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Chiefs Team Report

Yahoo! Sports - 9 hours, 48 minutes ago

Inside Slant
Notes, Quotes
Strategy and Personnel

It appears that in the shadow of a new season, a new coach, a new general manager and a new quarterback there is an old character that's about to re-enter the world of the Kansas City Chiefs.

That would be D-Bowe, as in the D-Bowe Show. For the last four years, Dwayne Bowe has kept a governor on his loquacious personality. But the wide receiver is feeling more secure with his five-year, $56 million contract, and the animated Bowe that he showed in his first two seasons in the league is coming out of mothballs.

And, he's more secure with his new head coach. Remember, Andy Reid once lived with the T.O. Show (Terrell Owens) so there isn't much that Bowe can bring to the NFL stage that's going to top that.

Bowe has even given his head coach a nickname.

"Big Red, he's demanding perfection," Bowe said of Reid. "If you want to be a championship team, that's what you've got to demand. Guys are coming out here and minimizing mistakes every day, so that's a step forward toward being great."

As the Chiefs began their OTA sessions, Bowe was seeing the Reid offense play out on the field and it had him so excited that he made the bold prediction that he would lead the league in receptions and touchdown catches and that teammate Jamaal Charles would lead the league in rushing.

"I'm going to tire out a lot of cornerbacks because we're going to hurry-up offense every day," Bowe said. "(We) are practicing full speed, fast, hurry-up offense and that's something that's going to catch the defense off guard. That's going to open up a lot of big plays down the field for the receivers and the running game."

Another reason Bowe was excited is the presence of quarterback Alex Smith in the driver's seat of the offense.

"Just watching Steve Young back in the day, he's that kind of guy," Bowe said of Smith. "He's not too vocal with it, but when he's in the huddle he lets his presence be known. He's demanding of guys. I've never had a quarterback like that. Matt Cassel was a great quarterback, but when you talk about demanding perfection from everybody, even the defense, that's a step toward being great."

Bowe considers himself one of the NFL's great wide receivers. While the numbers over his six-year career are those of a very good receiver, it's debatable whether he's among the league's very best. In 88 games, he's caught 415 passes for 5,728 yards and 39 touchdowns. In the last half-dozen years, that ranks him No. 11 in receiving yards and catches and tied for No. 9 in scoring receptions.

The new contract he signed with the Chiefs puts him among the top five paid receivers in the league. So if he's going to live up to that deal, he's got to elevate his play a bit. The former first-round draft choice out of LSU thinks that "Big Red's offense" will provide that opportunity, and he can see it after just a few OTA practices.

"Guys are trying their best every day," Bowe said. "Every day you're not going to be right. But we minimized the mistakes from yesterday to today, and tomorrow we'll take another step forward. By training camp, guys will be great. When we get in full gear and pads and close to the season, it's going to be a show to watch."

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has hired former University of Nevada head coach Chris Ault as a consultant, largely due to his background as the godfather of the pistol offense. Ault retired as head coach and athletic director at Nevada in December and several NFL teams were talking with him about different roles with their staffs. But he signed on with the Chiefs and Reid.

"He was here and visited with the defense and spent some time there," Reid said. "He visited with Brad Childress a little bit and they went over some stuff. He will not be here, he's not moving here; that's not what he's going to do. He's living in Reno. I'm doing with him what I did with Tommy Brasher for the last six years and that was I would give him projects to do and between (Ault) and Brad, they'll do that and work together on some things for us."

Ault is scheduled to spend the last two weeks of the team's offseason program with the team.
Saying the offseason was a confusing time for him and his future with the Chiefs, left tackle Branden Albert was back with the team for their first week of OTA sessions and happy to be there. After Albert and the team could not work out a contract, the Chiefs tagged him with the franchise player designation, put him on the trade market and then drafted an offensive tackle with the first selection of the NFL Draft. Miami was the only team that went beyond the first phone call stage, but the teams could not work out a deal and Albert remains a member of the Chiefs. He said he was sorry for some of the things he said and tweeted over the previous four months.

"I think everybody makes mistakes," Albert said. "Through the whole process I made some mistakes. You learn from it and move on. I'm just happy to be back."

Albert was back at his familiar left tackle spot with the No. 1 offensive line as the team ran through its first practices. "I wanted to be here, that's the God's honest truth," Albert said. "I wanted to be a Chief."
General Manager John Dorsey's background in the NFC with the Green Bay Packers has provided him with the new parts he was looking for in the Chiefs' personnel department. Dorsey hired Chicago's director of pro scouting Chris Ballard as his new director of player personnel. Plus, he hired Atlanta regional scout Marvin Allen as his new director of college scouting and Seattle's former vice president of football operations Will Lewis as his director of pro scouting. After moving through his first five months on the job with the scouts and personnel staff from Scott Pioli, Dorsey has revamped the entire personnel operation.

Also hired was former Missouri State head coach Randy Ball as the team's pro scouting assistant and Trey Koziol from the Tennessee Titans as an area scout. Earlier, the Chiefs hired Brett Veach who had worked for the Eagles and he's been named pro and college personnel analyst. Three members of the staff were promoted into new positions, as Mike Borgonzi was named assistant director of pro scouting, Dom Green was named assistant director of college scouting and Ryan Poles was named college coordinator.

Quote To Note:

"He's a special guy and I'm glad he's retiring as an Eagle for the first thing and I'm glad they're going to give him a celebration because he deserves every bit of that. He's just a tremendous; a good person and a great football player."

—Chiefs head coach Andy Reid on plans in Philadelphia for Donovan McNabb to officially retire as a member of the Eagles probably the night Reid returns to Lincoln Financial Field with his new team on Thursday, Sept. 19.

A closer look at the Chiefs' picks:

Round 1/1 - Eric Fisher, T, 6-7, 306, Central Michigan

The Kansas City decision-makers fell in love with more than just the physical tools Fisher displayed over the last four years. They love his personality, intelligence, versatility and work ethic. Whether it's at left or right tackle, Fisher provides an upgrade at the position.

Round 3/63 - Travis Kelce, TE, 6-5, 260, Cincinnati

The former high school quarterback is just developing as a tight end, but he can catch and he can block well enough to get plenty of snaps in coach Andy Reid's offense. The Chiefs say they aren't concerned about his 2010 suspension for a positive drug test.

Round 3/96 - Knile Davis, RB, 5-10, 227, Arkansas

It was three years ago that Davis had a huge season with the Razorbacks, running for 1,322 yards at 6.5 yards per run. But he missed the 2011 season with a dislocated ankle and developed fumbling problems last year. Reid thinks the Chiefs can cure him of that problem.

Round 4/99 - Nico Johnson, ILB, 6-2, 249, Alabama

One of the leaders of the Crimson Tide's defense in their back-to-back national championships, Johnson will have the opportunity to see a lot of playing time in the Chiefs' base defense next to Pro Bowler Derrick Johnson.

Round 5/134 - Sanders Commings, CB, 6-0, 223, Georgia

Is he a cornerback, or is he a free safety? That's the question that ultimately comes up with Commings because of his size and physical skills. The Chiefs need an upgrade at the position and Commings may get a chance to move out of a crowded field on the corner.

Round 6/170 - Eric Kush, C, 6-4, 313, California (Pa.)

Calling him a sleeper pick, Reid said the Chiefs liked the small-school Kush because he has nimble feet, size and plays with toughness. For the Vulcans, he played some at left tackle, but the Chiefs see him as a center.

Round 6/204 - Braden Wilson, FB, 6-2, 218, Kansas State

Reid thought Wilson was the best blocking fullback in this year's draft class. That's pretty much all he did at K-State, touching the ball just 39 times in 51 games for the Wildcats.

Round 7/207 - Mike Catapano, OLB, 6-4, 270, Princeton

He was the Ivy League defensive player of the year in 2012 with a dozen sacks and 17 sacks in his career with the Tigers as a defensive end. Playing the 3-4, the Chiefs plan to move Catapano to outside linebacker, where he'll get the chance to back up Pro Bowler Tamba Hali.

Franchise Player:

T Branden Albert (tendered at $9.828 million; signed tender March 21).

Transition Player:

None.

Unrestricted Free Agents

(9)

CB Travis Daniels has likely played out the string on his role as a reserve defensive back with the Chiefs. Daniels no longer has the speed or quickness to play the corner.
S Abram Elam jumped in and helped out with depth at safety last year when free safety starter Kendrick Lewis had injury problems. If he stays, it will be at the Chiefs' price.
RB Peyton Hillis landed in Kansas City last year and figured to get plenty of opportunities as a power option to Jamaal Charles' speed. But Hillis never got going, stopped first by a high ankle sprain in Week 3 and then he couldn't get out of the blocks. It's hard to see him coming back since he doesn't participate in the kicking game.
G Russ Hochstein joined the roster when the Chiefs lost center Rodney Hudson in Week 3. He provided the most veteran depth on the team, but there are dozens of Hochstein-like players available every offseason.
G Ryan Lilja had a remarkable 2012 season, moving from left guard to center after starter Rodney Hudson was lost in the third game. Lilja battled injuries all season and said in early January that he planned to retire.
TE Jake O'Connell has survived four years with the Chiefs despite making marginal contributions as a receiver, blocker or special teams performer. He does not figure to return.
LB Brandon Siler was only a special teams performer until Jovan Belcher's suicide. That's when Siler stepped into the starting lineup in what was largely only a first-down role as a run stopper. If he returns it will be at the Chiefs' price.
DT Shaun Smith returned to the Chiefs halfway through the 2012 season and arrived in less than top condition. It's hard to see him returning.
LB Leon Williams worked on special teams with no defensive snaps. Limited potential makes his chances to stay in Kansas City very limited.

Unrestricted Free Agents

(not tendered offers)

DB Kyle McCarthy (not tendered as ERFA).
TE Martin Rucker (not tendered as RFA) was injured in OTA workouts in May and never saw the field. It's doubtful there will be much effort by the Chiefs to retain his services.