Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 7/8

Chiefs Positional Preview: The Defensive Line from The Mothership

It's hard to believe, but Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Dontari Poe is entering just the fourth season of his career in 2015. That's remarkable to think about because despite such a short time in the league, at this point, the Chiefs defense can be rightly be thought of synonymously with the middleman, who has been nothing but a constant during his first three years.

Since being picked by the Chiefs in the first round (11th overall) in 2012, Poe has impressively led the defensive line in snaps every year.

Gridiron Glory at Union Station: The "J5-V football" from The Mothership

A "J5-V" ball is currently on display at the Gridiron Glory exhibit at Union Station. The ball was a quarter-inch thinner and longer than the NFL ball produced by Wilson, known in the older league as "The Duke."  When the two leagues agreed to play a Super Bowl in 1967, it was determined that both teams would use their own ball when they went on offense.

Years later, future NFL quarterbacks would tell stories on how they loved throwing the AFL ball as kids, looking to replicate the heroics of quarterbacks Len Dawson and George Blanda.

AFC West Q&A: Are Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles' best years behind him? from ESPN

Charles' career per-carry average -- 5.5 yards per rush, including 5.0 in each of the last two seasons -- indicate that when he's healthy, his impact is consistent. But in light of the nagging injuries that trailed him last season, in addition to ACL reconstruction in 2011, the Chiefs' ability to regulate his touches might determine his impact over the course of the season. If they use him with a big-picture approach, he should be able to produce at a level that makes a difference -- and he doesn't turn 29 until December -- especially if the Chiefs can get the extra defender away from the line of scrimmage with a passing game that has to be more than ornamental.

NFL: AFC West Training Camp Preview from Sports Cheat Sheet

3. Kansas City Chiefs' No. 2 wide receiver

Contenders:

Albert Wilson
Chris Conley

In 2014, the Chiefs' wide receivers combined to catch zero touchdown passes. The team spent big money on free agent Jeremy Maclin this offseason, but will be looking to upgrade at their No. 2 wide receiver spot, as well. The top candidates for the position are Wilson, an undrafted free agent who made the team in 2014, and Conley, one of the stars of the 2015 NFL Combine and third round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. The Chiefs desperately need production out of this position in 2015, making this one of the more intriguing position battles of the preaseason.

Motor City Track Club churning out youth running stars from The Detroit Free Press

Said Glenie Cross II: "He almost broke the record (Saturday). I believe it's held by a Kansas City Chiefs cornerback named Phillip Gaines. I think that record has been held since 2002. We're going to break it this year. He won't run it again until the Junior Olympics. He'll break it then."

Longhorn Network plans 3 showings of Charles roast from The Port Arthur News

After getting multiple exposures throughout Texas and in Kansas City on the Time-Warner Sports Channel, the Port Arthur News Homecoming Roast of Jamaal Charles goes national Wednesday night and Thursday morning on the Longhorn Network.

LHN plans to air a 30-minute snippet of the roast from a University of Texas angle at 10 p.m., midnight and 7 a.m. Thursday.