Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 8/7

Five Observations from Saturday's Practice from Chiefs.com

For the first time this year at Kansas City Chiefs training camp, the fans had good weather to watch the team step onto the Mosaic Life Care fields and prepare for the 2016 season.

It was sunny and the temperature hovered in the 70s—great timing for Family Fun Day—which is always one of the most popular days of camp of any year, and this year was definitely no exception with more than 5,000 fans in attendance.

What We Learned From Saturday's Media Availlability from Chiefs.com

Q: Do you feel like this is [Alex Smith's] best camp?

NAGY: "So far I'd say yes. I think that just naturally occurs with it being year four."

Q: Why do you say that? What have you seen to lead you to believe that?

NAGY: "Decision-making, his decision-making is great. There's no second-guessing. We always talk about the progressions, and the protections. Right now protection wise he really knows the protections inside out. He doesn't have to think about that. He sees second level, third level, more with the coverages."

What We Learned From Chiefs' Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt from Chiefs.com

Opening Statement: "Good morning everybody. It's great to be wrapping up the first week of training camp up here in St. Joe. I want to thank all the fans who came out today. I think we had over 5,000 fans and I also would like to thank the governor for being a part of it."

Q: What are your expectations for this year?

HUNT: "Well we're in a situation where we have high expectations for the team. We're trying to build off of what we accomplished last year. I've jokingly said that I expect us to get off to a better start and I think that goes without saying. We do think we have a team that can compete for a championship and that's what the guys are about -€” they're out here working hard trying to do that."

WR Rod Streater Making Most of Shot With Chiefs First Team from Chiefs.com

If you are a believer in Newton's Third Law—that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction—shouldn't there be something that exists when it comes to the offseason departure of former Chiefs cornerback Sean Smith to the Oakland Raiders?

Maybe.

In mid-March, just four days after Smith left Kansas City for Oakland, the Chiefs signed wide receiverRod Streater, who spent the first four years of his career in Raiders black and silver.

Compared to Smith's departure, the addition of Streater to the Chiefs was much more low key. While Smith was coming off one of the best seasons of his career in 2015, Streater had just gone through a tumultuous two-year stretch.

Derrick Johnson Held Third Annual Backpack Giveaway Thursday from Chiefs.com

Linebacker Derrick Johnson and the rest of the Kansas City Chiefs were given the day off from practice Thursday afternoon, but Johnson didn't dedicate the whole day to rest and relaxation.

At around 5:30 p.m., Johnson went to Arrowhead Stadium for his third annual backpack giveaway in connection with his Defend the Dream Foundation.

"My foundation caters to inner-city kids through education," Johnson said. "This program, ‘Gearing Up,' gives out backpacks full of supplies just so that they can be very confident on the first day of school."

Chiefs training camp report, Aug. 6: Quarterbacks raise their game, offense thrives from The Kansas City Star

Quarterback Alex Smith was sharp today, generally making good, quick decisions and throwing some darts around the field. He was feeling it early, too — his second throw of the day was a bullet to Jeremy Maclin on a slant. It was a great throw and a great catch, but it wasn't the only time those two would connect like that Saturday. Smith also found Maclin on an out route for a touchdown, a deep cross and a back-shoulder throw for a touchdown. ...

Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt talks Tyreek Hill, Eric Berry and more from The Kansas City Star

"John Dorsey did visit with me before the draft — he mentioned that it was a possibility," Hunt said. "He walked through the diligence that he and his staff had done, and I have tremendous confidence in him and the work that they do."

But did Hunt have any concern about how the move would be perceived?

"Sure — domestic violence is a very serious issue, and it's never okay," Hunt said. "I knew that there would be people who would be concerned about it. But I also felt confident that John and his staff had done a very good job of evaluating Tyreek and thought that he could come in here and fit in with the team and fit in with the community."

Chiefs rookie WR Tyreek Hill showing he's more than just fast from ESPN

The Chiefs weren't sure how Hill would respond to the physical part of the game. He's only 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds, and the Chiefs weren't sure until they put on the pads at training camp whether he would disappear at the mere threat of contact, as so many players of his size do.

That part of the game hasn't been a problem for Hill, who has shown the ability to get open even when bigger and stronger cornerbacks try to disrupt his routes at the line of scrimmage by outmuscling him.

Clark Hunt has high hopes for Chiefs from Chiefs Digest

Hunt survey of his team was missing some critical pieces. One is safety Eric Berry, who has yet to report to camp after failing to come to terms on a new contract. Berry is slated to play this season under the franchise tag.

"We were disappointed to not be able to reach a long-term contract with Eric," Hunt said. "He's somebody we think very highly of. He's been a great player on the field. He does so much in the community. He's a team leader."

Hunt said he wants to sign Berry to a new long-term contract after the season.

Long-term future with Chiefs looks unlikely for Eric Berry from ESPN

The sides can try some more after this season ends, but if they couldn't get it done this year, what reason is there to believe it can happen in 2017?

I asked that question to Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt, who watched the training camp practice on Saturday. All he could say is that the Chiefs would try.

"Every year is different," Hunt said. "We couldn't close the gap this year but next year is a different situation. I can't say there will be anything fundamentally that happens that would make it possible, but it's certainly something we'll talk about."

Chiefs camp populated with quarterbacks from The Kansas City Star

Alex Smith is the team's undisputed starter. Foles is the only other candidate in camp who has played in an NFL game, starting 35 games in his four-year career.

Tyler Bray and Aaron Murray have yet to appear in a regular-season game, and the addition of Foles increases the chances of one of them not finishing the preseason with the Chiefs.

The reserves understand the situation.

"There are two aspects of football, what goes on on the field and the business side," Murray said. "As players we can't worry about the business side and stress yourself out.

"If you worry about all that kind of stuff, the trades, the moves and the signings it's going to affect your playing on the field."

Nick Foles says he's not far from being QB he used to be from ESPN

"I feel like I'm still the same guy, the same player," Foles said. "It only takes a few plays to get back there and get on the field and throw a few touchdowns to get back to that form. I'm excited to have an opportunity to do that here."

Foles' optimism is sparked in part because of his reunion with Andy Reid, his coach during his rookie season in 2012. His spectacular season in 2013 happened after Reid had moved on to the Chiefs and Chip Kelly was coaching the Eagles.

Fulton Chiefs' insurance on offensive line from Chiefs Digest

Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Zach Fulton is a grizzled NFL veteran at the tender age of 24.

Fulton's 22 career starts make him the most experienced interior offensive lineman on the team. He's the Swiss Army knife of the group, capable of playing anywhere he's needed. When the Chiefs need a leader for the team's young linemen, he's there too.

"I try to be available for any position that they need me at," Fulton said.

Chiefs' soft push into St. Louis begins with preseason telecasts from The Kansas City Star

"First of all we're trying to be very respectful," said Chiefs CEO and Chairman Clark Hunt. "There are a lot of great Rams fans in St. Louis. They're very disappointed to lose their team. We are not proactively courting them at this point.

"Probably the best thing we can do to build base over there is go out and have a great season on the field."

Chiefs release cornerback Vernon Harris, sign cornerback Malcolm Jackson from The Kansas City Star

Jackson, who is also an undrafted rookie, is listed at 5 feet 10 and 183 pounds. As a senior at Charleston Southern, he recorded 47 tackles, one interception and 12 pass deflections.

CSU alum Malcolm Jackson signed to Kansas City Chiefs' training camp roster from Live5News

Jackson, a 2016 CSU graduate, impressed in an open workout with the team and was told he may receive a call inviting him to camp if a spot was to come open. The call came last night and Jackson will join the Chiefs at their training camp home in St. Joseph, Missouri.

"It's exciting," said Jackson as he waited for his 6 a.m. flight at Charleston International Airport. "It's definitely a great organization and a blessing to even have the opportunity to go. I'm just going to go and perform like I do daily in practice. It's a dream come true but now it's time to stay there."

Fans from as far away as Canada travel to Chiefs training camp for Family Fun Day from FOX4KC

The Cappadocio family traveled from Ontario, Canada to St. Joseph, Missouri to cheer on the Kansas City Chiefs in person. "A lot of times we will get friends together, because they like different NFL teams. So we will usually get a little bit a barbecue, but nothing like you guys do down here," said Mike Cappadocio.

The Cappadocio family traveled 14 hours to attend the camp and said they plan to stay in Kansas City to watch the first preseason game.

Fans of all ages enjoy Family Fun Day at Chiefs Camp from The St Joseph News-Press

Marc Smiarowski, who is an assistant football coach from the Mormon Trail School District, brought football players of all ages that he coaches to camp to experience how professional NFL players practice.

"We're visiting camp from a small southern Iowa town," he said. "To be able to bring our kids out here so they can see what these professional athletes do, and how hard they work, is amazing. We we're looking at their footwork and where these athletes are putting their hands. They're an impressive group, and, as a coach, I think it's good for them to experience."

Iowa notes: Beathard and the hall of fame from The Gazette

The Pro Football Hall of Fame inducted eight new members on Saturday. Next year, Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard's grandfather, Bobby Beathard, might have a chance to join them.

In the next two months, a hall of fame selection committee will recommend two people for the contributor category. Bobby Beathard, 79, has been publicly discussed by voters as a possible nominee for one of those two slots. That doesn't guarantee he would get enshrined, but it would put Bobby Beathard in line for a yes-no vote for his candidacy in February...

...Bobby Beathard was a scout for the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl I, served as director of player personnel for the Miami Dolphins' back-to-back Super Bowl titles in 1972 and 1973 and was general manager for the San Diego Chargers, which lost the 1994 Super Bowl.

Ex-Chief Signs Autographs at East Hills from St Joe Channel

"It's memories," said Smith. "Once you're a die-hard and it's in your blood then you never forget and families won't ever let you forget it, so that's the real good thing about football and retirement."

Watch: Former Mississippi State DL Chris Jones experiences life as a rookie from SEC Country

Veterans often make rookies perform a variety of services, whether that be bringing the older players food, to performing in talent shows.

For former Mississippi State defensive lineman Chris Jones, he had to carry his teammates' pads. But it wasn't just one member of the Kansas City Chiefs. It was a couple.