Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 7/24

Harvard Believes Chiefs Will Make the Playoffs from The Mothership

Here's a brief synopsis from that article on how these numbers came to happen...

...Now do you understand?

Me either, but any analysis coming from a place like Harvard predicting good things for the Chiefs is alright by me.

Chiefs Positional Preview: Linebackers from The Mothership

The Kansas City Chiefs have a lot to look forward to when it comes to the linebacker position heading into the 2015 season.

Derrick Johnson is back after missing nearly all of last season, Justin Houston has his long-term contract and Tamba Hali returns for his 10th season in the National Football League.

The three lead a group deep in talent, including former first-round pick Dee Ford, the returning Josh Mauga and rookie draft picks Ramik Wilson and D.J. Alexander.

Here are three points to watch headed into Chiefs training camp:

Behind the Lens: Iconic Concert Shots at Arrowhead Stadium from The Mothership

Taylor Swift in Kansas City

Date: September 24, 2011

Model: Canon EOS 7D

Focal Length: 24

Exposure Time: 1/250

Taken By: Traci Bartshe

Sanders' comments: "She happened to attend Arrowhead Stadium on a weekend we were in San Diego with the football team, so I had my team of photographers at the event and one of my photographers, Traci Bartshe, was able to shoot the event that night. They approached them about shooting some pictures for the tour from the stage, so she was able to have a perspective that no one else in the house was able to get.

"I think she really did a great job. I think it really is a flattering picture of Taylor and what she did with the stage and the fans; you can really just get a feel for everybody having a great time at the show.

"I think it gives a little bit more drama to the picture and you can just tell by the streak of light that's going across the background how full that is and you know the rest of that is just screaming with fans."

Chapter Seven: Why Didn't it Work for Fuller? from The Mothership

Comparisons to Joe Montana were sure to come up as Fuller struggled. Les Miller, the team's personnel head at the time the two players were coming out of college, was not bashful in pulling out his scouting reports on the two to prove a point when queried.

"Let me read some of this," he told The Kansas City Star. "Good leader, assumes authority, commands respect," he read from the report on Fuller. "Good leader, assumes authority, commands respect," he continued from his analysis of Montana. Even Dwight Clark, who had played with Fuller in college and with Montana in San Francisco believed the two had similarities.

They were the same player to Miller and, to be fair, other scouts had thought likewise. Oddly, Kansas City had traded to get ahead of San Francisco, where Montana ended up, because the Chiefs feared Fuller would fall to the 49ers. But the Chiefs were committed to the running game at the time and the 49ers were a passing offense. The circumstances at both teams were different.

Chiefs return proven, reliable playmakers at top LB spots from Chiefs Digest

The Chiefs linebacker corps has been a consistent presence over the past two seasons, and three original starters from 2013 - Tamba Hali, Justin Houston and Derrick Johnson - remain at their respective positions.

Hali, Houston and Johnson have been a key component in the Chiefs' ability to apply pressure, with Houston (22) and Hali (6) accounting for 28 of the team's 46 sacks in 2014.

Hali (11), Houston (11) and Johnson (4 1/2) accounted for 26 1/2 of the 47 sacks in 2013.

The Chiefs currently have 13 linebackers on the roster:

Camp to-do list: Identify WR threat beside Jeremy Maclin from ESPN

The Chiefs have shown an extraordinary amount of faith in Albert Wilson, the other starting wide receiver. Wilson, an undrafted rookie last season, earned playing time late in the year and responded with 16 catches and a team-best 16.3-yard average. The Chiefs believe Wilson, who is only 5-foot-9 but fast, can be a capable No. 2 wide receiver.

If they're wrong, the Chiefs don't have many other options.

Chiefs mailbag: Setting training camp battle lines from Chiefs Digest

The Chiefs mixed and matched personnel with the first-team offense during organized team activities and mandatory minicamp. But the left side is virtually set with tackle Eric Fisher and guard Ben Grubbs, who offers a major upgrade over Mike McGlynn and Jeff Linkenbach.

Third-year pro Eric Kush appears the frontrunner at center after taking the majority of first-team snaps during OTAs and minicamp, while the same applies to Donald Stephenson at right tackle.

Given those scenarios, the right guard position commands attention.

Chiefs' camp to-do list: Settle on a starting offensive line from ESPN

The Chiefs have no shortage of candidates. Indeed, their offensive line depth may be the best it's been in years. They can feel comfortable starting any of nine players. But quality could be the problem.

The Chiefs may emerge with only one starter returning from last year, that being Eric Fisher at left tackle. Otherwise, they may wind up going with one offseason acquisition, one player returning from injury and two of last season's reserves.

Will Shields has regrets but not what you'd think from ESPN

He said he did regret not being more of a vocal leader during his seasons with the Chiefs. Shields is quiet by nature and was more of a by-example mentor for many of his teammates.

"Maybe I should have pulled guys along when I felt we were faltering,'' Shields said. "I was being revered as a leader so maybe I should have been more vocal."

Andy Reid Has Exceeded Expectations from Warpaint Illustrated

It's far too early to judge the balance of power in the AFC West. But if you go on coaching prowess, Andy Reid is the elder statesman of the group and the only member of the AFC West fraternity to lead a team to a Super Bowl appearance.

Of course, that's always the goal for any head coach but for the Chiefs coach, he might finally have most of the pieces in place to believe his new team can find that super success in the next couple of seasons.

Justin Houston Still Remains The Invisible Man from The Sports Quotient

This is a man who totaled 22 sacks in 2014, a half a sack shy of tying Michael Strahan‘s single-season record. This is a man who has recorded 33 sacks in the past two seasons, which just so happens to be more than reigning Defensive Player of the Year,J.J. Watt...

...Perhaps because he does not play in New York, Dallas or Green Bay, nobody cares. Or maybe it's because he does not line up on the other side of the ball and catch the occasional touchdown. Regardless, it is hard to find an excuse for the lack of notoriety and appreciation Houston has faced after a monumental start to his career, specifically during and after his 2014 campaign.

2015 Fantasy Football Draft top picks: Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs from NOLA

Before clicking 'send' on that blasting email you're about to pepper me with, hear me out. First off, when at the top of his game, he's the best player in fantasy football. Three problems for me, which have me thinking Charles is one of the most overrated players in the first round...

...Although his touchdown totals have been at 14 or higher the past two seasons, his rushing yardage has declined in three straight years. Also, his receiving totals dropped from 70-693-7 in 2013 to 40-291-5 last year. That's a flashing red light to me.

Chiefs' Derrick Johnson's torn Achilles hardly his hardest trial from Sporting News

But put in proper perspective, seeing past the blur of physical pain, Johnson says it was hardly the biggest setback of his 11-year career. On the contrary, he was prepared for the anxiety.

"I think what helped out for me to endure and stomach this injury when it happened was because I've had something worse go on with me than a season-ending injury," he explained.

His mind raced back to 2009, when in his fifth season he was benched by new head coach Todd Haley, now the Steelers' offensive coordinator. Years later, it's evident the demotion still grinds Johnson's gears. He may have moved past it on the field, but he's not over it. Not really.

Johnson is 32. With 985 tackles, he needs just 15 more to topple Gary Spani's Chiefs record of 999. Johnson has done a lot and isn't finished. None of that fully erases that season of watching when he could have been playing.

Tim Tebow, reinvented from USA Today

"You just try to come in here and have an open mind and learn and get better," Tebow told USA TODAY Sports. "That was my approach, and they really know what they're talking about."

They are a biomechanics tag-team, and the pioneer is Tom House.

House, 68, pitched in the big leagues from 1971 to 1978 and might be best remembered for catching Hank Aaron's 715th home run — which broke Babe Ruth's career record — in the Atlanta Braves' bullpen. After finishing his major league career with a 29-23 record and 3.79 ERA career, he became a noted pitching coach in the major leagues, Japan and elsewhere. Along the way, started working with NFL quarterbacks such as Tom Brady of the New England Patriots, Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints and Alex Smith of theKansas City Chiefs.

California's NFL teams join forces for Special Olympics World Games from ESPN

A number of current and former NFL players are involved with the Special Olympics World Games, including Joe Haden, who was named a Special Olympics Global Ambassador in January. Others include Jamaal Charles of the Kansas City Chiefs, Keith Rivers of the Dallas Cowboys, and former Pro Bowler Terrell Owens.

The Cowboys have nearly $700 million committed to the players on their current roster from Business Insider

Things looks a little different if we just consider guaranteed portions of contracts. The Cowboys come in at No. 5 in the NFL with $263.9 million in guaranteed money committed to players, 38.8% of the total. The Kansas City Chiefs lead the way in total guaranteed ($297.0 million) while the St. Louis Rams top the league in percent-guaranteed (46.7%).

32 questions for 32 NFL teams with training camps set to open from The Indianapolis Star

Kansas City Chiefs: Who will ease RB Jamaal Charles' burden? Solid defense led by $100 million man Justin Houston can be counted on do its share. But QB Alex Smith, LT Eric Fisher, WR Jeremy Maclin and TE Travis Kelce must step up on offense.

Top 5 fantasy football breakout candidates from USA Today

TE Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs: In 2014, Kelce hauled in 67 receptions for 862 yards and five touchdowns. It sure felt like a breakout for a player whose only other NFL season ended after one reception-free appearance. As a rookie in 2013, Kelce snared two preseason passes and tore his left anterior cruciate ligament in his only regular-season duty.

Can he really improve on last year's season? Absolutely.

Five tips for IDP drafts from ESPN

But remember, tackles awarded per opportunity is only one part of the puzzle. To really get a sense of the best IDP home venues, we also need to factor in solo-to-assist ratios. Last season, five crews awarded solo tackles on more than 85 percent of tackles recorded: Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Dolphins and St. Louis Rams. Meanwhile, the Jets, Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens were the only crews in the league to award solos on less than 60 percent of their total tackles.

What can you expect this NFL season from The Nevada Appeal

It was a risky gamble signing Fallon's Josh Mauga last summer for the Chiefs? After injuries plagued him in New York, Mauga went through extensive physical therapy and conditioning, thanks in part to ex-Fallon teammate Tyler Simper. Ironically, though, it was an injury that allowed Mauga to come back onto the scene and start in every game last year.

After Joe Mays went down in the preseason, Mauga stepped up at linebacker and led the team in tackles despite Kansas City falling short of the playoffs. The Chiefs rewarded the ex-Wolf Pack linebacker with a three-year contract, which begs the question, how will Mauga handle his second season in the starting role?

Expect Mauga to be more fine-tuned on defense and don't be surprised to hear his name more often on Sundays.