Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 7/29

Five Observations from Thursday's Training Camp Practice from Chiefs.com

3. Players continue to get specialized training with positional coaches

At the start of practice on both Wednesday and Thursday, the team only had 30 players on the field, which meant when the team broke into individual periods, there were more reps to go around and the coaches could spend more time with the players individually.

"I think for me, it's a big benefit because I get that extra coaching that I need," rookie cornerback KeiVarae Russell said after practice on Thursday. "I get that extra technique coaching that I need—the nuances of the NFL, I kind of get that head start on being a pro I guess you could say."

What We Learned From Thursday's Media Availability from Chiefs.com

OL PARKER EHINGER

Q: Before the draft, when you were getting ready for the draft at the combine, what goals and expectations did you have specifically for your rookie season?

EHINGER: "Obviously I was coming here to compete. They have a great offensive line here and I'm not downplaying anyone. I knew I could come in and possibly compete, and it would have to be on me to come in here and perform. Something I want to take advantage of is to come in and play, and see where it takes me from there and have a good rookie year, hoping to get some playing time."

Q: Is that true since you've been here, since the couple months since the draft?

EHINGER: "Not a whole lot. The goal is to get some playing time, whether I'm starting or obviously that doesn't come from my decision that's up to Coach Reid and Coach Heck. But whatever comes Sunday, whether I'm the six-man or the swing guy or whatever. Wherever they need me I'll be happy to play wherever, hoping to get some playing time this year."

Rookie KeiVarae Russell Wants to Show He Belongs from Chiefs.com

"Hold on! Let me get my hair right!" he said, as he patted his head down with his hand like it was a comb.

The media members collectively laughed, and once Russell was ready, they proceeded to ask about how his first few days of professional training camp were going.

The impression Russell, the sole pick by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round of this year's NFL Draft, aims to depict to the cameras is just as important to him as the one he is currently building in the eyes of his coaching staff.

Chiefs continue to rave about controversial draft pick Tyreek Hill's speed from The Kansas City Star

It has become a regular sight since Tyreek Hill was drafted by the Chiefs in May. No. 81, dressed in red, running under a deep ball with a defender helplessly giving chase.

Hill did it two more times Thursday, the Chiefs' second practice of training camp. And though only rookies and selected veterans were in attendance, it's worth noting that Hill was doing the same thing during 13 offseason practices earlier this summer, when veterans were participating.

That's why, for the last three months, teammates and coaches alike have been raving about Hill's speed. The reaction to his fifth-round selection by the Chiefs has ranged from outrage to concern because of his well-documented past as someone who pleaded guilty to domestic abuse by strangulation. But Hill's on-field performance explains why the club took a chance, public-relations hit notwithstanding.

Chiefs players offer high praise of rookie WR Tyreek Hill's explosive speed from Chiefs Digest

While the Chiefs are shorthanded in the early practices, limited to just 7-on-7 personnel groupings, and aren't in full pads, Hill once again showcased his breakaway speed Thursday morning.

In one instance, Hill, who has been clocked at 4.25 in the 40-yard dash, easily got behind defenders deep down the field before hauling in what would have been a touchdown catch in a real game.

Rookies getting a dose of NFL reality at Chiefs minicamp from ESPN

The minicamp, which ends Friday, is just as much about showing the rookies the NFL routine as it is teaching them the plays, what it takes to be a pro and what the responsibilities are in a given defense.

First things need to come first and the most important lessons in the three-day camp are that the football demands on a pro are greater than those on a college player, even one who played at a big-time football school like Russell.

Do not look the monotony of Chiefs training camp in the eye from The Kansas City Star

It is a schedule largely copy-and-pasted from years past, with annual allowances for practice times being moved up because of the heat, and plenty of time to hear about how everyone is in the best shape of their lives.

But training camp largely looks the same every year, and it's not just because of the questions from dopes like me, and it's not just because general manager John Dorsey wears that same gray Chiefs sweatshirt whether it's 70 degrees or 170 degrees.

The first rule of following training camp: nothing is new, not ever, except for the names.

NFL Rumor Central: Little progress on extension for Chiefs' Dontari Poe from ESPN

CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reports talks between the two sides "haven't really gone anywhere," adding that it's "very doubtful" an agreement could be reached before the season.

ESPN's Adam Teicher notes that Poe is not the team's highest priority at the moment, especially after it invested significantly in the defensive line -- re-signing defensive ends Allen Bailey and Jaye Howardand drafting D-lineman Chris Jones early in Round 2 of April's draft. The Chiefs would like to re-sign Poe, but they might be willing to let him walk if the price is too steep.

Chiefs' third-round pick KeiVarae Russell a ‘sponge' early in training camp from The Kansas City Star

With the focus on him and the rest of the rookies in the first few days of Chiefs training camp, Russell compared himself to a sponge, soaking in knowledge on how to play cornerback in the NFL.

He's learning how to deal with 14-hour days and three-hour meetings at the Chiefs' training camp facilities at Missouri Western. He's adjusting to the NFL field, where the numbers are closer to the middle of the field than they were at Notre Dame, and how it changes routes. And he's adapting to playing primarily nickel corner, rather than outside corner, while also trying to learn the safety positions too, just in case coaches need him there.

"Athletically, people see, I can play with the top guys," Russell said. "But mentally I'm not there yet with the rest of the guys who have been in this league for a while. So I've got to get to that point."

Zach Sterup offers size, versatility on Chiefs offensive line from Chiefs Digest

Undrafted free agent rookies need to stand out to get noticed, and Zach Sterup definitely stands out.

The offensive lineman from Nebraska is listed at 6-foot-9, 318 pounds. He's hard to miss on the field, but he's hoping coaches notice his play entering training camp more than his size.

"I feel pretty good going in to it," Sterup said Thursday after practice. "I just got to keep working, getting better everyday. That's my goal, and hopefully I can help this team."

Chiefs eager to see if rookie QB Kevin Hogan can continue his progress from ESPN

Even if Hogan continues to make that kind of progress at training camp, it's unlikely he would join Tyler Bray and Aaron Murray as a legitimate contender to be the No. 2 quarterback behind Alex Smith. But if he does remain on that trajectory, such a role for Hogan wouldn't be out of the question in 2017 or beyond.

"He's a smart kid,'' coach Andy Reid said of Hogan, a fifth-round draft pick from Stanford. "We know he's a good athlete with good body strength. He picks things up well and from here it's just a matter of getting him those reps and then getting him in the game to build that confidence."

Chiefs have decision to make on QB depth chart from ESPN

The Chiefs need a No. 2 quarterback, and Bray and Murray are the leading candidates.

The Chiefs have groomed both players for just this occasion. The competition, which began in offseason practice, gets started in earnest on Saturday, when the Chiefs open training camp at Missouri Western State University.

The winner of this position battle could well be won by the player who best deals with the pressure of suddenly increased expectations.

Chiefs rookie Mitch Mathews known for his jump-ball ability — just ask Nebraska from The Kansas City Star

"I'm a big guy, and every offense needs a big guy to go up and make plays and be a red-zone threat. Every team's gotta have that guy," said Mathews, who has a 36-inch vertical. "That was probably my money ball, jumping up over people, snagging the ball and scoring lots of touchdowns."

Mathews, who caught a Hail Mary pass that beat Nebraska last year, said teams liked to use a lot of press coverage against the Cougars, so he ended up catching a lot of fade routes. And in the red zone, the Cougars liked to go with two tight ends, two running backs and just Mathews at receiver so they could take advantage of his favorite skill.

NFL's 20 most impactful offseason moves for 2016 from ESPN

Justin Houston has knee surgery. The AFC West is so gettable, and the Kansas City Chiefs could so get it. But you saw in their playoff loss to the Patriots that they're not the same team without their star pass-rusher. The number of games Houston has to miss while he recovers from his February ACL surgery could go a long way toward helping decide this division.

Chiefs president Mark Donovan defends parking price increase from The Kansas City Star

"I know everybody wants to talk about the revenue. What we're focused on is the fans' experience," Donovan said. "Across the National Football League, the No. 1 issue for all sports teams in this league and most other leagues is parking and traffic — getting people in and getting people out. That affects the fan experience. What we're trying to do is enhance that experience by being more efficient and simplifying them.

"We don't want to sell $40 parking passes. We want you to (buy) in advance and get a $30 pass."

Dave Skretta talks Kansas City Chiefs on The Drive - 7/28/16 from CBS Sacramento

Dave Skretta, Chiefs beat reporter for the Associated Press, joins The Drive to share his insight on the Chiefs off season and the health issues for the team going into the start of the season. They talk Alex Smith, Jamaal Charles, Andy Reid and more.

Listen to the whole interview here:

Chiefs continue tweaking parking lot rules from The Kansas City Business Journal

For die-hard tailgaters, the Chiefs are offering a limited number of Early Arrival Tailgate Passes for Chiefs Kingdom Rewards members who redeem their points, allowing them to enter one hour prior to normal gate opening time — giving them 5.5 hours of tailgating time.

Tailgaters will notice yellow lines painted in the parking lot eight feet behind the end of each parking space to identity emergency vehicle lanes. All tailgate equipment must fit within that space.

No out for John Schneider: Another sign Eliot Wolf next in line in Green Bay from ESPN

Wolf and Schneider aren't the only candidates to replace Thompson. Murphy could try to bring back Kansas City Chiefs general manager John Dorsey or Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie. Both worked under Thompson immediately before taking their current jobs.

Another in-house candidate is Russ Ball, the Packers' director of player finance. Although he works closely with Thompson, he doesn't have a traditional scouting background.

UAlbany Product Brian Parker Ready For Year Two w/ Chiefs (AUDIO) from 104.5 The Team

The Kansas City Chiefs are coming off an impressive season in which they overcame a 1-5 start to make the playoffs and advance to the AFC Divisional playoffs. After beating the Houston Texans, they lost to the Patriots in that round.

Part of that Chiefs team is former UAlbany tight end Brian Parker. The ex-Dane joined Rodger Wyland today on ‘Big Board Sports' to talk about his expectations for the season as camp gets set to open, what the return of Jamaal Charles means, what it's like to play with Alex Smith and more.

Mauga, Chiefs open camp from The Nevada Appeal

After spending time in San Diego in the offseason, Mauga's ready to contribute even more.

"What I look forward to with training camp is the competition," he said. "I feel like it really brings out the best in you as a player, which in turn, will not only help you grow but it helps the team grow as well. I have a list of things for me to work on this year. But my number one thing is to be more consistent."

In San Diego, Mauga trained at one of the best sports performance facilities with the main objective to focus on ways to stay healthy while gearing up for another chapter in his NFL career.

Ramona Singer Puts Travis Kelce in the Dating Hot Seat: ''Is It a Dealbreaker if a Girl Doesn't Like to Give Oral Sex?'' Watch! from E!

"Is it a dealbreaker if a girl has fake boobs?" Ramona continues. "I don't think so. As long as she's comfortable and very confident in what she looks like and how she looks then I'm all for it," the sports stud responded.

EAGLES TRYING OUT UNIQUE HELMET CAMERA FOR FILM PRACTICE from CSN Philly

"Technology, you can't stay up fast enough with it," head coach Doug Pederson said after practice. "Those are great devices to have. In fact, we used them in Kansas City with the quarterbacks. We've had them on their helmets before.

"It gives you an opportunity to kind of see from the players' vantage point where they're looking, where their eyes are. Are they in the right direction? Are they on the right reads? And defensively are [they] in the right spots? And then you can evaluate and help correct the player."