Good morning, Chiefs fans! It's good to be back and I see nothing important happened while I was away. There are two practice sessions today that are open to the public. There is a 10:20 walkthrough and the regular 3:00 afternoon session. You might not be surprised to hear that we have a lot of Kansas City Chiefs news for you. Let's get started.
The process has been slow and sometimes painful, but the Chiefs are finally ready to show their burgeoning collection of offensive skill players to the rest of the football world.
"This is a team that can compete and contend in terms of that division," said former Chiefs quarterback Rich Gannon, who sees the Chiefs every year as a CBS analyst. "I like what they’re doing with those guys. There’s a method to their madness."
Chiefs' Remodeled Offense Could Be An Explosive Unit from KC Star
Veteran NT Kelly Gregg, released earlier in the week by the Baltimore Ravens has found a new home.
Gregg agreed to a one-year deal with the Chiefs on Friday. The 12-year veteran spent the last nine years playing the nose for the Baltimore Ravens defense that was always considered among the best units in the league.
Chiefs Sign NT Kelley Gregg from Bob Gretz
Today: Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 107. East wind between 6 and 8 mph.
Training Camp Weather Report from The National Weather Service
He didn’t play much last season, but a year later, Palko, 27, might have the biggest opportunity yet. He is, for now, the Chiefs’ backup quarterback, and coach Todd Haley said Saturday that the audition to be Matt Cassel’s understudy could be one of training camp’s more interesting competitions.
Palko, a former undrafted free agent who’s experienced but without much of a resume, against Ricky Stanzi, former Iowa quarterback who was endorsed so highly by his former coach, Kirk Ferentz, that the Chiefs drafted him this year in the fifth round.
Chiefs' Palko and Stanzi Will Battle For Backup QB Role from KC Star
"This is great," quarterback Matt Cassel says.
"I’m so excited," running back Dexter McCluster says.
"Obviously we’re going to get better and better," linebacker Andy Studebaker says.
The reality is that this has the look of an interesting season, fun at times, but ultimately a big disappointment if you expect another AFC West championship.
They’re just not good enough.
Signs Point to a Step Back this Season for Chiefs from KC Star
Under sunny skies and humid conditions, Todd Haley put his team through a 2½-hour session at Missouri Western State University. The pace was somewhere in between a regular practice and a walkthrough and there was considerable time spent on sorting through plays, fundamentals and situational football. It was certainly a much slower pace than Friday’s first camp practice.Training Camp Practice Report - 7/30 from Bob Gretz
"You are going to see us over-fundamental," Haley said. "Technique is going to be very important for our football team, that we are doing things the right way; staying with the do less better, at least in this early part of camp."
After watching his team get through its first full day of camp work on Friday, the head coach gave an overall thumbs up.
From the Mouth of Todd - 7/30 from Bob Gretz
Undrafted free agent Lucas Patterson traded in his red jersey for white attire before Saturday’s practice. Patterson worked with the defensive linemen during Friday’s opening practice, but has now joined the offensive line.
Patterson played along the interior defensive line for Texas A&M last season, but played offensive tackle for much of fall camp prior to his junior season.
Heartland Health Practice Report: 7/30 from The Mothership
Haley did address one of the new signings in his afternoon press conference, discussing the addition of slot receiver Steve Breaston. The two worked together with the Arizona Cardinals.
"Just a really good young man. He’s our kind of football player — tough guy, mean streets of Pittsburgh, another Western PA guy," Haley said. "When there’s some familiarity in the mix and positive familiarity, I think (it) is a real good thing, and that definitely worked to Steve’s advantage. We spent a couple of years together, and he’s obviously a good young player who has played a lot."
Chiefs Still Adjusting from News-Press Now
New-Press Now Photo Gallery: 07/30/11 Chiefs Training Camp
"Quinten Lawrence is a talented gifted guy", said Flowers. "I just tell him to let go. He learned the techniques we learned in the film room so he won't have a hard transition."
But for Flowers, he is just enjoying the comfort of being an experienced veteran in a camp were a lot of young guys are feeling anything but secure.
"I've never been away from football this long. I feel like a kid again just getting out there. I'm flying around, having fun and making plays."
Flowers Takes Charge from Warpaint Illustrated
Another big change at Arrowhead Stadium this year will be on the offensive line, where second-year man Jon Asamoah will get first crack at filling the big shoes of five-time Pro Bowl guard Brian Waters.
Asamoah was working at right guard with the first team as the Chiefs opened their three-week training camp.
"It was good to get out there and work with the ones," he said. "It's a good feeling."
Multiple Changes for Chiefs in Haley's Third Season from Newsday.com
This is a dirty-work player who was an underappreciated part of the Baltimore Ravens’ vicious defense. This guy was the constant space eater in the Ravens’ defense who made life much easier for linebackers. Now, he will be doing it in Kansas City. Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson will love this guy.Chiefs Pick Up Tough Nose Tackle from ESPN
UDPATE: The Denver Post is reporting the Broncos will visit with Ty Warren, who was just cut by the Patriots. I could also see him getting interest form the Chiefs. Warren has New England connections to Kansas City general manager Scott Pioli and defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel.Broncos Struggling with Cap Issues from ESPN