports that the Chiefs are trying to work a long-term deal with Albert. That may be true, but talking about it is one thing and doing it is another. Albert wants top dollar and the Chiefs may not be able to afford him.

Then again, Albert will be rolling the dice a bit if he gets injured playing this year. If the Chiefs offer him a decent deal now, Albert can lock in and do so knowing that for now at least, the Chiefs don’t plan to move him out of the LT position.

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs have released four players, including full back Patrick DiMarco, linebacker Cory Greenwood, offensive lineman Bryan Mattison and quarterback Alex Tanney.

Oh, to all you Alex Tanney homers, my condolences. The trick shot dream dies today, my friends.

From the Chiefs’ press release:

DiMarco (6-1, 243) played in five games (four starts) with the Chiefs in 2012. He originally joined the club as a free agent in August of 2012 after a short stint with the San Diego Chargers in 2011. He was signed to the Chiefs practice squad on Sept. 1. The Altamonte Springs, Fla., native was a team captain at the University of South Carolina where he played tight end and fullback. He prepped at Lake Brantley High School in Altamonte Springs, Fla.

Greenwood (6-2, 235) saw action in 48 contests in three NFL seasons with the Chiefs (2010-12). He served primarily on special teams, recording 34 tackles and one fumble recovery. On defense, Greenwood tallied eight tackles (seven solo). He originally entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with Kansas City in 2010. The Kingston, Ontario, native played collegiately at Concordia University in Montreal and prepped at Regiopolis-Notre Dame Catholic High School in Kingston, Ontario.

Mattison (6-3, 310) played in 19 games (four starts) in three NFL seasons with Kansas City (2012), St. Louis (2011) and Baltimore (2010). He spent two seasons (2008-09) on the Ravens practice squad before moving to the 53-man roster. He originally entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Jets in 2008. He was a two-year captain at the University of Iowa, where he played on the defensive line. He prepped at Penn High School in Mishawaka, Ind.

Tanney (6-4, 220) originally entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Chiefs in 2012. He played collegiately at Monmouth College in Monmouth, Ill. In just over four seasons with the Fighting Scots, Tanney played in 47 games, completing 1,205 passes on 1,756 attempts (68.6 pct.) with 157 touchdowns and 30 interceptions. The Normal, Ill., native played quarterback at Lexington High School in Lexington, Ill.