KCMB Kansas City News

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Chiefs Sign More Players, Awarded Compensatory Draft Picks

The Kansas City Chiefs have already had an extremely busy offseason, making bold moves to upgrade its front office, coaching staff and roster. The team hasn’t slowed down yet, making more free agent signings and receiving good news regarding its compensatory draft picks.

The special teams unit has been a priority for the new coaching staff, as the Chiefs added coordinator Dave Toub and made punter Dustin Colquitt the highest paid punter in football. Kansas City decided to resign the man who has been snapping Colquitt the ball, inking Thomas Gafford to a new contract. Gafford has been with the team since 2008, snapping on punts, field goals and extra points.

The team also received good news regarding left tackle Branden Albert. Albert has told the team he plans on signing the Chiefs one-year offer worth $9.83 million. Albert was not happy about having the franchise tag placed on him, and has been vocal about both receiving a long-term deal and staying at left tackle. It is unclear if the team plans to keep Albert, given that the team has been linked to drafting an offensive lineman with its top overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft. For now, Albert is in Kansas City’s immediate plans.

The team will enter the draft with two extra picks as well, earning a third and sixth round selection when the NFL announced its compensatory picks yesterday. The extra third-round pick is especially good news considering Kansas City lost a second round pick in its trade to acquire quarterback Alex Smith. The Chiefs now have a total of eight draft picks in the upcoming draft.

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Monday, March 18, 2013

Kansas Wins Big 12 Tournament, Earns One Seed In NCAA Tournament

The Kansas Jayhawks made it clear who the best team in the Big 12 was this season, hammering Kansas State in the finals of the Big 12 tournament 70-54. KU was rewarded for its dominating Big 12 tournament with a one seed in the South region of the NCAA Tournament.

The third meeting this season between the two rivals got off to a slow start, as both teams struggled offensively in the first half. KU was able to build a 24-16 halftime lead, however K-State cut the lead to three early in the second half. The Jayhawks answered with a 12-3 run, essentially putting the game away midway through the second half.

Jeff Withey led Kansas with 17 points and 9 rebounds, and the Jayhawks continued to get strong play from freshman Perry Ellis, who chipped in 12 points. Kansas State star Rodney McGruder scored 18 points, however much of that came when KU had built its insurmountable lead in the second half.

Kansas’ dominance over Kansas State and the Big 12 has been shocking. The Jayhawks have defeated the Wildcats 47 times in the teams’ last 50 meetings, including 11 straight times in the Big 12 tournament. Kansas also improved to 9-1 in Big 12 Tournament Title games and won its sixth Big 12 Tournament title under Bill Self.

After winning the Big 12 tournament in dominating fashion, Kansas was rewarded with the second overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Jayhawks will face Western Kentucky Friday night in the Sprint Center in Kansas City. If Kansas advances, it will play the winner of North Carolina and Villanova on Sunday. The Jayhawks were given a tough bracket, as Georgetown, Florida and Michigan are also in the South region.

Friday, March 15, 2013

Big 12 Tournament Update

The Big 12 tournament is officially underway at the Sprint Center in Kansas City. The quarterfinal round took place yesterday, featuring some close finishes and plenty of controversy.

Kansas 91 Texas Tech 63

The biggest blowout of the day came from the biggest mismatch of the day. Kansas shot a Big 12 record 66 percent from the field, torching Tech for 57 second half points. Ben McLemore scored 24 points for the Jayhawks, while Dejan Kravic led the Red Raiders with 20 points. This will be the final game of the season for Texas Tech, which will need to make a decision this offseason on whether or not to retain interim coach Chris Walker, who replaced Billy Gillispie when he resigned due to health reasons.

Iowa State 73 Oklahoma 66

This game had plenty of intrigue as both Oklahoma and Iowa State are fighting for an NCAA tournament berth. The Sooners built an eight point halftime lead and led for most of the game, only to watch the Cyclones go on a 12-point run in the second half to come back. Iowa State got a monster game from Melvin Ejim, who had 23 points and 12 rebounds. Both OU and ISU should make the NCAA tournament, as the Cyclones picked up another impressive win and the Sooners have a strong body-of-work from both their non-conference schedule and fourth place finish in the league.

Kansas State 66 Texas 49

Kansas State star Rodney McGruder had a huge game for the Wildcats, scoring 24 points and adding seven rebounds. The Wildcats held the Longhorns at arm’s length throughout the game and limited Myck Kabongo to only two points. Texas, which finished the year with a 16-17 record, will miss the NCAA tournament for the first time in 15 years.

Oklahoma State 74 Baylor 72

This was the game of the day. The Cowboys took control early and held a 42-24 halftime lead, only to watch Baylor mount a furious rally in the second half. Baylor’s Gary Franklin was able to convert a four-point play late to tie the game up. On the next possession, OSU’s Phil Forte got the ball in lane and was fouled by BU’s Deuce Bello on what appeared to be a clean block. Forte made both free throws, but Baylor still had a final shot. Pierre Jackson – who had 31 points – got a decent look from three, but his attempt hit the back iron. The loss puts Baylor’s NCAA tournament chances in serious jeopardy.

The semi-finals of the tournament will take place today. Kansas faces Iowa State at 6:30 p.m. and Kansas State faces Oklahoma State at 9:00 p.m.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Sean Smith Signed by Chiefs to 3 Year Deal Worth $18 Million

Just minutes ago the Kansas City Chiefs signed cornerback Sean Smith to a 3 year deal for $18 million, with $11 million guaranteed. Smith was highly sought after in the free agent market even though he only has 5 TOTAL interceptions in his ENTIRE career. The Kansas City Chiefs have shown once again today that they are going to be very aggressive in the acquisition of free agents, as they are most likely going to look for an offensive lineman in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Sean Smith played cornerback for The University of Utah and was drafted in 2009 by the Miami Dolphins where he had an average career. He had an excellent performance in the 2009 Sugar Bowl vs the Alabama Crimson Tide where he made 6 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble and a game changing knock down which may have influenced his position in the draft. Sean Smith elected to skip his senior year in college to enter the 2009 NFL Draft where he was selected late in the second round by Miami.

This move could have possibly been a reaction to the free agency movement of the Denver Broncos, who signed an amazing deal with star wide receiver and the last great white hope at his position Wes Welker this week. With Peyton Manning throwing the ball to Wes Welker, every team in the AFC West had better stock up at the cornerback and safety positions.

NFL experts have been impressed with The Kansas City Chiefs free agency moves thus far, and most say that the Chiefs got Sean Smith for a great price, one that was much lower than he was hoping for at the beginning of free agency. Sean Smith is a large cornerback who could develop into an elite player. He is almost a sure start opposite cornerback Brandon Flowers. Smith can also play wide receiver and return kickoffs.

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Royals Spring Training Updates – Hochevar Moved To Bullpen

Despite being a former top overall draft pick, Luke Hochevar has struggled with consistency as a starter his entire career in Kansas City. Now it appears that the right-hander’s days as a starter with the Royals are over, as Kansas City announced that Hochevar will be moved to the bullpen.

Hochevar had been competing with Bruce Chen and Luis Mendoza for the final spot in the starting rotation along with James Shields, Jeremy Guthrie, Ervin Santana and Wade Davis. Now the battle is between Chen and Mendoza. Chen has been steady for the Royals, and has the most wins of any pitcher with the organization over the past three years. Despite Chen’s consistency, Mendoza has to be the favorite. After a rocky start to last season, Mendoza has pitched very well and could be due for a big season.

Hochevar has baffled Kansas City fans with his inconsistency – at times he looks like a dominant starter, other times he looks like he doesn’t belong in the major leagues. Unfortunately, the bad has outweighed the good in his career, and the former top pick has a 5.39 ERA and a 38-59 record in 132 career starts.

While Mendoza and Chen are the front-runners to win the fifth starter’s spot, Will Smith has emerged as a dark horse candidate. Smith has a 1.29 ERA so far this spring and could be a potential starter down the road for Kansas City.

The emergence of Smith may lead to Kansas City considering trading Hochevar, as Kansas City already has a loaded bullpen. Greg Holland’s job as the closer and Kelvin Herrera’s position as his setup man are locks, and the Royals also have Aaron Crow, Tim Collins, Nate Adcock and Louis Coleman as relief pitchers. The loser of the Chen and Mendoza battle could also be used in relief, and it appears there isn’t much room for Hochevar. Don’t be surprised if the Royals try to shop Hochevar over the next couple of weeks.

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