Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 4/22

Derrick Johnson Talks Justin March, What He Sees In Him from The Mothership

Justin March, the Kansas City Chiefs second-year linebacker who turned heads as an undrafted rookie last training camp in St. Joseph, recently addressed how his rehab was going after suffering that torn right meniscus during the 2015 preseason.

"Rehab has been amazing," March explained. "It's been about eight months recovering and a big shout out to Aaron (Borgmann) in the training room for helping me get through everything. He saw the big picture when I didn't see it eight months ago and I'm just ready to go.

"It's all been going well and my time's right here and I'm excited."

Watch: Eric Berry Makes Special Appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show from The Mothership

DeGeneres then asked Berry what advice he had for anyone out there who is going through this.

"Never limit yourself," Berry said. "Anything that you're going through, you're really battling yourself. It's the same thing I told [Conner]. It's never about the chemo, it's never about the cancer. It's all about what you're willing to put in to overcome whatever that obstacle is, and I think that's the biggest thing that you're challenged with. When you come in contact with any type of trial or tribulation, it's just seeing how tough you are mentally to actually do what you want to do."

DeGeneres said that sometimes, "situations in life elevate us to another level we didn't even know we had."

"Definitely," Berry responded, "especially when your life is on the line."

Jeremy Maclin Spent the Offseason Training in KC, But Made Sure He Wasn't Alone from The Mothership

Maclin knew that soon-to-be third-year player Albert Wilson had planned on being in Kansas City as well, so they'd be working out together, but he made sure that another one of the promising young receivers on the roster also had this opportunity. 

"I had gone back to Atlanta, Georgia and got an apartment there," Chris Conley, last year's third-round pick out of the University of Georgia, said. " I'd been working out with the people that I train with in Georgia, then I got a phone call from [Maclin] one day, and he said, ‘Hey, what are you doing?' I said, ‘Nothing man, just on the grind.'

"Then he gave me a flight number and a time and told me to get on this flight. ‘You're coming back to KC.'

"I booked the flight and I came back," Conley said. "I began working out with Jeremy at the beginning of March and stayed at his house."

Chiefs Wide Receivers Go Green at Local Elementary School from The Mothership

Aside from a lesson on harvesting with their favorite Chiefs players, students were also taught the correlation of taking the proper steps to reach a final conclusion in everyday situations, including ones on the football field.

"The lessons that you learn in life are important," Maclin said. "They had to know exactly how to plant the plant, how to cover it and how to water it because those things matter. If it matters in the garden, it matters in other places—just like in life."

2016 signifies the third consecutive year of the Chiefs partnering with KCCG. Together, they educate the Kansas City community on improved nutrition, reduced food costs and locally grown and sustainable food.

Chiefs React To the Release of the 2016 Schedule from The Mothership

ALEX SMITH

"As soon as it came out, I looked at it, and yeah, there are certain things you're checking and you're obviously looking at your opener. That's a big one. Where the bye week is, and later in the year. That Christmas Day game and the Thursday night game jump out. Where you are ending the year. Things like that. Kind of checking the whole thing out."

Smith on looking forward to the Christmas game: "It will be fun. We were talking about it today, I mean, Christmas night, I think it will be unique. I don't think I've ever played on Christmas. It will be fun. I'm sure we're the only show on that night, but to get to play Denver in that kind of atmosphere will be very cool."

2016 NFL Draft Preview: Six Intriguing Offensive Linemen from The Mothership

Last season, the Chiefs had nine different starting combinations along the offensive line, which ranked among the most in the NFL. Because of injuries, there were five players who started at multiple positions last year, so it's obvious that versatility is an important trait to have as an offensive lineman for the Chiefs.

With that said, here are six intriguing offensive linemen available in the upcoming draft who have played multiple positions in college, including a little bit of analysis on their abilities from CBS Sports NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler.

Utah edge rusher Jason Fanaika has a cousin on the Chiefs from The Kansas City Star

Jason Fanaika, an edge rusher from Utah, is projected to go as early as the fourth round in this year's NFL Draft. And he certainly wouldn't mind being reunited with his cousin in Kansas City.

"Man, that would be amazing," Jason Fanaika said. "He's a lot older than me, so growing up, I always looked up to him just because he was the first Fanaika to really play college football when he was at Arizona State, so it would be an honor and a great story to tell our family if we ended up playing with each other."

Fanaika, who checked in at 6 feet 2 and 271 pounds at the NFL Combine, profiles more as a power edge rusher in a 3-4 scheme like the Chiefs use. A two-year starter for the Utes, he recorded 53 tackles (10  1/2 for loss) and four sacks in 2015. He transferred to Utah in 2013 after a two-year stint at Utah State and a two-year LDS mission in Indianapolis.

What we know, or think we know, about Chiefs and NFL draft from ESPN

More uncertainty surrounds this Kansas City Chiefs draft than any in years. The Chiefs won't make their first pick until No. 28, the lowest since John Dorsey arrived as general manager in 2013 or any Kansas City draft since 2004.

But here are some things we know, or think we know, about the Chiefs and their first-round pick in the 2016 NFL draft:

Rating the top outside linebackers in the 2016 NFL Draft from The Kansas City Star

1. JOEY BOSA, Ohio State

Measurables: 6-5, 269, 21, 4.86

Bio: Three-year starter who had 51 tackles (16 for loss), five sacks and 14 hurries in 12 games in 2015. Declared after true junior season.

Consensus: Is young for this draft class. Forty-yard dash (4.86) and vertical jump (32 inches) were only adequate. Isn't a twitchy, elite athlete but posted good marks in the broad jump (120 inches), three-cone (6.89) and 20-yard shuttle (4.21), so he has some explosiveness. Experienced and productive. Understands how to play the game, plays with good technique. Plays with body control and can reduce to a three-technique and rush on passing downs. Isn't explosive off the snap but has a knack for pass rushing and has a closing burst to the quarterback. Strong enough to set the edge. Has some pop in his hands. Consistently plays hard and is disruptive. Disciplined run defender; plays with good awareness. Spent his career with his hand in the dirt but is a true football player; can line up in any system and be productive. Can also play defensive end in a 3-4 scheme. Is on the ground a little more than you'd think. Likes to jump the snap.

Draft preview: Chiefs working around lost third-round pick from The Associated Press via FS Kansas City

In his first two drafts with the Chiefs, general manager John Dorsey had to work around not having second-round picks, which he had sent to San Francisco in a trade for quarterback Alex Smith.

This year, he'll be working without a third-round choice...

"...It's going to make sure that we try to hit those picks as we go along," Dorsey said of his remaining choices. "Of course, it will change a few things. You have to make sure that the diligent work you do is as good of work as you can possibly do, and that's what we're going to do."

James Conner meets inspiration in Chiefs' Eric Berry from NFL.com

Kansas City Chiefs safety Eric Berry, who overcame Hodgkin's lymphoma himself, made a surprise appearance on the show to meet Conner, whom he had previously encouraged by phone, in person.

At about the 5:10 mark of the clip below, Conner learns he's not the only Hodgkin's lymphoma survivor in the building:

The best possible NFL draft picks for the top Super Bowl contenders from The Washington Post

Kansas City Chiefs

Cody Whitehair, Guard, Kansas State

Running back Jamaal Charles has proven he doesn't need much of an offensive line to be effective, but when the Chiefs have employed an above-average unit in front of him Charles's production has been elite. Whitehair has a steadiness to his game well beyond his years and was PFF's highest graded tackle in college football last year. He's the type of talent that can be a top-tier guard from the moment he steps on an NFL field.

2016 Kid Reporter NFL Mock Draft from Sports Illustrated Kids

28. Kansas City Chiefs (11-5) -€” CB William Jackson III, Houston

Jackson is another riser thanks to the combine. He plays physically and boasts great length.

AREA NEWS DIGEST from The Gothenburg Times

Will Shields to speak at annual banquet

CURTIS—The Curtis Community Center board announced the speaker for this year's annual banquet will be NFL Hall of Famer and former Nebraska Cornhusker offensive guard Will Shields. Shields played for 14 years in the NFL for the Kansas City Chiefs and has been honored with many awards throughout his career. He is married to Senia, who graduated from Medicine Valley High School in 1988, a foreign exchange student from Denmark. The Curtis Memorial Community Center Banquet will be on June 10.—reported in the Frontier County Enterprise.

Laurent Duvernay-Tardif says "fresh as a daisy" from Metro [translated from the original French]

You were named among 50 Quebecers who create the extraordinary in 2016 by Urbania.Even if you make career in the United States, you are the old adage that no one is a prophet in his own country.
I like to be successful in the US, but I'm a Quebec product. I am proud to come to Montreal.I am pleased that my sport has enough scope to go north of the border. It warms my heart to have so much support.

I like to walk around town and see people wear clothing with images of Chiefs. Maybe I do not mind wearing before, but I feel that there are slightly more than in the past.