NFL Scouting Combine 101: What You Need to Know from The Mothership
Since 1982, the NFL Scouting Combine has been a huge part of the draft evaluation process, assessing young NFL hopefuls' physical and mental performance with the purpose to, optimistically, influence their "draft stock."
Consider it the SAT for the NFL, a preparatory standardized test assessing an athlete's readiness for the next level.
Here is what you need to know about the Scouting Combine this week:
NFL Network Analyst Mike Mayock Weighs In On a Potential Chiefs First-Rounder from The Mothership
The Associated Press selected Reed, a senior lineman and Robinson's teammate, as a second-team All-SEC honoree. Zierlein called Reed an "elite run defender with the lower body strength to command his gap, but the instincts and timing to be productive as a tackler rather than just a space eater."
Chiefs general manager John Dorsey, in past interviews, has consistently brought up his stock in high-character players, and Mayock further explained that a player like Reed "checks off all the boxes."
"He's smart, he's tough," Mayock said. "I really like what I've seen with him. I think his football IQ is very, very high. And as I kind of look down my list, you could even get him in the second and third round with some of these types of kids."
New Exhibits Will Celebrate AFL's Roots from The Mothership
New exhibits will debut this summer at Arrowhead Stadium's Hall of Honor offering visitors a rare look at aging artifacts from the earliest days of the American Football League.
Pro football's all-star game signals the conclusion of each season and, much as its rival the NFL had done, the AFL quickly instituted a game in 1961 in its second year of operation. This year the Hall of Honor looks back at the contest which capped off each year until the league merged with the NFL and the game officially became known as the "AFC-NFC Pro Bowl."
Behind the Lens: The Top 10 Photos of 2015 - No. 6 from The Mothership
Broncos 31, Chiefs 24
Date: Thursday, September 17
Model: Canon EOS-1D X
Focal Length: 15
Exposure Time: 1/320
Taken By: Chris Donahue
Chiefs could benefit from unusually deep draft for defensive linemen from The Kansas City Star
The Chiefs could be poised to take advantage of one of the deepest interior defensive line drafts in recent memory.
With Jaye Howard and Mike DeVito, two significant contributors this season, slated to become unrestricted free agents in March, it's safe to say the Chiefs could have a need there, even with a pair of good, young interior stalwarts - nose tackle Dontari Poe, 25, and defensive end Allen Bailey, 26 - under contract for 2016.
Poe, however, played through back issues this season and is set to be an unrestricted free agent in 2017. Given the Chiefs' recent habit of using their first picks to fortify premium positions a year ahead of potential free-agent departures, you can't count out the chances of them using the 28th overall pick this year on an interior defensive lineman - a position that happens to be unusually strong.
Kansas City Chiefs will look closely at cornerbacks at NFL combine from ESPN
Positions of need: The Chiefs were thin at cornerback this past season, and their fragile depth would take a hit if veteran Sean Smith departs as a free agent. Smith's departure would leave only one cornerback on whom the Chiefs know they can rely: last year's first-round draft pick, Marcus Peters. Otherwise, the Chiefs have a lot of uncertainty at the position. Phillip Gaines began the past season as a starter but missed most of the year because of a torn ACL. Another of last year's draft picks, Steven Nelson, has potential but is still a developmental prospect.
Listen to Tamba Hali's song ‘Look What I Started' from The Kansas City Star
Some former players coach. Others get into broadcasting. Hali, it seems, is intent on making music. In fact, he's already recorded at least four songs.
"There is still life after football, but what you make of it is up to you," Hali said in a biography on Relumae Records' website. "I'm talented in other things. I play the game with passion, but my true passion is music."
Cavanaugh's Pre-Combine Mock Draft from CBS DFW
28 - Kansas City Chiefs: A'Shaun Robinson, DT, Alabama - For a team that needs help along the DL, Robinson offers some versatility at the DT spot. Think he's at his best as a stout run defender, but also flashes some ability to get in the backfield on pass plays.
Agent's Take: How familiarity could impact 19 teams' free-agency plans from CBS Sports
Kansas City Chiefs
Offensive guard is an issue because Ben Grubbs may be forced to retire because of neck problems and Allen is a free agent. Andy Reid was Mathis' head coach in Philadelphia for two seasons (2011 and 2012). Cornerback becomes a need for 2015's third-best defense in points allowed if Sean Smith leaves. General manager John Dorsey could reach back to his Green Bay Packers roots by replacing Smith with Casey Hayward.
How well have NFL teams drafted quarterbacks since 2000? from WTOP
Both the Saints and Chiefs have drafted quarterbacks since 2000 - five and three each, respectively - but not a single one has started a game for either team. The Saints leaned primarily on trade acquisitions Aaron Brooks, then Drew Brees. The Chiefs have had a whole host of signal callers, but none who won games were originally drafted by the organization. This poses a problem for determining draft points per start and draft points per win, as one cannot divide a number by zero.
NFL: Why the Chiefs Won't Make the Playoffs Next Year from Cheat Sheet
First thing's first - the Chiefs' success in 2015 was more than just a little deceptive. While you can't blame them for playing - and beating - most of the teams on their schedule, there is no denying that said schedule was one of the weakest in the league. During their 11-game winning streak, the Chiefs only beat three playoff teams, and one of them was the Houston Texans, who backdoored their way into the postseason with a 9-7 regular season record. To their credit, the Chiefs did beat the Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos and the ridiculously talented Pittsburgh Steelers along the way, but beyond that, it gets tough to argue that any of their remaining 10 wins were all that impressive.
Aaron Murray's advice to Jacob Eason: 'Study' from The Atlanta Journal Constitution
"There definitely is a lot of pressure," Murray said as he drove back to Atlanta from a recent trip to Charleston. "Even me, I got to redshirt a year and then get in there and play. Still, being the quarterback for an SEC team, I mean, there's a lot on your shoulders.
"I think this whole process has been, ‘Jacob's going to come in and be this big hero for the program and we're going to get back on top.' So I think the biggest thing for him and the coaches is easing his way in. I think it's great that he came in midyear and can get going a little bit, learn the playbook, earn the trust of his teammates and catch up with the speed of the game. Because there is a big, big jump from high school to college. So you don't want to throw someone in the fire if they're not ready to go."
Q&A: Aaron Murray on QB competitions, NFL dreams from Dawg Nation
Q. What's the status of your NFL career?
A: "I'm just working. That's my biggest thing. Alex (Smith) had a great year this year and the team had a great year. So my goal is to keep slowly working, working, working, gaining the trust of the coaches. I've just got to demonstrate that by continuing to show my mastery of the playbook, my understanding of the concepts and the coverages and earn their trust. I just have to show them progress in the games and when OTAs start in a couple of months and preseason. They just have to be able to trust you in case something happens and you go on the field. They need to know you can go out there and perform. So I'm just trying to show them that I'm ready to go."
Free agency fits: Matt Forte to Patriots? Eric Weddle to Raiders? from NFL.com
Eric Weddle, S, San Diego Chargers
Great fits: Pittsburgh Steelers, Oakland Raiders, Dallas Cowboys
Well, it's pretty obvious Weddle won't be suiting up in San Diego anymore. And he has made it clear that he wants to be on a contender. If, for some reason, the Chiefs don't get Eric Berry back in-house, Weddle would be a cheaper option who obviously knows the AFC West very well, as he has spent his entire career there.