Arrowheadlines: Chiefs News 2/17

Good morning! Here's your Kansas City Chiefs news. Enjoy.

With several key in-house contributors slated to hit unrestricted free agency in 2012, and an expectation to be active participants in free agency, the Chiefs have chosen to execute the salary cap "carry over" clause tied to the new CBA...

...Essentially, the clause means that the team will receive an extra $20 million toward the 2012 cap number, which has yet to be set.

The surplus could be used to help the team re-sign players like Dwayne Bowe and Brandon Carr.

Chiefs Activate Salary Cap Carry-Over Clause from The Mothership

Quietly, the Chiefs emerged as one of the NFL's best defensive teams over the second half of last season and are aiming for continuity on that side of the ball. The defensive priority before the start of free agency is to re-sign Brandon Carr, who teams with Brandon Flowers to give the Chiefs one of the NFL's best cornerback duos. If Carr isn't re-signed or protected with the franchise tag, the Chiefs will need to find a starting cornerback.

Kansas City Chiefs Offseason Game Plan: Retaining Bowe, Carr Top Of To-Do List from SportingNews

Not everyone can play for the St. Louis Cardinals or the Kansas City Chiefs, but all are invited to team up with the major athletic organization of their choice to build 35 houses this summer with Joplin Area Habitat for Humanity.

Gov. Jay Nixon on Thursday was in Joplin to encourage volunteers to autograph a sign-up sheet for this summer's Governor's Joplin Habitat Challenge. He said he would like to have 3,000 to 5,000 people join the rolls at www.mo.gov.

Governor Stumps For Homebuilding Volunteers from The Joplin Globe

Campbell could be an interesting option for the Chiefs. He would reunite with Jim Zorn, who is Kansas City's quarterbacks coach. Zorn was Washington's head coach in 2008-09 when Campbell was the starter. The Chiefs' brass has said Matt Cassel will get competition this season. Fellow free agent Kyle Orton finished the season as Kansas City's starter.

Jason Campbell A Fit In Kansas City? from ESPN

Earlier this week the Dolphins signed CFL standout Jerome Messam, adding depth to the team's tailback unit. On Thursday the team announced the signing of defensive back Quinton Lawrence, whom the Kansas City Chiefs selected in the sixth-round of the 2009 draft.

Dolphins Sign Ex-Chiefs Wideout Quinton Lawrence To Play Defensive Back from The Sun Sentinel

McClain, 27, is about to become an unrestricted free agent after spending the 2011 season with the Kansas City Chiefs. Although Williams announced his retirement, the buzzing around the Ravens is that there is still a possibility Williams could return.

But if that doesn't happen by the time free agency begins March 13, the Ravens and McClain's agent should begin talking about a deal to bring him back to the Charm City.

A Le'Ron McClain Reunion In Baltimore? from Purple Chaos

The granddaughter of Trenton residents has been chosen as a Kansas City Chiefs cheerleader for the 2012 season.

Courtney Brinser of Liberty was among 26 young women chosen for the squad, which will perform at Chiefs football games as well as participate in other community-related activities.

Granddaughter Is Chiefs Cheerleader from The Trenton Republican-Times

Steve from Kansas City: Would going for a player like Jimmy Clausen (via a trade or free agent add if cut) be a better than a veteran that the chiefs are reportedly interested in like Orton, Campbell, Garrard or Manning.

BW: Nah, not a big Clausen guy. Maybe if Weis was still there. I'd go for someone like Campbell or Orton over Clausen. He's young, but that may be one of his few values.

Chat Wrap: Trade Richard Seymour? from ESPN