Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 11/17

Chiefs' Smaller Corners Have Tall Task With Bengals from KC Star

The list of Romeo Crennel's concerns is a long one, and that's understandable for the coach of a 1-8 team. But the Chiefs added one of their own recently when they released veteran cornerback Stanford Routt.

That left them with Brandon Flowers and Javier Arenas, both at 5 feet 9, as their starting cornerbacks. Corner is a difficult place for a tiny player to survive, and that prospect only adds to Crennel's angst.

Ground Game Could Be The Difference Versus Cincinnati from The Mothership

It's been said many times and by many offensive minds, ‘It all starts up front,' and with the Chiefs, it's no different. "Being able to run the ball sets the tone for an entire football team. Of course as an offensive lineman, it's our responsibility to block and allow the running backs to hit the hole and get the game going," said rookie G Jeff Allen, who helps spear the AFC's fourth best run game (149 yards/game).

Kansas City's ground attack produced 142 yards Monday night, 53.4 yards more than the Steelers allowed average (88.6). The Chiefs are tied for fifth in the NFL with 37 rushes of 10 yards.

Injuries Could Create Ripple Effect Along Offensive Line from KC Star

Based on how the Chiefs lined up during the early portion of practice on Friday, veteran newcomer Russ Hochstein lined up at center in place of Ryan Lilja, who was on the exercise bike because of a knee inujry. Tackle Eric Winston moved into the right guard position vacated by Jon Asamoah, who underwent thumb surgery earlier this week and has been ruled out for the game. Rookie Donald Stephenson, the Chiefs' second-round draft pick, was at right tackle.

It's possible Lilja was just given a day off and could play either guard or center on Sunday, though all indications are Hochstein will play center and Lilja right guard, if he's available.

Chiefs' Funk Hits Merchandise Sales from KC Star

Like the Chiefs themselves - they're 1-8 this season - sales of merchandise bearing the team's logo are in a slump. And businesses say fans' frustration is putting a strain on those who depend on the Chiefs brand.

"It's never been this bad," said Hal Wagner, owner of Ace Sports in Oak Park Mall and a 25-year veteran of the industry. "It doesn't matter how good a businessman you are. Your success is based on the success of the team. Right now, it's pretty bad."

It's not that sports merchandising is bad business. Check out the purple in the Kansas State sections of some stores and you'll find it pretty well picked over by fans riding the Wildcats' wave of an undefeated record.

But as for the Chiefs...

Game Day Activities: Chiefs vs Bengals from The Mothership

Before the game, fans will be able to witness be a moving ceremony on the field as over 100 soldiers from Ft. Leavenworth will reenlist as Army service members.

The National Anthem will be performed by national recording artist, Matthew West. During this time an American flag will be held by 100 service people from all five branches will enter the field along with eight members of the Whiteman Air Force Base Honor Guard. Par for the course, there will be a flyover following the anthem, as the A10 Warthogs from Whiteman Air Force Base, will scream overhead Arrowhead Stadium.

Bengals Trying To Win 2 Straight On Trip To KC from The Associated Press via The Dayton Daily News

"They're going to come in here and feel like they have a good chance to win another game," Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel said, "but if we work on our attitude, our effort and the things we did Monday night, clean up one or two things, I think we're going to play good. That's the focus."

Been the focus all season, too.

It hasn't mattered.

Kansas City's latest letdown came last Monday night, when it rallied in the final minutes to force overtime at Pittsburgh. Matt Cassel promptly threw an interception after the Chiefs won the coin toss, once again snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

Kansas City Chiefs Avoid A TV Blackout In Bengals Game from Kansas City Business Journal

The Kansas City Chiefs sold enough tickets to avoid being blacked out on television for the Sunday game against the Cincinnati Bengals, but Chiefs fans are planning a blackout of their own.

The Save Our Chiefs movement is asking fans to wear black to the game to show their disapproval of the team's performance this year.

Chiefs Struggling As They Prepare To Face Bengals from Cincinnati.com

Charles and the rushing attack has been one of the few bright spots for the Chiefs. He is ninth in the NFL with 734 yards and Kansas City has the top rushing offense in the AFC, averaging 149 yards per game.

Charles had 100 yards and a touchdown against the Steelers, his third 100-yard game of the season but his first since Week 5 against Baltimore.

"It hasn't been the best of years but we keep strong and we believe in our teammates," said Charles. "We're hungry for a win."

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

Key matchups: LT Andrew Whitworth vs. DE/LB Tamba Hali. Two of the best in the game will go head-to-head. Facing top pass rushers has been nothing new to Whitworth, who spent last week shutting out New York's Jason Pierre-Paul. Whitworth is tied for fourth in the NFL among tackles in fewest combinations of sacks-hits-hurries allowed this season, according to Profootballfocus.com. The same website ranks Hali among the top 10 outside linebackers rushing the passer in the league.

Last week, a clean pocket allowed QB Andy Dalton to throw a career-high four touchdown passes. Another week with a similar pocket could warrant similar results, though Whitworth says the Bengals' protection has been consistently good.

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

Key matchups: DT Geno Atkins vs. Kansas City offensive guards. It's not a good time for the Chiefs to go up against an elite defensive tackle. Rookie RG Jeff Allen has struggled more than any other Chiefs' lineman and on the left side, the Chiefs will be playing a backup with Jon Asamoah out with a thumb injury and Russ Hochstein in his place. Hochstein hasn't started a game since 2010. Atkins, who leads the Bengals with seven sacks, should have a big advantage wherever he lines up.

Bengals And Chiefs Tangle At Arrowhead from The Chicago Tribune

With seven games to go, Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis knows his team needs to play like they did last Sunday each week from here on out.

"It gives us a chance to go to Kansas City next week one better than we would've been," Lewis said of the impact of the win over the Giants. "We've got to keep the same urgency and the same intensity and understanding that we had this week to go play on the road. Each one of our games means a lot. We can't waste any more opportunities. We have to play and be diligent in our jobs."

The job this week is knocking off a fading Chiefs team that sits at just 1-8 and hasn't won since a 27-24 overtime victory against the New Orleans Saints on Sept. 23.

Do Chiefs Need To Force A QB Draft Pick? from ESPN

Their most glaring hole is at quarterback. Matt Cassel has lost his starting job and Brady Quinn appears to be a stop-gap answer. Ricky Stanzi, a fifth-round pick in 2011 doesn't appear to be the answer, either. The Chiefs need a quarterback, but they may be a year too late.

The 2012 quarterback draft class may go down as one of the great all-time quarterback draft classes. Five rookies from that draft class are starting and Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III, the first two picks from the draft, appear to be transcendent talents.

What about the 2013 class? Scouts Inc. college scout Steve Muench calls the upcoming quarterback class "terrible."

Bengal-Chiefs Preview from Bengals.com

For the first time in his five seasons as the Bengals defensive coordinator,Mike Zimmer squares off against son Adam in a regular-season game. Adam Zimmer, an assistant linebackers coach for the Chiefs, beat Dad with the Saints when Mike Zimmer coordinated the Cowboys in 2006 and the Falcons in 2007.

The last time the Bengals played at Arrowhead, Oct. 14,2007, the Chiefs beat them with the combination of quarterback Damon Huard and tight end Tony Gonzalez clicking for 102 yards and both passing TDs.

Needy Families Get A 'Giant' Thanksgiving Gift from Bed-Stuy Patch

It was a star-studded night at Ingersoll Community Center.

Shaun Rogers, a defensive tackle for the New York Giants, joined defensive lineman Shaun Smith of the Kansas City Chiefs and rapper Fabolous to help hand out free turkeys to needy families.

Report: NFL Retirement Board Paid $2 Million To Ex-Players While League Denied Concussion Risks from Yahoo! Sports

In 1999, the retirement board determined that the late Mike Webster, a Hall of Famer who played 17 seasons in the NFL, mostly with the Pittsburgh Steelers before finishing his career with the Kansas City Chiefs, was "totally and permanently" disabled due to repeated blows to the head he received as an active player. Webster passed away in 2002 at age 50 and was the first former player to be diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy after donating his brain for research.

Start 'Em, Sit 'Em, Smash 'Em from National Football Post

After spending three straight games pretending that Charles didn't exist, the Chiefs finally woke up in Week 10 and gave their most explosive offensive weapon a workload worth writing about. Kansas City may have come up short against Pittsburgh on Monday night, but not before Charles could roll up 100 rushing yards and a score on 23 carries. Look for another solid effort on Sunday against a Cincinnati defense that ranks 20th in the league against the run (118.3 yds/gm) while surrendering an average of 20.5 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs this season (seventh-most in NFL).

Final Word: AFC North from ESPN

Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green has caught a touchdown in eight straight games, tied for the second-longest streak in franchise history. The team record for most consecutive games with a receiving touchdown is 10, set by Carl Pickens (1994-95). If Green can reach the end zone Sunday at Kansas City, he will join some elite company. The previous player with a receiving touchdown in nine straight games in the same season was Jerry Rice, who caught one in 12 straight games in 1987, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Green leads the NFL with nine receiving touchdowns -- three more than the entire Chiefs team.

KCChiefs.com Photo Gallery: Foto Friday Dexter McCluster

KCChiefs.com Video: From The Podium: Romeo Crennel

KCChiefs.com Video: Chiefs Kingdom: Red Coaters