Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 3/2

Chiefs Will Have $7.5 Million In Salary Cap Space For 2013 from KC Star

Starting March 12, each team's top 51 salaries plus so-called "dead money" will count against the cap. The Chiefs' top 51 salaries, including Smith, total $121,474,975 and they have paid $8,084,145 in dead money, which includes salary cap figures for players who were either released last year or voided the 2013 season from their contract. That equals $129,559,120, which is $6,559,120 over the cap.

But the Chiefs will carry over $14,079,650 in unused cap money from 2012, leaving them $7,520,530 of cap space.

Not including the contract of Smith, the Chiefs have more than $17 million of salary cap room.

Smith Could End Chiefs' QB Drought from FOX Sports

Chiefs fans are justifiably frustrated, and some would prefer that owner Clark Hunt and general manager John Dorsey take a flyer on Geno Smith or Matt Barkley somewhere in Rounds 1, 2 or 3. Chiefs fans want their RG3 or Andrew Luck or Russell Wilson. They desperately want a decade-long solution at QB, and their anger over not getting one this season is clouding their perspective.

The bitterness and angst are causing Chiefs fans and many in the local media to judge Smith much too harshly. The focus on Smith is also causing fans, local media and national media to miss what I believe is the real story.

Andy Reid is the man who should be under intense pressure in Kansas City.

If Alex Smith is a failure in KC, Reid should take the fall.

Does Alex Smith Make Kansas City A Contender? from The Grandstand Gazette

Smith may not be a superstar, but he is exactly what the Chiefs need. One of the main problems Kansas City had was converting on third down, especially third and long. They converted 33% of their third downs, ranking 28^th in the NFL. This is because Cassel could almost never make the pass to keep drives alive. I'm fairly certain that Smith will be able to drastically improve the Chiefs third down struggles.

As long as Peyton Manning is around, the AFC West belongs to Denver; But I don't see any reason why the Chiefs won't be able to contend for a wild card spot. With the acquisitions of both Reid and Smith, Kansas City is putting together one of their better off-seasons in recent memory.

KC Chiefs' Arbitration Clause Rules Unenforceable from Missouri Lawyers Media [Subscription Required]

The National Football League's standard arbitration clause took a double hit Tuesday when a Missouri court refused to enforce it against two former employees of the Kansas City Chiefs who sued the team for age discrimination.

Inside Free Agency - Day 20: Dwight Freeney from The Mothership

Dwight Freeney played for the Indianapolis Colts, for the last 11 years. However, the unrestricted free agent is looking for a new home, where he can chase down QBs, en route to possibly, another Super Bowl opportunity. Let's take a closer look at what has made Dwight Freeney an imposing defensive end.

Name: Dwight Freeney
Position: DE
Height: 6'1
Weight: 268
College: Syracuse
Born: February 19, 1980
Age: 33
Experience: 11 seasons
Drafted: 1st Round-11th overall in 2002, by the Indianapolis Colts

5 Thing To Know About Dr. Seuss from The Examiner

"This event is important because these kids are future Chiefs fans, and it's the right thing to do," said Ted Crews, vice president of communications for the Kansas City Chiefs. "It's also what our organization likes to do."

Crews, along with KC Wolf, visited Three Trails Elementary School in Independence to read two books, one of which was by Dr. Seuss, Friday as part of Read Across America Day.

"'The Cat in the Hat' is my favorite book," he said of his selection. "I read it to my own kids."

Reid Hitches His Wagon To Smith from Lindy's Sports

As good a judge of quarterbacks as there is in the league, Reid and general manager John Dorsey agreed to send San Francisco a second-round pick this year (34th overall) along with a third-round choice in 2014 that could become a second-round pick depending on Smith's performance. It is also believed the Chiefs could receive a third-day pick from the 49ers in the fifth, sixth or seventh round.

What's comical coming from Kansas City fans that cheered last season when quarterback Matt Cassel was injured in a game is to hear complaints that the Chiefs gave up too much, especially if the compensation turns out to be two second-round picks. Lost in that misguided opinion is the fact that the 2014 second-round choice will only happen if Smith plays well.

Deadline Looms For Bowe Decision from FS Kansas City

To start, the Chiefs almost surely will have to reel in free agent Dwayne Bowe, by far the best of a less-than-stellar group.

And the clock is ticking.

Monday is the deadline for the Chiefs to issue a franchise tag on Bowe, a decision which would cost the team $11.4 million - a slightly steep price for a receiver who has shown the ability to make big plays, just not consistently.

Eight In The Box: Quarterback Situations from ESPN

The Chiefs' quarterback situation was as murky as any in the NFL, but the issue has been solved. The team has agreed to trade for former San Francisco starter Alex Smith. The Chiefs targeted Smith, and I think it was a smart move. First, he fits the team's West Coast system, and he is game manager who doesn't turn the ball over. He should fit with this roster and give the Chiefs a chance to improve. Also, Smith was the best option in a bad year to pick up a quarterback. Smith is far from great, but he is more than serviceable. The Chiefs could do a lot worse. Perhaps backups Brady Quinn and Ricky Stanzi could be brought back, but there will be a new starter in Smith as Andy Reid begins his Kansas City tenure.

Darrelle Revis Trade Talk: Buccaneers, Eagles, 49ers Among Fits from NFL.com

This is a tough trade to make for the Jets because of Darrelle Revis' contract demands, the knee injury and the limited cap space of many NFL teams. Add to that picture the low cost in cap space of first-round picks these days.

The Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots are division rivals, so you have to cross them off the list. Another issue with this trade: Teams that need corners like the Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lionsare not going to give up a first-round draft choice when it is in the top 10 picks.

Who's No. 2? In This Draft, That's A Good Question from CBS Sports

The 2013 class of quarterbacks is underwhelming. And if you think I'm kidding, you weren't paying attention when Kansas City agreed to that trade for Alex Smith.

Essentially, the Chiefs told you they preferred Smith to any quarterback in the draft -- including Geno Smith.

A year ago, Barkley looked like a slam dunk to be the No. 1 pick next month. But then he and USC floundered, Barkley hurt his shoulder and his stock plummeted so far that one scout whom I trust insisted he dropped him out of the first round.

Most Teams Reluctant To Use Franchise Tag; NFC May Have One from CBS Sports

The Chiefs continue to negotiate with receiver Dwayne Bowe and tackle Branden Albert, sources said. If they can extend one of those players, Kansas City is open to placing the tag on the other. Bowe already played 2012 on the tag. This situation is as fluid as any in the league regarding the tag, and the Chiefs are still working through it.

KCChiefs.com Photo Gallery: Read Across America