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Chiefs CB Sean Smith suspended three game for DUI arrest

riggertChiefsKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs cornerback Sean Smith will miss the first three games of the regular season, including matchups against the Broncos’ Peyton Manning and Packers’ Aaron Rodgers, after he was suspended Friday for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.

Smith, who was arrested last year on a drunken driving charge, pleaded guilty earlier this year. The 28-year-old paid a fine and received two years of probation.

Smith will miss games against Houston, Denver and Green Bay before returning Week 4 against Cincinnati. That means the Chiefs will have to fill his spot with an unproven rookie or backup for matchups with a couple of the game’s prolific quarterbacks.

“We respect and support the league’s decision in this matter and will have no further comment on the situation,” the Chiefs said in a brief statement Friday.

The timing is far from ideal for Smith, too. He is entering a contract year after one of the best seasons of his career. He started all 16 games and was part of a stingy defense that did not allow a 300-yard passer, and finished second to NFC champion Seattle in scoring.

Under the NFL substance abuse policy, first-time offenders generally receive two-game suspensions. But there can be additional discipline depending on the circumstances, and Smith was pulled over by police last year after his car struck and broke a light pole.

When asked during workouts last month whether Smith expected to be suspended, he replied: “I don’t know. I have no control over that. I just wake up, come to work and do my job.”

Rookies report to training camp in St. Joseph, Missouri, on Tuesday, with the full squad due to report July 31. The Chiefs play their preseason opener Aug. 15 at St. Louis, though it remains to be seen how much Smith plays in their four exhibition games. The Chiefs may use those reps to get his replacement ready for the opener.

The Chiefs were already headed to training camp next week trying to settle the cornerback position opposite Smith, where Phillip Gaines appeared to make the biggest move in the offseason.

Jamell Fleming and Marcus Cooper have some experience, and Ron Parker could fill the spot, though he is more suited for safety. That leaves a pair of rookies, first-round pick Marcus Peters and third-round choice Steven Nelson, in the mix for the starting job.

Peters ultimately could land the spot, but starting a rookie in Week 1 is hardly ideal.

“No pressure at all,” Peters said during minicamp. “I’m going to come out here and compete the best that I can, and take these three days as a learning (process), being around the vets, and get some more information about the playbook. Once it’s time for training camp, it’s on.”

— Associated Press —

Chiefs release rookie cornerback Justin Cox after arrest

riggertChiefsKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs have waived defensive back Justin Cox, who was charged with domestic assault, burglary and trespassing for an incident that occurred Monday in Starkville, Mississippi.

Cox was being held on $40,433 bond. The case is still under investigation.

This is the second time in the past year that Cox has been arrested for an incidence of domestic violence, though the previous charge was ultimately dropped. Cox instead pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of trespassing in January.

Cox signed with the Chiefs after going undrafted out of Mississippi State, in part because of his off-the-field issues. He was suspended the final three games last year after his arrest.

— Associated Press —

AP source: Chiefs, Houston reach 6-year, $101 million deal

riggertChiefsKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs and linebacker Justin Houston agreed on a six-year, $101 million contract just hours before the Wednesday afternoon deadline to reach a long-term deal, a person familiar with the situation told the Associated Press.

The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because the contract had not been announced, said Houston will receive $52.5 million in guarantees. That makes the All-Pro’s contract not only the richest in Chiefs history but the richest for a linebacker in NFL history.

The only defensive player to ever sign for more is defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who signed a six-year, $114 million pact with Miami earlier this year.

The sides have been trying to work out a contract to keep Houston in Kansas City since last offseason, but they had made little progress. The Chiefs put the franchise tag on him, which would have been a one-year deal worth about $13.1 million.

But negotiations picked up with the approaching deadline. Houston’s representatives met with the Chiefs on Tuesday, and enough progress was made that they eventually came to terms.

Houston was coming off the final year of his rookie contract, a breakout season in which he broke Derrick Thomas’s franchise record with 22 sacks. He had four alone in a dynamic season-ending performance against San Diego, leaving him a half-sack short of the NFL’s single-season record set by Michael Strahan of the New York Giants in 2001.

Those gaudy totals sent Houston to his third consecutive Pro Bowl and earned him first-team All-Pro honors for the first time in his four-year career.

Sent his asking price for a new contract soaring, too.

Houston was considered one of the top linebackers in the draft coming out of Georgia, but a failed test for marijuana at the scouting combine caused his stock to slide. The Chiefs wound up taking him in the third round, in retrospect a massive bargain – or downright steal.

He has only made roughly $3 million over the course of his rookie contract. For that small price, Kansas City got 200 tackles, 48 1/2 sacks and five fumble recoveries.

Houston has also grown into one of the leaders in the locker room, helping keep things together when a rash of injuries struck last season. Despite losing linebacker Derrick Johnson and tackle Mike DeVito in the opener, the Chiefs still had one of the AFC’s top defenses.

Houston skipped the Chiefs’ entire offseason program, including their mandatory minicamp, rather than signing his franchise tender. But all along, coach Andy Reid expressed optimism that the sides would reach an agreement before the start of the season.

Reid also wasn’t concerned about the missed workouts.

”I think he’s working out, absolutely,” Reid said at the end of offseason work. ”That’s just him by nature, so he’s not going to let things slide on his side.”

Fellow linebacker Tamba Hali, who went through a similar negotiation with the Chiefs in 2011, said he had been in touch with Houston throughout the offseason.

”He’s working his tail off,” Hali said. ”Like any player he wants to be here, but again, we know our league is a business and you have to allow that business to work itself out.”

— Associated Press —

Chiefs announce 2015 training camp schedule at Missouri Western

riggertChiefsThe Kansas City Chiefs announced dates for 2015 Chiefs Training Camp presented by Mosaic Life Care. This year’s practices will begin on Saturday, Aug. 1 at Missouri Western State University. Dates and times for practices listed below are subject to change. Any changes to practice times or availability to the public will be announce through www.chiefs.com and www.gogriffons.com as well as social media outlets.

The first practice will be held at 3:30 p.m. on August 1. A $5 admission fee will be charged that day, which will include a team autograph session. Alumni Day will be held on Aug. 2, also featuring a team autograph session. American Family Fun Day will be Saturday, Aug 8 with practice beginning at 8:15 a.m. A $5 admission fee will also be charged that day. Chiefs Season Ticket Member Appreciation day will be Aug. 12 and Military Appreciation Day will be during the last day of training camp in St. Joseph on Aug. 19. All other practices open to the public are free of charge. Each vehicle will be charged $5 per day for parking on the MWSU campus.

Construction at Spratt Memorial Stadium will create some minimal logistical changes to years past. Those changes will be announced at a later date by Missouri Western State University.

Practices beginning at 8:15 a.m. will last approximately two hours and 40 minutes. Practices beginning at 9:15 a.m. will last approximately one hour and 40 minutes.

Saturday, Aug. 1    Practice – 3:30 p.m.     First open practice; $5 admission; Team autograph session
Sunday, Aug. 2     Practice – 8:15 a.m.    Alumni Day; Team autograph session
Monday, Aug. 3    Practice – 8:15 a.m.
Tuesday, Aug 4    Practice – 8:15 a.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 5    Practice – 9:15 a.m.
Thursday, Aug. 6    NO PRACTICE
Friday, Aug. 7    Practice – 8:15 a.m.
Saturday, Aug. 8    Practice – 8:15 a.m.    American Family Fun Day; $5 Admission Fee; Team autograph session
Sunday, Aug. 9    Practice – 8:15 a.m.
Monday, Aug. 10    Practice 9:15 a.m.
Tuesday, Aug 11    Practice – 8:15 a.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 12    Pracice – 8:15 a.m.    Season Ticket Member Appreciation Day; Team autograph session
Thursday, Aug. 13    NO PRACTICE
Friday, Aug. 14    NO PRACTICE
Saturday, Aug. 15    Preseason Game No. 1    Chiefs at Cardinals – 8 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 16    NO PRACTICE
Monday, Aug. 17    Practice – 8:15 a.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 18    Practice – 8:15 a.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 19    Practice – 9:15 a.m.     Military Appreciation Day; Final Camp Practice

— MWSU Sports Information —

Chiefs release WR Da’Rick Rogers ahead of minicamp

riggertChiefsKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs released wide receiver Da’Rick Rogers and offensive lineman Kelvin Palmer and signed offensive lineman Tavon Rooks before the start of their mandatory minicamp Tuesday.

Rogers, once a college standout for Tennessee, was kicked off the team for disciplinary issues and transferred to Tennessee Tech. But he’s been unable to make it in the NFL, catching just 14 passes for 192 yards and two touchdowns while bouncing through three franchises.

In May, Rogers spent one day in jail after pleading guilty in Indianapolis to drunken driving.

The release of Palmer and the signing of Rooks, a former Kansas State player, is basically a swap of players deep on the depth chart.

— Associated Press —

Chiefs wrap up OTAs, head to minicamp

riggertChiefsKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Andy Reid wrapped up his third organized team activities Friday since becoming the Chiefs head coach in 2013.

Each year has built on the previous, especially during the first year when players went through a familiarization process of what Reid and the coaching staff expected on offense, defense and special teams.

Reid, one of the winningest coaches in the NFL while in Philadelphia, has high standards. The past three weeks of OTAs left him with a positive vibe of the team’s progress despite the Midwest spring humidity.

“You want to see a third-year progression for the guys that have been here three years, and then what kind of shape they’re in,” Reid said. “This gives you a pretty good idea. They’re out here, the heat kind of jumped on us quickly and we were able practice in it I thought very well, and function very well. It looks like they’re a pretty well-conditioned team.”

The players were in shorts and helmets with no contact, of course, and that leaves room for tempered enthusiasm surrounding conditioning before the team reports to training camp in late July.

“We’ll see,” Reid said. “We got to get the pads on eventually in camp.”

Stability with quarterback Alex Smith, running back Jamaal Charles and tight end Travis Kelce, among others, has helped the Chiefs’ growth on offense. And having experienced players meant there wouldn’t be surprises during the OTA workouts.

“They understand the offense,” offensive coordinator Doug Pederson said. “That’s kind of what we’re seeing from our guys that have been around. There are a few guys like (wide receiver) Jeremy Maclin and (guard) Ben Grubbs and guys that we pulled in, and (guard) Paul Fanaika, they’re just kind of plugging in and picking up where we left off. This spring has been really good that way because, now again, everybody understands what we’re doing offensively. It allows us to play and practice faster.”

Maclin, who signed a five-year, $55 million free-agent contract in March, reunites not only with Reid, who previously coached Maclin in Philadelphia, but with wide receiver Jason Avant.

While Maclin and Avant provide two proven veterans in Reid’s version of the West Coast offense, there is still room even for a 10-year pro like Avant to get reaccustomed to what Reid expects.

“When I was in Philly, Andy wasn’t calling the plays,” Avant said. “Here he does a lot of that. It’s seamless because I know what he expects, but at the same time, you have to get used to what he thinks about routes.”

The Chiefs should have a smooth transition on defense with the core players returning from last season’s second-ranked pass defense (203.2 yards per game) and seventh-ranked defense in yards allowed (330.5 yards per game).

Coordinator Bob Sutton also welcomes the return of inside linebacker Derrick Johnson, who suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon in the 2014 season opener. Sutton also is identifying key backups.

“You’re working with your first group, but you’re also trying to develop your depth,” Sutton said. “You’re trying to make sure the young guys — from guys that will come out here on their own, undrafted guys — you want to make sure you evaluate everyone and you haven’t let anyone slip through the cracks.”

The Chiefs conclude the offseason program with a mandatory three-day minicamp next Tuesday-Thursday. While players are required to attend, Reid didn’t appear optimistic star outside linebacker Justin Houston — who has yet to sign his franchise tender and missed all 10 OTA workouts — would be on hand.

“He probably won’t be,” Reid said. “We just move on. I don’t really get caught up in all that stuff.”

NOTES: Strong safety Eric Berry, battling lymphoma, finished his treatments and met with his doctors two weeks ago, but Reid didn’t have an update. “It’s normally three weeks after that,” Reid said of Berry. “We’re getting to right about that time.” . Running back Jamaal Charles, who is holding a weekend football camp in Texas, was excused from Friday’s practice . . Running back Charcandrick West sustained a stinger during Friday’s practice. . Defensive tackle Dontari Poe (back), defensive lineman Vaughn Martin (ankle), and wide receiver Albert Wilson (hamstring) did not practice Friday.

— Associated Press —

Chiefs sign four, release three players after rookie minicamp

riggertChiefsKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Kansas City Chiefs have signed four players from their rookie minicamp this past weekend and waived three other players to make room for them on their roster.

With a big need for depth on the offensive line, the Chiefs kept former Kansas center Daniel Munyer, South Alabama offensive guard Melvin Meggs and Baylor offensive tackle Kelvin Palmer.

The Chiefs also signed Sam Houston State running back Keshawn Hill.

To make room for them, the Chiefs waived offensive lineman Charles Sweeton along with fullback Manasseh Garner and tight end Earnest Pettway.

The Chiefs begin their optional full-squad workouts next week.

— Associated Press —-

Chiefs sign three draft picks, including first-rounder Marcus Peters

riggertChiefsKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs signed their three remaining draft picks on Friday, including first-round selection Marcus Peters, bringing all nine under contract before rookie minicamp.

Along with Peters, a cornerback taken No. 18 overall, the Chiefs signed third-round picks Chris Conley, a wide receiver out of Georgia, and Steven Nelson, a cornerback from Oregon State.

Peters was kicked off the Washington Huskies after run-ins with coaches last year.

The Chiefs also signed Charles Tuaau, a 6-foot-5, 310-pound defense tackle from Texas A&M-Commerce who was not chosen in this year’s draft.

Kansas City’s three-day rookie minicamp begins Saturday.

To clear roster space, the Chiefs waived tight end Brandon Barden and defensive tackle Hebron Fangupo.

— Associated Press —

Chiefs sign six draft picks, 11 more undrafted players

riggertChiefsKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Kansas City Chiefs have signed six of their nine selections from the 2015 NFL draft, including second-round pick Mitch Morse, along with 11 undrafted free agents.

Along with Morse, an offensive lineman, Kansas City signed fourth-round pick Ramik Wilson, a linebacker; fifth-round selection D.J. Alexander, another linebacker; fellow fifth-round pick James O’Shaughnessy, a tight end; sixth-round pick Rakeem Nunez-Roches, a defensive tackle; and seventh-round selection Da’Ron Brown, a wide receiver.

Among the undrafted free agents signed by the Chiefs on Tuesday are former Pittsburg State cornerback De’Vante Bausby, Mississippi State cornerback Justin Cox, Georgia Southern offensive lineman Garrett Frye and Iowa State defensive tackle David Irving.

The Chiefs have their rookie minicamp scheduled for this weekend.

— Associated Press —

Chiefs put four on waivers, including QB Terrelle Pryor

riggertChiefsKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Kansas City Chiefs placed four players on waivers Tuesday, including former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor, who had been signed in the offseason and was trying to earn a backup job.

The Chiefs did not choose a quarterback in last week’s draft, but they already have Alex Smith, Chase Daniel, Tyler Bray and Aaron Murray on the roster. They are also expected to add a couple of undrafted quarterbacks as free agents in the coming days.

Pryor was 3-7 as a starter over three seasons in Oakland. He has not played since 2013.

The Chiefs also waived linebacker JoJo Dickson, wide receiver Corbin Louks and long snapper Jorgen Hus on Tuesday.

— Associated Press —

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