Arrowheadlines: Chiefs News 9/17

Good morning, Chiefs fans! Another day of Kansas City Chiefs news here for you as we get ready for the Lions on Sunday. Enjoy.

"He came in behind a little bit and did a great job of catching up," coach Todd Haley said. "While he was out there on the field in the preseason, practice and games, you saw a guy that made progress every day, and that progress is continuing. Nobody played good in the game last week, but there were signs of encouragement.

"And he’s working real hard with the rest of the guys out there and trying to make sure we’re a much better team this week than we were last week."

Chiefs Rookie Houston Up To Speed On Defense from KC Star

"We’re straight-up, straightforward with guys," Haley said. "In Anthony’s case, pretty much I said stay in shape, keep working to get in shape and if we have an opportunity or if something comes around, you’re on our short list.

"I think that lets guys to know to be alert, aware and to keep working. Any time at the end of the preseason and you’re making cuts, you know you’re always at the backend there, there are some tough releases that you wish you could have more numbers to keep guys and Anthony was definitely one of those guys."

Arrowhead Report: The Numbers Game from The Mothership

The Chiefs locked up another one of their better young players Friday when they agreed to a multiyear contract with cornerback Brandon Flowers. The deal is worth $50 million over five years, including $22 million guaranteed, according to a report from the NFL Network.

The move continues a pattern the Chiefs began last year of extending some of their players while they are in the final year of their contracts.

Flowers Agrees to Contract Extension from KC Star

QB Matt Cassel said the focus wasn’t there and that he wants people running around with their heads cut off so-to-speak. You were saying that the effort was there. Were you surprised to hear that he felt that way?

HALEY: "I didn’t hear it until right now and you’re telling me. I don’t think chickens with heads cut off is really what we want to be doing. I can only go by what I see on the tape and that’s generally what I try to do and to me, we did certain things in that game that really put us in a bad position and caused us to lose and generally will cause you to lose and I’ve gone through those a number of times – turning the ball over and not creating enough turnovers were at the top of the list.

Q&A with Todd Haley from The Mothership

O’Connell was the latest member of general manager Scott Pioli’s first draft class to be released by the Chiefs. It’s been 33 regular-season games since Kansas City selected eight players in April 2009, and only first-round defensive end Tyson Jackson, fourth-round defensive back Donald Washington and seventh-round kicker Ryan Succop remain on the team’s active roster.

Chiefs Notebook: Tight End Becht Rejoins Chiefs from KC Star

Expect a big day from: Quarterback Matthew Stafford was superb on the road in the opener. Playing at home this week, he should shred the Chiefs. Brandon Pettigrew (six targets in the Buccaneers game) is ready to make the move from TE2 to TE1.

Matchup Meter: Lions' Air Attack, Skins' WRs Set for Big Week 2 from Sports Illustrated

Lions biggest problem: X-factor

Dexter McCluster is the Chiefs version of Reggie Bush — rusher, receiver, kick returner.

Last week, McCluster had 159 yards offense — 42 yards rushing, 25 passing, 92 return.

The Chiefs use their running backs as receivers more than most teams, so the Lions linebackers and safeties will have to be on their toes to stop short passes to the running backs that can become big plays.

Preview: Chiefs (0-1) at Lions (1-0) from The Detroit News

Cunningham, as he often does, threw himself into the task at hand: devising a plan to contain one of the best ground attacks in the NFL.

"They're an interesting team," he said. "It's an unusual style. Those two backs (Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones) are really good. I was there with Jamaal and I used to try to get him as a cornerback. But their run game is very different. It's not normal. They use a lot of one-back stuff but the problem is, it can be second-and-15 and they're going to run it.

Gunther Cunningham Sticks To Devising Defense from The Detroit News

Cornerback Alphonso Smith was hoping for good news, but his return to game action will be delayed at least one more week.

Smith, along with rookie defensive tackle Nick Fairley and second-year offensive lineman Jason Fox, are listed as out for this Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Alphonso Smith Out, Calvin Johnson and Louis Delmas Questionable for Sunday's Game Against Kansas City from MLive