Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 3/23

Justin Houston Has Knee Surgery, Faces 6 to 12-Month Recovery from The Mothership

Burkholder addressed what has transpired since the season ended:

"He went down to see Dr. Andrews in February (for a second time) and that's when he had his knee scoped," Burkholder explained. "When he had his knee scoped and Dr. Andrews was able to look inside of his knee, he determined that his ACL was intact. It just wasn't functioning. [Dr. Andrews] didn't do anything at that moment—brought him out of surgery and we all got on the phone and discussed everything, and decided to have his ACL fixed.

"[Houston] had his ACL fixed on the 16th of February, and right now he's in the middle of the process of doing rehabilitation for an ACL injury. It was a little bit tricky because his ACL wasn't torn, but it wasn't functioning the way that it should, so Dr. Andrews fixed that.

"As you know from the past, those are six to 12-month recovery so it's too early to tell where he's at right now, but he's on the road to recovery."

Everything You Need to Know From Andy Reid's Conference Call Tuesday from The Mothership

On what he is looking for in the upcoming draft: "It looks like it's a deep draft, to me. [John Dorsey] gives me the information, and I go through and look at the guys that he wants me to look at. To me, it seems that they're some good football players in this draft at a lot of positions, which that's not always the case, so this one here feels pretty healthy though."

On lengthening the playoff run in 2016: "We got a taste of it - how long the season is, just going into the second round. You've got to prepare yourself that way. It's not just preparing for 16 games. You prepare for 20 and make sure that when you're sitting on that bench and when you're going for that 10th rep, I'm doing that extra lap, that extra sprint, I'm putting it down, so that I'm there for the whole duration until you get to that Super Bowl."

Seven Rule Changes Adopted for 2016 NFL Season from The Mothership

The Kansas City Chiefs proposed two rule changes for the 2016 season, and while neither of those ultimately passed after NFL owners met and voted during the NFL Annual Meeting taking place this week in Florida, the committee did pass seven of the 19 proposals that were submitted, most notably making all chop blocks illegal.

Here is a list of the proposals that passed through the competition committee:

Behind the Lens: The Top 10 Photos of 2015 - No. 2 from The Mothership

Chiefs 23, Raiders 17

Date: Sunday, January 3

Model: Canon EOS-1D X

Focal Length: 400

Exposure Time: 1/1,000

Taken By: Steve Sanders

Justin Houston could miss upcoming Chiefs season after ACL repair from The Kansas City Star

David J. Chao, a former NFL team physician for 17 years, said the distinction between a "torn" ACL and one that is "not functioning properly" is a thin one, though he has heard of such a thing.

"If you think of the ACL as a rope tying the tibia and femur together, that's like saying my boat is tied into the dock, the rope is tied in, but it's too loose, it's not doing its job -€” the boat's still slamming into the dock," Chao said. "Just because the ACL is intact doesn't mean it's tight enough to do its job. The ACL is like a rope. But if the rope's not tight, it doesn't matter if it's tied, (just like) if your belt is on but it's not on tight enough, your pants are still going to fall down.

"So no, that's not surprising. That does happen, so to speak."

Chiefs' Justin Houston has ACL procedure on left knee, places doubt on season from Chiefs Digest

The recovery timeline for an ACL procedure is typically 6-12 months, which places doubt on Houston's availability for the start of training camp, much less the 2016 season.

But coach Andy Reid, who addressed reporters on the conference call after Burkholder, didn't rule out Houston.

"We're hoping (not), just because of his work ethic and he's been a fast healer in the past," Reid said. "We're hoping that's not the case, that he'll be able to play the season just depending on when and where that it is. I mean, it's too early to be able to tell."

Justin Houston's surgery explains some of Chiefs' moves from ESPN

The news of Justin Houston's recent ACL surgery explains a lot of the Kansas City Chiefs' recent moves. It explains why the Chiefs were so determined to re-sign their other Pro Bowl outside linebacker, Tamba Hali, despite the fact he will turn 33 in November and spent the past two years bothered by ailing knees. It explains why the Chiefs made the re-signing of veteran backup Frank Zombo such a priority.

It doesn't explain why it took two months from Houston's knee injury, in a Nov. 29 win over the Buffalo Bills, for the ACL injury to be diagnosed and repaired.

With Justin Houston out, it's time for Chiefs to be right about Dee Ford from ESPN

There is a method to the Kansas City Chiefs' apparent madness when it comes to drafting in the first round under general manager John Dorsey. They've selected a player at a so-called premium position in each of the last three drafts, even if they didn't have an immediate need for his skills.

The Chiefs are determined not to get caught short at an important position. It's a strategy that makes a lot of sense, but only if they get the draft choices right.

We're going to find out in the fall if the Chiefs were right about their 2014 first-round draft pick, outside linebacker Dee Ford.

Chiefs injury updates: Jamaal Charles, Phillip Gaines and others are progressing from The Kansas City Star

Running back Jamaal Charles and cornerback Phillip Gaines each underwent ACL surgery early last season. Both are doing "great," and both are training at the team's facility and will get some limited work during organized team activities and minicamps in May and June.

"We anticipate, with no setbacks, they'll be fine by the time we're ready to go in July," Burkholder said.

Chiefs offer injury updates on numerous players, including RB Jamaal Charles from Chiefs Digest

Burkholder revealed punter Dustin Colquitt, who punts with his left foot, had his right knee scoped in January.

"He had some old injury there, had some hardware in his knee from a high school injury that he had," Burkholder said. "He had some of that hardware taken out and had his knee cleaned out. But he's here every day and he's doing great."

Outside linebacker Tamba Hali, who had a knee procedure in February, continues to rehabilitate in Kansas City

"He'll be ready to go in July," Burkholder said. "That'll come down to Coach (Andy Reid) and myself, and with some help from our strength coaches to give him some adequate prep work as well as rehab, as well as recovery, just like we did last year."

Jamaal Charles is proof that not all Chiefs' ACL news is bad from ESPN

The latest word on Charles is consistent with what the Chiefs have been saying for some time, that his rehab was going well and they expected him back in time for the start of the 2016 season.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid stays mum on tampering charges from The Kansas City Star

Reid was then asked a follow-up question about whether he feels the league is trying to make a statement with such a harsh penalty; the Chiefs will surrender their third-round pick this year and sixth-round pick next year if the ruling is not overturned...

"...Yeah, listen, I can't get into all that, and you understand that," Reid said. "With the appeal process being what it is, I'm just staying away from all of the appeal questions I guess and let it just take place. And like I said, what happens, happens, and we'll see how that rolls."

Chiefs coach Andy Reid confirms Jamell Fleming's move to safety from Chiefs Digest

"We obviously brought him back because he's a talented kid," Reid said. "He fits that role kind of like (Ron) Parker did for us where he's a big, physical guy that can play corner. I mean, he's done that throughout this career, but we felt like he could also help us at safety."

Fleming recently returned on a one-year deal and it comes with the Chiefs having a need for depth at the safety position.

Tyvon Branch left via free agency and signed a two-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals. Additionally, Husain Abdullah, who appeared in 11 games with four starts in 2015, remains unsigned as an unrestricted free agent.

As the offseason roster stands now, Fleming joins a safety position group consisting of Parker, Eric Berry, Daniel Sorensen and Jordan Kovacs.

ACL surgery could sideline Chiefs' Houston all or most of '16 from The Associated Press via FS Kansas City

Houston has established himself as one of the league's premier pass rushers, earning All-Pro honors when he led the NFL with 22 sacks in 2014. He parlayed that performance into a huge contract after Kansas City designated him its franchise player, a six-year, $101 million deal with $52 million guaranteed.

Despite playing just 11 regular-season games last season, Houston still had 7 1/2 sacks.

Andy Reid invites St. Louis fans to follow Chiefs from The St. Louis Post-Dispatch

It's not as if the Kansas City Chiefs have a shortage of fans or anything. Nonetheless, Andy Reid cordially invites disenfranchised pro football fans in St. Louis to join the Sea of Red at Arrowhead Stadium.

"Absolutely," Reid said. "Come on down. You know that. You just have to get through Columbia. You've gotta get past Columbia and then let's go."

Reid even provided a brief sales pitch on why the Chiefs are a good team to follow.

"First off, there's no place better to play than Arrowhead. I mean, it's phenomenal," he said. "The environment's tremendous. The Hunts have made it that way. It's a great fan experience. And then the product out there. John Dorsey's done a great job of bringing good players in here that are fun to watch."

Andy Reid praises Philadelphia Eagles coach Doug Pederson, has no comment on tampering and more from Penn Live

After the Eagles signed Chase Daniel to be the NFL's highest-paid backup quarterback two weeks ago, Pederson showered the former Chief with praise.

Tuesday, Reid chimed in with his own thought on Daniel, whom he coached from 2013 to '15.

"I'm a big Chase fan," Reid said, according to a tweet from The Delaware News Journal's Martin Frank. "I think he can be a starter in the [NFL]."

Chiefs withdraw proposed Peyton Manning Rule from ProFootballTalk

The proposed rule makes sense, but the circumstances under which a quarterback actually gives himself but still can later make a play may be so rare that it won't be revisited.

McCutcheon grad chases NFL dream from The Lafayette Journal & Courier

"Brian is a beast," former UTSA defensive coordinator Neal Neathery told goutsa.com for a story in October. "He throws people around left and right. He goes off the football and does some amazing things."

Now the 6-foot-3, 315-pounder is hoping to make a living doing it.

The one setback in his college career was a 2014 ejection for shoving a referee to the ground in a loss to Western Kentucky, something Price acknowledges as a potential red flag, but calls a learning experience.

It doesn't seem to have deterred teams from reaching out.

Prior to Tuesday's pro day, Price already had been contacted by the San Diego Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs and invited to visit their facilities.

Former UH players impress NFL scouts at Pro Day from The Honolulu Star Advertiser

Offensive lineman Ben Clarke drew a private meeting with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Clarke was UH's starting center for two years before playing left tackle the past two seasons. But it is widely believed his next-level potential is at center or guard. Clarke was asked to work out at center today.

Football: Former Cyclones try to catch attention of NFL teams at pro day from The Ames Tribune

At ISU's pro day on Tuesday, the goal of all who participated was to catch the attention of an NFL team.

For Bundrage, it was mission accomplished...

...all it takes is one team to take a liking to you. It could result in a rookie free agent contract. If the stars align, a late-round draft pick possibly could be in play.

It's why a conversation with a scout -€” or the chance for Bundrage to take a written test from the Kansas City Chiefs -€” was viewed as a positive.

In latest mock, running backs dominate ... Round 2 from NFL.com

15. Jamaal Charles, RB, Chiefs: Charles averaged more than five yards per attempt last season before suffering his second torn ACL in the last five years, so he didn't look like a back who was on the verge of a statistical decline. There's some risk in drafting him coming off a second ACL procedure, but Charles is worth that risk at this point in your draft.

Raiders to St. Louis? Not gonna happen from The Kansas City Business Journal

The St. Louis Raiders? For a Kansas City Chiefs fan, that sounds like a nightmare.

Luckily for Chiefs fans, Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis says the team won't be moving to Missouri, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. In fact, he was emphatic about it.

AFC West Free Agency Grades from Football Insiders

How can the Chiefs lose starting cornerback Sean Smith, backup quarterback Chase Daniel and right tackle Donald Stephenson, and still get a grade of "B"?

They had so many choices to make in free agency, and they did a fantastic job of keeping together most of their core. After franchising safety Eric Berry, the Chiefs were able to come to terms with defensive end Tamba Hali, defensive tackle Jaye Howard, linebacker Derrick Johnson and outside linebacker/special teams ace Frank Zombo.

That alone would have made for a pretty productive class, but they added right tackle Mitchell Schwartz, who is an upgrade over Stephenson.

Rex Ryan blasts reporter who compares Buffalo Bills defense to Cleveland Browns from NewYorkUpstate.com

Since the end of the season, Ryan has admitted that the transition to his scheme wasn't a smooth one for the Bills, but he still points to his defensive track record whenever he gets the chance and can't wait to prove people wrong.

But at the AFC coaches' breakfast at the NFL owners meetings in Boca Raton, Ryan got miffed at a reporter for asking why the transition wasn't as smooth for him in Buffalo as it was in places like Cleveland and Kansas City, where his former assistants Mike Pettine and Bob Sutton coach the defense. Ryan was very offended to be compared to the Browns.

Here's the exchange: