SportsBeat KC

Latest Episodes:

Podcast: Here are players from each position group to follow in Chiefs’ preseason opener Aug 12, 2022

Show notes

The Chiefs first preseason game has arrived and every player has their own story to tell. On today’s SportsBeat KC, beat writers Herbie Teope and Jesse Newell tak each position group and identify a player or two to keep an eye on against the Chicago Bears on Saturday.

It could be a returning starter like linebacker Nick Bolton, a member of the draft class like defensive end George Karlaftis or a free agent like wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. Every player has something to prove.

We’ll know Saturday who came up big and who has more work to do.

Story link:

Kansas City Chiefs’ preseason opener is Saturday: Here are 5 things (plus 1) to watch

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article264413261.html

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Podcast: Why Eli Drinkwitz names Brady Cook the Missouri Tigers’ starting quarterback Aug 11, 2022

Show notes

Missouri has a starting quarterback. The four-candidate competition concluded earlier this week when Coach Eli Drinkwitz announced Brady Cook would get the nod for the opening game.

Cook’s ability to throw with accuracy and be a threat in the running game elevated him over Tyler Macon, Jack Abraham and Sam Horn. On today’s SportsBeat KC, Coach Eli Drinkwitz discusses his choice of Cook at the news conference, and you’ll also hear from Cook, who started last season’s bowl game.

Jayden Jernigan, a defenisve lineman transfer from Oklahoma State, speaks to the strides made by the TIgers defense in training camp.

Story link:

Missouri names Brady Cook starting quarterback

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-missouri/article264354521.html

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Who’s moving up (and down) the Kansas City Chiefs’ depth chart? A SportsBeat KC podcast Aug 10, 2022

Show notes

Days away from the Chiefs preseason opener the team released its first depth chart and it mostly read as expected. But trhere were a couple of surprises.

We talk about those and on today’s SportsBeat KC with beat writers Herbie Teope and Jesse Newell along with columnist Sam McDowell.

Also, Rashad Fenton returned to practice this week, bolstering the cornerback position, and find out which players defensive backs coach Dave Merritt called the “Fab FIve.”

Story link:

Chiefs assistant coach has this nickname for players in the secondary

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article264247206.html

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Kansas City Royals’ season pivots to the rookies. How to handle the new reality: podcast Aug 09, 2022

Show notes

The Royals’ future is now. Bobby Witt Jr., and MJ Melendez have been with the club all or most of they season. Now they’ve been joined by players like Nick Pratto, Michael Massey and Nate Eaton. The final weeks of the season are about getting them major league experience.

That makes the season a little sad–it means the Royals are contending–but interesting at a time when a team with the Royals; record would be playing out the string.

On today’s SportsBeat KC, beat writer Lynn Worthy and columnist Vahe Gregorian discuss a team in transition. The show started as a SportsBeat Live.

Story link:

How rookies are revitalizing KC Royals: ‘All of us ... are falling in love with them’

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/vahe-gregorian/article264274446.html

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Podcast: Chiefs like their cornerback depth enough they cut a former first-round pick Aug 08, 2022

Show notes

The Chiefs made some roster noise on Sunday, cutting cornerback Deandre Baker, a former first-round draft pick who appeared in 10 games over the past two seasons in Kansas City.

Also, Geron Christian, a fifth-year pro who joined the Chiefs this season, ran with the starters at right tackle. Beat writers Herbie Teope and Jesse Newell broke down those moves and added their practice observations on today’s podcast, which started as a SportsBeat Live.

Chiefs training camp continues this week until the team plays its first preseason game, at the Chicago Bears on Saturday.

Story link:

KC Chiefs continue to try new faces at right tackle; Sunday was Geron Christian’s turn

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SportsBeat KC: Carlos Dunlap wants all the snaps. Will the Chiefs accommodate him? Aug 05, 2022

Show notes

The Chiefs have a new defensive end, but even though Carlos Dunlap played only 38 percent of the defensive snaps last season as a member of the Seattle Seahaws, he’s says he wants to be an every-down player for the Chiefs.

Dunlap revealed that and more when he spoke to reporters on Thursday. You’ll those comments and more on today’s SportsBeat KC. Chiefs beat writers Herbie Teope and Jesse Newell discussed Dunlap’s latest NFL stop and what happens with the defensive end rotation.

Also, hear why rookie wide receiver Skyy Moore sits behind Patrick Mahomes in meetings, and how defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is challenged by the Chiefs’ rookies.

Story links:

What Steve Spagnolo sees from four Chiefs rookies, including this recent riser

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article264066681.html

Skyy Moore talks about what it’s like working with Patrick Mahomes

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article264198081.html

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Podcast: Chiefs brought huge draft class to camp. Who is making the most progress? Aug 04, 2022

Show notes

The Chiefs’ 10-player draft haul has made it through two weeks of training camp. What are the early returns? On today’s SportsBeat KC, beat writers Herbie Teope and Jesse Newell join columnist Vahe Gregorian in breaking down the progress of the drafted rookies.

At least are headed for starting jobs and a majority should be part of the two-deep. We discuss the camp’s biggest surprises and disappointments?

Also on today’s show, third-year linebacker Willie Gay Jr., is poised for his biggest season. He’ll tell you about his biggest areas of improvement.

Story link:

Willie Gay Jr., sets this lofty goal ahead of 2022 season

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article264066601.html

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Welcome to KC Chiefs camp, Orlando Brown Jr. (now we can change the subject): podcast Aug 03, 2022

Show notes

For the first time since his contract situation became newsworthy, Chiefs left tackle Orlando Brown Jr., practiced with the team and spoke about his future.

Brown arrived at training camp this week, and said he wanted to be a member of the Chiefs for the rest of his career. He also immediately practiced with the first team. You’ll hear from Brown along with beat writers Herbie Teope and Jesse Newell, along with columnist Vahe Gregorian.

Also discussed: the special teams’ role in roster composition, and tight end Travis Kelce addresses his recent restructured contract.

Story links:

Orlando Brown’s return despite contract dispute reflects vital part of Chiefs culture

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/vahe-gregorian/article264094076.html

Travis Kelce says he wants to be a Kansas City Chief for the rest of his career

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article264046481.html

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Trade winds are blowing for the Royals. And Salvy’s home run went how far? Podcast Aug 02, 2022

Show notes

The Royals have been active in trades over the past few weeks, and now that the clock is ticking toward the end of the trade deadline, how much more work can they do? On today’s SportsBeat KC, beat writer Lynn Worthy and columnists Vahe Gregorian talk about the players who have arrived and those who might be leaving.

Also, we challenge the distance of Salvador Perez’s home run in Chicago against the White Sox on Monday. Was it really just 452 feet? Pffft.

Finally, you’ll hear a tribute from the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and its president Bob Kendrick to Buck O’Neil, the museum’s founder who was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame last week.

Story links:

Kansas City Royals add a pair of relievers, trade away third baseman Emmanuel Rivera

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article264068106.html

Royals, fans think Statcast whiffed on 452-foot estimate of Salvador Perez home run

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for-petes-sake/article264072051.html

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Podcast: A practicing Orlando Brown Jr. is good news for Kansas City Chiefs and Brown Aug 01, 2022

Show notes

Orlando Brown Jr., is back. Well, not quite back but headed in the right direction. The Pro Bowl left tackle didn’t participate in the first week of Chiefs training camp, but his agent said he’ll be at the camp site at Missouri Western for the second week.

On today’s SportsBeat KC, beat writers Jesse Newell and Herbie Teope along with columnist Sam McDowell discussed the impact of Brown’s absence and his return.

Also, Monday marked the first day of practice in pads. Who stood out? And was that Patrick Mahomes limping at the end of the workout? Yes, it was.

Story links:

KC Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes briefly leaves practice after injury scare, but is ‘OK’

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article264015686.html

Here are Andy Reid’s thoughts on Orlando Brown Jr.’s return to the Kansas City Chiefs

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article264051206.html

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