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Derrick Johnson’s time is up with the #Chiefs

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The Kansas City Chiefs announced that longtime linebacker Derrick Johnson will not be back next season.  Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt released a statement:

“Few players in recent history have meant more to the Chiefs franchise and the Kansas City community than Derrick Johnson. His tireless work ethic and passion for the game made him one of the most productive defensive players to ever wear a Chiefs uniform and one of the most respected players both in our locker room and around the league. Over the last 13 seasons, Derrick represented himself and the Chiefs organization with integrity and class, and he will always be a part of our Chiefs family.”

Johnson, 35, was the Chiefs’ first-round draft pick in 2005.  He plans to keep playing, but also released a statement through the team.

“I’ve been blessed to be a part of the Kansas City Chiefs organization my entire career. I’d like to thank the Hunt family, my coaches, teammates and the staff for the tremendous amount of support I received over the years. I love Kansas City and this fan base, they’ve always had my back. I’m grateful I had the opportunity to spend 13 years in a place I love. I plan on playing for several more years because I love this game so much, but I look forward to retiring as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs when my career is over. I’ll miss my Chiefs teammates — we made a lot of big plays together over the years — and I wish them the best in bringing a championship home to the best and loudest fans in the NFL.”

Chiefs OC Nagy was last interview with the Bears before accepting head coaching job

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Matt Nagy, 39, the former Chiefs offensive coordinator will be introduced on Tuesday as the Chicago Bears 16th head coach in franchise history.  Nagy interviewed with the Bears on Sunday following the Chiefs 22-21 loss to Tennessee the day before.  Nagy was one of six who interviewed for the job vacated after John Fox was fired.

Nagy who helped develop Patrick Mahomes, selected 10th overall, will be responsible for developing Mitch Trubisky.  He was chosen second overall by the Bears in the 2017 Draft.

Nagy helped develop an offensive game plan that delivered 4,000+ passing yards from Alex Smith, 1,000+ rushing yards from rookie running back Kareem Hunt and 1,000+ receiving seasons from wide receiver Tyreek Hill and tight end Travis Kelce.  The Chiefs were just the second team in NFL history (1981 San Diego Charger) to accomplish that feat.

Nagy spent the last five seasons with the Chiefs and was the offensive coordinator this season, taking over play-calling duties from Reid last month. He was co-offensive coordinator in 2016 and before that served as the quarterbacks coach for three seasons.

The five plays that cost the Chiefs a win

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The Kansas City Chiefs lost to the Tennessee Titans, 22-21, on Saturday night, ending their season.  Since their victory in Super Bowl IV, the Chiefs are 4-16 in playoff games.  After jumping out to an 18-point lead, Tennessee responded with 19 unanswered points in the second half.  Only four times since the 1930’s has an NFL team blown an 18-point lead in a playoff game.  Andy Reid has been the head coach for two of those.

”Honestly we just didn’t come out ready to play in the second half, that’s what I’d say,” Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt said. ”Nobody likes losing and this one’s for real. We’re going home.”

“I felt like we didn’t come out aggressively in the second half,” said Chiefs wide receiver DeMarcus Robinson.

Here are the key plays that ultimately cost the Chiefs:

1-2:41 left in the first half.  Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson blitzes up the middle and blasts Titans QB Marcus Mariota who is ruled down but clearly fumbled the football.  Referee Jeff Triplett rules Mariota’s forward progress was stopped, resulting in a sack.  Tennessee kicks a 49-yard field goal from Ryan Succop for their first points of the game.

“I don’t know how you can call a guy down or blow the whistle when he didn’t hit the ground yet, especially on a sack,” Johnson said.

2-1:40 to play in the first half. Alex Smith’s pass to Travis Kelce is complete for 12 yards, but Kelce is hit on a helmet-to-helmet collision and leaves the game for concussion protocol.  Kelce never returns, and despite the Chiefs going up 21-3 on this drive the offense never looks the same.  Kansas City gains just 56 yards on their final possessions after that score.

3-12:30 to play in the 3rd quarter.  Tennessee is faced with a 3rd and 9 from their 20 yard line.  Marcus Mariota scrambles for a first down, keeping the Chiefs defense on the field for a drive that ends up taking 15 plays, covering 92 yards and 8:29 off the clock.  This TD makes the score 21-10.

4-4:49 left in the 3rd quarter.  Titans rookie Adoree Jackson muffs a punt that the Chiefs recover at the Tennessee 29 yard line.  Kansas City loses two yards on three plays and settle for a FG attempt from Harrison Butker.  The reliable rookie hits the upright and the Chiefs come away with no points.  That missed opportunity for three will haunt the Chiefs.

5-0:31 to go in the 3rd quarter.  While scrambling, Mariota throws a pass that is batted down at the goal line by Darrelle Revis.  The ball goes back to Mariota who catches his own pass and dives for the pylon cutting the Chiefs lead to 21-16.  Mariota becomes just the second player in league history to complete a pass to himself for a touchdown. Minnesota quarterback Brad Johnson pulled off the feat on Oct. 12, 1997, against the Carolina Panthers.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said he had a front-row view of the historic play.

“I was looking right at it,” he said. “Things happen. The ball bounced right for him.”

 

Chiefs owner Hunt being sued by New Mexico

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New Mexico is suing Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, claiming he improperly secured hundreds of million of dollars in an alleged kickback scheme with state investment money. Attorney Rob Hoffman, who is representing Hunt, called the accusations baseless and issued a statement to the Kansas City Star, denying the allegations.

“The NMSIC lawsuit is, in a word, baseless.  The unfounded allegations against my client contravene both the facts of this case and his long-standing, irrefutable commitment to character and integrity. It represents nothing more than an irresponsible attempt to extract financial gain by damaging my client’s good name and we intend to explore all available legal remedies in pursuit of a just outcome.”

The New Mexico State Investment Council filed the lawsuit Santa Fe. It names Hunt as a defendant along with HFV Asset Management LP and others, named only as “John Does.”

According to the Albuquerque Journal, New Mexico’s State Investment Council’s lawsuit centers around Hunt agreeing to a kickback arrangement with then-Gov. Bill Richardson insiders Anthony and Marc Correra in return for them moving state investment money to a hedge fund in which Hunt was a partner.

The Santa Fe New Mexican claims Hunt secured $300 million in investments.  The investment scandal has been an ongoing saga in New Mexico for almost eight years and the council claims the state has lost millions of dollars.

Hunt starts his 11th season as Chairman and CEO of the Chiefs.

Hunt photo/credit KC Chiefs

Andy Reid will give every player a look in this first preseason game. No guarantees after Friday

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It is standard operating procedure for an Andy Reid football team.  You practice, you play.  At least that is what happens every year in the first preseason game.  Reid gives every player a look in live action as the evaluation process continues in training camp. After this Friday’s game against San Francisco, there is no guarantees on playing time.

“I take practices, meetings, this first game, it’s all put in the hopper,” said Reid.

The reason Reid plays everyone is not just because he’s a nice guy and wants everybody to have a turn.  Reid wants to make sure they don’t let somebody slip away to another team.  As Reid evaluates, he wants to be certain he’s not overlooking someone in camp who could be a contributor for the Chiefs.

“You want to make sure you’ve been as thorough as possible,” said Reid.

The plan for the quarterbacks is for each of them to play one quarter, but you’ll have to wait until the second half to see first round pick Patrick Mahomes.  Alex Smith will start, with Tyler Bray as the number two QB getting the second quarter.  Mahomes will start the second half and fourth quarter mop up duties will go to Joel Stave.

Execute.  That’s what the coaches are looking for.  There is no game planning against the 49ers.  The coaches want to see the QBs execute in the huddle, call the plays, get up to the line of scrimmage, runs the plays.  Reid wasn’t overly concerned with Mahomes three-interception practice from the other day.  In fact, Reid encourages his quarterbacks to push the envelope…see just how much they can thread the needle.  No better time to learn your limits then in practice.

The Chiefs have a new kicker in camp.  They have signed former Penn State kicker Sam Ficken, who will play in Friday night’s preseason opener against the 49ers at Arrowhead Stadium.  Andy Reid said they’re taking precautions with regular kicker Cairo Santos who has missed the last few practices.

Dorsey wheels and deals ten draft picks down to six for 2017

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Chiefs 2017 draft picks
1 (10) QB Patrick Mahomes–Texas Tech.  Because he comes from Texas, you’re going to hear the term “gunslinger” thrown away.  So cliche.  Simply put, the kid has an arm.  His dad was a former major league pitcher.  Patrick could hit 96 mph on the gun and the Red Raiders baseball coach said he’s a “once in a generation” kind of ball player.  The reason Mahomes picked football over baseball is because he said there’s nothing like the feeling of having 60,000 fans screaming after you make a play.

I was critical of GM John Dorsey making this pick and then saying Mahomes has two years to learn behind Alex Smith.  That may be what Dorsey is saying on the outside, but inside they have to feel he can compete and ultimately win the job from Smith.

Dorsey’s legacy with the Chiefs falls on this pick.  He traded a third round pick from this year’s draft and next year’s first round to Buffalo.

2 (59) DE Tanoh Kpassagnon–Villanova.  At 6’7, 289 pounds, I’ve seen multiple draft sites refer to him physically as a “freak.”  Playing at a school like Villanova, he didn’t face high end competition, but with his size and natural talents, the Chiefs believe they can coach him up.  This is the pass rusher KC may have been hoping for.

3 (86) RB Kareem Hunt–Toledo. Dorsey traded up to get Hunt.  May not be known to many fans, but within NFL circles, scouts and execs like him.  He’s got reliable hands.  I read he only fumbled once in four seasons.

4 (139) WR Jehu Chesson–Michigan. Another situation where Dorsey traded up.  All current six wide receivers from 2017 will be back which makes it seem very likely someone gets cuts.  If Dorsey traded up, he’s keeping Chesson. That should create some great competition at the position this summer.  From what I’ve read, insiders think Chesson can step right in and play on an NFL team.

5 (183) ILB Ukeme Eligwe–Southern Georgia.  Risky pick.  He didn’t do much at Florida State for three years and got kicked out for “violating team rules.”  He landed at Southern and didn’t do much in terms of creating a buzz.

6 (218) S Leon McQuay III–USC.  The Chiefs roster is full of defensive backs.  McQuay, taken so low, was worth the pick as a development project.

Former Rams, Chiefs QB lands back in Philly, Chase Daniel released (UPDATED)

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Former Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Nick Foles is returning to the Philadelphia Eagles on a two-year deal, the team announced Monday.  The deal is worth $11 million with $7 million guaranteed, according to the NFL Network.  Foles will serve as the backup to second-year starter Carson Wentz.

The Eagles and former Mizzou quarterback Chase Daniel mutually agreed it would be best to part ways

Foles joined the Chiefs last year as a free agent after being released by the Rams. He played in three games for Kansas City, starting one. He threw for 410 yards and three touchdowns.  Foles played three seasons for the Eagles and one for the Rams before joining the Chiefs.  The Chiefs declined Foles’ option on Thursday, making him a free agent.

Chiefs tight end busted for felony pot possession

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According to KMBC-TV, Chiefs tight end Demetrius Harris was arrested and charged with felony possession of marijuana by the Missouri Highway Patrol.  Prior to his arrest, Harris was best known for hauling in Dontari Poe’s “Bloated Tebow Pass,” at the end of the regular season against Denver.

In Missouri, felony possession or marijuana is more than 35 grams. He was released from the Bates County Jail on Monday.

The Chiefs are aware of the situations but will not comment further pending an internal investigation.

Chiefs’ Travis Kelce named offensive Pro Bowl MVP (AUDIO)

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Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce hams it up for ESPN’s cameras after his touchdown

In a competitive game that saw some creative play calling and a close finish, the AFC beat the NFC 20-13 in the Pro Bowl played in Orlando on Sunday night.  The winning AFC players each took home $61,000, while the NFC team members settled for $30,000.  Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce took home Offensive MVP honors.

Kelce finished with three catches for 36 yards and caught a touchdown from Cincinnati’s Andy Dalton. He also caught a shuttle pass from punter Dustin Colquitt on a fake field goal try and picked up a first down.

Kelce on what it meant to play in the Pro Bowl.


Alex Smith was 6-for-8 for 74 yards and the punter Colquitt averaged 48.3 yards per punt. Tyreek Hill fumbled once, but also showed his punt return ability with a run back that gave the AFC possession inside NFC territory after fielding a punt at his own 25.

More from Kelce on why he’s becoming a household name.

 

Chiefs-Steelers move kickoff to Sunday night

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Weather has affected Sunday’s NFL Divisional Round games.

The NFL announced Friday it has pushed back the start time for Sunday’s Pittsburgh Steelers-Kansas City Chiefs game at Arrowhead Stadium f7:20 p.m. CST. The matchup will be broadcast on NBC.

The decision to make the time change was made after consulting with state and local officials as well as both teams.

The Green Bay Packers-Dallas Cowboys game will still be played at 3:40 p.m. CST on Sunday.