Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 9/28

Friday's Focused Chiefs Practice from The Mothership

Another Friday practice is in the books for the Kansas City Chiefs, their final workout of the week. On Saturday, the team will have a walkthrough, followed by Sunday's game against the New York Giants.

From the very beginning of the practice week, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, his staff and the players have thrown their 3-0 record, as well as the Giants 0-3 record 'out the window', not wasting time looking at box scores, standings or stats, all week.

Andy Reid Says Field Position Has Been A Plus For Chiefs from KC Star

"I'm stating the obvious, but field position is important in the National Football League," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. "That's proven year in and year out, and those guys have done a nice job with it."

The average starting field position for opposing offenses through three games is the opponents' own 20-yard line, while the Chiefs' drives start at their own 37 on average - a pretty significant advantage.

"At no time in football is that more important than today," Reid said. "I think (field position) has been important for a lot of years, but even more so with these explosive offenses."

Inside The Lines: Chiefs vs. Giants from The Mothership

The Chiefs are headed back to Arrowhead Stadium and looking to stay undefeated, while the Giants are struggling to break into the win column.

However, as strong as the Chiefs have started this season, they are 2-10 all-time against the Giants. The last victory over New York was almost two decades ago in 1995, when the Chiefs beat the Giants 20-17. The only other win was in 1983, with Mike Bell and Ken Kremer when Chiefs won 38-17 at Arrowhead Stadium.

Donnie Avery Making Most Of His Opportunity With The Chiefs from KC Star

Avery said there's a bit of an art to it. While you pretty much go full-speed if the defense is in man coverage - you're trying to elude the one guy assigned to you - you have to be able to find the soft spots if the defense is playing zone, all while ignoring the ever-looming threat of getting your block knocked off.

Sounds fun, huh?

"You know you're gonna to get hit, so you've just got to have tunnel vision and make sure you get the catch," Avery said. "Then you get the first down and everything else is a bonus after that."

Chiefs' Brandon Flowers Misses Practice, Listed As Questionable from KC Star

"Brandon Flowers was out here but didn't do much," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Friday.

At least, not after the warm-up.

There is good news in the secondary, though, as Kendrick Lewis is participating almost fully. He's also listed as questionable, but seems much more likely to suit up than Flowers.

Giants-Chiefs Scouting Report from KC Star

Hard to believe a team that was 2-14 has the edge in so many categories over a team that won the Super Bowl year before last, but these two are going in opposite directions. Factor in an Arrowhead crowd ready to burst since its team last played 10 days ago, and the Chiefs should get to 4-0 for the first time since 2003. They better not forget to wear the red pants. Prediction: Chiefs 27-23

KCChiefs.com Video: Week 4: Andy Reid's Friday Press Conference

KCChiefs.com Video: Inside The Locker Room: Week Four New York

KCChiefs.com Video: Focus Point: Week 4

KCChiefs.com Video: Gary Barbaro 102-YD Interception Return

NFL.com Video: 'Playbook': New York Giants vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Week 4 Predictions: Giants At Chiefs from ESPN

The Giants are a mess right now and Kansas City won't be the place they find answers.

Chris Snee, David Baas Ruled Out from ESPN

Coach Tom Coughlin would not reveal who will make up his patched-up offensive line Sunday.

"You'll have to see," Coughlin said.

The Giants (0-3) have a few options. They could start Jim Cordle at center with Kevin Boothe at left guard and James Brewer at right guard. Will Beatty and rookie Justin Pugh will remain at left and right tackle, respectively.

Chiefs Players Know Giants Are A Desperate, Dangerous Bunch from FS Kansas City

All around the Chiefs' locker room, players seemed to sense they will get the very best this Sunday from the Giants, who likely are playing for their season.

And no one knows how tough these Giants can be more than Chiefs coach Andy Reid, who is prepared for a physical affair, the type of rugged cage match he witnessed often when residing in the NFC East and going up against the Tom Coughlin-led Giants.

NY Giants Stay Upbeat Going Into Kansas City To Face Chiefs from The NY Daily News

The players have heeded Coughlin's "stick together" mantra, knowing it's imperative they do so if they're going to win on Sunday.

At the same time, they know the negativity will get harder to filter out should the Giants fail to win again.

"The NFL is week to week. I've been in this league for some time now and I have some experience," five-year veteran safety Ryan Mundy said. "It's all about the guys in this locker room. We have to come together and play for your brother. Sell out to win, leave it all on the field because right now, this is a must-win. Let's make no mistake about it. We need this game. We need to get back on track and start stacking some wins."

Offensive Line In Flux As New York Giants Prepare For Kansas City Chiefs from CBS Connecticut

Current injuries to center David Baas and offensive guard Chris Snee, who are both out for Sunday's game, now require Giants head coach Tom Coughlin to refortify quarterback Eli Manning's pass protection. Meanwhile, the Chiefs had a full 10 days rest after disposing of the Philadelphia Eagles last Thursday night on the road.

Andy Reid's squad will be welcomed back by a raucous Arrowhead Stadium, as the Giants play their third away game in the season's first four weeks.

Preview: Chiefs Seek To Extend Perfect Start Against 0-3 Giants from The Associated Press via FS Kansas City

Kansas City is also allowing only 309.0 yards per game, tied for eighth in the NFL.

"I think confidence starts from within," cornerback Sean Smith said. "If you're not confident in the way you prepare and work and study, I don't know what to say about you. But our confidence started back in OTAs and minicamps. We knew we've had something special here for a long time."

Giants Defense Faced With Challenge Of Limiting Chiefs Receivers After The Catch from NJ.com

It's also the core of a quick-hitting offense that can neutralize a pass rush because the objective is to get the ball out fast on short, precision routes.

Racking up yards after the catch is the linchpin of the Kansas City Chiefs offense, and keeping those yards to a minimum is perhaps the biggest challenge facing an embattled Giants defense that will be without cornerback Corey Webster (hip) in tomorrow afternoon's critical matchup at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.

Big Blue Morning: Chiefs' D Look Familiar? from ESPN

A lot of Giants players and coaches spoke Thursday about the remarkable similarities they see between the Jets' defense and the one Kansas City is running, especially with regard to the way they rely on changing defensive fronts. Since they play the Jets every year in the preseason, the Giants hope that will help them handle what the Kansas City front will throw at them.

Pugh Faces Tough Challenge In Chiefs' Houston from The Trentonian

Justin Pugh has yet to enjoy the first win of his NFL career.

It's very likely he won't get to enjoy it tomorrow when his 0-3 Giants visit the 3-0 Kansas City Chiefs.

This will be the biggest assignment yet for the Giants No. 1 draft pick who played his high school football near Trenton at Council Rock South before starring at Syracuse.

Houston's Versatility Makes Him A Target from ESPN

Whether by sliding the protection toward Houston's side, greeting him with a back or tight end or some other method, Houston will undoubtedly start to see more bodies in his way as he attempts to get to the opposing quarterback. The New York Giants, who play against the Chiefs Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium, have had their problems protecting quarterback Eli Manning this season.

Chiefs Fans Are Pumped About Record, Disgruntled About Traffic from KCUR

The Kansas City Chiefs are 3-0 so far this season, and with that kind of record comes more attention and fan interest. As a result, the Chiefs are dealing with ancillary issues as they prepare for Sunday's home game at Arrowhead Stadium against the New York Giants.

In the preseason, some Kansas City Chiefs employees feverishly worked behind the scenes on a separate issue: traffic and parking. But, it may not have been enough.

Aqua Teen's Carl Picks The New York Giants Over The Chiefs In His 'Stone Cold Lock Of The Century Of The Week,' Cries from The Pitch

The New York Giants are 0-3 heading into Sunday's game with the undefeated (wow, that sounds good) Kansas City Chiefs. But Sunday, admitted Giant fan Carl of Aqua Teen Hunger Force isn't picking KC. He's calling for a Giants victory in his "Stone Cold Lock of the Century of the Week."

Best Survivor Pool Picks For Week 4 Of The NFL Season from Sports Illustrated

On paper, this might seem like a game to avoid. Even the most enthusiastic Kansas City supporters heading into the season, like me, have to see the potential for them to lose this game against a desperate, talented Giants team. On the other hand, through three weeks we can trust what we've seen on the field.

Meet The 6-foot, 211-Pound NFL Player With A Crippling Fear Of His Team's Own Mascot from The Daily Mail

NFL player Eric Berry has a crippling fear of his team's own mascot - a horse named War Paint that unfortunately for Berry, takes a victory lap every time the team scores a touchdown.

The 6-foot, 211-pound Kansas City Chiefs safety avoids War Paint at all costs, though every game he's forced to share a stadium with the animal.

Giants Entire Season On The Line In Week 4 from The NY Post

From the outside looking in, it does not look good for the Giants Sunday, and that means it does not look good for the rest of the season. Two of their offensive line starters - guard Chris Snee and center David Baas - were ruled out Friday with injuries and a third key piece, tackle David Diehl, is very iffy to play. Adding to the malaise, the Giants' high-priced left tackle Will Beatty was a turnstile trying to block for Eli Manning last week.

On top of all this, Arrowhead Stadium is one of the loudest, most difficult road stadiums for a weakened offensive line to play in.

Dottino: 3 Key Matchups For New York Giants-Chiefs, Plus A Prediction from CBS New York

Regardless, the Giants must prevent Poe (6-foot-3, 346 pounds) from dictating play. He is a force in the run and has 3 1/2 sacks this season. If he's not tough enough to deal with, the frenzied Arrowhead Stadium crowd is apt to cause communication issues for the line as well.

Giants To Battle Smart QB In Chiefs' Alex Smith from NorthJersey.com

"If you're going out there trying not to turn the ball over, that's a problem," added Smith, who will lead undefeated Kansas City into Sunday's game with the winless Giants at Arrowhead Stadium. "You need to go out there and execute. You need to go out there and make plays, but within the structure of you doing your job. There needs to be ball security and for me that's two hands in the pocket and making good decisions.

"It's seeing the defense, trusting my reads, my progressions and then throwing the ball where it's supposed to go."

Peyton's Passing Fuels Denver Win Streak from ESPN

Which defense is best suited to stop the Broncos?

It might be the Kansas City Chiefs, who match up well against Denver's passing attack.

All 12 of Peyton Manning's touchdown passes this season have come on sets that used at least three wide receivers. The Chiefs defense owns the league's second-best Total QBR on plays when the opposing offense uses at least three wide receivers, which is the best among teams on the Broncos' schedule.

Keys To Victory Against The Chiefs from Giants.com

Force the Chiefs to be one-dimensional. The Kansas City offense is predicated on balance with a 90-105 run-pass ratio. Stopping the run is the way to go about it, but the Giants will have do so against every-down back Jamaal Charles, who rushed for 1,509 yards last season.

Leach's Lists: DTM's Bagels And Lox Week 4 NFL from CBS Detroit

I wasn't buying into the Chiefs until I saw them beat Philly last week.

The Eagles might not be great , but Kansas City made them often look silly in a huge home game for the Eagles and have a coach in Andy "Rib-Eye" Reid that has this teams complete attention. I would not be shocked if this was another laughter like the Giants attempt at humor against Carolina.

Eli Manning 'Concerned' With Giants' Offensive Problems from NFL.com

The New York Giants haven't started 0-4 since 1987, a strike-marred season that saw Bill Parcells and Co. fail to make the playoffs after winning Super Bowl XXI.

Big Blue is one loss away from revisiting that ugly mark if it stumbles against the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

What's the problem in New York? Everything.

Alex Henry Fined $15,750 For Horse-Collar Tackle from ProFootballTalk

The NFL fined Eagles placekicker Alex Henery $15,750 for a horse-collar tackle of Chiefs returner Quintin Demps in Philadelphia's Week Three loss to Kansas City, the league confirmed to PFT on Friday.

Fact Or Fiction: Will Defense Break Trhough? from Giants.com

The Chiefs have struggled against opposing pass rushes, but Alex Smith should be able to do a better job getting the ball out quicker with their short passing game. In addition, the Giants simply haven't flashed an explosive pass rush all year. Branden Albert is a tough matchup for Jason Pierre Paul, but 1st overall pick Eric Fisher has struggled at right tackle. Justin Tuck should be able to do well on that side.

Behind The Scenes With Chiefs Owner Hunt from The Kansas City Business Journal

Clark Hunt wears a lot of different hats as owner of the Kansas City Chiefs, but his favorite is that of a football fan.

Hunt is involved in supporting charity efforts, encouraging the team's players and coaches, welcoming special guests, partnering with local business leaders and mingling with fans.

Cassel Deserved Better Legacy With Chiefs from ESPN

Cassel didn't work out for the Chiefs. No argument there. The Chiefs needed to move on, for his sake and their own, and credit to John Dorsey and Andy Reid for wasting no time in doing so.

As for his time with the Chiefs, I'm not sure there was a quarterback alive who could have done much more in a rotten situation than Cassel did.