Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 8/27

8/26 Practice Report from The Mothership

When you're coming off spending a full year on a team's practice squad, all you can hope for is a chance.

In the first month of training camp with the Chiefs, Frankie Hammond has both received that chance and made the most of it. In three preseason games, he is tied for first among all Chiefs receivers in receptions with six, and besides Travis Kelce's 66-yard touchdown, has the longest reception of the preseason with a 33-yard catch against the Panthers.

On Tuesday at practice, Hammond continued taking reps with the first team.

Five Things To Watch: Chiefs vs Packers from The Mothership

Here are five things to watch for in the game on Thursday night:

1. Kicker Battle

There are a few things we know about the kicker battle that have taken place since OTAs between veteran Ryan Succop and rookie Cairo Santos:

First, there will be only one kicker on the roster when it is trimmed down to 53 players. That deadline is Saturday by 3 p.m. CT, and so one of these players will be traded or released before that point.

Second, coach Reid has emphatically said this battle is close and that "It's like the World Cup; every day is a tie.

Fresh Takes: 8/26 Practice from The Mothership

Andy Reid

On how much of the final preseason game will factor into player evaluation: "I'm trying to give the guys an opportunity to show [what they can do]. That's one reason I normally hold the ones, so I can get a pure evaluation of these young guys and see what they can do. Right now, we've got good competition on this team so you want to try to be as right as you possibly can and give them every opportunity. If they don't make your club, at least they have some worthy plays on tape that other teams can evaluate."

Chiefs Quarterbacks Learn From Each Other's Mistakes from The Mothership

Together, Chiefs quarterbacks are 58 of 92 (63 percent) for 650 yards with three touchdowns and five interceptions through three preseason games.

After practice on Tuesday, Alex Smith spoke to the development process of how all four quarterbacks learn from one another when a mistake is made on the field.

"It happens the moment the play is over," Smith said. "The quarterback comes off to the sideline. We're all there. We're all talking about what we're seeing and going over the pictures."

Smith said that process carries over to the next day.

Chiefs Weekly: Top Social Posts from The Mothership

De'Anthony Thomas is thankful for his chance to be a part of the NFL. He posted this photo saying, "From South Central to the NFL. It's still hard to believe. I just want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to be a role model and motivator to others..."

KCChiefs.com Video: Pregame Report: Green Bay

KCChiefs.com Video: Practice Report 8/26

KCChiefs.com Video: Training Camp 8/26: Jamaal Charles

KCChiefs.com Video: Training Camp 8/26: Alex Smith

KCChiefs.com Video: Training Camp 8/26: Andy Reid

Kansas City Chiefs Cut-Down Analysis from ESPN

Most significant move: When the Kansas City Chiefs released Jerron McMillian, they parted ways with their only reserve safety who has started an NFL game. Two of the four backup safety candidates, Jonathon Amaya and Kelcie McCray, have NFL experience, but the others, Malcolm Bronson and undrafted rookie Daniel Sorensen, have never played in an NFL game.

Chiefs Waive Three To Meet 75-Player Roster Limit from Chiefs Spin

The Chiefs met the league's 75-player roster maximum Tuesday morning by waiving three players.

The Chiefs waived offensive tackle Ryan McKee, cornerback Kevin Rutland and cornerback Damond Smith.

Chiefs Trying To Build On Big Bounce-Back Year from The Associated Press via FS Kansas City

The cash-strapped organization had to watch helplessly as three Pro Bowl players and several other key pieces departed in free agency, their big bounce-back seasons resulting in big-money deals elsewhere. And with little money under the salary cap, Reid and general manager John Dorsey were forced to plug holes with a bunch of unproven football vagabonds.

Throw in the fact Kansas City is facing a much tougher schedule and is no longer going to sneak up on anybody, and the goal this season becomes simple: avoid a precipitous backslide.

Chiefs' Defense Making Strides For Opener from ESPN

The Kansas City Chiefs allowed two long pass plays, one for a touchdown, on the Minnesota Vikings' opening drive of last week's preseason game. It was that drive that told defensive coordinator Bob Sutton the Chiefs are close to being ready for the start of the regular season.

Not that drive, exactly, but how the Chiefs responded to it. After the Vikings went down the field for that opening score, they managed just 74 yards and a field goal against the starting Chiefs defense over the next two quarters.

Starters Not Expected To Play In Preseason Finale from Chiefs Spin

Reid said backup quarterback Chase Daniel will start the first quarter, and second-year pro Tyler Bray and rookie Aaron Murray will split the final three quarters.

The head coach's decision isn't surprising given his philosophy of allowing backups extended playing time before the final cuts to the 53-man roster arrive Saturday.

Smart Idea To Rest Starters In Green Bay from ESPN

It's tempting to believe Reid should go against his long-standing practice of withholding starters from the final preseason game. The starters haven't looked ready for the regular season, particularly on offense. The first-team offense hasn't scored a touchdown in 16 preseason possessions. The Chiefs, with Alex Smith at quarterback, had the ball inside the Minnesota Vikings' 20-yard line three times in last week's game but came away from those trips with only three points.

But Reid is making the right call. It's more important for the Chiefs to stay as healthy as possible...

Packers Look Ready On Both Sides Of Ball from The Chicago Tribune

With the likelihood proven veterans such as Peppers and fellow outside linebacker Clay Matthews won't suit up for the final exhibition game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday, Green Bay's starting defense ended the preseason on an upswing.

Headed To Lambeau Field On Thursday? Allow Extra Time To Get There from FOX6Now

The US 41/WIS 172 interchange could experience significant backups on both north and south US 41 and east and west WIS 172. Closures, orange barrels, narrow lanes, soft shoulders and increased volume from commuter and recreational traffic in addition to game day traffic WILL affect game day travel. Due to all the construction, Ashland Avenue through De Pere and Ashwaubenon will also experience increased traffic congestion as additional motorists use this as an alternate route.

Winners And Losers From Preseason Week 3 from NFL.com

Moving down...

...Alex Smith, Kansas City Chiefs: Week after week, he gets no protection. Smith is going to have a higher degree of difficulty this season because of his schedule and his offensive line.

Chiefs' Smith Remains Unconcerned About Contract from The Associated Press via FS Kansas City

Smith has not played well in the preseason, throwing two interceptions in the red zone in his final outing against Minnesota.

But he's been hampered by an offensive line in turmoil, an injury to running back Jamaal Charles that kept him out for two weeks, and a suspect wide receiver group that will start the season without suspended star Dwayne Bowe.

When it was suggested that Smith, who is coming off the best statistical year of his career, might have been wise to finish a deal before this season, the affable quarterback simply smiled.

Chiefs' Kyle Love Joins Battle Against Diabetes from Chiefs Spin

Chiefs defensive tackle Kyle Love normally tackles opposing offensive players.

But the 6-1, 315-pound defender has decided to tackle a cause close to his heart.

Love, who has Type 2 diabetes, agreed to join Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and defensive tackle Jordan Hill to support CR3 Diabetes Association, Inc., Love's agent, Richard Kopelman of Klass Sports, LLC, announced Tuesday evening.

Gil Brandt: Carson Palmer 'Going To Have A Big Year' from NFL.com

Later, Gil and I talked about a few specific players he thinks could take off this season. Dynasty leaguers, pay close attention...

...Knile Davis, RB, Kansas City Chiefs: "I don't think No. 25 (Jamaal Charles) is going to lead the team in rushing and receiving like he did last year. I think you'll see Knile Davis take some of the snaps from him this year. He's pretty good."

Ray Horton Already Planning For Titans' Season Opener from The Tennessean

But his primary focus these days is on the Chiefs, the opponent in the regular season opener on Sept. 7 at Kansas City.

"I am operating thinking, 'Can we do this for Kansas City? What is this going to look like at Kansas City going into the season?' " Horton said. "It's an evaluation process for me to let me know what I am going to call during the season. And that is what I use the preseason for, to know what we are going to be good at."

Drone Buzzes Panthers-Chiefs Game And Police Pounce from The Charlotte Observer

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said Tuesday that a camera-toting drone flew into Bank of America Stadium during Thursday's exhibition game. Its operator was detained and, after questioning, the unidentified man was released and the information was forwarded to the Federal Aviation Administration, which has jurisdiction over such matters...

Aramark Unveils 'Tribute Menu Series' For 2014 Football Season from PRNewswire

Fans can expect to find the following "Tribute Menu Series" items at these 11 NFL stadiums this season:

Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City Chiefs)
Tailgate Stack- Burnt ends topped with cheddar cheese sauce, malted beer grain syrup, bacon and a fried egg, served on a piece of frybread.

• Name Inspiration: Pays homage to the popular tailgating culture at Arrowhead Stadium.
• Location: Gridiron Express stands (Sections 103, 135)