Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

Controversial locker-room sign isn't unique to Chiefs

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November 7

Kansas City Star

"It turns out the message on the infamous signs placed this week outside the locker room in the Chiefs practice facility isn't original. Coach Todd Haley said signs with an almost identical message were placed in practice facilities for the Jets and Cowboys when he was an assistant coach for those teams. "(Wide receivers coach) Richie Anderson actually reminded me of that sign and how much it meant to him as a player," Haley said. "That sign was actually talked about in February. I wanted that one in the area the players wanted to see it the most on the way to the field." The signs suggest that "losers assemble in small groups and complain about the coaches and other players." Running back ..."

Chiefs need Morgan to mature quickly, limit big plays

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November 7

Kansas City Star

"It doesn't take injuries to a couple of veteran safeties to summon visions of long touchdown runs by Jacksonville's Maurice Jones-Drew against the Chiefs on Sunday. The Chiefs already were capable of allowing long runs with Jarrad Page or Jon McGraw in their starting lineup. They've allowed a run of more than 35 yards in each of the past three games. But the odds that the elusive Jones-Drew, one of the league's rushing leaders, could burn the Chiefs in Jacksonville seem to improve because neither Page nor McGraw will play. DaJuan Morgan will make his first career start instead, and the Chiefs are a little nervous about having someone so inexperienced starting on their last line of defense. ..."

Bowe continues to be a work in progress

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November 6

Kansas City Star

"Their personalities clashed at first, and they can admit that now. Chiefs receiver Dwayne Bowe can admit this too: It was a fight he was never going to win. Bowe said this week that his first months as coach Todd Haley's whipping boy were humbling, demeaning, confusing and … "Interesting," he said. "Very, very interesting." Bowe smiled. "Now it's better," he said. Bowe entered this season as an overconfident, unreliable and supremely talented receiver. Haley approached Bowe and, perhaps for the first time in his career, forced him to forget the show and just catch the ball. That wasn't easy. Bowe likes to put on a show. "One of the first things I said to Dwayne was: 'Don't give me your ..."

Cassel's secret weapon against concussions

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November 6

Kansas City Star

"Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel has taken a beating at times this season, but he remains confident that he has an advantage when it comes to avoiding a concussion. His mouthguard. It was developed by Gerald Maher, the team dentist for the New England Patriots. Cassel spent the first four seasons in the NFL with New England before being traded to the Chiefs earlier this year. The Patriots are believed to have had the fewest concussions of any NFL team last season. "Dr. Maher's work with the Patriots is pretty well documented," Cassel said. "The guys in that locker room trust the protection that his mouthguards provide, and once I tried it, I won't wear anything else. As quarterback, you want ..."

Signs, LJ suspension a coincidence

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November 6

Kansas City Star

"It's a good thing Larry Johnson sent out those tweets questioning Chiefs coach Todd Haley's coaching credentials. They've given context and meaning to the signs posted outside the Chiefs locker room suggesting, among other things, that "losers assemble in small groups and complain about the coaches and other players." Haley, asked about the signs for the first time on Thursday, said it was a coincidence the signs were placed shortly after Johnson was suspended because of his now-infamous tweets. The signs, Haley said, have been planned for some time. "I have a coach assigned to signage and posters and he's just been slow," Haley said. "I won't say who it is. "Just words I think are ..."

Sign in Chiefs' locker room is a childish distraction

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November 6

Kansas City Star

"Let me translate the sign and one-win distraction stunt that's hanging inside the Arrowhead Stadium practice facility: "Losers question our qualifications to fix this franchise. Winners do what we tell them to do to avoid getting fined, cut or losing access to our self-promoting, unenlightening off-the-record conversations. And in keeping with our tight-lipped approach on talking about in-house matters, we have no comment on Larry Johnson." Scott Pioli and Todd Haley hung their "losers and winners" sign in an all-access location because they're trying to intimidate players, assistant coaches, support personnel and the media. Their sign read: "Losers assemble in small groups and complain ..."

Jaguars game vs. Chiefs blacked out

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November 6

Jacksonville Times-Union

"The Jaguars' home game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday is not a sellout and will be blacked out in the Jacksonville area and secondary markets, the team said this afternoon. The team could have requested a 24-hour extension, but did not. All of the Jaguars' home games have been blacked out so far this season. The Jaguars ticket office will be open from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. through Friday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Saturday, and on 10 a.m. on Sunday."

In a down economy, NFL viewership is up

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November 6

Washington Post

"When this NFL season began with some franchises struggling to sell tickets, there were concerns about the impact that the uncertain U.S. economy would have on the nation's most prosperous sport. While those concerns have turned out to be justified in a few NFL cities and unfounded in others, there has been an unforeseen development: The NFL's television ratings are soaring this season, and some analysts say it appears to be the result of consumers cutting back on other, more costly leisure activities in favor of watching pro football on TV. "I think there's only one answer and that is the NFL and television are actually getting the so-called 'benefit' of the recession," said Neal Pilson, ..."

Page placed on injured reserve

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November 5

Kansas City Star

"Free safety Jarrad Page was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, and he'll miss the rest of the season because of the severely pulled calf he suffered during last Thursday's practice. The Chiefs signed cornerback Travis Daniels, who spent training camp with Kansas City, and began a shift of their defensive backfield that could, in a pinch, involve nickel back Maurice Leggett playing safety. Leggett made an appearance at safety during the loss two weeks ago to San Diego, and coach Todd Haley said Wednesday that Leggett, a second-year player, has some experience at the position - which suddenly is a significant weakness for the Chiefs. "I feel like we're at least ahead of the curve with ..."

Messages from team and fans directed at Larry Johnson

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November 5

Kansas City Star

"Larry Johnson isn't eligible to rejoin the Chiefs until Monday, but in his absence, the messages directed at him are mounting. The team and thousands of fans sent pointed messages this week that Johnson's misdeeds of the past did not come without consequences. Near the Chiefs locker room, signs have been placed this week with words about unity, discretion and judgment. The most telling sign hung Wednesday near a hallway used frequently by players, coaches, reporters and organization officials. It stated: "Losers assemble in small groups and complain about the coaches and other players. Winners assemble as a team and find ways to win." That message seemed clearly directed at Johnson, who ..."

Page is officially done

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November 4

Kansas City Star

"The Chiefs put Jarrad Page on injured reserve today, ending his season. Page has a calf injury that apparently was going to keep him out for several weeks. We'll see how Jon McGraw is when the Chiefs practice later today. The Chiefs will also have him listed on their injury report when it's issued after practice is over."

Chiefs use bye week to fine-tune offense

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November 4

Kansas City Star

"As the Chiefs gathered Monday for the first time in five days, they did so amid the latest changes implemented by their coaching staff. The Chiefs had time to examine themselves last week, and they spent the bye week trying to identify what has caused their offense to be among the league's worst. "We did a lot of self-scout," coach Todd Haley said Monday during his weekly news conference. "We needed that time." Haley didn't address it directly, but the team used the extra time to further tweak an offense that just hasn't found rhythm since Haley fired Chan Gailey as offensive coordinator and took over the play-calling duties. The Chiefs still don't have a rushing touchdown, Matt Cassel ..."

Chiefs add Chris Chambers

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November 4

Kansas City Star

"The Chiefs added a wide receiver Tuesday, when they were awarded former San Diego wideout Chris Chambers after putting in a waiver claim. Chambers was waived Monday after two-plus seasons with the Chargers. He spent his first six-plus seasons with Miami."

Source: Chiefs claim Chambers

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November 3

ESPN.com

"It didn't take long for wide receiver Chris Chambers to find work. The veteran Chambers, released Monday by the San Diego Chargers, was claimed on waivers by the Kansas City Chiefs on Tuesday, a source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. Chargers coach Norv Turner said Monday the Chargers released Chambers because of the emergence of Malcom Floyd and the need to sign a linebacker because of an injury to Tim Dobbins. Because Chambers was claimed, the Chargers won't have to pay the $2.25 million they owe him."

Chiefs will give Charles a chance to run against Jacksonville

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November 3

Kansas City Star

"Sooner or later, the day will come when the Chiefs no longer build their running game around the talents of Larry Johnson. That being the case, Jamaal Charles might be wise to consider Sunday's game against the Jaguars an audition of sorts. Chiefs coach Todd Haley might be looking at it that way. The game in Jacksonville will be their first of the season without Johnson, who is suspended. The Chiefs confirmed Monday they have reached a settlement with Johnson that will keep him out of Sunday's game. It also will be the Chiefs' first look at Charles as their featured back. He's been mostly a third-down back since joining the team as a rookie last year. "I think this is an opportunity for ..."

Chiefs safeties Page, McGraw may miss Jacksonville game

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November 3

Kansas City Star

"The Chiefs could be without free safeties Jarrad Page and Jon McGraw for Sunday's game against the Jaguars in Jacksonville. Page was absent when the Chiefs returned to practice Monday. A player's absence from practice for medical reasons usually indicates a serious injury. Coach Todd Haley wouldn't talk about Page's absence other than to say he suffered a new injury in last Thursday's practice and would disclose more information as soon as today. McGraw's injury, which the Chiefs haven't specified, doesn't appear as serious as Page's. But he could also miss the Jaguars game. McGraw didn't practice Monday, but he was riding a stationary bicycle in a corner of the practice field in the area ..."

Chiefs will keep an eye on LJ

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November 2

Kansas City Star

"Seven tumultuous days ago, Larry Johnson walked into the Chiefs locker room with a firm grip on his job. He got himself in further trouble with the team, and a day later was told to go home. As the 1-6 Chiefs enter another game week with plenty on their minds, the team will also decide if it would be better off with or without Johnson. According to an industry source, the team considered releasing Johnson - who has a history of misbehavior - but was cautious of the precedent it might set. The Chiefs didn't want to send the message that, if a player wants out of Kansas City, all he has to do is speak out or act up to get his way. The Chiefs have spent most of the past seven days trying to ..."

Sorry Seven didn't get parity invitations

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November 2

Buffalo News

columnist Mark Gaughan

"The bottom is falling out of the NFL this season. Every year there is a handful of really bad teams at the bottom. This year, however, there aren't just two, three or four dregs in the NFL. There are seven. For the first time since 1970, there are two 0-7 teams and one 0-6 team. Only once in the last 40 years — in 1985 — had there been three 0-6 teams. The Sorry Seven right now comprises: St. Louis (0-7), Tampa Bay (0-7), Tennessee (0-6), Cleveland (1-6), Kansas City (1-6), Detroit (1-5) and Oakland (2-5). We'll have to see if any other teams spiral downward and join this group. The increasing number of blowouts is another sign of the bad getting worse. Last week six of 13 games were ..."

Larry Johnson's fine is cut in half

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November 1

Kansas City Star

"Larry Johnson recouped some money Saturday, but his "settlement" with the Chiefs didn't answer questions about his long-term job security with the team. Johnson's agent, Peter Schaffer, told The Star on Saturday night that his client and the Chiefs had agreed in principle that Johnson would remain suspended for two weeks but that he would be paid for one of those weeks. The original suspension, which was handed down by the team Wednesday night, would have cost Johnson more than $600,000. Now it will cost him about half that, and it will keep the sides out of a grievance hearing next week. "We have nothing signed," Schaffer said. "I don't think anybody is going to go back on their word. ..."

Chiefs can learn from LJs mistakes

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October 31

Kansas City Star

"Chiefs players packed up Thursday and went their separate ways for a long weekend free of football and distractions, but they took with them a warning. And perhaps the undisturbed locker in the heart of the locker room delivered it best: Don't forget that good judgment and smart choices are part of the job. The players walked past running back Larry Johnson's locker after practice, before setting off on their bye-weekend plans. Coach Todd Haley gave them three days off before practice resumes Monday. Linebacker Mike Vrabel said he's going to Ohio. Cornerback Brandon Flowers posted on his Twitter page that he's throwing a party in south Florida. Whatever they do, the Chiefs hope that their ..."

Blitzing, pressure worked for defense against Chiefs

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October 30

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Chargers free safety Eric Weddle ran around Chiefs left tackle Wade Smith as if he were standing still, taking down Matt Cassel from behind for the first sack on a day in which the Chargers would have a season-high five. That was on Kansas City's sixth offensive snap, and already Weddle had blitzed three times. By the time the third quarter was finished - and the Chargers had pulled back the throttle a tad on defense - Weddle would blitz five times. He and his fellow defensive backs (safety Paul Oliver and nickel back Steve Gregory) would blitz a total of 12 times in 45 plays. Head coach Norv Turner had been pushing for more pressure from his defense for a while, becoming increasingly ..."

Chiefs, LJ working on a settlement

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October 30

Kansas City Star

"The Chiefs and running back Larry Johnson are working on a settlement that could affect his future, Johnson's agent told The Star on Thursday. Peter Schaffer, who has represented Johnson for about a year, said in an e-mail that he was working on an appeal of Johnson's two-week suspension at the same time as he and the Chiefs are discussing a settlement. "Full bore on both," Schaffer wrote. Asked whether that settlement could involve Johnson's separation from the team, Schaffer wrote: "Not necessarily." Schaffer was later reached by phone Thursday night. When asked whether he expects Johnson to play with the Chiefs again, Schaffer said: "Larry Johnson is a member of the Chiefs right now." ..."

Hear Larry Johnson's controversial comment

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October 29

Kansas City Star

"The Kansas City Star is releasing audio this afternoon of a controversial comment made Monday by Chiefs running back Larry Johnson. Readers should listen carefully and turn up the volume since the comment is whispered quickly under Johnson's breath in a busy locker room. The controversy began when, approached by media in the Chiefs' locker room on Monday, Johnson initially said, "I'm not talking till Thursday," his usual day to speak with reporters. However, after someone remarked that the running back has often talked on Mondays as well, Johnson turned his head slightly and said, "Get your faggot ass out of here.""

Chiefs suspend Johnson for detrimental conduct

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October 29

Washington Times

"The Kansas City Chiefs suspended running back Larry Johnson until Nov. 9. The club is on its bye week so Johnson will miss one game at Jacksonville on Nov. 8. The three-sentence news release issued Wednesday night said only that Johnson, who turns 30 in a few weeks, was suspended for conduct detrimental to the club. Johnson used a gay slur twice within a 24-hour period Sunday night and Monday, first on his Twitter account and then again Monday morning after telling reporters he was not talking. The Chiefs said they would have no further comment on Johnson's status "at this time." PANTHERS: Jake Delhomme will remain Carolina's starting quarterback despite an NFL-high 13 interceptions in six ..."

Longtime Chiefs assistant coach Wallis dies

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October 29

Kansas City Star

"Darvin Wallis, the second-longest tenured assistant coach in Chiefs history, has died at age 60. He was in Colorado when he died in his sleep. The cause of his death is unknown. Wallis accompanied Marty Schottenheimer from Cleveland to Kansas City in 1989 and worked behind the scenes for Schottenheimer, Gunther Cunningham, Dick Vermeil and Herm Edwards as a defensive assistant/quality control coach for 19 years before retiring in January 2008. Wallis' tenure with the Chiefs as an assistant ranked second only to Tom Pratt's 21 years. "He was at the forefront of the coaching profession's analysis of trends through video analysis," Schottenheimer said. "In the role in which he was cast, I've ..."

Chiefs suspend Larry Johnson for two weeks

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October 29

Kansas City Star

"Jamaal Charles and Kolby Smith split most of the practice time Wednesday as the Chiefs' running backs, both of them trying to prove they're ready for a more significant role. Charles caught passes during practice, and Smith tested his surgically repaired knee at the team's indoor facility. Both appeared capable of handling a greater load. "If they need me," Smith said Wednesday, "I can be used." They do. Starting running back Larry Johnson was issued a two-week suspension by the Chiefs on Wednesday night for conduct detrimental to the team. He will not be permitted at team headquarters or allowed to participate in team activities before Nov. 9, the day after the Chiefs play at ..."

Haley targets 'minus plays'

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October 28

Kansas City Star

"Haley wants to eliminate the minuses Chiefs coach Todd Haley continued this week emphasizing that the team cannot continue hurting itself with negative-yardage plays, such as sacks, penalties and losses. Haley has said that puts the Chiefs at a disadvantage, and he took that emphasis further Tuesday. "They're the root of all evil," Haley said. Haley said the team's coaching staff started a study of the team's offense designed to identify why and how the Chiefs so consistently lose yards. On defense, Haley said the staff began studying how the Chiefs' defense has given up big plays so frequently. In Sunday's 37-7 loss to San Diego, Kansas City allowed six plays of 20 yards or longer. "If we ..."

Father says he's among those hurt by Larry Johnson's remarks

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October 28

Kansas City Star

"His voice comes through soft but pointed. He remembers his childhood in the Jim Crow South and understands the daggers of inequality and the tarnish of discrimination. "I went through that," he said. "My generation." Larry Johnson Sr. said that he vowed so many years ago that he would teach his children to treat everyone with compassion. He said he raised them to consider everyone equal, regardless of race, gender, beliefs or sexual orientation. He said it hurts that his son, Chiefs running back Larry Johnson, used gay slurs in public two times in 24 hours. "That's just not who we are and not what we believe," said the elder Johnson, 56. "It's not how he was raised. "It's tough for me as a ..."

Larry Johnson apologizes; Chiefs ask him to stay away

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October 27

Kansas City Star

"Chiefs running back Larry Johnson issued an apology today but has been asked to stay away from team activities, and he is not at team headquarters as the Chiefs returned to practice during their off week. It is not a suspension but is similar to the punishment Johnson faced after last year's bye week, when the Chiefs benched him after a series of arrests. A team statement stated that the Chiefs are "continuing to investigate the alleged comments made by Larry Johnson. Until that review is complete, the Chiefs have instructed Larry to refrain from practicing with the Chiefs or participating in other team activities." Johnson posted demeaning comments, directed at Chiefs coach Todd Haley, on ..."

Pioli, Haley need the LJ distraction

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October 27

Kansas City Star

"There's no way I release Larry Johnson. No way. He's Scott Pioli's and Todd Haley's most valuable player. Within hours of the Chiefs turning in a Three Stoogeslike performance that called into question Haley's competency to lead an NFL team and Pioli's sanity as it relates to Matt Cassel, Larry Johnson created a distraction that took the spotlight off KC's rookie coach and GM. Hell, I'd give Johnson a bonus, a laptop to carry to practice and the green light to tweet 24/7. Short of Michael Jackson returning from the grave and announcing he'd sing the national anthem at the Chiefs' next home game, LJ's tweet smack talk and locker-room F-bomb are the best thing that could happen to Pioli and ..."

Larry Johnson's latest words add to controversy

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October 27

Kansas City Star

"Larry Johnson didn't say much, but those few words Monday from the Kansas City Chiefs running back further stoked a fire that had been ignited the night before. Hours after the Chiefs lost 37-7 to San Diego on Sunday, Johnson made several controversial remarks on Twitter directed toward his coach, Todd Haley, and Haley's lack of football-playing experience. A message posted on Johnson's Twitter profile about 7 p.m. stated: "My father played for the coach from 'rememeber the titans'. Our coach played golf. My father played for redskins briefley. Our coach. Nuthn." Johnson continued the postings and, in later responses directed toward his Twitter followers, included inflammatory remarks ..."

LJ drama continues with locker-room scene

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October 26

Kansas City Star

"Chiefs running back Larry Johnson, less than 24 hours after taking on coach Todd Haley on his Twitter profile, maintained an edge Monday when approached by reporters in the team's locker room. Hours after Kansas City's 37-7 loss to San Diego on Sunday, Johnson tweeted several controversial remarks directed toward Haley and the coach's lack of football experience. Haley, who is in his first season as a head coach at any level, never played football in high school, college or the pros. A message posted on Johnson's profile, whose username Sunday about 7 p.m. stated: "My father played for the coach from 'rememeber the titans'. Our coach played golf. My father played for redskins briefley. Our ..."

LJ's Twitter page rips Haley, uses homophobic slur

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October 26

Yahoo! Sports

"A few months ago, social media analysts wondered aloud who would be the first highly visible athlete to take a major public misstep with his Twitter account. Sunday night, Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson appeared to answer that question in a big way. In a string of messages that could carry serious repercussions from his team and potentially the NFL, the oft-troubled and mercurial star used his Twitter account (@ToonIcon) to call out the professional pedigree of head coach Todd Haley shortly after the Chiefs' 37-3 home loss to the San Diego Chargers. That message was followed up with an exchange with another Twitter user, in which a homophobic slur was used. In his first ..."

Many miscues mar Chiefs' special teams' play

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October 26

Kansas City Star

"Even when he doesn't touch the ball, San Diego's Darren Sproles has an impact on the opponent's special teams. Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles had blocking responsibilities on the wing for the punt unit Sunday but was so preoccupied about getting downfield to cover Sproles, the Chargers' punt-return man, that Charles released a little early on a fourth-quarter punt. That enabled San Diego's Jacob Hester to crash through, block Dustin Colquitt's punt and fall on it in the end zone for the final touchdown of San Diego's 37-7 victory Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium. While the game had long been decided before that play, it typified how the Chiefs broke down in just about every area Sunday, ..."

Chiefs take a step back in loss to Chargers

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October 26

Kansas City Star

"The Chiefs were still feeling good about themselves when reality intervened. It wasn't so much the fact that their winning streak was stopped as the way it happened. They reverted to early-season form Sunday in a 37-7 loss to San Diego at Arrowhead Stadium. That type of defeat, coming one week after their feel-good victory in Washington, seemed to blindside everyone in a throwback Dallas Texans uniform. "I think it did," running back Larry Johnson said. "I don't know what was going through our heads at the time. I don't know whether it was false happiness or thinking that … San Diego was just going to lie down because they played the Monday night game. "I don't know what it was." The ..."

Haley defends some of his questionable decisions

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October 26

Kansas City Star

"Todd Haley's game management had belied his status as a rookie head coach until Sunday's game against the Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium. Some of Haley's first-half decisions contributed to a 20-0 Chiefs deficit and, eventually, a 37-7 loss. With the Chiefs trailing 7-0 in the first quarter, Haley ordered the Chiefs to try to convert facing fourth and 1 from their 41. Matt Cassel's quarterback sneak was stopped for no gain, and the Chargers used the short field to drive for another touchdown and a 14-0 lead. "It's a yard," Haley said later in defending the decision. "Would I like to have that one back? I might. I was aggressive-minded. It's a play we practiced. I know it's just a ..."

Chiefs blunder as the Chargers thunder to a 37-7 victory at Arrowhead

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October 26

Kansas City Star

"So much for any momentum generated from the Chiefs' only win of the season. The Chiefs surrendered a multitude of big plays by the San Diego Chargers and lost 37-7 today in front of a rain-soaked crowd announced at 69,337 at Arrowhead Stadium. A week after the Chiefs' victory at Washington, they couldn't handle San Diego's playmakers and fell to 1-6 going into their bye week. It was the Chiefs' worst loss since a 34-0 defeat at Carolina in week five of last season. The Chargers snapped a two-game losing streak and evened their record at 3-3. San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers riddled the Chiefs with three touchdown passes, and backup running back Jacob Hester applied the final touch by ..."

Sproles' happy homecoming

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October 26

Kansas City Star

"Former Kansas State and Olathe North star Darren Sproles had reached the end zone at Arrowhead Stadium in the Big 12 championship game win over Oklahoma, but his 58-yard touchdown reception was his first at Arrowhead in four appearances with the Chargers. "You dream of that as a kid when you grow up here," Sproles said, "so it felt real good to finally get a score here." The Chargers caught the Chiefs in a blitz, and Sproles, as the hot receiver, caught the ball at the 30. He put a move on Chiefs safety Jon McGraw, a former K-State teammate, and outran McGraw and Brandon Carr to the end zone."

Defensive lapses lead to Chargers' big plays

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October 26

Kansas City Star

"There wasn't much to say. The big plays happened, the Chiefs were blown out, and a group of discouraged and overmatched defenders struggled to explain why. San Diego used six plays that gained at least 20 yards, including two 51-yarders that made Kansas City's secondary look bad - and the team's locker room look discouraged and confused after the Chargers' 37-7 walloping at Arrowhead Stadium. "That was pretty embarrassing," Chiefs cornerback Brandon Carr said. "To get beat by that large margin." For the first three quarters, before San Diego finally let off the accelerator, the Chiefs looked disorganized, confused and out of place against the Chargers' talented offense. And for the second ..."

After struggles, safeties get in sync

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October 26

San Diego Union-Tribune

"The embattled Chargers safeties yesterday played, well, the way they're supposed to. "We made tackles, we covered the right people and we got pressure on the quarterback," free safety Eric Weddle said. " .?.?. Everyone was doing their job. When everyone does that, you can see what we're capable of." Blitzing at least 10 times among them, the safeties accounted for an interception, a sack and a quarterback hurry. Add in safety-turned-nickel back Steve Gregory's half-dozen blitzes, interception, sack and hurry, and it was a day to be encouraged by and learn from."

Beating good team will be true test

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October 26

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Turns out ... The Chargers can run. They can stop the run. Their safeties can make plays. They can get off the field on third down. They can pressure a quarterback. They can protect their own quarterback. They can do a lot of things. Against the Kansas City Chiefs."

Offense needs work inside the 5-yard line

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October 26

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Philip Rivers could find daisies in a volcanic lava flow if he looked hard enough. That's how optimistic the Chargers quarterback is. And he was at his glass-half-full best yesterday in assessing his team's performance deep in the territory of the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chargers scored a dominating 37-7 victory at Arrowhead Stadium, and the offense made some spectacular plays. But by Rivers' own admission, San Diego could have scored 50-something points against a faulty opponent that is now 1-6 and has lost all four of its home games. Four times the Chargers had possessions inside the Chiefs' 5-yard line, but they managed only one touchdown - Malcom Floyd's 3-yard catch in the first ..."

Smilin' in the rain

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October 26

San Diego Union-Tribune

"The Chargers were smiling as they ran in from the rain. Powder blue-clad fans, pretty much the only ones left in Arrowhead Stadium yesterday, lined the stands above the tunnel to the Chargers' locker room, cheering Norv Turner's team in the house that Marty built. Team President Dean Spanos stood outside the locker room, congratulating every player and coach that passed. It was a victory. "It's one game," LaDainian Tomlinson said after the Chargers beat the Chiefs 37-7. "We're building the confidence. I think we're going to continue to build from here, and hopefully we continue to play well.""

Bolts regain some grip, take big chunks off Chiefs

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October 26

San Diego Union-Tribune

"If the bellyaching Chargers fans are looking for real pangs in their breadbasket, then they should come here, to America's breadbasket, and nosh on the inedible Chiefs. A few weeks of these guys would have them scrambling back home, begging for forgiveness from the merciful San Diego football gods. "Honest, honest, I'll never say anything bad about the Chargers or Norv Turner or A.J. Smith or the Spanoses again. Please don't send me back to Midwestern hell." OK. We're not going to get into one of these things, that the Chiefs stink - and do - so there can be no other reason why the Chargers came into Arrowhead Stadium yesterday and put a 37-7 whippin' on their hosts."

Haley's desire to find right players keeps Chiefs on their toes

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October 25

Kansas City Star

"Derrick Johnson is pacing in a hallway, trying to find the words. He says he has no idea where he stands with the Chiefs. He didn't watch television on Tuesday because that was the NFL's trade deadline. He couldn't relax on his day off at the same time he was worrying about his future. Johnson wasn't traded. It is less than 24 hours after the deadline passed, and emotions are taking hold. Anger and confusion pinch hardest. "You don't really know," he says, barely above a whisper. "I know I'm right for this defense. I'm right for this team. I'm versatile. I can fit in any kind of defense, really. I don't know, man. I don't know." Johnson doesn't know because the Chiefs don't want him to ..."

Chiefs release rookie WR Lawrence, promote Long off practice squad

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October 25

Kansas City Star

"The Chiefs made a late roster move before today's game against San Diego, promoting wide receiver Lance Long and releasing rookie Quinten Lawrence. Long, also a rookie, likely will be used primarily on special teams and could try returning kickoffs. He had been on the practice squad since joining the team last month. Lawrence, who was the Chiefs' sixth-round pick this year, was drafted with the notion of returning kicks in mind. He struggled during training camp and was shuffled out of consideration. If Lawrence clears waivers, he'd be eligible to join the Chiefs' practice squad."

Chiefs hope to give Cassel better protection

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October 24

Kansas City Star

"Todd Haley tried everything he could think of to get the Chiefs to better protect quarterback Matt Cassel. He screamed and yelled, he ran offensive linemen into and out of the lineup. None of that worked well, so this week he tried appealing to the basic human instinct of pity. During the video review of last week's game in Washington, Haley stopped the video whenever Cassel took a big hit, which was often, in an effort to drive home how much physical punishment the quarterback has been taking. "It kind of makes you want to make sure no one ever touches him or gets shots on him in a game," running back Larry Johnson said. Haley will find out in Sunday's game against San Diego at Arrowhead ..."

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