Arrowheadlines: Chiefs News 8/5

Good morning! No practice today in St. Joe. Here is your Kansas City Chiefs news. Enjoy!

Clifton Roaf broke down while presenting his son, the offensive tackle who anchored lines for the New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs. We were reminded of Roaf's nickname in New Orleans -- Gilligan's Island -- for his ability to swallow up defensive linemen in a storm ... and make them disappear. Roaf was a scary man on the field, but he was all love tonight.

Pro Football Hall Of Fame Class Of 2012 Memories from ESPN

This Friday night. Arrowhead Stadium. That's the first time since he got hurt that Charles will face defenders who have one objective: take down the ball carrier any way possible, and who cares about his knee or what his health means to the Chiefs or his future...

...The best thing that can happen to Charles, the Chiefs, and the fans who understand that this team is unlikely to succeed without him, is for an Arizona defender to plow into Charles on Friday night - maybe hit him low on the left side - and for Charles to pop up and jog back toward the huddle. It is a gruesome way to build trust, but that is the only way.

Jamaal Charles Has To Put All His Trust In His Rebuilt Knee from KC Star

With versatile tight ends, "12" personnel is a bear for defenses to counter and it's no longer just for running the football. Everyone in a copy-cat league wants its own version of New England's tight end tandem.

It's all about versatility. If the tight ends can split outside into open or empty formations, the defense must pick its poison. Face mismatches against base personnel in the passing game or bring in sub-package personnel and leave your defense susceptible to the run...

...And that's the dilemma the Chiefs are hoping to create with Kevin Boss and Tony Moeaki this season.

Two Tight End Formations Open Up Chiefs Playbook from The Mothership

KCChiefs.com Video: From The Podium: Romeo Crennel 8-4-12

KCChiefs.com Video: Finding The 53: No Pigeonholing Allowed

KCChiefs.com Video: Taining Camp Live! 8-4-12

KC Star Video: Chiefs Camp: Jamaal Charles

KC Star Photo Gallery: Chiefs Training Camp: Saturday Aug 4

FOX 4 KC Photo Gallery: Family Fun Day At Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp

McCluster participates in drills with the wide receivers, not the running backs. In team work, he lines up as a slot receiver in most formations and splits wide in others. He occasionally gets a carry on a sweep or a reverse and sees work as a quarterback in the wildcat. And he's also a prime candidate to return kicks and punts.

So where does head coach Romeo Crennel like McCluster the most?

"In the end zone," said Crennel, with a hearty laugh. "That's where I like him best."

Chiefs' McCluster Has Potential But Still Seeks His Niche from KC Star

It happened only for a few snaps on Saturday, but veteran guard Ryan Lilja worked some at center. The issue wasn't an injury to the starting center Rodney Hudson, who later came back into the lineup.

It's more about depth. The Chiefs have no obvious candidate for a backup to Hudson.

Chiefs Notebook: Lilja Lines Up At Center; Team Hopes For Faster Start from KC Star

Roaf last played for the Chiefs in 2005, but his legacy is still felt in training camp seven seasons later.

Just two players on the Chiefs 90-man training camp roster can say they once called the 11-time Pro Bowler one of their teammates. Derrick Johnson and Dustin Colquitt were rookies at the time, and neither worked on the same side of the football as Roaf, but the massive left tackle left an immediate impression that both players vividly remember seven seasons later.

Camp Notebook: DJ And Dustin Reflect On Willie from The Mothership

The Chiefs have another break from training camp Sunday before returning for another work week on Monday. They'll have some company at Missouri Western State University when the Arizona Cardinals arrive.

The teams will hold a joint practice on Tuesday. The Chiefs and Cardinals will work separately on Wednesday. They will meet Friday night at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City's preseason opener.

Cardinals Join Chiefs For Practice Before Preseason Opener from KC Star

Of the 11 projected starters, eight have spent multiple seasons with the Chiefs.

The players won't shy away from the expectations of being part of a defense prepared to carry Kansas City back to the postseason.

"We have confidence," Chiefs defensive end Glenn Dorsey said. "We have a lot of guys coming back, a lot of guys got healthy. We want to build on what we did last year. We feel like we had the right guys in the right places."

Chiefs Counting On Experienced Defense To Carry Them Back To Postseason from The Associated Press via The Washington Post

The Kansas City Chiefs selected the UK star with the No. 2 overall pick in the 1978 NFL Draft. He went on to make four Pro Bowls in Kansas City before finishing out his pro career with the Buffalo Bills.

Still's interest in Samoa dates back to his NFL playing days. One of his teammates with the Chiefs was Frank Manumaleuga. "My Samoan brother," Still says.

Ex-UK Football Great Art Still Helping Bring Sports To Samoa from Kentucky.com

What makes Hali so wonderful is he's very simple. He works hard, plays hard, and gives everything he's got. He doesn't know any other way. And that makes him fantastic for Kansas City.

A true Chiefs treasure is Hali, a player who should always remain a Chief. And Bowe - if you're listening - please get to camp. Your leader Hali said so!

My favorite thing Hali said this past Thursday: "Our defense right now is looking good, we come out here and we are contagious, one person makes a play then another guy wants to make a play. As a whole we are very confident in what we are doing."

Hali's Positive Words About Defense Should Excite Fans from The Examiner