Haley: “After reviewing the tape, I thought special teams-wise – like I said after the game – I thought it was a pretty solid performance. Our special teams unit gave us a chance to win in most areas.”

Translation: The Chiefs’ defense was forgettable, and the offense couldn’t move the ball during most of the first half. Haley should at least have confidence in Kansas City’s special teams, after it blocked a punt and saw kicker Ryan Succop hit a 53-yard field goal. But the offense and defense? Not so much.

Haley: “Offensively, it came down to one player generally on the plays that were not executed. Not doing their job, not two or three or four players – one player. So that was encouraging.”

Translation: If you’re driving a car and one tire explodes, that is certainly better than if all four tires explode. It might still result in a crash, but when the repair bill comes, at least there’s a chance that three tires will not be on it.

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In a move that is surprising on the surface but really not that big of a shock given the change in defense from a 4-3 to a 3-4, Chiefs defensive lineman Turk McBride has been visited by his namesake in Kansas City.

Per a league source, the Chiefs are waiving McBride.  He's the guy who gets the short straw after the arrival of receiver Bobby Wade.

McBride was a second-round draft pick in 2007, and he has only ten career starts.  He did not play in the Chiefs' 2009 regular-season opener.

Since McBride isn't a vested veteran, he'll be subject to waivers. 

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Haley said it was too early to know if quarterback Matt Cassel will miss a second straight start this weekend because of an injury to his left knee. But he is hopeful of making a decision earlier than Sunday, when the decision was made just hours before the season-opener at Baltimore.

If Cassel remains out, Brodie Croyle would make a second start, this one against Oakland, after earning generally high marks in the 38-24 loss to the Ravens.

"Matt is doing everything he can to be ready," Haley said. "I would hope I would know a little sooner this week, although right now I can't give a definitive answer. But the player's doing everything he can to be ready, which generally helps speed the healing process."

In the meantime, receiver Bobby Wade , a six-year NFL veteran with stops in Chicago, Tennessee and Minnesota, was signed. The Chiefs waived Turk McBride , who had been playing linebacker after being a starter most of last year at defensive end.

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Losing 26 games in two years will do that to a victory-starved town. Simply hanging tough with a double-digit favorite is viewed as proof that happy days are only a couple of kickoffs away.

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