Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 3/14

Joe Mays: "Chiefs Are Serious About Ball" from The Mothership

Q: Was there interest from other teams or just the Chiefs?

MAYS: "There was interest from a couple of teams, including Houston; they wanted to bring me back in, but I felt like it was a good situation in Kansas City. I know about the fan base, from playing against these guys, twice a year, with me being in Denver, so, it's just a good place to play ball and just knowing the coaches and getting a chance to meet them and talk to them, they're serious about ball; they love ball, but it's also a family atmosphere. That was something that I wanted to be a part of and I know my family will love it out there too, so it was just an easy decision for me."

Q&A With Chiefs OL Jeff Linkenbach from The Mothership

Q: What stood out to you about playing the Chiefs last year?

LINKENBACH: "I mean, the fans are just great, tremendous and very passionate about the Chiefs and I really love that. At the playoff game in Indy, there were plenty of Chiefs fans in the crowd, which is odd to see for a playoff game I guess. The year before, 2012, the Colts played in Kansas City for the last game of the season and guys weren't doing too well, but the fans came out and still was one of the louder stadiums that I played in that year. The fan support and the passionate fan base is a big part of me choosing the Chiefs."

Revisiting Husain Abdullah's 2013 Season from The Mothership

It wasn't long before Abdullah struck again, creating two turnovers in the team's AFC Wild Card Game against the Indianapolis Colts. Husain recorded two interceptions of QB Andrew Luck, which are Abdullah's first two postseason interceptions and tie the club record for most interceptions in a single postseason game. He became the sixth player in Chiefs history to record two interceptions in a playoff game and also added six solo tackles and two passes defensed in the contest.

Chiefs Cheerleader Audition Overview from The Mothership

Over 200 rookie candidates will arrive at Arrowhead Stadium Friday evening to audition for the chance to become a 2014 Chiefs Cheerleader.

The evening will start with the preliminary round. Rookie candidates will participate in public speaking and perform a routine for the judges with a twist of their own style. The 200 plus candidates will then be trimmed down to 90, those candidates will move onto Saturday's semi-finals with the returning veterans.

How Much Is Too Much for KC's Charles? from ESPN

Charles led the NFL with 19 total touchdowns, three more than the next highest player. The Chiefs relied on him like never before and he responded by leading them in not only rushing but receiving, as well.

That he proclaimed himself ready in March for another big workload is encouraging for the Chiefs, but how much can Charles have left? He won't turn 28 until late December but will be heading into his seventh season in 2014. At 200 pounds, he doesn't appear built for such a heavy workload year in and year out.

Charles isn't concerned about his own football mortality, though no player ever is until the end is upon him.

Analyzing Kiper 3.0: Chiefs from ESPN

Mel Kiper Jr. has wide receiver Marqise Lee of USC going to the Kansas City Chiefs in the first round of his latest mock draft. ESPN Insider access is required.

Lee played three seasons at USC and, after posting big numbers his first two years, dropped off to 57 catches for 791 yards and four touchdowns in 2013.

Familiarity Plays Role In Mays Signing from Chiefs Spin

Some of the considerations the sixth-year pro mentioned during Thursday's media conference call included a good place for his family and a strong locker room atmosphere.

But ultimately, Mays returned to an awareness of Chiefs coach Andy Reid, who drafted Mays in 2008 while with the Philadelphia Eagles.

"It was just like I hadn't left when I had a chance to see him when I came out there," Mays said of reuniting with Reid. "He was smiling. I was smiling."

Joe Mays Could Be 1-Year Rental For Chiefs from ESPN

Mays' contract is worth $6 million. His cap number is $2 million this year, a relatively team-friendly number for a starting inside linebacker who will probably come out of the lineup on passing downs.

But his cap number doubles to $4 million in 2015. Included is a clause that will make $1 million of his 2015 salary guaranteed if he's still with the Chiefs by April 15 of next year. The Chiefs can walk away from his contract before that date and it won't cost them a nickel.

OL Jeff Linkenbach Offers Experience, Versatility from Chiefs Spin

Still, what could boost Linkenbach ahead of the inevitable battle is a four-year career where he's shown an ability to play various positions along the offensive line.

"I play so much everywhere," he said. "It's where I get the most reps during the week and I feel more comfortable during that week. I've played all four - guard and tackle positions - I feel comfortable pretty much everywhere."

Versatility Is Key For Jeff Linkenbach from ESPN

Linkenbach's signing is similar to last year's free-agent addition of Schwartz, another versatile offensive lineman. Linkenbach also signed a one-year contract, his worth $900,000. Of that, $750,000 is in base salary, $150,000 in workout bonus.

His guarantee is $250,000, which means the Chiefs could release him at little cost later.

Source: Emmanuel Sanders Visiting Chiefs On Friday from National Football Post

Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders is scheduled to visit the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday, according to a league source..

Sanders' first two visits were with the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

2014 NFL Mock Draft: Patriots Fill Need They Can't Address In Free Agency from NESN

23. Kansas City Chiefs (11-5): Brandin Cooks, wide receiver, Oregon State Dwayne Bowe can't do it all on his own at wide receiver for the Chiefs. Cooks would bring an explosive option in the "Z" and slot.

Brad Ziegler Tweets His Mind, And Then Some from USA Today

Ziegler grew up about 40 miles east of Kansas City in Odessa, Mo. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 20th round of the 2003 draft and nearly quit baseball twice...

...this offseason signed his first multiyear contract, a two-year, $10.5 million deal. The $4.5 million he'll make this season is more than his combined career earnings.

He says money won't change him. He'll continue to root for the Kansas Jayhawks in basketball, the Kansas City Chiefs in football and the San Jose Sharks in hockey. And maybe one day he'll even get the courage to tell Johnny Damon that he was his favorite player growing up.

Morning Report: Unsigned Saints from ESPN

Meanwhile, it remains possible that the Saints could wind up re-signing players like offensive tackle Zach Strief, center Brian de la Puente, receivers Robert Meachem and Joe Morgan, fullback Jed Collins, quarterback Luke McCown and linebackers Parys Haralson and Ramon Humber. So far there has been only one reported visit scheduled among that group -- Morgan with the Kansas City Chiefs, as first reported by the Detroit Free Press.

Double Coverage: Jackson And Asamoah from ESPN

From the Chiefs' perspective, what were the pros and cons to keeping or parting ways with both Jackson and Asamoah?

Teicher: The Chiefs would have liked to have retained Jackson but not at the price the Falcons got him for (five years, $25 million). He developed into a solid run defender the past couple of seasons but was still just a part-time player who came out of the game on passing downs.

First 48 Hours Of Free Agency Transformed 15 NFL Teams from USA Today

Kansas City Chiefs

They let go of LT Branden Albert (five years, $47M, $26M in guarantees with the Dolphins), who was their franchise player a year ago, meaning last year's No. 1 pick, Eric Fisher, most likely is headed for QB Alex Smith's blind side. They also lost two guards with starting experience, Asamoah and Geoff Schwartz (to the New York Giants), as well as versatile WR/PR Dexter McCluster (three years, $9M, $7.35M in guarantees with the Tennessee Titans). Their two signings were economical: ex-Indianapolis Colts G Jeff Linkenbach (one year, $900K, $250K in guarantees) in addition to ex-Houston Texans LB Joe Mays (two years, $6M, $3M in guarantees), who spent time with Andy Reid in Philadelphia.