Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 7/27

On First Play Of Camp, Chiefs Show Their New Look from KC Star

Andy Reid delivered a not-so-subtle message Friday with the first play at Chiefs training camp. He had quarterback Alex Smith heave a pass deep down the middle that was hauled in for a touchdown by wide receiver Dexter McCluster.

The play served notice that after two seasons with a dormant passing attack, the Chiefs intend to revive it in a big way.

"I wasn't ready for that," Smith said. "I came up and I got a good look for it. Crowd pleaser."

Chiefs Open Camp, Break Attendance Record from The Mothership

A record-setting crowd of nearly 4,000 Chiefs fans made their way to the campus of Missouri Western State on Friday to watch their favorite team begin what they hope is the start of something special.

With the sun shining and a light breeze blowing the countless Chiefs flags flown atop the many vehicles that filled the parking lots, Andy Reid's team took to the field for a warm-up and stretching period. From there, practice went exactly as reporters have been used to watching during minicamp and OTAs, fast-paced, including individual and special teams work, as well as the most crowd-pleasing phase of practice, 11-on-11.

"Things went well today," coach Reid told the media after practice.

Chiefs Impressed With Turnout For First Camp Practice from KC Star

Chiefs coach Andy Reid and the players were impressed with the showing.

"It was great to see the fans out here," Reid said. "It looked like they packed the place. They were loud. It was exciting for the players."

Chiefs Sign Top-Pick Eric Fisher from The Mothership

"I'm real excited to be here," Fisher said upon arriving to Scanlon Hall. "Just had to get that contract done but, I'm really looking forward getting to training camp here, joining the team and glad we could get to an agreement and get it done."

In a league that's obsessed with numbers, Fisher's deal comes 92 days after the Chiefs selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in April's draft. The deal couldn't get done soon enough, as Fisher patiently waited to rejoin his teammates.

Chiefs Get To Full Strength With Happy Camper Fisher from KC Star

So consider the big one reeled in as of Thursday night, when the eager Fisher started driving from Detroit in time to sign Friday, take a conditioning test in the morning and participate in the first true snap of his first NFL camp in the afternoon - where he was in demand by fans afterward.

"We almost had as many people here as we had at our games" at Central Michigan, he said.

Fisher Signs With Chiefs, Reportedly For $14.5M Signing Bonus from KC Star

The contract, which includes a club option for a fifth year, is worth about $22 million and has a reported signing bonus of $14.5 million.

With the contractual details ironed out, the Chiefs were hopeful Fisher would be able to participate this afternoon when they hold their first full-squad training camp practice.

Chiefs GM John Dorsey Glad To Have Eric Fisher In The Fold For First Practice from KC Star

"It's time to play ball," Dorsey said after the club announced the signing of offensive tackle Eric Fisher, the first overall pick of the 2013 NFL Draft, to a contract worth up to $22 million for four years with a club option for the fifth year.

"The important thing is everybody is here. We kick off at the right time. We're all in this together. The first practice is here; everybody is together, and it's important to have everyone together starting the first day."

Big Crowds At Chiefs' First Open Training Camp Practice See Lots Of Offense from KC Star

Quarterback Alex Smith and receiver Dexter McCluster started the Chiefs' first open practice of camp with a bang Friday at Missouri Western, as they connected on a long touchdown on the very first play of the day. Smith was sharp early, completing his first six passes, and with Dwayne Bowe sitting out, McCluster and Junior Hemingway took most of the reps alongside Jonathan Baldwin with the first-team offense.

Chiefs' Dwayne Bowe Sidelined At Camp Because Of Virus from KC Star

"I think he's going to be back pretty quick," Reid said. "We'll see how he feels. He was congested in the chest."

Bowe, who caught 59 passes for 801 yards and three touchdowns last season, missed the last three games after suffering broken ribs. Reid said there was no correlation to the rib injury and a the virus in Bowe's chest.

Chiefs Sign Free Agent CB Conroy Black from The Mothership

Black (6-0, 187) first entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Oakland Raiders on May 11, 2012. He spent the 2012 preseason with the Raiders, before being released, then was added to the Detroit Lions practice squad roster on Sept. 18. He was later released by Detroit on May 16, 2013.

KCChiefs.com Video: Alex Smith Embraces Challenge Of 1st Chiefs Camp

KCChiefs.com Video: Eric Fisher Is In The Building

KC Star Video: Crowd Builds In St. Joe To See Chiefs Open Camp

FOX4KC Video: Largest Fan Turnout Ever Outside Arrowhead Stadium

KCChiefs.com Photo Gallery: Capturing Day One Of Chiefs Camp

Just Rolled In: Chiefs' Eric Fisher Is Ready To Rock from FS Kansas City

It was a teddy bear of a holdout: Cuddly and short. The Kansas City Chiefs won't actually put on pads and start knocking the snot out of one another until Sunday, officially, so if Eric Fisher wanted to, he could've squeezed in at least a little more sight-seeing out of the deal.

"I try to stay off the radar a little bit," the Chiefs' massive tackle, the No. 1 pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, said with a grin after reporting for duty at the team's preseason training camp.

Chiefs Reach 5-Year Deal With Overall No. 1 Pick from The Associated Press via FS Kansas City

A person familiar with the situation, speaking on condition of anonymity because the team had not announced the deal, told The Associated Press that the contract will be for five years.

The deal is expected to be in the $22 million range, which would put it on par with the two previous No. 1 picks to have been signed since the NFL instituted a new rookie wage scale with the most recent collective-bargaining agreement.

Chiefs Practice In Front Of Record Camp Crowd from The St. Joseph News-Press

Camp Kickoff benefited from Fisher's arrival, the excitement of a new regime, the 3:30 p.m. start time and balmy but breezy weather. In all, 3,841 fans showed up in St. Joseph to witness the start of coach Andy Reid's first training camp with Kansas City. That marked the largest attendance for a practice not conducted at Spratt Stadium since the Chiefs started summer training in St. Joseph back in 2010.

The 1-hour, 40-minute workout looked different than those conducted under previous head coaches with the majority of time spent in full 11-on-11 drills.

Music boomed from speakers in between the two practice fields for much of practice; Guns n' Roses' "Welcome to the Jungle" and a Jay-Z/Kanye West collaboration song were the opening musical selections, providing a background as the players shuttled between drills with efficiency.

Fans Roll In For First Full Training Camp from The St. Joseph News-Press

Frank Carroll of Kansas City could be found along the north edge of the field, surrounded by what he called the Frank Carroll Posse, a small group of friends who made the trek up to St. Joseph to watch the team practice.

"We're excited about the new team, we're excited about the coaching staff and we are ready for a great season," he said.

That sentiment also was expressed by Kansas City residents James McPheeters and brothers Gale and Jody York, who said they left work early to come up for the afternoon session.

Chiefs Impact Tourism, Economic Development from The St. Joseph News-Press

"In years past, camp traffic likely benefited the restaurants more than any other merchandising category," said Ms. Lyons. "But that may change with the addition of many new tenants."

Other factors have contributed to the local economic success. The NFL lockout in 2011 eliminated a little more than two weeks of training camp, while this year's morning practice schedule may seduce more fans to stick around.

"They're excited," Ms. Bernard said of business owners. "They think this might be a better opportunity for them with the morning practices. We're hoping it works."

Eric Fisher Signs Kansas City Chiefs Rookie Contract from NFL.com

Fisher has base salaries of $405,000 in 2013, $395,000 in 2014, $585,000 in 2015 and $675,000 in 2016. Fisher also has roster bonuses of about $919,000 in 2014, $1.94 million in 2015 and $2.76 million in 2016.

Teams and players have very little wiggle room now to negotiate with as a result of the new collective bargaining agreement.

Chiefs Sing No. 1 Pick Eric Fisher from ESPN

Chiefs coach Andy Reid said he wasn't concerned that Fisher wouldn't get to camp, but still expressed a sense of relief to have the big offensive tackle in the fold.

"I think it worked out well for Fish, and at the same time, it's good for our organization," Reid said. "Heck, he's a good football player, and we wanted him in here. We didn't want him to miss any reps, and he was able to do that.

"Until the fish is in the boat, you don't count it caught, right? That's how it works."

Miller The Latest In Broncos Offseason Blunders from The Watch

And let us not forget that the AFC West division will not be the AFC West division of recent years. I have the feeling that with a new quarterback, a new coach and a new philosophy, the Kansas City Chiefs are going to be a team to be reckoned with this year. There will be competition in the AFC West, and the Broncos can't let their guard down.

Following that terrible playoff loss to the Ravens, hopes grew even higher for the Broncos to be the best in NFL next season. It seems like yesterday when the Broncos picked up Wes Welker and things in Denver were continually on the up and up.

Catching Up On The Day from ESPN

The No. 1 overall pick in the draft is under contract. Right tackle Eric Fisher signed in time for Friday's first full-team practice in Kansas City. He is working with the first team in practice. There was little doubt Fisher would sign. It was just a process. Fisher was the last AFC West draft pick to sign.

Eight In The Box: AFC West Camp Battles from ESPN

Tight end, Tony Moeaki vs. Travis Kelce: The Chiefs' top tight end this season might be free-agent pickup Anthony Fasano. But the second tight end will get a lot work. Moeaki has a lot of ability, but he has had trouble staying healthy. Kelce is a third-round pick. The new regime really likes him, and he has a chance to get a ton of playing time early. So this will be a solid camp battle. If Moeaki stays healthy, I can see him holding off Kelce, at least, for the short term.

Fantasy Football 2013 Draft Preview: Kicker Position Primer from Sports Illustrated

Pick a kicker who will get FG chances. The caveat with strategy No. 3 is that an extra point just isn't as good as a field-goal for your fantasy kicker. Since NFL's offenses revolve around quarterback play, target a kicker from a team that has a great running game and a quarterback that doesn't excel at throwing touchdown passes. For example, look at Blair Walsh and the Minnesota Vikings, or the Houston Texans (Randy Bullock) or maybe even the Kansas City Chiefs (Ryan Succop) this year.

Find A Chiefs Bar from Arrowhead Addict

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