Kansas City Chiefs – Page 16 – North Platte Post Archive

Chiefs Wrap up Offseason Work with Final Minicamp

Posted on June 19, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs will head into training camp next month with plenty of questions.

Who will replace Brandon Flowers at cornerback? When will Pro Bowl linebacker Justin Houston show up? Will quarterback Alex Smith land a long-term contract? Who will earn the open spots along the offensive line? And for that matter, the defensive line?

The Chiefs had their final workout Thursday of a mandatory three-day minicamp.

Along with another no-show by Houston, who like Smith is opening for a long-term contract, the biggest news of the day was wide receiver Dwayne Bowe coming up lame. Bowe appeared to be slightly hobbled after making a catch in the end zone.

The Chiefs also waived defensive tackle Chas Alecxih.

Chiefs Release Flowers after Voluntary Workouts

Posted on June 13, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs released cornerback Brandon Flowers on Friday, shortly after finishing up three weeks of voluntary workouts in which the former starter was conspicuously absent.

Kansas City has been bumping up against the salary cap, so the move to part ways with Flowers was largely expected. He was due to make $5.25 million this season, and the former starter carried a salary cap number of $10.5 million next season.

The decision to release Flowers will save the Chiefs about $7.25 million this season and $7.5 million next season. That money could be used to help the Chiefs sign quarterback Alex Smith and linebacker Justin Houston to contract extensions.

Both of them are in the final year of their contracts.

Chiefs Cornerback Smith Cited after Alleged Wreck

Posted on June 10, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs cornerback Sean Smith was cited for driving under the influence and careless driving after an officer witnessed him lose control and strike a light pole early Monday.

According to a copy of the police report, Smith was attempting to make a turn in Kansas City’s Power & Light entertainment district when he struck the light pole around 12:30 a.m. The officer reported that Smith “appeared confused and began mumbling statements that I did not understand.”

Smith declined medical attention. Along with citations for driving under the influence, he was also cited for failure to provide insurance.

The Chiefs said in a statement issued to The Associated Press on Tuesday that they were aware of the matter. The statement called the situation “disappointing” but declined further comment.

Flowers, Houston Absent as Chiefs Begin Workouts

Posted on May 29, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs coach Andy Reid downplayed the absences of cornerback Brandon Flowers and linebacker Justin Houston from the first week of voluntary, full-squad workouts.

That likely won’t do much to quell speculation about why they were missing on Thursday.

Flowers gradually lost playing time last season, and his bloated contract could mean that the Chiefs are trying to restructure the deal or trade him. It could also mean the Chiefs are thinking about cutting him to save valuable salary cap space.

As for Houston, he becomes a free agent after the upcoming season. The Chiefs have expressed interest in signing him to a long-term deal, but they are cash-strapped at present.

The Chiefs are also negotiating with quarterback Alex Smith, who is entering the final year of his contract.

Chiefs OLB Ford Looks Good at Rookie Minicamp

Posted on May 26, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs coach Andy Reid says outside linebacker Dee Ford showed impressive athleticism during the team’s three-day rookie minicamp.

Kansas City selected Ford with the 23rd overall pick in this year’s draft. Ford played his college ball at Auburn, where he had 20½ sacks and 27½ tackles for loss in 52 games.

Ford is transitioning from defensive end with the Tigers to outside linebacker with the Chiefs. Reid says Ford has done a great job of learning the defense and his new position.

Ford gives Kansas City another pass rusher after the Chiefs had 47 sacks last season, tied for sixth in the NFL. Reid says Ford “brings a lot of energy.”

The rookie minicamp ended on Monday.

Chiefs Sign First-Round Pick Dee Ford

Posted on May 24, 2014May 25, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs signed first-round pick Dee Ford on Saturday, putting the final player from this year’s draft class under contract as the team began a three-day rookie minicamp.

Ford played defensive end at Auburn but the Chiefs view him as a pass-rushing outside linebacker, one who can complement Pro Bowl selections Tamba Hali and Justin Houston this season and potentially replace one of them next season.

He was the No. 23 overall pick in this year’s draft.

While the Chiefs did not disclose terms of his contract, the current salary structure leaves little room for surprise. All deals for draft choices are four years, and Ford will receive about $8 million total. The Chiefs also hold a fifth year option because he was a first-round pick.

Chiefs Sign Love, Cudjo in Series of Moves

Posted on May 20, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs signed defensive tackles Kyle Love and Jermelle Cudjo and placed defensive tackle Cory Grissom and linebacker Ridge Wilson on waivers in a series of roster moves Tuesday.

The Chiefs also signed defensive lineman Kona Schwenke, a rookie free agent.

The 6-foot-1, 315-pound Love spent some time with the Chiefs last season, and has also played for New England and Jackson. The 6-2, 304-pound Cudjo spent his first four seasons with the Rams, starting four of the 38 games that he played.

Schwenke played collegiately at Notre Dame.

The Chiefs begin a three-day rookie minicamp this weekend. They begin full-squad organized team activities next week.

Chiefs Sign Draft Pick Thomas to Contract

Posted on May 16, 2014

De'Anthony Thomas Kansas City Chiefs — De’Anthony Thomas

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs have signed fourth-round pick De’Anthony Thomas, leaving only first-round pick Dee Ford and fifth-round pick Aaron Murray as their unsigned draft picks.

Thomas is a wide receiver and running back whom the Chiefs are counting on to replace Dexter McCluster, who signed with Tennessee in free agency. The true value in Thomas is that in addition to playing multiple positions on offense, he can also return punts and kicks.

His stock dropped after running a 4.5 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, but his speed and elusiveness made him one of the nation’s most dynamic playmakers during his career at Oregon.

The Chiefs announced the move Friday. The team had previously signed third-round pick Phillip Gaines and sixth-round choices Laurent Duvernay-Tardif and Zach Fulton.

Chiefs Sign Draft Pick Gaines to Contract

Posted on May 16, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs have signed third-round draft pick Phillip Gaines.

The cornerback out of Rice became the third of the Chiefs’ six draft picks to sign their contracts when he agreed to a deal Thursday. Sixth-round picks Zach Fulton and Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, both offensive lineman, had already signed their contracts.

Terms of the contracts have not been disclosed.

That leaves only defensive end Dee Ford, the No. 23 overall pick, fourth-rounder De’Anthony Thomas and fifth-round pick Aaron Murray to sign their contracts.

Gaines played in 52 games for Rice, intercepting four passes and piling up a school-record 38 passes defensed. He served as a captain for the Owls his final two seasons.

Chiefs Turn to Offense on Final Day of NFL Draft

Posted on May 11, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs turned their attention to offense on the final day of the draft, choosing running back De’Anthony Thomas in the fourth round and quarterback Aaron Murray in the fifth round Saturday.

With two picks in the sixth round, the Chiefs added a pair of offensive linemen in Zach Fulton out of Tennessee and Laurent Duvernay-Tardif out of McGill, a school in Canada. Both of them will be able to provide depth for a unit depleted by free agency.

The Chiefs bolstered their defense the first two days of the draft, grabbing defensive end Dee Ford in Thursday night’s first round and defensive back Phillip Gaines in the third round Friday.

Kansas City did not have a seventh-round selection.