It's interesting to think that, a little more than 14 months ago, the Chiefs' defensive line was a weapon that needed only cosmetic upgrades here and there. Jared Allen and Tamba Hali made up a terrific set of bookends, combining for 23 sacks in 2007.

Then Allen was traded, Hali was stranded, and yada, yada, yada, the Chiefs had a combined 10 sacks last season. Not only was that last in the NFL last year (and seven fewer than the hapless Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals), but it also was a league record for pass rushing futility.

continue reading...

I t wasn’t easy for Branden Albert to sit at the barbecue joint and take a pass on the ribs, the brisket, the pulled pork — everything. It wasn’t easy to keep his mind on a strict offseason diet and exercise plan and ignore the meat-scented air and the colleague across from him, digging in.

“You’re sitting right there,” Albert said Tuesday, “and everybody’s enjoying the food.”

Everybody except Albert. Heck, even first-year coach Todd Haley and general manager Scott Pioli ran into Albert that day at Jack Stack. They wondered what the Chiefs’ most promising offensive lineman — a second-year left tackle who reported in March to offseason practice at 341 pounds, 26 pounds heavier than his 2008 playing weight — was doing at a barbecue restaurant. After Albert had done so well to lose more than 30 pounds, had his willpower already been put on the smoker?

continue reading...

The possibilities for newly acquired safety Mike Brown are many. He might wind up as a starter, could become the main backup to Jarrad Page and Bernard Pollard, or Brown could be released before the Chiefs get to the regular season.

Whatever his destiny, Brown’s addition gives the Chiefs something they’ve lacked: serious starting competition for Page and Pollard.

Each was handed a starting job by former coach Herm Edwards. Because of a lack of depth, neither was forced to play well in order to keep it.

If Brown, who agreed to contract terms Wednesday, plays as he did for most of his nine seasons with Chicago, that’s certain to change. Brown, 31, was one of the league’s top safeties and made the Pro Bowl in 2005. He made many big plays and is the Bears’ all-time leader in defensive touchdowns with seven.

continue reading...

•  

  watch video...

Kansas City Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli thinks Matt Cassel is a franchise quarterback, and Josh McDaniels, head coach of the Denver Broncos, seems to think enough of Cassel that he drove away the franchise QB he already had.

So what exactly can we expect from Cassel?

Like Tom Brady, Cassel was drafted late, and allowed to sit and develop behind a very good QB (Brady developed behind Drew Bledsoe). Nevertheless, Cassel is unlikely to become another three-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback.

I think the best comparison for Matt Cassel is another former late-round draft pick  well known to Chiefs fans, Trent Green.

continue reading...

The Broncos claimed receiver C. J Jones off waivers from Kansas City.

Jones has New England ties, where he played for new Broncos coach Josh McDaniels. He was the offensive coordinator in New England and his first offseason in Denver has been highlighted by him signing several former New England players.

Jones was on New England's active roster for one game in 2008. He was on New England's practice squad for the entire 2007 season.

continue reading...

The Chiefs have agreed to contract terms with veteran safety Mike Brown. Brown, a nine-year veteran and a 2005 Pro Bowler with the Chicago Bears, could challenge either of the incumbents, Bernard Pollard and Jarrad Page, for a starting job.

Brown, 31, quickly established himself as one of the league’s top safeties after being drafted by the Bears in the second round in 2000. He is Chicago’s all-time leader in defensive touchdowns with seven.

continue reading...