Chiefs Opening Camp With Optimism And Some Questions from KC Star
Last year, the Chiefs were again considered a favorite to win their division. And they underachieved again, winning just two games and firing Haley's successor, Romeo Crennel, shortly after their final game of the season.
Few observers expect the Chiefs, who have rookies and quarterbacks reporting Monday for the start of training camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, to overtake the Denver Broncos and win the AFC West this year. But many expect the Chiefs to make rapid improvement and challenge for a wild-card playoff berth.
There are some valid reasons for that, as well as a few that could lead to the conclusion the Chiefs will again finish the season floundering at or near the bottom of their division.
Chiefs Colquitt Participates In Big Slick Weekend from The Mothership
Colquitt's passion for Kansas City is showcased by his involvement with events such as the Big Slick 2013 Celebrity Weekend, which took place Friday and Saturday to generate proceeds for Children's Mercy hospitals and clinics of Kansas City, including their Cancer Center.
"This town, it's been good to me and I consider this home," Colquitt said. "I'm from the south, from Tennessee but, we have a house here and that's our only house and we love it here. What keeps me coming back is, I've had all my kids here; I got married to a gal in Tennessee and then moved here and I don't think we'll ever leave, as long as the Chiefs will have me in the community. We're just happy to be a part of stuff like this."
KCChiefs.com Video: Chiefs Blueprint
Paige: Chiefs Could Cause Broncos Some Trouble This Season from The Denver Post
The angst among Broncomaniacs is unwarranted. The appropriate suspensions of two Broncos executives as a result of their irrational and reckless actions will have no effect on the team's chances of winning the AFC West or the Super Bowl.
The Kansas City Chiefs will, though.
The Chiefs aren't red-naped sapsuckers any more.
Camp Schedule from The St. Joseph News-Press
Friday, July 26: Camp Kickoff for the 2013 Training Camp presented by Mosaic Life Care, including first practice at 3:30 p.m. and entire-team autograph session; $5 admission (ages 3 and under free)
Camp Primer from The St. Joseph News-Press
Chiefs Training Camp attractions include a free, interactive Kids Zone. This area has football-themed inflatables, face painters, a rock-climbing wall, a football obstacle course, photo opportunities and more. The Kids Zone is open during all practices and events at camp.
Special Events from The St. Joseph News-Press
Saturday, Aug. 3
The biggest event of camp begins with an 8:15 a.m. practice on the camp practice fields. An entire-team autograph session will follow, and then the Gatorade Junior Training Camp gets under way in Spratt Memorial Stadium (see details below). Gates open at 7:45 a.m. Admission is free. Parking is $5.
For What It's Worth -- British Invasion, Woody And The Belldozer from KWCH
With NFL camps set to open this week the Kansas City Chiefs are getting most of the rub for that ‘worst to first' team that seems to regularly pop up in the NFL. The Indianapolis Colts fit the bill last year, but, for me, the phenomenon has as much to do with the balance of the league as it does a club's improvement. Not to say that the Chiefs, on paper at least, haven't improved themselves, but the difference between the best and worst in this league simply isn't that great. Still, I'm old school about spouting expectations and even thought the Chiefs aren't the one's doing it when everyone else is--- it tends to tempt fate, if you believe in such things.
Tamba Hali Trains With Gracie Family Before Chiefs Training Camp from Bleacher Report
Since OTAs and minicamp concluded, NFL players have spent the past month working out and training on their own. Like every NFL player, Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Tamba Hali stayed in shape, but he went through some unique training this past offseason.
Hali, a three-time Pro Bowl linebacker, spent part of his summer hanging out withRener and Ryron Gracie, members of the legendary Gracie family who created Brazilian/Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Hali went to visit the Gracie Academy in Southern California, which is operated by Rener and Ryron with the help of family members and close friends.
Eckel: Peyton Manning Aiming To Make History from NJ.com
If Things Go Right: Smith has a good first season in KC, adapts to Reid's style of offense and the Chiefs make the playoffs.
If Things Go Wrong: Reid and Smith never get on the same page, the offense struggles and the defense isn't good enough to bail it out.
Alex Tanney Signs With Cowboys from WHBF
Tanney - who spent last season on the Kansas City Chiefs injured reserve list - could have a special connection with ninth-year pro Miles Austin. The wide receiver also has Monmouth roots, playing his college ball for the Hawks of Monmouth University in New Jersey. It's likely that would be the first time players from both Monmouths were on the same field.
Alex Smith Valued For Skills, Leadership from The St. Joseph News-Press
"True professional." "In control." "A leader."
The praise for new quarterback Alex Smith spills out when talking to the Chiefs coaches who have come to know him and his talents. Smith arrived in the offseason following a trade with the San Francisco 49ers.
Versatility Key To Improving Production from The St. Joseph News-Press
The West Coast-style offense run by the Chiefs also will demand a lot out of the team's receiver corps. Featured wide receiver Dwayne Bowe will play a huge role in the success of the team's offense and will have some help.
The player responsible for spearheading drives up and down the field in 2013 is quarterback Alex Smith, who utilized several different receivers during offseason drills, including wide receiver Junior Hemingway.
Special Teams Value Consistency from The St. Joseph News-Press
The player responsible for holding the pigskin before Succop attempts a field goal or point after touchdown is Colquitt, who also spoke to the influence that Toub and O'Dea have had.
"A lot," Colquitt said. "Dave came in here with a lot of good things that happened in Chicago. We're hoping he brings that here ... There are a lot of key things that you have to get; you have to have guys getting blocks, hustling, not holding, and that's what he brought. That's what he's doing here.
"We can't have two or three bad plays. We don't have any plays that we can give up. We need to be good on every play ... Everybody knows that there is a lot expected on every play."
Andy Reid Brings Fast Pace, Attention To Detail from The St. Joseph News-Press
"Little things are very important," he said. "The little things add up if you don't take care of them, and become big things. So, we're going to make sure we focus on those and we're not going to let those things slide."
No detail is too small for Reid and his staff; they want their players to avoid distractions and focus on what will make the Chiefs a better team, now.
Rookies Look To Make Impact from The St. Joseph News-Press
The Chiefs' offseason moves - led by having the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft - were all about improving the team's personnel.
"I feel we have upgraded our roster at certain positions," General Manager John Dorsey said. "We have added some depth and competition. We've done that through free agency, through the college draft and college free agency as well. I think we have made the roster competitive."
Now with a competitive roster, it's time to hear what roles Head Coach Andy Reid sees in 2013 for the drafted players: