Morning AP! An early post again today. Here's today's Kansas City Chiefs news. Enjoy.
There is no place in the country where you can go and get a complete participation report in off-season programs of each NFL team. There are obvious places where there are holdouts and unsigned players. The Chiefs have their own in restricted free agent S Jarrad Page; he did not attend any of the sessions, either on or off the field.
Otherwise, everyone else was in the house, and not occasionally attending, but there all the time. It was a remarkable showing. Pick your way through the Internet and check on other NFL teams and there are few that can come close to matching the consistent participation of the entire roster. Practice after practice the Chiefs had 85 or 86 bodies on the field. There were two injuries of note during the actual practices – a hamstring pull by WR David Grimes and the right index finger of backup QB Brodie Croyle. The other players – a half-dozen or less – who did not work were all carrying over physical problems and rehab from last season.
It was an exceptional performance and welcome evidence for Haley that his players bought in, or as he said, "invested" themselves in the future of the team. Giving up one last 90-minute practice was a small thank you for the extra time and effort that went into following through with a commitment.
That’s A Wrap! … Wednesday Cup O’Chiefs from Bob Gretz
The Chiefs on the other hand continue to improve. QuarterbackMatt Cassel is a proven talent now in his second year in the Chiefs system. The Defense has tenative stars like defensive back Brandon Flowers and linebacker Derrick Johnson . The big story in Kansas City, however, is the scary running game. Thomas Jones, the ex-Jets pro bowler, joins Jamaal Charles in the backfield. Charles could be the biggest breakout player in the NFL next year. His 259 yard explosion on the Broncos in the last game of the season last year proved what may be to come. (for more on the Chiefs, check out The Chiefs House)So the the Chargers season appears to be in tremendous peril. Unless the front office can come to terms with their unhappy stars. We have seen how Phillip Rivers handles pressure in the playoffs, imagine how he will perform if the pressure of the ENTIRE season is on his shoulders. The crown of the AFC West is up for grabs.Jackson, McNeill Continue Holdout; Chargers Offense Falls Apart from Real Fantasy
Over the years, they have been many great offensive players that have worn a Kansas City Chiefs jersey. From Dawson to Tony G, this list highlights the very best players at each of their respective starting positions on the Chiefs offense.Kansas City Chiefs History: All-Time Offense from Bleacher Report
But overall, the Chiefs are not quite ready to take that next step to the playoffs. They are going to need a year under their new coordinators to establish their identity.
They will though—just not this year.
My prediction: The Chiefs improve, but not enough to push their way into the top half of the division. They finish in third place in the West with a 7-9 record.
Why Your Team Won't Win the Super Bowl: Kansas City Chiefs Edition from Bleacher Report
Colquitt and Trapasso come by their fascination for soccer through years of playing the game. Colquitt even thought about possibly taking the soccer route, especially after helping Bearden High School in Knoxville, Tenn., to a No. 1 national ranking and an undefeated record his junior year.
But football was his calling, his destiny.
After all, his father, Craig, punted at Tennessee and later won two Super Bowl rings with the Pittsburgh Steelers. His cousin, Jimmy, also kicked for the Volunteers, briefly landing a spot with Seattle.
Then there's his brother, Dustin, who followed in the footsteps of his family members and likewise punted for the Volunteers. He's currently with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Britton Colquitt couldn't resist travelling a similar path.
Broncos punters Trapasso, Colquitt bond through World Cup passion from The Canadian Press
Kansas City Chiefs
2008: 2-14 record, 440 points allowed, 2,543 rushing yards against, 3,748 passing yards against
2009: 4-12 record, 424 points allowed, 2,504 rushing yards against, 3,707 passing yards against
Front seven: 3 holdovers, 1 draft pick, 1 promotion, 1 trade, 1 free agentThe Chiefs experienced the most modest improvements in their defense when switching from the 4-3, and also acquired the most new players for use in their 3-4. When Todd Haley was hired as head coach, he installed Clancy Pendergast to run the defense and transition to the 3-4. The Chiefs gave up 0.2 fewer yards per play in 2009 than in 2008, and improved only slightly in yardage allowed. Only three members of the starting front seven were retained as starters, as Glenn Dorsey moved from DT to DE, Tamba Hali took his hand off the ground to move from DE to OLB, and Demorrio Williams moved from OLB to ILB. The Chiefs' first-round selection went to DE Tyson Jackson, and DT Ron Edwards was brought up to the starting lineup at NT. Perennial backup Corey Mays was signed as a free agent and started 13 games at ILB, and the team traded for OLB Mike Vrabel from New England.
An analysis of recent transitions to the 3-4 from Buffalo Rumblings
It'll be a day of song, dance, praise and lots of food. On Saturday, the Greater Ridgecrest Community will hold its annual Juneteenth Celebration and Fish Fry.
And to get the party started, two of the community's standouts, NFL players Dexter McCluster of the Kansas City Chiefs and Marcus Paschal of the Baltimore Ravens, will return.
Ridgecrest Juneteenth celebration in Largo centers on history, local successes from The St. Petersburg Times
Player Tweets
almighty31 Locked out... Left my keys in the house... I'm waitin on my spare
GlennDorsey72 Definately jus found my first ever direct flight from KC to New Orleans! #geeked
BCarr39 I think I am goin to try a lil P90x for a few wks
BFlowers24 tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiired db's had a good time today
almighty31 Whats wrong wit these parents letting these young girls wearing make up? That's not good
BFlowers24 gettn off fb twitter n changn my num n a week....."new me time" so whateva u gotta tell me let me know now....c yall mon night baaaabeh
GlennDorsey72 Dear mother nature please don't rain anymore today.. I've washed my car twice.... Thanks (givs dap)
GlennDorsey72 On the 1's and 2's with my brotha @jcharles25 goin Hamm!!!!!
Media and Fans
nfllabor Saints owner Tom Benson donates $5 million for cancer care http://tinyurl.com/2b6bl8p
Adam_Schefter In perfect world, Haynesworth's $ would be split amongst Chris Johnson, Revis, Mankins, V. Jackson, McNeill, Dumervil and those deserving.
Adam_Schefter And in an even more perfect world, Haynesworth's $ would go to public schools, worthy charities, third-world countries and the Gulf Coast.