Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 8/5

8/4 Camp Recap: Sorensen Shines Monday Morning from The Mothership

With two interceptions on the day, rookie safety Daniel Sorensen had his most visibly impressive day of training camp thus far.

Speaking with the media after practice, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid spoke well of Sorensen.

"He's playing good football," Reid said. "He's a good special teams player also, which is important in a backup safety role. He's making progress as we go. The thing you see with young guys, rookies, is you start backing days together. It's not just one practice, it's two, three practices. Then you know they're kind of getting it right there."

Fresh Takes: 8/4 Training Camp Practice Eleven from The Mothership

Andy Reid...

...On play calling in the preseason: "This is what you want to do in the preseason. You got a lot of young guys. You want your veteran players to be able to get back into game mode. You want your young guys to show the best they can show. So everybody will play in this game. Everybody is going to have an opportunity to play. Not everybody can make the team so if they don't make this team, they have some tape out there that they can show and you want good tape for them so they have an opportunity to make it somewhere else."

Chiefs In Focus: Spotlight On The Defensive Backs from The Mothership

The defensive backfield is one of the areas of focus for the Kansas City Chiefs as they get set for the first preseason game on Thursday against the Cincinnati Bengals.

With some turnover on the roster from last season, there are some new faces that should see some significant playing time in 2014.

One face that's not new who will be seeing plenty of the field is Pro Bowl safety Eric Berry, who spoke after practice about his focus for the defense on every play this season.

Chiefs Parking Procedures from The Mothership

Last year, the Chiefs brought in SP Gameday, who has provided services at more than 90 venues and at major events across the world, including the Olympic Games, the Super Bowl and the NCAA Final Four Tournament, to conduct a traffic study for the Truman Sports Complex. The group used data to determine the safest and most efficient way to get fans through the gates.

The Chiefs also consulted with Premier Parking Services, an organization that manages the parking operation at Sprint Center, Cricket Wireless Amphitheater and Sporting Park. Through these two companies, the Chiefs were able to create a more efficient and improved parking process.

KCChiefs.com Photo Gallery: 8/4 Training Camp

KCChiefs.com Photo Gallery: Defensive Backs

KCChiefs.com Video: Chiefs Practice Report 8/4

KCChiefs.com Video: Training Camp 8/4: Play Of The Day

KCChiefs.com Video: Training Camp 8/4: Jamaal Charles

KCChiefs.com Video: Training Camp 8/4: Andy Reid

KCChiefs.com Video: Training Camp 8/4: Alex Smith

Chiefs eye Preseason Opener from Chiefs Spin

The Chiefs wrapped up an 11th day of practice Monday before taking the next two days off ahead of Thursday night's preseason opener.

Coach Andy Reid said the team went through some situations, which included four-minute work, for the matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.

While Reid didn't specify playing time for the entire roster, he touched on one position during his post-practice media session.

"The quarterbacks will each take a quarter and then we'll work from there," Reid said.

The Problem With The Alex Smith Talks For Chiefs Probably Isn't Money, Kids -- It's Years from FS Kansas City

So, basically, the Bengals just handed to Dalton exactly the sentiment -- love, but a conditional, qualified kind of love -- most Chiefs fans feel for Alex Smith right about now.

You're better than what we had. You're better than what we have. But let's all have some wiggle room, cowboy, in case you're not better than what's on the table in 2017.

So just give No. 11 a contract like No. 14, and everybody rides off into the sunset with bags of money and goofy smiles. Right?

Well, maybe.

Smith Deserves Every Penny That Dalton Got from ESPN

Dalton's contract is reportedly worth $115 million over six years with incentives. That number is in line with what Cutler and Kaepernick received.

The market is being set, whether the Chiefs agree with it or not. This is the cost of doing business now in the NFL's quarterback world.

This is where the Chiefs will likely have to go if they want to extend the contract of Smith, who is in the final season of his existing deal.

Is Alex Smith Better Than A 'Mid-Tier' Quarterback? from NFL.com

Smith has proven -- to us, anyway -- that he's more than a "mid-tier guy." If you disagree, please seek out game tape of the Chiefs' 45-44 loss to the Indianapolis Colts last January. Smith has shown he can carry an offense, not just manage it.

Will that be enough to land Dalton-type money?

Camp Notes: Kansas City Chiefs. Alex Smith Seeking Contract Middle Ground from CBS Sports

And, with Andy Reid so adept at developing quarterbacks, the Chiefs wouldn't want to overspend on Smith and potentially be stuck with him at some point while a youngster is ready to challenge for his job (Smith got surpassed by Colin Kaepernick in San Francisco and Reid traded Donovan McNabb to make room for Kevin Kolb; it happens). Hence the conundrum. There may be a happy medium here, despite it all, and the sides are certainly working at it.

Chiefs LB Josh Mauga A Potential 'Diamond In The Rough' from Chiefs Spin

All the 6-1, 245-pound Mauga wanted was another shot.

And then the calls arrived, all expressing interest in the native of Fallon, Nev., before he chose the Chiefs on July 23.

"It was actually crazy because the day that the Chiefs called," Mauga said, "other teams started calling in as well. It was real quiet at first, and then just one day it just all started happening. I'm just blessed to be here."

Chiefs' Charles Sets Sights On Hall Of Fame from The Associated Press via FS Kansas City

After arguably the best season of his career and now armed with a new contract extension, Charles has his sights set on the Hall of Fame. The two-time All-Pro running back wants his name to be mentioned in the same breath as Emmitt Smith and Barry Sanders, players he grew up idolizing in Port Arthur, Texas, and who will forever be considered some of the best to play the game.

"It's all about staying consistent," Charles said. "I want to be in the Hall of Fame when I retire. I want to win a championship. That's what it's all about."

The Chiefs certainly want him to accomplish all of that with them.

Chiefs' Joe McKnight Returns, Ready For Competition from Chiefs Spin

"It felt good just to get out here with the team," McKnight said, "go through some plays and get hit a little bit. We didn't have a really live (hitting) day, but it's a good thing I got out here with the team before going into the game."

Meanwhile, the fourth-year pro said he's healthy and a "full-go," but is still working on strengthening with the trainers.

Chiefs Looking To Training Camp For Answers from Lake News Online

Ryan McKee, an undrafted rookie free agent out of Southern Mississippi University, has been earning the attention of the Kansas City coaching staff. McKee has played a lot of snaps with the first-team offense at right tackle so far in camp.

"He's a very smart kid. Not the biggest but he gets it. He understands leverage and what we're looking for in the position. He gets the offense," Chiefs' head coach Andy Reid said.

Reid was mum about whether that would mean a start for McKee on Thursday, however.

Chiefs, Rams Among Good Values from Lake News Online

Two to wait on:...

...TE Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs

2013 statistics: 45 receptions, 722 yards, eight touchdowns.

Synopsis: A healhty Anthony Fasano could mean reduced snaps for Kelce, but Kelce is likely to get in on the plays that really count for fantasy football; the red zone snaps. His 6'5", 260-pound size will make him an ideal red-zone target for quarterback Alex Smith. If he only catches 50 passes all game, but most of them are for touchdowns, he'll be worth a late-round draft pick.