Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 5/18

Chiefs' Inside Linebacker Competition Should Be Interesting from KC Star

For now, veteran Akeem Jordan is the starter. Jordan was a part-time starter for Andy Reid the last few years with the Eagles, and don't discount that experience as a factor when the Chiefs make a decision who will start in the Sept. 8 opener against the Jaguars in Jacksonville.

But also don't underestimate what the Chiefs think of rookie Nico Johnson, a fourth-round draft pick from Alabama. Johnson was used mostly on run downs in college, so he needs to learn to play in pass coverage. But already, Johnson has the look of a quick-study.

Andy Reid On OL: "We've Got Some Flexibility from The Mothership

Coach Reid continued by speaking of the luxury the Chiefs have with a strong OL group.

"We've got some flexibility," coach Reid said. "Donald gives us a little flexibility. (Chiefs OL Geoff) Schwartz gives you flexibility inside. The guys that are in there are doing a nice job with what they're presented with. That seems like a close knit group, and they have to be. You've seen that they have that in them. They've welcomed the new guys in. It seems like they're working hard there."

Chiefs Sign FB Toben Opurum from The Mothership

Opurum (6-1, 250) played defensive end and linebacker at the University of Kansas where he recorded 109 tackles (59 solo), 6.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and seven passes defensed.

Chiefs Staff Preps For Future Training Camp from The Mothership

On Friday, Chiefs general manager John Dorsey and head coach Andy Reid visited the "Home of the Griffons" for the first time, to meet their staff and become familiar with the upcoming surroundings and accommodations during training camp.

While official dates and times of practices have yet to be released, the Chiefs brain trust, including president Mark Donovan, John Dorsey and Andy Reid, were joined by others from the Chiefs football operations team, to help with logistics and other needs for the camp in late July.

Malta Bend Students Toured The Kansas City Sports Lab And The Kansas City Chiefs Stadium from The Marshall Democrat-News

Malta Bend students toured the Kansas City Sports Lab and the Kansas City Chiefs Stadium Monday, May 6.

Ann Gorrell, of Malta Bend High School, applied for a Target Field Trip grant in December and won $700 that paid for the entire school, K-12 and staff, to attend.

Chiefs Defense Wins Day During Offseason Workouts from The Associated Press via The Boston Herald

"The talent level is incredible, and you can tell the guys are smart," said defensive lineman Mike DeVito, who signed with the Chiefs as a free agent this past offseason.

"This defense is so multiple," DeVito said, "and so many things are changing, and these guys are learning it so fast. And then you have the talent - all the pro bowlers and guys who should have gone to the Pro Bowl. It's been incredible."

DeVito should know something about operating within Sutton's defensive system: He played under him last season with the New York Jets. So DeVito has naturally taken on a tutor-type role with the chiefs, helping the rest of his teammates get the hang of the system.

Andy Reid Follows Chip Kelly's Musical Lead from CBS Philly

"Just to living it up a little bit," Reid said. "I wanted to make sure you guys were out here dancing....We use a lot of crowd noise, I've always done that, so I figured we'd break out a little R&B and see what we can do with it."

No word on whether the Chiefs are supplied with health shakes after practice as well.

Roloando McClain's Wise Move from ESPN

The easy choice for McClain would've been to continue pursuing an NFL career that started with him being the eighth overall selection in the 2010 draft. He'd already made at least $23 million while in Oakland and the opportunity to keep receiving a paycheck had to be enticing. Professional athletes do it all the time. They push their demons aside, fully believing it's better to take the money while it's available than worry about what might happen down the road.

Former Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher is the worst-case example of what can happen when personal issues don't get addressed in that environment.

Ravens To Have NFL's Huskiest Front Seven In 2013? from The Baltimore Sun

The Ravens topped the list with an average weight of 284.6 pounds per player in their front seven, which included defensive linemen Haloti Ngata, Chris Canty and Terrence Cody and linebackers Terrell Suggs, Jameel McClain, Arthur Brown and Elvis Dumervil.

The New York Jets are second (1,960 pounds), followed by the Green Bay Packers (1,958), and the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles (tied for fourth at 1,950 pounds).

Grading The (Real) Ricky Stanzi Mix CD, Song By Song from Black Heart Gold Pants

This mix looks, on its face, not that bad. We don't have most of the songs on it, but we see some that we like and very little that we don't.

But if High Fidelity taught us anything, it's that 1) we're a little tired of John Cusack's sadness face and 2) there is an art to the mix tape, and the arrangement is every bit as important as the song selection itself. Thus, we have compiled this very mix and will listen along to it song by song, with notes herein. This is the most important journalistic thing we have ever done.

Onward!

Eight In The Box: Returning From Injury from ESPN

Center Rodney Hudson broke his leg in Week 3 last year and was lost for the season. The injury was particularly frustrating for Hudson because he was just beginning his starting career. The 2011 second-round pick watched as a rookie. He had a strong training camp and he played well before his injury. Now, entering his third NFL season, Hudson in a lot of ways is still a rookie. There is no doubt he is a starting-quality player, but he is still learning the game as he now adjusts to playing in Andy Reid's system and to playing with new quarterback Alex Smith. For Hudson, this is another learning year.

A Recap Of The 2013 NFL Season, Based On Nothing But The Outrageous Predictions Of NFL Players from Grantland

As good as Rivers has been, he isn't even the best player on the field tonight. That would be Dwayne Bowe, who's already added another 172 yards and two touchdowns to the MVP-type numbers he's put up through 10 games. Bowe leads the league in receptions, yards, and touchdowns, and speculation has begun that Matt Cassel might have been the worst quarterback in NFL history. Following Bowe's 230-yard, three-touchdown performance in the Chiefs' win over Denver the previous week, Andy Reid claimed that, "If it weren't for Oklahoma Joe's, Dwayne Bowe would be the best thing that's ever happened to me."

NFL Attempts To Globalize Football from FOX Sports

"I think we've become a lot more open-minded to the fact we will invite players outside of our country where there was once a stigma attached about not having a true understanding of football. We now say that while they may not have a true understanding yet, the potential athleticism and phenotype suggest there's some serious upside."

Nobody believes this more than Carl Peterson.

When serving as Kansas City Chiefs general manager, Peterson was a strong advocate of the NFL Europe developmental league that folded in 2007. He is now chairman for USA Football, which is considered the model for international youth leagues to follow. The group also has close ties with the NFL through an emphasis on player safety and proper tackling techniques for both male and female players.