Good morning! Here is today's Kansas City Chiefs news from across the internet. We'll give updates here, and on Twitter when free agency kicks in this afternoon. Happy League New Year!
Chiefs Brass Talks Preparation For 2014 from The Mothership
We're just hours away from the start of the new league year, which officially begins at 3:00 pm CT and with it 2014 free agency.
Behind the scenes at One Arrowhead Drive, a collective team effort is taking place, logging countless hours of film study, preparation and more to ensure the team makes the best possible moves this offseason, including free agency and the upcoming draft in May.
"So far, it's smoother," coach Reid said about his second offseason in Kansas City. "You've got a staff; you've got John Dorsey and his staff and you've walked in those shoes for a year, going through the whole process, getting ready for the draft. For the football side of it, we work scheme evaluation for half the day and the other half, we're doing personnel and that's broken up into free agency and the college draft and that's the way it will go, right up until the draft; whatever John needs us to do, we'll do from a personnel standpoint."
Flanny Projects Which Chiefs Free Agents Are Gone And Which Will Be Back from FS Kansas City
Yes, Dorsey plugged several perceived holes through free agency last season. But Dorsey is a disciple of Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson (and Ron Wolf before that), a draft-and-develop guy who rarely dips into the free-agent market.
Dorsey, too, would like to take the Chiefs down the draft-and-develop road.
Now, if the Chiefs did dab their toes in free-agent waters, they might do so at safety to replace Kendrick Lewis. Mike Mitchell of Carolina and Nate Allen of Philadelphia are potential targets. And keep in mind that Allen was drafted by then-Eagles coach Andy Reid in 2010.
Monday's Reports, Whispers On Chiefs' Free Agents from Chiefs Spin
The Chiefs are less than 24 hours from the start of the new calendar year, and more importantly the start of the free agency period.
While Monday brought a report of a re-signing, no other moves occurred with the Chiefs players scheduled to enter the market at 4 p.m. on Tuesday.
Here's the latest from Monday's news cycle:
Chiefs expected To Be Much Quieter In Free Agency from The Associated Press via FS Kansas City
When general manager John Dorsey and coach Andy Reid were hired by the Chiefs last year, they knew that there would be plenty of turnover on a roster that produced just two wins.
So, they predictably made a splash -- the kind you make doing a cannonball off the high diving board...
...The downside of all that maneuvering is that now the team is starved for cash, and with free agency starting Tuesday, the Chiefs are looking at a much more modest splash.
Think pebble-in-a-pond kind of splash.
Top Free-Agent Roundup: AFC West from ESPN
The AFC West produced three playoff teams and the eventual AFC title winner in theDenver Broncos, so it should come as no surprise that many top free agents come from the division. Oakland Raiders reporter Paul Gutierrez, Broncos reporter Jeff Legwold, Kansas City Chiefs reporter Adam Teicher and San Diego Chargers reporter Eric D. Williams break down the top 15:
1. Branden Albert, Chiefs offensive tackle:Kansas City won't franchise him this year. Albert will get a nice contract elsewhere.
Chiefs Take Care Of One Of their Own from ESPN
Zombo, who turned 27 last week, wound up starting five games last season for the injured Justin Houston. Zombo wound up getting two sacks, an interception and five quarterback pressures.
McCluster Look Like He's Gone from ESPN
In the case of McCluster, the Chiefs might be able to replace his production as a slot receiver. His impact there wasn't immense. But his ability as a punt returner is and though the Chiefs have some candidates to replace him and could sign or draft others, they will find his value in that area most difficult to replace.
Five Things You Should Know About NFL Free Agency from USA Today
Diamonds in the rough
* Start with Kansas City Chiefs guard Jon Asamoah, a starter at right guard since 2011, who lost his job to Geoff Schwartz after a November shoulder injury. Asamoah is a good pass protector, and the Atlanta Falcons desperately need to better protection for quarterback Matt Ryan. Asamoah was drafted in 2010 by former Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, now the Falcons' assistant GM. Figure the New York Jets also to have interest.
McCluster May Be An Option At A Bargain from ESPN
But the 49ers will also likely bargain shop for a few pieces. Among the position they may look at is receiver. Last week, we looked at the possibility of the team considering Minnesota receiver Jerome Simpson. Another name to consider may be Kansas City Chiefs receiver Dexter McCluster.
McCluster, who likely will not be too expensive, can help as a returner as well as a receiver.
Saints Backfield Likely To See A Major Fantasy Overhaul from NFL.com
There's also been talk that the Saints want to use a more ball-control offense in 2014. That doesn't mean this team is going to turn into the 2006 Kansas City Chiefs, especially not with a star quarterback like Drew Brees at the helm, but the numbers at the end of last season point toward this transition.
Jason Babin Voids Contract To Become Free Agent; Red Bryant Picked Jaguars Over Several Other Teams from The Florida Times-Union
Bryant said that he had given Kansas City his word he would visit them after he left Jacksonville following his visit on Friday. Bradley and the Jaguars staff changed his mind.
NFL Draft Reset 2008: Patriots Take Familiar Running Back With 'Spygate' Pick from NESN
5. Kansas City Chiefs: Jamaal Charles, running back, Texas (No. 73) Actual pick: Glenn Dorsey, defensive tackle, LSU It was extremely close between Charles and Ray Rice, but Charles' better 2013 season pushed him above the Baltimore Ravens running back. The Chiefs got a steal in Charles in real life. They'll have to take him much higher in the reset.
Branden Albert Agrees To Deal With Dolphins For $10M Per Year from CBS Sports
When Chiefs offensive lineman Branden Albert officially becomes a free agent at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, don't look for him to be on the market for long. Albert has a deal in place with the Miami Dolphins that will pay him $10 million per season, CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora has reported.
NFL Free Agency Primer: Best Available Players At Each Position from The Toronto Sun
As is always the case, just how active or aggressive a team is in free agency depends on three factors:
1. ITS PHILOSOPHY. Some clubs just don't believe in jostling at the get-go and overpaying for big-name free agents who might or might not pan out. They prefer to wait for the second wave of free agents next week or, more likely, for the bargains that are always out there by Week 3.
2. CAP ROOM. Every team has at least $10 million of extra cap space this year, as the team cap rises in 2014 to $133 million, from $123 million. The Raiders reportedly have the most money to play with -- some $64 million, followed by the Jags ($56M), Browns ($49M), Vikings ($40M), Colts ($37M) and Dolphins ($34M). At the other end are the Cowboys, with less than $1M of free space, at least as of Monday morning.
3. ROOKIES ARE CHEAPER. Say a team is desperate to upgrade at wide receiver. It so happens that this year's draft class is deeply stocked with wideouts, so many such teams might eschew the bidding wars for veteran free agents and just wait until May's draft. Because rookies aren't just younger, they're wayyyyyy cheaper than veterans.
Kicked Around The NFL: Nick Novak Just Grateful To Have The Opportunity from Bolts From The Blue
Kansas City: "Oh man, the barbecue in Kansas City is amazing. There was this one place, a hole-in-the-wall restaurant, in a gas station where the lines were out the door." While Nick couldn't recall its name, a Google search suggests a 99-percent likelihood he had eaten his brisket at Oklahoma Joe's.
Josh Freeman Is Worth A Flier from ESPN
If Freeman wants to find a better example of how his career could rebound, he should look no further than his hometown of Kansas City, where the Chiefs' Alex Smith makes his living. There are few quarterbacks in recent history who have endured as much abuse -- both physically and mentally -- than Smith did in San Francisco without vanishing from the league altogether.
He managed to change his fortunes by working at his craft and finding a coach in the 49ers' Jim Harbaugh who could help him prosper in 2011.
County And Heartland Moving Through Smooth Transition from InsuranceNewsNet.com
Heartland invited the county to a meeting in May with the
Kansas City Chiefs
to discuss future plans for the training camp and ambulance support.
Sam The Ram? St. Louis Football Fans Would Welcome Michael Sam: Study from The Riverfront Times
St. Louis football fans would welcome Michael Sam to the Rams, according to a new study out of Emory University.
But Sam better hope he isn't the Rams pick, or the Kansas City Chiefs', for that matter. In Missouri, there's no rule prohibiting businesses from firing employees because they're gay.
Resolution And Legislation Ask Navajo Nation Council To Oppose Offensive Sports Names from The Farmington Daily News
The Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission has approved a resolution recommending the Navajo Nation Council oppose the use of "disparaging" references to Native people in professional sports franchises.
Three commissioners unanimously passed the resolution, which recommends the council oppose the use of names such as "redskin," "redskins" and "chiefs," on Friday. The Washington Redskins and the Kansas City Chiefs are teams in the National Football League.