Hello, AP. Today we have OTA dates and a lot of draft talk (surprise). Also, Jason Whitlock reminds us of the 1/2 plus 7 rule guideline via Twitter. Read and enjoy your Kansas City Chiefs news.
There are 14 days until the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft. Seems like a good enough time to guess, conjecture, dissect and throw darts to divine the name of the Chiefs No. 1 draft choice.Understand that no magic information has slipped under the door at the Truman Sports Complex to reveal their interest. No puffs of smoke, black or white. Various players have come to Kansas City to meet with the club. Team officials have headed out around the country to meet with players on their home turf. What it all means is unknown at this point. These assignations could be evidence of interest on the part of the Chiefs, or could be smokescreens to shield the true objects of their football desires.
The Latest Line … Thursday Cup O’Chiefs from Bob Gretz
Kansas City ended the 2009 season with four victories and plenty of needs. Regardless of which direction the Chiefs go early in the draft, they have at least answered some of the questions that lingered after the team’s third consecutive losing season.
Cassel said that he has been pleased with the additions so far on offense, which struggled to find an identity — or much success — before second-year running back Jamaal Charles emerged as a big-play threat. But even then, questions remained about the offensive line, dropped passes, and finding a reliable back to share carries with the 199-pound Charles.
The Chiefs have answered some of those questions, or have at least begun to answer them, in time for the team’s offseason conditioning program, which began last week.
"The best thing for all of us," Cassel said, "is that it’s a fresh start."
Chiefs putting a priority on improving the offense from KC Star
KANSAS CITY May 17-19, May 24-25, May 27, June 1-3, June 7-9, June 14-15
Insider Blog: Chiefs Set OTA Dates from The Mothership
THE RIGHT 53? – When it comes to a coach’s favorite ability – availability – Thompson would be on any team’s list for consideration. That he never missed a start tells us something about what makes the guy tick.
What he said – "I’m the most complete player. I’m tougher, I’m smarter. I’ll do anything to make the team successful."
Draft Profile: Syd’Quan Thompson from Bob Gretz
THE RIGHT 53? – Physically gifted, smart, dedicated and with no obvious character problems, this is a young man who has been able to achieve at a level where his team took buses to all their road games and where his offensive line coach was also his strength coach. This guy is not spoiled.
What he said – "Having the right attitude for everything helps. If you have a bad attitude, or think you’re better than everyone else, you’ll never get the best out of the situation you’re in, and you’ll never get the best out of the people around you."
Draft Profile: Jared Veldheer from Bob Gretz
Arizona State running back Dimitri Nance is scheduled to visit the San Diego Chargers and the Kansas City Chiefs, according to a source close to the program with knowledge of the situation.
And he has an upcoming private workout with another undisclosed NFL team.
Nance is a powerful runner who gained 795 yards and scored six touchdowns as a senior.
Source: Dimitri Nance to visit Chiefs, Chargers from Yahoo! Sports
"Bulaga is a tough, tough, throwback player. He’s a very, very competitive football player that’s mean. He’s a mean football player. I don’t think you can go wrong by having a team full of Bulagas on there."
Brandt said Bulaga (6-foot-5, 314 pounds) could play either left or right tackle for any team. He also said teams are concerned about the thyroid condition that kept Bulaga off the field for three games last fall. Bulaga left Iowa after his junior season.
"He knows how to use his hands," Brandt said. "Hand placement is very, very important now for offensive tackles. The guy has been really coached well; they do a great job at Iowa.
NFL analyst talks about ex-Hawkeyes and upcoming draft from Gazette Online
Speedy Florida State linebacker Dekoda Watson is steadily rising on NFL teams' draft boards.
According to a source with knowledge of the situation, Watson is of particularly high interest to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins and the Oakland Raiders..
...He met with several teams at the combine, including the Philadelphia Eagles, Tennessee Titans, Kansas City Chiefs, Carolina Panthers and the Minnesota Vikings.
Last season, Watson registered 65 tackles, 13 for losses and six sacks.
Speedy Florida State linebacker rising on draft boards from National Football Post
QUESTION: I just read on the CBS website that Ryan Lilja's release was because he failed a physical. Is that true? Any idea what happened to him physically?
-- from Brian Lichorowic, Middleburg, Ohio
ANSWER: I saw the same item and can't confirm it. The team has not addressed Lilja's release. I'm sure you remember he had significant knee issues that forced him to miss the entire 2008 season, but he was healthy enough to play every game in '09. And one thing that's hard to figure. A player can fail a physical with one team, but pass a physical with another. That was the case with Lilja. He had to pass a physical with the Kansas City Chiefs to sign his contract.Ask the Expert: Colts from The Indy Star
As for the others, Kiper has Cody in the second round, Arenas in the third round and Johnson in the fourth round.
"Cody I have as second round," Kiper said. I think a nose tackle like Cody would be a interesting for the Kansas City Chiefs (at the 36th selection).
Mel Kiper Jr. has Alabama with two first-round picks in 2010 NFL draft from al.com
Mike from Maryville, Mo. wants to know if Kansas City could trade a second-round pick to Baltimore for left tackle Jared Gaither.
BW: There has been talk Gaither could be on the move. Teams such as Washington and Dallas could make a play for him. Kansas City could use a tackle and it may use the No. 5 overall pick on one. So, pursuing Gaither could be smart. The Chiefs have two second-round picks and using one on Gaither would be a worthy investment and allow the Chiefs to both get a quality tackle and address another need, such as safety at No. 5.AFC West mailbag from ESPN
Player Tweets
BCarr39 Is the movie "Armored" any good?
GlennDorsey72 What's what's good?
BCarr39 Ppl callin me out so I guess I'm off to the lanes!
GlennDorsey72 In kc coolin big homie how that west coast?RT @Freakyjean: @GlennDorsey72 big man what's good with you yo
BCarr39 Body says it's time to shut it down. Sleep tite ppl
Media and Fans
Adam_Schefter Hard to imagine, but Redskins QB Donovan McNabb is eight months younger than Colts QB Peyton Manning.
espn_afcwest Breaking down Kiper and McShay picks - http://tinyurl.com/yleucub
WhitlockJason Let me remind: Judge my column. Enjoy my tweets... I'm not condoning Tiki's decision. Obviously it's immoral/despicable. But 23 is special.
WhitlockJason As Elijah Muhammad told Malcolm, I subscribe 2 half your age plus 7 when it comes to settlin down. Altho the older I get plus 4 or 5 works 2
Editors note: I'm pretty sure that rule only applies to ongoing relationships.
Adam_Schefter Joe Theismann on Sirius: "I can tell you conclusively that JaMarcus Russell never will be able to play QB in the National Football League."
MoveTheSticks Whatever concerns teams may have about Dez Bryant, his issues aren't even close to the same level as Jackson/Harvin were coming out
ArrowheadPride Best fans, 5th worst team! RT @markos Over course of year, KC Chiefs site www.arrowheadpride.com will prob be most pop.