Arrowheadlines: Chiefs News 8/18

Game Day! Good morning! We have a lot of Kansas City Chiefs news for you today. Obviously the Bowe signing is big news, but you'll also find stories on tonight's game with the Rams, an article about Stanzi, and a season preview by the NYT. You'll be able to read Scott Pioli's thoughts on the difference between training camp last year and this year. Good stuff ahead. Enjoy!

The genius of Bowe's timing, likely pushed by the guidance of agent Todd France, gives the sixth-year wideout plenty of time to get himself in football shape and learn first-year coordinator Brian Daboll's offense. Bowe will probably need time to shake off the rust of having skipped offseason practices, conditioning sessions and training camp, but as long as he's in uniform and ready by the regular-season opener, Sept. 9 against Atlanta at Arrowhead Stadium, nothing was lost by Bowe's disappearing act.

Timing Of Bowe's Move Great For Both Sides from KC Star

General manager Scott Pioli gave credit for the tranquil camp to the Chiefs having a better working environment as they prepared for their regular season opener on Sept. 9 against Atlanta at Arrowhead Stadium.

The preseason hits the halfway mark for the Chiefs with Saturday night's game against the Rams.

Pioli described a camp that was free of unnecessary distractions.

"Chaos is a waste of energy," he said. "There's a difference between pressure and chaos."

Pioli Sees Fewer Distractions, More Competition At Camp from KC Star

KC Star Photo Gallery: Best Shots From Chiefs Camp

NFL.com Video: Demps, Bowe Sign New Contracts

NFL.com Video: Best Running Back Combo?

Bowe has some ground to make up. Coordinator Brian Daboll installed a new offense and Bowe didn't participate in any of the offseason practices or at the three weeks of training camp, so he hasn't learned it.

Still, his arrival can only help the Chiefs as they battle with San Diego, Denver and perhaps Oakland for the AFC West championship.

"I picked them to win the division before Bowe signed," said ESPN analyst Herm Edwards, the Chiefs coach when they drafted Bowe in the first round in 2007. "This just strengthens my opinion."

Chiefs' Bowe Signs Franchise Tender from KC Star

Bowe joins an offense that should be among the best in the AFC next season.

Running back Jamaal Charles and tight end Tony Moeaki are back from torn ligaments in their left knees, the offensive line has been upgraded with the signing of Eric Winston, and tight end Kevin Boss and running back Peyton Hillis provide additional depth at key positions.

Kansas City Chiefs Wide Receiver Dwayne Bowe Signs Franchise Tender from The Associated Press via FOX Sports

Chiefs offensive tackle Ray Willis has decided to retire from the National Football League. He notified team officials of his decision on Friday.

Willis was signed by the Chiefs as an unrestricted free agent on July 31^st. He was added to the roster one day after veteran offensive tackle Tony Ugoh announced his retirement five days into training camp.

Chiefs Tackle Ray Willis Announces His Retirement from The Mothership

The Chiefs' reputation has taken a major hit - not in a way that significantly affects ticket sales or business relations, but in how this organization is perceived. Questions about Pioli's competence as a top executive are starting to arise. Cassel has heard some boos at off-season events around town. The national television networks have lost interest (with the exception of a November Monday nighter at Pittsburgh and a mandatory Thursday night NFL Network game, all Chiefs contests are set for the undercard slots of 1 p.m. for East Coast/Midwest games and 4:25 p.m. for West Coast games).

What's funny is, aside from the coaching staff, there's really no difference between these 2012 Chiefs and the Chiefs of two years ago.

Kansas City Chiefs, 2012 N.F.L. Season Preview from The New York Times

I was planning to write on Monday morning that the unspoken deadline date had arrived for standout receiver Dwayne Bowe to report to the Kansas City Chiefs in time for him to be ready to contribute in Week 1.

To his credit, Bowe made that a moot point. He wisely signed his franchise tender Friday and has rejoined the team. I've been hard on Bowe throughout his holdout. He missed the entire offseason program and all training camp, which ended Thursday. I thought his holdout was pointless.

Dwayne Bowe Does The Right Thing from ESPN

It's certainly understandable that Kansas City Chiefs star wide receiver Dwayne Bowe is happy to be back with his team after signing his franchise tender Friday.

See for yourself what Bowe had to say as he handled some details prior to getting ready to work.

Kansas City Chiefs' Dwayne Bowe Takes To Twitter After Signing Tender from SBN KC

Finding Baldwin

Wide receiver Jon Baldwin has been sensational on the practice field, but he didn't have a reception in the Arizona game. In fact, the Chiefs targeted him just once on a pass that fell incomplete, but Arizona was guilty of roughing the passer. Baldwin needs to get a few receptions this week to start gaining confidence for the regular season.

Five Things To Look For In Chiefs-Rams Game Saturday from KC Star

The real straw that will stir the drink is Crennel's defense. The guys can flat out play. Barring any injuries they will be salty dogs, and I predict they will rank in the top five NFL defenses. The defensive line is anchored by Anthony Toribio and Dontari Poe. Starting defensive tackles/ends are solid with veterans Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson, and Amon Gordon, Allen Bailey and Jerrell Powe are much improved. Plus, Romeo's strength - he may well be the best defensive line coach in the NFL.

Chiefs Give Reason For Optimism from The Examiner

Even though it was the second game for the Cardinals, it was still the sort of sputtering performance you'd expect from a team's first outing.

Running back Peyton Hillis believes it's a mark of a Chiefs team ready to make some noise toward the postseason in 2012.

"I think up to this point it has been pretty good," said Hillis from training camp on Thursday. "You know we came off the preseason game and I thought we kind of connected on all cylinders. Coming out with the first group, the first couple of drives and putting the ball in the end zone."

Peyton Hillis Believes Chiefs Are Onto Something Great In Preseason from SBN KC

Q: What was it like out there in your first professional game last week?

A: It was a little exciting being out there. It's everybody's dream to play in the NFL so my blood was pumping and I wasn't as calm as I was in college. So I had to go out there and try to calm myself down. I got more comfortable as the game went on.

Chiefs Profile: Wide Receiver Josh Bellamy from KC Star

Al Pacino said "Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer", and that's exactly what I did Wednesday as I traveled to St. Joseph, Missouri to attend Chiefs training camp. The Raider Nation has tremendous dedication and support for their team, but understanding how they match up against familiar foes within the division is taking it to another level, so I went inside Chiefs training camp to bring you an unbiased opinion of what the 2012 Kansas City Chiefs bring to the table.

Scouting The Enemy: KC Chiefs 2012 Training Camp from RaidersBlog.com

He's back!: Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe has signed his franchise tender and will rejoin the team. Projected as a borderline No. 2 or 3 wideout in fantasy football drafts, owners can now select the LSU product with confidence. Due to injuries at the quarterback position in 2011, Bowe failed to match his 15 touchdown total from 2010, ending with only five on the year. However, he posted his second-straight 1,100-plus yard season and could be looking at improved numbers this season.

NFL Fantasy Football: Dwayne Bowe Carries Good Value from NFL.com

Nose tackle is a position where players typically don't make an immediate impact. Even Vince Wilfork didn't start every game for Crennel during his rookie season in 2004, so it's too early to make a rash judgment on Poe. For now, he's a situational pass rusher, which is probably less than Scott Pioli envisioned when he made the pick. Grade: C.

Chiefs Draft Picks: Training Camp Report Card from CBS Sports

To put it blunt, there isn't anyone in Kansas City who can possibly determine if Stanzi is a solid back up or the quarterback of the future. We can guess plenty. What we do know is that he has the size, temperament; skill set and arm strength to be someone who can lead any offense.

And if you add all that with the fact he's mechanically as sound a quarterback as the Chiefs have had on their roster in a decade plus, there is reason for hope that he could eventually be the teams franchise quarterback.

Stanzi Gets His Shot from Warpaint Illustrated

Hundreds entered. Five are moving on.

65 Toss Power Trap Productions, the in-house production arm of the Kansas City Chiefs, has narrowed it's first-ever "Rock The Mic" contest down to five finalists...

...Fans can vote for their favorite finalists by visiting the Rock The Mic contest page on KCChiefs50.com. Voting starts today and ends on August 23^rd. A maximum of one vote per account is allowed once each day, so spread the word for your favorite finalist and start voting!

Rock The Mic Finalists Announced from The Mothership