clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 6/21

Good morning! Here is your Kansas City Chiefs news. Enjoy!

Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Pre-Camp Reads: Looking at DL Allen Bailey from Chiefs.com

There may not be a more physically imposing player on the Kansas City Chiefs roster than defensive lineman Allen Bailey, whose teammates have dubbed him "The Incredible Hulk" simply due to his sheer size and strength.

At 6 feet 3 and 288 pounds, Bailey's superhero-like physical traits have helped him become one of the most underrated players in the AFC, helping pace a Chiefs defensive line to be one of the most formidable groups in the NFL.

Chiefs President Mark Donovan Shares Plans for St. Louis Market from Chiefs.com

"What we knew and respected was the process that town was going through," Donovan added. "What their fans went through was tough—painful. When you move a football franchise, that's ripping a big part of the town out of that town.

"We said publicly (at the time) that we're going to be respectful, we're going to be patient, and that we are going to enter the St. Louis market, but we're going to do it at the right time."

That plan was fast-tracked last week after the league sent a memo out to every owner, president and CEO in the NFL.

Top 10 Takeaways from Chiefs Offseason Workouts from Chiefs.com

Through 10 OTA practices and minicamp last week, the team is in a great spot moving forward.

"I was pretty happy with how and what we got done," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said of the offseason program. "That's a tribute to the players and the coaches. They did a nice job coming out and working when they're supposed to work.

"Do we still have things that we need to get done at camp? Yeah, absolutely, but we made progress as a team, I felt, this offseason."

Here are 10 takeaways from the Chiefs offseason workouts:

Pre-Camp Reads: Looking at OL Laurent Duvernay-Tardif from Chiefs.com

HOW HE FITS

The 25-year-old Duvernay-Tardif could be the team's right guard once again in 2016. If he starts at that position, he'll be working with a new right tackle in Mitch Schwartz, who came to the Chiefs this offseason from the Cleveland Browns.

Mitch Morse, a center in his second season, would work to the left of Duvernay-Tardif.

How Duvernay-Tardif and rest of the line handle the departure of Jeff Allen and Donald Stephenson will be a point to watch in 2016.

Cancer Survivor and Long-Time Chiefs Fan Relishes First Fantasy Camp from Chiefs.com

This past Thursday and Friday, John and Ken participated in the third annual Kansas City Chiefs fantasy camp, which benefits the University of Kansas Hospital's Center for Concussion Management.

First, John was invited to come to the camp by his investment company that had an available ticket. Then, a couple days later, the company called him again, asking him if he had anyone in mind that he wanted to bring.

"Ken was my first thought," John said.

The past eight months had been rather tumultuous for Ken, whose life changed last October when he felt a severe pain in his stomach.

Chiefs Proud to Announce 2016 Flag Warriors from Chiefs.com

On Friday, June 10, the Kansas City Chiefs held their 2016 Flag Warrior auditions. There was a great turnout with a ton of talent. It was exciting to see so much energy and passion for the Kansas City Chiefs!

Eric Berry wins NFL award for ‘overcoming most adversity to succeed' from The Kansas City Star

Each year, the Professional Football Writers of America gives the George Halas Award.

It is given to "a NFL player, coach or staff member who overcomes the most adversity to succeed." Any guess who is this year's recipient?

PFWA names Chiefs S Eric Berry recipient of George Halas Award from Chiefs Digest

The PFWA also selected Berry to its All-NFL, ALL-AFC teams, and named him as the Comeback Player of the Year.

Since 1970, the PFWA has named 47 winners of the George Halas Award.

Monday's announcement marks the first time a member of the Chiefs franchise has been selected as the George Halas Award recipient by the PFWA.

Eric Berry wins George Halas Award from The Associated Press via ESPN

He underwent six rounds of chemotherapy treatment from Dec. 10, 2014 until May 13, 2015. Berry was declared cancer free last June 22, and he was on the field for the first training camp practice July 29.

Berry returned to the starting lineup in Week 2, was third on the team with 61 tackles (55 solo) and had a pair of interceptions.

Chiefs' 53-man roster includes Tyler Bray, Kevin Hogan as backup QBs from ESPN

QUARTERBACKS (3): Alex SmithTyler Bray, Kevin Hogan

The Chiefs have yet to make any final decisions for their backups behind Smith, their starter. Bray has the most in terms of physical tools. They won't cut Hogan, a rookie and a fifth-round draft pick. Murray could win a job with a strong preseason.

AFC West Q&A: Are the Raiders the most improved team in the division? from ESPN

Adam Teicher, Kansas City Chiefs reporter: They are, at least on paper. But that alone won't get them into the Super Bowl, or even to the division title. They certainly covered more ground than the Broncos or Chiefs and started far ahead of the Chargers. But climbing ahead of Denver and Kansas City in the standings and winning at least one playoff game will require more than winning in free agency.

2016 Fantasy Football Draft Prep: Kansas City Chiefs team outlook from CBS Sports

As for Alex Smith, you know what kind of quarterback he is by now. He'll do a nice job managing the offense, and his overall stats could look decent by the end of the season. But you would never want to start him in the majority of Fantasy leagues.

In 2015, Smith completed 65 percent of his passes for 3,486 yards, 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions and ran for 498 yards and two touchdowns. He had seven games with at least 20 Fantasy points, including four in the final six weeks of the season. But he also had five games with 15 points or less, so it's hard to trust him on a weekly basis.

Chiefs' Laurent Duvernay-Tardif close to becoming a doctor from The Montreal Gazette

"I just finished four months and I'll do four months next year and then I'll be a doctor," he said

Duvernay-Tardif attended a Chiefs mini-camp in Kansas City last week and will do a month-long rotation in the emergency room at the Montreal General Hospital before reporting to the NFL team's main camp.

The 25-year-old is not the first McGill medical student to land a spot in the NFL. J.P. Darche — the brother of former Canadien Mathieu Darche — was a long-snapper for the Seattle Seahawks and finished his NFL career with the Chiefs. Darche completed his medical studies at the University of Kansas.

Dontari Poe Brings Dream to Memphis from The Memphis Flyer

Poe travels frequently between Kansas City and Memphis, returning to his hometown for visits with his mom, Chrissandra Simmons, and to support the Tigers when the Chiefs' bye week allows him to visit the Liberty Bowl on a fall Saturday. But the trip Poe is making this week will have extra meaning. He's hosting a free football camp for kids at Wooddale High, the first event coordinated by Poe Man's Dream, a nonprofit foundation with a mission to lift and support under-served youth in the Memphis region.

"This is for people who are like I was as a child," says Poe. "As a kid, I would wish for someone to come along and, not so much give me anything, but just tell me how to get things done. There's no better way to get somewhere than to listen to someone who's already there, where you want to be. That's the inspiration behind this. I was in a position that a lot of these Memphis kids are in today."

Duvernay-Tardif gives smile from Le Journal de Montreal [translated from the original French]

The smiles displayed by children today at Percival Molson Stadium, were well worth all the efforts of the football player Laurent Duvernay-Tardif for organizing that famous day reserved for them.

"In Kansas City, I spent evenings on the phone to book this and that, find sports equipment and volunteers, he recounted, laughing. But for me, it warms my heart to see young people, it also gives me great pleasure to see that many of my friends came out to give me a hand. "

The offensive lineman for the Kansas City Chiefs, NFL, looking for a way to give back to the community.

Arrowhead Pride Premier

Sign up now for a 7-day free trial of Arrowhead Pride Premier, with exclusive updates from Pete Sweeney on the ground at Arrowhead, instant reactions after each game, and in-depth Chiefs analysis from film expert Jon Ledyard.