Arrowheadlines: Chiefs News 8/13

Good morning! We are one day closer to real games. Here is you're Kansas City Chiefs news. Enjoy.

His reaction was markedly less demonstrative than the fans in Arrowhead Stadium. It's only the preseason, and a fist pump was all Matt Cassel needed to celebrate his first touchdown pass this year.

The real celebrations will be saved for the games that count. And if Cassel's play on Friday is any indication, there will be a lot more fist bumps and a few more meaningful games during this upcoming season.

Matt Cassel Opens Preseason With Efficiency from The Mothership

Training camp is where one drinks from the fountain of hope. Some years it's Gatorade. Some years it's Kool-Aid.

But this is the year, right?

"Playoffs and Super Bowl. Always aim high," said Gary Horton of Kansas City, Kan. He works 60 hours a week delivering Frito-Lay products and has to listen to some games on the radio. "I have faith in them and I know they're gonna pull through. I can see good progress."

Fans Ignore Heat To Bask In Sweaty Glow Of Chiefs Camp from KC Star

Arrowhead Pride Link: Episode 18 - Chop Talk - August 12th, 2012

KC Star Photo Gallery: FYI: Happy Campers With Chiefs In St. Joseph

The results, even for a preseason game, couldn't have been better. The Chiefs drove the ball 72 yards for touchdowns on each of their first two possessions in the 27-17 victory. Running backs averaged 6.7 yards per carry in the two drives; quarterback Matt Cassel was never in peril of being sacked in six passing attempts, and the Chiefs starters converted two of three third-down situations and one fourth-and-1.

"Obviously that's what you want to see right out of the blocks," said Winston, who signed as a free agent with the Chiefs after making 87 consecutive starts for Houston. "You want to see touchdowns, you want to see points.

Chiefs' Offensive Line Pleased With First Game from KC Star

An unlikely candidate led the receiving efforts in Kansas City's preseason opener against Arizona.

It was a player who lined up at offensive tackle for the Chiefs just seven months ago in the 2011 season finale at Denver. Of course, you probably wouldn't recognize that No. 87 was the same player who wore No. 68 last year.

Steve Maneri can hardly believe his own transformation either.

Steve Maneri Sheds Weight For New Role from The Mothership

One of the greatest Huskers of his era, Neil Smith collected 133 tackles and 1412 sacks while anchoring Nebraska's defensive line from 1985-87. After being drafted No. 2 overall by Kansas City in 1988, he continued to distinguish himself, making six Pro Bowls in seven seasons from 1991 to 1997. He capped a dazzling career by winning back-to-back Super Bowls as a member of the Denver Broncos in 1997 and 1998.

Now retired and living with his family in Kansas City, Smith was in Omaha this weekend to volunteer at the Next Level football camp at Northwest High School. He took a few minutes to talk to the World-Herald about his college and professional memories, as well as his thoughts on the current state of the Huskers.

Q&A With Former Husker Neil Smith from The Omaha World-Herald

In the recruiting wars, Missouri Western enjoys an uneven playing field.

Thanks to the Kansas City Chiefs, the NCAA Division II school in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association can show off its NFL-caliber facility.

NFL Facility Recruiting Aid For Griffs from The Kearney Hub

In the second or third rounds of many drafts around the country, many fantasy footballers will be plagued with the same question. Who has more fantasy value in 2012, Jamaal Charles or Adrian Peterson? These two players are linked together with huge question marks coming into the 2012 season due to the ACL injuries both superstars suffered last season. Both of these players have fallen into the larger RB2 category in this year's draft, but when you're on the clock this year, who will you choose?

Adrian Peterson vs. Jamaal Charles: Who Do You Draft? from NFL Soup

Then she ended the e-mail with, "But here's a nice fit, my foot in your (behind). All the best, Taylor."

She felt better, and assumed that was that.

Hardly.

Monday morning, she woke up to an e-mail from a person with the San Francisco 49ers, congratulating her on her kiss-off e-mail, which someone from the Padres had apparently sent to numerous other sports organizations.

Tuesday morning, another e-mail, this one from the Kansas City Chiefs.

Former Memphian's Huffy E-Mail Becomes Internet Sensation from The Memphis Commercial Appeal

Hillis, a player who couldn't get off the bench or out of the doghouse in Josh McDaniels' tenure with the Broncos, is riding the wave again. He ran for 41 yards on four carries in the Chiefs' preseason opener.

His 28-yard run was his longest since the middle of his 2010 season with the Browns. And the expectations swirling around Hillis are rising once again.

When he led the injury-riddled Broncos in rushing in 2008, more was expected to follow in 2009 and beyond. But he never rose above bit player with McDaniels and was finally traded.

AFC West Breakdown: Peyton Hillis Catching Attention Of Chiefs Fans from The Denver Post