Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 8/11

8/10 Camp Recap: Morning Rain & Texas-Sized Hits Highlight Sunday's Practice from The Mothership

With rain early in the morning, the fields on the campus of Missouri Western State were noticeably wet, but Reid was pleased with the work done on the field as well as the team's ability to practice outside.

"Good work today," Reid said. "Glad we were able to get outside. Weather cooperated a bit with us. Good challenging throughout. Man, offense and defense-it was all ones working together, twos with the twos [and] threes with the threes. They competed [and] they challenged each other."

Poe Primed And Ready For Another Big Season from The Mothership

As offenses began to spread defenses out (3 WR sets), the need for defensive linemen who could move laterally and offer some pass rush became more important.

Consequently, the guys who normally offer the ability to play nose guard don't also typically possess the ability to get after the quarterback in nickel and dime sub defenses.

When offenses bring out a third receiver, oftentimes defenses will counter by bringing on a defensive back and removing a defensive lineman.

But in Poe's case-he doesn't come off the field.

Alumni Attend Chiefs Practice from The Mothership

"It was great to have the alumni out here; they all introduced themselves to the team in the huddle, told what position they played and their alma mater," Reid said. "If there were guys from their school, they got them kind of going a little bit so it's a neat deal.

"It's the history of the Chiefs, and it's a great history so, we welcome those guys back. We appreciate them taking the time to come out here and stand in the humidity and get a little sweat going as they watched practice."

Howard's Explosiveness Displayed vs Bengals from The Mothership

As the fourth-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks back in 2012, Jaye Howard spent just one season in the Pacific Northwest before being released in August 2013.

After being picked up on waivers by the Chiefs just one day later, Howard finally got his opportunity on the field against the Chargers in the Chiefs last regular season game of 2013.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Howard played well and finished the game with six tackles.

Consequently, Howard was recently given another opportunity.

KCChiefs.com Photo Gallery: 8/10 Training Camp

KCChiefs.com Photo Gallery: Dontari Poe

KCChiefs.com Photo Gallery: Eric Berry In The Community

KCChiefs.com Video: Chiefs Practice Report: 8/10

KCChiefs.com Video: Play Of The Day: 8/10

KCChiefs.com Video: Training Camp 8/10: Joe Mays

KCChiefs.com Video: Training Camp 8/10: Andy Reid

Andy Reid On CBs: 'It's Great Competition' from Chiefs Spin

The cornerback battle is heating up with four training camp practices remaining.

Marcus Cooper and Ron Parker began training camp working with the first-team defense and were listed as the starters on the initial depth chart.

They now have company as of Sunday.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Cooper, Parker and Sean Smith are rotating with the first-team defense.

Chiefs Camp Report: Day 18 from ESPN

Ryan Succop's groin injury is threatening to alter the placekicker competition. The Chiefs plan to again rotate the kicks between Succop and rookie Cairo Santos in their next preseason game on Sunday against the Panthers in Carolina. But they are uncertain whether Succop will be available by game time. He has been absent from most of practice in each of the past two days. The Chiefs would like to go to the fourth and final preseason game on Aug. 28 against Green Bay before making a decision on their kicker. But with the first round of roster cuts due Aug. 26, the Chiefs could release one of their kickers before the Packers game.

Dwayne Bowe's New Physique Makes Impression On Chiefs from USA Today

Kansas City Chiefs receiver Dwayne Bowe said last month he'd changed his diet and slimmed down in hopes of rebounding from two frustrating seasons, and his remodeled body has continued to get attention here at training camp.

"Sometimes you've got to push away the Frosted Flakes and eat the greens," Chiefs coach Andy Reid told USA TODAY Sports on Sunday. "I'm an expert in that category."

Yes, the generously proportioned Reid - who has lost weight himself in recent years - and Chiefs general manager John Dorsey are pleased with what they've seen so far from Bowe, albeit through just a couple weeks of camp and 11 snaps in a preseason game.

Chiefs' De'Anthony Thomas Obtains WR Tutoring from Chiefs Spin

The NFL got a taste of Chiefs rookie running back De'Anthony Thomas' explosive return skills after an 80-yard punt return for a touchdown in the preseason opener.

Thomas brought that skill from Oregon where he holds school records in kickoff return yards (1,885 yards) and punt return average (17.13 yards). He added five special teams touchdowns (four kickoff returns, one punt return).

A skill yet unleashed on opponents surrounds Thomas' receiving ability, but that's coming with extra tutelage.

Great Start In Kicking Game Is Meaningful from ESPN

The Chiefs, in their first season with Toub as their coordinator, established themselves in 2013 as among the league's best teams in the kicking game. They scored four touchdowns on kick returns and set an NFL record for average kickoff return.

Already, they're serving notice that won't change. Thomas is replacing Dexter McCluster, who made the Pro Bowl last year as a punt returner but moved to the Titans as a free agent.

Jamaal Charles Hopes To Debunk The Percection Of Aging RBs from USA Today

"I think the cycle can be broken," Charles said. "People break cycles all the time. Back in the day, they were doing two-a-days. They were getting beat up. They had 300-pound (linemen) crushing running backs."

Those collisions can still happen. Linebacker Derrick Johnson put Charles on his back in practice Sunday. But for a relatively slight runner - the Chiefs list Charles at 5-11 and 199 pounds - he has shown he can take a pounding.

Chiefs Sign S Jonathan Amaya from Chiefs Spin

The Chiefs on Sunday evening signed safety Jonathon Amaya to a free-agent contract.

Amaya, who is listed at 6-5, 205 pounds, entered the league in 2010 as an undrafted free agent out of Nevada with the Miami Dolphins.

Newton, Stewart Make Progress from Panthers.com

Quarterback Cam Newton and running back Jonathan Stewart took positive steps forward during a rain-soaked practice on Sunday.

In addition to some designed roll outs, Newton performed the zone-read for the first time in training camp, and Stewart practiced for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury before camp began.

Head coach Ron Rivera said he expects Newton, Stewart and running back DeAngelo Williams, who was rested in the preseason opener, to play against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium.

Redskins Take Note! KC Chiefs Are Meeting With Native American Groups from Indian Country Today Media Network

But, the team's concern is not necessarily the name, which most are arguing is not an derogatory slur - the team was named in honor of the city's mayor Roe Bartle whose nickname was chief -but they are worried about how their fans' rituals, like the Tomahawk chop when a touchdown is scored,  tread on the line of offensiveness.

Preseason Week 1 Winners And Losers from NFL.com

Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs: The 2013 third-round pick outraced the Bengals secondary for a 69-yard touchdown that had coach Andy Reid calling him a standout after watching the film. Kelce might be one of the five fastest tight ends in the NFL. The key is to start working his way into first-team reps.

First Down/Fourth Down: Garoppolo, Bortles Shine In Preseason Openers from Sports Illustrated

The Chiefs were an opportunistic bunch last season, chalking up 11 touchdowns combined on either defense or special teams en route to a surprising playoff berth. They picked up this weekend where they left off in 2013, using two pick-sixes -- one from Sean Smith, another from Malcolm Bronson -- and an electrifying 80-yard punt return by rookie DeAnthony Thomas to outslug the Bengals, 41-39.

Only Seattle forced more turnovers (39) than the Chiefs (36) in 2013. The Chiefs also led the league in yards-per-kick return, thanks to Quintin Demps and Knile Davis, while Dexter McCluster (who joined the Titans in the offseason) returned two punts for touchdowns. With Thomas taking McCluster's place, Kansas City has not lost a step.

Fantasy Football RB Preview: Charles In Charge from Sporting News

Move over, Adrian Peterson. There's a new "chief" among fantasy running backs: Kansas City's Jamaal Charles.

The Chiefs' stud racked up 1,287 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on a modest 259 carries last season, averaging 5.0 yards a pop. But he also added 70 receptions for 693 yards, both career highs, and scored seven more times through the air.