1. Chiefs receiver bears watching in final preseason game

By Associated Press

"GREEN BAY, Wis. ‐‐ Don't expect to see starting quarterbacks Alex Smith or Aaron Rodgers take snaps. Do expect to see running backs Jamaal Charles and Eddie Lacy wearing baseball caps on the sideline.

With roster decisions looming, the preseason game between Kansas City and Green Bay on Thursday night at Lambeau Field belongs to the backups, rookies and undrafted free agents. It's time for the longshots and hopefuls to make a good impression if they want to stick around."    READ MORE…

Chiefs Kickoff Luncheon

2. Pressure's on defense to create pressure

By Adam Teicher - ESPN.com

"A Step Ahead - How quick is rookie Dee Ford's first step? During one drill at training camp, the first-round outside linebacker was nearly to the quarterback before the lineman blocking him made a move. "He kind of reminds me of Von Miller with the way he gets off the ball," says linebacker Joe Mays, a former Bronco. "He's a freak." If the Chiefs learned anything from last season, it's the importance of edge pressure. They had 36 sacks during their 9-0 start and 12 in their final eight games, when they went 2-6. Ford will help rectify that one first step at a time.

Best-Kept Secret - The Chiefs are better at tight end than they've been since trading Tony Gonzalez before the 2009 season. The starter, Anthony Fasano, is a solid player who has become a reliable short- and medium-range receiver. Travis Kelce is 260 pounds but is fast enough to be a big-play threat down the field. He had two touchdowns of longer than 40 yards in the preseason. Demetrius Harris played basketball, not football, in college, so he's developing and may not play a lot. But the 6-foot-7 Harris could be a nice red zone target. The Chiefs will get more than the 53 catches they got from their tight ends last season."    READ MORE…

3. 2014 NFL team‐by‐team record predictions, playoff picks

By Pat Kirwan - CBSSports.com

"As long as Peyton Manning is healthy and productive, the Broncos will remain the team to beat in the AFC West. But that doesn't mean the Chargers and Chiefs will go away quietly.

The Raiders are still struggling and might be playing their final season in Oakland, with Matt Schaub, Maurice Jones‐Drew, Justin Tuck and promising rookie Khalil Mack among the many new faces on the team."    READ MORE…

4. Chiefs' Fisher is playing hurt, but he needs to be pushed ‐‐ or replaced

By Sean Keeler - FOX Sports Kansas City

"KANSAS CITY, Mo. ‐‐ A rushed Alex Smith is a bad Alex Smith. Actually, let's clarify that a little: A rushed Alex Smith is a mediocre Alex Smith.

Since 2011, when the Kansas City Chiefs' quarterback turned the corner for the better in his NFL career, Smith's completion percentages while "pressured," according to Pro Football Focus (PFF), are as follows: 41.7 ('11); 51.2 ('12); 47.8 ('13). From his overall completion percentages of 61.3, 70.2 and 60.6, that's an average drop of a whopping 17.3 percentage points, while rushed, per season."    READ MORE…

5. Chiefs, KC business community celebrate new season

By James Dornbrook - Kansas City Business Journal

"About 800 people showed up at this year's Kansas City Chiefs Kickoff Luncheon, hosted by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, the biggest turnout ever.

The event is designed to give the local business community an opportunity to show appreciation for the Kansas City Chiefs, and for the team to thank the business community for its support over the past 50 years."    READ MORE…)

Tweet of the Day

Find out what is in store for Thursday's broadcast of #KCvsGB via @KCChiefsRachel. WATCH: http://t.co/NW4zFKJJzn pic.twitter.com/8vrtdGSY1R — Kansas City Chiefs (@KCChiefs) August 28, 2014

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