Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 8/23

Veteran LB Tamba Hali Will Begin Practicing This Week from Chiefs.com

It's a sign that things are moving in the right direction for the team's first-round pick back in 2006 (No. 20 overall), who has started 155 career regular season games for the Chiefs in his 10 years with the club, owning 583 tackles, 86.0 sacks, 33 forced fumbles, 7 fumble recoveries, 2 interceptions and 16 passes defensed.

Hali's 86 career sacks rank second best in franchise history.

Chiefs activate Tamba Hali, who will start practice this week from The Kansas City Star

The Chiefs have gone to great lengths to rest Hali, who has played the last few seasons on balky knees. After undergoing a knee scope during the offseason, he missed the team's three-week training camp in St. Joseph, which ended Thursday. He also sat out most of the Chiefs' practices last season.

The reduced workload seemed to help Hali, who recorded 48 tackles and 6  1/2 sacks while reaching the Pro Bowl for the fifth consecutive season.

Chiefs shouldn't expect a lot from Tamba Hali, initially at least from ESPN

In some ways, Hali is the Chiefs' spiritual leader. Many of their young players take their inspiration from a guy who has lasted until his 11th NFL season as much on his determination and effort as anything else. He'll make a positive difference from the moment he steps on the Chiefs' practice field.

But the Chiefs might want to temper their expectations for Hali, who turns 33 in November. His knees have been an issue for some time. He hasn't been able to practice much during the regular season in either of the past two seasons, though on game day he almost always showed up and played well enough to be worthy of his Pro Bowl berths.

Chris Conley strengthens Chiefs' receiving corps from The Kansas City Star

The quest for a second weapon at wide receiver was advanced in the Chiefs' second preseason game. Chris Conley was that sharp.

Conley, the second-year pro from Georgia, hauled in three passes for a team-best 66 yards, including a 37-yarder over the top from quarterback Alex Smith on the second touchdown drive in the 21-20 loss to the Rams on Saturday in Los Angeles.

The play may have been the game's top offensive moment for the Chiefs. They faced third and 2 from their 33. Time for the standard smash mouth or at least a short, safe route from to a running back or tight end. Nope.

"We got to the line and Alex made an audible real quick, and we were able to hook up on it," Conley said.

Chiefs have long to-do list, and time is running out from ESPN

The Kansas City Chiefs are finished with training camp and halfway through their preseason. The Sept. 11 regular season opener against the San Diego Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium looms larger with every passing day.

The Chiefs still have three practice weeks and two preseason games to resolve some of their most pressing issues. Here are some of the areas they still need to address:

Chiefs quarterback Tyler Bray cleared for practice from The Kansas City Star

Prior to the injury, Bray was earning third-team reps behind Alex Smith and Nick Foles and ahead of Aaron Murray and Kevin Hogan. Murray assumed a larger workload during Bray's absence, but it will be interesting to see how coach Andy Reid splits up the snaps with Bray expected to return to the fold this week.

Kansas City Chiefs welcome back OLB Tamba Hali to defense from The Sports Xchange via UPI

Barring any new problems with his balky knees, Hali will be on the field against the Chargers. The defense could use him and his ability to pressure the quarterback. With teammate Justin Houston out of action because of his own knee surgery and rehab, Andy Reid and coordinator Bob Sutton need what Hali can bring.

However, there's a good chance that Hali will be rushing the passer with less frequency than in the first 10 seasons of his career. The 32-year-old has been battling knee problems for a half-dozen seasons, although he has missed just four of the 160 regular-season games.

Rams TV rating sinks in LA, barely beats St. Louis from The St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The Rams' new home market barely beat the one it just departed in terms of ratings for the club's game on Saturday night, against Kansas City.

The telecast was seen in 3.4 percent of homes with a TV in the Los Angeles market, only slightly ahead of the 3.2 figure in St. Louis. That's according to Nielsen, which tabulates ratings.

Chiefs Fans Viciously Brawl, Ignore Security At Rams Game from Deadspin

Last week, rival groups of Rams fans commemorated the first Rams game in L.A. by punching the shit out of each other. On Saturday, this Chiefs fan started another fight, and even got in nasty sucker punch after security showed up.

UAlbany Product Brian Parker Working to Make Chiefs (AUDIO) from 104.5 The Team

Last year, UAlbany product Brian Parker was a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. After going undrafted and signing with the Chargers, Parker was plucked away by Kansas City and eventually turned that into a spot on the playoff roster.

This year, it's no certainty that the Great Dane will make the roster, but he isn't worried too much about that.

Former Wash High great Barry dies from The Observer-Reporter

Fred Barry played high school football in one of the golden eras at Washington High School.

From 1961-66, Washington not only produced victories but also future NFL players. And Barry was one of them.

Barry, who played for the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers, died last week at age 68...

...The Kansas City Chiefs, fresh from a Super Bowl win over the Minnesota Vikings, made Barry their eighth-round draft pick in 1970.

WGN Radio Audio: Bears legend Doug Plank previews Bears v. Chiefs: "This is really going to be an honest test for the Chicago Bears"

Football: Former Crenshaw standout De'Anthony Thomas makes appearance from The Los Angeles Times

Thomas, a receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs, didn't play much in the exhibition game against the Rams, but Helfman was able to get a photo of him (see above) while shooting from the stands.

It was like old times.

Week 2 preseason grades, AFC: Will Fuller, Terrelle Pryor dazzle from NFL.com

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: Chris Conley, wide receiver. The Chiefs might've found a WR2 to complement Jeremy Maclin in the passing game, thanks to Conley's emergence as a legitimate playmaker. The second-year pro finished his night against the Rams on Saturday with three receptions for 66 yards, including a 37-yard catch down the boundary on a go-route that showcased his speed and quickness. As the Chiefs look to upgrade their big-play potential in the passing game, Conley could play a more prominent role as a potential deep-ball weapon. GRADE: B+

Film analyst breaks down Amari Cooper torching Marcus Peters from 247Sports

By looking at just the box scores, one would think Peters got the best of Cooper in these two games. Cooper caught six of his 13 targets, totaled 89 yards and did not score a touchdown. Peters, on the other hand, defended three passes and recorded an interception, which he returned 58 yards.

A closer look at the game film, however, tells a different story.