Arrowheadlines: Chiefs News 3/18

Here we are again with another installment of Arrowheadlines, your Kansas City Chiefs news from across the internet. Due to last night's activities, I squeezed as much sleep in as I could and this post will be tweet-free. We'll start the day with a little Whitlock...

Lilja is one of my favorite NFL players. I don’t need to refresh your memory about Lilja’s history. I met the kid when he was a senior at Shawnee Mission Northwest. I covered his career at Kansas State. I was blown away by his performance during his free-agent tryout with the Chiefs in 2004. I’ve followed his entire Indianapolis career.

The kid can play at a high level. Getting Lilja for $7.5 million over three years — peanuts — is the best free-agent signing of the offseason by any team. He’ll be a starter in Kansas City for the next six years and maybe longer.

You add Lilja to Brian Waters and Casey Wiegmann, whom the Chiefs re-signed from Denver, and the foundation of the organization has been repaired. Matt Cassel has a pocket to step up in. The Chiefs will be effective in short-yardage running situations.

Leadership on the offensive side of the ball is a total nonissue. You can’t do better than Waters, Wiegmann and Lilja.

Chiefs' offseason moves are impressive from KC Star

Everyone knows new Chiefs defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel is a tough guy when it comes to defense.

Just ask safety Eric Berry, considered one of the best defensive players available in next month’s draft.

They held a Pro Day workout for Berry in Knoxville on Wednesday and Crennel was there and in fact, was running the defensive back drills for Berry. All it took was two reps and Berry was done for the day with a sprained left big toe.

Berry Injures Toe from Bob Gretz

Quarterbacks are in high demand and even bad ones and untested ones are getting big money. That was the case last year, when 15 NFL starts was enough for Matt Cassel to get the biggest contract in Chiefs franchise history.

Deals like that one continue and they were the highlight of Day No. 13 of the new business year in the league. The Chiefs were quiet, as they did not announce any moves after being so busy the last few days with the deals for Thomas Jones, Jerheme Urban, Shaun Smith, Casey Wiegmann and Ryan Lilja.

But, back to quarterbacks and their money, for instance Charlie Whitehurst (above). He spent the past four seasons as the No. 3 quarterback with the San Diego Chargers. He played in two regular season or post-season games, putting up a pair of running plays for 13 yards and a touchdown. Whitehurst has yet to throw a pass that counted in the NFL.

And, yet he signed a new contract on Wednesday with the Seattle Seahawks.

Off-Season Moves/NFC Review … A Cup O’Chiefs from Bob Gretz

Sure, the Chiefs could still use some offensive upgrades, but they could take the field and be more formidable with the ball now than they were last season.

Defensively? Not so. When all you've done as far as personnel is add Shaun Smith to the league's 30th-ranked defense, you've got some work to do.

Which brings us to the draft. The Chiefs have three picks in the first two rounds and that first one, fifth overall, is looking more and more as if it will go for defensive help.

Let's talk some draft from The Red Zone

CEO David Dunn and Athlete’s First host numerous events throughout the year which raise millions of dollars for worthy charities across the country. In past years, many of its clients, including Kansas City Chiefs’ Brian Waters, have received numerous awards for their integrity and commitment to the community.

It is the fifth year that Athlete’s First and Orangewood have partnered up for this event and with the continued support of community leaders, volunteers and sponsors both organizations seek to continue its commitment to the community while striving for positive change in the lives of young people.

Athlete’s First Classic Charity Gala Raises $350K for Children from NBCLosAngeles

Kansas City: The Chiefs have been aggressive in free agency. But because the Chiefs have to improve in many areas, there is plenty to target in the draft. Kansas City has been targeting several veteran offensive linemen, but I think it will try to draft an offensive lineman in the first round or with one of its two second-round picks. The Chiefs still have a big need at safety. If he is available, Tennessee’s Eric Berry has to be a real possibility with the No. 5 pick. I wouldn’t be surprised if Kansas City looked at a linebacker in the first three rounds, either. Even though veteran receiver Chris Chambers has re-signed, look for the Chiefs to try to get younger at the position, perhaps in the second round. The team’s need for a running back was filled with veteran Thomas Jones in free agency.

Draft Watch: AFC West from ESPN