Arrowheadlines: Chiefs News 10/15

Good morning! Hope everyone is well. We're going to kickoff today's Kansas City Chiefs news with stories on how backups have been key to the team's recent success. I showed restraint and waited till after the jump for the self congratulatory links on the quote from Pioli (good job, Joel). Enjoy!

"The things he has done already this season, it’s pretty special," Cassel said, "and it’s pretty special for me to see him out there doing it."

That made his third-down conversion against the Colts a thing of beauty for the underdog. After two years wondering if he’d ever see another NFL snap, Colbert played a key role in a game’s key drive.

"Those are the moments I wanted to come back for, to be part of those drives and be part of something special," Colbert said.

Chiefs Receiver Colbert Trying To Make Most Of Opportunity from KC Star

But Battle's emergence isn't just about his own hard work. It's the current peak stemming from a larger base of reserve players who've been asked to show their development and step-up over the past two weeks for various reasons.

Donald Washington is an easy contributor to miss, but first game as an every-down player was clutch in the Chiefs victory over Minnesota two weeks ago. With Eric Berry on injured reserve and Jon McGraw inactive with a sore knee, Washington drew the start and played a load of snaps at strong safety.

Next Man Up from The Mothership

According to a report from Nick Wright of KCSP-AM (via NFL.com), it really was a narrow escape for Haley, as Chiefs G.M. Scott Pioli was prepared to fire Haley if the Chiefs lost to the Colts.

However, Pioli told ArrowheadPride.com the report was "100 percent false."

Pioli Denies That Haley Would Have Been Fired If Chiefs Had Lost from ProFootballTalk

Wright was unconvinced by Pioli's statement. After Arrowhead Pride tweeted the denial, Wright shot back, "For the record, the fact that Pioli would even respond to my report I think tells you all you need to know."

Kansas City Chiefs Deny Naming-Rights Rumors, Say They Weren't Planning To Fire Todd Haley from The Pitch   

The Chiefs are denying a report that there is a naming-rights deal in place for Arrowhead Stadium. I know the current world makes name rights a necessary evil in the sports world. But Arrowhead Stadium is such a great, tradition-rich name. The only way I could accept a change is if Arrowhead Water bought the naming rights. Too perfect, right? Yeah, It'd probably never happen.

Early AFC West Notes from ESPN

It would surely be a good deal for the Titans, who could use a veteran a receiver as they try to continue their playoff push. 

But would it be a prudent deal for the Chiefs? I don't think so.

Does Trading Bowe Make Sense? from ESPN

Question: If Pioli and Haley were bickering as often as some claim, wouldn't it have bled into the locker room? Would the players still be giving Haley credit, listening to Haley or trying to win? Would they even care anymore?

When the Chiefs were down 24-7 to the Colts that would have been an excellent opportunity to quit, but the players didn't.

Win Over Colts Makes For A Good Bye from The Examiner

Advocates say this system isn't just something to ride to a Chiefs game, race day at Kansas Speedway or the airport. It's about getting people to work, and officials are pressing the point that employees of hospitals, nursing homes and other service industries rely heavily on public transit. The system is designed to link major employment centers as well as places to shop and play.

Advocates say it would be mean fewer cars on the interstates, better commute times, better metrowide planning and land use, and better human health because of reduced pollution.

On The Fast Track from The Examiner