Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 9/25

The Derrick Thomas Influence On Chiefs LBs from The Mothership

"Sacks," Houston said. "That's the first thing I think about, with his on-field performance. He was a great athlete, a great player. I still watch film of him and use it as motivation to try to get close to where he was."

Fellow Chiefs Pro Bowl LB Tamba Hali echoed similar praise for the former sack master.

"Derrick Thomas, probably the best pass rusher I've ever watched on film," Hali said. "He was just relentless and sometimes, before games, I've put on his film, just to watch him and emulate some of what he did, while he was here."

Chiefs' Eric Fisher Determined To Bounce Back After Miserable Half At Philadelphia from KC Star

"It's been tough mentally, physically, emotionally," Fisher said of his adjustment to the NFL. "You've just got to keep your composure. There's a lot that comes with this game, and you roll with the punches."

Fortunately for the Chiefs, Fisher seemed to do just that in the second half against the Eagles. He was called for one more penalty - a hold on Cox on a running play - but didn't allow another sack, hit or hurry in 13 pass attempts. He was also a part of an offensive line that helped the Chiefs rush for 98 yards in 21 carries in the second half, effectively putting the Eagles away.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid lauded Fisher, 22, for hanging tough, despite his somewhat uneven transition from left to right tackle.

Chiefs' Film Room: Analyzing Eric Fisher's Performance vs. The Eagles from KC Star

So to get a better handle on Fisher's struggles, I actually decided to chart Fisher's performance throughout the course of the Philly game. In total, I had him allowing a sack, two hurries and two holds, and yes, it was as bad as it sounds. But surprisingly, all of those negative plays, aside from one hold, came in the first half.

He was beaten three other times (one pass, two running plays) in the second half, but was bailed out each time by either right guard Jon Asamoah and fullback Anthony Sherman, who was right there to help I also jotted down "good job by Fisher" in my notes over a dozen times in the second half with a few "OK job by Fisher" sprinkled in, which was nearly the complete opposite of the first half.

So without further ado, let's take a deeper look at Fisher's performance against Philly, breaking down the rookie's good, bad and ugly plays.

Chiefs Announce roster Changes from The Mothership

The Kansas City Chiefs elevated guard Rishaw Johnson to the active 53-man roster from the practice squad and waived linebacker Josh Martin, the team announced today.

Rishaw Johnson (6-3, 313) joined the Chiefs practice squad on Sept. 3, 2013. He originally entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Seattle Seahawks in April of 2012. He served primarily on the Seahawks practice squad, during his rookie season, before being released by Seattle on Aug. 31, 2013.

Chiefs Cover 3: A Closer Look At The Players from The Mothership

It's been three weeks since the Kansas City Chiefs signed seven players via waiver claims. All seven have fit right in with the 2013 Chiefs and are making contributions to the team, during practice and/or in the fast 3-0 start.

During the next few days, we'll bring you a closer look at each player, including the three below, Chiefs CB Marcus Cooper and LBs Dezman Moses andJames-Michael Johnson, each who revisited the day they arrived to One Arrowhead Drive.

Former Chiefs Emmitt Thomas, Otis Taylor Are Finalists For Black College Hall Of Fame from KC Star

Thomas, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Chiefs Hall of Fame, starred at Bishop (Texas) College before he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Chiefs. He spent 1966-78 with the Chiefs and is the club's all-time leader with 58 interceptions. Thomas, 70, is currently the Chiefs' defensive backs coach.

Taylor, a member of the Chiefs Hall of Fame, was a fourth-round pick by the Chiefs out of Prairie View A&M, where his No. 17 is retired. Taylor, 71, spent 1965-75 with the Chiefs and was one of the most dazzling receivers of his era. Taylor led the Chiefs in receiving five times, and his 46-yard catch and run for a touchdown sealed the Chiefs' victory over Minnesota in Super Bowl IV.

Twitter Tuesday: Royals Playoff Scenarios, Chiefs Dreams, Justin Houston, Billy Butler, And The Greatest Husband Note Ever Left from KC Star

The biggest problem with the Giants is turnovers. They've given it away 13 times already (including six in the opening loss at Dallas), and taken it away just four. Think about it like this: as much as the Chiefs are taking advantage of winning in turnovers every week, the Giants are that atrocious. The Chiefs are plus-9, and the Giants are minus-9.

Now, you can look at this a few different ways, obviously.

Mine: the Chiefs are catching a reeling team that has to be doubting itself, and they'll be catching this team in front of what will surely be another crazy crowd.

Chiefs Style Lounge from The Mothership

For the second consecutive year, football met fashion at the Chiefs Style Lounge.

The event, hosted by Halls on the plaza, took place earlier this month and showcased Chiefs licensed products in stylish and modern ways. It raised awareness of the breadth and depth of Chiefs products, styling options, and wearing occasions.

KCChiefs.com Photo Gallery: Derrick Thomas Archival Images

KCChiefs.com Video: Dave Krieg Remembers Derrick Thomas

KCChiefs.com Video: Chiefs Style Lounge 2013

Giants.com Video: Know Your Opponent: Kansas City Chiefs

This Stat Gives Chiefs Hope vs. Broncos from ESPN

All of Manning's TD passes this season have come on plays when the Broncos are using at least three wide receivers. That plays to the strength of the Chiefs. The Total Quarterback Rating for the passer when the opponent uses at least three wide receivers is 14.6. That's second-best in the league behind only Seattle.

So the Chiefs are excelling when opponents attempt to spread the field.

Why The 0-3 Giants Might Actually Give The Chiefs A Fight from FS Kansas City

During his last trip to Arrowhead, the youngest Manning completed 20 of 34 throws for 292 yards and three scores in a 27-16 victory, a win over a retooling Chiefs franchise in the first year of a new coach and a new general manager. You know what they say: The more things stay the same, the more things change, right?

Chiefs Make Leap Into Top 10 In ESPN Power Rankings from Examiner.com

For fans of the Kansas City Chiefs who think their team isn't getting any love from the media outside of Kansas City, take heart. After a 3-0 start, your team has made the jump into the top 10 of ESPN's weekly Power Rankings at #8, making what is hopefully a season-long stay in the upper echelon of the NFL.

Don't Make Playoff Plans Just Yet from ESPN

The Denver Broncos look strong enough to win 13 games or more and while it's far too early to call a winner in the division, that's probably the bar for getting the division title in 2013. If that turns out to be the case, let's go ahead and give the AFC West to the Broncos for the third straight season.

That leaves the wild card. It's looking like at least eight teams have a reasonable shot at getting to 10 wins or more: Denver, Kansas City, Houston, Indianapolis, New England, Miami, Cincinnati and Baltimore. Tennessee could conceivably get into that mix as well.

With Alex Smith, It's Not About The Yards Or The Arm -- It's About The Scoreboard from FS Kansas City

It's not a sexy formula, but with the right horses, it works. Attack on defense; trust your Pro-Bowl punter to win the field-position game; trust your Pro-Bowl running back to hang onto the ball and grind out the tough yards; and trust your quarterback to turn the game over to the aforementioned punter and defense rather than force anything or get cute.

Like Brian Billick in Baltimore a dozen years earlier, Reid is an offensive mastermind at the helm of a potential defensive monster, a team designed to win games 19-16 as opposed to, say, 38-35.

Giants Looking For Some Much-Needed Emotion Heading Into Matchup With Chiefs from NJ.com

Rolle said the problem goes beyond X's and O's and that players have to look within themselves and do "some serious soul searching."

On Sunday the Giants, who yielded seven sacks against Carolina, play the undefeated Chiefs (3-0) in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs lead the league in sacks with 15.

"You fight for the guy beside you, you don't fight for yourself," Rolle said in a fiery tone. " (Carolina) punched us in the mouth and we didn't do anything. We're still bleeding to this day."

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: 3 Team Defenses To Target For Week 4 from SB Nation

It will be hard to envision that the Chiefs defense won't be a hot commodity on the waiver wire after forcing five turnovers and scoring a touchdown versus the Eagles in Week Three. This week, the Chiefs face the Giants, who lead the NFL with 13 giveaways, including nine interceptions. With the Chiefs formidable front seven led by Justin Houston and Tamba Hali forcing pressure, a quality secondary could be in line to cash-in once again.

Join The Parade from The Platte Chronicle

Everyone is invited to be part of the Applefest Parade October 5, supporting an important cause. The parade will highlight October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The 10 a.m. Saturday parade will feature KC Wolf from the Kansas City Chiefs, as well as antique tractors, old cars and bands. KC Wolf will be the honorary guest to help kick off the weekend. Children will be especially thrilled to see the popular mascot in person.

Giants vs. Chiefs: Making The Connection from Giants.com

CHIEFS NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY-AREA CONNECTIONS

TE Anthony Fasano

Played tight end at Verona (N.J.) High School, where he caught 78 passes for 1,460 yards and 23 touchdowns as a senior in 2001.

LB Tamba Hali

Collected 64 solo tackles and eight sacks as a senior at Teaneck (N.J.) High School. He was a nominee for the 2001 New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year Award.

NFL Week 4 Picks: Chiefs Will Roll Over Giants from CBS Sports

What, then, to make of this betting line: as of Tuesday, the Chiefs are giving 4.5 at home. One of only seven undefeated teams this year playing for a coach that's rejuvenated the organization vs. one of the most-frustrating squads in the league which has switched places with the Jets as New York's most-dysfunctional football franchise.

How is this line only -4.5 for the Chiefs? How could you not put your money on Kansas City?

Here are three reasons you should.

Peyton Manning Looks Primes For Fifth MVP, Jimmy Graham Is Best Tight End In NFL And Other Thoughts from NESN

America runs on Dunkin, and the Kansas City Chiefs run on defense - corny, I know. For a third straight week, the Chiefs held their opponents under 20 points. Even more impressive than in the first two weeks, when they limited the Cowboys' offense (16) and held the Jaguars in place (just two points), this week KC slowed down the Eagles' fast-paced scoring machine. Defensive end Justin Houston leads the NFL in sacks with 7.5 and the Chiefs as a whole rank fifth against the pass (185 yards per game), eighth in points against (11.3 per game) and first in the league in turnover rate (+9) while not yet turning the ball over on offense.

For Fantasy Owners, Plenty Of Disappointment To Go Around from USA Today

WR Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City Chiefs: He will come around but not until defenses get tired of what Jamaal Charles and Donnie Avery are doing to them while they're concentrating on Bowe. He's too talented to remain this little used.

The Bizarre New York Football Scene from The Wall Street journal

But now it's 0-3, the worst Giant start since 1996, when NYFG finished 6-10 and coach Dan Reeves got sacked. No team has made the Super Bowl after such a start. Only three have made the playoffs since 1990. And the Giants' next contest is on the road versus the resurgent, 3-0 Kansas City Chiefs.

Yikes.

"Fellow Giants fans: What do you all want to do on Sundays this fall?" wrote "Today" show host Willie Geist on Twitter late Sunday. "Apple picking? Antiquing? Paintball? Let's get together."

World Record Attempt: 'Terrorhead At Arrowhead' Scheduled For Oct 13 from FOX4KC

Ty "The X-Factor" Rowton, along with the co-founder of "Terrorhead Returns" Mark Powell appeared on Tuesday's FOX 4 Morning Show to talk about their goal of achieving a world record for loudness from a stadium crowd.

NFL Round-Up from The Amherst Student

The Dolphins have surprised us, but no team's success has been more unexpected than that of the unbeaten Kansas City Chiefs. In just three weeks, the Chiefs have won more games than they did all of last year. After posting a dismal 2-14 record in 2012, the Chiefs have experienced a revival with Andy Reid as their head coach and Alex Smith at quarterback. The Chiefs have been playing smart, conservative, mistake free football, and they haven't turned the ball over once this season while forcing nine turnovers of their own. With a light schedule ahead, the Chiefs look to be playoff bound for the first time in four years.

Pitt To Honor '63 Team With Ample Mon Valley Ties from TribLive

John Macuczak, tackle, Ellsworth High. He played for the Kansas City Chiefs in the National Football League and later served as president of National Steel Company. He is retired and lives in Freedom.

Rookie Watch: Defense Rules Week 3 As Ziggy Ansah, Kenny Vaccaro Shine from Sports Illustrated

Justin Pugh, OT, New York Giants: If it was a great week to be a rookie defender, it was a miserable week to be a rookie offensive tackle. Pugh, like Bakhtiari, was whipped constantly by Carolina's pulverizing front. The former Syracuse standout allowed a whopping nine pressures, two sacks, two hits on Eli Manning and five hurries. Things weren't any better in the running game where the Giants couldn't establish anything off-tackle or on the edges, two areas in which David Wilson excels. Next up for Pugh? NFL sack leader Justin Houston, Tamba Hali and the relentless Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead. Get the ice bath ready for Eli now.

Jeff Schudel's NFL Rankings: Browns Rising, Giants Falling from The News-Herald

3. Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs defense should be able to keep the frustrated Vikings winless.

The New York Giants Are A Disaster On The Road... So The Chiefs Roll, Right? from The Big Lead

How good have the Chiefs been so far? They lead the NFL in sacks with 15 - linebacker Justin Houston, who has probably been the best defensive player in the NFL through three weeks, has 7.5. Eli Manning of the Giants has been sacked 11 times (tied for 2nd most in the NFL) and he was dropped seven times by the Panthers Sunday...

...Still not enough? Well, maybe this will do it: Andy Reid was 17-14 against the Giants when coaching the Eagles. How'd he do against Tom Coughlin? He won eight of their last 10 meetings.

Through Three Weeks, AFC Proving To Be the More Dominate Conference from Sports Illustrated

In the first 14 interconference matchups of the year, the AFC holds an overwhelming 11-3 edge (.786), after playing just .391 ball (25-39) against the NFC in 2012. The AFC went 6-2 against the NFC in Week 3, with gutty and impressive wins by the Colts in San Francisco, the Browns in Minnesota, the Chiefs in Philadelphia, the Bengals over the Packers and the Dolphins over the Falcons.

Big Blue Morning: Trying To Regroup from ESPN

I know you've heard this before (cough ... last week ... cough), but the Giants' opponent Sunday is a bit banged-up in the secondary. Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Brandon Flowers injured his knee in the team's victory over Philadelphia on Thursday and has not been practicing. Which means, if the Giants could keep Eli Manning on his feet Sunday, he might be able to find some open receivers. Again, heard this before, right?

Who Belongs In The NFL's Top 10 After Week 3? from The Washington Post

10. Chiefs (3-0). The end of Andy Reid's coaching tenure in Philadelphia might have been ugly. But he knows how to build a winner and he's making it happen quickly in Kansas City. He has a quarterback who doesn't turn the ball over, in Alex Smith, and a team that doesn't beat itself. Reid beat his former team Thursday night at Lincoln Financial Field, and even if things don't remain this positive all season for the Chiefs, their first-year coach clearly has made them far more competitive immediately.

Column: N(ine) F(acts) L(earned) from The UConn Daily Campus

1. Andy Reid and Alex Smith are having a blast on "The Redemption Tour."

Although "The Redemption Tour" may sound like the perfect name to get Beliebers (I can't believe I just wrote that word in a column) or Drizzy Drake devotees all fired up, it's actually the labeling I have derived for the Chiefs' head coach-quarterback duo. The Eagles lent a helping hand to Michael Vick back when he was abusing animals, only to later throw Reid to the wolves after 14 seasons, six division titles, and five appearances in the NFC Championship. How do you repay a franchise that turned their back on you? For now, beating them 26-16 on their home turf will suffice. The Chiefs defense had five takeaways, Jamaal Charles did whatever he wanted, and Kansas City improved to 3-0 for the year. By the way, it isn't just the Eagles that Reid is getting revenge on, it's the entire NFC East. KC will be going for their third win over an NFC East opponent in as many weeks, as they host the Giants in Week 4.

Chiefs Players, Middle School Students Blitz New Art Program At Arrowhead from KMBZ

Tuesday is normally their day off but today a group of Chiefs players joined students from the Guadalupe Centers' Alta Vista Middle School to check out some new art at Arrowhead.

The visit is part of the Chiefs celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month and included some of the team's biggest stars.

Giants May Have To Sit Snee With Aching Hip from The NY Post

At some point the Giants might have to protect Chris Snee from himself. The problem is, Snee at half his usual effectiveness, might be better than what has been stockpiled on the bench at guard, which isn't much.