Kansas City Chiefs – Page 5 – North Platte Post Archive

Chiefs Release LB Joe Mays to Create Salary Cap Space

Posted on March 5, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs released veteran linebacker Joe Mays on Thursday as they attempt to free up much-needed salary cap space before the start of free agency next week.

The Chiefs saved about $3 million by parting with Mays, who started last season on injured reserve and wound up making just 16 tackles in eight games. Mays was expected to start alongside Derrick Johnson, but never seemed to solidify his role.

The Chiefs have made modest savings by releasing Mays along with wide receivers Donnie Avery and A.J. Jenkins and tight end Anthony Fasano. Now, the big question is whether they will carve out more significant salary cap space by trading, releasing or restructuring the massive contracts of wide receiver Dwayne Bowe and linebacker Tamba Hali in the coming days.

5 Players Finalists for Players’ Union Award

Posted on March 5, 2015

WASHINGTON (AP) — Previous Walter Payton Award winner Charles Tillman and four others are finalists for the Byron “Whizzer” White Award given annually by the NFL Players Association for community service in players’ cities and hometowns.

Bears cornerback Tillman, the 2013 Payton recipient as the league’s Man of the Year for his charitable work, is joined by Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt, Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway, Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins, and Giants linebacker Jameel McClain.

The winner, who will receive $100,000 for his foundation or a charity of his choice, will be announced March 18 at the NFLPA’s annual meetings in Hawaii.

The award is named for Supreme Court Justice Byron Raymond “Whizzer” White, a scholar, athlete, humanitarian and public servant. Each team nominated players.

Last year’s winner was 49ers receiver Anquan Boldin.

Chiefs Place Franchise Tag on All-Pro Houston

Posted on March 2, 2015March 2, 2015

The Kansas City Chiefs have placed the franchise tag on All-Pro pass rusher Justin Houston.

The Chiefs announced the move on Monday, saying in a statement that “it was in the best interest of the club” and it pursues a long-term deal with Houston.

Monday’s move was widely expected given the relatively little progress Kansas City has made with Houston and his representatives on a long-term deal.

The two sides still have until July 15 to negotiate a contract, and it is not certain whether Houston will immediately sign his tender. As an outside linebacker, the one-year deal would earn him about $13.1 million for the upcoming season.

The Chiefs likely will need to make additional moves soon to free up salary cap space.

Chiefs Waive Tight End Fasano to Free Up Salary Cap Space

Posted on February 26, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs waived veteran tight end Anthony Fasano on Thursday, freeing up about $2 million in salary cap space that they could use to keep All-Pro linebacker Justin Houston.

The Chiefs have been unable to come to a long-term deal with Houston, making it likely that they will place the franchise tag on him. But the deadline for that designation is Monday, and the Chiefs needed to free up salary cap space to do it.

If franchised, Houston would play next season on a one-year deal worth about $13 million.

Fasano, who turns 31 this year, caught 25 passes for 253 yards and four touchdowns last season. He had two years left on his four-year contract.

Chiefs’ Andy Reid Using Cane after Knee Replacement Surgery

Posted on February 18, 2015

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Chiefs coach Andy Reid vowed Wednesday that he will be ready for the start of the season despite needing a cane to get around the scouting combine following knee replacement surgery.

Reid skipped attending the Senior Bowl because of the procedure, which occurred after the Chiefs finished 9-7 and missed the playoffs. He joked that he “won’t be starting on PUP” — the physically unable to perform list for players that are recovering from injuries.

“I’ll be ready to go,” the Chiefs coach said.

Reid is entering his third year in Kansas City. But the team he takes to the field this fall figures to be much different than the one he inherited. The Chiefs have numerous holes to fill through free agency and the draft, and the combine is one step in that process.

Chiefs Begin Clearing Space by Releasing WRs Avery, Jenkins

Posted on February 17, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs released wide receivers Donnie Avery and A.J. Jenkins on Tuesday as they began to clear roster and salary cap space ahead of what could be a busy offseason.

Kansas City is facing the loss of All-Pro linebacker Justin Houston and center Rodney Hudson in free agency. The Chiefs are expected to meet with Houston’s representatives about a long-term deal on Wednesday in Indianapolis, and the possibility remains of using the franchise tag on him.

Either way, the Chiefs could be facing some difficult financial choices if they want to keep Houston or Hudson, or both. Releasing Avery and Jenkins saved the Chiefs nearly $5 million, though it makes targeting a wide receiver in free agency or the draft a priority.

All 3 NFL Games in London Next Season to Have Early Kickoffs

Posted on January 22, 2015

LONDON (AP) — All three NFL games in London next season will have early afternoon kickoffs in the U.K., meaning fans back in the U.S. will have to get up early to watch.

The NFL announced Thursday that the Nov. 1 game between the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs at Wembley Stadium will start at 2:30 p.m. local time — 9:30 a.m. on the U.S. East Coast.

Early kickoffs had already been announced for the Oct. 4 game between the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins (2:30 p.m. local; 9:30 a.m. EDT) and the Oct. 25 game between the Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars (1:30 p.m. local; 9:30 a.m. EDT).

The first NFL game at Wembley played with an early afternoon kickoff was this season’s game between the Lions and Atlanta Falcons on Oct. 26. All other London games had kicked off in the early evening, translating to a 1 p.m. start in the U.S.

NFL UK managing director Alistair Kirkwood says “our fan research has shown overwhelming support for early kickoffs.”

The timing also allows the teams to fly home later the same day to begin their bye weeks.

Chiefs QB Bray Tears ACL; Team Signs 19 to Futures Contracts

Posted on January 20, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs announced Tuesday that Tyler Bray has torn the ACL in his left knee, putting his future with the franchise in doubt and creating space for Terrelle Pryor at backup quarterback.

Bray spent last season on injured reserve after spraining an ankle in preseason. The move allowed the Chiefs to keep him along with Alex Smith, Chase Daniel and Aaron Murray. Pryor, a former Raiders quarterback, recently agreed to a deal with the Chiefs.

Among the players that Kansas City signed to futures deals was wide receiver Da’Rick Rogers. The former star began his career at Tennessee but transferred to Tennessee Tech after admitting to failing several drug tests.

He played for Buffalo and Indianapolis. In five games with the Colts, he had 14 catches for 192 yards.

Chiefs’ Training Camp to Missouri Western for 3 more Years

Posted on January 15, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs will continue to spend training camp on the campus of Missouri Western after the school’s board of governors approved a three-year contract extension Friday.

The decision will keep the Chiefs heading north of Kansas City through 2017. Their agreement also includes two extensions of one-year each at the option of the Chiefs and the school.

The Chiefs used to hold training camp in Wisconsin in part because of the cooler late summer weather. But they moved closer to home in 2010, striking a deal with the Division II school in St. Joseph that included help with major facility upgrades.

The location also makes it possible for more fans to attend workouts. This past season, the local visitor’s bureau estimated 40,000 fans attended the practices.

AP Source: Chiefs Sign QB Terrelle Pryor to 1-Year Deal

Posted on January 8, 2015January 8, 2015

Terrelle Pryor when playing for the Oakland Raiders.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs have signed Terrelle Pryor to a one-year deal to provide competition at the backup quarterback spot, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday night because the Chiefs had not announced the deal. Pryor worked out for the team earlier in the day, and later tweeted a picture of himself carrying a notebook with the Chiefs’ logo on it.

The signing could mean the end of backup Chase Daniel’s run in Kansas City. The Chiefs are tight against the salary cap, and parting with Daniel could save nearly $4 million.

The Chiefs also have developmental quarterbacks Tyler Bray and Aaron Murray on the roster.