The Morning Fix: Jamaal Charles Fallout, Alex Smith, Mike Catapano
By Ben Nielsen
Many people need their coffee to get up and going in the morning. Here at Arrowhead Addict, we understand that for a Kansas City Chiefs fan, coffee is simply not enough.
Here’s all that’s happening around Chiefs Kingdom today.
Welcome to The Morning Fix.
Good morning, Addicts. FOOTBALL IS BACK AND SO IS JAMAAL CHARLES!!!!!!
Charles is signed but now the real work begins, says Sam Mellinger.
"Giving Charles more money without sacrificing cap space is a bit like getting a new car without increasing your payment. But now the Chiefs must work through new deals with Houston and Smith, and both are more important to the team’s future."
Alex Smith’s plan is for the offense to pick up right where it left off. [via Randy Covitz]
"Smith threw for a career-best 3,313 yards and 23 touchdowns in his first year with the Chiefs and was particularly effective down the stretch when he threw 14 touchdowns and just two interceptions during a five-game span from mid-November to mid-December. That included a perfect 158.3 passer rating in a five-touchdown performance at Oakland."
Kansas City would have felt the pain without Jamaal Charles, says Adam Teicher.
"“Jamaal is a third of their offense,’’ former Chiefs head coach and ESPN analyst Herm Edwards said. “He’s an explosive player. He’s going to generate points and he’s so difficult to defend because he’s multi-dimensional. They have nobody else capable of doing that.’’"
Union Station in Kansas City plans to celebrate Red Friday and the beginning of the Chiefs season.
"The Kansas City Chiefs and 100-year old Union Station today jointly announced plans for “KC Celebrates at the Station,” a centennial celebration of music, lights, fireworks and football at the city’s storied Union Station on Friday, Sept. 5 that is free and open to the public. As part of the festivities, the Chiefs will host their annual Red Friday Pep Rally downtown outside of the Kansas City landmark."
Here’s a featured on Mike Catapano with some badass quotes.
"“I tune out all distractions, it is Rocky 4 mode,” said Catapano, a native of Bayville, N.Y. who will be arriving at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo. this week with camp slated to kick off on July 24.“I turn off my cell phone and computer. It is getting ready for war. I take it really seriously, preparation is everything. Everybody in the NFL is strong and fast. It comes down to who is preparing the hardest and I am confident that I am doing that.”"
Phillip Gaines has a hamstring injury. The severity is unknown.
"Gaines was on the sidelines riding the stationary bike, carrying some weights and working with the training staff along with another rookie cornerback, David Van Dyke, who is out with a hamstring."
The Chiefs signed two players yesterday, but haven’t made it official yet.
Two non-football stories:
– A tree planted in memory of George Harrison was killed by beetles.
– An interview with the guy who determines the player ratings in the Madden football video games.