Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 5/11

John Dorsey's Post-Draft Press Conference from The Mothership

"Good evening, everybody. It's been a long three days; I'm not going to lie to you. But you know what; I think we helped the Kansas City Chiefs. We got a little bit better today. First off, I want to thank these two gentlemen here. The one to my left (Director of Pro Personnel Chris Ballard) and the one to my right (Director of College Scouting Marvin Allen) for all of their hard work, their diligence and just making the Kansas City Chiefs a better personnel staff. It's always important to understand one thing and that's to surround yourself with exceptional people and these two gentlemen right here are very exceptional at what they do. I can't thank them enough for all of their tireless work and help in identifying some of the finer players I think we got in this year's draft. I want to thank the college scouts and the coaches for all that they have done, because this is a collective effort with all of us here in this organization. With that, we'll take your questions."

Kansas City Chiefs Pick RD De'Anthony Thomas from The Mothership

In 2013, Thomas played in 10 games, totaling 96 carries for 594 yards and eight TDs, as well as 22 receptions for 246 yards and one TD. Showcasing his versatility, Thomas returned 21 kickoffs for 513 yards and one TD.

"I'm very excited," Thomas said about joining the Chiefs. "I'm just ready to play some NFL football and contribute to this team."

Kansas City Chiefs Pick QB Aaron Murray from The Mothership

In addition to setting the Southeastern career-records for passing yardage, completions, TDs and total offense, he is the only quarterback in league and school annals to have four consecutive 3,000-yard passing seasons. Murray also holds the rare distinction of being just one of four Bulldogs QBs to start four seasons at the university since Georgia began playing organized football in 1892.

Kansas City Chiefs Pick G Zack Fulton from The Mothership

Chiefs Area Scout Pat Sperduto knows Fulton's game and skillset well.

"I've seen Zach for four years now," Sperduto said. "He is a big, strong man. He's very physical and plays the game hard. I think he's a readied pro, who should fit in pretty quickly. We have very good offensive line coaches; he'll fit what they do and they'll make him an even better professional."

Kansas City Chiefs Pick T L. Duvernay-Tardif from The Mothership

"We really found Larry at the East-West Shrine Game," Sperduto said. "He went down there and played. It was very surprising how big and athletic he was, and he was physical. He really just surprised us at how good of an athlete he was for such a big man."

In 2013, Duvernay-Tardif, a co-captain with the McGill Redmen, earned the Metras trophy, given to the most outstanding lineman in CIS football. He followed that by being one of two CIS players picked to play in the 2014 East-West Shrine Game.

KCChiefs.com Video: Draft Profile: Dee Ford

KCChiefs.com Video: Draft Profile: De'Anthony Thomas

KCChiefs.com Video: Draft Profile: Aaron Murray

KCChiefs.com Video: Chiefs Scout Discusses De'Anthony Thomas

KCChiefs.com Video: Chiefs Scout Discusses Arron Murray

KCChiefs.com Video: De'Anthony Thomas Media Conference Call

KCChiefs.com Video: Aaron Murray Media Conference Call

KCChiefs.com Photo Gallery: PHOTOS: Chiefs And Their Mothers

KCChiefs.com Photo Gallery: PHOTOS: Kansas City Chiefs 2014 Draft Class

KCChiefs.com Photo Gallery: PHOTOS: RB De'Anthony Thomas

KCChiefs.com Photo Gallery: PHOTOS: QB Aaron Murray

KCChiefs.com Photo Gallery: PHOTOS: G Zack Fulton

KCChiefs.com Photo Gallery: Finish On The 50 5K Run

NFL.com Video: Kansas City Chiefs Select Dee Ford With No. 23 Pick

NFL.com Video: Kansas City Chiefs Select Phillip Gaines With No. 87 Pick

NFL.com Video: Kansas City Chiefs Select De'Anthony Thomas With No. 124

NFL.com Video: Kansas City Chiefs Select QB Aaron Murray With No. 163 Pick

Stunner: Chiefs Draft A QB - And A Good One - In Aaron Murray from FS Kansas City

It's not often that a team's fifth-round pick creates a far bigger stir among its fan base than its first-round pick.

But that was the case with the Chiefs' selection of Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray in the fifth round Saturday.

Chiefs Nation's Twitter nearly exploded, responding with a resounding "Yes!" to the pick.

Chiefs Add Versatility With RB De'Anthony Thomas from Chiefs Spin

Needing a replacement for wide receiver/punt returner Dexter McCluster, who signed a free-agent contract with Tennessee Titans, the Chiefs effectively filled it with the selection of Oregon's De'Anthony Thomas.

"He's just an explosive playmaker," said Trey Koziol, the Chiefs West Coast area scout. "He's got world-class speed, ran track on the Oregon track & field team up there, which is one of the better programs in the country."

Chiefs Turn To Offense On Final Day Of NFL Draft from The Associated Press via FS Kansas City

After the Kansas City Chiefs spent two days bolstering their defense with lesser-known prospects, they went after some big names to help their offense on the final day of the NFL draft.

The Chiefs spent their fourth-round pick Saturday on dynamic playmaker De'Anthony Thomas, whose good buddy Snoop Dogg tweeted his approval a few minutes later. Then in the fifth round, Kansas City nabbed Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray, once considered a first-round talent.

Chiefs Select QB Aaron Murray In Fifth Round from Chiefs Spin

Playing in a pro system at Georgia will also assist the transition from college to the NFL, specifically the West Coast offense the Chiefs incorporate.

"He'll have no problem with terminology," Dorsey said. "He'll have no problem recognizing defenses. I think he will just jump right in with the rest of them, and as quick at studying and learning as he is, I would think he has no problem picking the stuff up."

The new Chiefs quarterback echoed Dorsey's thoughts.

"The scheme I had at Georgia is very similar to what they were doing up there," Murray said. "So it's just a perfect fit."

Kansas City Chiefs Take Georgia QB Aaron Murray In Fifth Round Of 2014 NFL Draft from Sports Illustrated

Tony Dungy famously said in 2012 that were it his choice, he would take Murray with the first overall pick in the following draft, and he reiterated that conviction in March, when he insisted that Murray could have a Russell Wilson-style impact at the NFL level.

That may be a bit much, but Murray does have decent potential, and based on what he said about his ideal NFL team when asked about it at the scouting combine, the Chiefs should be a good fit.

Kansas City Chiefs 2014 NFL Draft Wrap-Up from ESPN

Most surprising move: The selection of Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray in the fifth round qualifies, given the Chiefs already gave up their second-round choice for a quarterback, starter Alex Smith, in last year's trade with the San Francisco 49ers. The Chiefs also appeared set at quarterback with Smith, veteran backup Chase Daniel and developmental prospect Tyler Bray. But the Chiefs couldn't resist Murray, whose senior season was ended early by a torn ACL...

...That sets up an interesting battle for available roster spots at quarterback. Bray is the most likely candidate to be crowded off the roster, but if the Chiefs believe he or Murray is advanced enough to be their backup, a trade market could develop for Daniel.

Kansas City Chiefs Select De'Anthony Thomas In 2014 NFL Draft from Sports Illustrated

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has never shied away from using smaller, faster players in unconventional ways, and the temptation to take Oregon running back/receiver/return man De'Anthony Thomas in the fourth round was too great to resist. Standing 5-foot-9 and 174 pounds, Thomas gained 1,890 yards rushing, 1,296 yards receiving and over 2,000 return yards in three years with the Ducks, cementing his status as one of the most exciting college players in the nation. Tremendously explosive and elusive, Thomas could be a real thriller in the NFL if he's in the right offense.

Final Draft Picks Bring Offensive Linemen from Chiefs Spin

Of course, Fulton and Duveray-Tardif aren't guaranteed roster spots even as draft picks.

And while they'll be involved in competition with teammates in the coming months, the two draft picks have a mentality that Chiefs area scout Pat Sperduto appreciates.

"Both of these guys - I'm an O‐line guy - these are two nasty people," Chiefs area scout Pat Sperduto said. "It's great because they both understand the line.

"They step over the line and they're wild horse riders. They step back over and they're shepherds. These are good guys, really good guys off the field, quality human beings. When they hit the field, you're going to see some people mixing it up. These two will both do it."

Chiefs Bolster Quarterback Room With Aaron Murray from NFL.com

Arm strength isn't among his strengths, but Murray was a gritty, competitive leader at Georgia who tallied 121 touchdowns to 41 picks over 52 starts. At 6-foot-1, he's not a big-bodied passer, but has shown well throwing down the middle of the field.

The pick gives Reid another arm to groom and some insurance at the position if the Chiefs can't work out a long-term pact with Smith.

De'Anthony Thomas Selected By Kansas City Chiefs In Fourth Round Of NFL Draft from Emerald Media

The Kansas City Chiefs selected former Oregon running back De'Anthony Thomas with the 24th pick in the 4th round of the 2014 NFL draft Saturday.

"I want to get anywhere on the field just to show my ability and that I can play football,"Thomas told GoDucks.com. "Wide receiver, punt returner, kick returner; I just want to be somewhere on the field so I can make plays."

Chiefs #4: RB De'Anthony Thomas from Warpaint Illustrated

Thomas isn't an every down player but the Chiefs don't need him to fill that role. If the Chiefs offense is going to exceed the numbers they put up a year ago, having a speed-burning specialist that they can throw into the offensive mix every Sunday - will be invaluable asset to Reid.

Before signing with Oregon four years ago, Thomas was considered the top rated high school player in the nation. When he went to the Northwest he became a scoring machine for the Ducks playing both a part time and starters role for the Pac-10 team.

In Kansas City, he should fit into any role the Chiefs define for him.

QB Murray Says Kansas City's System 'An Incredible Fit' For Him from Athens Online

Murray interviewed with Chiefs quarterbacks coach Matt Nagy and an area scout before Georgia's Pro Day last month.

They watched film. Murray said the Chiefs' scheme is similar to what Georgia ran under him.

"It's a great fit," Murray said. "I'm not complaining one bit. It's an incredible fit. They do a heck of a job preparing quarterbacks. It's evident from (coach Andy Reid's) track record ."

Chiefs #5 Georgia QB Aaron Murray from Warpaint Illustrated

There is no point containing the excitement this pick ultimately could generate for Kansas City Chiefs fans in the years to come. Georgia Quarterback, Aaron Murray, is the poor mans version of New Orleans Saints Quarterback, Drew Brees.

Those comparisons, while unfair in every category since he's never taken an NFL snap, will likely continue throughout Murray's career in Kansas City.

Murray is one of the best college quarterbacks in this draft and it was a shocker he fell to the fifth round. With all the hype surrounding Cleveland Browns first round pick Quarterback, Johnny Manziel. In my view, Murray is twice the quarterback Manziel was at any point in their respective college careers.

Chiefs 6: Fulton & Laurent Deverney-Tardif [sic] from Warpaint Illustrated

Adding a player like Fulton, who started all but three games in four seasons for the Vols offensive line, makes good sense for the Chiefs who have some holes to fill thanks to an exodus in free agency.

Their final pick of round six isn't a household name in the United States but he is north of the border. Laurent Durveney-Tardiff [sic] is a converted defensive end that transformed his draft prospects when he switched to offensive tackle while playing for McGill University in Canada.

Durveney-Tardiff [sic] was a perennial starter for the Montreal College. However, he's also expected to be the number one overall selection in the CFL Draft later this month.

NFL Draft Grades For All 32 Teams from KC Star via The Miami Herald

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: C+...

...Their overall grade is hurt by the fact they a.) could have dearly used a second-round pick and only had six picks, in general, and b.) they didn't come away with a receiver, per se. But the Chiefs still came through with a solid draft. They began with by taking a talented pass rusher and corner to fortify a defense that fell apart toward the end of last season. And while Thomas is too small to play running back full-time, he'll log plenty of snaps in the slot as Dexter McCluster's replacement. Murray is a nice fit in Andy Reid's offense who will serve as insurance in case the Chiefs and quarterback Alex Smith can't agree to a reasonable extension, while Fulton and Duvernay-Tardif are big, aggressive developmental prospects who might make it. The Chiefs failed to come away with a safety, but that is probably a reflection on the confidence they have in Eric Berry, Sanders Commings and Husain Abdullah.

Plant High Grad Aaron Murray Taken By Chiefs from The Tampa Tribune

Murray, 6-foot-1, 210 pounds, has proclaimed himself completely healthy and said he will face no limitations entering the offseason workouts or training camp. If that's the case, Murray has seemingly landed in an ideal location.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid is known for developing quarterbacks, even those without a big reputation or lofty draft status. The Chiefs have Alex Smith, once the draft's No. 1 overall pick with the 49ers who has discovered a career renaissance in Kansas City.

Bell: Don't Get Invested In Day 3 Quarterbacks from USA Today

Maybe Thomas and Savage - now hitched to esteemed quarterback tutors in Bruce Arians and Bill O'Brien, respectively - will develop into something special. And Murray has drawn the good fortune of being groomed by Andy Reid. Perhaps we'll someday wonder how in the world Blake Bortles, Johnny Manziel and Teddy Bridgewater went ahead of these latter-day projects.

Probably not.

When a quarterback is chosen in the fourth round or later in the NFL Draft, he is a flier, a speculative play - which is a long way from being a franchise quarterback.

Duvernay-Tardif A Kansas City from RDS

Laurent Duvernay-Tardif est passé par toute la gamme des émotions, samedi, mais la dernière fut la joie lorsqu'il reçut l'appel des Chiefs de Kansas City pour lui annoncer qu'ils le sélectionnaient en sixième ronde du repêchage de la NFL.

" Il y avait quelques équipes que chaque fois que je les voyais passer je me disais peut-être que ce serait la bonne, et les Chiefs en faisaient partie. Je suis très content, je ne pourrais pas demander mieux ", a lancé celui qui prendra un vol dès dimanche matin pour se rapporter à Kansas City.

And now the translated page...

Duvernay-Tardif To Kansas City from RDS

Laurent Duvernay-Tardif went through the full range of emotions on Saturday, but the last was the joy when he received the call of the Kansas City Chiefs to announce they would select in the sixth round the NFL draft.

"There were some teams that whenever I saw them go I thought maybe it would be good, and the Chiefs were included.I'm very happy, I could not ask for better, "commented one who will take flight on Sunday morning to report to Kansas City.

Best And Most Worrisome Picks In 2014 NFL Draft from NFL.com

Worried...

...Kansas City Chiefs: Was Dee Ford (No. 23) insurance for not wanting to foot the bill for Tamba Hali's and Justin Houston's future price tags? Perhaps. Can he contribute in pass rush packages now? Sure. But the Chiefs have a major need at wide receiver (Marqise Lee anyone?) and could use a 3-4 defensive end (Ra'Shede Hagemen?). Picking 23rd overall might have been a tad pricey for tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins, but the position is another area the club could have addressed. Poor Alex Smith must have been watching the draft with a big bowl of cereal and a case of the maybe-next-years. I like Philip Gaines, but spending a third-round pick (No. 87) on a guy Mike Mayock deems "developmental" is interesting, especially considering the cornerback was Kansas City's second pick after Ford.

Grades: Lots Of A's And No F's? Much To Like In 2014 NFL Draft from CBS Sports

Kansas City Chiefs: The pick of outside linebacker Dee Ford in the first was strange for me with other needs, unless they are dumping Tamba Hali next year, which is possible. I liked the pick of corner Philip Gaines (third) and loved the pick of Aaron Murray in the fifth. Grade: C+

2014 NFL Draft: Winners And Losers, Rams Win Again from CBS Sports

Losers...

...Kansas City Chiefs - Dee Ford in the first means they might have more pass rush, but if it's because Tamba Hali porked up they've got bigger problems. Philip Gaines is a nice player and De'Anthony Thomas is the new-age Dexter McCluster. Aaron Murray's a fit in Andy Reid's system, but he's not scaring Alex Smith, who accounts for their second-round pick. Like Cleveland, they didn't address wide receiver at all when they needed to.

Draft Placement Doesn't Always Equate To Success In NFL from The Tribune-Review

On draft day, Shula loved it as quarterback after quarterback went off the board - John Elway, Todd Blackledge, Jim Kelly, Tony Eason, Ken O'Brien - and Marino remained.

Kansas City Chiefs coach John Mackovic, the former Cowboys QBs coach, worked out Marino and Blackledge the week before the draft and was convinced the Penn State quarterback was better. The New York Jets' pick of O'Brien, from Cal-Poly, was a true surprise. Shula hadn't even heard of him.

"Marino kept sliding and sliding, so when it came time for us to pick, Bill Arnsparger, our defensive coach, wanted to take a defensive lineman," Shula said. "I said, ‘Marino's on the board. We're taking Dan Marino.' ... And I'm very glad we drafted Dan Marino."

Concert At Belly Up Will Benefit Veterans Courtyard from The Coast News

Belly Up has teamed up with Solana Beach and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5431 to raise funds for a courtyard to honor service members.

Donnie Edwards, a former linebacker with the San Diego Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs, will host the May 19 event that begins at 5 p.m. and features The Fabulous Pelicans, a classic rock band.

The cost is $25 per person.

NFL Players Warn Rookies: Stop Spending! from FOX 59 News

Even though a majority of former NFL players have struggled financially once their gridiron careers are over, several players have left the NFL and become successful businessmen.

DeRon Cherry, a former Kansas City chiefs safety, is a managing partner of a local Anheuser-Busch distributor...

Two Former Wildcats Sign NFL Free-Agent Deals from Big Country Homepage

Taylor Gabriel and Charcandrick West -- who together combined to score 66 touchdowns and wrack up 7,703 all-purpose yards -- each signed preferred free agent deals and will attend rookie minicamps in the next few weeks. Also signing a free agent deal late Saturday night was former offensive lineman Will Latu, who started at both left tackle and right tackle in 2012 and 2013.

Gabriel signed a deal with the Cleveland Browns, whose moves to get Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel on Thursday made them the early headliner of the draft. West and Latue each signed deals with the Kansas City Chiefs, which reached the AFC playoffs last season in their first season under head coach Andy Reid.

TSU's Kadeem Edwards To Bucs, Demetrius Rhaney to Rams from The Tennessean

Former Tigers tight end A.C. Leonard (Minnesota Vikings) and safety David Van Dyke (Kansas City Chiefs) signed free-agent deals following the draft.

Four Undrafted BYU Players Sign As NFL Free-Agents from The Salt Lake Tribune

S Daniel Sorensen, Kansas City Chiefs: A lot of folks, including Sorensen's agent, Jim Grogan, expected the playmaking safety to get drafted in the later rounds Saturday, but it didn't happen. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound safety will get the chance to be coached by former BYU player Andy Reid, however. Sorensen turned heads at the NFL Combine and was a terror on special teams, but it apparently wasn't enough to get him drafted. He totaled 211 tackles and eight interceptions in his career.

"Daniel is one of the best football players I've coached," Mendenhall said.

Jake Holland, Ken Carter Accept Rookie Camp Invites To Atlanta, Kansas City from The Montgomery Adviser

...and defensive lineman Ken Carter accepted an invite to the Kansas City Chiefs camp.

Tulane Kicker Cairo Santos Agrees To Undrafted Free Agent Deal With Kansas City Chiefs, Tulane Confirms from NOLA.com

Tulane's Lou Groza Award-winning kicker Cairo Santos agreed to an undrafted free agent deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, Tulane athletic communications confirmed on Saturday.

Santos won the Lou Groza in 2012 after making 21-of-21 field goals that fall, becoming only the second kicker in NCAA history to not miss a kick.

Kansas City Chiefs Invite SVSU Quarterback Jon Jennings To Rookie Mini-Camp from MLive

The Kansas City Chiefs were active on the phones Saturday night locking up undrafted free agents.

Saginaw Valley State University quarterback Jon Jennings was one of the names on the Chiefs' list.

USU Football: Joey DeMartino Signs Free Agent Contract With Kansas City Chiefs from The Deseret News

Utah State all-conference running back Joey DeMartino signed a free agent contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, it was announced Saturday.

DeMartino becomes the eighth Utah State football player from the 2013 Mountain West Conference Mountain Division and San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl championship team to move on to the NFL...

Ex-Cajun Group Signs With NFL Clubs After Draft from The Daily Advertiser

After going unpicked Saturday in the final four rounds of the three-day, seven-round draft, wide receiver/return man Surgent and four ex-UL teammates quickly agreed to free-agent deals with NFL teams.

Surgent said he agreed to a deal with the Kansas City Chiefs...

Two Miami Hurricanes Taken In Late Rounds Of NFL Draft from The Miami Herald

Also signing free-agent contracts, according to UM, were defensive tackles Justin Renfrow (Arizona Cardinals) and Curtis Porter (Oakland Raiders), linebacker Jimmy Gaines (Buffalo), fullback Maurice Hagens (Atlanta Falcons), tight end Asante Cleveland (San Francisco 49ers), guard/center Jared Wheeler (Carolina Panthers), safeties Kacy Rodgers II (Kansas City Chiefs) and A.J. Highsmith (San Francisco), and defensive end Shayon Green (Miami Dolphins).

Crowell A Free Agent, Wenzig Invited To Minicamp from The Montgomery Adviser

...former Alabama State punter and placekicker Bobby Wenzig, was not signed to a free-agent contract but was invited to the Kansas City Chiefs' mini-camp later this month.

"The Chiefs called me about an hour and a half after the draft in asked me if I would be interested in attending their minicamp and I said of course," said the Arizona State transfer. "I am glad about being picked up by anyone at this point. It is a potential opportunity because they have the highest paid kicker-punter combo and maybe they are looking at replacing one of the guys."

One Heckuva Pensick Wedding Party from The Lincoln Star Journal

Cole Pensick's wedding party is going on as I type. It might go on for some time.

You'd expect things to get a little nuts after the groom finds out during the first dance he has a free agent opportunity with the Kansas City Chiefs. That might be an even better gift than a toaster.

Then there's the groomsman, Brent Qvale. He found out at the wedding party that he had a priority free agent deal with the Jets.

And the usher, Jeremiah Sirles. He signed with San Diego.

Perhaps most at ease was last night's third-round pick of Washington, Spencer Long, one of the wedding attendees.

Tenny Palepoi, Karl Williams, Jake Murphy Among Utes Signed As NFL Undrafted Free Agents from The Salt LAke Tribune

OL Vincent Jones • The offensive lineman, named honorable mention All-Pac 12 in his lone season at center last year, will be attending minicamp with the Kansas City Chiefs, says agent David Canter.

Area College Football Players Sign Undrafted Free-Agent Contracts from KREM

Idaho running back James Baker agrees to terms with the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday. He rushed for about 600 yards and scored 9 touchdowns last season.