Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 7/28

Chiefs Players, Coaches Ready For Pads from The Mothership

Thinking the players would be quick to talk about either their just-completed practice or maybe what the rest of their day looked like, including meetings, lunch, etc., I was off.

Each player I interviewed today, as well as well as Chiefs offensive coordinator Doug Pederson, spent the majority of the time talking about '"Pads Day".

Chiefs Testing Read-Option Plays At Camp from KC Star

"It's a change-up for us," said Chiefs offensive coordinator Doug Pederson. "It's something we're going to continue to work on. It's not going to be a staple of the offense. If it gives us an advantage at game time, then it's something that can definitely help us.

"All of our quarterbacks are capable of doing the zone read, the option, some of the things we saw (Saturday). Alex reads it very well. He has a lot of experience doing it, from not only at San Francisco but back to his college days (at Utah)."

Wylie Practices At Outside Receiver Position from KC Star

Starting wide receiver Dwayne Bowe missed his second straight day of practice because of what the club is calling a virus in his chest, Wylie, normally a slot receiver, took the snaps at outside receiver position opposite Jon Baldwin.

On Friday, it was another slot receiver, Dexter McCluster, and second-year man Junior Hemingway, who shared that spot. But on Saturday, Wylie, a diminutive 5-foot-9, 187-pounder took almost every play when the Chiefs were in the two-wide-receiver set.

When the Chiefs went to three wides, McCluster manned the slot, and Wiley remained on the field with Baldwin.

Chiefs Wide Receivers Primed For 2013 from The Mothership

The popularity of McCluster continued from Friday's practice, even before drills started. McCluster walked down the long hill to the practice fields and before putting his helmet on, he chatted with fans and then got to work.

"First two days for me have been great," McCluster said. "It's still a learning process, there's still a lot to gather and grasp about the offense but, I'm just having fun and when you have fun, you play well."

McCluster is a vital part of the Chiefs receiving corps and sees the collective group offering a lot to the team this season.

Daniel To Moeaki TD Draws Cheers from KC Star

The play of the day was turned in by backup quarterback Chase Daniel and tight end Tony Moeaki. The pair drew a loud cheer from the crowd when Daniel lofted a gorgeous throw down the seam that Moeaki caught in stride for a touchdown. While star receiver Dwayne Bowe again sat out, second-year receiver Devon Wylie got a lot of work with the first team.

McCluster Will Be Used In Variety Of Roles from KC Star

Since drafting him in the second round of the 2010 draft, the Chiefs have tried McCluster as a running back, slot receiver, wide receiver and kick returner, but injuries and issues with ball security have been a problem.

Still, offensive coordinator Todd Pederson is determined to find ways to get the ball to McCluster, who caught 52 passes for 452 yards last year and carried 12 times for 70 yards.

Thinking About Their Legacies, Hali, Johnson Want To Taste Playoff Success from KC Star

The one experience Johnson and Hali have not shared is playoff success. The Chiefs have lost both postseason games in which they've appeared - in 2006 at Indianapolis and in 2010 against Baltimore - and somewhere deep inside, as the franchise rebuilds again, Johnson, 30, and Hali, who turns 30 during the season, have to be wondering if their window to win a championship is closing.

"We're getting older, and it's starting to hit you more," Hali said. "Eight years ago, it was fun coming out here and proving you could play the game, but at this stage in your career, you want to prove something, you want to win a Super Bowl, you want to accomplish something.

"Playing football and making money is not the goal. It's to win a championship for the Chiefs. There's a chip on our shoulder for the older guys to get something done ... because a couple of years from now we're probably not going to be here coming to camp."

After A Dismal 2012 Season, Amnesia Alone Won't Help Chiefs from KC Star

For Kansas City, last year's Chiefs are like that gas station sushi you tried a few years back. You regretted it immediately and wanted desperately to forget about it, except that it made you intensely sick.

So we can all understand what the Chiefs are doing here - can all see the motivation in what is obviously an organization directive to pretend that last year never happened. Who wants to talk about their worst moment? How often does your friend from college bring up the night he slept in the yard?

"For me, as well as everyone else, last year is last year," Dexter McCluster says. "It's in the past. Don't want to think about it."

This is, very clearly, a talking point for the 2013 Chiefs.

KCChiefs.com Video: Doug Pederson Evaluates The Offense After Day 2

KCChiefs.com Video: Brandon Flowers: "We've Been Waiting For This"

KCChiefs.com Video: Branden Albert Likes The Depth On The O-Line

KC Star Video: Chiefs Offensive Line Drills

KCChiefs.com Photo Gallery: Images Of Chiefs Camp: Day 2

All-In Already: Chiefs Gamble On Quick Turnaround from The Associated Press via FS Kansas City

"The guys you brought in here, now that you're around them, you get a good sense that they're starting to understand that being a professional means something," Dorsey said during an interview with The Associated Press before arriving at Missouri Western State University.

"It means taking ownership," Dorsey explained, "and doing the little things -- 'My locker-mate is doing it.' So you're creating a goal with guys moving forward with the same mindset and objectives. That's what a team is all about."

Team Nears End Of Contract With Western from The St. Joseph News-Press

The trend over the past decade in the National Football League involves taking summer training camps away from remote locations and bringing them back to the in-season facilities. With the Kansas City Chiefs in year four of their five-year contract with Missouri Western State University, decisions about future camps will have to be made soon.

Missouri Western officials know the end nears, but they hope this leads to a new beginning.

Ricky Stanzi Fighting To Extend NFL Career from The Des Moines Register

Don't feel sorry for Ricky Stanzi.

The former Iowa quarterback might be fighting to extend his professional football career, but he'd rather talk about his recent wedding than throw a pity party.

"I've never been that kind of person," said Stanzi, who is entering his third season with the Kansas City Chiefs. "I'm never going to fall into that. It's just not my style."

Stanzi's style is dutiful and diligent, making the beloved ex-Hawkeye a well-respected reserve in the NFL.

Branden Albert Understands Role On Chiefs' Offensive Line from The Wichita Eagle

Offensive tackle Branden Albert will know training camp is truly today, when the Chiefs are scheduled to practice in full pads for the first time. He will inevitably be asked to pass-block against Tamba Hali or Justin Houston and at that moment, it all becomes real.

"The first pass rush from Tamba, that's when I know I'm ready to rock and roll, when (Hali) or Justin Houston comes at me,'' Albert said. "That first pass rush, if I get him or he beats me, then I'm OK. It's time to play.''

Recent History Shows Teams Can Make Quick Leap Away From Losing from The Huntington Herald-Dispatch

Probably the strongest argument for the Chiefs making a leap is this: Andy Reid as head coach is a massive upgrade from Romeo Crennel, and Alex Smith is most likely not going to throw 20 interceptions like Matt Cassel and Brady Quinn combined for last season. Sure, Smith and Reid won't engender greatness, but that's OK. They're already light-years better than what Kansas City rolled out in 2012. They just need to be occasionally good and mostly competent, and that can actually be more than enough.

Thigpen Pondering Life After Football As NFL Door May Be Closing from Myrtle Beach Online

The 32 National Football League teams began training camps in preparation for the 2013 season through Saturday, and for the first time since Thigpen graduated from CCU in 2007 he was not on one of the rosters at the onset of camps.

After six years in the NFL, the first starting quarterback in CCU history is unsure if there will be a seventh at age 29.