Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 7/25

Chiefs Keep Airing It Out On Day Two Of Rookie And QB Camp from KC Star

It was all passing, all Wednesday morning for the Chiefs' quarterbacks, rookies and selected veterans. The Chiefs have not attempted a running play during the team portions of the first two days of camp. Quarterback Alex Smith wasted little time finding his favorite target, rookie tight end Travis Kelce, on several routes. Chase Daniel and rookie wide receiver Rico Richardson combined on a deep corner route for a touchdown. Daniel also connected with rookie Frankie Hammond Jr. on an out pattern. The best throw of the day was during seven-on-seven drills when Smith hit Donnie Avery on a deep pass for a score.

The Andy Reid Influence At Chiefs Camp from The Mothership

For example, coach Reid watched Chiefs QB Alex Smith take reps at one end of the field, followed later, at the other end of the field, by working with QBs Ricky Stanzi and Tyler Bray, evaluating as they threw to receivers. Before the next horn sounded, coach returned to Alex Smith and Chase Daniel for more one-on-two instruction.

The next phase of practice showed Andy Reid and his best. Watching a play develop and not speaking until it was completed, coach stopped the entire drill, walked with Chiefs WR Junior Hemingway, teaching him and the other players on offense a lesson.

Chiefs' First Full-Squad Practice Can't come Soon Enough from KC Star

Certainly, the three days of practice was beneficial for the young players, and those like tight end Tony Moeaki, running back Shaun Draughn and wide receiver Donnie Avery, who missed most or all of the Chiefs' offseason program. They were able to catch up on what they missed and will be in step with the veterans.

But with just 39 players on the field - first-round pick Eric Fisher has yet to sign and work at right tackle - the ranks have been too thin to open the full playbook, both offensively and defensively. With just three defensive linemen (counting deep snapper Brad Madison) and seven offensive linemen, the first two days were basically a passing camp, and the Chiefs did not run the football once in the brief 11-on-11 team periods.

Is This Ricky Stanzi's Last Go As A Chiefs Quarterback? from KC Star

Quarterback Ricky Stanzi isn't exactly a dead man walking at Chiefs training camp yet, but his chances of making the opening game roster appear slim, even though full-squad practice won't begin until Friday. It may be too late to save his job but Stanzi knows how important it is for him to play well once real practice begins.

"I guess it's critical,'' he said today after the Chiefs finished the second of their three rookie practices. "You want to play well.''

Moeaki Needs to Show Chiefs He's Healthy And Can Still Produce from KC Star

Tight end Tony Moeaki is a four-year veteran and one of the oldest players competing in this early portion of Chiefs training camp.

It's most appropriate that he's participating because, like the rookies and young players he's practicing with, Moeaki has something to show Andy Reid, Doug Pederson and the rest of the Chiefs coaches.

Moeaki needs not only to prove he's healthy and can stay that way, but that he can get back to being the productive player he was as a rookie in 2010.

Running Back Shaun Draughn Get Some Coaching Experience from KC Star

Second-year running back Shaun Draughn was unable to participate in the Chiefs' offseason program and mini-camps because of a sports hernia, but he did not fall behind in learning the new offense installed by coach Andy Reid.

In fact, Draughn, who received permission to take part in the rookie camp, believes he's ahead of the learning curve because he helped coach the running backs while he was recuperating.

"It gave me a different perspective, because I was actually coaching other guys," Draughn said Wednesday. "I learned more; I learned better that way. It was still like I was part of the team."

Chiefs Cover Two: Getting To Know The Rookies from The Mothership

The Kansas City Chiefs officially begin training camp on Friday, July 26 at 3:30 PM CDT and complete their stay in St. Joseph on August 14th, with an 8:15 AM CDT practice. Between the practices, team meetings, road travel and more, we will bring fans closer to the entire team, including the Chiefs rookies.

Today's rookies, Rico Richardson and Frankie Hammond Jr. are both wide receivers, who were signed as free agents and participated in OTA and minicamp practices, bringing them to today, where they're competing for spots on the 2013 Chiefs roster.

KCChiefs.com Video: Training Camp Sound: Tony Moeaki

KCChiefs.com Video: Training Camp Sound: Eric Kush

KCChiefs.com Video: Wyche 1-On-1 With Andy Reid

NFL.com Video: Best Of The New Head Coaches

NFL.com Video: Kansas City Chiefs Hope To Have Offensive Tackle Eric Fisher In Training Camp This Weekend

KCChiefs.com Photo Gallery: Second Day Of Action In St. Joe

St. Joseph News-Press Photo Gallery: 07/24/13 Chiefs Training Camp

Ailing Chiefs Moeaki, Avery Back In Practice from The Associated Press via FS Kansas City

Tony Moeaki spent most of the Kansas City Chiefs' offseason workouts watching from the sideline with a baseball cap on his head. Donnie Avery did the same.

They're both happy to have a helmet on instead.

Kansas City Chiefs Go All Pass In First Camp Practices from NFL.com

We're sure the Chiefs will work on the running game in time, but Reid has made his priorities clear early on. And with good reason. No team scored fewer points than the Chiefs last season, thanks in large part to an anemic passing attack that finished last in the NFL.

The running game, by comparison, ranked fifth. Jamaal Charles will report to camp Thursday with the rest of the veterans.

Commings' Injury Causes Uncertainty from The St. Joseph News-Press

Second-year wide receiver Junior Hemingway knows what can happen when a late-round pick misses significant training camp time. He suffered a groin injury early in the Chiefs' 2012 St. Joseph stay and wound up on the practice squad for the entire season.

"It's a process," Hemingway said. "I didn't know I was going to be on the practice squad all year. You need to take it how it is and keep going. When it's your time to come, make sure you're there, make sure you make plays and make sure you're in the right spot at the right time."

Teams Beginning To report To Camp from ESPN

Fifth-round draft pick, defensive back Sanders Commings, suffered a fractured left collarbone. It likely wipes out his training camp.

As camp excitement begins, the Chiefs are already dealing with the reality of a long NFL season.

Reid, Smith Will Reform Chiefs' Offense from ESPN (Insider)

Reid, the West Coast offense and former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith are all seemingly positive additions. Reid brings innovative ideas and a track record of success, but without a capable quarterback, it wouldn't mean much. Smith is an established quarterback, an accurate, mobile passer who has the ability to make others around him look good, especially Reid.

Passing Becoming A Focus At Chiefs Training Camp In St. Joseph, Mo. from KSHB

As for the number two wide receiver, that position seems open right now.

Donnie Avery has the inside track. He arrived early at camp after Head Coach Andy Reid targeted him during the offseason and brought him in from Indianapolis.

"Whatever my role is, I'm here to play it," Chiefs wide receiver Donnie Avery said, "Coach came and got me for a reason, so I'm just happy to be here."

Chiefs Prepare For Veteran Arrival At Training Camp from FOX4KC

The Kansas City Chiefs had another morning of cooler weather their 2nd day of training camp. So far, coach Andy Reid was very impressed with Missouri Western's facilities.

"I think they've done a great job. I appreciate the hospitality. Everything." Reid said. "The grounds crew obviously did a great job with the grass. It's a great setup. If you're a fan you can come out and watch. If you're a player you can come out here and practice. It's a great setup."

NFL 2013: Training Camp Hot Spots This Summer from The Associated Press via The Daily Astorian

No coaching change, not even Kelly to Philly, was as intriguing as Andy Reid immediately landing in Kansas City after his 14-year stint with the Eagles ended. The Chiefs were abysmal last season, going 2-14 yet having six players making the Pro Bowl.

Now they have a quality quarterback in Alex Smith, a perennially successful coach, an aggressive new general manager, and the look of a team that could soar in the standings.

Tyler Bray Equates NFL Speed To The Speed Of The SEC from All For Tennesse

Hopefully the former Tennessee Volunteer will realize it's not the coach that gets you paid, you get yourself paid.

If Bray doesn't perform extremely well, then it won't matter who his coach is when it comes time for his next contract.

Tyler Bray has a long way to go if he wants to make an impact with the Kansas City Chiefs.

New Maryland Linebackers Have Big Shoes To Fill from The Washington Post

Last season, the Terrapins sacked opposing quarterbacks 28 times, sixth in the ACC. Just 16 percent of those sacks (4.5) return this season, with 13.5 sacks gone from the linebackers alone. Now with the Kansas City Chiefs, Darin Drakeford was lethal off the edge, drawing double- and triple-teams and tying for a team-high six sacks.

'NFL Total Access' Recap: RGIII's Redskins Preseason Plans from NFL.com

Irvin and O'Hara both went with Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs. O'Hara thinks you have to have three things to make it to the postseason: a quarterback who can prevent turnovers, a rushing game and a pass rush. When O'Hara looks at the Chiefs roster, he thinks they look stronger than the Indianapolis Colts looked at this time last year when they had their huge year-to-year swing.

Primed For A Whirlwind Excursion from ESPN

With some of the recent problems that AFC West rival Denver is facing, the Chiefs may have the best chance to improve by five or six games. This isn't a 2-14 team in terms of talent. The Chiefs have five starters on defense with Pro Bowl experience. They have Dwayne Bowe, Jamaal Charles and Alex Smith on offense. Plus, Reid is a winner.