Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 8/26

Chiefs Announce Roster Moves from The Mothership

Each NFL roster must be cut down to a maximum of 75 players by Tuesday, Aug. 26 at 3 p.m. CT. The league's final roster cut-down to 53 players must take place before 3 p.m. CT on Saturday, Aug. 30. The following transactions took place today:

8/25 Practice Report from The Mothership

"You look at the film and I know coach (Reid) has said it [and] I'm going to say it again. It's close. It looks good," Chiefs offensive coordinator Doug Pederson said. "The Carolina game [and] the other night against Minnesota, we had some really nice drives with that first unit."

Adding to that optimistic feeling amongst the Chiefs was a return of key team staples. After missing the game against the Vikings, running back Jamaal Charles returned to practice and is expected to take reps the rest of the week. Whether or not he will play against Green Bay on Thursday is for the moment undecided.

Roster Competition Coming Down to Wire from The Mothership

But the big storyline throughout training camp has been about the youth along the offensive line. With the news of Donald Stephenson's four-game suspension, Jeff Allen moved from left guard to right tackle against the Minnesota Vikings and then two players split time with the first time at left guard.

Veterans Jeff Linkenbach and Ricky Henry alternated series with the first-team offense. Chiefs offensive coordinator Doug Pederson spoke about their competition.

"It's even," Pederson said. "It's still going to be a battle. It's going to come down to the wire. We have one preseason game left to evaluate all the guys one more time and then make the best decision possible going forward week one."

By The Numbers: Chiefs Tight Ends Continue To Make Difference from The Mothership

Last season, the Kansas City Chiefs offense totaled just 541 yards receiving from the tight end position during the regular season.

That's 16 games and just 541 yards altogether.

This season, through three preseason games against the Cincinnati Bengals, Carolina Panthers and Minnesota Vikings, the Chiefs offense has seen a total of 285 yards receiving from three different tight ends.

Chiefs Hosting Missouri Classic from The Mothership

On September 6th, Arrowhead Stadium will once again host the Missouri Classic. This year, the game will feature the Langston University Lions against the Lincoln University Blue Tigers.

Councilman John Sharp and Councilman Jermaine Reed both played a pivotal role in bringing the Missouri Classic back to Kansas City for the second consecutive year.

This will be the 14th straight year the Chiefs have hosted a college football game at Arrowhead Stadium.

KCChiefs.com Photo Gallery: 8/25 Practice

KCChiefs.com Photo Gallery: Chiefs vs Vikings Best Of Cheerleaders

KCChiefs.com Video: 8/25 Practice Report

KCChiefs.com Video: Training Camp 8/25: Dave Toub Press Conference

KCChiefs.com Video: Training Camp 8/25: Bob Sutton Press Conference

KCChiefs.com Video: Training Camp 8/25: Doug Pederson Press Conference

KCChiefs.com Video: Training Camp Wired: Donnie Avery

KCChiefs.com Video: Chiefs vs Packers In Super Bowl I

Chiefs S Eric Berry Returns To Practice from Chiefs Spin

Berry, who suffered his injury during training camp practice in St. Joseph, Mo., has yet to play in preseason action.

Wide receivers Dwayne Bowe (quad) and Junior Hemingway (hip), cornerback Damond Smith (abductor), defensive end Mike Catapano (illness), left tackle Eric Fisher and offensive lineman Ryan McKee (knee) did not practice.

The Chiefs did not have an immediate response surrounding Fisher's absence. [UPDATE: Fisher did not practice due to illness, according to a team spokesman.]

Monday's Chiefs Practice Report from ESPN

The Chiefs appeared no closer to settling on a starter at left guard, the spot vacated when Jeff Allen moved to right tackle. They again rotated between Ricky Henry and Jeffrey Linkenbach, an indication this decision could go down to the wire.

Former CFL Wide Receiver Weston Dressler Among Chiefs' 11 Cuts from Chiefs Spin

The first round of cuts arrived Monday morning ahead of Tuesday's deadline.

The Chiefs cut wide receiver Deon Anthony, defensive lineman Jarius Campbell, defensive lineman Jermelle Cudjo, wide receiver Weston Dressler, offensive lineman Otis Hudson, wide receiver Jerrell Jackson, cornerback Brandon Jones, cornerback Vernon Kearney, safety Jerron McMillian, tight end Adam Schiltz and wide receiver Darryl Surgent.

No Surprise In First Round Of Chiefs Cuts from ESPN

The biggest name to be released is wide receiver Weston Dressler, who was a star in the Canadian Football League and signed by the Chiefs last winter. But Dressler's skills didn't translate to the NFL game and it became evident early in training camp that Dressler wasn't going to stick with the Chiefs.

Former ESU Tight End Adam Schiltz Cut By Chiefs from The Emporia Gazette

Schiltz, though, said Saturday after the Chiefs' 30-12 preseason loss to the Minnesota Vikings that he'd have no regrets if he did get cut.

"I just put all my faith in the Lord and that He has a plan for me and that I've done my best here, so I don't have any regrets," Schiltz said Saturday. "He has a plan so I'm not worried about that, and then whatever happens, happens.

"If I don't end up here, I've met great guys that'll be lifelong friends, but if I do, I'll be super happy. I mean I love this organization; it's been great to me."

Johnson In The Mix For Chiefs from The Andalusia Star

The Andalusia native right now is fighting for a starting spot at inside linebacker and has been doing so for quite some time.

[Nico] Johnson has a good opportunity because Joe Mays underwent wrist surgery recently that put his teammate out indefinitely, according to The Kansas City Star.

3 In The Key: As Injuries And Doubts Pile Up, Chiefs Might Need To Seek Outside Answers from FS Kansas City

So that's zero touchdown drives in 16 tries for the first-team offense so far, right? How does THAT number not keep me up nights?

Warm milk?

No, seriously, it's been borderline brutal, especially Alex Smith's two interceptions Saturday night while deep in the Vikings' red zone. Turn those into touchdowns, perhaps a 10-5 deficit at the half for The Andy Gang becomes a 19-10 halftime lead for the starters. Or a touchdown and a field goal, and you're talking 15-10, Chiefs, at the break.

If nothing else, the inability to finish on those drives only underscores the value -- and importance -- of tailback Jamaal Charles, both as a runner and a pass-catcher near the end zone. You don't know what kind of hammer you've got in No. 25 -- who led all NFL tailbacks in touchdowns rushing and receiving last year with 19 -- until he's gone.

Evaluation Continues On Chiefs Offensive Line from Chiefs Spin

Left inside linebacker Joe Mays is out for an unknown period after undergoing ligament surgery to repair his wrist.

The Chiefs have in-house players to consider as Mays' immediate fill.

"We've got three guys in there that are going to work," defensive coordinator Bob Sutton said Monday. "(Josh) Mauga, who has been out, would've been the next in line. Nico (Johnson) has had a really good camp and I think is an improved player, and then we played Frank (Zombo) in there a little bit, which we started way before the (Mays') injury."

Johnson, last year's fourth-round pick, started Saturday's game against the Vikings and split repetitions with Zombo, who showed versatility by moving inside from his accustomed outside position.

Houston's Stock Will Continue To Rise from ESPN

Linebacker Justin Houston will be ranked higher next year than he was this season, when he's No. 42.

Imagine where Houston might be if he'd played an entire season last year. He was tied for the AFC lead in sacks with 11, when in the season's 11th game, Houston dislocated his elbow, ending his 2013 regular season.

Renewed Push To Bring Super Bowl To Arrowhead Stadium from KCTV5

In 2006, the NFL guaranteed that Arrowhead Stadium would host the 2015 Super Bowl if voters approved renovations to the Truman Sports Complex and a rolling roof. Jackson County voters approved the 3/4-cent sales tax for the renovations but rejected a use tax for the rolling roof.

That caused then Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt to withdraw the 2015 bid and it appeared that the Chiefs hopes of hosting a Super Bowl at Arrowhead was forever on ice.

But after the Super Bowl was hosted at the New Jersey home of the Giants and Jets in February, the NFL left the door open for more cold-weather Super Bowl sites.

Joe McKnight Tries To Carve Out Role With Chiefs from KC Star via The Wichita Eagle

After he was abruptly cut by the New York Jets last August, running back Joe McKnight had way more time on his hands than he cared for last fall.

He says he mainly worked out and waited for the phone to ring. To McKnight, a Southern Cal star once billed as the next Reggie Bush, sitting out an entire season in his prime was unimaginable.

"I didn't watch football, I can tell you that," McKnight, 26, said with a chuckle. "I missed it that much."

It also stung. Sitting out meant 32 teams passed on his services.

"It was just an eye-opening moment for me," he said. "That was my first time ever being cut from anything."

Kansas City Chiefs 2014 Season Preview from The Sports Network via The Wichita Eagle

THE SKINNY: Kansas City looks like a logical team to take a step back in 2014. The last-place schedule is gone as is the surprise factor of a two-win team who turns out to be very competitive.

That, along with the offensive line woes, has the Chiefs' trajectory pointing downward.

Dogs Off The Leash: Aaron Murray Tosses First NFL Passing Touchdown from The Red And Black

But Murray has additional reasons for concern other than passing accuracy.

Murray will have a huge task in battling his way up from fourth on the depth chart, as he sits behind starter Alex Smith and backups Chase Daniel and Tyler Bray.

On August 26, NFL teams must cut their roster to a maximum of 75 players.

2014 NFL Season Preview: Who'll Be The Best, Worst? Here Are Our Picks from CBS Sports

Free-Fall Team

Josh Katzowitz -- Kansas City Chiefs: After an unreal start to last season, Kansas City lost six of its final eight games of 2013. While I've finally come around to the idea that Alex Smith is going to be a solid starter in this league, the Chiefs simply aren't going to be as good as last year's 11-5 record.

Some People Believe Richie Incognito Deserves A Second Chance from FOX Sports

But don't think this reponse [sic] is just limited to Giants fans. The Kansas City Star asked Chiefs fans is the team should try and sign Richie to a deal. The results? Well, 33 percent of respondents said the Chiefs should absolutely sign Incognito, while 39 percent said the Chiefs should try and sign him with a character clause in his contract. The people against the signing? They just clock in at 28 percent.

Monday Mini-Mock: Shocking Specials from Yahoo! Sports

So here's how this works. Each Monday, the Yahoo fantasy crew jumps on a conference call to discuss the week that was/will be. As part of this process, we've decided to include a short mock draft - roughly, one-eighth the size of a normal draft, I shall call it mini mock. This week's mini mock draft (four rounds) consists solely of the pool of players currently owned in less than 10 percent of Yahoo leagues - each expert was required to draft a QB, RB, WR, and a TE.