Arrowheadlines: Chiefs News 9/13

Good morning. We're one day further from Sunday's butt kicking, so there's that. Today's Kansas City Chiefs news has a lot of reactions to Sunday's loss, but also begins to look ahead to Sunday's game in Detroit. I had kind of moved on from the tampering issue between the Lions and Chiefs. From some of the stories out there this morning, it appears that's not the case for the Lions. Enjoy.

As if Sunday’s woeful defeat to the Buffalo Bills wasn’t bad enough, the Chiefs received more devastating news on Monday when they learned they’ve lost one of their brightest young stars to a season-ending knee injury.

Pro Bowl strong safety Eric Berry will be placed on injured reserve after tearing ligaments in his left knee early in the Chiefs’ 41-7 loss at Arrowhead Stadium, a game already infamous for being the worst opening-day defeat in franchise history.

Knee Injury Sidelines Chiefs Saftey Berry for Season from KC Star

You’ve heard it by now. The Chiefs have now lost three consecutive home games, dating back to Week 17 and the NFL playoffs last season, by a combined score of 102-24. Kansas City won’t receive another chance at home redemption until early October.

Until then, the Chiefs must find a way to get right on the road. First stop is Detroit – the home opener for a revitalized Lions squad.

Take Five Rewind: Buffalo from The Mothership

KC Star Photo Gallery: Chiefs vs. Bills Tailgaters

By NFL rules, it is impossible for the Chiefs to lose another game for at least five more days. So there’s that.

Also, there are no reports of Tamba Hali coming down with polio, Jamaal Charles (at last check, anyway) is standing upright, and as of press time, the Chiefs have not yet given up a single yard against the Lions. By the grace of the NFL schedule, the Chiefs aren’t allowed to stink up Arrowhead Stadium for two weeks.

The rest of the good news you’ll have to make up on your own.

It's Not Over For Chiefs, But It Sure Doesn't Look Good from KC Star

BAD IN THREES
If it could go wrong for the Chiefs during this snakebit preseason/season, it has. Recounting their tales of woe:

Bad Things Come in Threes for Chiefs from KC Star

"I just know that we lost one of our best players and that hurts," Haley said.

Berry’s 2011 season lasted just four plays.

Loss of Eric Berry Stings Chiefs from The Mothership

Every fan in Kansas City knows the Chiefs have a running game.  But no one really got to see it against Buffalo.  One problem was that the Chiefs got behind and needed to throw a little more.  Another reason seemed to be that the Kansas City coaching staff just didn’t run the ball.

Fans everywhere in Chief’s nation are crying…"give Jamaal the ball".

Chiefs Game Notes: Week #1 from Pro Football Spotlight

Q: A few players used the term embarrassed. Do you use that term at all or is that up to individual motivation?

HALEY: "I hadn’t used it at all, it was an individual feeling. But I will, without speaking on behalf of anybody, I did today talk about that we all are. It’s coaches, players, the entire organization – when you have a game like that – is embarrassed. And I think that’s a good thing because that means you care and it means something to you, it’s important to you, then that gives you the impetus to make it better. Because like I told them, it can’t stay the same because if it stays the same the result will. It’s got to change and it will."

Q&A with Todd Haley from The Mothership

Chiefs coach Todd Haley preached about "The Plan" all through training camp, referring to the unusual approach he took after a most unusual offseason.

Rather than hit the ground running like most teams did after the lockout, Haley took a more deliberate pace in practice. He played his starters sparingly in early preseason games, slowly trying to build toward the regular season opener against Buffalo.

Well, "The Plan" sure appeared to flop on Sunday.

'The Plan' Goes Haywire for Chiefs in 41-7 Loss from Fox News

"That's one of those that really digs you deep, you know, first and foremost, just from the standpoint I know how hard he's worked, how much it means to him," Haley said. "It's devastating for him, so that's the biggest heartache for me."

Haley refused to discuss how Jon McGraw and Sabby Piscitelli performed in Berry's absence, even though both of the backup safeties struggled mightily against Buffalo.

Source: Eric Berry Out for Season from ESPN

Maybe not the Gipper, but the Lions might play with a little extra purpose for defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham.

He coached 11 seasons in Kansas City, two as head coach, and the Chiefs accused him of tampering with former safety Jarrad Page last year. The Lions were found guilty and lost a 2012 draft pick as punishment.

No Extra Inspiration Needed Against Chiefs from The Detroit Free Press

The Bills were a picture of determination and a defining moment came in the third quarter with a Chiefs drive when they were already trailing 20-7. On 1st and 10 Matt Cassel’s pass was batted back at him and he was tackled as he caught it. Anyone watching had to face the fact that the Bills were the better team and the Chiefs now have to face the Detroit Lions next Sunday.

Full NFL Scores Week One Sunday: Bills Convince, Romo Boneheaded from Only Kent

I said last week that the Kansas City Chiefs and head coach Todd Haley were gambling with their preseason preparation. They were basically putting all their eggs in the season opener basket, and were hoping to build back their team confidence after a lackluster exhibition season. Then the Buffalo Bills came into Arrowhead Stadium and completely put it to the Kansas City Chiefs on their home turf.

Ravens Defense Shows Its Dominance from Fox Sports

29. Kansas City Chiefs: Do we have our first-to-worst candidate?

Week Two Power Rankings from Pro Football Weekly

When South Torrance made the trek to Lompoc last December to play in the first CIF football final in the school's 53-year history, Johnnie Morton was there to lend his support.

As it turns out, Morton will be a fixture for South this season.

Morton, perhaps the greatest player to come out of South, will serve as a volunteer assistant coach, much like another former NFL player Brandon Manumaleuna is doing at his alma mater, Narbonne, this season...

...Morton starred at USC before embarking on an 11-year NFL career that included stints with the Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers before retiring in 2005. He finished his career with 624 catches for 8,719 yards and 43 touchdowns.

Prep Notebook: Morton to Help Coach Football Team at South Torrance from The Torrance Daily Breeze

Another division winner who had their butts handed to them were the Kansas City Chiefs, who were humiliated by the Bills 41-7 at Arrowhead.

Towards the end of the game, a telling shot of people leaving the parking lot in droves emphasized the severity of this blowout. Even CBS announcer Marv Albert put an exclamation on the game. "The blowout continues," he said at the scoring of the last TD.

Blowout Day from Canada.com

Water under the bridge? Maybe for the players and the organization, but probably not so much for Cunningham.

"We haven't talked about Kansas City yet, but I am sure he will get into it," defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch said. "Gun uses (bulletin board motivation) a lot. He gets here early before anyone else and the first thing he does is pull up the newspapers. He tries to find any motivation he can."

Winning, Not Bad Blood, Is Lions' Chiefs Concern from The Detroit News

No sting from Hali

Bell established that Hali wasn't going to be much of a problem from the get-go. On the second play from scrimmage, the Bills were in a four-wide shotgun set and Fitzpatrick sent wide receiver David Nelson in motion to the right then sent him back left and positioned him as a blocker. Fitzpatrick handed off to Jackson, who headed toward the left edge and Hali tried to speed rush Bell who kept pushing Hali left while Jackson cut inside for a 9-yard gain.

Tuesday Morning Quarterback: Bell Does His Job from Buffalo News

Most surprising outcome: Buffalo's 41-7 victory at Kansas City. While no one should be shocked over the Chiefs' obvious regression compared to last year's unforeseen playoff run, losing by 34 points to a team coming off a four-win campaign at a home venue where the Chiefs dominated in 2010 was completely unexpected. A most encouraging beginning for the rebuilding Bills, who lost their first eight outings under Chan Gailey a season ago.

Bears Show They've Still Got Some Bite from The Los Angeles Times

The same could be said of the Chiefs, who suffered the most lopsided season-opening loss in their history, and their worst home loss since the Steelers stomped them, 45-0, 35 years ago.

Buffalo's Ryan Fitzpatrick threw four touchdown passes, looking completely at ease in a stadium where the Chiefs won their first seven home games last season.

It's A Long Way From Penthouse To Basement from The Chicago Tribune

In his continued effort to establish himself as an outside-the-box-thinking genius, Todd Haley concocted a post-lockout scheme of using the preseason as a conditioning program rather than preparation for actual games...

...Fast-forward to Sunday’s season opener. The clueless and direction-less Chiefs got pimp-slapped by the Buffalo Bills at Arrowhead Stadium. In what was supposed to be the easiest game of the season, the Chiefs lost by 34 points at home.

NFL Truths: Cam Needs to Ignore Hype from Fox Sports