Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 9/8

What We Learned from Wednesday's Media Availability from Chiefs.com

Q: Is there a point in the season where you feel like you know what your teams is -€” strengths, weaknesses, what you need to play to?

REID: "Yeah, and that, I think you know what the other teams are better at than you do the first, three or four games of the season. Early in the season, everybody is showing you what their offseason projects were, and then, everybody settles down and goes. I would probably say the same about your own team. So, I would say yes to your question."

Q: What's your message to some of the young guys who haven't seen any or much playing time in a regular season game?

REID: "Just make sure to prepare and everything's going to be a little faster than what it was in the preseason. Defenses are going to be a little bit more complex, the offenses -€” from a defensive standpoint

Arrowhead Debuts New Signature Concession Items from Chiefs.com

LINEBACKER BURGER

What's in it: "A chili cheese burger, fresh cheddar cheese, green onions. It's on a nice fresh brioche bun."

Tell us more: "As you can see, we've got the Arrowhead logo on the bun."

Where can it be found: "Available at the grill stands on the club level"

Six Things To Know About the Chiefs App Update from Chiefs.com

The Kansas City Chiefs released an update to their official app last week, and there are five new reasons to use it on your mobile device:

Chiefs' offense seems more prepared than defense, but Chargers aren't buying it from The Kansas City Star

Reid said he understands the notion that his offense is poised to be up and running quicker. But it's not a conversation-starter with him, or the Chiefs.

"I guess from the outside," Reid said. "On the inside, you're trying to execute it right every play, and it's important that you just stick to that."

If the Chiefs find themselves engaging in shootouts, it would mark a different operating method than last season. The Chiefs' regular-season-ending 10-game winning streak was largely defined by a stout and opportunistic defense.

Chargers' Philip Rivers wary of Chiefs defense from Chiefs Digest

"We feel like we're coming in with a healthy group, a group that's in tuned together running back, receiver and tight end," Rivers said. "We're coming in with a little more juice than we finished the year with last time we were in Kansas City."

Rivers said he expects linebacker Tamba Hali and safety Eric Berry to be just as dangerous as ever. He did not expect Berry's missing most of the preseason to be a factor.

"A guy like that, you expect him to be the player he's always been," Rivers said.

Chiefs offense looks ready to handle its share of the load from ESPN

At the skill positions, the Chiefs will look similar on Sunday to the way they finished last season. Ware and West will be their featured backs, with Maclin and Kelce as the top receivers.

To Smith, there's some comfort in that as well.

"There's a confidence that comes with knowing your system and your fundamentals and the way you've been coached, the way you've prepared," Smith said. "The great thing about going against our defense is that you've kind of seen everything, a form of it. You have the answers, and it's a matter of going out and trusting what you're seeing, trusting your coaching."

Chiefs' Sunday festivities include respect for fallen police, 9/11, Jared Allen, Trace Adkins from The Kansas City Star

Sunday's season opener at Arrowhead Stadium features a football game between the Chiefs and the San Diego Chargers. That much we've known for months.

But we learned a whole lot more on Wednesday about the festivities that will surround this showdown between AFC West rivals, and that aspect of the afternoon promises to be pretty exciting in its own right.

Coming on the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, events surrounding the game will include nods of appreciation to the military and first responders, plus recognition of the two Kansas City, Kan., policemen killed in the line of duty this year.

And that's just the beginning.

Let's take it from the top.

Arrowhead's new offerings: linebacker burger, Charlie Hustle T-shirts from The Kansas City Star

Arrowhead also has teamed up with Kansas City's Charlie Hustle Clothing Co. on seven new Kansas City Chiefs-themed T-shirts, most selling for $32.

"It was very important to connect to the community and the local community is very attached to their brand, to their shirts and we wanted to bring that to Arrowhead and to the Chiefs," said Tim Witkowski, district manager for Aramark.

The stadium is also offering an "order online and in-store pick-up" feature for the first time through shop.chiefs.com.

There's nothing holding Eric Fisher back this year from ESPN

That Fisher has so much momentum heading into a season involves more than just the absence of factors capable of setting him back. He's coming off a strong finish to last season, including a big playoff game against J.J. Watt and the Houston Texans.

He's armed with a lucrative contract extension from the Chiefs, who with that deal are betting on his potential more than rewarding Fisher for what he's done over the last three seasons.

There may never be a better opportunity for Fisher to become a franchise left tackle.

Ross Travis embraces legacy of wearing No. 88 for Chiefs from The Kansas City Star

When Ross Travis introduces himself to Chiefs fans in public, he tells them his name. And when they ask what jersey number he wears, he tells them. And that's when things get interesting.

"I'm like ‘88,' and the instant reaction is ‘Ohhhh,' " Travis said with a laugh. "I'm like ‘Yeah, I've got a lot to live up to."

No. 88, of course, was worn by tight end Tony Gonzalez, who starred for the Chiefs from 1997 to 2008 and is widely considered to be a shoe-in for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

And while the 6-foot-7, 235-pounder Travis has yet to catch an NFL pass, the Chiefs' tight end — who has impressed this preseason with his size and athleticism — is not scared of the legacy of the number. In fact, when Travis re-signed with the Chiefs' practice squad last September, he asked to switch from No. 89 to Gonzalez's old No. 88.

Chiefs hope continuity matures young core from Chiefs Digest

The Chiefs rank as one of the youngest teams in the NFL, yet one of the team's biggest strengths may be its continuity, with a group of veteran leaders bringing together a talented young core ready to tackle the new season.

Quarterback Alex Smith says the team has confidence and an understanding that only comes with time and coaching.

"I think that comes with being in a system for longer," Smith said. "I think that guys do see the bigger picture, don't have the tunnel vision just on their assignment or their line on the paper, really kind of understanding what we're doing."

Jamaal Charles, Tamba Hali are limited practice participants from ESPN

Reid indicated on Monday that Hali, 32, would play as part of a rotation with Dee Ford, Frank Zombo and perhaps others at outside linebacker.

"I don't think Tamba will play the full load just based on sheer age and wear and tear on the body,'' Reid said.

The Chiefs also listed running back Charcandrick West (elbow) and cornerbackPhillip Gaines (knee) as full practice participants.

Week 1 Power Rankings: Seahawks, Steelers are out front from ESPN

9. Kansas City Chiefs

2015 record: 11-5
Preseason ranking: No. 9

The Chiefs started 1-5 last season but won their final 10 games. If they can get off to a better start this season, that'll give them a nice cushion as they wait for Jamaal Charles and Justin Houston to return to full health.

Chiefs' approach with RBs: All for one and one for all from The Associated Press via FS Kansas City

The trend in the NFL over the past decade has been away from the bell-cow running backs of the 1970s and `80s, instead keeping fresh legs and healthy players on the field.

Andy Reid has been doing it longer than that.

As the Chiefs prepare for their season opener Sunday with a four-headed backfield of Jamaal Charles, Charcandrick West, Spencer Ware and Knile Davis, they are doing so with the understanding that all of them will get ample opportunities to make plays in Reid's offense.

"It's really never been a problem," Reid said of distributing the carries. "I've done that a number of years; before I came here I did it. So we'll find a way to get it in their hands."

2016 NFL picks: How all 32 teams will finish and Super Bowl predictions from CBS Sports

Only one expert (Will Brinson) does not predict the Browns to finish last in the AFC North. Brinson is also the only expert that does not have the Chiefs finishing first or second in the AFC West.

How Kansas City Chiefs Fans Turn Old School Buses Into Tailgate Party Buses from KCUR

Dallas Kidd lives in Olathe, co-owns a property management company and in his spare time cheers for the Chiefs. He wasn't planning to own a bus, but William Guthrie—everyone calls him Woody—stumbled upon this 1985 model with 130,000 miles on it. He paid $500 for it on the spot. Guthrie's next call? To his buddy, Dallas Kidd. "I called him because I knew he was a ticket holder and we're always going to out there and tailgating anyway," says Guthrie, who lives in Harrisonville.

Shaking a can of spray paint, Guthrie joined Kidd and his co-workers at Kidd's business headquarters, Under Pressure Property Services, in Kansas City, Kansas. The yellow is disappearing underneath a coat of black, red and gold.

Plaza decked out in Chiefs gear for Red Friday from FOX4KC

Throughout the day on Friday, participating McDonald's restaurants around the KC metro will be selling commemorative Chiefs Kingdom flags for $5. All proceeds go directly to Ronald McDonald House charities, which help families stay near their children who are receiving vital medical care.

Chapin said the event gets bigger every year, and he expects this one to be no different.

"Every year we've been able to have more and more flags sold. We've ordered more flags than we've ever sold before, but there are limited quantities," Chapin said.

KMBC Video: Chiefs players eager to kick season off at home

"Whiz"-led Bolts can exploit banged-up Chiefs from The San Diego Union-Tribune

Of course Houston is the much better player, but Mauga had a knack for shooting gaps and nailing Chargers ball-carriers for no gain or a loss. He partnered well with savvy Derrick Johnson.

Also, Mauga played the one position where the Chiefs, a deep team, have a big question mark in their depth.

De facto rookie Justin March, who missed last season due to a knee injury suffered in the preseason opener, is expected to start for Mauga.

Though March wouldn't be the first unheralded rookie to thrive, he's never played in an NFL game and has spent most of practice time as a backup.

Nor was March a "wow" prospect coming out of Akron, where he was a teammate of Chargers rookie linebacker Jatavis Brown.

Which Charger Does Andy Reid Say Has the "Eye of the Tiger"? from Chargers.com

Two players he is very familiar with are a pair of Chargers cornerbacks.  Reid credits Jason Verrett and Brandon Flowers for being tough matchups for his receivers.

"Take the two (cornerbacks) right there," he said.  "They're not the biggest guys, but they are talented as all get out.  I had (Verrett) over in the Pro Bowl and he has the eye of the tiger and I had (Flowers) here.  They are competitive guys and they can play with anybody."

Nothing 4-12 about Chargers' pass game from The San Diego Union-Tribune

What makes these Chargers atypical for a team coming off a poor season, however, is that they actually have a formidable array of talent in one key aspect. The passing game.

Philip Rivers' credentials are well known. Among active quarterbacks, the longtime Bolts starter is a top-10 passer in several career statistics.

It is the dangerous array of Chargers pass-catchers, here, following, that will get special note.

These guys are good.

Week 1 NFL picks: Broncos upset Panthers. Giants, Vikings win from The Washington Post

San Diego Chargers (+7) at Kansas City Chiefs

Winner: Kansas City Chiefs, 74.6 percent

Pick: Kansas City Chiefs -7

Ranking all 32 NFL teams' new Twitter hashtags and emojis from SB Nation

T9. #Jaguars (Jacksonville Jaguars), #Patriots (New England Patriots), #Broncos (Denver Broncos), #Chargers (San Diego Chargers) and #Chiefs (Kansas City Chiefs): Look, there's nothing wrong with only having your nickname. In fact, it's pretty appropriate. This is the Alex Smith of hashtags, the cheese pizza — the mild salsa for the person who thinks ketchup is "too spicy."

The logical choice for Jacksonville would be #DUVAL, but I could see a ton of brand confusion between North Florida's NFL team and the Robert Duvall fan club, which holds its next meeting at the Airport Marriott in Biloxi, Miss., on Oct. 7.

Three of the four teams in the AFC West are so bland they only have their nickname. Makes sense.

Bacon chocolate pizza, hot dog with kettle corn among new Arrowhead offerings from KMBC

The dessert pizza got a lot of attention at the preview.

"This is our chocolate bacon blitz pizza. This is available at Primo, our Italian restaurants on the club level," Dominguez said. "This is a great dessert item (with) peanut butter, chocolate fudge, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and bacon, all made in our brick oven upstairs on a pizza crust. It's a fantastic item."

Dante Hall Award To Honor College Football's Smallest "Big Men On Campus" from CBS Houston

"It's an amazing feeling and I feel honored," Hall said. "To have an award named in my honor means that all the hard work, the pain, the  injuries, the sweat and the tears, were appreciated. That's all any athlete can ask for."

The "X-Factor Trophy" will be presented in conjunction with bowl week at the annual Advocare V100 Texas Bowl in Houston. Candidates for The Dante Hall Award must take the majority of their snaps

NFL picks vs. the spread, Week 1: Patriots begin quest for 5th Super Bowl title in the desert from NOLA.com

Chargers (+7) at Chiefs: The Chargers are coming off a grim 4-12 season and face a Nov. 8 stadium vote could decide their future in San Diego. Embattled head coach Mike McCoy must take his team cross-country for an opener against a Chiefs team that outscored them 43-6 in two games a year ago. The Chargers have lost eight consecutive games to AFC West opponents. Make it nine. Chiefs 30, Chargers 20

Where art thou NFL 2016 season preview? The Post forecasts all eight divisions — in sonnet form from The National Post

The Super Bowl champions plan to play,
Some guy named Siemian under centre,
Denver's chance to repeat could wilt away,
If the Chiefs' D acts as his tormentors,
They're strong, you know, KC's defensive gang,
Though, yes, the Broncos set a soaring bar,
Von Miller will continue to harangue,
Rivers and Smith and poor old Derek Carr,
San Diego should improve from four wins,
Though Joey Bosa's holdout proved them cheap,
The Raiders gave free agency a spin,
But who knows when and if they'll make the leap,
In the end, you'll likely see Andy Reid,
Lead his club far, while the Broncos recede.