Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 9/5

Alex Smith: 'That's Why We Play Football' from The Mothership

Week 1 is so close that the guys can almost taste it. Granted, it's not the irreplaceable taste of BBQ, fresh off the grill during an all-day tailgating party in the parking lots around Arrowhead Stadium on Sundays, but the aroma of opportunity is as strong as ever, as kickoff against Jacksonville is just days away.

Following Wednesday's walkthrough, Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid addressed the media, admitting that he's ready to finally get the season underway.

Chiefs' Alex Smith Knows The Value Of Winning Season Openers from KC Star

In three preseason games, Smith completed 31 of 48 passes for 288 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions. His long pass play was a 30-yard catch-and-run to Dwayne Bowe, but the Chiefs are just itching to see him throw it downfield when the games count for real.

"That's big right there, because earlier in my career, I haven't really been a part of a big over-the-top passing game," said running back Jamaal Charles. "It's always throw the ball to Jamaal or hand the ball off to Jamaal. We got Donnie Avery, he's a speed guy, and that's big, that these guys can run and help Dwayne Bowe and just run straight go (routes)."

OL Protecting Its QBs: 'We Take It Personal' from The Mothership

"Every day is a working day," Chiefs RT Eric Fisher said. "It takes a while to get your group on the same page, but I think we're coming along great. We've seen some great things on film and we know what we're doing every day, so we try to improve that every day and get the job done for the QBs and the RBs. We take it personally when the QB gets touched, so we do our best to let him not get touched."

Chiefs OL Donald Stephenson agreed with Fisher on the line's collective goal and responsibility to protect Chiefs QB Alex Smith.

Overheard: Hard Work Will Pay Off from The Mothership

WR Junior Hemingway on the team's outlook on the upcoming game:

"We're ready to go out there and show the league what the Chiefs are going to do this year. We've been working so hard, we've been coming together as a team, both offense and defense and we're ready to go out there and put all our hard work to good use."

The Truth Behind Why Ricky Stanzi Is A Jaguar from KC Star

"When Dave Caldwell brought his attention to me," said Bradley, "he said, he liked him, what he offered in college ... we have a scout (Kyle O'Brien) who was on Kansas City's staff last year, who is with us now, and he talked highly of him. He only had about 15 reps in preseason, but it's based on his body of work in college that we were intrigued by him."

Asked if Stanzi's familiarity with the Chiefs offense played any role in Jacksonville's decision to claim him, Caldwell could not tell a lie.

KCChiefs.com Video: Smith: The First One Is The Most Important

KCChiefs.com Video: Andy Reid Excited For Jacksonville

KCChiefs.com Photo Gallery: Preparing For Jacksonville

Chiefs' Fisher, Jags' Joeckel Ready For Debuts from The Associated Press via FS Kansas City

The Kansas City Chiefs had offensive tackle Eric Fisher rated No. 1 on their draft board. The Jacksonville Jaguars had fellow offensive tackle Luke Joeckel rated first on their board.

Both of the teams got what they wanted in April.

Now, the Chiefs and Jaguars will get a good idea who fared best when Fisher and Joeckel make their NFL debuts. Kansas City visits Jacksonville on Sunday with both players set to start at right tackle for teams coming off 2-14 seasons.

Chiefs' Season Opener As An Example Of The Importance Of Evaluating Quarterbacks from KC Star

The NFL is such a quarterback-centric thing that I imagine every fan base is obsessed with quarterbacks. Fans in Green Bay are obsessed with their awesome quarterback and fans in Oakland are obsessed with their crappy quarterbacks and fans in San Diego are obsessed with their quarterback who swings wildly from awesome to crappy, often in the same game.

Fans in Kansas City are obsessed with the annoying fact that the last quarterback drafted by the Chiefs to win a game with the Chiefs was Todd Blackledge.

Today's Chiefs Practice Report from ESPN

I saw something today I don't remember seeing before: Andy Reid spending time (however briefly) watching the defense instead of the offense when they were working on separate fields.

Season Opener Big For KC from Warpaint Illustrated

It's clear the Chiefs have some issues to resolve but they're minimal compared to those of the Jaguars. Provided the offensive line can play at a high level, offensively the Chiefs have everything they need to be successful in regards to their passing and running attack.

In fact, based on the attacking style we saw in preseason; defensively the Chiefs are going to be a terrific unit. They have enough playmakers that at seasons end, I'd be shocked if they weren't ranked in the top eight in the AFC.

Kansas City Chiefs - Team Report from GlobalPost

When a roster gets blown up, those pushing the plunger must have the patience for the losing that invariably follows when there is major locker room turnover. Reid and Dorsey understand the dynamics given their 45 combined seasons in the NFL. They know that culture does not produce winning; winning produces culture. They were part of those types of winning/cultures in Green Bay (Reid and Dorsey) and Philadelphia (Reid).

That's why their goal has been to win in 2013 and not talk in terms of creating a team that would be successful sometime down the road. They are balancing that desire with long-term growth that is often tied to young talent that needs time to develop.

Coin Toss Tickets: KC vs JAX from Jaguars.com

"Coin Toss" tickets are being made available this weekend for the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Jacksonville Jaguars game at EverBank Field. Fans will be able to pick up $20 "Coin Toss" tickets at EverBank Field this Saturday, September 7, from 10 a.m until 1 p.m. The Jaguars host the Chiefs at EverBank Field on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Autumnlike Cool Will Change To Summery Heat From Kansas City To Minneapolis from AccuWeather

While the Kansas City Chiefs will open their NFL season on the road Sunday, it will take them to the heat and humidity of Jacksonville, Fla., to take on the Jaguars. Temperatures will be near 90 degrees at kickoff with RealFeel temperatures in the middle 90s.

Chiefs Great Derrick Thomas To Be Featured On 'A Football Life' from Arrowhead Addict

Derrick Thomas left Chiefs Kingdom far too early, but Chiefs fans, his fans and NFL fans in general will be able to relive memories of the former Chiefs great on September, 24th. He'll be featured on the popular NFL Network Series "A Football Life".

Jags QB Decision Could Go Until Sunday from ESPN

Gabbert was limited in practice on Wednesday, but did take some team reps. Bradley said the next step will be to see how Gabbert's thumb responds over the next few days before he would make a decision on whether he will play against the Chiefs.

"It very easily could [drag into Sunday]," Bradley said. "We've got some decisions to make. I know he feels better every day so I think we're going to have to get as much time as we can to evaluate this."

Jaguars: Three And Out from The Florida Times-Union

2. The Jaguars will have some surprises in store for Kansas City ... and vice versa

Quarterback Chad Henne said the Chiefs defense showed very little during the preseason so the Jaguars expect some wrinkles from new coordinator Bob Sutton, whose last stop was with Rex Ryan and the New York Jets.

10 Things I Learned About Being A General Manager from MMQB

For instance, on a day in late January 2012, I had just received some medical information on two of our players that I was not expecting, and we also received news about one of our players who was involved in a legal issue (one I can't discuss) that could have turned very serious. Just when I thought to myself, This is one of those days that you can't explain to people, offensive line coach Bill Muir walked into coach Romeo Crennel's office and announced his retirement. Bill Muir is one of the finest football coaches I've ever been around, and we knew trying to replace a coach and a man like him was going to be nearly impossible. Nearly every day as a GM is a lesson in changing on the fly.

AFC Team Outlooks from The Los Angeles Times

The Chiefs made a bit of strange history last season. According to Elias Sports Bureau, they were the first team to have six Pro Bowl players and fewer than six victories in a season. This team has promise, especially with Andy Reid as coach and Alex Smith at quarterback. Jamaal Charles is going to run for a lot of yards and catch a lot of passes. Their return teams were outstanding this summer.

Jaguars Notebook: Eager To See Offense Hit Field In Opener from The Florida Times-Union

Jedd Fisch is playing Santa Claus for Jaguars fans this week.

Fans will get to open their presents Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs and discover what kind of offense he plans to run. It will be the first time he calls plays in an NFL game.

Studs & Duds: Eagles' Vick Among Wick 1 Picks To Click from USA Today

Fear not, fantasy faithful, Charles' foot injury will not be a problem, especially against the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars defense. Look for K.C. to roll, and Charles tohave a beastly performance, even on potentially limited touches. Jacksonville allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to the position in 2012.

NFL Returns With 32 Fascinating Tales To Tell from The Fort Wayne News-Sentinel

Kansas City Chiefs: Andy Reid was no longer wanted in Philadelphia. Alex Smith was no longer wanted in San Francisco. They'd like to order a couple plates of revenge. Served cold, of course.

ESPN Bill Polian's Rankings Of Playoff Contenders Omits Indianapolis Colts from KentSterling.com

Could Polian be angry enough about the fresh wound of being kicked to the curb to omit the Colts from a playoff watch list in favor of a 2-14 team like the Chiefs?  It's safe to be that he didn't overlook them, or was unaware of their existence.

How does he justify picking KC?  According to Polian, the Chiefs will benefit from the addition of Alex Smith at quarterback, and their last place schedule.  The last place schedule impacts all of two games on the schedule, and while an upgrade, Smith won't account for an additional eight wins.

Maurice Jones-Drew: I Lied To Myself Early In Jags Camp from NFL.com

The Jaguars have an unsettled situation at quarterback (and that's being kind), so expect Jones-Drew to return to his role as the offense's focal point. The question is if Jones-Drew will be eased into workhorse status or will immediately take it on. We'd be surprised if he has less than 25 touches against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Running Backs For Week 1 from NFL.com

Maurice Jones-Drew vs. Kansas City Chiefs: Jones-Drew missed most of last season with an injured foot, but he looks to be back at 100 percent and should now be in all starting fantasy lineups against the Chiefs. Their defense ranked among the eight-worst teams in the league in terms of fantasy running back scoring this past season. (Maximum value: High-RB2)

Rank's 11 Sleepers: Alex Smith Is One To Watch from NFL.com

Alex Smith, QB, Kansas City Chiefs: Again, these are sleepers. If you tweet me to ask about starting Peyton Manning over Smith, I will block you. I won't. But still. The quarterback position has a lot of depth this season. But one guy I've had my eye on is Smith who has a nice run of decent matchups to start the season (Dallas and Philadelphia after this week).

Get To Know Your Favorite Chiefs Player Off The Field from KSHB

Have you ever wanted to get to know a Chiefs player OFF the field? No stats, no career highlights, but as a person? Well here's your chance!

Road To MetLife: Week 1 Cheat Sheet from FOX Sports

Kansas City at Jacksonville: The Jags are going to surprise some folks this year. They're not quite there yet, but they're sneaky. Kansas City's getting all the preseason hype, but I think the Jags win this one. Name to watch: Cecil Shorts III. The third-year weapon out of Mount Union could be headed towards 100 catches this year. He's that good.

The Pick: Jaguars 20, Chiefs 16

Jaguars Start Kansas City Week from The Florida Times-Union

The Jaguars are a 3.5-point underdog to KC - the number has remained steady for a few weeks. They are one of five home underdogs this week: The Jets (+3) vs. Tampa Bay, Buffalo (+9.5) vs. New England, Carolina (+3) vs. Seattle and San Diego (+4) vs. Houston.

Kansas City is a road favorite for the first time in 19 games and only the fourth time since the start of 2007.

Five To Watch: KC vs JAX from Jaguars.com

How healthy are the Jaguars? Aside from Gabbert, the Jaguars appear healthy. Guard Will Rackley (ankle) and defensive end Jeremy Mincey (skin condition) missed practice Monday, but Head Coach Gus Bradley said they are expected to practice Wednesday, as is running back Justin Forsett, who missed all four preseason games with a toe injury. If Forsett, Mincey and Rackley practice, then only Gabbert is a health issue. That's as healthy as the team has been entering a regular season in some time.

NFL Week 1 Picks: Broncos, Ravens Set For Epic Rematch, 49ers Dial Up Packer's Number from SportingNews

Kansas City at Jacksonville (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS). Andy Reid and Alex Smith were brought to bring stability to the Chiefs' offense. They already had the feats of agility with Jamaal Charles. The Jaguars are better than you think with their cogs for Blaine Gabbert, even without Justin Blackmon. Reid, however, inherited a more ready-to-win veteran team than Gus Bradley. Chiefs 24, Jaguars 14.

Coach Chris Ault Staying Plenty Busy In His Post-Wolf Pack Career from The Reno Gazette-Journal

The longest stop on Ault's tour was at Kansas City, where he agreed last May to be a consultant for the Chiefs. Longtime NFL coach Andy Reid hired Ault for his knowledge of the Pistol offense, which is gaining traction in the NFL. Ault said he was more involved in training camp than he initially thought he'd be.

"It was a great learning experience," Ault said. "Andy is a West Coast offense guy and he's trying to add some new things to it, some of the Pistol stuff potentially. I was constantly putting notes together and constantly filling up my notebook on the kinds of things I can add to this Pistol offense."

Pioli Needs To Take Blame For Problems During Chiefs Tenure from ESPN

Pioli lamented all the time he had to spend on non-football issues. One of Pioli's failings was that he couldn't delegate authority over matters that didn't relate to the reason he was hired. He had his hand in everything, including matters that had nothing to do with winning and losing games.

Kansas City Chiefs' Cheerleaders Visit Belvoir from The Belvoir Eagle

Four cheerleaders - Hayley, Jilian, Jenna and Krystal - treated more than 30 Belvoir youth to an hour-long visit which included demonstrations and question-and-answer sessions.