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Game Preview: Chiefs vs. Titans from The Mothership

If Hudson and the rest of the offensive line can take care of their assignments, life will be easier for both quarterback Alex Smith and running back Jamaal Charles, who is eager to return to the field. Charles enters the 2014 season with 5,823 career yards, just 247 yards short of the all-time Chiefs rushing record. Well aware of the possibility that lies before him, it's safe to say that he is ready to get things going.

"I'm excited to get back on the field and start making more history," he said earlier this week. "I have more records to break."

KCChiefs.com Video: Red Friday

KCChiefs.com Video: Cheerleader Chatter: Hayley

Game Day Forecast from The National Weather Service

Today Sunny, with a high near 76. Calm wind becoming east southeast around 6 mph in the morning.

Chiefs' Charles Is The Man In KC from KC Star via The Wichita Eagle

While this might seem like a standard task, going out in public is complicated for an NFL star like Charles, who can't go anywhere without people approaching him.

"I mean, I tried disguises," Charles said with a grin. "But you know what I'm saying, sometimes it doesn't work too good. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. It's crazy. The dreads definitely give me away. ... And if I cut them off, people will probably still recognize me..."

"He's hit superstar status," Holthus said. "We had it in too small a venue and people just flocked to him. ... he now is more like when Gonzalez or D.T. would go out."

That's life as The Man.

Chiefs' tight ends ready to flex muscle as team strength from Chiefs Spin

"I think you can go back to coach Reid's offense and history and try to track those numbers," starting Chiefs tight end Anthony Fasano said Wednesday. "I think they're pretty consistent and pretty strong."

Strong, that is, until the 2013 regular season when the well-documented injury woes derailed the position, leading to 53 catches for 541 yards and five touchdowns as a collective group. That marked the lowest total for a Reid-coached team since the Philadelphia Eagles tight ends produced 49 catches for 522 yards and three touchdowns in 2007.

But Reid now has a healthy trio with Fasano, Travis Kelce and Demetrius Harris, and their contributions will play a major role in the offensive scheme.

Quarterbacks in spotlight as Titans visit Chiefs from The Associated Press via The Topeka Capital-Journal

The biggest reason that Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith pressed his representatives to get a long-term contract done before the start of the regular season was simple peace of mind.

"It's all on football now," he said. "It's not sitting in the back of your head - ‘I'm playing for a new contract' - as you go out on the field, week after week."

Jake Locker is about to learn all about that situation.

The Titans declined their fifth-year option on the injury-prone Locker in the offseason, making this a critical year for him.

NFL picks and predictions 2014, Titans vs. Chiefs: Few giving Tennessee a chance from SB Nation

Not many are giving the Tennessee Titans a chance on the road against perhaps the biggest surprise team of the 2013 season. The Kansas City Chiefs went 11-5 last season following a 2-14 campaign, and are hungry to prove that their improvement was not a fluke. They open the season during Sunday's crowded 1 p.m. ET slate.

Across SB Nation's panel of seven NFL experts, only one person -- fantasy guru David Fucillo -- took the Titans to win.

Q And A: What Will Thomas' Impact Be? from ESPN

Instant impact on special teams, something more than developmental on offense. He showed what he can do during the preseason as a punt returner so it's disappointing if he doesn't have a big season there. On offense, the Chiefs have plans for him beyond those they would have for a developmental player. It's a successful season for him if he at least has as big an impact as Dexter McCluster had last year.

Kicking hotbed: Sturgis, Santos start NFL season from The St. Augustine Record

As the NFL season officially kicks off with a full slate of games today, the city is producing as much talent at the kicker position as any in the country.

Caleb Sturgis, in his second season with the Miami Dolphins, and Cairo Santos, a rookie with the Kansas City Chiefs, made names for themselves while starring locally in high school. Each will be in action with an NFL team today.

"It's exciting to have two kickers from this area playing in the NFL," said Bob Esguerra, who has been coaching in the county for 27 years. "I've shaken their hand and told them that whether it was as a coach or an assistant coach or a fan, I'm proud of them and the community is proud of them. They're both such great kids, and the community should be proud of them."

Titans downgrade DL Martin to out vs. Chiefs from The Associated Press via The Washington Post

Martin missed all preseason with an injured hamstring and had been limited all week in practice.

Tennessee Titans: 'Twas The Night Before Kickoff from Titan Sized

Smith will never put up Peyton Manning or Drew Brees type numbers but he has shown he can be a game manager that can provide consistency at the quarterback position.

Of course this game will be highlighted by RB Jamaal Charles, who is arguably the best running back in the league.  The Titans defense will be busy chasing him around - it's not in the realm of possible to shut him down.

Titans' Destiny Lies With Defense from The Clarksville Leaf Chronicle

Among the Titans, who is under the most scrutiny in the season-opener?

Jake Locker?

Ken Whisenhunt?

From where I stand, it's Ray Horton.

After the preseason the Titans defense had, Horton is in the cross hairs. He was Whisenhunt's first choice as defensive coordinator. If this team is going to improve and become relevant in the chase for a playoff berth, Horton must deliver.

400 players on NFL rosters never heard their name called in the draft from The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Times have changed in the NFL. Undrafted rookies and free agents have become a larger part of team rosters. The Cleveland Browns, who open the regular season at 1 p.m. today against the Steelers at Heinz Field, have a staggering 22 players on their 53-man roster who were not drafted -- nearly 42 percent. Five of those are rookies.

The Kansas City Chiefs, who were 11-5 last season, have 16 undrafted players on their roster and will start four today against the Tennessee Titans.

Impact Rookies: AFC from National Football Post

De'Anthony Thomas, RB, Kansas City Chiefs: Thomas won't be a starter, but should fit very nicely as a role player in Andy Reid's offense. The Chiefs plan to use him as a running back, in the slot and as a returner. He has great speed and open field running skills and will be a threat every time he touches the ball. Expect a lot of big plays from Thomas as a rookie, as Reid will find ways to utilize his skills.

Browns The Team To Watch This Season from The New Haven Register

Tennessee at Kansas City (-4): The Titans will have no answer for Jamaal Charles who will be fed the ball on the ground and through the air. Nowak's pick: Chiefs 30-17.

NFL Fantasy week one from The Los Angeles Post-Examiner

Tennessee at Kansas City, 1 p.m. ET

Winner: Kansas City. The Titans could potentially end up with the first overall pick this offseason, and the Chiefs will come out hungry at home after a playoff collapse to the Colts last season.

Fantasy Player to Watch: Jamaal Charles, RB, Chiefs. Charles finished as the number one fantasy running back last season and was the top pick in many drafts this year. Against a suspect Tennessee team, Charles should put together a solid point total.

Week 1 NFL Picks: Patriots Beat Heat In Miami, Broncos Roll In Primetime from NESN

Tennessee at Kansas City (-3.5)

This line seems low, but there are plenty of people who think the Chiefs are bound to come back to earth after last year's playoff season. Still, we'll take them by at least a touchdown against a "meh" Titans team. PICK: Kansas City

Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Bench Cam Newton in Week 1 from Sports Illustrated

Tamba Hali's knee injury should not keep him out of Sunday's game with the Titans. If you own the Chiefs defense, you're starting them.

Fearlessly Forecasting the Chiefs 2014 Season from Football.com

The 2014 season is finally upon us. After a brutal playoff loss and a disappointing offseason that saw more quality players leave than come to Kansas City, it's time for the Chiefs to start anew. To celebrate, here are a handful of predictions for the season.

NFL Preview - AFC West: This Time, Peyton Manning & the Broncos Win it All from AllMediaNY

Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): The Chiefs have the best all-around RB in football in Jamaal Charles. He is their entire offense and will have to be. Rookie De'Anthony Thomas and Knile Davis are all that back him up. The Chiefs plan to use speedster Thomas as a Dexter McCluster sort of player, which is to say, a guy without a clear role who is fast but takes touches away from the league's best running back...

...The defense has some ballers, especially up the middle. Dontari Poe, Derrick Johnson, and Eric Berry are a pretty damn good spine, although Berry's heel injury is concerning because the secondary is helpless without him. Elsewhere, Justin Houston missed 5 games in 2013, but still managed 11 sacks. He's in a contract year. Tamba Hali showed up to camp out of shape and is 30 years old; not a coincidence the Chiefs drafted Dee Ford, who will be spoon-fed this season. The offense isn't good enough to compete, even with "genius" Andy Reid running the show.

Getting you ready for the first Sunday of the NFL season from The Torono Sun

MUST WIN SUNDAY

"Must" win might be an overstatement, this being Week 1 and all, but the Denver Broncos need a good start. First to shake off the hangover that might still be lingering from that dreadful Super Bowl performance against the Seahawks. The Colts are not going to be an easy test and the next two weeks have the Chiefs in and a trip to Seattle where almost no one ever seems to win. If the Broncos are to get back to another Super Bowl and redeem themselves, a solid start to the campaign is important.

"I DID NOT REALIZE!" -DUVERNAY TARDIF from TVA Sports [translated from the original French]

"I think I do not realize yet, has he said in a telephone interview with TVA Sports on Saturday.

"It will be more than a match for me on Sunday. Arrowhead Stadium has a reputation of being a very noisy place and it will be a memorable day. "

Although it will be in uniform, Duvernay-Tardif will not be sent into the fray. The team already has Jeff Allen and Jeff Linkenbach to the position of offensive guard. But the former Redmen hopeful that his turn will come in the not too distant future.

Andy Reid could be called to testify in son's civil trial, according to report from NJ.com

With the trail reportedly set to begin this month in a Montgomery County Court, Reid would potentially have to miss time with the Chiefs to testify if called upon.

That might be unlikely, however, as the lawyer representing the Reid family told the Pottstown Mercury that "to his knowledge no subpoenas had been issued to the Reids."

Meet Chiefs Fans Of The Ozarks from The Springfield News-Leader

"My dad made it to only one Chiefs game in his lifetime," Groves said, pointing at the turf and explaining that his late dad bought the turf for him years ago. "He was a farmer. He'd sit in his chair, watch the Chiefs game for three hours and then go back out to the field."

You want a passion for the Chiefs? You want to know folks who all but bleed red and gold?

There is no shortage of them in the Ozarks, where fans have stayed true to a team that last won the Super Bowl in 1969 and has come close only once (1993 season) since.

Five Burning Questions from National Football Post

Which 2013 playoff teams could be headed for a fall?...

...The Kansas City Chiefs exceeded expectations by going from 2-14 in 2012 to 11-5 in 2013, but their 9-0 start may have been a mirage. The Chiefs were aided by a weak early season schedule and faced four backup quarterbacks during those nine games...

...The offense will likely remain too dependent on running back Jamaal Charles since other reliable playmakers weren't added. Charles accounted for 36.7 percent of Kansas City's offensive yards in 2013 and was the only NFL running back to lead his team in receptions (70), receiving yards (693) and receiving touchdowns (seven). Tight end Travis Kelce, who missed almost all of the 2013 season because of microfracture surgery on his left knee, could emerge as an offensive weapon.