Arrowheadlines: Chiefs News 7/4

Happy Independence Day!! Good morning. As expected we don't have a lot of Kansas City Chiefs news, but I'm very happy to report that we are able to lead the whole thing off with Ricky Stanzi. It just doesn't get more July 4th than that.

For the last couple of years I post one of my favorite versions of The National Anthem here. Marvin Gaye's performance at the 1983 NBA All Star Game is just fabulous. I hope you enjoy it.

I also wanted to make sure to post a link to Whitney Houston's Super Bowl performance. I'm not sure there was ever a better mix of song/performer/timing than that.

Enjoy your holiday and be safe!

Backup quarterback: Brady Quinn versus Ricky Stanzi

This is one of the more intriguing battles in Kansas City. Quinn was signed to be the backup to Matt Cassel because of his experience. He played for Kansas City coach Romeo Crennel in Cleveland. It appeared that Stanzi, a fifth-round pick in 2011, was earmarked for another year as the third-stringer. However, Stanzi was impressive during the offseason and he and Quinn rotated as Cassel's backup during organized team activities.

AFC West Training Camp Battles from ESPN

Kansas City re-vamped its cast of tight ends this offseason after the position group struggled with injury and inconsistency last year. Biere is part of that re-tooling, but is the only rookie in a group filled with experienced veterans each bringing their own unique quality to the position.

"I'm kind of their young rookie they can pick on a little bit here and there, but it's all fun, kind of how it goes," Biere said of his first offseason in Kansas City.

Rookie TE Tim Biere Searches For Niche In Veteran Position Group from The Mothership

Video: NFL Flyovers

Who is the greatest running back ever to play in the AFC West?

It is either Marcus Allen or LaDainian Tomlinson...

...Take our poll and explain your reason for your vote in the comment section below. We will review the poll results Wednesday.

Poll: Marcus Allen Or LaDanian Tomlinson? from ESPN

Among the 214 players receiving such grants, several are affiliated with the Kansas City Chiefs. Former Chiefs running back Christian Okoye is running a camp. Current players like safety Eric Berry, wideouts Steve Breaston and Terrance Copper and newly signed defensive back Abram Elam are also running camps this summer at various times in various cities to connect with youth.

Eric Berry, Steve Breaston Among Chiefs Running Free Youth Football Camps from SBN KC

Willie Mitchell, who grew up in Dignowity Hill on Pine Street, said it was a special place to grow up in the 1950s.

"It was a real privilege to grow up here," said Mitchell, a 1959 Wheatley High School graduate who went onto play for the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL. "This was such a beautiful neighborhood, full of kids, and families that looked out for eachother."

Dignowity Hill: An Urban Neighborhood On The Rise from My San Antonio

In the early days of irrelevant week the draft was 17 rounds, and then reduced to 12, so being selected last in the draft made making an NFL roster a distant dream. In the first 13 years only two players made the roster -- QB Bill Kenney made the Chiefs in 1978 and eventually started and made the Pro Bowl. The late John Tuggle, a fullback, was a reliable player for the New York Giants.

Mr. Irrelevant Gets His Week In The Spotlight from The Huffington Post

Looking ahead, wide receiver Julio Jones is an obvious candidate to make the leap in his second season, while a healthy Harry Douglas could be one of the league's best third receivers.

But for a Falcons team that has long asked Turner to carry the load, transitioning to a passing offense won't be seamless. This will be Atlanta's greatest challenge as it closes in on a Week 1 matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Atlanta Falcons Fixing To Boost Offensive Firepower from NFL.com

Kansas City Chiefs: They will be in the playoffs if ... Matt Cassel can show that he's the long-term answer at quarterback and improve a passing game that was 25th in the league last season.

Playoff Possibilities: What Every Team Needs To Make The Postseason from CBS Sports