Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 7/14

Chiefs WR Jeremy Maclin Talks Leadership and Trophies from The Mothership

Maclin, after six years in the NFL and coming off a career year in 2014, has a résumé that speaks for itself.

Therefore, he wasn't surprised when the young receivers on the Chiefs roster immediately took to him as a mentor of sorts, someone who could help them improve their game.

"It's kind of like you almost automatically gravitate towards that," Maclin explained, "but in order for you to sustain that respect, you have to be real with them. I didn't come in here saying, ‘I'm the big dog and anything I say goes.' It's not like that. I'm just coming in here and trying to help these guys be successful. We're trying to be successful as a unit and that's what it's all about.

"I think they can see how genuine I am and how much it's not about me. It's about the Kansas City Chiefs, winning football games and ultimately holding that trophy at the end of the year."

Chiefs expected to renew Justin Houston contract talks Tuesday from Chiefs Digest

The Chiefs and outside linebacker Justin Houston's camp are expected to renew contract discussions Tuesday, a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed Monday with ChiefsDigest.com.

ProFootballTalk.com was the first to report the news.

The contract talks are set to take place a day before Wednesday's 4 p.m ET league-wide deadline for designated franchise players to have a multiyear deal or extension in place for the 2015 season.

Chiefs expected to renew talks with star linebacker Justin Houston on Tuesday from KC Star via The Wichita Eagle

The Chiefs have until Wednesday to work out a long-term contract with Houston, who has been offered a one-year, $13.1 million nonexclusive franchise tender by the Chiefs.

Otherwise, the 26-year-old will have to play the 2015 season under the franchise tag to earn an accrued year toward free agency.

Houston, however, is under no obligation to sign the franchise tender immediately. In the absence of a long-term deal, Houston could theoretically hold off on signing the tender, skip training camp and the preseason and return shortly before the regular season and still command his full franchise salary.

And if Houston — who recently skipped the entirety of organized team activities, not to mention the Chiefs' three-day mandatory minicamp in mid-June — really wanted to show his displeasure, he could also hold out for the first part of the season, return before week 10 and still earn an accrued season toward free agency.

Chiefs, Justin Houston talks remain up in the air from ProFootballTalk

Because Houston has played only four seasons, total value is more important that usual, because he's more likely than a 30-something player to cash every check. Guarantees also are a major factor, with signing bonus being even more important than fully-guaranteed payments because all full guarantees can be voided with as little as a one-game suspension.

Travis Kelce the clear leader of Chiefs TE corps from Chiefs Digest

The tight end position enters the season as a bigger question mark than usual.

Anthony Fasano was released during the offseason, leaving Travis Kelce as the most experienced player in the offense remaining from 2014.

The Chiefs currently have six tight ends on the roster:

AFC West Q&A: Who is the best newcomer to the division? from ESPN

Jeff Legwold, Denver Broncos: The Kansas City Chiefs' signing of wide receiver Jeremy Maclin has the potential to be the best free agency buy. Maclin has five straight 50-plus catch seasons, including two 70-catch seasons, to go with two seasons of at least 10 touchdowns. He fits coach Andy Reid's offense, given Reid had the final say on personnel when Maclin was a Philadelphia Eagles draft pick in 2009. The Chiefs have to find a way to get him the ball and move things around so defenses can't simply load up on Maclin.

Chiefs offseason report: Jamaal Charles senses return to elite form from USA Today

"I feel like I am 20, 21," Charles said this spring. "I feel good. I feel healthy. I eat right. I take vitamins. I do yoga. I'm doing everything I am supposed to do to keep my body up at my age."

That Charles is refreshed and motivated should be enough reason to give the Chiefs optimism that they can play their way back into the AFC playoff picture in 2015 after last year's 9-7 finish. They made the playoffs in 2013, coach Andy Reid's first season in Kansas City, but they are looking for their first postseason win since 1993.

Roundtable: 5 areas to monitor in Chiefs training camp from Chiefs Digest

Lazy days of summer will soon be replaced with the excitement of football when the Chiefs kick off training camp in late July at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.

Rookies, quarterbacks and select players report on July 28 before veterans show up July 31. The Chiefs' first full practice commences on Aug. 1...

...While Houston's situation will dominate headlines in the coming weeks, here are five additional areas with a view to training camp discussed among the ChiefsDigest.com staff:

Sea legs: Drew Brees introduces teammates to stand-up paddle boarding from ESPN

Brees was joined by Saints receivers Brandin Cooks, Nick Toon, Brandon Coleman and Seantavius Jones, quarterback Ryan Griffin, fullback Austin Johnson and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Chase Daniel, among others.

They went through some intense physical training on the beach, led by Brees' longtime personal trainer Todd Durkin. And Brees introduced them to one of his favorite physical hobbies, stand-up paddle boarding -- which some teammates tackled better than others.

Houston Texans announce 2015 home game themes from Houston Texans

The Texans will once again don their all-white uniforms and honor first responders to open the regular season for Liberty White Out presented by BHP Billiton against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Sept. 13.

Pat O'Donnell preparing for second year in NFL with stop in Daytona Beach from The Daytona Beach News-Journal

O'Donnell made a recent trip to Daytona Beach to workout alongside Lundy, Kansas City Chiefs kicker Cairo Santos, former Spruce Creek and current Mercer kicker Jagger Lieb and former Seabreeze and current Saint Anselm punter/kicker Shane Grayson.

"It's always great to get back to your roots and work with the guys that you are used to working with," O'Donnell said. "Dan Lundy is a great guy, and it's great to work alongside guys like (Kansas City Chiefs kicker) Cairo Santos."

Wembley -How to be a Chiefs fan for a day! from Arrowheads Abroad

As UK fans it is our duty to make sure that the teams that have given up a home game for us, get at a miniumum the best home field advantage possible at Wembley Stadium. This is why we are putting togther a series explaining to the casual NFL fan what it takes to be a Chiefs supporter come game day on November 1st.

Lesson One - Sea of Red

One of the best sights in sports is Arrowhead on gameday. Make the Chiefs feel at home by wearing red to Wembley.

Kansas City Chiefs Rumors: Should Chiefs Sign NFL Free Agents Wes Welker, Reggie Wayne? from The Latin Post

What makes this such a good fit for the Chiefs is low cost and Alex Smith. At this point in his career, Welker's stock has never been lower. If the Chiefs did sign Welker, they could simply cut him before the regular season begins without much of any salary cap hit whatsoever. Many NFL experts believe Welker would be a good fit with the Chiefs because of his playing style. Smith is not a deep ball-passing quarterback. However, Smith is very effective at short range throws, similar to a Troy Aikman type of quarterback.

Smith could thrive with Welker as his receiving security blanket. There's no doubt Jamaal Charles is one of, if not the most, elusive backs in the league, but the Chiefs can't depend on him to do everything.

Justin Houston Says the Chiefs have the best pass rushing duo in the NFL from Mile High Report

Now while I believe the Chiefs pass rush tandum is good, I believe the Broncos is better, here's why.

While Von Miller's 2014 sack numbers(14 sacks) do not compare the Houston's 22 from last season, I think they will be much closer in 2015.

Miller will be playing in a 3-4 defense under Wade Phillips, and he should really flourish in that role. If Miller can stay healthy for all 16 games this season I believe a 20+ sack year is very reachable for him. He's also in a contract year so that gives him some added incentive to have a great year.

History suggests franchise tags not always best long-term solution from CBS Sports

Justin Houston may have the best chance of this group to actually put pen to paper this week on a long-term deal. The dialogue between him and the Chiefs has been long-ongoing, they have made significant progress and the Chiefs know that franchising him two years in a row is going to cost them well over $30 million over two years already. As the elite among the elite at rushing the passer, and just entering his prime, Houston likely falls in somewhere around J.J. Watt in terms of compensation, and I wouldn't expect it to cost less than $15 million a year to secure his services. Kansas City paid big for Alex Smith when push came to shove and there is no doubt Houston is the best player on their team and a true difference maker.

2015 Draft Prep: Scheduling for success from CBS Sports

Kansas City Chiefs

Opponents' projected defense ranks -- Run: t-12th | Pass: 25th

Sked specifics: Week 9 bye, Week 2 Thursday game vs. Denver, one game indoors, two games with opponents coming off a bye week (at Minnesota in Week 6, at San Diego in Week 11).

Sked notes: Even though their opponents aren't all challenging, the schedule isn't good for the Chiefs, who play seven games in Kansas City this season. It's a tough four-game start for the Chiefs with three on the road and a homer against Denver on a short week. Then two of their next four are on the road -- at Minnesota and against the Lions in London -- before a bye. They follow the bye with three games on the road out of four. It might be enough to cost them a shot at a playoff spot.

Predicted record: 8-8