Arrowheadlines: Chiefs News 8/21

Game Day! Chiefs vs Bucs' tonight. I'd like to see the 1st team stay in until they score a TD. Today's Kansas City Chiefs news includes a couple of articles on things to watch for in tonght's game (6:30 Arrowhead time). See you at the Game Day thread.

For all the talk about how the Chiefs will finish games, coach Todd Haley is, at least for now, concerned with how his team starts.

The Chiefs’ opening half in last week’s preseason loss at Atlanta began poorly, to say the least. The defense had trouble stopping the Falcons’ rush offense, and the Chiefs’ offense failed to get a first down in its first two possessions — three-and-out on its opening possession and a Matt Cassel fumble on the next.

That’s not the way Haley saw things coming together, and he said this week that he hopes tonight’s preseason game at Tampa Bay will be different.

Chiefs want to start with authority tonight at Tampa Bay from KC Star

Western’s inaugural Chiefs training camp drew 60,000 fans — 10,721 of those set Spratt Stadium’s attendance record on August 7.

In Wisconsin, the Chiefs spent three-plus weeks secluded from their fan base, but during St. Joseph’s camp, fans embraced chances to watch their team for as many as six hours a day.

These supporters donned jerseys of current Chiefs standouts such as Charles or Derrick Johnson, past stars like Tony Gonzalez or Trent Green and even used the nearby camp to clear the dust off rarities like Tamarick Vanover or Dave Szott. They listened intently as coach Todd Haley explained certain game situations in walkthrough drills and erupted at Dwayne Bowe’s leaping catches.

"The people have been great. Having all these fans around for each and every practice has been outstanding, and it creates a fun atmosphere for us as players," quarterback Matt Cassel said.

Chiefs camp brings fans, attention from News-Press Now

3 The defense’s reaction to last week’s struggles. The Chiefs’ worries on defense were, at least for the short term, confirmed last week when Atlanta had no trouble gaining yards against the front seven. The Falcons’ running backs consistently gashed the Chiefs for moderate gains, and that won’t do much good for the confidence of a young and unproven defense. Coach Todd Haley said he was pleased that coordinator Romeo Crennel’s unit cut down on the big plays that plagued the Chiefs last year, but there’s still plenty of room to grow.

Five things to watch in Saturday’s Chiefs-Bucs exhibition game from KC Star

You might say Chiefs rookie safety Eric Berry hasn't forgotten his roots.

Before Berry was drafted in the first round last spring, he committed to building a new playing field at Clarence Duncan Park in his home town of Fairburn, Ga.

The field is now under construction, including a new, state-of-the-art AstroTurf field.

"I want kids to know they can achieve their dreams," said Berry. "I want them to be able to work toward their goals on a field that is safe and source of pride.

"A lot of athletes who make it don’t go back to their roots. I’m proud to be from Fairburn. It is part of me so I will always be part of the community."

Chiefs' Berry remembers his roots from The Red Zone

Whenever an NFL game was shown during Michael Vick's 16-month stay at Leavenworth Federal Prison, the broadcasts were always of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Leavenworth, in Kansas just across the Missouri state line, is approximately 30 miles from the Kansas City limits.

So when Vick, doing time for his dog-fighting crimes, allowed himself a moment to dream about a return to football, he did not imagine himself playing for his former team, the Falcons, or some Super Bowl-contending team or even for the team that ultimately gave him his second chance.

"When I imagined myself playing again, it was always for the Chiefs," Vick said recently.

K.C. trip will stir memories for Vick from The Philadelphia Inquirer

NFL bets are always filled with uncertainty. You just never know how good a team’s going to play.

The two teams to look out for, as they could have the greatest improvements, are the Miami Dolphins and the Kansas City Chiefs. Miami has incorporated Brandon Marshall, who should help them make a great comeback from last year’s record. The Chiefs are definitely a possible surprise for this season, as they will have two new coordinators: Charlie Weis in the defense and Romeo Crennel in the offense.

Possible Surprise Teams for 2010 NFL odds from Brobury

Eric Berry, DB, Kansas City Chiefs – What do Ronnie Lott and Ed Reed have in common? Aside from being two of the most dominant safeties to ever play in the NFL, they are both often mentioned when discussing the potential of Berry. Is that crazy talk for someone who has yet to take a snap in a regular season game? Sure. But, Berry possesses all the necessary skills to excel in the NFL. Most draft experts felt he was the best overall player in the entire draft. He fell to the fifth pick because NFL teams are still stuck in the mindset that safeties shouldn’t be drafted as high as other positions. Berry could change that way of thinking.

Three defensive rookies to watch in training camp from The Capital Flyer

NFL scouts visit: Tuesday's practice was the final preseason session that was open to NFL scouts. Attending recent practices were scouts representing the Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jaguars and Carolina Panthers.

Practice Report: Oklahoma State from Tulsa World

Joe Bruner was found guilty of felony battery Friday but was acquitted on a charge of retaliating against a witness.

"It was tough. But I think we presented a good case," assistant state attorney LaShawn Riggins said after jurors returned the verdicts Friday night after deliberating for three hours...

...Bruner also testified that he's weak due to football injuries sustained through a career that took him to the Kansas City Chiefs for a few years. Prosecutors tried to say strength training was a part of his football career.

Joe Bruner found guilty of battery; witness retaliation charge dismissed from The NWF Daily News

Running back Derrick Ward

Ward played himself onto the roster bubble last week with a lethargic 12-carry, 20-yard rushing effort almost as controversial as it was lifeless. Ward's performance on the sloppy, rain-soaked turf at Sun Life Stadium was bad enough but his decision to scream on the sidelines and ask coordinator Greg Olson to stop running a particular play was even worse. Ward later apologized to coaches and general manager Mark Dominik for his attitude, and vowed to play a "great'' game tonight against the Chiefs. He needs to. Kareem Huggins continues to be one of the big surprises of the preseason and could unseat Ward as the backup to Cadillac Williams.

Bucs vs. Chiefs: 5 things to watch from Tampa Bay Online

Head coach Todd Haley of the Kansas City Chiefs knows what a quality draft looks like.

His father, Dick Haley, presided over a Pittsburgh draft in 1974 as personnel director of the Steelers that produced four future Hall of Famers: Lynn Swann, Jack Lambert, John Stallworth and Mike Webster.

His 2010 Chiefs have not played a down yet, but Todd Haley knows Kansas City may have already struck gold with its draft last April.

"This is a unique group," Haley said of his seven-player class. "Every one of these guys could be a big help this year. A couple years from now, you might say this (draft) was the catalyst for the Kansas City Chiefs becoming a good football team."

Chiefs see promise in rookie class from The Victoria Advocate