Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 3/11

Chiefs Sign LB Tamba Hali from The Mothership

"Tamba is one of the most passionate and competitive football players I've had the privilege to be around," Chiefs General Manager John Dorsey said. "His leadership and playing ability have been critical to our success defensively. He's a great teammate and a true professional. We are pleased he is staying in Kansas City."

Tamba Hali Cements Legacy in Kansas City from The Mothership

So much of what he's done on the field, from the 86 career sacks, which rank second in franchise history, to the number of games played throughout his 10-year career, are widely known.

That's the "TAMBATIME" that fans get to see on television or at Arrowhead Stadium on Sundays in the fall, but the man underneath those pads is the one who has created a legacy that goes way beyond the field.

This Hali, the one delivering cookies because he feels he owes it to the kind people taking care of them, is the one known by those who spend time around him and get to see him every day, and it's the one who doesn't get talked about enough.

Now, 10 years after being the club's No. 1 draft pick out of Penn State back in 2006, he signed a new multi-year agreement that will keep him in the red and gold for the rest of his career.

It's fitting.

Tamba Hali Recalls His First Career Sack, Which Was on Alex Smith from The Mothership

This game against the San Francisco 49ers would be the first time she ever saw her son play football, and to this day, it's memorable for many reasons.

It was the third game of the 2006 season and Hali had racked up 11 tackles in his first two career games but hadn't yet brought down a quarterback for a sack.

With his mother, unacquainted with the game of football, in the stands, Hali recorded the first tally to an area of the box score that would soon define what is now known as "TAMBATIME."

"I remember the [dreadlock] beads coming out of the helmet - €”the visor," former 49ers and current Chiefs quarterback, Alex Smith, recalled of Hali. "I remember having lots of problems in there that day.

"It was not fun."

Chiefs Sign LB Derrick Johnson from The Mothership

"Keeping Derrick in Kansas City was something we wanted to get done," Chiefs General Manager John Dorsey said. "He has consistently performed at a high level and has had a lot of success in our system. Derrick has a unique skillset, keeps his body in shape and prepares well each week. We are happy to see him continue his career with us as a member of the Chiefs."

Chiefs Sign DL Jaye Howard from The Mothership

"We were able to reach an agreement with Jaye Howard and his representatives to keep him in Kansas City," Chiefs General Manager John Dorsey said. "Jaye had a very productive season last year and grew significantly. His versatility allows us to do a lot of different things up front. We are glad he will remain with us."

Jaye Howard: "We're building something special here" from The Mothership

"It was a good bit [of other teams interested], but it worked out," Howard admitted via conference call Thursday afternoon. "We're building something special here in Kansas City and I just wanted to be a part of it. For me, just being able to play along the line with Allen Bailey and Dontari Poe, it means a lot to me."

The thought of leaving those familiar faces in a system that he had been working to master over the past three seasons, that was just too much for Howard to turn his back on.

Chiefs Sign LB Frank Zombo from The Mothership

"As a veteran player, Frank has consistently played well on special teams and as a contributor on defense," Chiefs General Manager John Dorsey said. "We are happy to have him back with us. He adds solid depth to our team."

Chiefs Sign OT Mitchell Schwartz from The Mothership

"Mitchell is a strong addition to our offensive line," Chiefs General Manager John Dorsey said. "He's a talented football player that has proven to be durable and physical in his four seasons in the National Football League. We are excited that he will be a member of our team."

Five Things to Know About Mitchell Schwartz from The Mothership

1. A starter... and finisher

After graduating from the University of California (Berkeley), Schwartz was drafted in the second round (37th overall) by the Browns in the 2012 NFL Draft.

After playing 35 games at left tackle in college, Schwartz was a fixture on the right side of the Browns offensive line.

He has yet to miss a game in his career, starting all 48 games in his first three NFL seasons and was one of six rookie OL to be able to say that.

Five Things to Know About Jonathan Massaquoi from The Mothership

4. Like fellow linebacker Tamba Hali, Massaquoi was born in Liberia

Massaquoi is listed as being a native of Monrovia, West Africa. Hali was born in Gbarnga, Liberia, West Africa. The two cities are 103 miles apart.

Massaquoi moved to the United States when he was six months old.

What We Learned from Thursday's Conference Calls from The Mothership

Q: How much thought did you give to leaving?

HALI: "None. Yeah, none at all."

Q: Why was it important for you to remain a Chief?

HALI: "To put some spice on it, I was the last draft pick for Lamar Hunt. Lamar Hunt, obviously, was the founder of the AFL. But for me, staying here, it means everything. I started my career here. I've had ups and downs. Had several head coaches, and they've believed in me getting better as a player and as a leader on our team. As the years progressed, I've played good ball, I've played okay ball, but I think me as a person and what I bring to our team as a person, as a leader, as a player, I think all of those went into why I wanted to be here. I couldn't see myself going somewhere else and trying to establish me as a player again, especially being in the game this long. I wanted to end my career here.

Chiefs Announce Additional Transactions from The Mothership

The Kansas City Chiefs have signed the following players:

Defensive lineman David King, Oklahoma

Linebacker Jonathan Massaquoi, Troy

Linebacker Efe Obada, no college

Tamba Hali had no intention of leaving Chiefs, has Super Bowl on his mind from The Kansas City Star

Unprompted, he spoke of how he takes pride in being the last first-round draft pick of Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt, who died about seven months after the Chiefs selected Hali in 2006 draft. He also said that he has grown so accustomed to the Chiefs' way of doing things that he had no interest in learning a new football culture in a new city.

"For me, staying here, it means everything," Hali said. "I couldn't imagine going somewhere else and needing to establish myself as a player again, especially being in the game this long.

"I wanted to end my career here. It's a family atmosphere here, and everything (general manager John) Dorsey, coach (Andy) Reid and the Hunt family stand for, everything they say, has been right on point."

A lesser role for Tamba Hali, perhaps, but he says not lesser impact from ESPN

That sort of strategy would seem to make sense for the 32-year-old Hali. He has been bothered in each of the last two seasons by ailing knees that limited his practice time and reduced his productiveness. The Chiefs have Dee Ford, their 2014 first-round draft pick, to fill in for Hali when he's not in the lineup.

But Hali didn't take kindly to the suggestion he was returning to the Chiefs in some kind of diminished role.

"I wouldn't say diminished," Hali said. "I would say play less. Yeah. Sure. I don't think my role diminishes as to what I present to our team.

"It only makes sense because there's no reason to go out there and pad the stats. Our main goal here is to win the Lombardi Trophy. Risking injury, trying to do more than is needed, is not going to help our team."

Chiefs' Derrick Johnson, Tamba Hali return with championship goals from Chiefs Digest

Hali and Johnson could have at least three shots to accomplish their mission if they play out the duration of their new contracts.

It is tough to argue against Kansas City appearing on the cusp of making that run and the past three seasons offer evidence.

Since head coach Andy Reid arrived in 2013, the Chiefs have compiled a 31-17 record and made the postseason twice.

The 2015 season saw the Chiefs reel off an NFL-record 10 straight wins to overcome a dismal 1-5 start and finish 11-5. The Chiefs advanced to the Divisional Round of the playoffs before falling to the New England Patriots.

The experience over the last three seasons has Johnson very confident.

Lure of winning, stability helped Chiefs land coveted lineman Mitchell Schwartz from The Kansas City Star

On Wednesday, Schwartz, who was drafted by the Cleveland Browns, hit free agency as one of the league's most coveted available linemen. And he picked the Chiefs over three other suitors largely due to his familiarity and comfort with the organization.

"(Geoff) just told me how awesome of a time he had here, (how) he wishes it had been longer," Schwartz said in a teleconference Thursday. "But he had a great time with all the coaches, the coaching staff was great for him, had a great time in the city.

"Obviously, I know about the barbecue and all the good food here — as a lineman, I definitely appreciate that. He had nothing but good things to say, I knew that a couple years ago ... so when this opportunity came up, I was already maybe a little bit more informed than most other people would have been. I was lucky in that regard."

Barnwell grades free-agent deals from ESPN

Mitchell Schwartz (Chiefs): B

The Browns seem to have adopted a strange tactic of negotiating very publicly with their free agents in the media, having clearly leaked that they were done negotiating with both Travis Benjamin and Mitchell Schwartz. The word "yanked" was brought up with regard to Schwartz's contract offer, and you can even picture owner Jimmy Haslam furiously pulling some paper off a glass coffee table and giving himself a paper cut. Schwartz is the fourth member of Cleveland's young core to leave this offseason, joining Benjamin, Alex Mack and Tashaun Gipson. While the Browns weren't winning with them, they also don't have ready-made replacements for most of them, either.

Chiefs officially announce signings from first wave of free agency from Chiefs Digest

The Chiefs also announced the signings of defensive end David King, who was tendered as an exclusive-rights free agent before the start of the league's calendar year, and linebacker Efe Obada.

Not a bad loot at all from the first 24 hours of free agency, which began Wednesday, especially the team's ability to retain four key contributors.

Perhaps Howard, who signed a two-year deal, captured best why the Chiefs proved an attractive return destination.

"We're building something special here in Kansas City and I just wanted to be a part of it," Howard said Thursday in a conference call with Chiefs beat writers. "For me, being able to play along the line with Allen Bailey and Dontari Poe meant a lot to me. Those are great players and we work well together."

Chiefs sign defensive lineman Efe Obada, a raw prospect and Nigerian native from The Kansas City Star

A native of Nigeria, Obada did not begin playing American football until 2014, when he played for the London Warriors of the British American Football League.

He was eventually signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys in April 2015, where he worked out as a tight end and defensive end.

New contract helps Chiefs' Jaye Howard fulfill quest to provide for his family from The Kansas City Star

When Jaye Howard signed his new contract with the Chiefs on Thursday, he posted for a picture behind a desk, contract in front of him and his twin sons, Jordan and Jeremiah, in his mammoth arms.

It was fitting, considering how Howard has talked for the better part of two years about how the birth of his sons - who turn 3 in April - lit a fire under him on the field. About how he wanted to provide for his family.

After signing a two-year, $12 million deal to remain in Kansas City, the 6-foot-3, 320-pounder can take pleasure in knowing he has done just that.

"Throughout this whole process, with me being in Seattle, and coming here, getting picked up off of waivers, they've been my motivation," said Howard, a fourth-round pick of the Seahawks in 2012 who was signed by the Chiefs in 2013. "My sons and my wife, just having them present in that moment meant a lot to me."

Chiefs release offensive lineman Ben Grubbs, gain small amount of cap room from The Kansas City Star

The Chiefs acquired Ben Grubbs via trade last year in an effort to improve their offensive line, but that experiment came to an end on Thursday when the club announced he has been released.

Grubbs' 2016 cap number was $6.3 million, so the Chiefs will have a significant amount of dead money -€” $5.2 million -€” with the move. The are expected to gain a small amount of cap room, however; salary cap expert Joel Corry projects the savings as $1.1 million, as OverTheCap.com.

Chiefs release Ben Grubbs, have in-house options to consider at LG from Chiefs Digest

Grubbs' release leaves a hole, but the Chiefs have in-house options as potential fills, including Paul Fanaika, Zach Fulton, Jarrod Pughsley and Michael Liedtke.

The 6-5, 327-pound Fanaika joined the Chiefs on a three-year deal last year, but landed on injured reserve with a back injury before the regular season started.

Fanaika's rehabilitation has gone well and he is on track to be available when the Chiefs begin the voluntary offseason workout program in late April, a source familiar with his recovery informed ChiefsDigest.com and The Topeka Capital-Journal.

Sean Smith is the one who got away from the Chiefs from ESPN

The Chiefs are now thin at cornerback. Peters and Ron Parker, a safety who played a lot at nickel back last season, are their only known commodities at the position. The Chiefs have Phillip Gaines, but he is coming off a torn ACL that cost him most of last season. They also have Steven Nelson, a third-round pick last year who played sparingly as a rookie, and a few developmental prospects.

That can't be a comforting thought to the Chiefs, not playing in a division with quarterbacks such as San Diego's Philip Rivers and Oakland's Derek Carr. The Chiefs lost four other players on the first day of free agency but nobody who figured prominently in their plans.

Chiefs lose Sean Smith to Raiders, who agree to four-year, $40 million contract with cornerback from The Kansas City Chiefs

Dorsey kept in touch with Smith's agent, David Canter, over the last month in an apparent bid to keep Smith in the fold. But at the end of the day, Smith took a substantial offer from Oakland, which entered the offseason with approximately $60 million in cap room.

The Chiefs, meanwhile, had a little under $19 million in room to spend prior to their recent shopping frenzy, which included re-signing two team icons in outside linebacker Tamba Hali and Derrick Johnson, a strong starter in defensive lineman Jaye Howard and bringing the top free agent right tackle aboard in Mitchell Schwartz, formerly of the Cleveland Browns.

What's left for Chiefs? Secondary must be a priority from ESPN

The Chiefs had five safeties who played a significant number of snaps last year. That's a number that suits them well, so expect them to go to training camp with at least that many legitimate roster candidates.

Right now, they have three: Parker,Eric Berry and Daniel Sorensen. Tyvon Branch signed as a free agent with the Arizona Cardinals, and Husain Abdullah is still unsigned.

Chiefs should get multiple compensatory draft picks in 2017 from ESPN

Overthecap.com, which does a nice job of projecting which teams will get compensatory draft picks and in what rounds, predicts the Chiefs will get four comp picks in 2017 for their net activity in free agency to this point.

Overthecap suggests the Chiefs will get a third-rounder in return for losing cornerback Sean Smith to the Oakland Raiders, a fourth-rounder for losing quarterback Chase Daniel to the Philadelphia Eagles, a sixth-rounder for losing tackle Donald Stephenson to the Denver Broncos and another sixth-rounder for losing safety Tyvon Branch to the Arizona Cardinals.

The website predicts the Chiefs would have received another fourth-round pick in exchange for losing guard Jeff Allen to the Houston Texans, but that pick is canceled out by Kansas City's signing of tackle Mitchell Schwartz from the Cleveland Browns.

Chiefs give assistant QB coach Corey Matthaei more responsibility from The Kansas City Star

When Chiefs assistant offensive line coach Eugene Chung left with offensive coordinator Doug Pederson to join Pederson's new staff in Philadelphia, Andy Reid had a hire to make.

On Saturday, Reid said he plans to replace Chung by give assistant quarterbacks coach Corey Matthaei - who was promoted last season after two years as a quality control coach -€” some added responsibility.

Raiders zero in on Eric Weddle after signing three prized players from The San Jose Mercury News

Weddle, a three-time Pro Bowl selection with the Chargers, is the team's next top target, and both Irvin and Smith are making their pitches for him to join the Raiders defense.

"I was talking to him before I even came up there," Smith said on a conference call of Weddle, with whom he shares an agent. "If we were to add Eric Weddle, this defense will be something special."

Tony Richardson joining Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame from AL.com

"It's been a long journey since 1995 being an undrafted free agent leaving Dallas on the practice squad," Richardson said at a press conference. "When Mr. Hunt called me, it was definitely overwhelming because you think about all the hard work, all the sweat and all the tears and everything you've been through on this journey, and you realize you don't sign up to play fullback to make it to the Hall of Fame. Much like I look back on my own personal life, my dad being a military man, my sister currently serving, and that's the only thing I've known my entire life is to be a servant."

Richardson ended his collegiate career on Auburn's 1993 undefeated team, then spent a season on Dallas' practice squad after going undrafted.

"Being on the practice squad really taught me about how hard you work,"Richardson said. "Once I got success, I never forgot that."

Richardson caught on with the Chiefs in 1995 and stayed for 11 seasons.

The Chiefs Will Fight The NFL On Tampering Penalties from Deadspin

It's absurd, of course...

...What on earth could the Chiefs have done to get busted where literally every other team skates? And even worse, comments by NFL VP of football operations Troy Vincent indicated that the penalties would have been even harsher if not for the Chiefs' cooperation with the investigation and this being a first offense. Kansas City is being made an example of, and owner Clark Hunt would like to know why.

NFL needs to change legal tampering process for free agents from The Toronto Sun

We may not know for a full year if any team violated the edict this year. That's because it was just on Tuesday that the NFL punished the Kansas City Chiefs a full year after having made direct contact with Philadelphia free-agent-to-be Jeremy Maclin last March before free agency began.

The NFL punished the Chiefs harshly. Kansas City will forfeit its third-round draft pick this coming April and its sixth-round pick in the 2017 draft, and also pay a $250,000 fine.

As well, the NFL fined Chiefs head coach Andy Reid $75,000 and GM John Dorsey $25,000.

It's a stunning reprimand of a model franchise operated by one of the league's most influential, respected owners, Clark Hunt.

Chiefs discipline may have been effort to shock other teams, coaches from ProFootballTalk

By hitting the Chiefs, one of the "establishment" franchises, and Reid, one of the most respected and tenured coaches in the game, all other teams and coaches could decide that they need to dot every "i" and cross every "t" as to each and every mandate, big and small, from 345 Park Avenue.

Ex London Warrior, Dallas Cowboy Efe Obada Signs With Kansas City Chiefs from American Football International Review

Obada's story is straight out of a movie.

At the age of 10, Obada and his sister were trafficked from the Netherlands into England and left homeless as soon as they arrived in London. They lived with a family friend for five years, but because she already had five children of her own, they were sent to social services, who would move them from one family to another. He was working as a security guard at a food warehouse just outside of London when the Cowboys picked him up.

Jeremy Kerley scheduled to visit Chiefs from ProFootballTalk

Kerley was never a game-breaking receiver with the Jets, but was a reliable target out of the slot for much of his time with the team. That wasn't really the case last season as Kerley fell down the depth chart under new offensive coordinator Chan Gailey and caught a career-low 16 passes.

Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt visits Olathe middle school to stress importance of eating healthy from FOX4KC

Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt visited the school Thursday, passed out milk and spoke with students in the classroom about the importance of putting good nutrition in their bodies.

He believes kids will benefit from the new emphasis on healthy eating - something his school never stressed when he was younger.

Dom Williams one of the top performers at WSU Cougars' Pro Day from The Seattle Times

The list of NFL teams at WSU's Pro Day included: the Seattle Seahawks (Director of College Scouting Scott Fitterer), Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, New York Giants, Oakland Raiders, Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, Green Bay Packers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and San Diego Chargers.

Several CFL teams also sent representatives.

Marcus Allen to greet finishers at Canton's Gold Jacket 5K from The Canton Repository

Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Marcus Allen will offer high-fives to finishers of this April's Gold Jacket 5K, according to a news release.