With their thumping 27-17 win (with the score 17-0 as the starters left the field), the 2012 Kansas City Chiefs have made their presence known, and while I always anticipated the Chiefs to be improved this year, it was clear that this game was all about surprise.

Suddenly, the national media have looked up from their Peyton Manning talking points and realized that there is another team in the AFC West – one far more likely to be playoff bound. ESPN’s Chris Mortensen said as much after the game via Twitter, “I’m starting to agree with #Chiefs fans – national media (ESPN included) has fallen asleep on KC. They may be team to beat in AFC West.”

It’s important to remember that the Chiefs and the Cardinals were considered to be evenly-matched teams before this game. In fact, Pete Prisco of CBS Sports had the Cards ranked 16^th in his July 25 power rankings, with the Chiefs at a lowly 22^nd, justified by a rote comment about Matt Cassel defining the team’s overall worth (the laziness of what passes for analysis by national football writers astounds me at times).

But, it wasn’t just surprising that the Chiefs were impressive, or even that they gave Arizona a shellacking – it’s how they dominated. WR Dwayne Bowe wasn’t on the field. Neither WR Steve Breaston, nor WR Jonathan Baldwin, who has been blowing up training camp, caught a single pass. RB Jamaal Charles had just three carries for 12 yards. OLB Tamba Hali had zero sacks, and NT Dontari Poe barely registered his presence. And the Chiefs dominated.

John Rieger-US PRESSWIRE

Matt Cassel looked polished and comfortable, going 5/6 for 67 yards and a TD. RB Peyton Hillis, coming off a down year, looked fantastic running for 41 yards on four carries plus an 11-yard touchdown pass. WR/RB Dexter McCluster showed his skills as a matchup nightmare, reeling in three passes for 45 yards. On the other side of the ball, the Chiefs defense started with back-to-back 3-and-outs followed by an interception and tallied seven sacks on the night. In the limited amount of time that the Chiefs’ starters were out on the field, it was a massacre. In the late first quarter, I wrote in my notes “THIS IS CHILD’S PLAY!”

This game was also all about surprise because of the play-calling of OC Brian Daboll. I already love this man. Most notable was his fantastic call on 4^th and 3. The Chiefs lined up with heavy personnel in a goal-line formation. As the defense began stacking the box to charge in up the middle, Cassel motioned all the backs and TEs out wide making it a five-receiver set with an open backfield. This threw the defense into chaos as they tried to adjust to coverage in panic. While they were still yelling at each other, Cassel slid in behind C Rodney Hudson for a sneaky conversion. I cannot tell you how much I loved that play – great design, perfectly executed.

Ever since Daboll was hired, we at AA and across Chiefs Nation have been pondering what Daboll’s offence “based on matchups” really meant. I think we’re now beginning to figure that out. While I think this game confirmed my assertion that Hillis could end up the Chiefs’ biggest free agent acquisition, I’m already eating my words about WR Devon Wylie and RB Cyrus Gray replacing McCluster. Dex’s move to being a pure slot receiver already looks like it will pay off dividends in 2012. On two big plays, Daboll drew things up so that Baldwin – the #1 target – would force a one-on-one on McCluster, who has now definitely shown that he has improved his route-running and ability to get open.

Denny Medley-US PRESSWIRE

Most fundamentally, as Paddy pointed out, it’s clear the Chiefs generally grasp his offense and are executing it well. During the second half, GM Scott Pioli was in the press box talking about how the Chiefs now run like a well-oiled machine, getting plays in on time and communicating efficiently. As much as his image as a disciplinarian and ultra stickler for detail put me off, it is clear that the overall culture he is trying to install works. Players were always walking with confidence out there, and coaches seemed to be able to communicate well without wasting time with petty bickering.

The other big surprise is how deep the Chiefs seem to be at nose tackle. While Poe showed he still has a lot to learn, former practice-squader Anthony Toribio showed why he has taken the starting spot. He consistently got off blocks and single-handedly stuffed a running back in the backfield playing against the Cardinals’ starters. Meanwhile, Jerrel Powe was also impressive, getting penetration several times and even notching a sack from the nose tackle position. Poe clearly pushed the pocket on a few downs, but often times seemed to be playing patty-cake with the O-linemen – still unsure of how to use his hands effectively. He seemed to either be focusing too much on his hands or not enough. But, at the very least, he did get double-teamed nearly every time, which was a large part of why KC racked up so many sacks on the game.

John Rieger-US PRESSWIRE

The only negative surprises in this game were in the play of the Chiefs’ backup QBs. Although they are in a tight competition, neither played well. Still, neither arguably played worse than Arizona’s two quarterbacks competing over the starting job. I look forward to seeing Tanney bank some passes off the uprights for a touchdown in Game 2 of the preseason.

Generally speaking, it was hard to come away with anything but positive vibes after this game. The Chiefs are back with a vengeance this year and they have shown that they can beat you in any number of different ways. Wherever you are weakest, that’s where we will strike, because we have the tools to get you anywhere, anytime.

According to Jason La Canfora of NFL.com, former Kansas City Chiefs head coach Todd Haley will rejoin the Arizona Cardinals as a member of the team’s offensive coaching staff.

Haley was the offensive coordinator for Arizona the year the team nearly defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl. After that game, Haley was hired to be the head coach of the Chiefs.

I think this is a pretty good move for Haley. His reputation is somewhat tarnished from his time in KC. Rather than take time off, he will be able to jump right back into coaching in a familiar situation. Haley is young and may be able to coach his way into another top job should he do well again in Arizona.

We wish Haley the best out west. Except when he goes up against the Chiefs of course.

Brodie Croyle's arm.

Kent Somers of azcentral.com is reporting that the former Chiefs QB is expected to sign with the Arizona Cardinals today.

Sources tell me the Cardinals plan to place Croyle on IR by the end of the week.

Just kidding. Best of luck to Brodie. Hopefully and can carve out a career for himself out in Arizona. We wish him the best.

I’m sure everyone is fairly familiar with the 2008 offensive juggernaut that swept the Cards into the Superbowl so I won’t rehash that. We know the story. A more relevant question for us Chiefs fans is what happened after that and how prominently did Breaston feature in or contribute to the post-Superbowls Cards, for better or for worse?

We’ll delve into some of that despues del jumpo.
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While KC fans are happy about the signing of Steve Breaston, I imagine Cardinals fans are sad to see him go.

So I reached out to Scott Allen the editor of Raising Zona, FanSided’s Cardinals blog to get his thoughts on Steve’s departure.

I am somewhat sad to see Steve Breaston go. He was the one guy I wanted to stay but afraid would end up leaving, and he did. However with the rumn\ors he was going to be targeted by the Kansas City Chiefs, I could understand why. He is being reunited with Todd Haley. Although I think he had a difficult time nailing down a spot as the number two receiver, I think he was on his way to doing that this season. He was inconsistent in 2010. Started out week one against the St. Louis Rams with 7 catches for 132 yards. It appeared he was ready to step into the shoes of Anquan Boldin.

However, Breaston only had one other 100-yard + game against Tampa Bay in week eight. He had a couple other games at 90-yards +, including Kansas City last November. Just didn’t provide the results everyone expected after Boldin’s departure. A lot of that can be attributed to the Cards quarterback situation though. He is a hard worker, nice guy, great attitude. If there is a player out there who will give it his all, it is Breaston. He should fit well in KC. I look forward to seeing what he can do with Matt Cassel.

Check out Raising Zona to see how the Cards fans are dealing with the loss of Breaston. And see if you can bribe them into giving us Fitzgerald too.

Here we are, hours away from the 2011 NFL Draft.  As the draft has grown closer, I have become more and more certain that the best move for the Kansas City Chiefs is to trade back from pick 21 into the top half of the 2^nd round.  In order to do this, of course, they will need to find a trade partner.

The first thing that needs to happen in this process is for a team to want to trade up for a player.  A common thread that runs through all the teams I’m about to talk about is their need for a quarterback.  For this draft, the quarterback class will set the tone for the entire draft.  More than 10 teams could have QB as a need for their team.  That means about a third of the league could be looking for a QB.  If it appears to any of the teams hoping to get their QB in the second round that the QBs may not last that long, then teams will be looking to trade up to make sure they get their guy.
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Who are the Chiefs going to pick?  I don’t know.  Neither do you (unless Scott Pioli is reading this).  Whoever is chosen, the key is to get good value for the pick.  So let’s talk about different ways the Chiefs could get good value for that 21 overall pick.

The first is the Scott Pioli way.  Pioli has now had 2 drafts with the Chiefs and both times he picked a player from the SEC conference in the first round.  Will he make it three?  Last year, he showed a predilection for choosing team captains.  Assuming he maintains these habits, we should be able to narrow down possible selections.
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If you haven’t heard yet, teams other than the Kansas City Chiefs are picking in the 2011 NFL Draft.  In fact, those teams play a very important role in the Chiefs’ draft since the Chiefs don’t pick in the top 5 this year.  Who the 20 teams before us pick can have a significant impact on who we draft.  So, for those wondering why I don’t think AJ Green or Julio Jones will be there for us at 21, take a look at one way I see the first round of the Draft going.
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Source: Yardbarker.com

The Kansas City Chiefs stopped the bleeding Sunday by taking it to the Arizona Cardinals after losing two straight games to AFC West opponents.

The victory was key as it enabled the Chiefs to snatch sole possession of first place in the AFC West back from the Oakland Raiders who fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers in embarrassing fashion.

It was truly a team effort with solid performances by the offense, defense and special teams but there were a few stand outs and they receiver our Week 11 game balls.

Offense:

Matt Cassel

There were solid performances from Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones, as well as an outstanding performance by WR Dwayne Bowe but the day belonged to Cassel. The Chiefs QB had perhaps his best performance since coming to Kansas City. Cassel didn’t put up flashy numbers but he was extremely efficient, throwing 15 completions in 24 attempts for 193 yards and 2 touchdowns.

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Until then, here is your Morning Fix!

Clipped from: www.kansascity.com (share this clip)

“It was one of those games where we were able to get some things done,” Waters said. “There was no great excitement. It was just one of those things where we were just able to get our job done. I like it that way.

“It was one of those games where we were productive. The defense did a good job of not letting them the end zone. It ended up going our way.”

From www.kansascity.com (share this quote)

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Source: Yardbarker.com

Kansas City Chiefs WR Dwayne Bowe is having a career season and he evidently has high expectations for his team this season.

“We will win it all,” said Bowe after the game according to Bob Fescoe of 610 Sports.

Fescoe doesn’t elaborate on what he thinks Bowe meant but one could easily reach the conclusion that Bowe means the Super Bowl.

It is a lofty prediction by Bowe who until recently was considered a disappointment by many in Kansas City for his propensity to drop passes.

His shortcomings aside, Bowe is having a career year for the Chiefs. The WR has caught 10 touchdowns in his last 7 games.

More after the jump.

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Source: Yardbarker.com

The Kansas City Chiefs proved their fast start was no fluke by returning to form this afternoon and beating the Arizona Cardinals 31 to 13.

Kansas City got off to a slow start, falling behind 3-0 but they quickly gained control by getting back to what they do best.

Running the football.

The Chiefs rushed for over 159 yards as a team Sunday. Jamaal Charles led the way, carrying the ball 12 ties for 88 yards. Thomas Jones was right behind him, receiving 15 carries for 71 yards.

More after the jump.

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Source: Yardbarker.com

The Kansas City Chiefs will be taking on the Arizona Cardinals today at Arrowhead Stadium in a must-win contest. The Cardinals were a playoff team last year but have fallen on hard times this season after the departure of QB Kurt Warner.

With kickoff just a couple hours away, it is time for the Arrowhead Addict staff to go on the record with our game predictions.

And we’re off:

Patrick Allen:

Chiefs 38, Cardinals 9

Nick Rodgers:

Chiefs 33, Cardinals 17

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Source: Yardbarker.com

The Kansas City Chiefs may be in the midst of a two game slide but they will be heavy favorites today when they take on the Arizona Cardinals.

Vegas currently has the Chiefs as 7 point favorites over the visiting Cards.

Over at ESPN.com, all of the experts have picked the Chiefs, including the Accuscore simulation and the Pigskin Pick’em players.

Even the Madden NFL 11 simulation has the Chiefs coming out on top, albeit in a closer game than most of us would like, with a 22 to 20 victory.

The Arrowhead Addict Staff Picks will be along later but for now, it is time for you all to go on the record. What are your predictions for today’s game?

Source: Yardbarker.com

It’s game day Addicts! The Chiefs will look to get things back on track today when the Arizona Cardinals come to town. It is a significant game, not just because of first place int he AFC West is on the line for the Chiefs, but because of Todd Haley’s past with the Cards. Added intrigue is always good in the NFL.

Make sure you stick around this morning as we’ll be getting you prepared for today’s game. We’ll hit you with our prediction thread and our staff picks in the next few hours. As always, make sure you join us for our game day live chat which kicks off thirty minutes before the start of the game.

Until then, here is your Morning Fix!

“I grew up,” Haley says now, “watching my father get four Super Bowl rings. That’s what it’s about for me. I just want to get to another Super Bowl. Once you’ve been there, and once you’ve tasted that — you’ve been so close. I mean, that just drives you. Just drives you beyond anything you can imagine, or I can imagine.”

All good challenges, he says, begin with some difficulty. Some burn out, and others turn back. Others can’t help themselves. They have to keep going.

“It gets in the back of your head,” Haley says. “If we can keep doing things to keep making progress and keep adding pieces …”

From www.kansascity.com (share this quote)

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Source: Yardbarker.com

The Kansas City Chiefs will square off against their coach’s old team Sunday when the Arizona Cardinals come to town.

Haley joined the Cardinals staff back in 2007 when Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt brought him in to be the team’s offensive coordinator. Haley did not start officially calling plays until late in 2007 but in 2008 he lead the most productive Cardinals offense in team history. Lead by Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald, the 2008 Cardinals finished 9-7 on their way to an unlikely playoff run that ended in a last minute loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl.

Just weeks after the big game, Haley was hired by Chiefs GM Scott Pioli to be the team’s new coach.

Yesterday, Todd Haley talked a little bit about some of the Cardinals players

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Source: Yardbarker.com

Sunday the Kansas City Chiefs will return to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the Arizona Cardinals and as part of our game preview, we are going Inside The Enemy Camp with Fansided’s Cardinals blog Raising Zona!

I sat down with Scott Allen, the lead blogger at Raising Zona and he answered a few of my questions about the Chiefs’ next opponent.

AA: Let’s start with the Todd Haley connection. What were your thoughts of Haley when he was in Arizona and do you feel his departure helped or hurt the Cards?

RZ: I’m not sure his departure hurt the Cards but it sure didn’t help. Haley was a popular coordinator and for more than his in-game argument with Anquan Boldin during the NFC Championship. I think you see more of his absence this season than last when they still had Kurt Warner.

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Source: Yardbarker.com

Around this time last week I picked the 2-6 Broncos to defeat the 5-3 Chiefs because I believed Kansas City was walking into a perfect storm they simply wouldn’t be able to weather.

This week, the Arizona Cardinals had better batten down the hatches.

I am not a big believer that every loss an NFL team suffers will have an impact on the next game they play. When the Chiefs lost in heartbreaking fashion to the Oakland Raiders I did not believe they would be so devastated that they would take their frustrations out on the Denver Broncos.

You see, the Chiefs played a sloppy game in Oakland and they still nearly won the thing. Sure, the players were likely heartbroken over the loss but most of their frustrations had to be directed at themselves. It was their fault they couldn’t run out the clock and their fault they got stupid penalties. As angry as the Chiefs must have been after that loss they had to be equally pleased. Until they went to Denver, the Oakland game was the worst the Chiefs had played all season. They were absolutely awful, making more mental and physical mistakes than they had in all their other games combined. They were on the road in a hostile environment against a division rival and they still nearly pulled out the win. The message that week from the coaches was likely that the Chiefs merely needed to avoid shooting themselves in the foot. While this message wouldn’t necessarily be incorrect, it would not have provided the Chiefs with the fire they needed to go to Mile High.

No, the loss to Oakland was not going to be a wake up call to the Kansas City Chiefs. The loss to the Denver Broncos on the other hand, well that is something completely different.

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Source: Yardbarker.com

The Kansas City Chiefs won’t be playing football this afternoon but that doesn’t mean you don’t have anyone to cheer for.

The rest of the AFC West is in action and the Chiefs can gain some ground if their division rivals lose. Already holding a two game lead, the Chiefs could stretch that lead without even stepping on the field.

Let’s take a look at who you’ll be cheering for today.

Denver Broncos @ Tennessee Titans

The Donkeys have traveled to Tennessee to take on the Titans. Josh McDaniels has reportedly devised a “sweet ass game plan” on Madden 11 so the Titans could be in trouble. McDaniels apparently plans to run “a lot of toss sweeps” and “engage eight” on defense. Go Titans! A Tennessee win would make the Donkey’s 1-3. More after the jump. (more…)

Source: Yardbarker.com

The Kansas City Chiefs cut third string QB Tyler Palko yesterday in an effort to slice their roster to 53 players. It is possible but unlikely the Chiefs will go in to the season carrying only two QB’s. That means one of the signal callers that were released yesterday will probably find their way into a Chiefs uniform before long.

Below is a list of available QB’s I think the Chiefs should go after, in order.

1. Matt Leinart

Despite all the bad feelings out there about Matt Lainart, as for as 3rd string QB’s go, he is a bargain. He is familiar with Todd Haley and his offensive style and would be able to step in and learn the Chiefs playbook fairly fast.

I know a lot of Chiefs fans are worried about the presence of Leinart being a distraction to Matt Cassel. I don’t think this should be a concern. This is Cassel’s team and everyone knows it. Leinart would be coming in as a third stringer and would be too far away from Cassel on the depth chart to be a real threat. The argument that the Chiefs shouldn’t bring in talented players behind their starting QB is hogwash. If Cassel can’t handle pressure from the guys below him on the depth chat he isn’t going to be able to handle pressure from opposing defenses.

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Source: Yardbarker.com

Yesterday I bowed down to pessimists all over Chiefs Nation and gave you what I thought was the absolute, worst case scenario for the Chiefs 2010 season. It wasn’t pretty. I ruined the day for at least 15 people, made Randy cry and now I hear KC Wolf wants to meet me behind the jungle gym after work.

Yes, it could get bad people. Then again, being the giant Chiefs homer that I am, it could get good. In fact, the more I think about it, the Chiefs could do very, very well this season.

Especially when you consider the best-case scenario.

That and a giant glass of red and gold flavored Kool-aid after the jump.

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from National Football Post:

Maybe Karlos Dansby has a hot spot in South Florida that he likes.

Maybe it’s a vacation to the Miami area that has been planned for some time.

Maybe it’s both.

The word the National Football Post picked up this afternoon is that the linebacker, who will become a free agent in a little less than eight hours, is boarding a plane for the Miami area in, well, a little less than eight hours.

That would be a convenient trip with the Miami Dolphins long rumored to be one of the leading candidates for Dansby’s services. He’s been angling for a way to reach the open market for some time and will finally make it this year as the Cardinals elected not to place the franchise tag on him.

Dansby fits what the Dolphins need and Miami general manager Jeff Ireland pretty much summed that up last week at the scouting combine in Indianapolis without using Dansby’s name.

Well crap. Pioli better get on the horn!

The news  now out that the Cardinals will accept a 3rd round pick in a trade for Anquan Boldin. It was previously reported that they would not part with him for anything less than a 2nd round pick. It looks, however, that they have changed their mind.

Dropping the asking price to a 3rd round pick will certainly cause a scramble for Boldin’s services. He is still just 29 and keeps himself in excellent shape. There is a chance he could perform at a high level for around 4 more years. For those of you worried about his age, if the Chiefs aren’t contending by the time Boldin is 33 there will be plenty of other things to worry about besides the receivers age.Plus he won’t turn 30 until October, whereas Chambers will turn 32 in August.

I don’t want to make this a contest between Chambers and Boldin but if it is, the Chiefs should go with the younger receiver. The team is unlikely to find a receiver of Boldin’s caliber in the 3rd round. Is it possible? Sure. But it is a gamble and the Chiefs can no longer afford to gamble at the WR position.

Free agency begins at midnight tonight and the Chiefs have still not announced if they will resign WR Chris Chambers. They also have not announced their restricted free agent tenders so there is a chance they will release all the information at once. This may be a tactical move so that other teams do not know which of the Chiefs restricted and unrestricted free agents to target.

If the Chiefs can trade for Boldin and resign Chambers they will suddenly have a very strong, veteran core of WR’s to help Matt Cassel. It will also enable them to focus on other needs in the draft. Giving up a 3rd round pick for Boldin won’t seem so bad as they still have 3 picks in the first 51 choices.

Snagging Boldin would be a fantastic fit for KC as the receiver has already played in Todd Haley’s offensive system and could be an immediate contributor.

Chambers or no Chambers, the Chiefs should trade for Boldin immediately.

I also suggested that the Bills might trade up with the Chiefs to aquire Sam Bradford. I was called daft for that as well. Not so crazy these days, is it?

OK, gloating aside, there were also plenty of things I was off base about. But hey, that is the fun of doing these things, no? I hope you enjoy reading these mocks as much as we enjoy coming up with them.

Each mock inevitably brings in new readers that are fans of other teams. To those folks I say welcome to Arrowhead Addict. We are happy to have you. Please, however, keep in mind that this is a Chiefs site, so if we get your teams pick wrong, chilax. Remember, this is all make-believe. I suggest, if you are going to comment, tell us what you think your team should do and add to the discussion, instead of wasting a perfectly thoughts in favor calling me a moron and declaring this the worst mock draft since Mel Kiper’s hair started looking ridiculous. Cheers!

Pick	Team	Player Selected	Player’s Position	Player’s School	Analysis
1.		Sam Bradford	Quarterback	Oklahoma	Different QB, same result. If the Rams were watching the playoffs last year and I know they were because they sure weren’t in them, they saw the caliber of QB it takes to succeed in the NFL. Manning, Brees, Favre, Rivers, Brady. There were some injury concerns about Bradford but those appear to be waning. He absolutely dazzled folks at the Combine with his size and character. Granted, he didn’t throw but unless his arm falls off at the shoulder at his pro day, this kid has a very big chance of going #1.
2.		Ndamukong Suh	Defensive Tackle	Nebraska	Lion’s defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham must be bursting with glee at the prospect of Bradford going #1. Last I heard, he anointed two armed guards to follow Bradford everywhere he goes and Cunningham himself, is giving Bradford daily shoulder massages and is waiting on the QB hand and foot to help him relax for his pro day. That scream of glee you hear when the Rams draft Bradford, that will be Cunningham.
3.		Gerald McCoy	Defensive Tackle	Oklahoma	This choice will be pretty automatic for Tampa. They would probably rather trade back (who wouldn’t) but it isn’t going to happen. Their only hope is that some QB desperate team freaks and goes all in to get Clausen out of fear that the Redskins will take him. I just don’t think it will happen. #3 is really high to trade up. The earliest trade I think we will see is at #5 with KC but you never know.
4.		Jimmy Clausen	Quarterback	Notre Dame	I am baffled when I see mock drafts that have the redskins picking a LT like Okung here to protect Jason Campbell. That is like trying to convince Jamarcus Russel to show up to camp thinner than Tom Cable. It ain’t gonna happen.  Old rat face made his bacon in Denver by somehow creating a running game out of thin air with any HB who happen to be standing on his sideline. He took an entire offensive line cast off by the Browns and made them decent. No, I have changed my mind on this. Shanahan is not going to roll with Jason Campell. I wouldn’t put it past Shanni to pull a fast one and snatch up Chad Pennington for a year to have him run a bootleg extravaganza but I think if Clausen is there he is going to take him and get to work on terrorizing the NFC.

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The Arizona Cardinals are taking a couple of gambles this offseason and their losses could end up being winnings for the Chiefs should they make a move. ESPN.com is reporting that Cardinals Safety, Antrel Rolle will be released this week.

Arizona’s eventful offseason will continue this week when the Cardinals release former first-round pick Antrel Rolle, an NFL source said Sunday.

Rolle’s release will follow Kurt Warner’s retirement and the Cardinals decision not to use their franchise tag on linebacker Karlos Dansby.

I have to believe that the Chiefs are going to give Rolle a good, hard look given their awful play at safety last year. With Todd Haley’s Cardinals connections it is very possible the Chiefs could go after Rolle or LB Carlos Dansby, as both are expected to hit the free agent market.

While the Chiefs are raiding the Cardinals cupboard, they may also attempt to trade for receiver Anquan Boldin. The buzz in the NFL is that the Cards are wiling to part with Boldin for a 2nd round draft pick but that no one sees willing to part with more than a 3rd. The Chiefs, however, have an extra 2nd rounder from the Tony Gonzalez trade and could put it to use if they really think Boldin could help their offense.

Rolle was moved to the free safety position last season by the Cardinals and recorded 72 tackles, 4 interceptions, 1 forced fumble and 1.5 sacks. He was the 8th player selected in the 2005 draft.

1. Edge is a much better blocker and receiver than L.J., which makes him far more valuable in Todd Haley’s pass-happy offense.

2. Edge already knows Haley’s system.

3. The abovementioned financial reason, and that’s assuming Edge would get paid less than the nearly $4 million L.J. is due to make this year. I think that’s a fair assumption.

4. Get Larry Johnson’s malcontent ass out of the locker room, which would cost us nothing after the Chiefs won their grievance against him. This would send a warning shot to the players and a positive message to Chiefs fans.

Are we interested in signing Edge and cutting Larry? According to Kent Somers of AZCentral.com, some teams definitely are interested in James. Then again, this could just be Drew Rosenhaus inflating his client’s value.

I exchanged some text messages with Drew Rosenhaus, Edgerrin James’ agent, today and he thinks Edge won’t be a free agent for long.

“So far several teams have expressed interest and we may have a deal in place in the very near future,” Rosenhaus said.

Signing Edge to a one-year contract — which would make next year a contract year for Edge — is a smart move. The same kind (Jamal Lewis) of move carried the Cleveland Browns to their best season in recent history two years ago. Additionally, I think Edge is more versatile than Jam with better wheels. Edge could help us be competitive this year, and then both parties could sit down afterward and see if bringing him back makes sense.

Addicts, sound off on the thought of Edge to K.C.?