Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 6/18

Minicamp Day One Recap from The Mothership

Q: Is there a big difference between what happens in OTAs and minicamp?

SMITH: "I think it's a continuation of the OTAs. There are less guidelines as far as the hours. Obviously we can be here all day. We get the morning walk through. I think the biggest thing is we all know that this is the culmination of our offseason, so to speak. So I think in that sense, the sense of urgency is just turned up. These are our last three days of practice. You're trying to end on a great note and really finish off this offseason."

KCChiefs.com Photo Gallery: Minicamp Day One Gallery

KCChiefs.com Photo Gallery: Red Coaters Serve Lunch At Cross-Lines

KCChiefs.com Photo Gallery: Rookie Club Arrowhead Art Tour

KCChiefs.com Video: Minicamp: Alex Smith

KCChiefs.com Video: The Mentor

KCChiefs.com Video: Minicamp: Marcus Cooper

Relax, Chiefs Fans: Justin Houston Ain't Missing A Darn Thing -- Except The Heat from FS Kansas City

Houston, the Chiefs' 25-year-old outside linebacker and pass-rushing specialist, did not attend the sauna that was the first day of the Chiefs' mandatory minicamp -- just as he didn't attend voluntary OTAs before that, or voluntary spring workouts before that.

Georgia native recorded 21 sacks in his last 27 regular-season games, including 11 in 11 tilts last fall. Rushing mate Tamba Hali recorded 19 sacks over his last 27 regular-season appearances.

Fun fact No. 2: In 2013, Houston reportedly raked in $555,000 in base salary, good for 36th on the roster. Hali took home $12.25 million, which was first.

And, well, here we are.

OLB Justin Houston A No-Show At Minicamp from Chiefs Spin

Running back/specialist De'Anthony Thomas left the field late into the practice with an illness. Prior to walking off the field to receive attention from the training staff, the Chiefs used Thomas in a variety of positions during a humid afternoon practice. He lined up in the backfield, the slot and returner.

Rookie guard Zach Fulton got a lot of work with the first-unit during 11-on-11 drills. The Chiefs rotated Rishaw Johnson in place of Fulton as drills progressed. Jeff Linkenbach saw work at right tackle with Donald Stephenson continuing to fill at left tackle for Eric Fisher (shoulder, limited).

What To Watch For At Chiefs Minicamp from ESPN

The return of Travis Kelce. Another player who could provide an offensive boost, Kelce also hasn't practiced this spring. He had knee surgery last year, missing all of the season, and has been rehabbing, but Reid held out some hope Kelce could get some work this week. That's good news for the Chiefs, who other than Thomas added no significant new offensive skill players.

'Freak' Dee Ford Continues To Impress New Teammates On Kansas City Chiefs from AL.com

Ford already knows what type of path he wants to the quarterback.

"I don't want to be touched," he said. "That's every pass rusher's dream. I don't want to be touched. I don't care if it's a busted block or if I'm that fast off of the ball, I don't want to be touched."

Justin Houston Fails To Show For Minicamp from ESPN

Tight end Demetrius Harris continued to make some impressive catches. He took an interception away from Derrick Johnson with a nice grab and later caught an Alex Smith pass that was low and behind him.

Buccaneers Want To Be Like Chiefs from ESPN

As his team wrapped up minicamp last week, Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht brought up a good point.

"Everyone saw what Kansas City did last season,'' Licht said. "Why can't it be us?''

Changes In Secondary Chiefs' Primary Concern from Lindy's Sports

With the final practices of the 2014 offseason playing out this week at the Kansas City Chiefs' three-day minicamp, it is time for major questions to get answers.

Questions like who will fill open spots in this season's starting lineup?

Instead, five weeks before the start of training camp, Andy Reid and the Chiefs seem to have as many questions as when offseason work began.

Cutler Deal Hurts Chiefs With Alex Smith from ESPN [Insider Article]

Smith, having learned early in his career that money does not ensure professional happiness, is not the type to make unreasonable demands. Re-signing Smith was never particularly problematic during his career with the San Francisco 49ers -- not in 2011, when all parties initially figured a fresh start was in their best interests, and not in 2012, after the team investigated Peyton Manning's availability.

But the Cutler deal presents challenges for the Chiefs as they potentially pursue a contract extension with Smith.

Joe Montana Leads Fantasy 1980s Team from NFL.com

Kicker - Nick Lowery, Kansas City Chiefs: Known for his mustache and single-bar helmet look, Lowery was a points-scoring machine back in the 1980s ... at least as far as kickers go. No one converted on more field-goal attempts (225) in the decade, and only three kickers (Jim Breech, Pat Leahy, Chris Bahr) had more extra-point conversions than the veteran out of Dartmouth. Lowery, who retired after the 1996 season, finished his career with a 80.0 field-goal percentage in 18 years.