Larry Johnson and Tamba Hali did not participate in today's practice.

"Nothing was a surprise," said coach Todd Haley, who would not elaborate. "Everything was legit and we’re aware of what’s going on."

Johnson's place as the starting running back was taken by Jamaal Charles. Hali's spot at one outside linebacker position was taken by Andy Studebaker.

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"I can't control that," Jackson said. "All I can control is what I get done every day to make myself a better player. If there are more people watching me that's fine. I'm not worried about people watching me and I know people are always going to have things to say.

"The coaches in college (LSU) always used to tell us to 'control the controllable.' I will take it one day at a time. I can only control what I can control and everything outside the box I leave alone."

Glenn Dorsey thinks that attitude will help Jackson in his first year with the Chiefs, and he should know. Dorsey went through the No. 1 pick gauntlet last season as the first selection in Kansas City.

"He's a grown man and he can handle a lot of things," said Dorsey. "He's asked a lot of questions and I've tried to help him out, because it's tough coming into a new situation and you don't know anyone or even where everything is."

Like what?

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Derrick Johnson, the former two-time consensus All-America linebacker at Texas, is tying the knot.

Johnson, a first-round draft pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2005, said Thursday he will wed long-time sweetheart Tamika Thompson on the Fourth of July at University Baptist Church in Austin. “It’ll be a big wedding,” DJ said.

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Following a brisk day of hats only practice, I caught up with some of the Chiefs' players as they cooled down from their first day of OTA's.

Matt Cassel

How are you handling the pressure of heading in to your first camp as "the guy" and attempting to lead a franchise back to respectability?

"I embrace the challenge.  I think this team has definite potential and we're all just working hard to head in the right direction.  Bye the way, does anyone have Anquan's digits, I washed my Blackberry."

Larry Johnson

You've had a tough off-season.  Are you truly ready to put the past behind you and help re-build the Chiefs to a playoff contender?

"I'm here, working hard with the rest of the guys.  We have a new focus, and I hope to be a big part of the turnaround of this franchise.  Hey, off the record, Priest isn't planning on coming back, is he?"

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Donovan on Thursday was named the Chiefs' executive vice president and chief operating officer. He will direct the team's business operations and report to president Denny Thum.

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For those who are hoping Brad Cottam would give the Chiefs a Tony Gonzalez-like presence in the Kansas City passing game, think again.

Recent history shows that new Kansas City coach Todd Haley, formerly the offensive coordinator in Arizona, doesn't throw the ball much to the tight end. Perhaps that's why the Chiefs felt compelled to trade Gonzalez to Atlanta for a second-round pick next year.

According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Cardinals' tight ends accounted for just 25 catches for 237 receiving yards in 2008 -- both totals were second lowest in the league. Ironically, Atlanta had the league's lowest totals in both categories.

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