Arrowheadlines: Chiefs News 5/23

Good morning! We have another good day of Kansas City Chiefs news for you. How many days till training camp? I'm kind of ready for it. Enjoy.

When their first offseason practice began earlier in the week, Chiefs safeties Eric Berry and Kendrick Lewis were among a small group of players who headed to the edge of the field to work with the trainers...

...Berry has said he will be ready to play then. Lewis, a fellow starting safety who had postseason surgery to repair what he said was a torn pectoral muscle, wasn't as definitive.

Chiefs Starting Safeties Taking It Slow For Now from KC Star

As a solo act in 2011 - Berry was lost during Week 1 due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament, a freak injury that became an epidemic in Kansas City last fall - Lewis recorded 60 tackles, broke up 10 passes and picked off three more, including one for a touchdown, despite late-season issues with his ankle, knee, and shoulder. In 2010, Berry was a holy terror, a Tasmanian devil in cleats, an All-Pro as a rookie and one of the most electric young defenders in the AFC.

Now imagine them together, roaming the plains, upright and pain-free. And you wonder why fans are excited about the potential of this defense? Why some are already pegging the Chiefs as a potential sleeper, to the NFL in 2012 what the surprising 49ers were in 2011?

Berry Looks To Strengthen Defense In Return from FS Kansas City

KC Star Video: Chiefs QB Matt Cassel talks about new offense

Had Croyle come to the Chiefs at a different time -- now, for instance -- he might have made it and made it big. But he arrived in Kansas City just as things were crumbling around him, hardly the ideal developmental ground for a young quarterback.

He never did develop, which is a shame for the Chiefs and their fans because they might go some time without having another homegrown quarterback with that kind of ability.

Good-Bye, Brodie Croyle from KC Star

Students at Gardiner Elementary School in Wichita will get a visit today from former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Eddie Kennison and Chiefs mascot K.C. Wolf.

The school was named the grand prize winner of the state's Fuel Up to Play 60 skit challenge for its video showing how students get active each day.

Chiefs Mascot, Former Player Eddie Kennison To Visit Wichita Elementary from The Wichita Eagle

While it was hoped that the prolific, albeit oft-injured passer from Alabama could anchor the quarterback position, he - like all too many others who have come after Len Dawson - ended up being a place holder. Sadly, Croyle's story was less about his time on the field than the continual mantra from the organization that this was going to be his year to shine. It was a promise never fulfilled as he failed to earn a single win in 10 career starts over his five-year career with the Chiefs.

Brodie Croyle, Former Chiefs QB, Has Retired from The Pitch

Peyton Hillis, Kansas City Chiefs: Stupid Madden curse. Injuries, the flu and poorly handled contract negotiations were all a part of a 2011 in which he failed to accumulate 300 total yards for the Cleveland Browns. In Kansas City, he'll play some fullback and be a second fiddle to Jamaal Charles. Hillis could receive 10 to 12 touches a game and steal the goal-line carries. He'll make a solid No. 3 back in PPR leagues and has a chance for more if Charles can't regain his old form in his return from a knee injury.

Free Agents Often Fail In Fantasy from USA Today

Kansas City Chiefs (B+): Division champs in 2010, they're markedly better just by emptying the injured reserve list -- TETony Moeaki and Pro Bowlers Eric Berry (S) and Jamaal Charles (RB) all had torn ACLs by Week 2 in 2011. GM Scott Pioli signed TE Kevin Boss, RB Peyton Hillis and QBBrady Quinn to upgrade the roster and guard against the depth issues that surfaced last season.

NFL Offseason Report Cards: AFC West from USA Today

4. Len Dawson, 6-0. The MVP of Super Bowl IV and a hall of famer, Dawson was known for his accuracy and poise. He struggled early in his career with the Steelers and Browns before his career took off with the Dallas Texans, and then the Chiefs.

The NFL's Best Short Quarterbacks Of All-Time from National Football Post

Obscure stat #5: It's been 18 years since the Bears have had an extra point blocked by an opponent. That kick came against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1993 (Kevin Butler blocked by CB Dale Carter).

10 Obscure Chicago Bears' Statistics from ChicagoNow.com