Kansas City Chiefs News

Chiefs add former K-State player Lilja to offensive line
Comment
March 17
Kansas City Star
 
"The Chiefs have made plenty of mistakes on players in recent seasons, and one of the biggest came six years ago when they let offensive lineman Ryan Lilja out of their grasp. When they finally got another chance to acquire Lilja this week, they didn't let history repeat itself. Lilja paid a visit to the Chiefs, and before it was over on Tuesday, he had put his name on a three-year contract worth $7.5 million. Lilja, who played in high school at Shawnee Mission Northwest and in college at Kansas State, spent the last six seasons with the Colts. He started in all of those seasons except 2008, when he missed the entire year because of a knee injury. The Colts recently released Lilja. Sources ..."
Five players drafted by Edwards will be crucial to Chiefs in 2010
Comment
March 15
Kansas City Star
 
"Since their arrival a year ago, Scott Pioli and Todd Haley have been all about remaking the Chiefs in their own image. Pioli and Haley had little use for players like Tony Gonzalez, Larry Johnson, Bernard Pollard, Tyler Thigpen, Tank Tyler and Turk McBride, all of whom were seen as building blocks by the previous coach, Herm Edwards. But one group of Edwards' players is crucial to the efforts to turn the Chiefs into winners. Edwards' final draft class includes Glenn Dorsey, Branden Albert, Brandon Flowers, Jamaal Charles and Brandon Carr. All have become starters. How they fare in 2010 will sway how quickly, and whether, the Chiefs can end their three-season slump. Each is entering his ..."
Wiegmann returns to the Chiefs
Comment
March 13
Kansas City Star
 
"In an effort to improve their offensive line, the Chiefs went back to their glory days to sign center Casey Wiegmann. Wiegmann was the Chiefs' center from 2001 through 2007. He teamed with Will Shields, Willie Roaf and Brian Waters, among others, to give the Chiefs the best line in the NFL. The Chiefs' plans this time around for Wiegmann are less certain. Their offensive line is in need of an upgrade, but Wiegmann will be 37 in July. Rudy Niswanger, the incumbent starter who took over as center when Wiegmann left the Chiefs, is unsigned and a restricted free agent. The Chiefs will have another offensive lineman, Ryan Lilja, in for a visit on Monday. Lilja played in high school at Shawnee ..."
Chiefs sign wide receiver
Comment
March 12
Kansas City Star
 
"There were times last year, particularly before the Chiefs signed Chris Chambers and during Dwayne Bowe's suspension, that Todd Haley faced a dilemma about which wide receiver to play. The Chiefs were that thin on their bench. They hope they addressed that problem Thursday by signing Jerheme Urban to a two-year contract. Urban, 29, is 6 feet 3, 207 pounds and attended Trinity (Texas) University. He has played seven seasons in the NFL, the last three with Arizona. His familiarity with Haley, the Cardinals' offensive coordinator in 2007 and 2008, will give Urban strong consideration as the slot player when the Chiefs go to three receivers or even as a starter if Chambers or Bowe falters. ..."
Report: Jets could have matched Jones' offer from Chiefs
Comment
March 12
New York Post
 
"The Jets were given a chance to match the deal Thomas Jones signed with the Chiefs, according to ProFootballTalk.com. While analyzing what it would take to bring LaDainian Tomlinson to New York, the report says "Per a league source, the Jets had a chance to match the two-year, $5 million contract that the Chiefs paid to running back Thomas Jones, but opted not to do so.""
Chiefs add WR
Comment
March 11
Kansas City Star
 
"The Chiefs for the second straight day went into the past of one of their coaches to sign a player. This time, it was wide receiver Jerheme Urban, who played for Todd Haley with the Cardinals in 2007 and 2008. Urban signed a two-year contract. Urban caught a total of 56 passes, six for touchdowns, in those two seasons while Haley was Arizona's offensive coordinator. Urban slipped to 18 catches and no touchdowns last year."
Chiefs sign defensive lineman
Comment
March 11
Kansas City Star
 
"Defensive lineman Shaun Smith had the best seasons of his NFL career in 2007 and 2008 playing for the Cleveland Browns, who were then coached by Romeo Crennel. The Chiefs, who agreed to terms of a one-year contract with Smith on Wednesday, are hoping Smith can play that way again next season as he's reunited with Crennel. He was hired in January as the Chiefs' defensive coordinator. Smith has played for New Orleans and Cincinnati as well as Cleveland in his six-year NFL career. While playing for the Browns, the 325-pound Smith was an accomplished run defender. He gives the Chiefs another nose tackle to go along with Ron Edwards but can play all positions in their three-player defensive ..."
Chiefs add veteran RB Jones but still expect big things from Charles
Comment
March 10
Kansas City Star
 
"As reflected by their record the last three seasons, including a 4-12 finish in 2009, the Chiefs could use an upgrade at many positions. Running back didn't figure to be one of them. Jamaal Charles appeared to claim the job with a brilliant second half of the season in which he rushed for more than 100 yards in four of the last five games, including a team-record 259 in the season finale in Denver. But the Chiefs' first free-agent addition of the year was a running back, and 10-year veteran Thomas Jones is not one used to sharing the load. Jones, who will be 32 in August, has five straight 1,000-plus-yard seasons. Playing in 2009 for the New York Jets, Jones set career highs for rushing ..."
Chiefs hold on to wide receiver Chris Chambers
Comment
March 9
Kansas City Star
 
"Chris Chambers was hopeful that after nine seasons in the NFL, he had finally found a home in Kansas City. Even after becoming an unrestricted free agent Friday, Chambers instructed his agent to try to get a deal done with the Chiefs. The veteran wide receiver got his wish Monday when he signed a three-year contract. Chambers could make as much as $15 million over the life of the contract. He is guaranteed a minimum of $5.9 million. "All along, I wanted to be here," Chambers said. "I knew how I felt and I knew how the team felt and that eventually we were going to get something done." The Chiefs acquired Chambers at midseason last year off waivers from San Diego. He caught just nine passes ..."
Texans break bread with Bodden, Smith
Comment
March 8
Houston Chronicle
 
"New England cornerback Leigh Bodden and Kansas City guard Wade Smith — arrived in Houston on Sunday to visit with the Texans today at Reliant Stadium. Coach Gary Kubiak and his assistants hosted Bodden and Smith for dinner at a local restaurant. Bodden, 28, was ranked second to Dunta Robinson among free-agent cornerbacks. Robinson signed with Atlanta for six years and $57 million. Bodden, who began his career with Cleveland as an undrafted free agent, played five seasons with the Browns and one with Detroit before signing with the Patriots last year. Bodden (6-1, 193 pounds) intercepted five passes, including three against the New York Jets and quarterback Mark Sanchez. "We watched a lot ..."
Free agent running back Thomas Jones will travel to Kansas City on Monday
Comment
March 7
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
 
"It looks like the interest the Chiefs have in Thomas Jones is enough to bring him in for a face-to-face. According to a tweet from Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, the 31-year-old running back will travel to Kansas City on Monday to have a sit-down with the Chiefs. Jones was officially released by the New York Jets this past Friday as he was set to earn a roster bonus of $3 million on March 9 and was due a base salary of $2.8 million in 2010. Despite the lofty price tag, the move didn't sit well with the New York locker room, as Jones finished third in the NFL in 2009 with 1,402 rushing yards. Adding a veteran, downhill runner like Jones could be a big addition for a Kansas City backfield that ..."
Schottenheimer newest member of Chiefs Hall of Fame
Comment
March 7
Kansas City Star
 
"Marty Schottenheimer spent 21 seasons as an NFL head coach, including 10 with the Chiefs. Thirteen of his teams advanced to the playoffs, seven of them in Kansas City. But Schottenheimer said things have never been better than they were Saturday, when he was introduced as the 40th member of the Chiefs Hall of Fame. "This to me," he said, pausing to gather himself as he broke into tears, "is the highlight of my career. "It's quite a treat for me to find myself in this situation." Coaching the Chiefs during 1989-98, Schottenheimer had a regular season record of 101-58-1. His .634 winning percentage is the best among all coaches in Chiefs history. Seven of his 10 Chiefs teams went to the ..."
Ex-Chiefs offensive lineman visits Bills
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March 6
Buffalo News
 
"Versatile free-agent offensive lineman Wade Smith arrived in Buffalo Friday for a visit with the Bills. Smith is an eight-year NFL veteran who started 16 games the past two seasons as the "sixth man" on the Kansas City Chiefs offensive line. Bills new offensive line coach Joe D'Allessandris served as assistant offensive line coach for the Chiefs the past two years. Smith, 6-foot-4 and 296 pounds, played his first four years with Miami and his next two with the New York Jets. He was a third-round pick of the Dolphins and has 34 starts in 74 career games. The Bills are looking for a veteran interior lineman because both players who filled that role in Buffalo last year no longer are on the ..."
Charles among players to be honored at 101 Banquet
Comment
March 6
Kansas City Star
 
"Even when training camp started last summer and all things seemed possible, Jamaal Charles never even considered he might wind up the 2009 season as the Chiefs' most valuable player. "I had other goals," Charles said. "I said I wanted to go to the Pro Bowl. Maybe I could go as a running back or maybe I could go for special teams. I didn't have the ultimate goal of being the Kansas City MVP." The season's first half, when Charles had problems with fumbling and was playing sparingly as the sidekick to Larry Johnson, appeared to kill any chances for postseason honors. But Charles persevered and after the Chiefs unloaded Johnson, his season soared. Charles wound up rushing for more than 100 ..."
Report: Chiefs have interest in Jones
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March 6
New York Post
 
"NFL.com reports the Chiefs are interested in free agent running back Thomas Jones, who was officially released by the Jets today. Jason La Canfora writes the Jets "remain interested in bringing back their leading rusher for a lesser price tag.""
Chiefs, Vrabel agree to one-year deal
Comment
March 5
Kansas City Star
 
"When linebacker Mike Vrabel cleaned out his locker after the end of the season, he left little doubt he wanted to play for the Chiefs again in 2010. "Walking out of here after my 13th year, I feel pretty good," he said then. "I think I've still got some football left. "There's a desire on both parties to get something done. I'd love to come back here and be a part of getting this thing turned around." Vrabel and the Chiefs made it happen hours before he was to become an unrestricted free agent. The sides agreed on terms of a one-year contract Thursday, allowing him to continue his career in Kansas City and the Chiefs to keep a starting outside linebacker and a mentor to many of their young ..."
Chiefs re-sign Vrabel
Comment
March 4
Kansas City Star
 
"Linebacker Mike Vrabel agreed to contract terms with the Chiefs hours before he was to become an unrestricted free agent. Vrabel joined the Chiefs last year as part of the trade that also brought quarterback Matt Cassel from New England."
Darling, Savage set free
Comment
March 3
Kansas City Star
 
"The Chiefs today released wide receiver Devard Darling and running back Dantrell Savage. Darling was once a starter for the Chiefs and was with the first team last year in the training camp. A knee injury in the preseason ended his year."
Haley mum on Albert's role
Comment
February 28
Kansas City Star
 
"Coach Todd Haley wouldn't be pinned down about Branden Albert's future, other than to say it's as a starter with the Chiefs. His comments didn't shoot down speculation the Chiefs would find a new left tackle and move Albert to either guard, where he played in college, or right tackle. "The good thing about Branden is he's got some versatility," Haley said at the annual scouting combine. "He played a tough position. There were enough encouraging signs from Branden even though it was an up-and-down year … that he can play the toughest position there. But we'll do whatever we have to to get better. "Across the board on the offensive line, we have some really versatile guys, which is a plus. ..."
Haley says worst is over heading into second season
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February 28
Kansas City Star
 
"The sour mood Todd Haley often carried through his first year with the Chiefs began to change when his team hammered the Broncos in the season's final game. It further lightened when shortly after season's end, Haley hired veteran coaches Romeo Crennel and Charlie Weis as coordinators for the defense and offense. Throw in the fact he's no longer a rookie head coach and a few other factors and Haley's outlook is suddenly rosy. He said at the scouting combine Saturday he believes that after just 10 wins in the past three seasons, the worst for the Chiefs is mercifully over. "You can feel that things are going in the right direction and that's what has us all encouraged and excited," Haley ..."
Former Notre Dame receiver Tate a big fan of Weis
Comment
February 27
Kansas City Star
 
"Other than perhaps Todd Haley, there may be no bigger fan of Chiefs offensive coordinator Charlie Weis than Notre Dame wide receiver Golden Tate. While most players attending the scouting combine in Indianapolis are coached to publicly play no favorites when it comes to a preferred NFL destination, Tate didn't hesitate about his. "It's always going to be a dream," he said, ''to play for the head coach who taught me how to be a receiver." Tate went so far as to say he might not be a candidate to become a first-round draft pick if he didn't play for Weis at Notre Dame. "I think that's one of the reasons I accepted a scholarship to Notre Dame," Tate said. "I knew that the situation I was ..."
Reunion would suit Mike Vrabel
Comment
February 27
Boston Herald
 
"Prior to the start of last season, Bill Belichick traded veteran linebacker Mike Vrabel away for little more than a stack of hoodies. He was lumped into the Matt Cassel deal to Kansas City for a second-round pick. The $2.2 million salary Vrabel was due, plus a $1 million roster bonus - the math came out to a $4.3 million charge against the cap - apparently wasn't worth the trouble. The Pats needed to create cap space to sign some free agents, and Vrabel became a casualty. His presence in the locker room and the leadership he had provided through eight seasons and three Super Bowl championships didn't seem to matter. Nor did the fact that he remained the team's best pass-rushing threat from ..."
Chiefs want to sign their free agents
Comment
February 26
Kansas City Star
 
"The Chiefs are scheduled to have six unrestricted and eight restricted free agents when the signing period begins next week. Wide receiver Chris Chambers, linebacker Mike Vrabel and safety Mike Brown are among the potential unrestricted free agents. Quarterback Brodie Croyle, linebackers Derrick Johnson and Corey Mays, offensive linemen Rudy Niswanger and Ryan O'Callaghan and safety Jarrad Page are among the potential restricted free agents. General manager Scott Pioli said at the scouting combine Thursday that he's trying to reduce those numbers by next week. "We've had conversations with most all of our players that are free agents, including some restricted free agents, too," said ..."
Good coaching chemistry has Chiefs comfortable at combine
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February 26
Kansas City Star
 
"Scott Pioli and Todd Haley spent much of their time at last year's scouting combine interviewing prospective assistant coaches and trying to fill out the Chiefs' staff. This year, they set the coaching staff in the days after season's end. Charlie Weis was imported as offensive coordinator and Romeo Crennel as his defensive counterpart. That frees Pioli, the general manager, and Haley, the head coach, to do what they're really here for - concentrate on the draft. No wonder Pioli already has a better feel about the Chiefs as they continue their offseason preparations. "I feel a lot more comfortable," Pioli said Thursday. "I feel a lot more energized. It feels like there's more stability. A ..."
Pioli talks Patriots tree
Comment
February 26
Boston Globe
 
"You can count more than a quarter of the NFL having leadership that can be tied together by Bill Parcells and Belichick. The Patriots, Dolphins, Browns, Saints, Broncos, Chiefs, Lions, Falcons and Giants are all led by people from that football tree, and as such, there are a lot of people with a similar philosophy at events like this week's combine having institutional knowledge of others teams' thinking. Does it matter? Well, according to Chiefs GM Scott Pioli, not as much as you might think. "What I'd say -- because the branches are in different places -- the makeup of the individual is very similar," Pioli said. "What you're looking for physically and philosphically is different, ..."
Pioli putting heads together in KC
Comment
February 26
Boston Globe
 
"Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli is a year removed from his time in New England, but his experience with the Patriots follows him. As Pioli met with the media at yesterday's NFL Combine, he was peppered with questions that reflected on his eight seasons with the Patriots, primarily as vice president of player personnel. The Chiefs now have a coaching staff that has reunited Pioli with a couple of former colleagues. Charlie Weis was hired as offensive coordinator and Romeo Crennel is the new defensive coordinator. Both held the same positions with the Patriots. The staff, led by head coach Todd Haley, is an experienced one, and Pioli hopes it can improve on last season's 4-12 record. ..."
Scott Pioli tuned in
Comment
February 26
Boston Herald
 
"Listening to Scott Pioli yesterday talk about some of the knockdown, drag-out discussions he's had in the past with former Patriots [team stats] coordinators Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel, and how glad he is to have them as part of his inner circle in Kansas City again, it makes you wonder about the makeup of Bill Belichick's coaching staff. Who has the guts to wrestle with the Patriots head coach over vital decisions that impact the team? When the season ended, Belichick said he needed to have more people on his staff challenge him, just like it was when Weis and Crennel were around. Yet, he seems to have drifted in the opposite direction. Veteran defensive coordinator Dean Pees ..."
Former Cleveland Browns' salary cap specialist hired by Chiefs
Comment
February 25
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Former Browns salary-cap specialist and legal counsel Trip McCracken has left the team to take over a similar role in Kansas City, the Chiefs announced Thursday. McCracken was the Browns' chief negotiator during the Phil Savage years, and re-assigned as legal counsel last season under then director of football administration Dawn Aponte, who handled all contracts in 2009. McCracken became expendable when the Browns recently hired Bryan Weidemeier as Vice President of Business Administration. Aponte left to take Weidemeier's former job in Miami."
Chiefs sign two, cut one
Comment
February 25
Kansas City Star
 
"The Chiefs re-signed running back Kolby Smith and quarterback Matt Gutierrez on Wednesday. Guard Mike Goff was released. Smith, a fifth-round draft choice by the Chiefs in 2007, has shown enough ability to keep them intrigued, though his last two seasons have been ended prematurely by injuries. They'll hope he can stay healthy and do more to consistently spell Jamaal Charles in 2010."
Chiefs can go for offense with top pick because draft is deep on defense
Comment
February 24
Kansas City Star
 
"Here's something for the Chiefs to think about as they prepare for the draft, now less than two months from its start: "The defensive side of the ball is probably the deepest draft I've seen in eight years, particularly at defensive tackle and in the defensive backfield," NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said. "If you need a tackle, a corner or a safety, you can get a quality player deep in the third, fourth, fifth rounds." That means help for their beleaguered defense can wait until the second round, when the Chiefs have two selections - including the pick obtained from Atlanta in last year's trade involving Tony Gonzalez. It could also mean that to guarantee they get immediate help ..."
Chiefs look for a draft pick who can make an immediate impact
Comment
February 18
Kansas City Star
 
"When it comes to planning for the upcoming draft, the Chiefs can safely cross the draft's two top prospects off their list. Defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska and Gerald McCoy of Oklahoma won't be available when the Chiefs make their first pick at number five. After that, they can reasonably hope for just about everyone else. That includes Tennessee defensive back Eric Berry, considered the best safety prospect to come along in the last decade or longer. "Berry, if he's there, that would be as good as it gets to get an Eric Berry with the fifth pick," ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said. "That would be the best value if he happened to be there. The top two (won't be available). ..."
Owners, players both at fault in labor mess
Comment
February 17
Houston Chronicle
 columnist John McClain
"At this time next year, expect the NFL to be in panic mode. The NFL Players Association and Management Council will be locked behind closed doors trying to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement and avoid a lockout that would begin in March. There won't be a salary cap when free agency begins March 5 of this year. There's a good chance that in 2011, a season will be interrupted for the first time since the players strike in 1987. Locking out the players in March seems foolish because players don't get paid game checks until the season starts in September. Maybe I'm missing something, but the only ones who'll get hurt in March, April, May, June, July and August are the employees ..."
Chiefs' Cassel has expectations as high as his salary
Comment
February 16
Kansas City Star
 
"Todd Haley watched the Super Bowl with the idea that someday Matt Cassel will take the Chiefs where Drew Brees and Peyton Manning carried their teams. "I can see him in that role," Haley said. "I don't have any doubt." That's fortunate for Haley, because this year Cassel certainly will get paid like one of the NFL's top quarterbacks. Cassel's base salary of $11.75 million ranks third among 2010 projected starting quarterbacks, behind only former Super Bowl champions Manning of Indianapolis and Brett Favre of Minnesota. Players are often compensated with bonuses given when a contract is signed and at other times, so base salaries tell only part of a player's financial situation. Cassel, for ..."
Chiefs' Cassel back to work
Comment
February 14
Kansas City Star
 
"Matt Cassel rubbed his eyes with his fingers when he talked about last week's Super Bowl. He watched it at home, the same as so many of us. Cassel has been part of a Super Bowl, a backup quarterback in 2008, when New England lost to the New York Giants. Cassel said the memory of that game makes it no easier for him to admit that, now that he's the starting quarterback for the Chiefs, another title-game appearance seems little more than a fantasy. "I'll catch myself thinking about that stuff," he said last week at Chiefs headquarters, "playing in that big game, making the big throw. I go through it in my mind constantly." He said he wants to make it seem more like reality. The Chiefs have ..."
Waters rose above his Chiefs superiors
Comment
February 14
Kansas City Star
 
"Fearing that some of you might construe what I'm about to say as an unjustified attack on Scott Pioli and Todd Haley, I delayed writing this column. It's about Brian Waters winning the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. Waters received the NFL's most prestigious individual award last Sunday before the Super Bowl, joining Dan Marino, John Elway, Mike Singletary, Roger Staubach, Johnny Unitas and many of the greatest names in football as a recipient. Young people - not just young athletes - can learn a lesson from Waters' 2009 journey, a lesson in how to handle unwarranted criticism and disrespect. If your goal is to rise above your circumstance, never answer disrespect with ..."
Goodell Receives Extension Through '15
Comment
February 13
Sports Business Daily
 
"The NFL has added 3 1/2 years to Commissioner Roger Goodell's contract, SportsBusiness Journal has learned, extending the deal through March 1, 2015. His initial five-year deal was scheduled to expire September 1, 2011. Goodell is taking no increases in his base pay, a move designed to send a message that the league is willing to tighten its belt in light of its battle with the NFLPA over how much players are paid, and after a recent round of cutbacks at league headquarters. The extension was approved unanimously by NFL owners at a meeting in Dallas in mid-December, but the league only publicly disclosed it today. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, Goodell earned $2.9M in base pay ..."
Should Cowboys have drafted ex-UT back Jamaal Charles instead of Felix Jones?
Comment
February 11
Dallas Morning News
 
"The DMN's Jean-Jacques Taylor writes ... Let's wait a little while before we anoint Charles. He had a terrific season after a slow start, in part, because he fumbled too much for (Kansas City) coach Todd Haley's liking and Larry Johnson was the lead the runner. Charles gained 1,120 yards and scored seven touchdowns, but he had 99 carries for 658 yards and four touchdowns in the final four games for an awful team. All that means is I have to see more."
Chiefs release two linebackers
Comment
February 9
Kansas City Star
 
"On the first 2010 day that teams could release players, the Chiefs took advantage by trimming linebackers Justin Rogers and Weston Dacus from the roster. Dacus played in eight games in 2008 but spent all of last season on injured reserve."
Chiefs helped make Super Bowl the spectacle it is today
Comment
February 7
Kansas City Star
 
"Tonight, Len Dawson will be in the Super Bowl spotlight again. Dawson, the Chiefs Hall of Fame quarterback, will hand the Vince Lombardi Trophy to the winners of Super Bowl XLIV - 40 years after he and his Kansas City teammates helped spark the transformation of this game from curiosity to national holiday. "To think we were part of that and what jump-started what this is all about today…" reflected Dawson, the game's MVP when the Chiefs shocked heavily favored Minnesota 23-7 on Jan. 11, 1970, in New Orleans. "No one would have dreamed in those days it would be this kind of spectacle." Two people did have an inkling that the Super Bowl had the possibility of captivating America. Ed Sabol, ..."
Chiefs' Waters wins Walter Payton Man of the Year award
Comment
February 7
Kansas City Star
 
"Chiefs guard Brian Waters was never certain where life might take him. Maybe he would coach or teach. Or maybe he'd be a lawyer or a football player. One thing was never in doubt: Waters would give to others. Before tonight's kickoff of Super Bowl XLIV, the NFL will recognize Waters' dedication to community service when he is introduced as the 40th winner of the league's most prestigious honor, the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, which recognizes both excellence on the field and in the community. "The stories that are shared with us," he says, "and the little things we're able to do for them is the most gratifying." Waters was a finalist for the second time in three years for the ..."
Legislation seeks to financially punish Chiefs for blackouts
Comment
February 6
Kansas City Star
 
"The Kansas City Chiefs and St. Louis Rams would risk state funding if they blacked out local broadcasts of games under legislation filed in the Missouri House. The bill is meant to spur the NFL to overturn blackout rules, which its sponsor contends is unfair to fans, costly to local businesses and ultimately harmful to the football clubs. "All I want is for the NFL take another look at their policy," said Jason Holsman, a Kansas City Democrat. "I want them to examine the economic impact it has on the citizens and businesses of Jackson County." The league-wide policy requires networks to black out broadcasts within a 75-mile radius of the stadium if a game fails to sell out at least 72 ..."
Waters a finalist for Payton award
Comment
February 6
Kansas City Star
 
"Chiefs guard Brian Waters, who was recognized Friday for his community service, is considering yet another humanitarian deed. Waters, one of three finalists for the prestigious Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award, said he and his wife, Yolanda, are looking into adopting a child who has been left homeless or orphaned by the earthquake in Haiti. "The recent disaster in Haiti has been heavy on our hearts in our home," Waters said. "We have been bouncing our brains together and want to do something we feel can be special." Waters is a finalist for the second time in three years for the award, considered the league's most prestigious honor because it recognizes excellence both on the field ..."
To Waters, doing right thing a given
Comment
February 6
Houston Chronicle
 columnist Richard Justice
"We interrupt our buildup of the big game to honor the NFL's best. For instance, Kansas City Chiefs guard Brian Waters, a Waxahachie native and former star at North Texas. Maybe you haven't heard of him because he's like hundreds of other NFL players in that he works hard and tries to do the right thing. Sometimes we overlook guys like Waters and focus on the players who run their mouths and get into trouble. Train wrecks are always more interesting. Waters is an offensive lineman on a bad team. He's also someone who makes you feel good about things, a guy who has taken the long road, an undrafted free agent who has had to fight for everything he has. The four-time Pro Bowler has plenty and ..."
New rules may curtail Chiefs' free-agency shopping
Comment
February 5
Kansas City Star
 
"Clark Hunt has said it many times since becoming chairman of the Chiefs: He believes in building the team through the draft. Hunt and the Chiefs may have little choice this year. The NFL's owners and players are heading into the final year of the collective-bargaining agreement, and new rules will govern the free-agent market when it opens March 5. Teams won't be limited by a salary cap, but a limited number of players will be available. Nobody is certain how things will unfold, but it doesn't appear teams will be able to load up on free-agent talent. "It's going to be very unpredictable," Hunt said. "We haven't been through a year like this when we had this set of rules. On the one hand, ..."
NFL players preparing for 2011 lockout
Comment
February 5
Boston Globe
 
"As collective bargaining agreement negotiations between the NFL Players Association and the NFL owners continue to drag, NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith said he expects the owners to lock out the players before the 2011 season. Chad Ochocinco, representing OCNN, asked the first question of a press conference this afternoon in which the NFLPA laid out their message. He asked Smith how worried he is about a lockout next season. "On a scale of 1 to 10," Smith said, "it's a 14." Smith said he and NFLPA president Kevin Mawae have informed players to save 25 percent of their paychecks in order to prepare for a lockout. Mawae said negotiations for a CBA have been "frustrating" and moved ..."
Former Chief Emmitt Thomas joins team as an assistant coach
Comment
February 2
Kansas City Star
 
"Seated alongside men who have won a dozen combined Super Bowls, Chiefs coach Todd Haley looked to his right Monday and saw the most accomplished faces of his now-complete coaching staff. Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel and new defensive-backs coach Emmitt Thomas joined Haley for a news conference at Chiefs headquarters, and the announcement was a reunion as much as anything — especially for the Chiefs' newest assistant coach. Thomas was mostly quiet as he sat to the right of his colleagues, but when he did speak, he talked about wanting to end a long career where it started. "It's a wonderful feeling," Thomas said. "Through all the Super Bowls, the ..."
Former Chief Emmitt Thomas joins team as an assistant coach
Comment
February 2
Kansas City Star
 
"Seated alongside men who have won a dozen combined Super Bowls, Chiefs coach Todd Haley looked to his right Monday and saw the most accomplished faces of his now-complete coaching staff. Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel and new defensive-backs coach Emmitt Thomas joined Haley for a news conference at Chiefs headquarters, and the announcement was a reunion as much as anything — especially for the Chiefs' newest assistant coach. Thomas was mostly quiet as he sat to the right of his colleagues, but when he did speak, he talked about wanting to end a long career where it started. "It's a wonderful feeling," Thomas said. "Through all the Super Bowls, the ..."
Chiefs Mike Richardson charged with possession with open container of alcohol
Comment
January 31
Tampa Tribune
 
"At least 413 people were arrested Saturday during the Gasparilla Parade, among them a NFL player. And like Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Michael Richardson, 25, the vast majority of those taken into custody were charged with alcohol-related offenses, Tampa police say. Tampa police spokeswoman Laura McElroy said of the 413 arrests, 406 were misdemeanors and seven were felonies. The felony charges included battery on a law enforcement officer, battery on a police horse, being in possession of fake identification, and felony possession of marijuana."
Assistants Pendergast, Ward lose jobs coaching Chiefs
Comment
January 29
Kansas City Star
 
"Thursday brought more shuffling to Todd Haley's coaching staff. This time, former defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast was left without a job. Haley and Pendergast came to what one source called a mutual agreement that Pendergast would no longer coach for the Chiefs. Earlier in the month, after hiring Romeo Crennel as defensive coordinator, Haley said Pendergast might remain on the staff as the defensive backs coach. Dedric Ward, who was demoted during the middle of the season as receivers coach, was fired. He will be replaced by Richie Anderson, who replaced Ward last year. Among other staff changes, Pat Perles will go from defensive aide to assistant offensive line coach while Anthony ..."
It's a good year for the Chiefs to have an extra second-round draft choice
Comment
January 28
Kansas City Star
 
"W hen a team is coming off three straight losing seasons, there's never a bad year to have three picks among the top 50 in the NFL draft. But not all drafts are created equal, and this year's group of available players allows the Chiefs the chance to get better in a hurry if they choose wisely. "This could be one of the best draft classes in the last 15 or 20 years," said Shawn Zobel, who runs a draft Web site at www.draftheadquarters.com. "The number of underclassmen is about the same as it's been, but the quality of the underclassmen is a lot higher. There are at least 30 players that have first- or second-round grades that came out this year. You wouldn't have seen that as much in years ..."