Good morning! Something must have happened yesterday, because there's a lot of Kansas City Chiefs news for you today. Enjoy!
Andy Reid: 'The Guys Have Great Energy' from The Mothership
There was an almost back-to-school feeling at One Arrowhead Drive on Monday as the Kansas City Chiefs returned to the team's practice facility to begin their offseason conditioning program. Following the morning workouts, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid addressed the media, discussing Eric Fisher's move to left tackle, new players on the roster and much more.
Chiefs Begin Phase One Of Offseason Program from The Mothership
The parking lot was full at One Arrowhead Drive on Monday as Kansas City Chiefs players returned to the practice facility for the start of the team's offseason conditioning program. The day began with morning workouts, followed by Chiefs head coach Andy Reid addressing the media, describing the excitement of having the players back in the building and more.
Alex Smith, Jamaal Charles Address The Media from The Mothership
The Kansas City Chiefs offseason conditioning program began early this morning, kicking off Phase One. Below are the press conferences of the Chiefs players who addressed the media on Monday.
Four Downs With Chiefs LB Derrick Johnson from The Mothership
What's it like being back with your teammates?
"We're excited. We know what to expect from Andy Reid and from John Dorsey as an organization. It's looking good for us, right now. We're excited; it's just like going on the first day of school, when all your pencils are sharpened and you're just ready to go."
Recycle Drive At Arrowhead Stadium from The Mothership
On May 3rd, from 8:00 a.m. to noon, the Chiefs will be hosting a recycling drive at Arrowhead Stadium as part of the Extra Yard for the Environment program. This is the second-annual community-wide recycling drive and will feature a number of local vendors, accepting everything from bathtubs, to lumber, to cable boxes.
KCChiefs.com Video: Andy Reid Press Conference
KCChiefs.com Photo Gallery: Top Derrick Johnson Photos
Chiefs Get Back To Work With Playoff Loss To Indy Still Fresh On Everyone's Mind from FS Kansas City
Lesson No. 1: Let's not repeat that one anytime soon, guys.
"It's definitely a chip (on the shoulder)," linebacker Derrick Johnson said as the Chiefs officially began prep work for 2014, kicking off "Phase One" of the club's spring/summer offseason program. "Knowing that we had an opportunity to do better in the playoffs, and we didn't do it."
Johnson hasn't had the stomach yet to sit through a replay of the Chiefs' NFL-record eighth straight postseason defeat.
But safety Eric Berry has. Several times.
Chiefs Kickoff Offseason Workout Program from Chiefs Spin
When it comes to rules during the first phase, players are allowed to lift weights and workout with strength and conditioning coaches.
The quarterbacks and wide receivers are also allowed to throw without coaches, and the only coaching that will occur between the staff and players will come in the classroom, Reid said.
"Those are the rules that you're given for Phase One," Reid said. "Phase Two is a little bit different, but for a couple of weeks here we're going to be in phase one. The bulk of the work will take place with (strength and conditioning coach) Barry (Rubin) in the weight room and doing Barry's running activities."
Chiefs With Incentives To Work Out from ESPN
Many players also have financial incentives to work out with their teammates in Kansas City. Thirty-three players will receive a bonus if they complete a certain percentage of the workouts. These bonuses range from significant ($300,000 to safety Eric Berry) to "pocket change" ($8,000 for linebacker Nico Johnson and defensive back Sanders Commings).
Understanding Microfracture Helps With Timeline from Chiefs Spin
When asked to clarify if Kelce was medically cleared, Reid didn't offer a definitive response.
"He's right there," Reid said. "How about I say it that way? He can do what we're doing right now."
Still, if a player hasn't been medically cleared in April from an early October microfracture knee surgery wouldn't be cause for alarm, according to Dr. Jeff Dugas of the renowned Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center in Birmingham, Ala.
Chiefs In Discussions With Smith's Reps On Extension from The Associated Press via FS Kansas City
Smith did confirm that his agent, Tom Condon, has been talking with the Chiefs about a new deal. Smith is due to make $7.5 million in the final year of a contract he signed in 2012, when he was still a member of the San Francisco 49ers.
"I have no date as far as expectation (of getting a deal done)," Smith said on the first day of the offseason program. "I still have a year on my contract, so for me, no, I don't have any expectations. I don't know when it'll get done."
Chiefs Bring Back WR Kyle Williams from Chiefs Spin
Williams' agent, Wynn Silberman, confirmed the signing with ChiefsSpin.com during a phone call.
Silberman, who said Williams was "happy to return," didn't offer the financial details, but said his client signed a one-year deal.
The Chiefs confirmed the signing later Monday afternoon.
Sam Mellinger: Chiefs' Dwayne Bowe Is A Different Guy Than A Year Ago from KC Star via The Miami Herald
The first bit of good news this Chiefs offseason came from a calm, confident and (honest) humble Dwayne Bowe.
"I have a personal trainer and nutritionist," he said on the first day of voluntary offseason workouts.
Bowe spent about seven minutes talking to a room full of reporters, and there is a lot to digest, but the biggest takeaway comes from this subtle mention.
We are more than four months from a real game, and if you can't be optimistic at this point you should probably find something else to do in the fall. But there just might be something real here with Bowe, as important to the Chiefs' chances of following up a 2013 playoff spot as anyone.
Dorsey Likes To Search Odd Places For Talent from ESPN
The Chiefs' roster is well stocked with players from tiny football schools as well as those in the so-called power conferences. They have one player from Alabama, but also one from West Alabama. They have one each from Penn State and Pittsburgh but two from California of Pennsylvania.
They have two former Ivy Leaguers, a guy who before joining the Chiefs never played beyond junior college and one who didn't play football in college at all. He was a basketball player.
While a scout for the Green Bay Packers, Dorsey twice went to Australia to find a punter.
Johnson, Abdullah In Line For Starting Jobs from Chiefs Spin
Guard and free safety were positions for the Chiefs with question marks entering Monday, but there could be a solution ahead of next month's NFL Draft.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid said during Monday's media session that guard Rishaw Johnson and safety Husain Abduallah would get the first opportunity at the respective positions.
No Timetable For Eric Fisher's Return from ESPN
"When they tell me I'm cleared, I'll be out there doing my thing," he said.
But the Chiefs are obviously planning for Fisher to be ready and at full strength for the start of the regular season. The first pick in the 2013 NFL draft, Fisher played right tackle as a rookie, but the Chiefs recently installed him at left tackle.
NFL Draft 2014: Kansas City Chiefs Could Put O-Line On Back Burner For Elite WR With No. 23 Pick from PennLive
The Chiefs, at the least, need bodies to fill out the depth chart. They could also use NFL-ready linemen who can compete right away with incumbents Fisher, Allen and Stephenson. Exactly how or when the franchise targets a top lineman depends on value points in the 2014 NFL draft, where the Chiefs pick at No. 23 in the first round.
Kansas City, of course, must also weigh those needs against the presence of elite wide receivers late in the first round. Where most offensive linemen will likely be considered reaches at pick No. 23, the Chiefs could get better value in top-flight wide receivers Brandin Cooks, Kelvin Benjamin, Marqise Lee and Odell Beckham Jr.
Schedule Release Now Planned Foe Wednesday, Maybe Thursday from ProFootballTalk
One factor that surely will influence the process is (or at least should be) the daily schedule of NHL and NBA playoff games. By not releasing the slate of games last Tuesday, before the postseasons in basketball or hockey, the NFL squandered a chance to clearly own the day.
Eric Fisher Has Shoulder Surgery, Sprots Hernia Fixed from NFL.com
Fisher's health is noteworthy as the Chiefs began their offseason workout because he is expected to take over at left tackle for the departed Branden Albert.
Fisher struggled at right tackle early in the 2013 season, but improved down the stretch before injuries kept him out of the playoff loss. He was billed as a better blindside tackle than power right tackle coming out of college.
Chiefs' Eric Fisher Had Shoulder, Hernia Surgeries from ProFootballTalk
If Fisher is healthy and looks as good as the Chiefs thought he would be when they drafted him last year, the Chiefs have their franchise left tackle in place for years to come. If Fisher continues to struggle, questions will be raised about whether the Chiefs made a mistake when they made him the top pick in the draft.
The Most Anticipated 49ers Games Of 2014 from 49ers.com
2. Alex Smith, Good to See You
We don't know which game will be the first ever played at Levi's® Stadium, but one suggestion would be opening the team's new home with a matchup against the team's former starting quarterback. Alex Smith and the Kansas City Chiefs will be one of five non-conference opponents to visit the billion-dollar South Bay home of the 49ers.
Smith led the Chiefs to the postseason in his first year. For an encore, Kansas City's veteran signal-caller will face a challenging schedule against six playoff teams from last season.
The 49ers-Chiefs game doesn't have to open the building to be a must-see game. NFL fans will be glued to the television whenever it takes place.
Jack's Smack: A Rough Upcoming Season For The Chiefs from KSHB
This is going to be a very interesting season. I don't look for the Chiefs to even come close to matching the 11 wins they put up a year ago.
You'll recall, they won their first 9 games, but it was a soft schedule. Second half of the season it got much tougher and they lost 5 of their last 7 games.
They haven't done squat in free agency because they don't have much money to spend under the cap. That's going to be a problem.