Chiefs News

Former Chief Baldinger won't face charges after fatal wreck
Comment
June 30
Kansas City Star
 
"Jackson County authorities said Monday that no criminal charges would be filed against a former Chiefs offensive lineman who was involved in a fatal car accident this weekend. Marilyn L. Walters, 61, of Grain Valley was killed Saturday afternoon when the Saturn in which she was riding was struck by a Dodge driven by Rich Baldinger at the intersection of U.S. 40 and Bowlin Road in eastern Jackson County. Velda Cook, spokeswoman for the Jackson County Prosecutor's office, said the crash has been ruled an accident by investigators. Cook declined further comment. The Saturn, driven by Jerry Walters, was heading east on U.S. 40 when it was hit by the Dodge, which was going north on Bowlin ..."
Arrowhead Stadium upgrade on track for opener
Comment
June 30
Kansas City Star
 
"Chiefs fans, take heart. The team may not be quite ready, but your new stadium is progressing toward completion, officials heard Monday. Jim Rowland, executive director of the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority, told the Jackson County Legislature that the stadium should be 70 percent complete for the Kansas City Chiefs' opener, as planned. "Arrowhead is a flurry of activity, trying to get ready for the Aug. 15 opening," Rowland said. A monthly construction report delivered by Rowland detailed that lower portions of the upper concourse will not be completed for the 2009 season, along with lounge areas on the club level. With work at Kauffman Stadium nearly complete, spending on ..."
No criminal charges in fatal accident involving former Chiefs player
Comment
June 30
Kansas City Star
 
"Jackson County authorities said today that no criminal charges would be filed against a former Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman who was involved in a fatal vehicular accident this weekend. Marilyn L. Walters, 61, of Grain Valley was killed Saturday afternoon when the Saturn in which she was riding was struck by a Dodge driven by Rich Baldinger at the intersection of U.S. Highway 40 and Bowlin Road in eastern Jackson County. Velda Cook, spokeswoman for the Jackson County Prosecutor's office, said the incident has been ruled an accident by investigators. Cook declined further comment."
Former Chief involved in crash that kills Grain Valley woman
Comment
June 28
Kansas City Star
 
"A 61-year-old Grain Valley woman was killed in a Saturday afternoon crash that involved former Chiefs offensive lineman Rich Baldinger. Marilyn L. Walters was killed when the Saturn she in which she was riding was struck by a Dodge driven by Baldinger at 2:15 p.m. at the intersection of U.S. Highway 40 and Bowlin Road in eastern Jackson County, according to a Missouri Highway Patrol report. The Saturn, driven by Jerry Walters, was heading east on U.S. 40 when it was hit by the Dodge, which was going north on Bowlin Road. Jerry Walters was moderately hurt and was taken to the hospital. Another woman in the Saturn, Christina Hainley, 29, of Pleasant Hill, was moderately injured and taken to ..."
Chiefs running back Savage getting help from someone who's been there
Comment
June 28
Kansas City Star
 
"Perhaps because he was once one himself, Priest Holmes has an affinity for undersized, undrafted Chiefs running backs who previously played for a Big 12 school. That could explain why Holmes, who retired from the Chiefs and professional football two years ago, will mentor Dantrell Savage before the Chiefs head off for training camp late next month. "That would be one of the best things for me between now and training camp," said Savage, a 5-foot-8, 182-pound running back who joined the Chiefs last year from Oklahoma State. "We have a lot of the same features, our size and height and also being a free agent (out of college) trying to make it. Basically, I can't lose. He's basically going to ..."
Chiefs sign safety Mike Brown, add depth to secondary
Comment
June 27
Kansas City Star
 
"The possibilities for newly acquired safety Mike Brown are many. He might wind up as a starter, could become the main backup to Jarrad Page and Bernard Pollard, or Brown could be released before the Chiefs get to the regular season. Whatever his destiny, Brown's addition gives the Chiefs something they've lacked: serious starting competition for Page and Pollard. Each was handed a starting job by former coach Herm Edwards. Because of a lack of depth, neither was forced to play well in order to keep it. If Brown, who agreed to contract terms Wednesday, plays as he did for most of his nine seasons with Chicago, that's certain to change. Brown, 31, was one of the league's top safeties and ..."
Ex-Bear Mike Brown signs with Chiefs
Comment
June 26
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Mike Brown has found a new home. The former Bears safety has agreed to terms on a contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, according to the Kansas City Star. Brown made a free-agent visit to the Chiefs at the beginning of the month when it looked like a deal would fall into place quickly before the team's minicamp. That didn't happen, and he wound up making a trip to see the Cleveland Browns. The signing reunites Brown with new Chiefs coach Todd Haley, who was the wide receivers coach for the Bears from 2001-03, during the beginning of Brown's career. It's expected that Brown could win a starting job in training camp. He will challenge Bernard Pollard and Jarrad Page for a spot in the ..."
Chiefs sign safety Mike Brown, add depth to secondary
Comment
June 25
Kansas City Star
 
"The possibilities for newly acquired safety Mike Brown are many. He might wind up as a starter, could become the main backup to Jarrad Page and Bernard Pollard, or Brown could be released before the Chiefs get to the regular season. Whatever his destiny, Brown's addition gives the Chiefs something they've lacked: serious starting competition for Page and Pollard. Each was handed a starting job by former coach Herm Edwards. Because of a lack of depth, neither was forced to play well in order to keep it. If Brown, who agreed to contract terms Wednesday, plays as he did for most of his nine seasons with Chicago, that's certain to change. Brown, 31, was one of the league's top safeties and ..."
Ex-Bear Mike Brown signs with Chiefs
Comment
June 25
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Mike Brown has found a new home. The former Bears safety has agreed to terms on a contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, according to the Kansas City Star. Brown made a free-agent visit to the Chiefs at the beginning of the month when it looked like a deal would fall into place quickly before the team's minicamp. That didn't happen, and he wound up making a trip to see the Cleveland Browns. The signing reunites Brown with new Chiefs coach Todd Haley, who was the wide receivers coach for the Bears from 2001-03, during the beginning of Brown's career."
Chiefs pick up veteran safety Mike Brown
Comment
June 24
Kansas City Star
 
"The Chiefs have agreed to contract terms with veteran safety Mike Brown. Brown, a nine-year veteran and a 2005 Pro Bowler with the Chicago Bears, could challenge either of the incumbents, Bernard Pollard and Jarrad Page, for a starting job. Brown, 31, quickly established himself as one of the league's top safeties after being drafted by the Bears in the second round in 2000. He is Chicago's all-time leader in defensive touchdowns with seven. Durability might be Brown's biggest issue. He missed 44 games over the past five seasons because of injuries. He played in 15 games last season but did not play in the season's final game because of a calf injury."
Central Bancompany now 'Official Bank of the Chiefs'
Comment
June 24
Kansas City Star
 
"The Kansas City Chiefs on Tuesday announced a partnership deal with Central Bancompany, the parent of Metcalf Bank. Central, a $9 billion bank company based in Jefferson City, will be the "Official Bank of the Chiefs," replacing First National Bank of Kansas as the team's official bank sponsor. A value on the partnership was not disclosed. The arrangement includes the rights to offer a Chiefs checking account with a co-branded Chiefs MasterCard, debit card and checks. The bank company will have advertising at Arrowhead Stadium and branding on the team's Web site. Metcalf is the lead bank on the partnership and will "guide the relationship" with the Chiefs, the team said. Metcalf has 21 ..."
Chiefs to retire Thomas' No. 58 jersey on Dec. 6
Comment
June 24
Kansas City Star
 
"Linebacker Derrick Thomas had more of his 126 1/2 career sacks against Denver's John Elway than against any other opposing quarterback. Thomas knocked down Elway, a future Hall of Famer, 17 times. So it's fitting the Chiefs will honor the late Thomas for his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame at their Dec. 6 game against the Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs will retire Thomas' number 58 jersey and present his Hall of Fame ring to his family at a halftime ceremony that day. Thomas will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Aug. 8 in Canton, Ohio."
As training camp approaches, Chiefs' O-line answers seem far away
Comment
June 21
Kansas City Star
 
"The Chiefs moved closer to training camp last week, and the team's most pressing question is the same one it faced before offseason practice and, really, throughout the last two seasons: How reliable is the offensive line? First-year coach Todd Haley acknowledged last week that he is uncertain of the line's readiness, even after three months of organized team activities and a minicamp. Haley's hesitation centers in part on the lack of physical contact between the offensive and defensive lines during the less demanding offseason practices, leaving coaches to measure only mental awareness and unchallenged technique. But the Chiefs' bigger problem is that their best offensive lineman, ..."
Kansas company gets contract for Chiefs indoor practice facility
Comment
June 21
Kansas City Star
 
"A Kansas company has been selected to build the Kansas City Chiefs' indoor practice facility at Missouri Western State University. Crossland Construction, Columbus, Kan., submitted a base bid of $9.4 million, the lowest of 14 general contractors competing for the building project. Jeff Ellison, lead architect on the project, recommended to Western's governing board to accept seven of eight alternate bids Crossland submitted, which brings the total to $10.3 million."
New Kansas City Chiefs coach dealing with weighty issues
Comment
June 21
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Kansas City Chiefs just might be the biggest losers in the NFL. And that's good news. To be specific, the Chiefs have lost a combined 340 pounds this year -- and not, say, by cutting some rotund defensive tackle. They lost the weight through hard work, something apparently in short supply when the team finished 2-14 last season. "We were out of shape and not really strong," said new coach Todd Haley, who has put a premium on his players dropping weight. "I talked to our strength coach at Arizona (where Haley was the Cardinals' offensive coordinator last season), and he said if you're a highly efficient team that's working, you lose about 120 to 150 pounds in the off-season." The Chiefs ..."
Chiefs and Missouri agree on deal for training camp
Comment
June 19
Kansas City Star
 
"The Kansas City Chiefs' training camp is coming back to Missouri. The Missouri Development Finance Board on Thursday approved a revised agreement to issue $25 million in tax credits to the football club in exchange for improvements at the Truman Sports Complex and construction of a training facility at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph. A key issue in approving the deal was the Chiefs' pledge to relocate their summer training camp to the university from Wisconsin, where it has been held for nearly 20 years. Bringing the annual three-week camp back to Missouri - which could happen as early as 2010 - is expected to create an economic boom for St. Joseph and the state. Chiefs ..."
It's official: Chiefs are headed to St. Joe
Comment
June 18
Kansas City Star
 
"The deal's done. Finally. The Kansas City Chiefs are bringing their training camp back to Missouri - and specifically St. Joseph - following the approval this morning of a revised agreement by the Missouri Development Finance Board. The board had initially approved the $25 million tax-credit package last December, but it was held up for six months by Gov. Jay Nixon to work out disagreements over its terms. Nixon is headed to the campus of Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph this afternoon to announce the final results of the negotiations. Here's the deal: The Chiefs will hold their training camp in Missouri for a minimum of 10 years, help build a $13 million training facility ..."
Haley ends Chiefs' offseason practice early, pleased with team's progress
Comment
June 17
Kansas City Star
 
"They trudged down the staircase with sweat in their eyes. Some were pulling off T-shirts for a few degrees of relief on a hot day. A few were still panting. This is what it looks like for the new Chiefs to get off easy. First-year coach Todd Haley granted mercy to his weary players Tuesday, ending offseason practice two days early and saying that the Chiefs are far enough ahead of Haley's expectations that a couple of extra days of freedom were a good trade for all the hard work. "We've come a long way," Haley said. "We thought it was the right thing to do right now for the guys. "Now, we've got a long way to go. But from where we started to where we're at right now … it was worth ..."
Carl Peterson new chairman of USA Football
Comment
June 17
Kansas City Star
 
"Six months after resigning as Chiefs president and general manager, a position he held for 20 years, Carl Peterson was chosen chairman of USA Football this week. Peterson will oversee the organization's board of directors and work with youth programs in several roles. USA Football is the governing body of youth football."
Chiefs wait for pads to measure Tyson Jackson's progress
Comment
June 16
Kansas City Star
 
"Tyson Jackson has passed Chiefs coach Todd Haley's first test, and that's a big one. Jackson will have to wait a few weeks before Kansas City moves forward, the pads come on, and the team's first-round pick has his chance to look the part. Jackson, the rookie defensive end, has done all the right things mentally, Haley said Monday, but the coach added that it would be unfair to measure any defensive lineman's physical progress before the team begins full-contact drills when training camp opens in late July. Thursday will be the Chiefs' final offseason practice, and those workouts feature little or no contact, and players don't wear shoulder pads. Because of this, Haley admitted that one ..."
Chiefs coach Haley not the type to take it easy on his team
Comment
June 14
Kansas City Star
 
"It was building inside Todd Haley, and nobody wanted to be counting clouds when the coach's fuse expired. Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe jumped when he didn't have to and dropped an easy pass. Rookie tight end Jake O'Connell dropped a few, too. Thursday morning's practice was a sloppy one: a 90-minute workout on a rain-soaked field and a group of players whose minds were veering toward vacation plans. Then it happened. Another rookie made a mistake, and Haley's patience clicked down to zero. There was an explosion. A loud recoil. And an unfortunate victim. Haley let the kid have it, and the rookie sulked back toward the huddle. "I don't know what happens to me out there," Haley says ..."
Former Chiefs QB Green retires
Comment
June 13
Kansas City Star
 
"Quarterback Trent Green, who produced some of the most prolific passing seasons in Chiefs history, is retiring from the NFL after 15 years. "I feel this is finally the right time," Green, 38, said in a FOXSports.com report. "I've talked about it with (the family) for a while, especially with the concussions over the last few years. We all felt it was the time to do it." Green's final season with the Chiefs in 2006 and his only season with Miami in 2007 were marred by serious concussions. He was released by the St. Louis Rams in February. Green was a two-time Pro Bowler for the Chiefs after he was acquired for a first-round draft choice from St. Louis in 2001. Brought in by coach Dick ..."
Competition tight for Gonzalez's old job
Comment
June 12
Kansas City Star
 
"Tony Gonzalez is gone, and that's not changing. That leaves a group of Chiefs tight ends fighting for Gonzalez's scraps - and the competition for whatever is left of those 100-catch seasons is fiercer than Kansas City coach Todd Haley might have predicted. The starting job was supposed to be Brad Cottam's job to take. Now, it could go to any of the Chiefs' five remaining tight ends. The way Haley sees it, that's a good problem for Kansas City to have. "We went from being thin," Haley said this week, "to having a nice competition." It does mean that Cottam, Gonzalez's heir apparent, hasn't yet grabbed the starting spot after Gonzalez was traded in April to Atlanta. Haley said the position ..."
New Chiefs coach cancels Bowe show
Comment
June 9
Kansas City Star
 
"Who turned off The Show? There's something different about Dwayne Bowe, the Chiefs' third-year wide receiver. He's quieter now. More reserved in practices. Focused. Bowe used to run his routes during workouts, and on the walk back toward the huddle, he'd notice a television camera pointed somewhere other than at No. 82. Bowe would correct that, of course, and he'd reward the photographer with a display of flexing or dancing and always some of Kansas City's finest free entertainment. It was called "The Show," and for all Bowe lacked in a creative title, he made up for it with a consistent performance. Bowe had his chance Monday morning. The Chiefs were running passing drills, and ..."
Chiefs' secondary has gone through its growing pains Chiefs' secondary has gone through its growing pains
Comment
June 8
Kansas City Star
 
"Those young faces didn't have much choice but to grow up quickly and do it together, and they'll be the first to admit it wasn't easy. But the Chiefs' defensive backs made it through a tough 2008, and the secondary is one of the few Kansas City position groups that has made it this far into the offseason without a major overhaul. It's never much fun to be the new kid in town, let alone to be picked on every week. That's what happened to the Chiefs' young cornerbacks last year. Coaches said then that the experience would be good for them in the long run, and now that they've endured that rookie-year turmoil, Kansas City's youngest position group - among the first-team group at this ..."
Chiefs loading up on secrecy
Comment
June 7
Kansas City Star
 
"If secrecy and distance from the media are the keys to winning in the National Football League, our Kansas City Chiefs are Super Bowl contenders. I went to my last Chiefs practice Saturday afternoon. And I suspect my stay in River Falls, Wis., during training camp will be very brief. I'm going to cooperate with new general manager Scott Pioli. He believes you can't win football games with the media looking over the coaches' shoulders. Maybe he's right. Maybe football is the one professional sport in which the media can completely destroy a work environment during minicamps. I want the Chiefs to win, so I'm going to do my part and get as far away from the practice field as possible. Even ..."
Chiefs have to hope this new LJ is genuine
Comment
June 7
Kansas City Star
 
"Amid all the drama and intrigue, most of which ended with a whimper Friday when left guard Brian Waters and linebacker Mike Vrabel arrived at Chiefs minicamp, a player who seems attracted toward drama has kept the spotlight off him this offseason. Larry Johnson (right) has been quiet. He's been well-behaved. He has been almost invisible. So, what's the problem? This isn't a complaint. No, it's another indication that the Chiefs are making things right after last year's implosion. Kansas City won two games, Johnson was arrested twice, and the former Pro Bowl running back was phased out of the offense in favor of the spread. Johnson wasn't happy. That hasn't been all that unusual since LJ ..."
Cassel starts to take charge as Chiefs quarterback
Comment
June 7
Kansas City Star
 
"Matt Cassel made a mistake Saturday morning, and Chiefs coach Todd Haley wouldn't let him forget it. Haley said last week that he had nothing but good things to say about Cassel, the Chiefs' 27-year-old quarterback, and when Haley issued a verbal jab to the passer Saturday, the coach did it with a smile. "He had a little blip today," Haley said. "He threw one to the other color jersey, and the guy went the other way." Cassel hasn't made many mistakes in his first months on the job. Minimizing interceptions in practices is one thing, but playing politics in a community starved for a franchise quarterback and proud of its local flavor is more complicated. Someone asked Cassel on Saturday if ..."
Rookie cornerback Washington unable to come to camp
Comment
June 6
Kansas City Star
 
"Cornerback Donald Washington, the Chiefs' fourth-round draft pick, remains unable to join the team until after the June 14 graduation ceremonies at Ohio State University, where Washington played three seasons. NCAA rules prohibit underclassmen - Washington was a junior in 2008 - from joining NFL teams before their school's commencement, and Ohio State's ceremony is later than many schools. Chiefs coach Todd Haley said Friday that it leaves Washington, who was the only player missing on the first day of a three-day mandatory minicamp, at a disadvantage. While other rookies are adjusting to NFL speed and intensity, Washington is falling behind. "It's always been a bit of a juggling issue," ..."
Waters, Vrabel report to Chiefs' mandatory minicamp
Comment
June 6
Kansas City Star
 
"They had their reasons for missing the Chiefs' previous practices, but Brian Waters and Mike Vrabel were there Friday. And if you ask them, that's all that matters. Waters and Vrabel attended both of Kansas City's mandatory practices Friday, and in between the sessions, they addressed why they hadn't been with the Chiefs during organized team activities. Waters said it was nothing out of the ordinary; Vrabel said it was about making a point. "Just trying to exercise my rights within the CBA," Vrabel said, referring to the league's collective bargaining agreement and that it defines most offseason practices as optional. "We bargain for rights to make these workouts voluntary, and that's all ..."
Waters, Vrabel arrive at Chiefs minicamp
Comment
June 5
Kansas City Star
 
"After missing all of the previous offseason workouts, guard Brian Waters and linebacker Mike Vrabel arrived today for the first day of the Chiefs' mandatory minicamp. Waters skipped all of the Chiefs' previous practices, all of which before Friday had been considered optional. This weekend's three-day minicamp is Kansas City's first mandatory session, and the NFL's collective bargaining agreement states that absent players can be fined up to $8,000 per day. The four-time Pro Bowl guard reportedly was soured after his first meeting in March with first-year head coach Todd Haley. According to reports, Waters asked to be traded or released, although general manager Scott Pioli has said that ..."
Chiefs ready for mandatory minicamp - with or without Waters
Comment
June 5
Kansas City Star
 
"Brian Waters sent perhaps his clearest signal yet this week that the Chiefs' Pro Bowl guard is sticking with his desire to sever ties to Kansas City. He skipped a charity event Wednesday that had billed Waters as one of its marquee attendees. Waters is an honorary co-chairman of the Overland Park-based First Downs for Down Syndrome, and the organization's executive director, Amy Stoll, said Thursday that the 32-year-old lineman "just didn't show" at a fundraiser in Leawood. "Maybe something came up," said Stoll, who didn't speak with Waters before the event but said his name was on a list of players expected to attend. "We're not going to disown him because he didn't come." A Chiefs ..."
Mike Brown to visit with Kansas City Chiefs today
Comment
June 3
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Mike Brown could find some familiar faces to work with this season, but they won't be at Halas Hall. The Kansas City Chiefs are bringing in the veteran safety for a visit today, according to a league source, in a move that would reunite him with first-year head coach Todd Haley, who was the Bears' receivers coach from 2001 to 2003. The Bears let Brown's contract expire, and he has been a free agent for three months. Brown told another source he is motivated to prove he remains a starting-caliber player. His injury history includes a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the season opener at San Diego in 2007. Brown, 31, played his final game for the Bears on Dec. 22 against Green Bay before ..."
Chiefs adjust to new roles in new defense
Comment
June 2
Kansas City Star
 
"Turk McBride still feels himself inching toward the defensive line, home for so long, and the comfort his old position would bring. He's adjusting now to being a full-time linebacker, a position he's never played, and the Chiefs' third-year player still has to remind himself at times that he no longer belongs on the line. "I've been doing it for so, so, so long," McBride said Monday. "I'm so used to putting my hand on the ground. It's definitely going to take a while." McBride, Tamba Hali and Andy Studebaker officially are linebackers now, their positions changed from defensive end on the team's roster. McBride said it's a significant move for the players, but it's also a shift for a team ..."
Chiefs coach is warming to his offensive line
Comment
May 30
Kansas City Star
 
"Todd Haley keeps his thoughts about the Chiefs mostly to himself, but he did acknowledge recently some initial anguish over the state of the offensive line, which has been practicing without its lone Pro Bowler, guard Brian Waters. His torment eased somewhat after last week's workouts. "I'm feeling a little better about it," Haley said. "We've added some guys that know what we expect and are really into the football aspect of it." Translated, that means: Guys who not only like to play football but work at it, too. That appears to reveal his feelings about the work habits of at least some of the returning linemen. It also covers veteran guard Mike Goff, the only major line acquisition of ..."
I'm starting to get cold feet about Cassel
Comment
May 27
Kansas City Star
 columnist Jason Whitlock
"If this is an audition, it's a very expensive one. When Scott Pioli struck the deal for Tom Brady understudy Matt Cassel, the experts lauded Pioli for acquiring the one-year wonder for such a "reasonable" price, a second-round pick. Three months later - with Cassel still unsigned to a long-term deal - the price tag is losing quite a bit of its discount value. In fact, you could argue that Cassel inked a rather generous prenuptial agreement and Bill Belichick unloaded a potential headache. It appears the Chiefs have little interest in signing Matt Cassel to a long-term contract before the start of the season. Or, more likely, Pioli lost interest in signing Cassel to a long-term contract ..."
Chiefs beginning to get with the program
Comment
May 26
Kansas City Star
 
"When the Chiefs started full-squad offseason practice last week, they looked like a new program with a fresh coaching staff. By week's end, four practice sessions later, they appeared a bit more like coach Todd Haley's vision. "I thought we made progress in a lot of areas," Haley said. "There's still a lot of work to do, but there were some encouraging signs. Our tempo of our practice picked up considerably. It was very good. We ran each day after (practice) pretty hard. We got better and better as the week went on. "We got more schemes put in on each side, and guys seemed to know or figure it out a little better as the week went on. They're starting to figure out what we want. We're ..."
Chiefs' offense has turned into Cassel and the question marks
Comment
May 24
Kansas City Star
 
"The rapid climb in the coaching profession by one-time golf pro Todd Haley has come for one reason: his ability to squeeze yards and points from an offense. The Chiefs hired Haley as their head coach largely because of his work the past two seasons as offensive coordinator for the high-scoring Arizona Cardinals. Haley faces the challenge of his career this season - along with coordinator Chan Gailey and the rest of the offensive coaching staff. Since Haley joined the Chiefs in February, they traded Tony Gonzalez, their best receiver; and their best offensive lineman, Brian Waters, has asked out. The Chiefs also traded for a young quarterback in Matt Cassel and appear to have made peace ..."
Chiefs coach Haley says Vrabel 'excited to get here'
Comment
May 23
Kansas City Star
 
"Linebacker Mike Vrabel is still not physically with the Chiefs, but according to coach Todd Haley, he's with them in spirit. While not being specific about Vrabel's reasons for not participating in the offseason practices or workouts, Haley said Vrabel was on board. "Mike's excited to get here," Haley said Friday. "I'm excited to see him in action and see where he's at. We've been giving him the information, and he's been working and calling and checking in." Haley said Vrabel would attend the Chiefs' mandatory minicamp June 5-7. The Chiefs acquired Vrabel in February through a trade with the Patriots. He's pushing 34 years old and won't have a long-term influence in Kansas City, but he's ..."
Chiefs need Cottam to catch on at tight end
Comment
May 20
Kansas City Star
 
"When his time with the Chiefs is up, Brad Cottam hopes he can be a reasonable part of any discussion comparing him to Tony Gonzalez. He has a lot of work ahead before getting to that point, so the Chiefs new starting tight end knows that one - at least for now - is no contest. "I already know I'm not going to have 100 catches like Tony would get every season," Cottam said. "I'm a completely different player than he is. I'd like to think I'll be able to take some things from his game. But I'm not going to worry about trying to keep up with everything he was able to do." Trying to keep up with Gonzalez is one way Cottam will never get his wish. Gonzalez caught at least 70 passes in each of ..."
Offseason practice gives Cassel chance to work with new teammates
Comment
May 19
Kansas City Star
 
"Matt Cassel's first pass of the Chiefs' initial full-squad offseason practice was dropped by Dwayne Bowe. His second throw, also for Bowe, went wide of its target. Good thing for the Chiefs these guys have almost four more months until the Sept. 13 regular-season opener in Baltimore to get things right. "We've had a lot of hard work up to this point, but mainly it's been in the weight room, and now it's fun to get back on the field," Cassel said Monday. "Everything is not sharp right now, but that's why we're working on it. "We're trying to figure out what we have. We've got to build on our strengths and work on our weaknesses. Slowly but surely, we'll get to where we need to be." Which, ..."
Offseason practice begins without Waters and Vrabel
Comment
May 19
Kansas City Star
 
"The Chiefs started offseason practice Monday without two starting players, guard Brian Waters and linebacker Mike Vrabel. Waters asked to be traded or released after a February meeting with coach Todd Haley. Nor was Vrabel's absence a surprise since he skipped a minicamp last month. The reasons for his absence aren't as clear as they are for Waters. "We had 83 guys here, which was excellent considering (the practices) are voluntary," Haley said. "I'm not going to talk about who's here and who's not here. This is all voluntary. "We'd like everybody here, but those who weren't here are not a surprise to any of us. I feel comfortable with where we're at with those guys." Also missing was ..."
Chiefs, Broncos bring Patriots' philosophy to the AFC West
Comment
May 18
Kansas City Star
 
"As the only NFL team to win its division in each of the last three seasons, the San Diego Chargers didn't merely dominate the AFC West. They commandeered it, making themselves quite comfortable by winning the three division championships by the enormous total of nine games. All the while among San Diego's rivals, only Denver could so much as win half of its games. That led to suspicions about San Diego's superiority, that it might have had more to do with the inferiority of those rivals than any strength on its part. That theory seemed to be confirmed when the Chargers had a mediocre 3-3 playoff record. So it was with more than a little concern to Chargers general manager A.J. Smith that ..."
Chiefs seeking special-teams solutions
Comment
May 13
Kansas City Star
 
"While growing up and attending college in Louisiana, rookie wide receiver Quinten Lawrence didn't get much of a chance to watch or learn a lot about the Chiefs. One recent player he does know about is Dante Hall. That's no coincidence because Lawrence, a sixth-round draft pick, is trying to be the first Chiefs player to adequately replace Hall as the kick-return specialist since Hall was traded two seasons ago. Lawrence is part of the Chiefs' plan to upgrade their feeble special teams. They also drafted a kicker, Ryan Succop, in the seventh round and a cornerback, Donald Washington, in part for his special-teams skills, in the fourth. Including the re-signing of their best special-teams ..."
Dallas-Fort Worth venues announced for Super Bowl XLV ancillary events
Comment
May 13
Dallas Morning News
 
"The Super Bowl XLV Host Committee announced today the locations of eight major events and venues - from the NFL Experience to the headquarters hotel - for the 2011 game in Arlington. Dallas will get the largest share of marquee events and venues. The NFL Experience, an 850,000-square-foot theme park, football museum and memorabilia show, will be held at the Dallas Convention Center. That announcement was expected since there are no other indoor venues large enough to accommodate it. In warm weather states, such as Florida or Arizona, the NFL Experience is sometimes held outdoors. The event is booked indoors in regions where cold weather is likely. The Hilton Anatole was chosen as the NFL ..."
Former Missouri QB Patton now has to wait after tryout with Chiefs
Comment
May 11
Kansas City Star
 
"Chase Patton's second NFL tryout came to an end Sunday when the Chiefs concluded a three-day rookie camp at their Truman Sports Complex practice facility. Just as he did after participating in a similar camp with Chicago the previous weekend, all Patton can do now is hope he did enough to earn a contract and a ticket to training camp. "I feel like I've done all I can do," said Patton, the former Missouri quarterback who spent most of his collegiate career as a backup to Chase Daniel. "Obviously, there are things I could have done better. They put a lot on our plates, and what I tried to show them is that when I made a mental mistake or a physical mistake, that I could bounce back and make ..."
Chiefs have high hopes for rookie defensive linemen Jackson, Magee
Comment
May 10
Kansas City Star
 
"The vision the Chiefs had on draft weekend came to life on their practice field Saturday. Their top two picks lined up as the starting defensive ends, Tyson Jackson on the left side and Alex Magee on the right. That mere fact wasn't cause for the Chiefs to celebrate. It was just a rookie minicamp and veterans Glenn Dorsey and Alfonso Boone weren't around to defend their turf. Still, it's May and a time for dreams, so the Chiefs are hopeful the Jackson-Magee combination is something they'll see soon — and for many years to come. They played in college in different parts of the country, Jackson at LSU and Magee at Purdue, but became friends while preparing for the combine together last ..."
Thum appointed Chiefs' president
Comment
May 9
Kansas City Star
 
"Denny Thum, who has handled almost every responsibility except coaching in his 35 years with the Chiefs, added a new title Friday when he was appointed the fourth president in club history. "It's quite a story, and I think it's quite an accomplishment," said Thum, 57, who was interim president since the Chiefs replaced Carl Peterson in December. "Through Lamar (Hunt), through Jim Schaaf, through Carl Peterson, through Jack Steadman, I've been given opportunities to go ahead and use my talents. They've been satisfied with what I've done, and I've been afforded the opportunities to continue to grow with this organization. "I just know from my years of working here the number of resumes that ..."
No more equivocating: Chiefs will run a 3-4 defense
Comment
May 8
Kansas City Star
 
"With more than three months of comfort and a few more significant pieces added to the Chiefs' puzzle, Kansas City can now make it official: The Chiefs plan to run some version of the 3-4 defense in 2009. "We're going to try variations of it," coach Todd Haley said Thursday. "We're not going to force square pegs in round holes." In the wake of the NFL draft two weeks ago, the Chiefs possess a few more of the round pegs that Haley had hoped for when he was chosen in February as Herm Edwards' replacement. Haley noticed at the time that the Chiefs' defense clearly had been built in past seasons with the 4-3 in mind. Haley said Thursday that he envisioned transitioning the Chiefs to a 3-4 team, ..."