KCMB Kansas City News

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Chiefs Free Agency Overview

The NFL free agent signing period has opened, and the Kansas City Chiefs will be looking to fill several holes on its roster. The team has already been busy this offseason, acquiring new players while releasing several veterans.

The Chiefs have made two big acquisitions already this offseason – trading two draft picks for 49ers quarterback Alex Smith and signing defensive back Dunta Robinson. Smith should be an instant upgrade at quarterback, while Robinson will bring experience to a defensive backfield that struggled last season. The team also resigned wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, tackle Branden Albert and punter Dustin Colquitt. To clear up cap space for these signings, the team released tackle Eric Winston, tight end Kevin Boss and wide receiver Steve Breaston.

Kansas City has already done a good job of addressing some glaring needs, but the team still has several holes to fill. The Chiefs could use some help at wide receiver, especially after letting Breaston go. Former first-round pick Jonathan Baldwin has been a bust so far in the NFL, and the team will need to find another target to pair with Bowe for Smith to throw to. Losing Boss makes the tight end position thin as well, and the team could use some insurance behind Tony Moeaki, who has struggled with injuries in his career.

Defensively, the Chiefs could use more depth in the secondary and will have to find a capable starting inside linebacker next to Pro Bowler Derrick Johnson. Despite spending several early draft picks on defensive lineman over the past several years, the team could also still use an upgrade there.

New general manager John Dorsey could have a lot of flexibility in how he will build the Chiefs’ roster, as the team has several unrestricted free agents. Dorsey will need to figure out which players to bring back first, and then start finding free agents that can address some glaring needs on the roster, particularly at wide receiver, tight end and linebacker.

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Monday, March 11, 2013

Kansas Falls To Baylor, Still Wins Ninth Consecutive Big 12 Championship

The Kansas Jayhawks’ regular season ended in disastrous fashion, as the team was blown out by Baylor 81-58. Despite suffering its worst loss in seven years, Kansas was able to win a ninth consecutive Big 12 championship due to Kansas State’s loss to Oklahoma State earlier in the day.

Baylor easily played its best game of the season against Kansas, and was carried by two insane performances from Pierre Jackson and Cory Jefferson. Jackson scored 28 points with 10 assists, while Jefferson added 25 points. Jefferson, who had never hit a three pointer in his career, went three-for-three from behind the arc on Saturday, which puts the Bears’ performance into perspective.

Kansas not only struggled defensively, but the Jayhawks never got anything going on offense. Ben McLemore had a strong game, but Elijah Johnson struggled, shooting 3 of 13 from the field and adding only two assists next to three turnovers. Apart from McLemore, the lone bright spot for the Jayhawks was freshman Perry Ellis, who added 12 points.

Before Saturday, the Jayhawks had looked like the best team in college basketball recently. Kansas had won seven in a row, including a home blowout of K-State and two tough road wins against Oklahoma State and Iowa State. The Jayhawks still have the talent to go deep in the NCAA tournament, but they will have to get better play from Johnson. When the senior point guard plays well, Kansas is nearly unbeatable. Johnson played very well in last year’s NCAA tournament, which was a big reason why the Jayhawks advanced all the way to the national title game.

Up next for Kansas is the Big 12 tournament, where the Jayhawks will once again have the top seed. Kansas will face the West Virginia-Texas Tech winner on Thursday. If the Jayhawks defeat the Mountaineers or Red Raiders, they will face either Oklahoma or Iowa State.

Friday, March 8, 2013

Chiefs Release Tackle Eric Winston

Just days after placing the franchise tag on left tackle Branden Albert, the Chiefs have released right tackle Eric Winston. The release may signal that the team is heavily leaning towards drafting a tackle with their first overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft.

Winston had signed a four-year, $22 million contract with Kansas City a year ago, and this move saves the Chiefs $5.5 million in cash and $3.5 million in cap space. Winston, who was originally selected by the Houston Texans in the third round of the 2006 NFL draft, became one of the better right tackles in the league before the Chiefs made a move for him in last year’s free agency period. Winston had a decent season for Kansas City, but the Chiefs are looking to get younger, and Winston may not be a strong fit for new head coach Andy Reid’s man-on-man blocking system after spending his career in a zone scheme.

Winston became famous in Kansas City for criticizing Chiefs fans for cheering when quarterback Matt Cassel got injured in a game last season. Winston told the media he understood Kansas City’s decision, and was appreciative that they released him quickly so he could catch on with another team.

In response to his release, Winston called the move “philosophical” and also suggested that the team will likely draft an offensive lineman with its top overall pick. Most draft experts believe that Texas A&M’s Luke Joeckel or Central Michigan’s Eric Fisher could be likely targets for Kansas City.

One issue the Chiefs may face if they draft Joeckel or Fisher is dealing with Albert, who has made it clear he does not want to move to the right side of the line. The team could try to trade Albert to a team that is desperate for a good left tackle, or convince him to move to right tackle or guard. The Chiefs also could keep Albert at left tackle and use Joeckel or Fisher on the right side of the line.

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Two Women Found Dead In Shawnee Mission Park

UPDATE - 5:01pm

It turns out that the two women found dead on the trail near Shawnee Park were twins. Police are now ruling this incident as a double suicide and not a murder suicide. The cause for the twins double suicide is not known but it is suspected that financial problems may have been a factor. The names of the twins have not been released.

Two women were found dead along a rural trail in a Johnson Country park yesterday. The women, who were in their 50s, appeared to have died from multiple gunshot wounds to the head. The names of the deceased have not yet been released.

The women were discovered by a passerby in a wooded area in Gary Halley Streamway Park, located near Shawnee Mission Parkway and Barker Road. Police got the call which reported the discovery of the two dead bodies around 3:07 p.m. yesterday; however it is unknown how long the bodies had been there.

A gun has been recovered from the scene, as well as a white Chrysler PT Cruiser, which authorities believe is connected to the victims. Neighbors in the area reportedly heard a quick succession of shots, indicating that several bullets were fired.

Johnson County police have not classified the case yet, but are considering that the deaths could be the result of a murder-suicide. Due to the possibility of a murder-suicide, police are currently not looking for any suspects, but are interviewing residents close to the area where the bodies were discovered. Police have also not released any additional information about the two victims, awaiting autopsy results. More information will likely be released today on the victims and any possibly motives.

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Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Royals Undefeated In Preseason

The Royals’ preseason has gotten off to a great start, as the team is the only club in baseball to still be undefeated in exhibition play. Kansas City’s offense has been hot all spring, and that continued yesterday in an 8-2 win over the Oakland Athletics.

Royals fans have to be encouraged from how well the team has hit so far in spring ball. Third baseman Mike Moustakas currently has a .545 batting average, while first baseman Eric Hosmer is hitting .391. Kansas City needs both Moustakas and Hosmer to take the next step this season if the team is going to compete for the postseason, and both are producing so far. Alex Gordon may also be in-line for another good season, as he has hit .471 through exhibition play.

A battle for the fifth starter spot is still taking place between Luke Hochevar and Bruce Chen, and it appears that the Royals are now considering trading the pitcher that doesn’t make the starting rotation (as long as the team’s other starters remain healthy). Both Chen and Hochevar will earn $4.5 million this season, and with the Royals’ payroll at a franchise-record $79 million at the moment, it would make sense to trade whichever pitcher will not be starting.

Several scouts were in attendance for the team’s victory over the A’s to watch both Chen and Hochevar pitch. Chen allowed one run on two hits with zero walks, while Hochevar pitched three scoreless innings with three hits and one walk. Chen has led the team in victories over the past three years, but many feel that Hochevar is the current favorite to win the rotation spot.

Kansas City’s undefeated record in spring ball will be put to the test this afternoon, when the team plays the Arizona Diamondbacks. The game will begin at 1:10 p.m.