Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 11/10

MCCluster Hopes Losing Brace Will Help His Game from KC Star

"I'm glad to be out of the brace now,'' he said. "I can't truly get my running form with it on. Everything is back to normal, for a change.''

The floundering Chiefs could use McCluster's help, but his season has been filled with more turnovers and passes he deflected to opponents than big plays. The Chiefs have several underproducing offensive skill players, but perhaps none with unfulfilled big-play potential like McCluster.

Crennel: Turnovers Will Send Chiefs To Bench from KC Star

"I emphasized a lot that week about protecting the football," Crennel said. "That let me know that he's trying to fight for yards, he's trying to do too much rather than protect the ball.

"There's a thin line you have to walk as a player ... extra effort trying to get as much yards as you can, but protecting the football. When I tell them to protect the football at all costs, that means get both hands on it, and if I've caught the ball and gained yards, get down if I have to ... if I fight for extra yards and lose the football, that doesn't do much good."

Excerpt: Pioli And Peterson's First Four Years With Chiefs from KC Star

Coming Sunday, we take an in-depth look at how the first four years of Scott Pioli's tenure as general manager of the Chiefs stack up against the first four years of former GM Carl Peterson. Both men enjoyed some highlights, and yes, some lowlights. Here's an excerpt from what you can read Sunday in its entirety.

Santschi: My Take from The Mothership

If the Chiefs are looking to cut ties with their unfortunate streak, Monday night in front a national audience would be an opportune time to shine. Romeo Crennel, who handed over the defensive play calling to linebackers coach, Gary Gibbs is now solely focused on his role as head coach.

During this Monday night matchup, the importance of protecting the ball will be the emphasis. Crennel mentioned earlier in the week to the media that if a turnover occurs, the player at fault will be taken out of the game for at least a few series but it is under his discretion.

Chiefs Must Get Back To 'Midwest Mentality' from The Examiner

I have kept game stats for all home games for the television stations for the past 26 years. It has given me the opportunity to be present in the press box for media discussions and to watch the power brokers of the team work and react every game day. I've seen all of the good and bad years. The NFL is a dog-eat-dog business that demands success.

Beginning two and a half years ago, I began to have a growing concern about the Chiefs organization.

AFC West Second-Quarter Checkpoint from ESPN

Story of the quarter: The Kansas City Chiefs' implosion. The Chiefs are 1-7 and widely considered the worst team in the NFL. They have been No. 32 in ESPN.com's NFL Power Rankings for nearly a month. They went 0-4 in the second quarter of the season and have lost five consecutive games. It is getting ugly, too. Fans are calling for the firing of general manager Scott Pioli and coach Romeo Crennel -- and ownership might have a difficult time ignoring those calls if the Chiefs' season gets even worse. Early last month, right tackle Eric Winston called out some fans for what he saw as them cheering when quarterback Matt Cassel suffered a concussion. It became a national story. Cassel was replaced by Brady Quinn. Crennel fired himself as defensive coordinator and replaced himself with linebackers coach Gary Gibbs. The team released starting cornerback Stanford Routt after eight games -- after signing him to a big-money free-agent deal before the season. This is a franchise that is falling apart.

The Sorry State Of The Chiefs from The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

In the 1970's there was a famous public service ad featuring a dignified Native American chief with a single tear running down his cheek, expressing his pain at the what pollution was doing to his land.

Never mind that Iron Eyes Cody wasn't actually Native American, but rather Italian-American, if they re-shot that commercial today the chief might be crying for ... The Chiefs.

And their fans.

Steelers' Run Defense Turns Corner from The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

The Steelers are likely to be tested Monday night at Heinz Field when they face the Kansas City Chiefs' third-ranked ground game. The Chiefs' rushing attack is powered by running back Jamaal Charles, the AFC's fourth-leading rusher.

"They have a guy who sticks his foot in the ground and gets vertical," nose tackle Steve McLendon said. "We faced (Tennessee's) Chris Johnson, but this guy is smaller, and he's very quick and fast and changes directions and reverses field."

Bruce Arians: Unsung Hero Of Selfless Indianapolis Colts from NFL.com

It was no surprise to see the Kansas City Chiefs cut high-priced cornerback Stanford Routt this week. What was a surprise was when Kansas City signed him to a lucrative contract during the offseason. At the time, Routt had just been cut by the Oakland Raiders, a team K.C. plays twice a year. Routt was grossly overpaid in Oakland, and when the Raiders visited Kansas City two weeks ago, they went after him on every pass play. Now unemployed, Routt might get another job, but he will still be a player most teams attack.

Rutgers' Tradition Of All-Purpose Defensive Backs Will Be Put To The Test By Army from NJ.com

Exactly when Rutgers' reputation for producing the consummate defensive back, one equally adept in defending the pass and the run, took root is hard to pinpoint.

But it's one that is well-deserved.

There's little argument that safety Deron Cherry is the greatest defensive back in Scarlet Knights history. He was a six-time Pro Bowler with the Kansas City Chiefs and is regarded as the best safety of his time.

Chiefs Game Preview vs Steelers: Analysis, Prediction, TV Info from CBS Sports

Who matters: Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles. Remember that guy? He's the one who led the NFL in rushing after five games thanks to a 5.3 yards-per-carry average. Since then, Charles has run for 84 yards in the last three games, averaging 2.9 yards per carry. Charles said on Thursday that he "thinks every team knows how to stop me," and added that he's regularly seeing nine in the box. The Steelers rank seventh against the run and first against the pass, so there really isn't a weakness to the defense. Charles would definitely benefit from some early success from QB Matt Cassel. Early success, however, has not been the Chiefs' method of operation. They have been outscored 61-6 in the first quarter.

Scramble For QBs Is Costing Coaches from ESPN

Romeo Crennel is on the hot seat in Kansas City, making you wonder whether Kansas City fired Todd Haley too early. Haley and Matt Cassel did make a one-year playoff run. Now, Crennel is destined for the waiver wire, and the Chiefs are back to square one at quarterback.

Peek At The Week: Revenge Games Abound, Texans Face True Test Against Bears from CBS Sports

"It's not Todd vs. the Chiefs," Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said, "and I think Todd understands that."

I'm sure he does. Nevertheless, it's a nice back story to what could be ... should be ... a mismatch, with the Steelers flexing their muscles at home, where they haven't lost.

Eachus Cleared To Return To Chiefs from Citizens Voice

Nate Eachus has been cleared to return to the Kansas City Chiefs.

The former Hazleton Area star suffered a slight concussion making a tackle on a kickoff return against Oakland on Oct. 28.

That forced Eachus to miss last Thursday's prime time game against San Diego.

But Eachus was back on the field this week, cleared to practice and hopefully set to go for his scheduled return to the Keystone State.

KCChiefs.com Photo Gallery: Foto Friday Salute To Service

KCChiefs.com Video: From The Podium: Romeo Crennel 11-9-12

KCChiefs.com Video: Under The Helmet: Andy Studebaker

NFL.com Video: Preview: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Pittsburgh Steelers