Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City WR Terrance Copper had three catches for 61 yards Saturday against Oakland in Week 16. He had three targets in the game.

Chiefs head coach Romeo Crennel does believe that second-year receiver Jon Baldwin can become an effective component of the offense in 2012, but he has to mature first. "We expect him to make improvement and progress this year," Crennel said. "He has his feet wet now, and I think he understands what it's going to take for him to be a really good receiver, and I think he's willing to work at it, so we have to get him to work at it and also develop him they way that he needs to develop to be the type of receiver we need. ... You know how these young guys are, they think they hung the moon. And now they have to find out that they didn't hang the moon, and now there's a process about becoming a pro. How do you go about the work in the classroom, how do you go about your work on the practice field? How do you go about playing the game itself? And so he has to mature in all those areas, and having had a taste of it last year, I think that will help him make that progression this year."

While Chiefs head coach Romeo Crennel was ultimately complimentary of rookie receiver Devon Wylie, he did tell the media on Sunday that the receiver has to work on his footwork. "Wylie showed he has some quickness and has ability to make some plays," Crennel said following the team's mid-May rookie minicamp. "He looked quick and effective. I think he can be productive. He's got to work on his footwork a little bit because he was on the ground some. That happens a lot with some fast guys when they're trying to stop and cut. They end up slipping until they can get their feet completely under them."

Speaking after the team's mid-May minicamp, Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel said that rookie receiver Junior Hemingway did some good things to stand out. "Hemingway has a very good knowledge of how to run routes, and he has good hands," Crennel said. "I think with a guy like that, the more offense you put in, the more teamwork you do, then his qualities begin to show up more."

Chiefs TE Jake O'Connell finished with a season-high three receptions for 22 yards in Week 11 against the Patriots. He now has seven catches for 52 yards on the season.

The Chiefs added running back Cyrus Gray of Texas A&M with their sixth-round pick in the NFL draft. The 5-foot-10, 206-pound Gray ran for 1,045 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Aggies last season. He finished with 3,298 yards rushing with 30 touchdowns on 632 carries in 49 career games. He also caught 103 passes for 776 yards and six scores. He returned 99 kickoffs for an average of 23.7 yards a return, with two touchdowns -- one covering 99 yards against Colorado and another going for 98 yards against Oklahoma when he was a freshman. He also threw a 14-yard touchdown pass as a junior. "His role will define itself as time goes on," Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli told SiriusXM NFL Radio. "He knows a lot about the NFL game. [Former Texas A&M head coach] Mike Sherman ran a pro style offense, and he's a smart player, a really tough player. He played a whole season with his shoulder in a harness. ... We've got a number of good backs and he's going to find a role. We're excited about having him around."

Chiefs LB Andy Studebaker has been Mike Vrabel's understudy for the last two years at weakside linebacker. He now has a chance to step into the starting lineup with Vrabel announcing his retirement. “It’s been good to have Mike around teaching us how to transition to outside linebacker for two years,” Studebaker told The Kansas City Star. “That’s what Mike did for us. Besides playing great on Sundays, in the film room throughout the week he was helping us get better and ultimately the team got better.” Although, Studebaker realizes the job just won't be handed to him. The Chiefs drafted Justin Houston in the third round this year, and he is familiar with playing in a 3-4 system since he had 10 sacks last season at Georgia. “Nothing is guaranteed,” Studebaker said. “There are lot of guys coming in who will provide good competition for the spot. That’s going to be exciting.”

The Kansas City Star reports that the Chiefs haven’t seemed sold on quarterback Matt Cassel during the offseason. At the least, they’re giving off mixed signals. “That consistency … I think that’s the biggest thing with Matt,” Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel said. “I think he’s excited about this year, about having Brian Daboll as our offensive coordinator, because he knows Brian and he knows the system Brian brings, and I’ve talked to Matt several times in the offseason and … he’s ready to go to work. He can’t wait for April 16th (start of the Chiefs’ offseason program) to get here so he can start getting into the playbook. If he can develop that consistency like we had part of the time in 2010, where we weren’t turning the ball over — we were moving the ball offensively and we were scoring some points — if we can get back to that, that’s what I’m looking for from him.”

Hand - Probable for start of training camp

The Chiefs announced Tuesday they signed free agent Mikail Baker. The 5-11, 195-pound defensive back played at Baylor, where he set all the career kick return records. Baker, 24, was selected in the seventh round of the 2011 draft by the Rams but went on IR and was released via an injury settlement last October.

The Chiefs made the final cuts necessary to get down the the final 53 players on Saturday. Among the released were WRs Jeremy Horne, Zeke Markshausen, and Verran Tucker; DL Harold Ayodele, FB Shane Bannon, LB Justin Cole, FB MIke Cox, DL Dion Gales, TE Charlie Gantt, LB Micah Johnson, LB Amara Kamara, S Reshard Langford, DB Quinten Lawrence, Ricky Price, TE Cody Slate, DT Anthony Toribio, LB Pierre Walters and DB Demond Washington. The team also placed LB Gabe Miller (undisclosed) on injured reserve.

Undisclosed - IR. Out for the season

The Jaguars signed WR Chastin West to a contract on Monday and waived rookie WR Jamar Newsome. Newsome has yet to appear in a game this season.

The Kansas City Star reports that the Chiefs will rest running back Jamaal Charles until training camp in late July. He is not expected to participate in their minicamp as he continues to rehab and work his way back from a torn ACL suffered last September. Head coach Romeo Crennel hopes Charles will be cleared in time for camp.

Knee - Probable for start of 2012 training camp

In addition to drafting edge rusher Justin Houston, the Chiefs drafted Miami DE Allen Bailey (Round 3), Colorado CB Jalil Brown (Round 4), Oregon State LB Gabe Miller (Round 5) and Ole Miss DT Jerrelle Powe (Round 6).

The Chiefs made the final cuts necessary to get down the the final 53 players on Saturday. Among the released were WRs Jeremy Horne, Zeke Markshausen, and Verran Tucker; DL Harold Ayodele, FB Shane Bannon, LB Justin Cole, FB MIke Cox, DL Dion Gales, TE Charlie Gantt, LB Micah Johnson, LB Amara Kamara, S Reshard Langford, DB Quinten Lawrence, Ricky Price, TE Cody Slate, DT Anthony Toribio, LB Pierre Walters and DB Demond Washington. The team also placed LB Gabe Miller (undisclosed) on injured reserve.

Chiefs interim head coach Romeo Crennel said Wednesday that QB Kyle Orton would start Week 15 vs. Green Bay, if healthy. Orton is recovering from a dislocated finger on his throwing hand, suffered Week 13. If Orton isn't available, then Ricky Stanzi would start, as Crennel has benched Tyler Palko, who has been starting in place of the injured Matt Cassel.

The Kansas City Star reports that the Chiefs will rest tight end Tony Moeaki until training camp in late July. He is not expected to participate in their minicamp as he continues to rehab and work his way back from a torn ACL suffered last September.

Knee - Probable for start of 2012 training camp

The Kansas City Chiefs agreed to terms on a $19.6 million, three-year deal with defensive back Stanford Routt on Monday, according to The Associated Press. Routt is still owed $5 million next month from the Raiders, who released him after the first year of a $54.4 million, five-year deal. “We are excited that we were able to come to terms with Stanford,” Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli said. “He is a talented player."

The Chiefs have placed LB Cameron Sheffield on injured reserve with a knee injury.

Chiefs DB Javier Arenas registered his first offensive touchdown of his career in Week 7 against the Raiders. Arenas, who lined up at quarterback, took the direct snap and scampered 7 yards into the end zone to put the Chiefs up 21-0. He also returned two punts and one kickoff for a combined 51 return yards.

The Kansas City Chiefs filled one of their biggest needs with a massive gamble, selecting Memphis defensive tackle Dontari Poe with the No. 11 pick in the NFL draft Thursday night, taking a mammoth run stuffer whose raw ability and impressive numbers from the scouting combine trumped his modest on-field production. The 6-foot-4, 346-pound Poe pushed 44 reps with 225 pounds and ran the 40-yard dash in an unofficial time of 4.98 seconds. But he was only second-team all-Conference USA after making 33 stops, eight tackles for loss and one sack, flying under the radar most of last season. "We think he's a good player. I think that's probably the best way to put it," Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli said. "I don't think this is as risky of a pick. Here's what's not risky about the player: The player fits the mold of the type of player we were looking for physically, for that position. He fits a need to a degree. He fits everything we believe in makeup-wise. This is not a risky player in a sense that I know, and we know, we have a football player who will come in and do a great job."

The Lions released the following players Saturday: WR Dominique Barnes, DT Robert Callaway, LB Caleb Campbell, RB Matt Clapp, DE Keyunta Dawson, TE Joe Jon Finley, DB Aaron Francisco, WR Nate Hughes, RB Ian Johnson, DB Anthony Madison, DB Prince Miller, LB Cobrani Mixon DT Quinn Pitcock, DB Paul Pratt, TE Gijon Robinson, QB Zac Robinson, DB Ricardo Silva, WR Tim Toone, DB Nathan Vasher, WR Derrick Williams and DE Narada Williams.

Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe told Arrowhead Pride that while he's holding out from the team's offseason workouts, he plans to report to training camp on-time in late July. Bowe was designated as the Chiefs' franchise player this offseason, guaranteeing him a one-year deal at $9.5 million, but he'd like a long-term contract. However, it sounds like he'll sign the offer before camp kicks off. "I'll be there," Bowe said. "I'm staying in shape until it's time to sign on the dotted line."

The Chiefs have re-signed unrestricted free agent defensive back Travis Daniels. Daniels has appeared in 41 games over three seasons with the Chiefs, with 47 tackles (28 solo) and three interceptions. He also plays on special teams. Daniels is a seven-year NFL veteran who was a fourth-round pick (104th overall) out of LSU by Miami in 2005.

St. Joseph, Missouri native Martin Rucker signed with the Chiefs, his fourth team since joining the NFL out of Missouri in 2008. The 6-5, 251-pound former 4th-round draft choice of Cleveland played in 12 games in four seasons with the Browns, Cowboys and Jaguars.

Kansas City WR Steve Breaston has 776 receiving yards and two touchdowns this season, his first with the Chiefs. He needs one more score to tie and two touchdowns to set a new career high. He'll attempt this in Week 17 against the Broncos, a team he had four catches for 33 yards in the last meeting with them. Denver is allowing 253.8 receiving yards per game and have given up 24 receiving scores.

Chiefs DB Brandon Flowers was relatively quiet in Week 14 against the Jets. Flowers finished with just four tackles in the 37-10 contest -- one solo. However, he was credited with a pair passes defended in the defeat.

The Kansas City Chiefs have signed former Jets defensive end Ropati Pitoitua. He was a free agent after playing in 22 games over the past two seasons with the Jets. The former Washington State defensive end joined New York as an undrafted free agent in 2008, spending his first season in the league on the team's practice squad. Pitoitua played in eight games in 2009 before playing in 14 games last season. He has 22 tackles and one sack in his career.

The Broncos signed DB Tony Carter from the practice squad on Tuesday and waived DB Kyle McCarthy. McCarthy posted one tackle in two games this season.

Chiefs safety Eric Berry told the Kansas City Star that he expects to be ready for the start of training camp. Berry tore his ACL in Week 1 last season.

Knee - Probable for start of training camp

Chiefs DL Glenn Dorsey was able to shake off a leg injury in Week 14 against the Jets. Dorsey briefly left during the 37-10 contest with his injury, but was able to return. He finished with nine tackles -- two solo -- in the defeat, which was second only to Derrick Johnson's 12 stops.

The Kansas City Chiefs filled one of their biggest needs with a massive gamble, selecting Memphis defensive tackle Dontari Poe with the No. 11 pick in the NFL draft. He was one of three defenders the team drafted: The other two were Alabama cornerback DeQuan Menzie and San Diego State defensive tackle Jerome Long.

When asked how he envisioned using new running back Peyton Hillis, Chiefs head coach Romeo Crennel called him "a complement." Hillis signed with the Chiefs this offseason, reuniting with offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, who helped Hillis to his breakout 2010 season in Cleveland. Hillis is expected to help run the ball with Jamaal Charles, who is coming off of a torn ACL but is expected to be ready for camp. "He does it all," Crennel said of Hillis at the NFL Annual Meeting in Palm Beach, Fla. "A couple of years ago when he was in Cleveland, he ran, he caught, he blocked. ... I think he feels good about how he's going to be used. We're going to use him in several different ways."

After just one disappointing season in Oakland, free agent tight end Kevin Boss has agreed to sign with division rival Kansas City on Thursday on a three-year, $9 million contract. Boss had a couple of 500-yard seasons with the Giants prior to joining Oakland, however he finished with just 28 catches for 368 yards, as he was underutilized in the Raiders’ offense.

Chiefs K Ryan Succop ended his 2011 season the exact same way he began it; with a missed field goal and a single extra point. While the Chiefs lost in Week 1 when he had that line, they managed to defeat the Broncos in Week 17 7-3. The field goal he missed was from 44-yards out in the first quarter.

Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher has signed his restricted free agent tender, which was at the second-round level and will pay him $1,972,000 for the 2012 season. Belcher will compete with Brandon Siler for the middle linebacker spot alongside Pro Bowl selection Derrick Johnson this season. Siler missed last season after tearing his Achilles tendon early in training camp.

The Cowboys placed LB Leon Williams on IR with a hamstring injury Friday.

Days after working with the receivers in Chiefs OTAs, coach Romeo Crennel acknowledged Thursday that Dexter McCluster is now working as a receiver rather than just at running back as he did last year. "We've given Dexter a few reps at wide receiver in this new offense," Crennel said. "We feel like he can play running back at any point of time. We want to see how he reacts to that (wide receiver) and if we need him at running back, we can put him at running back."

Chiefs DE Tyson Jackson turned in his most productive game of the season in Week 14 against the Jets. Jackson finished with a season-high eight tackles -- six solo -- in the 37-10 contest.

Kansas City DL Allen Bailey recorded a sack of Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers on Sunday of Week 15. Bailey helped the Chiefs take down the previously unbeaten Packers. Bailey finished with one tackle.

Chiefs DB Donald Washington suffered an apparent leg injury in Week 9 against the Raiders. He was in on a tackle with under two minutes left in the game and had to be helped off the field. He finished with one tackle and did not return.

Kansas City LB Tamba Hali had a monster performance against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers on Sunday of Week 15. Hali played a major role in the Chiefs becoming the first team in the NFL to beat the Packers as he finished the game with three sacks. Hali had three of the four sacks the Chiefs managed in the game. He finished with four total tackles.

After two years in Denver in which he didn't throw a regular-season pass, quarterback Brady Quinn has moved on, agreeing to terms with the Chiefs. He is expected to back up Matt Cassel. "I had the opportunity to work with Brady in Cleveland and I can tell you he is a true professional," coach Romeo Crennel said in a statement. "He is a veteran player who knows how to study and prepare for game days and you can count on him to always go out there and give you his best, whether that be on the practice field or on Sundays."

In addition to drafting edge rusher Justin Houston, the Chiefs drafted Miami DE Allen Bailey (Round 3), Colorado CB Jalil Brown (Round 4), Oregon State LB Gabe Miller (Round 5) and Ole Miss DT Jerrelle Powe (Round 6).

The Kansas City Chiefs announced on Wednesday that the team has signed free agent WR Zeke Markshausen.

The Kansas City Chiefs waived LS Thomas Gafford, WR C.J. Jones, DT T.J. Jackson and LB Darrell Robertson on Friday. Gafford played in nine games as Kansas City's long snapper in 2008, while Jackson saw duty in four games for the Chiefs a year ago.

Chiefs LB Justin Houston went on a tear at the end of the season, finishing with 5.5 sacks in the teams’ final five games. He capped it off with a 1.5 sack performance in the team’s 7-3 win over the Broncos, as he chased Broncos QB Tim Tebow all over the field.

The Chiefs made the final cuts necessary to get down the the final 53 players on Saturday. Among the released were WRs Jeremy Horne, Zeke Markshausen, and Verran Tucker; DL Harold Ayodele, FB Shane Bannon, LB Justin Cole, FB MIke Cox, DL Dion Gales, TE Charlie Gantt, LB Micah Johnson, LB Amara Kamara, S Reshard Langford, DB Quinten Lawrence, Ricky Price, TE Cody Slate, DT Anthony Toribio, LB Pierre Walters and DB Demond Washington. The team also placed LB Gabe Miller (undisclosed) on injured reserve.

Chiefs safety Kendrick Lewis injured his knee in the first half of Week 13's game against the Bears. He did make five tackles in the contest.

Kansas City LB Derrick Johnson was outstanding in Week 16 against Oakland. Johnson had seven tackles, including six solo, with an interception.