Good morning! Free agency is underway, and reports and rumors are flying. Here is your Kansas City Chiefs news.
The Chiefs appeared intent on improving their offense on the first day of free agency Tuesday, setting up visits with four players who could help improve one of the league's lowest scoring teams.
The Chiefs scheduled visits with running backs Mike Tolbert of San Diego and Peyton Hillis of Cleveland, tight end John Carlson of Seattle and offensive tackle Eric Winston, who was recently released by Houston.
Tolbert and Carlson were to be in Kansas City today. The timing of the other visits was unclear.
Looking To Improve Offense, Chiefs Set Visits With Four Free Agents from KC Star
Whether the Chiefs can get all four of these guys in the front door for discussion and contract negotiations remains to be seen. As we've seen in the Chase for Peyton Manning, there's a very big difference between wanting to talk with somebody and having them agree to the conversation.
There will certainly be more names that will pop up on the radar screen and there's probably a better chance the Chiefs will be successful signing players in the second wave.
Here's a little bit about the four guys they hope to talk with first:
Let Shopping Begin... Wednesday Cup O'Free Agency from Bob Gretz
Losing Tolbert would further weaken the Chargers. They want Tolbert back, but the fact that he is visiting Kansas City is a sign that he is more than willing to leave San Diego.
Losing Tolbert to a division rival would be a crushing blow, considering the Chargers just lost receiver Vincent Jackson to Tampa Bay.
Chiefs Are Pushing For Mike Tolbert from ESPN
Schefter reports Miami and St. Louis are also looking to visit with Winston. He would be a terrific fit in Kansas City. He'd be a major upgrade over Barry Richardson, who was the weak link of Kansas City's offensive line. Winston would solidify a unit that has been in flux the past few years.
Chiefs Going After Eric Winston from ESPN
Hillis was the biggest disappointment on the Browns last season. His rushing yards dropped from 1,177 in 2010 to 587 last season. He was sidelined for five games with a hamstring injury and one with strep throat.
If the Chiefs want to see if they can get a motivated Hillis, there should be no hard feelings from the Browns.
According to a report by Yahoo Sports, at least two other teams are pursuing Green-Ellis and says that he will likely sign a deal in the $3 million to $4 million range.
The identities of the teams were not revealed, though the Kansas City Chiefs are believed to covet Green-Ellis.
Multiple Teams Are Pursuing Free-Agent Running Back BenJarvus Green-Ellis from Mass. Live
Kansas City probably wasn't interested in bringing Campbell in as competition for Matt Cassel. Even though Campbell played for Chiefs quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn in Washington. Orton is going to visit Dallas (where he too would be a backup), so it is an indication that Cassel may remain the starter.
Tough Break For Jason Campbell from ESPN
Merry Free Agency to one and all, as the Christmas of the NFL calendar is finally with us. Now is the time to find out if your team has been naughty (hello Dallas and Washington) or nice, because the fun is about to start and teams are set to begin opening their checkbooks. Well we're so excited about this season of joy, that we're going to have a dedicated PFFer on call at all times to frequently update our Live Action Blog to comment on all the days developments.
PFF Live Free Agency Reaction Blog: Day 1, 03/13/12 from Pro Football Focus
Yep, we're up and watching 24 hours a day and now we dig into Day 2 of the 2012 free agency period (whew, Day 1 was fun!)
Keep checking back for constant updates and quick PFF thoughts on all of the major news that breaks as players hunt down new homes for 2012.
PFF Live Free Agency Reaction Blog: Day 2, 03/14/12 from Pro Football Focus
What could have been the end of his college football career did not turn out that way. Working with his brother-in-law who is an athletic trainer, Fleming got into the best shape of his life. He took the time to square away his academic problems and when pre-season practice started, he was back on the field...
Top 100 Prospects - No. 92 CB Jamell Fleming from Bob Gretz
And while Peyton's financial expectations always have been regarded as a secondary matter about which there would not be much debate once he knows where he wants to play, we're told that money is a bigger factor than previously believed.
Teams Getting "Worn Out" By Peyton Chase from ProFootballTalk
That interest appears to be genuine, as Adam Caplan of TheSidelineView.com reports that Carlson will visit Minnesota headquarters on Wednesday.
Vikings To Meet With John Carlson On Wednesday from ProFootballTalk
White said he has a workout with the Kansas City Chiefs this coming Thursday in Kalamazoo, where he plans to spend a majority of time preparing for the NFL Draft, which begins on April 26.
Former WMU Wide Receiver Jordan White Cuts Down 40-Yard Dash Time At WMU Pro Day from MLive.com
But more to the point, let's note in this litany of tragic twilight figures that Joe Montana, at age 37, took the Kansas City Chiefs to the AFC Championship Game. And before our absurd hopes sent Wade Boggs to Tampa Bay (to collect his 3,000th hit), they first sent him-at age 35, coming off a .259 batting average-to the Yankees, where he batted .313 and won a World Series ring.
Why, oh why, is Peyton Manning determined to press on with his football career? Maybe because the last season he played, he passed for 4,700 yards and 33 touchdowns, and led his team to the playoffs for the ninth consecutive year. You don't have to be a particle physicist to figure this one out.
Can Quantum Physics Tell Us Whether Peyton Manning Is Washed Up Or Not? from Deadspin
The Cowboys courted Brandon Carr on Tuesday in hopes of hammering out a deal with the free agent cornerback. And while the sides haven't put ink on paper yet, NFL Network's Michael Lombardi says it's just a matter of time.
NFL Analyst: CB Brandon Carr To Cowboys "Will Get Done" from The Dallas Morning News
In nearby Arlington, the organization rolled out the red carpet in an attempt to impress the four-year Kansas City Chiefs veteran, considered by many the top cover man available in free agency.
The 25-year-old was clearly the Cowboys' first priority on the open market this year, and would stand to net a lucrative long-term agreement with the club.
The market for cornerbacks narrowed when Tennessee's Cortland Finnegan signed a five-year, $50 million pact with the St. Louis Rams, a deal that could be used as reference point in the Cowboys' talks with Carr.
Carr Talks Run Deep Into Tuesday Night from DallasCowboys.com