Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 9/7

Kansas City Chiefs 'Ready To Go' On Sunday from The Mothership

"We look forward to the challenge of playing Jacksonville," coach Reid said. "Our guys have had a good week of practice; they worked their tail off. I know they're looking forward to playing in the real, regular season game. I think we're ready to go."

While Jacksonville could be led by either QB Blaine Gabbert (listed as questionable) or back-up Chad Henne, coach Reid's team is prepared for either signal-caller.

"They're both good players, so we're ready for either one of them," coach Reid said. "Whichever way they go, they go. We know their strengths, so we practice for those."

Chiefs' Derrick Johnson Has Chance To Succeed Ray Lewis As AFC's Best Linebacker from KC Star

"I know this defense like the back of my hand," Johnson said. "The players who make the most plays in the league are the players who know what's going on in their own scheme and what the offense poses. When you know what you're doing, and you do it well, you can make a lot of plays."

Johnson, a Pro Bowl starter in 2012, led the Chiefs in tackles for the third straight season with 125, the fifth time in his career he has made 100 or more tackles. In fact, his 874 career tackles rank fifth in Chiefs history, 125 shy of Gary Spani's club record of 999.

Overheard: Captains Announced from The Mothership

After practice on Friday the Chiefs announced five captains for Sunday's game: 11 Alex Smith, 82 Dwayne Bowe, 56 Derrick Johnson, 29 Eric Berry and 2 Dustin Colquitt.

Injury Update: Nico Johnson (ankle), Jon Asamoah (calf) and Allen Bailey (non-injury related) did not practice. Travis Kelce (knee) and Husain Abdullah (foot) were limited today.

And... Here's How The Chiefs Will Do In Every Game This Season from KC Star

These Chiefs are an especially hard-to-figure bunch, and this can be proven by pointing out that there are logical cases for them to be anything from 4-12 to 11-5.

Watch.

Jaguars List QB Blaine Gabbert As Questionable For Sunday's Game vs Chiefs from KC Star

Jacksonville reported that quarterback Blaine Gabbert was a limited participant in practice on Friday and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.

The Chiefs, meanwhile, said safety Husain Abdullah, who plays on passing downs, was limited because of a foot injury, as was tight end Travis Kelce (knee). Both were listed as questionable.

Chiefs right guard Jon Asamoah, who has been out the past two weeks because of a calf injury, returned to practice on Friday and could be available to play on Sunday. Rookie inside linebacker Nico Johnson (ankle) is the only Chiefs player ruled out.

Chiefs' Reid Has Admirer In Sporting KC's Vermes from KC Star

Sporting Kansas City manager and technical director Peter Vermes has never met Andy Reid, who took over as the Chiefs' coach in January.

But that doesn't mean Vermes isn't familiar with Reid.

"I grew up in the Jersey/Philadelphia area, so I was always an Eagles fan growing up," Vermes said. "I thought Andy Reid did a great job there and I truly believe that he's a very, very good coach. I think he'll do an excellent job here with this team."

Chiefs-To-MidAmerica Nazarene Coaching Pipeline Flows from KC Star

At a recent Pioneers practice in Olathe, position instruction came from four former Kansas City Chiefs, starting with Quinn, the head coach and former quarterback who suited up for three NFL teams, including the Chiefs in 2002 and 2003, in seven seasons.

Duane Clemons, who spent three of his 10 NFL seasons with the Chiefs, oversees the defensive line.

Barking instructions at linebackers is Anthony Davis, who spent four seasons with the Chiefs in the mid-1990s.

Samie Parker, who caught 110 passes as a Chiefs' wide receiver, helps with that position. He works with former Kansas State fullback Joe Hall, who spent five seasons in NFL training camps, including two with the Chiefs on the offensive side. Hall is the Pioneers' wide receivers coach.

KCChiefs.com Video: Chiefs Live! Week 1 Matchup vs Jaguars

KCChiefs.com Video: Reid: "We Look Forward To The Challenge"

KCChiefs.com Video: Inside The Lock Room: Week One Jacksonville

NFL.com Video: 'Playbook': Kansas City Chiefs vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Double Coverage: Kansas City Chiefs At Jacksonville Jaguars from ESPN

Fans know a lot about their favorite teams, but they don't have the same depth of knowledge of the 31 other teams in the NFL. That's not going to be a problem any longer.

Each week the NFL Nation writers will team up Q&A style to help you get a handle on each team. Today, Kansas City Chiefs reporter Adam Teicher and Jacksonville Jaguars reporter Michael DiRocco help break down Sunday's matchup.

Chiefs Receiver Hall Takes Welker Comparisons In Stride from KC Star

Chiefs receiver Chad Hall has heard the Wes Welker comparisons, and he understands his diminutive stature - he's listed at 5 feet 8 and 187 pounds - isn't the only reason he gets them.

"I don't know if it's every short (guy)," Hall said with a chuckle. "It's every short white guy."

That said, the fourth-year pro from Air Force - who was claimed by the Chiefs off waivers from the 49ers last week - has no problems being compared to the Denver star.

Opener Fires Up Eric Fisher - Luke Joeckel Debate from ESPN

The issue of whether the Chiefs made the right decision in choosing one offensive tackle, Eric Fisher, over another, Luke Joeckel, won't be settled Sunday when Fisher's team, the Chiefs, plays against Joeckel's, the Jaguars.

But the fact that the No. 1 and No. 2 overall picks in the April draft will be on display in the same regular-season opener provides a handy occasion to look back at the reason the Chiefs picked Fisher instead of Joeckel.

Playing For Second Place Already? from ESPN

Well, the 2013 Chiefs season was nice while it lasted. But with the way Peyton Manning and the Broncos played in Thursday night's season opening win over Baltimore, isn't it time to look ahead to 2014?

It already feels after the Broncos ran past the defending Super Bowl champion that the Chiefs are playing for second place in their division. Kansas City's season doesn't start until Sunday, when they play the Jaguars in Jacksonville.

Andy Reid Finds Himself With A Better Quarterback In Kansas City Than He Left In Philadelphia from LehighValleyLive

But as far as what he left at the quarterback spot in Philadelphia, it looks like Reid is in a better situation in Kansas City. Vick is 33; Smith is 29. Vick has 30 passing touchdowns and 33 turnovers in the last two seasons; Smith has thrown for 30 touchdowns and turned over the ball just 13 times the past two years. Vick last won a playoff game in 2005; Smith won one in 2012.

Vick was once a top-tier quarterback but seems to be on the downside of his career. Unless Chip Kelly can do some real magic, make Vick cut back on his turnovers and find a way to rejuvenate his career, Reid has the edge with his new quarterback.

Kansas City Chiefs from The Windsor Star

The team signed ex-49er Smith to take the reins under center and brought in weapons Avery and Fasano to make his transition easier. His presence should ease the offense's tendency toward turnovers (37 in 2012, third-worst in the NFL). Lack of experience on the offensive line, especially at center, could prove problematic, however. The defense, which was reliable until last year's dropoff, gets CBs Smith and Robinson added to the secondary and, with Pro Bowlers Derrick Johnson, Tamba Hali and Eric Berry in tow, should return to being among the league's better units.

Chiefs vs Jaguars Primer: Sutton's Troops from Warpaint Illustrated

When Head Coach Andy Reid, hired Bob Sutton to run his defense. Not many people knew much about the former Jets assistant coach. With the New York Jets, Sutton served as a position coach and defensive coordinator. However, his duties flipped flopped often when Rex Ryan took over the team.

In Kansas City, he has the opportunity to work with a plethora of All Pro players that he can mold into an attacking championship unit. So can he do that?

I don't see why not.

Kevin Haskin: Chiefs Better Under Reid, But Playoffs? Playoffs? from The Topeka Capital-Journal

For Reid, the Chiefs represent a new beginning he welcomed. To the Chiefs, Reid presents far more structure, which was established during a productive camp.

All of this is encouraging. Too much so, perhaps. Quickly, Kansas City grew into a rising upstart seen as a sexy pick to make the AFC playoffs. The worst season in franchise history, marred by ineptitude, dysfunction and tragedy, has faded from memory. Rather quickly.

Still, expecting Reid to pull off a playoff-bound turnaround in his first season with the Chiefs is a bit like opening a new barbecue joint in KC and immediately overtaking all the old, and new, favorites.

Fantasy Football: Rating The Rookies, Part 1 from The New York Times

No. 8: Knile Davis, Kansas City Chiefs - Davis has had an up and down preseason. He has shown glimpses of talent with a 109-yard return touchdown, but he has also shown weaknesses with a fumble and an average of 2.8 yards per carry. Davis will only spell Jamaal Charles at the start of the season and is a straight handcuff.

Blaine Gabbert Questionable For Jaguars vs. K.C. Chiefs from NFL.com

The Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback "looked fine" Friday after practicing on a limited basis Wednesday and Thursday, but he looms as questionable for Week 1 with the thumb injury he suffered during the preseason, according to the Jaguars' official website.

Chip Kelly, Tom Brady, Rookie QBs Among Week 1 Headliners from NFL.com

Just how much of a difference can Andy Reid and Alex Smith make for the Kansas City Chiefs? The Chiefs ranked last in scoring and passing last season. Enter an offensive-minded coach and a quarterback who has been revived in his past two seasons. The Chiefs' roster is loaded with talent, and if Smith continues his upward trend against the Jacksonville Jaguars -- he completed 64.2 percent of his passes in his two years with Jim Harbaugh compared to 56.8 percent earlier in his career -- it could portend good things for K.C.

NFL: Quarterbacking Separates The Best From The Bums from The Toronto Star

The Kansas City Chiefs got better in two crucial areas over the off-season: coach (Andy Reid) and QB (Alex Smith). Smith is that notorious stereotype: The Man With Something to Prove to Everyone (Except His Accountant). He's such a huge upgrade at pivot, the SEC should consider investigating this trade.

But the really good news for the Chiefs is the opposition. They share a division with two remora franchises in San Diego and Oakland. They have three other games against rebuilding teams in Buffalo, Jacksonville and Cleveland. Win those gimmes, and you're only two wins out of the other nine games from the playoffs.

Week 1 N.F.L. Matchups from The New York Times

Alex Smith spent his time in San Francisco trying to impress a team and fans that never seemed committed to him. Every time he turned around, someone was trying to replace him with a cast of unimpressive quarterbacks, including Shaun Hill, J. T. O'Sullivan and David Carr. Even after going 13-3 in 2011, and coming within a fumbled punt of the Super Bowl, the 49ers not-so-secretly courted Peyton Manning.

Kansas City used the No. 1 over all pick in the draft to get a left tackle, Eric Fisher, to protect Smith's blind side. Pick: Chiefs

Marcedes Lewis Out Vs. Chiefs; Gabbert Still Questionable from The Florida Times-Union

Bradley thought Gabbert would be inactive for the game if the team decides it would be better to start Chad Henne. One of the biggest challenges for Gabbert will be tolerating the pain in his thumb.

"I met with the doctor last night. He was really pleased with his progress," Bradley said. "He said he's not 100 percent and may have some soreness in his hand, but like I mentioned before it can't get any worse so he will just have to deal with that little bit of pain."

Kicking Off The Season With A Stubbed Toe from The Harlan Daily Enterprise

Chiefs at Jaguars - Kansas City remains something of a mystery. Jacksonville is really not. More's the pity. When Andy Reid made his head coaching debut in Philly oh-so-many years ago, he just about set the NFL world on fire, at least for a weekend. Can't wait to see what rabbits he pulls out of his even bigger hat this time.

Chiefs Vs Jaguars: Off The Field from WOKV

I want this game to give me answers.

Unfortunately, I'll have to wait awhile for the answers I really want. I want to know which team did things the right way. You, see both the Jaguars and the Chiefs were bad last year. Both teams finished 2 - 14 and both teams fired the people in charge and started over. But that's where the parallels end. The contrasting philosophies of each organization were clear as each made significant, franchise-changing decisions in the offseason.

Former NFL Player Now Treating Injuries from My FOX Houston

"For me it was all about doing something with the rest of my life that one, could tie my two careers together  and two would be really interesting  and challenging."

He knows all about challenging. The first round draft pick out of Baylor played two seasons with the USFL. Then four years with the Kansas City Chiefs and  then on to the Washington Redskins where he was part of the 1991 Super Bowl championship team. He says all those years he developed what most players do, tunnel vision, seeing nothing besides or beyond football.

Peter King Won't Use 'Redskins' On New MMQB Site from USA Today

In his anti-Redskins declaration, King notes that "the highly respected American Indian Movement" condemns the use of Redskins. That same organization also condemns the use of Kansas City's team nickname, the Chiefs, which is still used by King and his site.

NFL Retiree Publicity Judge Orders Opposing Suits Dropped from Bloomberg

Opponents of the proposed agreement include one-time Los Angeles Rams lineman Fred Dryer, whose name is on the original case, former New York Jets Mark Gastineau and Abdul Salaam, who were part of the 1980s defensive unit known as the Sack Exchange, and Kansas City Chiefs' Curley Culp, in whose name a suit was filed in Camden, New Jersey, federal court Aug. 20.

Talking Points: What's So Great About Fantasy Football, Anyway? from NYU Local

After that, it gives a little bit of salvation to fans of awful teams. Like I just admitted, I like the Chiefs because my dad liked them. He says it was because their uniforms were cool. Regardless of the reason, I've been stuck following a perpetually disappointing team from the Midwest for as long as I can remember. It was kind of tough, especially when I would play Madden with my friends and would perpetually be overmatched by their favorite teams.

Fantasy gives me, and fans like me, some redemption. Jamaal Charles can't carry an entire team by himself, but he's still a top-5 fantasy player. Thank to him, people know that at least the Chiefs have one noteworthy player and I feel a little bit of pride if I'm able to snag him in a draft.