Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 10/28

Chiefs Celebrate American Indian Heritage Month by Honoring Local Native Tribes from The Mothership

In honor of American Indian Heritage Month, the Kansas City Chiefs partnered with the American Indian Community Working Group for the second consecutive year to raise awareness during Sunday's home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

There are two members of the Chiefs of American Indian descent: quarterback Tyler Bray of Citizen Potawatomi Nation and long snapper James Winchester of Choctaw Nation.

The American Indian Community Working Group serves as an advisor to the Chiefs to promote an awareness and understanding of Native cultures and tribes in the region while educating the public in the process.

Chiefs vs. Lions: 10 Stats You Need to Know from The Mothership

4. Chiefs defense making a big difference

Through 16 games last season, the Chiefs defense managed to pick off opposing quarterbacks just 6 times, which tied them for the fewest in the NFL.

But through just seven games this season, the Chiefs have already matched that number with 6 interceptions, led by their first-round pick, cornerback Marcus Peters, with 3.

Chiefs New OL Paved Way for Success Against Pittsburgh from The Mothership

The Steelers sacked Smith just twice all day long, and he had the room and time necessary to earn the Chiefs a win they desperately needed.

"I thought the offensive line did a pretty good job," Reid said Monday after that game. "I say that telling you that I think Pittsburgh has a pretty good front, and they gave us a few different looks. The thing I saw, and again, it wasn't all pretty, but the effort there was - and the ability to set a tempo, I thought was raised from what it was before.

"I've said this from day one: that's where it starts on the offensive side. I liked the way the guys handled themselves. Are there things we can get better at? Yeah, we've got to keep improving there, but the effort definitely was there."

Tony Gonzalez on Travis Kelce: "He could go down as one of the best" from The Mothership

In an attempt to improve his craft this offseason, Kelce said he watched film of the guy who will always be associated with the number 88 to those around Kansas City.

"He did text me when he was looking at the film," Gonzalez said on Saturday, the day before he stepped on the field once again at Arrowhead Stadium as the pregame drum honoree before the Chiefs 23-13 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"He was like, 'I'm going to check you out today, old man.'"

Old man?

The exchange explains a lot about their relationship, which is built upon a mutual respect and a love for the game of football, not to mention a similarity in personalities and ability to joke with one another.

In search of normalcy, Chiefs leaving for London later in the week from The Kansas City Star

One reason teams might opt to go earlier in the week — and the Lions departed Monday night — is to help get the players' bodies accustomed to a different time zone, as London is six hours ahead of Kansas City time.

But when asked about the possibility of jet lag affecting his team with such a short turnaround, Reid said players can get their sleep on the plane and still stay on a fairly normal sleep schedule, since they're leaving in the evening Thursday.

"Yeah, we're leaving around 7 o'clock, get some sleep on the plane," Reid said. "I've had a chance to go to Japan and play over there, and, you know, you get off that plane with a few hours difference going there, too, and you want to just get out and get moving. You want to get your body back the way you want it. Nine hours you have to rest on that plane, and then we'll get things going for Friday once we get there."

Chiefs might have finally settled on the proper offensive line combination from ESPN

Few things in football make Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid smile like strong offensive line play. He can't help himself. He was a lineman in college and later coached the line positions in college.

So Reid, normally stoic when discussing football matters, cracked a smile this week when asked about the attitude that new starting tackle Jeff Allen brings.

"He's got an edge to him and he's not afraid to show that during games," Reid said. "You better not just stand around after he's blocked you because he's going to give you that little extra bit of effort right there. And that could be contagious. I think he brings that.

"I like to see the attitude. That's not really a nice-guy position. So for two hours, you have to handle yourself a certain way. You're literally a protector of people, so you take that seriously."

Chiefs got big days from Derrick Johnson, other defensive stars Sunday from The Kansas City Star

One of the best things about being an 11-year NFL veteran is knowledge, and Derrick Johnson learned long ago to trust his instincts, which have been cultivated by those years of experience.

But in the Chiefs' 23-13 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Johnson, 32, was happy to prove he's still got some athleticism on his side, too.

Johnson, who missed almost all of the 2014 season with an Achilles tear, ended the first half with a leaping interception of Pittsburgh quarterback Landry Jones. Johnson jumped straight in the air and high-pointed a pass intended for receiver Antonio Brown.

Chiefs give a British discus star a look in pre-London tryouts from FS Kansas City

Okoye certainly knows the country's sporting habits. He represented the U.K. in the 2012 Olympic Games and had a promising career in rugby union.

But he switched gears to football despite playing the game and played with the 49ers for a few years.

AFC West Stock Market: Week 8 from FS Kansas City

Eric Berry, safety, Chiefs

It's been a long time coming for the Chiefs star safety. Years, in fact, since he hauled in his last interception. But the cancer survivor and inspirational leader snagged a pick on Sunday and willed his team to a Week 7 victory. He added a pass defensed and six total tackles against Pittsburgh.

Five-game slide damaged Chiefs' wild-card hopes, didn't end them from ESPN

The conference is top-heavy with three 6-0 teams in the Denver Broncos, Cincinnati Bengals and New England Patriots, but just two others are above .500, the 4-2 New York Jets and the 4-3 Pittsburgh Steelers. So this could be a year where one, and perhaps two, 9-7 teams claim the wild-card spots.

Chiefs Won't Be A Gimme Victory When Lions Travel To London from CBS Detroit

Outlook

This may be one of the best chances the Detroit Lions have of getting a victory right now and making it an impressive one. While the Kansas City Chiefs do have talent and quality players, they've not shown much of anything in 2015 and the Lions should be able to expose their weaknesses and open it up.

Epicenter of Brazilian sports in US is Kansas City, where Royals, Chiefs field key transplants from The Associated Press via The Minneapolis Star Tribune

Paulo Orlando had returned home to Brazil last offseason when he flipped on the television to catch the news, and saw this strange report about the first Brazilian to play in the NFL.

The Royals outfielder was immediately intrigued.

Then he was downright stunned.

Not only did he learn that Cairo Santos was carving out quite a career in a decidedly non-Brazilian sport, just like Orlando was trying to do, he was doing it with the Kansas City Chiefs — the team that plays just across the parking lot from his own team.

Chiefs players meet 'the real heroes' from The St Joseph News-Press

The Kansas City Chiefs Community Caring Team made the trip to Rosecrans Air National Guard Base on Tuesday to thank servicemen and women for the sacrifices they make.

Chiefs players Allen Bailey, Cairo Santos and Charcandrick West, along with Pro Football Hall of Fame kicker Jan Stenerud and some Chiefs cheerleaders made their way to the base to learn how it operates. They had a little fun in the process, learning how to shoot some of the weapons and getting a tour of a Lockheed C-130 Hercules.

Kansas City Chiefs reenlistment ceremony takes place on Arrowhead Stadium field from DVIDS

Sgt. Miles Ray, an M1 Abrams tank system maintainer with the 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, along with three Soldiers from Fort Leavenworth, reenlisted on the 50-yard line Oct. 7 at Arrowhead Stadium.

The reenlistment ceremony was hosted by two Kansas City Chiefs hall of fame football players, Danan Hughes and Gary Spani.

"This means a lot to me," said Hughes. "My son is also serving in the military."