Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 10/25

Three-Phase Thursday With Chiefs Coordinators from The Mothership

When Chiefs offensive coordinator Doug Pederson stepped to the mic, he was asked about the team's goals for TD percentages, inside the red zone.

"Obviously, when you talk about touchdown efficiency, red zone efficiency, you'd like to be, by the end of the year, up in the upper sixties or seventy percent in touchdowns and field goals percentage," Pederson said. "It really depends on the number of drives that put you in the red zone and every time you get down there, obviously you want to come away with points; we'd love for a touchdown. At the end of the year, you want it to be up in that sixty or seventy percent range; that will give you a good chance of winning more football games."

Could More No-Huddle Looks Fix Chiefs' Offense? from KC Star

"It's part of the offense," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. We just pick and choose when we want to go with it."

Take a brief sequence in the Chiefs' 17-16 win over the Houston Texans on Sunday, for example. Midway through the second quarter, the Chiefs opened a drive with their heavy personnel - two tight ends and a fullback. When the Chiefs left the same personnel in on the next play, the Texans responded by swapping out a defensive back for linebacker Daryl Sharpton, a hard hitter who often struggles in coverage.

You can see where this is going. A run by Jamaal Charles quickly went for a yard, but that's went the Chiefs went to the no-huddle and spread the field with a five-wide look, ultimately resulting in a 9-yard toss from quarterback Alex Smith to tight end Anthony Fasano, who was single-covered by - you guessed it - Sharpton.

Inside The Lines: Chiefs vs. Browns from The Mothership

- After seven weeks of play, the Kansas City Chiefs rank first in the NFL in average starting field position. The Chiefs offense has had 90 possessions with the average starting point the 34.8-yard line.

- WR Dwayne Bowe currently is second in team history with 440 receptions. That mark ranks first among wide receivers in Chiefs history.

Browns Have Shown Some Tricks On Special Teams from KC Star

The Chiefs special teams will be on high alert on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.

Browns special teams coach Chris Tabor, a native of St. Joseph and disciple of Chiefs special teams coach Dave Toub at Missouri and with the Chicago Bears, isn't afraid to take some chances.

Already this season, Cleveland punter/holder Spencer Lanning has thrown an 11-yard touchdown pass on a fake field-goal attempt, and the Browns have run two fakes out of punt formation.

Food Drive Sunday At Arrowhead from The Mothership

To continue providing meals for the community, bring a non-perishable food item to Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday. In exchange, Farmland will provide a free sample of bacon in Gates D and F.

Help the Chiefs and Harvesters continue to fight hunger in Kansas City on Sunday. Here is a list of items that Harvesters is in need of most:

• Canned Vegetables
• Canned Fruit
• Boxed Meals (Hamburger Helper, Pasta Roni)
• Canned Meat/Tuna
• Peanut Butter
• Canned Soup
• Cereal - Hot and Cold

TeamSmile: Dental Care For Local Youth from The Mothership

TeamSmile started in Kansas City with Dr. Busch, Dustin Colquitt and the Chiefs organization and is spreading to other cities as well.

"I knew there was a need in our community for children that needed dental care so I reached out in 2007 to Dustin Colquitt because I learned that his mother was a dental assistant," Dr. Busch noted. "Together, we created our first ‘Health Day' event that went so well that we have repeated and it has expanded nationally to other NFL, NHL, NBA, PGA and MLB teams, and other sports teams."

TeamSmile will also serve the Atlanta, Minnesota and the Carolina community this season.

KCChiefs.com Video: Chiefs Live! Week 8

NFL.com Video: Kansas City Chiefs' Blueprint For Success

NFL.com Video: 'NFL Fantasy Live': Midseason Fantasy Draft Bargain And Unsung Hero Of The Year Awards

NFL.com Video: Preview: Cleveland Browns vs. Kansas City Chiefs

NFL.com Video: Weather Update: Browns @ Chiefs

Cleveland Plain Dealer Video: Preview Of Cleveland Browns At Kansas City Chiefs With Mary Kay Cabot And Tom Reed

CBS Sports Video: Week 8: Browns At Chiefs Preview

Preview: Chiefs Look To Stay Perfect When Browns Visit Arrowhead from The Associated Press via FS Kansas City

"The best thing about this team, we've had a lot of bad luck in the past; we're taking success the right way, being very humble about it," linebacker Derrick Johnson told the Chiefs' official website. "Character speaks after a win and we will still come back and grind like we're losing. We'll come back and try to get to 8-0. It's a great feeling. We're loving it."

Fasano In Line For Increased Red Zone Looks from Chiefs Spin

Pederson said it was unfortunate Fasano didn't get in the end zone, but the eighth-year tight end should expect more looks going forward when the team nears the goal line.

"He's such a good route runner, has great hands down there," Pederson said. "We're going to continue to do that with him, maybe give him the ball a little bit more this week, and just kind of keep bringing him along and making him feel more comfortable in our plans."

Chiefs Get To Face Yet Another Backup Quarterback from FS Kansas City

But even though he hears the criticism, quarterback Alex Smith doesn't take it to heart.

"I think for us, the bottom line is to win games," Smith says. "With that, it's to continue to get better as the season goes on. You have got to continue to play better and better football as the stages get bigger. This last week, certainly areas to improve on, the red zone, but we put more yards up on that defense, the No. 1 defense in the NFL, than any other team this season. So, there are also positives."

Yes, we should keep that in mind: The 357 yards the Chiefs managed Sunday was the most against Houston this season.

There Are Drawbacks To Facing Backup QBs from ESPN

For the second straight week, Chiefs defensive coordinator Bob Sutton had to amend a game plan because the opponent during the work week changed quarterbacks on him.

Sunday's opponent, the Cleveland Browns, announced on Wednesday they would replace their struggling starter, Brandon Weeden, with veteran journeyman Jason Campbell.

Plenty of videotape exists on Campbell, a former starter for the Washington Redskins andOakland Raiders. But little exists from the past couple of seasons. He played in two games for the Chicago Bears last season and has thrown four passes for the Browns this year.

Who Knew 'Moneyball' Worked In Football? Apparently, The Chiefs from Kansas City Business Journal

The Kansas City Chiefs owe part of their success this season to a new analytical tool the team's management is using to select players.

It's a tool Chiefs General Manager John Dorsey brought with him to Kansas City after using it with the Green Bay Packerswhen he served as the team's director of college scouting.

Decision Lens Selected By Kansas City Chiefs For Player Analysis from Consumer Electronics Net

The Kansas City Chiefs required an advanced software platform that could significantly help its internal decision makers develop the ideal selection criteria and benchmarks to evaluate and decide on what players it should select in the NFL Draft or offer contracts to throughout free agency.

The All-22: Texans Opened The Playbook For Case Keenum Before Chiefs Closed It Back Up from Sports Illustrated

Late in the game, two things happened to Keenum's detriment. The Chiefs started to move away from their base fronts and throw more exotic things at him, and Houston went with more empty backfield packages, which obviously telegraphed Kubiak's offensive intentions. As Hali noted, the Chiefs knew it was time to tee off. It was a sound strategy, as the Texans' last three drives ended in sacks.

"Coming from Houston, he passed for a lot of yards, so we knew the guy was shifty," Hali said. "We knew he could throw the ball. Him in that shotgun-type of look, where he looks like he's going to hand it off, sometimes that slows the rush down because [you don't know] if it could be a run, or it could be a pass. Once we know it is a pass, we can go after him."

Chiefs Linebacker Left Enormous Restaurant Tip After Thrilling Win from USA Today

A server talked to KCTV about the tip from Hali, who's been known around town as a generous tipper.

"It made our day. Hands down, it made our day. The staff was over the top. He was the last guest in the building. There was a lot of shouting and hollering after he left. We had to wait until he left. We had to keep it professional."

So they leaked a picture of the bill to a local news station? I guess one can stay professional for only so long.

Fantasy Football: 16 Facts You Should Know from XN Sports

12.6 percent - the percentage of opposing drop backs in which the Chiefs record a sack. The last two teams that even had a percentage over ten were the 2008 Cowboys (10.4 percent) and the 2006 Ravens (10.2). The Ravens finished with 60 sacks that season and the highest scoring fantasy defense (238 points) of the past 12 seasons. The Chiefs are currently on pace for 277 points in 2013, which would shatter that mark. Kansas City is currently on pace for 80 sacks, eight more than the record of 72 by the '84 Bears. Even reaching 70 would be a feat that only three teams have since the sack was instituted as a stat.

Chiefs' Geoff Schwartz Scores At HBHA from The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle

A sea of excited elementary, middle school and high school students dressed in red and gold greeted Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz at the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy in Overland Park on Tuesday, Oct. 15. Besides students, members of the HBHA community of families, faculty and staff attended the all-school assembly in the Social Hall of the Jewish Community Campus.

Schwartz took time to speak frankly to the K thru 12 student body about personal character.

Montana Looks To Set Noise Record In Washington Grizzly from ABC FOX Montana

With the Kansas City Chiefs holding the record after registering a 137.5 earlier this season, and the Griz numbers right around 108 decibels in earlier games with analog equipment, the University is confident Griz faithful will put their mark on the game.

"Awesome fans, and It's a Montana thing, we like to be the best, so I think it's awesome that we can pack 26 plus thousand people in here, and can compete with stadiums that have 100 plus.  It's something special.  I don't know what else to say, other than it's a Montana thing," says Molloy.

Road To MetLife: Week 8 Cheat Sheet from FOX Sports

Cleveland at Kansas City: I did 92.3 FM in Cleveland this week and spoke to my guys Adam the Bull and Dustin Fox. They asked me if I believed the Brandon Weeden era was officially over in Cleveland. My response: "You think?" The Browns could turn things around under Jason Campbell, but I don't see it happening in Kansas City.

The Pick: Chiefs 20, Browns 13

Remembering The NFL's Last 7-0 'Rookie' Quarterback from The Morning Call

In the midst of a crazy season for many NFL quarterbacks, Alex Smith of the Kansas City Chiefs became the only one since 1985 to start 7-0 in his first year with a team. Dieter Brock did it last in his weird, rookie year with the Los Angeles Rams.

Smith can only hope his fate does not continue to follow that of Brock.

After that 7-0 start in 1985, Brock lost four of the next six games and, although the Rams made it to the NFL Championship, that was something best forgotten.

Week 8 Start 'Em And Sit 'Em from CBS Sports

Bust alert: Josh Gordon (at KC): Like most of you, I can't afford to bench Gordon in the leagues where I own him. He's a difference maker, and sometimes players of his caliber make the best of bad situations. But this is a bad situation this week. Brandon Weeden was benched in favor of Jason Campbell, and we don't know how the two will perform. It's also a tough matchup against the Chiefs, especially lining up against standout cornerback Brandon Flowers, who has helped limit Shorts, DeSean Jackson and Andre Johnson to eight Fantasy points or less.

Browns Better Beware Of Vaunted K.C. Defense from The Warren Tribune Chronicle

It might be a good idea if players on the Browns offensive line take advantage of the many great steakhouses in Kansas City Saturday night.

A good protein feed might help bolster their strength for the assignment that awaits them the next day against the Chiefs in Arrowhead Stadium. One of many reasons why the Chiefs are the NFL's only undefeated team (7-0) is a pass rush that has generated a league-high 35 sacks, led by linebacker Justin Houston with 10 and linebacker Tamba Hali with nine.

Winning Fantasy Calls For Week 8 from CBS Sports

I can't stand the matchup for the Browns, who chose to start Jason Campbell in a road game against a very impressive Kansas City defense. I could tell you just how ineffective he's been as a starter, particularly over his last four seasons, but you can guess what the numbers are like. I'd expect the Chiefs to hound Campbell with the blitz while covering Josh Gordon with a single cornerback (likely Brandon Flowers) and using some sort of linebacker-safety combos on Jordan Cameron. Should make for a long day for the Browns.

NFL MVP Projection: Colts QB Andrew Luck Vaults Up To No. 2 Spot from CBS Sports

8. Chiefs linebacker Tamba Hali: Tamba Hali was named the AFC's defensive player of Week 6 after his 2.5 sack performance against the Raiders. Apparently that wasn't good enough for him though because he topped in Week 7 with 2.5 more sacks and then for good measure, he also threw in two forced fumbles. One of those forced fumbles came with under two minutes and the Texans driving for a field goal in a game Kansas City would win 17-16. If you know of a way to block Hali, you might want to let the Browns offensive line know by Sunday or Jason Campbell could be in some serious trouble.

Browns Notebook: Horton Believes Defense Will Shine from The Times-Reporter

"This next four-week period for us, you'll see a totally different Cleveland Browns defense," he said. "You're going to start seeing the names everybody thought."

Horton said he changed the way he called the last two games against "elite quarterbacks" Matthew Stafford and Aaron Rodgers. He seems to think ordinary QBs, perhaps including Kansas City's Alex Smith, will invite a more aggressive approach.

Halloween Tropes Make Sports Scary from The Toledo Free Press

And the murderer that you never expected? Apparently that's Kansas City. Still unbeaten, but look at who they've beaten: only one team that has a winning record this far into the year. Kansas City is tearing through the kids at Camp Crystal Lake right now, but wait until after the bye week, when they face Leatherface twice, not to mention two games against the  San Diego Chargers (who I'll call the Evil Dead of the NFL, having found new life after their initial run) and a game against Indianapolis as well. It's possible that the Chiefs won't even make the playoffs, just as it was possible to make a scary movie without Jason.