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Game Day Activities: Chiefs vs. Bengals from The Mothership

It's that time of year again...we are back at Arrowhead Stadium! Be sure to arrive early on Thursday and take note of the new parking procedures, which can be found at goarrowhead.com/parking.

Also, check out the digital roster card to get a look at the 2014 Chiefs.

Below is a list of everything you need to know for game day at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday.

Chiefs vs. Bengals: Five Keys To The Game from The Mothership

1. Stay healthy

This goes without saying.

As important as getting out on the field and finally getting a chance to hit someone in a different-colored jersey is on Thursday, there's nothing more important than coming through this game unscathed if you're the Chiefs.

With several players already being nicked up during training camp, Reid and company have already said the plan is to get everyone in the game.

One Key To Making The Chiefs Roster from The Mothership

Among the many things players are evaluated on at training camp, there's perhaps none more important in determining certain roster spots than positional flexibility.

Obviously, this isn't talking about positions like starting quarterback or running back. Those roles call for sole attention on the primary task at hand.

But when it comes down to the last few spots that many Chiefs hopefuls are competing for at camp, making the 53-man roster could be made easier if they are able to do multiple things.

50/50 Raffle At Arrowhead Stadium from The Mothership

In 2013, the Kansas City Chiefs began hosting a 50/50 raffle, benefiting local charities. One lucky fan wins half of the net proceeds and the other half of the net proceeds are donated to a local charity through the Hunt Family Foundation, a nonprofit organization.

The Chiefs began the raffle program at the home opener last year and raised $137,481 for local charities.

The Hunt Family Foundation looks forward to hosting the 50/50 raffle for a second year," Anne Scharf, Chiefs Director, Foundation and Development, said. "The program offers a unique way to raise funds and bring awareness to local charities while also enhancing the in-game experience for our fans by giving an opportunity to win half of the raffle prize."

Chiefs Weekly: Top Social Posts from The Mothership

Jamaal Charles could be making his way to Canton in the coming years. READ MORE.

Be sure you are aware of the newest parking procedures at Arrowhead Stadium before the first preseason game on Thursday. READ MORE.

This week, Chiefs Report, BJ Kissel featured the defensive backs in the new series, Chiefs in Focus. READ MORE.

Now, let's check out what the Chiefs have been up to on social media.

Derrick Thomas: One Of Us from The Mothership

One of the reasons Derrick Thomas became such a fan favorite here was because he chose to make Kansas City his home. Hardly a novel concept, one is excused for thinking, but the fact is that for more and more in professional sports it is. Living in a city where you perform -- full-time, year-round, grocery-shopping-with-the-kids, seen-about-town -- has become very rare....

...Thomas lived his life in your face. He could be spotted at any time around town, in its clubs, eateries, at any number of functions having to do with the various charities he supported along with his own. His escapades other than football were not always successful and he suffered some embarrassing moments with his reading program and some hijinks on his radio show, to cite two examples.

But the fact that he was so accessible, so easy to bump into on the street, or to come up to engage, makes him truly unique.

KCChiefs.com Photo Gallery: Best Of Training Camp

KCChiefs.com Video: Chiefs Practice Report 8/6

KCChiefs.com Video: Chiefs Pregame Report

NFL.com Video: 'Priority 1's': Thursday's Preseason Games

NFL.com Video: Division By Subtraction: AFC West

NFL.com Video: Why Not Us?: Kansas City Chiefs

NFL.com Video: Chiefs 2014 Fantasy Outlook

KMBC Video: Chiefs Change Parking Policies At Arrowhead Stadium

Alex Smith, Andy Dalton In Spotlight As Bengals Visit Chiefs from The Associated Press via FS Kansas City

Smith earned the same credibility in Kansas City last season, helping a team that was 2-14 the year before his arrival go 11-5 and make the playoffs. Along the way, he threw for a career-best 3,313 yards with 23 touchdowns and only seven interceptions.

It was that performance -- not to mention his 30-9-1 record as a starter the past three years -- that convinced the Chiefs they wanted to sign him to a long-term deal.

They've been negotiating with his representatives for months, and while the sides are still far apart, Dalton's contract could provide one more reference point in getting it done.

Areas To Watch During Chiefs Preseason Opener from Chiefs Spin

Offensive line rotation

The initial depth chart is always fluid, and that's important to keep in mind as the Chiefs rotate players throughout the game.

Rookie Zach Fulton is currently atop the chart at the right guard position, but the Chiefs are still looking at Rishaw Johnson and Ricky Henry, who saw first-team repetitions during 11-on-11 drills on Monday.

The Chiefs will also give a hard look at offensive tackles J'Marcus Webb and Ryan Harris in an attempt to identify the swing tackle. Both have filled in at left and right tackle during training camp with the second-team unit or spelled starters Eric Fisher and Donald Stephenson.

Six Offensive Players To Watch from ESPN

The preseason begins for the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday night when they play the Cincinnati Bengals at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs have a large number of young players they are eager to get a look at in a competitive situation. Some of these players are competing for playing time, others to make the roster as a backup or to play on special teams.

Here are six offensive players the Chiefs will keep a close eye on against the Bengals. Later, we'll take a look at six defensive players.

Six Defensive Players To Watch from ESPN

Earlier I gave you the names of six offensive players the Kansas City Chiefs are particularly eager to see in Thursday night's preseason opener against the Cincinnati Bengals at Arrowhead Stadium. Here, I'm doing the same for defense.

Critical Of Arrowhead Stadium Parking? Chiefs Make Changes For Thursday's Game from FOX4KC

Parking at Arrowhead Stadium will be a little different for the club's first preseason game on Thursday, August 7, and if you aren't prepared, it could throw you for a loop, so to speak.

On Wednesday, the Chiefs announced enhancements to the parking operation.

The news release said the changes come "after a significant, encompassing review of traffic and parking issues facing fans on gameday."

The changes include:

Parking Changes For Chiefs Games At Arrowhead from KSHB

"Granted, whenever you're putting 70,000 people in one place at one time you're going to have traffic issues, but we can take steps to mitigate those and make it easier for fans to get here," David Young, Vice President of Stadium Operations, explained.

One of the busiest entrances, Gate 5, will now only accept cars with pre-paid parking passes.

Dee Ford On His Mad Momma, Kevin Greene And Carl Lawson from AL.com

The former St. Clair High School standout pointed out to the reporters that his folks drove from their home in Odenville to Pasadena, Calif., to watch Auburn play in the BCS national championship game in January.

"They drove to Cali, so you're going to expect to see the Fords," he said. "They drove. We serious."

Ford said he is eager for the first preseason game, especially since the Chiefs will be playing at home. Arrowhead Stadium is considered to have one of the best atmospheres in the NFL.

"From what I am hearing, it is nothing compared to the regular-season games," Ford said, "but I'm still looking forward to it. Any opportunity that I have to be at Arrowhead, I am excited about."

Mike Pound: Will Shields A Great Example For Young People from The Joplin Globe

Will didn't make it to the Hall of Fame this year, in his second year of eligibility, and I read a story that quoted him as saying he was honored just to be on the Hall of Fame ballot. Will also said that while he would like to be in the Hall of Fame someday, he is more concerned with how he is thought of as a person and what he does for his community.

Of course, that's what you would expect a guy such as Will to say.

Like Frank White, Will is just as well known for his work off the field as he is for his work on the field.

Pivotal Players To Watch In The AFC In 2014 from USA Today

Kansas City Chiefs - WR Dwayne Bowe: He is the team's best wideout, though that's a backhanded compliment. Bowe certainly didn't live up to the $56 million deal he signed in 2013 and is now four years removed from his lone Pro Bowl season. He's lost weight in a bid to become more dynamic and needs to play like a No. 1 receiver if the offense is achieve any diversity outside of giving the ball to RB Jamaal Charles. Also watch LT Eric Fisher

Bengals Training Camp Stock Report: 5 Players On The Rise from Cicny Jungle

With training camp halfway over, it's time to take stock of the Bengals who are seeing their stocks rise or fall. For some, this is an indicator of how much they figure to be part of the offense or defense this year. For others, this is a sign of who put themselves on the right or wrong side of the roster bubble. Here's a look at whose stock is up heading into Week 1 of the preseason.

Training Camp Stock Report: 3 Bengals Falling Out Of Favor from Cincy Jungle

The Bengals are two weeks into training camp on the heels of their first preseason game against the Chiefs. While several players have had great camps and boosted their standing with the team, others have fallen out a favor to the point they're not only getting buried on the depth chart, but could find themselves on the wrong side of the roster bubble.

Here's a look at three players whose stock has taken a hit through the first two weeks of camp.

Five Bengals To Watch In Week 1 (Offense) from ESPN

In no particular order, the following are five Cincinnati Bengals you'll want to pay attention to on the offensive side of the ball during Thursday night's preseason opener at the Kansas City Chiefs.

Be on the lookout Thursday for five defensive players to watch in the Week 1 preseason game.

32 Reason To Watch Every NFL Team (Even The Jaguars) from Rolling Stone

Kansas City Chiefs: Because they are still going to get a ton of sacks. And who doesn't like sacks (quarterbacks aside)? The Chiefs sure did last year with Justin Houston and Tamba Hali, and the rock keeps rolling with the addition of rookie Dee Ford.

Player to watch: When you only have one player on offense that's worth watching, he must be really worth watching. That's Jamaal Charles.