Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 9/26

Good morning! As always, we start the day off with your Kansas City Chiefs news from across the internet. Today's stories include shuffles on the o-line, some roster moves and what the San Diego media is thinking about the Chiefs. Enjoy!

Hudson Injury Causes Concern For Chiefs O-Line from FS Midwest:

Desperate times, desperate measures. Feel like playing a little center, Eric Winston?

"No, no," the hulking Chiefs tackle said Monday, the first Victory Monday of Kansas City's young 2012 campaign. "We're in deep trouble if that happens, I promise you that."

Speaking of trouble, win No. 1 in New Orleans - a 27-24 overtime escape - came with more than a few casualties attached, once the smoke finally cleared. Slot receiver Dexter McCluster got his elbow bent like a Gumby doll. Running back Peyton Hillis tweaked his ankle. And center Rodney Hudson wound up getting carted off in the third quarter with a knee injury, forcing a game of musical chairs on the Chiefs' offensive line.

Report: Chiefs Sign Vet O-Lineman from ESPN:

With starting center Rodney Hudson dealing with a knee injury, the Kansas City Chiefs havereportedly signed veteran offensive lineman Russ Hochstein.

Hochstein was in New England with current Kansas City general manager Scott Pioli and head coach Romeo Crennel. Hudson was replaced by Ryan Lilja last week and rookie Jeff Allen took Lilja's spot. The Hochstein signing gives the Chiefs flexibility if Hudson is going to be out for awhile.

KCChiefs.com Video: Chiefs Live! 9-25-12

KCChiefs.com Video: Sneak Peek: Chiefs Kingdom - Rudd & Riggle

KCChiefs.com Video: Cheerleader Chatter: Annie

KCChiefs.com Video: Cheerleader Chatter: Molly

Chiefs Place Cornerback Jacques Reeves On Injured Reserve from KC Star:

The Chiefs placed cornerback Jacques Reeves on injured reserve Tuesday, opening a roster spot.

Reeves, 5 feet 11 and 188 pounds, was inactive for Sunday's game in New Orleans because of a hamstring injury.

Chiefs Players Are Game To Connect With Troops from KC Star:

Chiefs defensive linemen Anthony Torbio (left) and Glenn Dorsey took some time off from playing football Tuesday to play video games with soldiers as part of the Pro vs. GI Joe program.

Chiefs Take On Soldiers For Friendly Competition from KCTV 5:

It sounded Tuesday just like kids having fun in their parent's basement, but the sounds were of Chiefs players getting fired up about playing video games and their opponents were wounded veterans thousands of miles away.

"Being able to see their faces. They are so far away, so many miles away, but they are fighting for our lives," Defensive Lineman Dontari Poe said. "This opportunity to me personally to play a game and just to see them, it's a good thing."

Chiefs vs. Chargers - Week 4 from The Mothership:

Sunday's contest marks the 105th meeting between the Chiefs and Chargers. The only team the Chiefs have played more than the Chargers is the Oakland Raiders (106 games). Kansas City holds a narrow 52-51-1 (.505) advantage in the series, although San Diego has won seven of the last nine matchups. The Chiefs have earned victories in six of the last 10 contests and hold a 23-17 (.575) all-time advantage in games played at Arrowhead Stadium. In 2011, the teams split two close contests that were both decided by a field goal.

Chargers: Scouting The Kansas City Chiefs from The North County Times:

Jamaal Charles, RB

The Chargers didn't face this dynamic rusher last year, as he missed the final 14 games with a knee injury. But he has returned to form this season, as he proved against the Saints, rushing for 233 yards and a 91-yard touchdown on 31 attempts. He added 55 receiving yards. He has averaged a whopping 6 yards per carry in his career, and is developing into one of the NFL's best backs.

Scouting The Chiefs, Whose Identity Again Isn't At Quarterback from The San Diego Union-Tribune:

For all their historic strengths as a franchise - they've fielded some of the nastiest bruisers in NFL history, they went 19 years without a TV blackout because their fans always paid the freight, they play in a historic stadium that's 40 years old but, following a $375 million renovation in 2010, feels new - the Kansas City Chiefs, rather amazingly, have gone to only one AFC title game since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970.

Around The AFC West: Depth Charts Key In Struggling Division Hit By Injuries from The Denver Post:

If Jamaal Charles' surgically-repaired knee can hold up after his 33-carry day against the Saints (and he has had some swelling in the knee already this season), Hillis' injury may be the easiest of the three for the team to overcome.

Still, that's not the workload the Chiefs want for Charles - he had six receptions as well in New Orleans - even though his 233 yards rushing were the reason they exited with a win.

Jamaal Charles Carries Kansas City Chiefs By New Orleans Saints from NFL.com:

He didn't hesitate.
Charles is at his best when he avoids peeking and dancing in the backfield. When he accelerates immediately after taking the handoff, he can explode through small creases and produce large gains. That's exactly what he did against the Saints' defense.

New Orleans Saints Season Imploded In The Span Of 12 Offensive Plays: Film Study, Part 1 from NOLA.com:

Suddenly there are questions permeating the Who Dat Nation about whether the Saints have the right attitude, the right head coach, the right play caller, the right offensive linemen and the right wide receivers, among other growing concerns. And it's a safe bet that some of those same doubts are starting to creep up inside the team's own headquarters, even if they continue to insist otherwise.

All because of 12 plays.

New Orleans Saints - Kansas City Chiefs Film Study Part 2, Detailed Observations from NOLA.com:

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

It's a tie between Charles and Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston. Charles also had a 40-yard run around the right end on Kansas City's next possession. And he finished with 233 yards on 33 carries, scoring the Chiefs' only touchdown. He also caught six passes for 55 yards.

Houston, meanwhile, had a monster game. He had three sacks, including one for a safety in the fourth quarter. He consistently brought pressure against right tackle Zach Strief with both inside and outside moves. And he was disruptive a few times in the short passing game as well, leaping to make one ball skid off his helmet and forcing a dropped ball by tailback Darren Sproles.

Charting The Success Of Early Underdogs In The N.F.L. from The New York Times:

The Arizona Cardinals are the surprise team of the N.F.L., joining Houston and Atlanta as the undefeated teams left in 2012. Last year, Buffalo was the flavor of September, but a 3-0 start ended in a disappointing 6-10 season. Two years ago on the Fifth Down, I wondered if the 3-0 Chiefs were for real; the answer was yes and no. Kansas City did make the playoffs, but largely on the back of the A.F.C.'s easiest schedule. According to the simple rating system, Kansas City was actually below average in 2010.

Bill Utz And Chip Sherman Named Chiefs High School Coaches Of The Week from The Mothership:

The Kansas City Chiefs have announced the latest recipients of the Missouri and Kansas High School Coach of the Week awards. Platte County's (Missouri) Bill Utz and Shawnee Mission East's (Kansas) Chip Sherman each received this honor after a strong performance by their respective teams last week.

As a result, both schools will receive a $500 grant towards player health and safety equipment and/or education. Additionally, Utz and Sherman will be presented with congratulatory footballs autographed by Chiefs Head Coach Romeo Crennel and a certificate recognizing their selection in addition to a special-edition Chiefs Coach of the Week hat.

Week Three Players Of The Week from Pro Football Weekly:

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Jamaal Charles / RB / Kansas City Chiefs

The Saints just could not put away the Chiefs in a battle of winless teams, and Charles helped lead Kansas City back from an 18-point deficit for an overtime victory at the Superdome. Charles started the comeback with a 91-yard run - the longest running play in Chiefs history - for Kansas City's only touchdown of the game. He finished with 233 yards on 33 carries (7.1-yard average) and also made six catches for 55 yards (9.2 average). Charles joined Hall of Fame RB Jim Brown - who accomplished the feat in 1961 - as the only players to gain at least 225 yards rushing and 50 yards receiving in the same game. "We knew coming in that we could run against this defense," Charles told reporters. "It was an opportunity we had to take advantage of."

Is It Time For A New Battle Plan With Chargers' Running Attack? from CBS Los Angeles:

So, was that code for Mathews may see his playing time diminish in the weeks ahead?

If so, perhaps Jackie Battle will get more touches, especially this coming Sunday when he faces his former team at Arrowhead Stadium.