Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 9/15

Chiefs vs. Texans: Alex Smith's Performance Highlights Biggest Takeaways from The Mothership

One of those touchdowns was a 42-yard grab that saw Kelce catch the ball about 15 yards down the left sideline before turning up field and seeing nobody within about 20 yards of him.

"That's game planning," Kelce said of that play call after the game. "That's coach Reid dialing up the right plays at the right time. My hats off to him. I appreciate him for what he does."

Smith credits the guys up front for giving him enough protection.

"Any time you're asking play-action pass, seven-step drop, on the road versus that defensive line, that's asking a lot," Smith explained. "They were able to get us the score. [Travis] Kelce and the guys outside getting the route done and he was pretty wide open, but those guys up front were allowing it to happen."

10 Takeaways from the Chiefs Coaching Staff on Monday from The Mothership

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid explained why offensive lineman Eric Fisher did not play against the Houston Texans.

"I was the one that watched him practice, and I thought if I put him out there I'm going to be putting him into a terrible situation," he said. "The kid's trying his tail off to make it and it's not going to work. And so, it was that simple, I pulled him out, I put [Jah Reid] in and tried to get as many reps as we could with him before it came time for the game and it went in that direction. Fish took limited reps in practice, he worked some scout team, he was trying to push through the thing. There was just no way that it was going to work."

Chiefs vs. Texans Snap Counts: Derrick Johnson Doesn't Miss a Snap from The Mothership

Safety Eric Berry was on the field for 48 snaps on Sunday, which is the most action he's seen this year, including the preseason games.

Dontari Poe had been dealing with a back issue throughout training camp, but he was able to play 32 snaps for the Chiefs defense on Sunday.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid clears the air on OL Eric Fisher from Chiefs Digest

One question lingered from the Chiefs 27-20 win over the Houston Texans.

And it surrounded if right tackle Eric Fisher asked the coaching staff to not play in the season opener because of a high-ankle sprain.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid responded in emphatic fashion during a Monday afternoon conference call with team beat writers.

"I can help clear that up for you, like that's an absolute no," Reid said. "He didn't go to any coach. I know things are out there. I think it's ridiculous."

Chiefs' Reid defends embattled OT Eric Fisher from The Associated Press via FS Kansas City

The big question now is whether Fisher will play Thursday night against Denver.

The former Central Michigan standout has dealt with injuries throughout his career, leaving some to question his toughness. Even when he's been on the field, Fisher has not been particularly effective, forcing the Chiefs to move him from left tackle back to right before the season.

Reid said that Fisher's health would determine when he will return, but the coach sounded confident in the front five that he had last Sunday in Houston -- especially with another talented group of pass rushers on deck in the Broncos' Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware.

Andy Reid delivers mixed messages on Eric Fisher from ESPN

Reid strongly defended Fisher, saying Fisher never told him or any of the coaches that he couldn't or didn't want to play in Houston because of his injured ankle. But Reid wasn't as decisive when asked whether the starting job was Fisher's when he is ready.

Reid hesitated after the question, then said, "Yeah. We'll see on all that. That's how this rolls. I'm hoping he can get back out there.''

Chiefs sign LB Tyrell Adams to practice squad, reach injury settlement with TE Richard Gordon from Chiefs Digest

The 6-2, 228-pound Adams entered the league in May as an undrafted free agent out of West Georgia with the Seattle Seahawks.

He signed a contract with Seattle after a successful tryout in rookie minicamp, and recorded three solo tackles against the Chiefs during the second preseason game.

Adams finished his college career appearing in 44 games, totaling 220 tackles, three sacks and four interceptions.

Week 2: Monday injury report from Chiefs Digest

The Chiefs released an injury report Monday night ahead of Thursday night's game against the Denver Broncos.

Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (back), safety Husain Abdullah (quad), outside linebacker Tamba Hali and rookie inside linebacker D.J. Alexander (hamstring) are listed as limited participants.

Expect Chiefs to play with more urgency in this year's Thursday game from ESPN

The Chiefs didn't handle the short week so well last year. They came out flat in their lone Thursday night game and eventually lost to the previously winless Oakland Raiders to break their five-game losing streak.

The Chiefs also didn't play with much energy in the early stages of either of last season's games against the Broncos. They trailed 21-10 at halftime of their September game in Denver and 17-0 in the second quarter of their November meeting at Arrowhead.

Eye on Kansas City Chiefs ahead of Denver Broncos Week 2 matchup from The Denver Post

Who's hot: Tight end Travis Kelce was unstoppable Sunday catching all six of his targets for 106 yards and two touchdown passes. He's become a primary weapon in the Chiefs' passing attack along with running back Jamaal Charles and receiver Jeremy Maclin.

Who's not: 2013 No. 1 overall pick tackle Eric Fisher was active against the Texans, but did not play. The Kansas City Star reported team officials were upset Fisher pulled himself out of the game. Tackle Jah Reid started in his place and gave up two sacks to Texans' defensive end J.J. Watt.

No time for Chiefs and their offensive line to relax from ESPN

The Kansas City Chiefs and their offensive line survived their meeting with J.J. Watt and the Houston Texans, but there's no time for them to relax. The Chiefs have a short time to prepare for their game on Thursday night at Arrowhead Stadium, where their opponents will be Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware and the rest of the Denver Broncos.

The Broncos had just two sacks of Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco on Sunday, but otherwise worked over the Ravens. Baltimore had only 173 total yards, and its only touchdown came on an interception. Likewise, Denver's only touchdown was on an interception return.

Peyton Manning will no doubt make Marcus Peters prove it again from ESPN

Peters gets a different type of challenge on Thursday night when he faces a veteran quarterback, Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos, who also feature a pair of dangerous receivers in Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders.

"It's the nature of the position," defensive coordinator Bob Sutton said. "This week we're dealing with two guys, one on each side, that can be great challenges. That's part of this deal when you sign up. When you're going to be a cornerback in the National Football League, there aren't going to be many easy days. That's why it takes a special guy out to play out there."

The Chiefs believe Peters can be one of those players.

3 Things We Learned About The Broncos from CBS Denver

The Broncos' revamped offensive line bent but did not break. Though the Ravens broke through for four sacks of quarterback Peyton Manning, more than Denver gave up in any single game last season, the unit got through its first game together as part of a winning effort. Center Matt Paradis and rookie left tackle Ty Sambrailo both saw their first regular-season snaps, and newly acquired guard Evan Mathis, a two-time Pro Bowler in Philadelphia, got his first start with Denver. While the Broncos did not score an offensive touchdown, Manning did put together a nearly 11-minute drive in the fourth quarter, ending in a field goal that kept the ball away from Baltimore and gave the Broncos some additional cushion to fend off the Ravens. As Manning put it, that last drive was something Denver's offense can build on.

Texas-Ex Johnson close to setting Chiefs record from 247 Sports

After a long and successful NFL career, former Texas linebacker and current Kansas City Chiefs star Derrick Johnson is about to put his name among the best in Chiefs history.

After making eight tackles against the Houston Texans on Sunday, Johnson sits with 993 tackles as a Chief, just six tackles away from the franchise record of 999, set by Gary Spani.

Jeremy Maclin: NFL needs seminar to define what is a catch from Sporting News

"I think the difference between that is, I think his ball might have actually hit the ground a little bit," Maclin said, via CBS Houston. "In this case it didn't hit the ground at all. It is what it is. It's the rule."

He went on to criticize the decision of it not being a catch.

"I don't really know what qualifies as a catch. I thought it was, if you catch it and go right to the ground, it's a different story," he said. "I think there needs to be — you need to come out and do a seminar on what is and what isn't (a catch). You know what I mean? Who knows though. If it wasn't a catch, it wasn't a catch. I've gotta make the catch."

Kansas City Chiefs flags to be sold in Omaha for good cause from KETV

This week it'll be Red Thursday, as the Chiefs play the Denver Broncos on Thursday night, but the day will have special meaning. "This is Chiefs Kingdom" flags will be sold Thursday and proceeds will benefit a new field at Miller Park, named after Omaha Police Officer Kerrie Orozco, who was shot and killed in May.

"We felt like it was a great way for us to give back," Donovan said. "And a great way to, in a very small way from our standpoint, honor her legacy."

Former Kansas City Chiefs' legend, Will Shields to host Football 101 clinic for women from KSHB

A portion of the proceeds of the event will go to the Will to Succeed Foundation -which helps women and children who are in domestic abuse situations.

To learn more about the event, click here.

C.J. Anderson's toe is 'fine,' but fantasy owners should worry about production from SB Nation

Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson had a frustrating Week 1 performance, rushing for just 29 yards on 12 carries against the Baltimore Ravens. After the game, Anderson revealed that he was playing with a sprained toe. On Monday, head coach Gary Kubiak said that he's "fine" and expects him to be ready for Thursday night's game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Monday's NFL injury updates from The Associated Press via FOX Sports

Coach Gary Kubiak says he's confident the battered Broncos escaped any serious injuries in their opener.

Three players were knocked out of Denver's 19-13 win over Baltimore: defensive end Malik Jackson (head) and safeties Omar Bolden (left foot) and David Bruton Jr. (right hip).

Kubiak said Jackson is "doing great" and hasn't been diagnosed with a concussion, which would have ruled him out of Thursday night's game at Kansas City.

Bruton said he'll be able to play against the Chiefs and Bolden said he hopes to.

Receiver Demaryius Thomas (hand) said he was OK and Kubiak said running back C.J. Anderson (toe) was fine, too.

What's wrong with Peyton Manning? from Mile High Report

That's right, it's not Manning's arm strength that was the problem on Sunday. It was his football mind and the Baltimore Ravens pass rush.

Manning is typically the best quarterback in football at mitigating the pressure from his offensive line and avoiding sacks. Linemen get beat, but Manning feels the pressure coming and knows exactly where to go with the ball, turning sacks for most quarterbacks into just pressure on him.

He has led the league in that percentage in three of the past five seasons, and has never allowed more than 17.4 percent of his pressure to result in sacks — and that came in the first season in Denver in a new offense. Against Baltimore he was sacked on 30.8 percent of his pressured plays. Manning seemed confused and surprised by the pressure he was facing, unusually unable to adjust to it and find his outlet.

So what Sam from Pro Football Focus is trying to say is, if you are going to criticize Peyton Manning then you should be criticizing the correct flaw in Manning's game right now.

Loss Sticking With Brown, Jackson Ready to Move On from CBS Houston

The Texans aren't quite putting the loss to the Kansas City Chiefs behind them just yet, and some are letting it linger longer than others.

"Not long," Kareem Jackson said when asked how long a loss like Sunday's sticks around in their minds. "We'll watch it today, make corrections. First game, we've got 15 more games. For us, we've just got to make corrections and you know go back to work this week."

Nate Washington echoed Jackson's sentiments about fixing the team's mistakes.

Rennecke: It's been a great 7 years from The St. Cloud Times

Since this is my last column, I figured I would make a list of my top five favorite athletes or coaches I've covered. Some of this will be easy to figure out for those of you who have read my stuff over the years...

...No. 3 -- Fred Williams. The record-setting St. Cloud State wide receiver helped lead the Huskies to the playoffs in 2010. It was the same year that St. Cloud State threatened to cut the football program due to an athletic budget crisis. Williams formed a great one-year duo with Klaphake. They were magic together. It was a shame they couldn't have spent more than that one year together. Fred is now on the practice squad with the Kansas City Chiefs. He always made time for me and was as open as anyone has ever been on some of the features I wrote about him. And, man, was he fast.

Los Alamos Hilltoppers Hall of Fame Inductees from The Los Alamos Daily Post

Walter Henslee Arnold - Class of 1976 - a multisport athlete in Football, Basketball and Baseball. While a Topper, Walt was an All-District and All State recipient in Football and Baseball. He was selected an MVP in both Sports. After his high school career he went on to play Football and Baseball for the University of New Mexico Lobos. After his college career Walter Arnold went on to play Professional Football for 8 years as a tight end for the Los Angeles Rams, Houston Oilers, and the Kansas City Chiefs.

What can NFL fans teach utility leaders? from Intelligent Utility

A couple of times during that game, messages scrolled across the stadium JumboTron instructing the crowd to "Get Loud."  But it didn't work...

...Then something happened.

The Oakland Raiders were driving for a possible game-winning touchdown late in the game. The Raiders quarterback Terrelle Prior threw a pass, and his receiver was in position to catch it for a big gainer. But instead of the Raider catching it, the Chiefs defender, #31 Marcus Cooper, intercepted the ball and sealed the win for the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs.

The crowd erupted instantaneously and spontaneously. The stadium's press box shook hard. The meter said it all: 137.5 decibels --- the loudest outdoor stadium in the world.

They couldn't set the record by instructions alone...

...Great leaders know that they must be emotionally present and promote that in others as well. That's the lesson to learn from those Chiefs' fans.