Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 8/20

Chiefs vs. Rams: How to Watch and Listen from Chiefs.com

Game Date/Time

Saturday, August 20, 2016 at 8:00 p.m. CT on CBS (KCTV5 Local) and nationally on the NFL Network (in progress)

Location

Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California

Forecast

High: 79°

Low: 63°

Chiefs vs. Rams: Five Things to Watch from Chiefs.com

The game will air locally on KCTV5 and is being picked up nationally (in progress) by NFL Network.

While the Chiefs still won't game plan for the Rams on Saturday night as they continue their own evaluation in trying to cut down a deep and talented roster to just 53 players by Saturday, September 3, at 3 p.m. CT, the starters will generally see more action than they did in the first preseason game.

It's slowly building towards the regular season opener against the San Diego Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium on September 11.

Here are five things to watch during the game on Saturday:

Five things to watch in the Chiefs' second preseason game from The Kansas City Star

2. Will the first-string offense keep rolling under Alex Smith?

The Chiefs' first-string offense opened its 17-16 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the exhibition opener last Saturday with a flurry, marching 49 yards in only eight plays on a scoring drive capped by a 1-yard touchdown by Spencer Ware. Quarterback Alex Smith, who completed 3 of 4 passes for 36 yards, impressed by spreading the ball to three different receivers and flashing some playmaking ability when he scrambled out of the pocket and found Jeremy Maclin for a 20-yard gain. Reid said Smith — who was replaced after the drive — might play the entire first half this time.

What to Watch as Chiefs visit the Rams from Chiefs Digest

The second preseason game should be a bit different than last week's meeting with Seattle. The starters expect to play a bit more, perhaps the entire first half. The second and third teams will get their moments in the second half.

Alex Smith will open the game at quarterback, followed by Nick Foles, Aaron Murray and possibly Kevin Hogan. Tyler Bray is nursing a neck injury and will not play.

Here's a rundown of what else to watch in this week's matchup.

Things won't be perfect for Chiefs' offense this week from ESPN

The record for the Kansas City Chiefs' starting offense so far in the preseason is a perfect one. One drive, one touchdown.

The results probably won't be as spotless when the starters are finished for the night on Saturday, when the preseason continues with a game against the Rams in Los Angeles. Quarterback Alex Smith and the rest of the starters are scheduled to get more playing time than one eight-play drive, perhaps as much as the entire first half.

So the starters will get a few drives, and there likely will be at least one punt and perhaps a turnover in there somewhere.

Chiefs look to turn corner at cornerback from The Kansas City Star

Peters is the one opponents look to avoid this season. That Seahawks possession, last Saturday, that opened with completions, ended with a Peters' interception in the end zone.

The issue is about the second and third corners.

The Chiefs have suggested Phillip Gaines could be the other guy on the outside with Nelson on the inside. Marcus Cooper and rookies D.J. White and KeiVarae Russell are also in the mix. But Gaines is working his way back from a season-ending knee injury suffered in the third game last year.

The Chiefs don't want to rush him back.

Deep roster means Chiefs will cut some players who will make teams elsewhere from ESPN

When John Dorsey arrived as general manager and Andy Reid as head coach in 2013, the Kansas City Chiefs roster had so many holes they felt compelled as the regular season started to claim seven players who had been cut by other teams.

This year, the Chiefs are the ones who might be cutting more than a few players who catch on elsewhere.

"This is as deep of a 90-man roster as we've had in four years,'' Dorsey said. "There are going to be numerous guys on this roster who will play on other teams.''

Los Angeles times Video: Preview: Rams vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Brad Childress put retirement on hold; will he get another shot at being a head coach? from USA Today

"It stuck with me: You don't know how long you're going to be here. I've had a hell of a run."

That run will continue, thanks to a chain of events the week of Kansas City's divisional playoff loss at New England in January. Doug Pederson, the Chiefs' offensive coordinator, agreed to become head coach of the Eagles. Pederson spoke with Childress about potentially coming along as OC. Reid got wind and urged Childress to stay in what ended up being a co-coordinator role with Matt Nagy" culang="en">Matt Nagy, who'd been coaching the quarterbacks.

And the new gig has rejuvenated Childress, whom Reid isn't sure will stick around much longer -€” but not necessarily because he'll walk away.

"Brad should be a head coach again," Reid said, unprompted. "He should get another shot."

Mariner High School alum Russell adjusting to life in the NFL from HeraldNet

It's the moment most football players dream about.

Last weekend was the first of the NFL's preseason, and therefore for the rookies it was their first opportunity to step onto the field as an NFL player. A quick glance around social media revealed just how big a moment that was for rookies, many of them posting about dreams coming true.

However, KeiVarae Russell had a slightly different reaction. The Everett native and Mariner High School graduate's first NFL action came last Saturday when his Kansas City Chiefs hosted the Seattle Seahawks, so Russell had to deal with the conflicting emotions of playing against his hometown team.

The pride of Crenshaw High, De'Anthony Thomas, returns to the Coliseum on Saturday from The Los Angeles Times

Thomas is a beloved figure at Crenshaw High. He was part of a 2009 football team that was probably the best in school history. The Cougars went 14-1, with their only loss coming to De La Salle in a bowl. Three other players off that team made to the NFL _ Hayes Pullard, Marcus Martin and Greg Ducre.

Coach Robert Garrett said that team brought unprecedented excitement to the school. He called Thomas' performances "extravagant."

Steelers RB Bell has suspension reduced to 3 games from KMBC

Bell, starting the campaign under suspension for the second straight season for violating the league's policy on substance abuse, will miss Pittsburgh's first three regular-season games. He will be eligible to return for Week 4 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Bill O'Brien: J.J. Watt uncertain for first two games from NFL.com

Watt is widely viewed as the NFL's most valuable non-quarterback. Houston's chances of winning a pair of home games versus the Chicago Bears and Kansas City Chiefs take a sizable hit if Watt doesn't suit up.

Rams mailbag: Rams still have questions to answer before season kickoff from The Los Angeles Times

My colleague Sam Farmer, who has covered the NFL for years, wrote that Goff should be the starter for the opener.

He makes a lot of sense on a lot of levels.

I go back to the first question in this mailbag: The exhibition against the Chiefs will go a long way toward determining where Goff stands, and whether the Rams' brain trust is going to complete its draft-day gamble and go all-in from the outset.

Otherwise, I can see Keenum keeping the job, at least until the Rams begin to consistently falter.

32 Paragraphs About 32 Teams: A Thinking Fan's Guide To The NFL Season from Deadspin

Kansas City Chiefs: With cornerback Sean Smith gone, Marcus Peters becomes a promising top corner this year. A host of unproven young players are vying for the other spots. Phillip Gaines, a 2014 third-round pick out of Rice, is the presumed heir apparent to Smith; he's coming off an ACL tear but played well in limited opportunities over his two seasons. However, buzz out of OTAs had 2015 third-round pick Steven Nelson (Oregon State), who played just 53 snaps as a rookie, impressing enough that he could supplant Gaines. The Chiefs also drafted three corners this year, with third-round pick KeiVarae Russell (Notre Dame) the most likely player to see action. The Chiefs have youth, depth, and upside at corner. (Aaron Schatz)

Silverman: Miller Remains The Class Of NFL Outside Linebackers from CBS New York

5. Justin Houston, Kansas City Chiefs -€” When healthy, Houston is an explosive pass rusher who is capable of putting together a monster season. He had 22 sacks in 2014, and he has also shown he can play the run well, which is why the Chiefs use him as a three-down player. Once Houston returns from his knee problems, he should continue to be a dominant player.

The one big question facing every AFC team from FOX Sports

Kansas City Chiefs: What happens if Alex Smith falters?

After dealing with some crushing injuries last season, the Chiefs are back at full-strength with the return of RB Jamaal Charles and LBs Justin Houston and Tamba Hali. Along with Jeremy Maclin and Travis Kelce, that should be plenty of talent for Kansas City to try to reclaim the division from the Broncos — assuming Smith continues to excel running the offense. He better, because the backup quaterback situation is bleak now that Chase Daniel is gone. And as good as Charles still is in the backfield, he's not going to carry an offense by himself without some help from his QB. As long as Smith stays efficient (if unspectacular), K.C. will survive.

Co-founder of St. Croix Orthopaedics remembered as well-loved innovator from The Stillwater Gazette

The co-founder of St. Croix Orthopaedics and former Stillwater Ponies team doctor was known as an innovator with a sense of humor and strong work ethic. He died in his Stillwater home Aug. 16 at age 69, leaving many in the St. Croix Valley with a sense of loss and fond memories...

...He served as a team doctor for the Stillwater Ponies, River Falls Falcons and St. Paul Saints, as well as the Kansas City Chiefs. He was inducted into the St. Croix Valley Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011.

4th grader brings anti-bully message with rap video from The Port Arthur News

Port Arthur native and Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles took to Twitter about the video.

"Check out the new video I'm featured in with my cousin Lil D. Great message. Stop the bullying! #PAPROUD #LILDIMCOOL."

What hopes do you have for your NFL team this season? from The Guardian

Defending Super Bowl champions the Denver Broncos will kick off the new season against the Carolina Panthers on Thursday 8 September. And there's lots of football to be played before Super Bowl LI decides the new champions at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas in February 2017. With the annual kickoff game fast approaching, we'd like to hear from NFL fans about what hopes and expectations you have for your team this season.

The best and worst divisions in the AFC from Blasting News

Best: AFC West

The AFC West is home to the Peyton Manning led Denver Broncos. The Broncos made their way to the Super Bowl for the second time in a row in 2015 and this time managed to pull off the win. Credit must be given to the division home to the Super Bowl champions. Fans shall see if the Broncos can stay at the top of the heap now that Peyton Manning has retired.

On top of that, the AFC West is also home to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs, led by quarterback Alex Smith who carried the team to two playoff berths since he started with the team three years ago. The Chiefs have made their comeback, and show no signs of slowing down. With Peyton Manning gone, it is likely that the Chiefs could take over as division leaders this year.