Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 9/2

Game Recap: Chiefs Defeat Packers, 17-7, Finish Preseason With Even 2-2 Record from Chiefs.com

The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Green Bay Packers, 17-7, in their fourth and final preseason game at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs finish the preseason with a 2-2 record. Running backs Knile Davis and Darrin Reaves each had a touchdown rushing for the Chiefs.

The first big play of the game came with less than 3 minutes remaining in the first quarter when Ty Montgomery of the Packers broke through the Chiefs line to block a punt by Dustin Colquitt. Colquitt managed to recover, but the Packers got the ball at the Kansas City 14. Two plays later, quarterback Joe Callahan found tight end Jared Cook in the back right corner of the end zone for the touchdown.

The Packers led 7-0 after one quarter, but the Chiefs evened the game on the ensuing possession.

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

What did you see from Tyler Bray? "I think he was 10-of-17 -€” around that. I thought he did some good things -€” started off a little slow, but he worked through it and did some good things."

What did you see from Aaron Murray? "Aaron [Murray] had those couple picks there. You'd like to have those back, but again, he did some good things too. But, obviously, you can't turn the ball over."

Do you have a message to those guys on the sidelines when things aren't going their way?"Well, he'd been out for a little bit (Tyler Bray). So, back in the speed of the game, I think got to him a little bit right at the beginning. He settled down, worked his way through it. I thought he did a good job."

Is it fair to say that one of those quarterbacks has got to go? "We'll see. I can't tell you that right now -€” got to see what [John] Dorsey wants to do with it."

Tyler Bray bounces back after rough start in Chiefs' preseason win over Green Bay from The Kansas City Star

And once again, Bray — a 6-foot-6, 215-pound gunslinger with a knack for throwing the deep ball — opened Thursday night's game by missing high, and missing low. He also missed left, and he missed right. He misfired on six of his first seven passes, and thanks to a blocked punt which led to a 5-yard touchdown pass from Green Bay's Joe Callahan to tight end Jared Cook, the Chiefs found themselves down 7-0 late in the first quarter.

But Bray, who went undrafted in 2013 due to concerns about his maturity and the time he would likely need to grasp a pro offense, has always been a bit streaky. And true to form, he quickly found his rhythm after the bad start and showed why the Chiefs have been so hesitant to move past him.

Chiefs defense leads 17-7 win over Packers from Chiefs Digest

But it was the Chiefs defense that led the way. They held the Packers to 172 total yards of offense, including just 63 yards rushing.

That marked two games in a row the Chiefs defense clamped down against the run after being gashed in the first two games by the Seattle and Los Angeles rushing attacks.

Reid says he saw better focus in the defense the last two games.

"They've gone and work their fundamentals -€” the front seven," Reid said. "Those are prideful guys. They discover a weakness there and then they are going to turn that into a strength, and that's what they've done."

Tyler Bray distances himself from other young Chiefs QBs in win over Packers from ESPN

The Chiefs' decision at quarterback behind starter Alex Smith and primary backup Nick Foles seems to be more about whether to keep a third rather than which one to keep if they do.

Throughout training camp and the preseason, Bray made a stronger case than Murray or Hogan. He missed some throws early against the Packers but rebounded to hit his final seven attempts.

That resiliency was the thing that most impressed the Chiefs.

The Chiefs' preseason ends with the team in better shape than it began from The Kansas City Star

For most of us, there is nothing immediate or lasting to take from this game, but as the merciful end of the preseason — the Chiefs won 17-7, if you happened to gamble on it — it does provide a convenient platform to discuss the team headed into its most promising season in years...

...The most important part: They avoided major injuries, and wisely used the time to bring Tamba Hali back slowly.

The short version of the rest: they found Alex Smith injury insurance, saw progress from Chris Conley but not Dee Ford, added cornerback depth, and still can't be sure where the pass rush will come from.

Starters and key reserves don't play for Chiefs in win over Packers from ESPN

A surprise player who impressed: De'Anthony Thomas made a final attempt to convince the Chiefs he belongs on the regular-season roster. He had four catches for 45 yards and went up high to snag a 22-yard catch in the second quarter to set up the Chiefs' first touchdown.

One reason to be concerned: The Chiefs concluded the preseason without getting so much as a single snap from four key players: linebackers Houston and Hali, safety Eric Berry and running back Jamaal Charles. Houston won't play when the regular season opens, but the other three might. How effective they'll be, with little practice and no game snaps, is another matter.

Chiefs backups beat Packers backups 17-7 in preseason finale from The Associated Press via FS Kansas City

BERRY SITS OUT

As expected, Chiefs SS Eric Berry sat out the preseason finale. Berry signed his franchise tender last weekend and finally reported to training camp, but practiced only a couple of days. Reid said he expects Berry to be ready for the regular season.

Eagles Center Jason Kelce Rips Brother Travis Over Grooming Habits from NBC Philadelphia

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has a new reality television show on E! Network called Catching Kelce, where he'll date 50 women from 50 different states. Yeah, we don't really care either, except for the fact that it gets Travis' brother and Eagles offensive lineman Jason Kelce a little bit of air time, and that dude is hilarious.

Kansas City Chiefs' tight end Travis Kelce stars in upcoming dating show 'Catching Kelce' from ESPN W

The show brings together 50 women from various backgrounds, including, social media stars, entrepreneurs, and fitness models, according to a press release from NBC Universal. The original 50 women will be whittled to 20 using their 60-second first impression with Kelce.

Tailgate debate: Is 'Home of the Chiefs' national anthem chant offensive? from KSHB

Gooden added that the Chiefs chant during the anthem doesn't compare to what Kaepernick is doing.

"The Chiefs [chant] is just about us being in Kansas City and that's it," he said. "It's not personal against veterans or anything like that."

As the debate continues over national anthem traditions, Kaepernick's decision reminded Air Force veteran Mark Barefoot why he served.

KSHB Video: New 'Chiefs Kingdom' flag unfurled for fans to sign

Chiefs parking price hike has fans choosing alternatives from KMBC

"I'm a Chiefs fan at heart. I'm a working man, so $40 is quite a bit," he said. "I think it's more than enough."

Two of the discount lots said they've had Arrowhead Stadium employees park there because it was cheaper and faster to get home.

Ticket prices on the resale market for Thursday's preseason finale were going for as little as $6 each. A family of four would pay more to park their car than to get in to see the game.

2016 playoff predictions: AFC West from NFL.com

Brian Billick: Chiefs. The Broncos might have the best defense in the NFL, but that's not enough anymore. You have to combine it with a dominant running game that just doesn't exist in Denver. On the contrary, Kansas City might have the deepest backfield in the NFL, and the Chiefs will lean on the three-headed monster of Jamaal Charles, Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware.

Why are industry leaders, politicians and celebrities coming to Easton? from Lehigh Valley Live

FIREBALL RUN's participants are described by producer J. Sanchez as "industry leaders."

"They're astronauts. They're celebrities. They're political leaders," he said Thursday.

Some past participants include Daytona 500 Winner Geoff Bodine, WWE wrestler Raven, Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, the band 10,000 Maniacs, actor Jeffrey Donovan from "Burn Notice" and actor Christopher McDonald from "Happy Gilmore."

He couldn't give many details but said the participants are on a quest to find under-discovered destinations and obscure facts.

You heard me: Bold fantasy football predictions for all 32 teams from ESPN

Kansas City Chiefs: I say Spencer Ware, currently being drafted as RB53, in the 15th round, finishes as a top-25 running back. My thinking: He'll certainly have a role (he has been getting a lot of first-team reps in practice), has a nose for the end zone and, given Jamaal Charles' injury history, could be vaulted into a top-10 back.

From matzo balls to footballs, two Jewish brothers recall their journey to the NFL from Jewish Telegraph Agency [Note: I am reading this book now. Some great insight into football. These guys are funny]

"Eat My Schwartz: Our Story of NFL Football, Food, Family, and Faith" lands in stores and online September 6. Co-written by the brothers, with novelist and humorist Seth Kaufman, it's a lighthearted memoir about all the topics in the subtitle and how often they intersect. Sports fans will find plenty of insider info on the NFL and major-college football (Geoff and Mitch played for Pac-12 contenders Oregon and Cal, respectively). But from the opening pages — a scene of the brothers frying up latkes on the first night of Hanukkah, following their bubbe's recipe — their Jewishness is front and center.

AFC West preview: Broncos still team to beat from The Waterbury Republican American

Kansas City LB Justin Houston is out for now after surgery to repair a "non-functioning ACL" in February. The Chiefs also took a cautious approach with LB Tamba Hali after surgery on his balky knees, and RB Jamaal Charles, who had his right ACL repaired last season.

With injury issues a concern, the Chiefs also feel they have more talent across the board than at any point under GM John Dorsey and coach Andy Reid. Charles and RBs Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware form a potent three-headed monster, and Jeremy Maclin and TE Travis Kelce give Alex Smith decent pass catchers.

The defense was great last season but is a year older, with concerns about the pass rush and in the secondary, where SS Eric Berry didn't report until Sunday.