Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 6/11

What We Learned From Andy Reid Friday from Chiefs.com

Opening Statement: "Charcandrick West is sick and he hasn't been out here the last couple of days -€” with that -€” he's making progress. We had a couple hamstrings today -€” strains -€” (D.J.) White and (Shannon) Edwards in the secondary. We'll just see how they do. Again, good work out here this week putting four days together, and we had an opportunity to look at our opponents in the AFC West because the first game is against San Diego. We looked at Houston, so again, as a review there. Time is yours."

Q: What about Phillip Gaines? I didn't see him out here today.

REID: "We gave Phillip a rest day. No injury, no setbacks. We're just trying to keep him on schedule."

Chiefs QB Alex Smith Excited About Three-Tight End Set Opportunities from Chiefs.com

When searching for Kelce's biggest advocate, there's not much of a need to look any further than quarterback Alex Smith, who has benefitted from Kelce's combination of size, speed and strength, particularly with multiple tight end sets on the field together.

Last season, Smith averaged more than 8 yards per attempt and completed more than 72 percent of his passes when the Chiefs had three tight ends on the field together.

It's a personnel package that forces defenses to put linebackers out in space in coverage, and when you look at some of the athletes the Chiefs have brought in at the position recently, that scenario is an advantage.

Chiefs Strong At Inside Linebacker Entering 2016 from Chiefs.com

Drafted in 2005, Derrick Johnson has been with the Kansas City Chiefs just as long as any other player on the team's roster.

In his 11 years as a pro, he has been a near constant on the inside of the defense for the Chiefs, but beside him at the Mike (middle inside) linebacker position, that has been far from the case.

That is, until the past few seasons with seven-year NFL veteran Josh Mauga.

"I've played with 10 or 11 Mike backers, so to actually play next to a Mike backer that I played with in back-to-back years? It's wonderful," Johnson said at the beginning of OTAs. "It's all about chemistry. [Mauga] knowing me, I'm knowing him, knowing what I'm going to do and him reacting off of that, probably more so him reacting off of me.

"I do a lot of crazy stuff in there sometimes, but Josh is a veteran guy and he knows the defense in and out and we're going to depend on him and other guys at that position."

Cornerstones of Care Children Celebrate Graduation at Arrowhead Stadium from Chiefs.com

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith made his way to Arrowhead Stadium after OTA practice on Thursday afternoon, but it wasn't to take any additional reps on the field.

Thursday marked a graduation ceremony in connection with Cornerstones of Care, an organization that has partnered with the Alex Smith Foundation since 2015.

"I'm just really happy that this all worked out when I did get traded here and to have the connection with Cornerstone of Care," Smith said. "They were already running the YES! program and there were so many similarities to what I had been doing with my foundation in California."

Rookies Meet Rookies: 2016 Rookie Class Greets First-Year Season Ticket Members from Chiefs.com

The atmosphere at Arrowhead is an experience in itself for first timers.

On Tuesday, more than 200 first-time season ticket members, or "rookies," and the Kansas City Chiefs 2016 rookie class received a welcome to what's ahead later this fall.

The Rookie Season Ticket Member Event (STM) is a chance for all first-time season ticket members to get acquainted with Arrowhead, learn the perks of being a member and get a chance to meet and greet the 2016 rookie class.

Chiefs' Jamaal Charles could participate in on-field drills at practice next week from The Kansas City Star

Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Charles, who is recovering from a torn ACL, and receiver Mike Williams, who is battling a strained hamstring, could make their first on-field appearance of organized team activities.

"What you might see if them doing drills," Reid said.

Both players could spotted running and jumping around cones over a 25-yard period during Friday's practice, which was another first of the offseason.

Jamaal Charles could return to practice with Chiefs next week from ESPN

Reid indicated linebacker Justin Houston would also likely be at practice next week. Houston had offseason surgery to repair an injured ACL.

"I think there's probably a pretty good chance," Reid said. "Will he be out here practicing? No. He can't do that yet. But I think he'll be in town."

Chiefs wrap up OTAs, turn attention to mandatory minicamp from Chiefs Digest

Kansas City's coaching staff had an opportunity to see more than just individual players the final week of OTAs.

The Chiefs spent the final four days installing plays in preparation for their divisional opponents and Week Two's regular-season opponent, the Houston Texans.

"Good work out here this week putting four days together and we had an opportunity to look at our opponents in the AFC West," Reid said. "And then because the first game is against San Diego, we looked at Houston and so, again, as a review there."

With OTAs finished, the Chiefs now shift focus to the mandatory three-day minicamp on June 14-16, where Reid will adjust the schedule to coincide with what the team experiences during the regular season.

Being sole voice in quarterback's helmet doesn't faze Chiefs' Matt Nagy from The Kansas City Chiefs

It is an important job, one that former offensive coordinator Doug Pederson — who left the Chiefs this offseason to become the Philadelphia Eagles' head coach — filled capably the last three seasons. And there is little room for error.

Nagy must hear each the Chiefs' wordy playcalls, make the proper adjustment to it (depending on which hash the ball has been placed), and relay it quickly and clearly to Alex Smith ... who must then relay the call to his teammates and get them to the line of scrimmage with enough time left to set protections, call an audible or make other necessary adjustments.

"It's a different element, a different bird when you're down on the field," Nagy said. "You've got to be on."

Versatile WR Rod Streater adjusting well to Chiefs' offensive system from Chiefs Digest

And it was reasonable to think Streater, who signed a one-year deal in March, could also need acclimating to the offensive scheme when considering the complexity of coach Andy Reid's version of the West Coast offense.

But the 28-year-old Streater hasn't experienced issues and hit the ground running during the recently concluded OTAs.

"I got in a little bit early and got with the guys and learned a little bit of plays early on," Streater said. "They really brought me in and got the playbook and really jumped into it. I've been in the league for four years, so it wasn't too hard to fit in and start making plays."

Turning back the clock: Andy Reid, Chiefs are paring down their two-minute package from The Kansas City Star

"It's kind of been a little bit of a point of emphasis," Smith said. "I think after this season with (Matt Nagy), (Brad Childress) and Coach Reid kind of stepping in a little bit, I think they wanted to clean up some things."

Like what, perhaps?

"Well, it probably did get a little wordy," Reid said, referring to the verbiage of their two-minute playbook. "We had a few plays in there, and as the season goes on, you've got to fight that. Obviously, we didn't put in a great show with that last game."

In response, the Chiefs have cut down both the wordiness of their two-minute package as well as the number of plays it contains.

Smith welcomes the changes.

UNLV's Peni Vea signs with Kansas City Chiefs from The Las Vegas Review-Journal

After putting on a show for the two scouts that turned out for UNLV's Pro Day in March, former Rebels safety Peni Vea humbly hoped his performance was good enough to attract the attention of an NFL team.

"I just hope to land somewhere," the Hawaiian said on St. Patrick's Day.

Vea had to wait more than a month after April's NFL Draft for the call, but his hopes came to fruition this week, when he signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent.

Berry's absence from Chiefs OTAs is entirely expected from The Associated Press via FOX Sports Kansas City

Chiefs coach Andy Reid declined to discuss Berry's situation, saying those conversations are between general manager John Dorsey and Berry's agents, but teammates have said they understand the nature of the business.

"He's missed. Without a doubt, he's missed," quarterback Alex Smith said. "(But) we know the deal. It's pretty common in the league with the franchise tag and these guys' negotiation contracts, as far as staying away. For us, we are -- I know I am -- I'm hoping it gets done as soon as possible and get him back here."

Union reaches labor agreement with the Chiefs from The Kansas City Star

SEIU Local 1 officials said members voted overwhelmingly to ratify the contract, which provides for annual raises and protects existing health and retirement benefits.

Tyler French, SEIU Local 1 Kansas City director, said the raises in the contract will help workers keep up with cost-of-living increases.

Top 10 Highest Paid NFL Coaches in 2016 from The Gazette Review

#9 - Andy Reid ($6 Million)

Andy Reid has also had ties to the Green Bay Packers, but that's not what he is best known for. Between the years of 1999 and 2012, he was essentially the face of the Philadelphia Eagles. He acted as the head coach during that time, and between 2001 and 2012, he also sort of acted as the Eagles' general manager. His initial hiring was deemed dubious by fans, who felt like he was a risky choice as coach, citing his lack of experience. However, Reid was mostly successful in Philadelphia during his early years with the team, leading them to multiple playoff appearances, and even taking them to the Super Bowl in 2004...

Film Room: Pittsburgh's Problems With "Y Over" from Steelers Depot

And one last look, dressed up a little differently. Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Same idea, the post and the over coupled, but the Y stays in and the #2 receiver runs the over. The post to the boundary clears out the corner and the curl/flat defender never sees the Over concept.