Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 8/14

Chiefs Complete Practice, Camp Nears Its End from The Mothership

With just one practice remaining of Chiefs Training Camp, the battle continues to be mind over matter.

"You can't let the mind take over," Bowe said. "90% of the game is mental, 10% is physical. We're out here at practice grinding; you have to push through and bring everybody along with you."

While Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles was held out of practice, rehabbing a right foot strain, Chiefs rookie Knile Davis continues to get reps with the first-team offense, while continually doing extra things to prepare him, whenever his number is called.

Jamaal Charles Doesn't Practice With Chiefs, But Trainer Says Foot Injury Isn't Serious from KC Star

"When we say day-to-day, he's literally day-to-day," Burkholder said Tuesday. "That's how coach (Andy) Reid and I work. We'll evaluate him this afternoon. He will get treatment all day today. We will evaluate him tomorrow.

"Sometimes these guys do partial practices. We may get him out here and move him around. He may take the whole (practice). We may hold him back, depending on his symptoms. We don't determine anything the night before. That frees the doctors and my crew to look at him and use our best judgment, and then we go from there."

Chiefs Work On No-Huddle Offense As Charles Sits Out from KC Star

The Chiefs worked on their hurry-up, no-huddle offense for most of the morning Tuesday. Rookie running back Knile Davis took most of the snaps for the injured Jamaal Charles. But Davis and quarterback Alex Smith got crossed up on a handoff, with Smith going one way and Davis the other.

NFL Analyst Cites Schedule, Coach And QB As Reasons Chiefs Could Turn Around Quickly from KC Star

"It would not shock me to see them be a playoff team," Brandt said of the Chiefs, who were 2-14 a year ago. "I like the coaching staff. I like the quarterback. I like what they're doing on defense. We thought they were going to be pretty good after winning 10 games (in 2010). Why the bottom fell out, I'm not sure, but I think they're a much better team than people will give them credit.

"This is a quarterback league and a coach's league. Wouldn't you agree they're better in both areas?

Chiefs' Brandon Flowers Wants Interception Total To Grow from KC Star

Chiefs cornerback Brandon Flowers dropped off the line of scrimmage and conceded a few yards to wide receiver Jon Baldwin.

It was a trap. As soon as Baldwin ran a quick hitch, the bait was set. Flowers jumped the route, intercepted Alex Smith's pass and returned it for a touchdown on the third play of Tuesday's practice.

"I try to get our defense riled up," Flowers said of his morning wake-up call.

Chiefs' Backup Receivers Struggle To Step Up from KC Star

A contingent from the Chiefs Ambassadors, a group of former Chiefs players, attended Tuesday's practice, including Hall of Fame linebacker Bobby Bell and Chiefs Hall of Famers Deron Cherry and Curtis McClinton. Others at the practice included Bill Maas, Danan Hughes, Jayice Pearson, Keith Cash, Larry Marshall, Walter White, Ken Kremer, Dave Lindstrom, Tom Baugh and Ed Lothamer.

Pederson, a former NFL quarterback, appreciated the alumni's presence.

KCChiefs.com Video: Chiefs Live! Training Camp Finale

KCChiefs.com Video: Chiefs Live! - Finding The 5th WR and 4th Corner

KCChiefs.com Photo Gallery: Memorable Moments From Tuesday's Practice

Jamaal Charles Misses Chiefs Practice, Is 'Day To Day' from NFL.com

As the movable chess piece taking on the Brian Westbrook/LeSean McCoy role in Reid's offense, Charles is the one skill-position player the Chiefs can ill afford to lose. Reid will try to dictate coverages and exploit mismatches by lining up Charles as a traditional tailback, as the deep back in the pistol, as a slot receiver and even split out wide.

Chiefs Special Teams Are Feeling Special Again from The Associated Press via FS Kansas City

Once he had secured it, McCluster started upfield. He angled to his right and found a crease to the sideline, running almost untouched 55 yards before he was finally brought down.

McCluster popped right up with a grin visible through his facemask.

"It's been a while since I returned punts and I wanted it. I was anxious and nervous but at the same time, I was excited," McCluster said after practice this week. "When the hard work pays off, it makes you come back and work harder."

Other QBs Rubbing Off On Tyler Bray from ESPN

However, preparation may no longer be an issue for Bray. Kansas City coach Andy Reid credits those around Bray for helping bring him a long.

"We have a very smart quarterback room," Reid said Tuesday. "Alex Smith sees everything at the line of scrimmage and he is a very smart quarterback. So are Chase (Daniel) and Ricky Stanzi. They are smart guys. It is unbelievable how far Tyler has come along working with those guys."

Winning Matters In Camp Equation from The St. Joseph News-Press

That our community wants the Chiefs here is unmistakable, no matter the handful of detractors and those who profess no interest. The training camp has brought few, if any, negatives. And although it has yet to prove a major economic boon, that fact has done little to deter those who believe in its potential. Just look at the continued support.

Missouri Western is typical. The campus forever should be grateful for the major facilities upgrade it received at the outset, as well as the annual public relations boost. But hosting camp on campus has come at a price.

Julianne D'Orazio Enjoyed All-American Summer After Completing Sterling Career At Merion Mercy from Main Line Media News

While she cannot take the potatoes with her to Lehigh, she can carry on the advice of three older siblings. That is especially the case with brother Joe. A 2011 Penn graduate, Joe D'Orazio was a First Team All-Ivy League offensive lineman with the Quakers. He currently serves as an assistant on former Eagles coach Andy Reid's staff with the Kansas City Chiefs.

"He gives me tips all the time," said Julianne. "He never played lacrosse and does not know the sport very well, but in general he helps me out a lot when it comes to talking about playing a sport and being on a team. He tells me to stay positive, never underestimate yourself and to never sell yourself short."

2013 Fantasy Football: AFC Lessons Learned from FOX Sports

Alex Smith led a 15-play, 80-yard touchdown drive in his first possession with the Chiefs. He finished 7-8 for 68 yards, while converting two third downs on the drive.

Fantasy owners will also love to know that Jamaal Charles was fed the ball at the one-yard line and scored. Romeo Crennel still seems confused by this approach. Charles caught three balls for 27 yards in limited action as visions of LeSean McCoy 2011 creep into fantasy owners' minds.