Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 9/18

9/17 Practice Recap: Knile Davis Steps Up from The Mothership

Davis, now in his second year out of the University of Arkansas, has only rushed for more than 20 attempts twice in his NFL career: once in last year's final game against the Chargers and last Sunday against the Broncos.

In both games, he performed sufficiently well, scoring two touchdowns and compiling at least 75 yards rushing in each. But what makes those efforts more impressive has been his ability to be ready when the team has needed him, something that can be difficult to do when you're waiting behind a three-time Pro Bowler.

Andy Reid Press Conference 9/17 from The Mothership

Q: You've said a couple times that it is your job to get your team in the right position. How much responsibility falls on Alex Smith when you're in the wrong position, to get you out of it?

REID: "He does a good job at that. I think you see that on the field. Alex is surrounded by some really good young players. The coaches aren't on the field so you need somebody who has a real grasp of everything, that's one of his real strengths. He is that on the field. And he gets people lined up if they have a little bit of a slip and he fixes issues."

Chiefs Weekly: Top Social Posts from The Mothership

James-Michael Johnson took a selfie with his parents. He wrote, "I owe so much to these two people couldn't of asked for better parents."

Lamar Hunt: Winning Cures All from The Mothership

What happened to change a disappointing situation in Kansas City -- and there is no hard evidence in the Hunt files that he entertained any formal offers from other cities to pack up and move -- was what always does:  winning. The former AFL champs from 1962 found their way back to a championship after a successful 1966 season with one added advantage: a chance to play in the first Super Bowl.

As much as anything the franchise had done for Kansas City, and really has done since, the honor of representing a city which had enjoyed little in the way of professional sports success, a trip to the first World Championship of Professional Football, as it was known then, put to rest any thought of moving out of Kansas City. The public's new love for the game of football and its local team was set in place for the foreseeable future.

Stars of the Classroom from The Mothership

The Chiefs and the Missouri Lottery have teamed up to honor the best teachers in Missouri. At each home game this season, the Chiefs will recognize an outstanding teacher through the Stars of the Classroom program.

The first winner was honored on September 7th, during the home opener at Arrowhead Stadium, as the Chiefs recognized Kaytee Jones. Jones is currently a first grade teacher at Shepard Boulevard Elementary School where she is known for her passion for teaching and team player approach.

KCChiefs.com Photo Gallery: 9/17 Practice

KCChiefs.com Video: Locker Room Sound 9/17

KCChiefs.com Video: The Right Attitude

KCChiefs.com Video: Twitter Q&A: Dustin Colquitt

KCChiefs.com Video: Arrowhead Update: 9/17

KCChiefs.com Video: Press Conference: Andy Reid 9/17

KCChiefs.com Video: Community Visit: The Children's Place

KCChiefs.com Video: Chiefs Brief: Week 3

Week 3: Wednesday injury report from Chiefs Spin

The Chiefs list 12 players on the initial injury report for Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins.

Running back Jamaal Charles (ankle) and strong safety Eric Berry (ankle) did not practice...

...The Chiefs list running back/wide receiver De'Anthony Thomas (hamstring) and linebacker Tamba Hali (ankle/knee) as limited participants...

...The Chiefs list free safety Husain Abdullah (foot/quad), wide receiver Dwayne Bowe (quad), running back Cyrus Gray (foot), wide receiver Frankie Hammond Jr. (shoulder), wide receiver Junior Hemingway (hip), center Eric Kush (shoulder), linebacker Josh Martin (quad/tricep) and wide receiver Albert Wilson (ankle) as full participants.

No Charles or Berry at practice for Chiefs from ESPN

The likely loss of Charles would be partially offset by the return of Thomas, who is world-class fast. The Chiefs lined him up in a variety of places during training camp in search of the proper matchups.

Alex Smith takes responsibility for Chiefs' offense from The Associated Press via FS Kansas City

Smith said Wednesday that while his coach often takes responsibility for the shortcomings of the offense, the burden lies on the players to execute on the field. That means executing plays, making smart decisions with the ball and -- at least for Smith -- checking out of bad calls.

"He calls a play and it's our job to go make it work regardless," Smith said. "And it's my job that not every call is going to be perfect -- he's not clairvoyant -- and when he does get the right call, it's my job to make the play."

Through two weeks and two losses, that hasn't happened enough.

Smith at bottom of NFL passer rating from ESPN

Smith earned that dubious honor with a rotten season-opening game against the Tennessee Titans. Three interceptions, two of which were on Smith, will kill a quarterback's rating.

Though Smith's stats last week against the Denver Broncos weren't tremendous (26-of-42, 255 yards, no touchdowns), I'll submit he played well enough to keep the Chiefs alive in that game and, yes, well enough to win.

The Chiefs didn't win because rookie kicker Cairo Santos missed a field-goal attempt and the team couldn't score a touchdown on its final drive.

Neither is Smith's fault.

Chiefs rookie RB/WR De'Anthony Thomas ready to return from Chiefs Spin

The Chiefs should have an explosive offensive player back in the lineup Sunday.

Rookie running back/wide receiver De'Anthony Thomas (hamstring) returned to practice Wednesday in a limited fashion, marking his first practice since Sept. 3...

...Another good indication of Thomas' availability is he talked to the media inside the locker room where he said it was hard watching instead of playing.

Charles out, but Chiefs optimistic Davis can produce from WPTZ

The engine of the Kansas City Chiefs offense probably will be in the shop this week, with running back Jamaal Charles sidelined because of a sprained ankle.

But the Chiefs' coaches have faith that second-year back Knile Davis can step into the role and keep moving the offense. That's what Davis did last Sunday against Denver, when he had 28 touches for 105 yards and two touchdown runs.

Chiefs And Dolphins Ready For Week 3 Clash Without Jamaal Charles And Knowshon Moreno from CBS Miami

Injuries to first-stringers Knowshon Moreno and Jamaal Charles will force Joe Philbin and Andy Reid to need all hands on deck in a crucial game of the young 2014 NFL season.

For Miami, Moreno had Fins fans buzzing heading into Week 2 as the NFL's leading rusher with 134 yards on 24 carries. However, his early success was short-lived, as the former Georgia Bulldog suffered a gruesome elbow injury during his first carry in the Dolphins' 29-10 loss at Buffalo.

While the extent of Moreno's injury has yet to be made public, all indications are that he will miss at least a month with a dislocated elbow.

Dolphins LT Branden Albert set to face former teammates from Chiefs Spin

Albert, of course, anchored the left side of the Chiefs offensive line from 2008-13 before signing a free-agent contract with the Dolphins in March.

The Chiefs' former first-round pick (15th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft is now in full game week preparations as the Dolphins host the Chiefs at Sun Life Stadium in Week 3.

"Every time it pops up when I'm watching film," Albert said during Wednesday's media conference call, "I'm thinking I'm about to watch myself, but I'm watching the defense and stuff and watching guys I've practiced with. Guys I went to war with. And now I'm playing against these guys. It's kind of weird."

Kansas City Chiefs vs Miami Dolphins: History of Matchup from Phinsider

For the last decade, the Kansas City Chiefs have been something of an enigma.  Some years the franchise are good, and others they are completely mediocre.  Sure, the strength of the schedule does come into play here, but is there a team in the NFL which has seen such fluctuations in their standard of play from year to year?

For example, in 2012, the Chief were one of the worst teams in the NFL, recording a 2-14 record.  However the following year, they finished second in the AFC West with a 11-5 record.  The same goes for the 2010 regular season. The team came first in their division, yet the previous three seasons they recorded three losing seasons in a row.  After that winning season, the team once again slipped into mediocrity again, recording 7-9  and 2-14 losing seasons for 2011 and 2012 respectively.

This begs the question; which Kansas City team will show up this season?

Chiefs' Santos battles infamous troika of troubles from KSPR

When talking about punters and kickers, Arnold used to say: "There are three gremlins you can't let into your head. You can't have fear, doubt and worry sitting on your shoulder. It's no way to kick."

Two games into his NFL career, Cairo Santos battles Arnold's gremlins. Fear, doubt and worry have landed on the narrow shoulder pads of the Chiefs rookie kicker.

In losses to Tennessee and Denver, Santos has four field goal attempts, making two, for a 50 percent success rate. It's caused major concern about whether the 22-year old out of Brazil is up to the task.

Week 3 Start 'Em and Sit 'Em from CBS Sports

Start 'Em

Knile Davis (at MIA): We know the Charles owner who has Davis is going to start him. That's a given with Charles dealing with a high ankle sprain. But for those of you who added Davis just because he was the top priority on waivers, you should start him as well. I consider him a Top 10 running back this week. He's had three games in his career with extended action, which was Week 17 last year at San Diego with Charles resting for the playoffs, the playoff loss against the Colts when Charles suffered a concussion and last week at Denver when Charles went down. Each time he's gotten at least 25 touches and scored two touchdowns. Coach Andy Reid said the game plan won't change with Davis in there, and you should expect quality production against the Dolphins. I'm excited about Davis this week.

Chiefs-Dolphins Preview from The Associated Press via FOX Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs are concerned their All-Pro running back could be out a while, and the Miami Dolphins already know their top rusher will be.

That could only amplify the problems their quarterbacks are having.

The winless Chiefs need Alex Smith to start proving he was worth that big contract, especially with Jamaal Charles' status unclear, and Ryan Tannehill hopes to begin showing he's worthy of one for a Dolphins team missing Knowshon Moreno.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid hopes for awareness from current NFL controversies from Chiefs Spin

To say the NFL's image suffered a black eye is an understatement.

But there are potential positives to take out from the recent scandals, namely awareness and action.

"I think if we can just say this has enlighten us on the issue," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Wednesday, "if we can come out saying that, because I think this a part of life today. Not that it hasn't been in the past, I think it's been here a while.

"But if it can help make things better, which I think it will, overall I think that's what we are all striving for right now. In particular the domestic abuse and child abuse situations. I think it can end up being a positive for society and for the National Football League. I'm glad it's being addressed. I think positive things can happen."

Chiefs coaching staff talks to players about behavior off the field from KCTV5

The Chiefs were at the center of the most notorious domestic violence case in the NFL. Then linebacker Jovan Belcher was drunk in December 2011 when he went home and shot girlfriend Kassandra Perkins nine times. Perkins died at the hospital. Belcher raced to Arrowhead Stadium where he shot himself in the head in front of coaches and general manager Scott Pioli.

The Chiefs played the following day at Arrowhead. A moment of silence was held for domestic violence victims. Some players had wanted to honor Belcher's memory by wearing a badge with his number, but Chiefs leadership refused to allow it since Belcher was a killer.