Chiefs Select Dontari Poe In First Round - Kansas City News

The Chiefs took Dontari Poe with their first round pick in the 2012 NFL draft, addressing a need at nose tackle with a talented, but raw prospect. While Poe was projected to fall into the later portion of the first round, Scott Pioli felt that the Chiefs need for a NT was too high, and grabbed the former Memphis standout.

Poe is a bit of a mystery coming out of college. He had an insane combine, showing off strength and speed that would merit a high draft choice. Despite all the physical tools, Poe did not produce at a high level in college. Considering that Memphis plays in lowly Conference USA, that has to be somewhat concerning for Kansas City fans.

The big question now is did the Chiefs grab someone they could have gotten later? It is hard to say; after his extraordinary combine, many thought Poe would be a top 5 pick. However, after scouts dissected his college game and saw his on-field struggles, many thought he would fall to the 20-30 range. It is very possible that Pioli could have traded down 5-10 spots and still been able to select Poe, while picking up an extra second or third round pick in the process.

The Chiefs have had some big whiffs at defensive tackle in the past, and Kansas City fans have to be concerned with Poe’s lack of production in college. However, the team addressed a glaring weakness and nabbed a player that has all the physical tools to play at a high level in the NFL.

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Home Runs Help Royals End 12 Game Losing Streak

The Royals 12 game losing streak started with a home sweep at the hands of the Indians, so it was fitting that Kansas City ended its horrendous slide against the team that started it all. Backed by several key home runs, the Royals creamed the Indians 8-2, ending its 12 game losing streak and improving its record to 4-14 on the season.

The Royals relied on the long ball last night, and Kansas City’s big three delivered. Billy Butler started off the offensive barrage with a two run blast in the first, and later added a solo shot in the ninth. Eric Hosmer’s two-run home run in the fifth made it 4-0, while Alex Gordon belted a three run home run in the ninth to ensure the streak was over.

There is no way to sugar coat this win – things were getting beyond desperate for Kansas City and the Royals needed to get the monkey of their backs. Not only did the team pick up a much-needed win, but Butler, Gordon and Hosmer all should get a good deal of confidence after great days at the plate. Luke Hochevar also pitched very well, giving Royals fans hope that he can produce the way he did after the All-Star break last season.

Kansas City wraps up its series with Cleveland today before traveling to Minnesota to begin a three game series with the Twins. Luis Mendoza (0-2) will start for the Royals, while Josh Tomlin (1-1) will get the nod for the Indians.

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How Does Ryan Tannehill Affect The Chiefs Draft Strategy - Kansas City News

Chiefs GM Scott Pioli has made several headlines recently with his comments on Kansas City’s draft strategy. First, Pioli made it known to the press that the Chiefs were strongly considering taking Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill, then Pioli followed those comments up by mentioning that he would like to draft a quarterback ever year. If Tannehill does fall to the Chiefs, they will have several options.

Quarterbacks have fallen in drafts before, and Tannehill could certainly be available when the Chiefs are on the clock with the 12th selection in the first round. In 2005, Aaron Rodgers fell all the way to 24 in the 2005 NFL draft before the Packers took a chance on him, and obviously that worked out well for Green Bay. You need a championship-caliber quarterback to win titles, and Matt Cassel hasn’t inspired a lot of confidence. While the Chiefs have other needs, Tannehill may be too good for Pioli to pass up.

The Chiefs may also trade up to ensure they get Tannehill. While this seems unlikely, Pioli may get an opportunity to trade picks to move up and get his quarterback of the future. While the Chiefs have a few holes, they could address them later in the draft or via free agency.

If Tannehill is available when the Chiefs select, Kansas City may also opt to trade down to get additional picks later in the draft. Pioli may decide to stick with Cassel now and find a quarterback of the future next year or in the later rounds of the draft. Teams will be interested in Tannehill, and the Chiefs could use that to their advantage. Several players that Kansas City could use at NT, LB or OL may still be available later in the first round, and trading down will give the Chiefs an opportunity to build more depth.
Tannehill may likely be gone by the time Kansas City makes its first round selection, but it appears that he could be a significant factor in Pioli’s draft strategy. Will Kansas City find its QB of the future, or move up or down the board? We will know Thursday evening.

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Amber Alert in Kansas City Porter Stone Taken from St. Louis Children's Hospital - Kansas City News

An amber alert has been issued in Kansas City, St. Joseph and St. Louis after 5 year old Porter Stone, while awaiting a heart transplant, was taken from St. Louis Children's Hospital after his release around 4pm.  According to sources at St. Louis Children's Hospital, Porter was released, while still toting around an I.V. (why did they release a child, hooked up to an IV, awaiting a heart transplant, from the hospital??).  After his release, his parents, father Jeffrey Stone, and mother Rhonda Matthews took Porter to the hospital's downstairs pharmacy to fill some of Porter's prescriptions and the child - and his "parents" - disappeared.

As if this story wasn't sketchy enough, Porter's doctor went on the news saying that "the mother went to get the car, and [reported] that the father never came to the car."  This just sounds crazy.  The mother "reported" that the father never came to the car?  How did she report this information?  Did she call in on a cell phone?  Why would she leave the hospital AT ALL without knowing where her son was?  If she was waiting for Jeffrey and Porter to come out to the car, why in the hell wouldn't she stay at the hospital until they were located?

Surely, more answers will present themselves on Wednesday, but for now, the amber alert for Porter Stone advises citizens to be on the lookout for a silver Toyota Corolla with California license plate 6BMU445.   Porter Stone was in the official custody of his mother at the time of his abduction from the hospital, yet both parents "drove in from California" a few days ago.  Where did this child live?  Why is the town of St. Joseph mentioned at all?  Why would he be in Kansas City, and eventually in St. Louis when his parents are in California?  Rhonda Matthew's brother, Porter Stone's uncle, Ian Fife, was interviewed on the scene and he says that Rhonda and Jeffrey Stone were in a heated divorce and custody battle, and he believes that a kidnapping has been staged.

According to medical officials at the hospital, Porter Stone's heart was rapidly deteriorating and he only had enough medication to last him through Wednesday afternoon.  Porter, hailing from St. Joseph, Missouri, while his parents somehow were in California, suffered from acute cardiomyopathy was placed on the heart transplant list after going from hospitals in Kansas City to St. Louis for care.

At this time, this story has MAJOR holes in it, and we will need to gather more facts concerning Porter Stone, Jeffrey Stone and Rhonda Matthews - not to mention facts about why the 5 year old child was released from St. Louis Children's Hospital in the first place - before we can report further on this amber alert case.

Photo - Rhonda Matthews, mother of Porter Stone

Here is the Official Amber Alert from the St. Louis Police Department:

The suspect is believed to be Jeffrey Stone, a white male, age 33, 6'6", 230 pounds, bald, wearing a black and orange San Francisco Giants baseball cap, gray shirt, and black shorts. The second suspect is Rhonda Marie Matthews, a white female, age 59, 5'3", 130 pounds,brown hair, brown eyes, wearing unknown clothing. The victim, Porter Stone, is a white male, age 5, 46", 44 pounds, brown hair in a mohawk style haircut. He was last seen wearing a gray shirt, black and white shorts, Spiderman shoes, carrying a backpack with medical IV pump inside. Anyone seeing the victim, suspect, or vehicle or anyone having any information related to the abduction should immediately dial 911 to contact the nearest law enforcement agency or call the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department at 314-444-5622.

Photo - Jeffrey Stone, father of missing child Porter Stone

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Who Will The Chiefs Take In The First Round Of The 2012 NFL Draft? - Kansas City News

The first round of the 2012 NFL draft is only two days away, and the Kansas City Chiefs hold the 12th pick in the first round. Last season, injuries derailed a talented team that found itself with a decent shot at a playoff berth late in the season, but failed to capitalize and ultimately finished 7-9. Despite a solid young nucleus, the Chiefs still have several holes to fill entering the draft.

Arguably the biggest need for the Chiefs is at nose tackle, an essential position for the 3-4 scheme Kansas City runs. Last season, Kelly Gregg played well for the Chiefs, which was a big reason why Kansas City’s defense was stout all year. However, Gregg will not be back this year, and the Chiefs need to solidify this position for the future. Devon Still and Dontari Poe could be potential first round candidates for Kansas City, and there will be solid options in the second and third rounds as well. The Chiefs have a shaky history in regards to drafting defensive tackles, and Kansas City cannot afford to miss on another interior defensive lineman.

The Chiefs could also use some help defensively at inside linebacker, where the team needs a playmaker next to the dynamic Derrick Johnson. Jovan Belcher had a decent season for the Chiefs, but pairing Johnson with another Pro-Bowl caliber LB could make the Chiefs’ defense one of the best in the NFL. Many believe Kansas City will take Luke Kuechly of Boston College in the first round, who is graded by most draft scouts as the top inside linebacker prospect in the draft. The Chiefs may likely grab Kuechly and opt to address the NT spot later in the draft.

The Chiefs also could use an upgrade at guard, and Stanford’s David DeCastro will likely be available when the Chiefs are on the clock. DeCastro has been labeled by most as the best interior offensive lineman in the draft, and could solidify Kansas City’s line and start from day one. It is unlikely the Chiefs would take a flyer on any other Guards so early, and they may elect to add depth to their offensive line later in the draft.

It is hard to guess what Scott Pioli will do Thursday night. Conventional wisdom suggests the Chiefs GM will grab a DT, ILB or G, but Pioli has also expressed interest in acquiring Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill. The Chiefs are in a position to win now, and hopefully will find an impact player that helps put them back in the playoffs.

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