Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 6/14

Chiefs Release CB Brandon Flowers from The Mothership

The Kansas City Chiefs announced on Friday that the club has released cornerback Brandon Flowers.

"We appreciate Brandon's contributions to the team over the last six seasons," Chiefs General Manager John Dorsey said. "It's in the best interest of the club and the player to part ways at this time. We wish him nothing but the best as he continues his career."

Phase Three OTAs Day Ten Recap from The Mothership

Q: Donald Stephenson attended the Charles Bentley O-line performance academy in the offseason. What's the biggest thing he's brought back from that?

REID: "The thing they can do, there were a couple of them that went there, they can actually do football stuff there and work on technique and at the same time stay in good shape, continue to get strong and do the things you're supposed to do in the off-season. You've seen that. Charles (Bentley) does a good job of that. He's been playing in the league for a long time and he knows what it takes to play in the National Football League. So, whatever we can't do in the offseason, from a coaching standpoint, these guys can go to these different places and as long as they are in good hands, they can learn something and get better at their profession."

Overheard: Hard Work And Talented Roster from The Mothership

LB Joe Mays on Kansas City's roster compared to other teams he has played for:

"Talented. I mean, all across the board. You have a defense that was top five last year and very talented guys from front to back. On offense, we have a quarterback that's definitely destined to do great things for us. He knows how to win. He knows what it takes. It also starts with our head coach. He knows what it takes to get to the big game and he knows what it takes to win each and every day that we play. We listen to him, follow his direction, come out, play hard and play fast to try and get the job done."

KCChiefs.com Video: Phase Three OTAs: Andy Reid

KCChiefs.com Video: Chiefs Cheerleaders In St. Lucia

Chiefs Cut Ties With Pro Bowl CB Brandon Flowers from FS Kansas City

Cutting Brandon Flowers wasn't so much a Flowers thing -- although there are conflicting reports as to how well No. 24 fit the Kansas City Chiefs' new regime -- as it was a money thing.

Namely, Houston and Smith want more of it. Now.

The interesting part, the really interesting part, of Friday's big news out of Arrowhead Drive wasn't so much the Chiefs release-a-Pro-Bowl-corner bit, even if that's the one that caused fans on Twitter to start fashioning little 140-character nooses. It's what happens next. Or rather, what big happens next.

Chiefs Release CB Brandon Flowers from Chiefs Spin

Flowers was scheduled to make $5.25 million this season and $6.25 million in 2015, according to the NFLPA database.

But Friday's move gave the Chiefs $7.25 million in cap space, according to former NFL agent and contract expert Joel Corry of CBS Sports.

Brandon Flowers Released By Kansas City Chiefs from NFL.com

Flowers won't be out of work for long. He still offers starting-level talent in the right scheme. Dan Pompei of Bleacher Report was told by a handful of scouts last month that the 28-year-old corner is still seen as a "tough, scrappy player who is an above-average cover man."

Rapoport noted that Atlanta -- with former Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli in the front office -- might show interest. The Falcons have been monitoring the cornerback's status and "preparing in case Flowers was cut."

Brandon Flowers Was The Best CB Chiefs Had from ESPN

[D]espite some of the hard times Flowers had last season, this move doesn't make the Chiefs any better. Flowers to an extent forced the Chiefs to make the move with his holdout. Next week's mandatory minicamp was looming and the Chiefs evidently tired of the situation.

That is behind the timing of the move, and the cap savings won't hurt, either. But the Chiefs will still feel some pain. It will come as they try to cover for his loss and as they watch him play well for some other team in 2014 and beyond.

Chiefs Finish OTAs, Turn Attention To Minicamp from Chiefs Spin

Cornerback Sean Smith, who was cited with an alleged DUI early Monday morning, finished the week running with the second-team unit for fourth straight day. Marcus Cooper took Smith's place on the right side with the first team, while Ron Parker on the left side.

Reid was non-committal during his post-practice media session to Smith's return to the first team: "We'll see," Reid said when asked how long Smith would stay with the second team. "The other guys are performing well so we will see." But with Flowers' release, it wouldn't surprise to see Smith return to his usual spot.

Did Chiefs Get A Steal In LB Dee Ford? from ESPN

The Chiefs believed when they selected Ford they were getting the draft's second-best pass-rusher. Jadeveon Clowney, drafted first overall by the Houston Texans, would be the best.

So far, at a very early stage, there's nothing to suggest the Chiefs didn't get in Ford exactly what they expected, and perhaps even more.

Brandon Flowers Released By Kansas City; Fellow CB Chris Houston Out In Detroit from Sports Illustrated

Essentially, all but that prorated signing bonus now clears off the books for a Chiefs team that had been tight against the cap.

Kansas City also has several other players in need of contract extensions in the near future, most notably Justin Houston and Jamaal Charles. Alex Smith could be included on that list, too, though his future remains a point of some debate.

Chiefs Mailbag: CB Situation Headlines The Week from Chiefs Spin

Dressler has shown throughout OTAs why the Chiefs signed him. With quickness, crisp route running and an ability to work underneath, the former CFL star is what a slot receiver should be. He was also in line to compete for a punt returner or kickoff returner position.

Unfortunately, Dressler's injury comes at a bad spot should he miss time. He won't be able to carry the momentum established before the injury into the battle against rookie running back/specialist De'Anthony Thomas, who returns for the mandatory minicamp.

Seven Landing Spots For Brandon Flowers from NFL.com

Flowers is coming off a mediocre season, but this release was more about money and the team's new coaching staff. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport noted that Flowers did not love playing on the inside last year and could have skipped minicamp next week. He was on the trade block earlier this offseason, and this move will save the Chiefs $7.5 million against the salary cap. (Alex Smith says thanks.) Kansas City had to create cap room, and this staff prefers bigger cornerbacks. But Flowers was still probably the Chiefs' best player at the position.

Flowers will not lack for suitors. If he had been a free agent back in March, he would have cracked our top 25 free agents. Here are some potential landing spots:

Tyler Bray "Growing Up" Since Entering The NFL from All For Tennesse

It's highly unlikely that Murray doesn't make the Chiefs roster, which could mean there's no room for Bray.

However, the Chiefs could choose to unload backup quarterback Chase Daniel and his rather large contract.

If Kansas City chooses to that route, then I could see Bray emerging as the team's primary backup.

Former Syracuse Cornerback Keon Lyn Looks To Catch On With NFL Team After Minor Surgery from Syracuse.com

Lyn said the Colts have remained in touch with him, as well as Raphael. The Oakland Raiders - who Lyn said nearly selected him in the seventh round of the NFL Draft - and Kansas City Chiefs are also in contact with Lyn.

"I'm pretty sure I could get a lot more interest once this is about four weeks in," Lyn said. "(The Raiders) actually told me they were taking me earlier, but I had an agent and he was new to the business."

For What It's Worth: No Chance, Bowe, Key Royals Stretch And The Spurs from KWCH

I hear that the Chiefs receiver is in the best shape of his life and that's great.  Is it me, or does Dwayne Bowe always seem to be claiming some new awareness in his game or his life about this time of year.  This guy just needs to show up and play the way he's paid.  So far Dwyane Bowe has been a star in salary only, instead of leading the league in yards he heads the way in dropped passes.  I'm glad he's in great shape, maybe it signals a change in his focus and work ethic, but I want to see how it equates to performance.

Arian Foster Up, Josh Gordon Out In Latest Mock from NFL.com

3. Jamaal Charles, RB, Kansas City Chiefs: Charles is coming off the best season of his career, recording 70 receptions, 1,980 scrimmage yards, 19 total touchdowns and 308 fantasy points. Whether he can duplicate his top status among running backs remains to be seen, but at 27 he's still in his "salad days." Look for Charles to remain the focus of Andy Reid's offensive attack.

Charles Camp Puts Smiles On Kids Faces from The Port Arthur News

The grins were from the youngsters being put through drills by Kansas City running back and former Port Arthur Memorial Titan Jamaal Charles. Friday was the first of two days Charles hosts his fifth annual Jamaal Charles "Family Matters" Foundation football camp.

"The turnout just keeps getting better and better," Charles said. "I hope I am able to keep putting this together even after I retire. I know all the kids in Port Arthur look up to me, so it is big for them. Who wouldn't be excited to come out and go through drills with NFL players and get a free shirt and free food?"