Arrowheadlines: Chiefs News 8/7

Good morning! We have another good day of Kansas City Chiefs news for you. Enjoy!

The veteran right tackle is at his first of what will be many more Chiefs training camps, and that means his head coach doesn't have to deal in "what-ifs" anymore. Crennel gets to see the end product of his recruiting, up close and personal and twice a day.

He has to like what he's seen so far. Winston has looked downright dominant as a bookend to left Branden Albert on a revamped Chiefs offensive line.

Eric Winston Fitting In With Chiefs Offense from The Mothership

Had this been a regular-season game, and not Family Fun Day at Spratt Stadium, it would have been the Chiefs' first kickoff return for a touchdown in more than two years, or since Nov. 22, 2009, when Jamaal Charles went 97 yards with the opening kickoff in a 27-24 win over Pittsburgh.

That's 141 kickoffs returned by 19 return men covering 38 games without a touchdown.

It's not much better for punt returns.

Chiefs Hope For Happier Returns This Season from KC Star

KCChiefs.com Video: From The Podium: Romeo Crennel 8-6-12

KCChiefs.com Video: Finding The 53: Special Teams

KCChiefs.com Video: Chiefs Live! 8-6-12

KC Star Video: Chiefs Camp: Brady Quinn

KC Star Video: Backup QB Ricky Stanzi Talks Training Camp

KC Star Photo Gallery: Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp: Day 9

The Chiefs have at times held out running back Jamaal Charles, tight end Tony Moeaki and safety Eric Berry from training-camp practices. But coach Romeo Crennel said the three players would participate in not only today's joint practice with Arizona but also Friday night's preseason game against the Cardinals at Arrowhead Stadium.

Players Rebounding From Knee Injuries Will Play In Preseason Opener from KC Star

Kansas City opens the 2012 preseason with a matchup vs. the Arizona Cardinals at Arrowhead Stadium on Friday, Aug. 10 with kickoff slated for 7 p.m. The Chiefs are coming off of a 7-9 season and are set to begin Romeo Crennel's first full season as head coach. He took over for the fi nal three games of the 2011 campaign, leading the Chiefs to a 2-1 record, including a victory over the previously undefeated Green Bay Packers in Week 15 in Crennel's first game as head coach.

Arizona finished 8-8 last season, rebounding after a 1-6 start to go 7-2 over the fi nal nine games of the season. Friday's contest will mark their second game in a six-day span after falling 17-10 to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday evening in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.

Chiefs vs Cardinals - Preseason Game 1 from The Mothership

Ryan Succop and Dustin Colquitt are entrenched as the kicker and punter, respectively. That leaves no roster room for rookie Matt Szymanski. But Szymanski, who is capable of place-kicking as well as punting, has a big leg and, perhaps, a future in the league. Szymanski merely needs to improve his consistency before landing a job. He can help his cause by kicking and punting well in the preseason games.

Chiefs Day In Camp For Monday from KC Star

Berry explodes out of his final backpedal with a tuck-and-roll somersault, and as he flips back to his feet, he turns his tumble into a dead sprint of the field. And as he whizzes by Romeo Crennel, he exhibits the kind of world class athleticism he did as a rookie in 2010.

"That's right, two-nine," Crennel shouts after the third-year safety. "I like what I'm seeing."

Berry and the other members of the now-recovered "ACL Team" have impressed thus far.

Chiefs Notebook: Berry, Charles And Moeaki To Play On Friday from The Mothership

Slapping labels on Kansas City's new offense seems to raise the ire of the head coach.

"Everybody always wants to put an identity on an offense," Romeo Crennel said. "What kind of offense is it? Well, hopefully it will be a winning offense."

Brian Daboll, young but quite well traveled, checked in last winter as the fifth offensive coordinator in four years for the team that finished next-to-last in the league in scoring last season.

Chiefs Working On New-Look Offense from The Associated Press via The Albany Times Union

Last week, we looked at the history of running backs returning from an ACL tear as it relates to Charles.

What should the expectations be for Moeaki and Berry?

Tight end and safety aren't positions where you see a lot of ACL tears. ACL injuries are more likely for players who are athletic and involved in a high volume of plays -- i.e. not tight ends. Usually safeties are more involved in causing ACL tears than experiencing them -- remember Bernard Pollard's hit on Tom Brady?

Chiefs: Jamaal Charles, Tony Moeaki And Eric Berry Will Play Preseason Opener from CBS Sports

In theory, he can stay away until the Tuesday after Week 10.

But he most likely won't.

Per a source with knowledge of the situation, Bowe plans to show before the regular season begins.

Dwayne Bowe Plans To Show Up By Week One from ProFootballTalk

Q: What's been the biggest difference going from the college level to the NFL?

"There are a lot of talented guys out here. You can tell everyone out here is a professional for a reason. They've been working at their craft for a long time, especially older guys like Tamba Hali ... he's one of the best in the league, so guys like that help you out."

Chiefs Profile: Jeff Allen from KC Star

Let's not forget how the Chiefs used Charles when Jones was present at the onset of 2010. Seeking to get the most bang for their buck from Jones early, Jones averaged 18 touches in three games in the month of September and 17 in four games in October, while Charles averaged 13 in September and 20 in October. Charles was completely healthy and on a career upswing at the time, whereas today, he is entering the season with unanswered questions. There is little reason to expect a different arrangement this season, barring an unexpected turn of events such as a Hillis injury.

Hillis can also -- long term -- take much of the grunt work off Charles' hands, including third downs (Hillis is as skilled a pass-catcher as Charles), short-yardage plays and goal-line work. The latter will drain some of Charles' fantasy value. At the same time, working in a similar arrangement in 2010, Charles managed the third-best fantasy season by any running back, tallying 223 points.

Can Charles, Hillis Coexist? from ESPN

As I sit here pounding away on my keyboard, I should let you know I'm at a desk in a state-of-the-art new dormitory at the Kansas City Chiefs summer home, Missouri Western State University, which is located about an hour north of KC in St. Joseph, Missouri. We made the drive here after one of the better dining experiences I've ever had at a gas station earlier this afternoon. No joke, Oklahoma Joe's, the place some have called the best BBQ in World, can be found in a gas station located on the South side of the city, and it's the real deal (I recommend the brisket, pulled pork and the ribs after trying them all).

Tales From The Raod: 'The Haul To The Hall' from Arizona Sports

On Monday, SKINS said New York Giants linebacker Chase Blackburn, Kansas City Chiefs running back Peyton Hillis, Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Brian Rolle, and Buffalo Bills linebacker Bryan Scott will be the company's NFL brand ambassadors. They will be featured in advertising, public relations, social media and point-of-sale merchandising efforts for the company's new 100 Series product line, which was designed specifically for athletes in team sports.

Portland's SKINS Apparel Partners With Four NFL Players from The Portland Business Journal

Dennis from Kansas City wants to know if I think Tony Gonzalez will retire as a Chief.

BW: Gonzalez, who spent his first 12 NFL season with the Chiefs, has indicated he is likely going to retire after this season. The Chiefs traded the record-breaking tight end to the Falcons three years ago. I could easily see Gonzalez going back to Kansas City to sign and then immediately retire as a Chief a la LaDainian Tomlinson in San Diego.

Mailbag: How Good Can Oakland's Offense Be? from ESPN