The Chiefs on Monday waived six players: RB Kolby Smith, QB Matt Gutierrez, TE Leroy Banks, OL Jermail Porter, DB Andre Jones and OL Nick Landry.

Sunday, Chiefs head coach Todd Haley cut the final practice of a three-day mini-camp short by about a half hour. He was pleased with not only the overall performance of his squad over a seven day period that saw eight practice sessions, but also with Kansas City’s 2010 off-season program as a whole. Training in the form of the strength and conditioning program originally began on March 29^th.

“I cut it short because of the progress we made this weekend, the fact that some of it was going to be review and as much as these guys have put in here over the last few months, I thought it was worth giving something back to them which I think they appreciated, at least from what I could tell,” Haley said.

On Monday, OTA #13 was originally scheduled to be held at the Chiefs Training Facility. Rather than bring the players back for a ninth practice in eight days, Haley re-scheduled his squad for an appearance at the Chiefs Ambassadors (alumni) Golf Tournament. Due to heavy rains the night before, that event ended up being postponed.

Now, Tuesday rolls along and Kansas City is scheduled to hit the field for the final day of on-field work before heading to training camp on July 29^th. The players reported to the building willing and ready to work. They went through their morning strength and conditioning drills, but then received another pleasant surprise.

Haley cancelled the final OTA session of 2010.

Hard work makes good things happen - not only on game days, but at the discretion of the head coach in the off-season program as well. All of the positives that we’ve heard from the players and coaching staff this off-season has come full-circle these past three days. Haley saw a team focused on meeting its goals both on and off the field, so he rewarded them with an early dismissal.

For the veterans, they are now off until training camp begins. Some of the players who live in Kansas City will continue to come into the building for workouts and film study, but the next six weeks are a time to refresh before the real grind begins. Of course, each player will be required to stay in shape as a grueling conditioning test awaits them upon arrival in St. Joseph.

Following a rough season as a rookie head coach, Todd Haley is maturing as he approaches his second season as the Kansas City Chiefs' head coach.

He acknowledges that he wasn't quite prepared for it all as the Chiefs endured a lot of losing.

“There was no possible way to recreate the circumstances that I was going to be in,” Haley told the Kansas City Star. “You have to live it. No matter how many mentors and guys I could call and talk to who would help me, there was no way to recreate being a head coach and all the things that came with it.”

continue reading...

At least it was better than the year before, when they set an NFL record with just 10.

Now, under new defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel, the Chiefs hope to take the next step.

The personnel really hasn't changed and the team is under its third defensive coordinator in three years, but there are signs it should get better.

Tamba Hali became a pass-rushing force after switching to outside linebacker last season, leading the team with 8½ sacks.

continue reading...

The Chiefs have invested a lot on defense in recent years. They have selected a defensive player with their No. 1 pick in five of the last six drafts, including each of the last three years, when they had a top-five pick overall. Now, it's time for those players to step up and be pillars on defense.

continue reading...