Arrowheadlines: Chiefs News 8/14

Good morning! Here is your Kansas City Chiefs news. Enjoy.

The first mandated roster cutdown from 90 to 75 players isn't until Aug. 27, but already Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel is starting to face some difficult decisions on whom to keep.

And it will be even tougher on Aug. 31 when the club must get down to its opening-day limit of 53. That's part of the price for having an upgraded level of talent on the roster.

Crennel Says Upgraded Talent Will Make Cuts Tougher from KC Star

Fullback Shane Bannon (abdominal) returned to the field for the afternoon session. Brandon Flowers (foot) missed practice again, but Crennel said he was hopeful that the corner would be able to heal quickly. Running back Cyrus Gray (undisclosed) walked off the field under his own power in the afternoon practice. Also missing practice: Travis Daniels (groin/hamstring), Junior Hemingway (groin), Ethan Johnson (head/chin), Cameron Sheffield (undisclosed), and Dwayne Bowe (contract).

Camp Notebook: Chiefs Hope To Carry Momentum From Preseason Opener from The Mothership

KC Star Photo Gallery: Chiefs Training Camp: Day 12

KC Star Video: Cyrus Gray Talks Veteran Players, Next Game

KCChiefs.com Video: From The Podium: Romeo Crennel 8-13-12

KCChiefs.com Video: Finding The 53: Defensive Line

KCChiefs.com Video: Chiefs Live! 8-13-12

For now, at least, Chiefs offensive coordinator Brian Daboll is one of the most popular men in Kansas City. He orchestrated an offense than scored 27 points in last week's preseason opener, the Chiefs' highest total in an preseason game in nine years.

This happened his first time out, so it's little wonder Daboll has been elevated to rock star status on Twitter, in bars and wherever people gather to discuss the Chiefs.

Chiefs' Daboll Riding High After Opening Performance from KC Star

One of the most competitive battles in Chiefs camp is at nose tackle, where Anthony Toribio is starting ahead of first-round pick Dontari Poe and second-year man Jerrell Powe, a sixth-round pick in 2011.

Toribio made solo tackles in each of the No. 1 defense's series during the preseason opener Friday against Arizona, stopping LaRod Stephens-Howling in his tracks after a 1-yard gain; and dropping Alfonso Smith for a 1-yard loss. Powe was credited with a sack. Poe did not scratch the scoresheet.

Powe, Not Poe, Battling Toribio At Nose Tackle from KC Star

Saturday's contest between the Chiefs and Rams marks the 22nd time that the franchises have faced off in the preseason. The Rams hold a 13-8 advantage and are 8-5 since moving to St. Louis. The Chiefs are 1-5 in preseason action inside the Edward Jones Dome, with the lone victory coming in 2003 when Kansas City prevailed 22-6 behind TD passes from QBs Trent Green and Jonathan Quinn to FB Omar Easy and WR Marvin "Snoop" Minnis.

Chiefs vs Rams - Preseason Game 2 from The Mothership

Sheffield's injury gave others an opportunity to get longer looks at outside linebacker. Sheffield, Jones and Gabe Miller are competing with Andy Studebaker for backup spots to Tamba Hali and Justin Houston. Studebaker has an edge because of his special-teams play, and the other three are battling for the remaining spot.

Chiefs Day In Camp For Monday from KC Star

One of the most noticeable differences for the Kansas City Chiefs' offense on Friday night was the stellar play of the offensive line.

During the two series that the starters played -- both touchdown drives -- Jamaal Charles and Peyton Hillis racked up 53 yards and Matt Cassel had plenty of time to complete 5 of 6 passes. Cassel was hit one time, a below-the-knee dive by Dan Williams that drew a 15-yard penalty.

"Obviously that's what you want to see right out of the blocks," RT Eric Winston said, told the Kansas City Star. "You want to see touchdowns, you want to see points.

Chiefs: Offensive Line Shows Promise from CBS Sports

The Arizona Cardinals are good for what ails you. Matt Cassel (5-6, 67 yards and a TD pass) looked sharp in the Kansas City Chiefs' 27-17 preseason win Friday night over a Cardinals' team that desperately needs a calming presence under center.

And this was an Arrowhead crowd that wasn't expecting much out of Cassel.

Chiefs Fans, Are You Ready To Hop On The Matt Cassel Bandwagon? from The Pitch

The Cardinals aren't going to scare most people and if the Chiefs are truly going to contend for anything they should be able to handle this team. And handle them is what they did. The Chiefs drove down the field with relative ease on their first two drives, got into the red zone, and scored.

It did not look like a fair contest. The Cardinals were overmatched. Now, it's preseason for them too, but the Chiefs came out and looked poor last year and we all know how that went. Fact is, this is the most impressive that the Chiefs have looked in years in the preseason. Ultimately, it doesn't mean much. But it is a good amount of positivity surrounding this team now, and that is sorely needed.

Looking At The Chiefs First Preseason Game from 610 Sports

"You know, with anything, it takes a while to know," Kansas City Chiefs nose tackle Anthony Toribio told FOXSports.com when asked about his rookie linemate Dontari Poe. "He's doing a tremendous job picking it up for it being his first time in a 3-4 (scheme). He's a great guy, a monster guy. It'll be a matter of time before you see him out there dominating."

Great guy. Monster guy. A matter of time.

For Poe, the 346-pound lug out of Memphis whom the Chiefs snatched with the 11th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the main theme is to play now, dominate later.

Much, much later.

Patience, Time Key For Chiefs Rookie Poe from FOX Sports KC

Do I think Chad Johnson, who was cut by Miami after a weekend domestic violence arrest, is a good fit for the Broncos, Chiefs, Raiders or Chargers?

Let me speak for all four teams in the AFC West: No.

Does Chad Johnson Fit In The AFC West? from ESPN

The Browns may not have wanted him, but the Bucs, Jets, Cowboys, Bengals, Colts and Chiefs all made inquiries. The combination of playing close to home, for coaches he's comfortable with, on a team that's bound to improve, made the Chiefs an easy choice.

"Last year was very strange," he says. "It really was the best of times, the worst of times. There was all this joy from the wedding, and all this pain from football. Now let's see what I can do. Actions speak louder than words. I don't need to carry the ball all the time. If five carries for 30 yards helps us win, I'm fine with that. I just want to be a football player again. I don't need to be a star."

Peyton Hillis Ready To Reboot from ESPN