SportsBeat KC

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How much should Super Bowl loss factor into Chiefs’ personnel decisions? Feb 15, 2021

Show notes

A week later, the Chiefs’ Super Bowl loss to the Bucs doesn’t feel much different. It remains a stunning and puzzling outcome. But it’s time to look ahead now, and columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam Mellinger do that on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast hosted by Blair Kerkhoff.

What areas should the Chiefs address and where should they stand pat in the offseason? Two years ago, they made sweeping changes, especially on defense. After last season, their desire to return as much talent as possible was the source of the “Run It Back” campaign. What direction is best for this team now?

After a break, we’ll talk about the trade that brought left fielder Andrew Benintendi to the Royals. The price was steep, but the Royals dealt potential upside for established credentials.

Story links:

Patrick Mahomes was motivated after winning a Super Bow. Defeat will inspire him more.

Mellinger podcast: Tell your friends you love them and Terez Paylor memories from Brett Veach

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NCAA-bound Mizzou, KU seek right formulas as season winds down Feb 12, 2021

Show notes

The NCAA Tournament credentials continue to build for Missouri and Kansas.

Mizzou followed one of its best weeks of the year by laying an egg at Mississippi. The Tigers look to get back on track Saturday against Arkansas.

Kansas had lost five of seven but has now put together a two-game winning streak and visits Iowa State, the same team the Jayhawks trounced Thursday, on Saturday.

Beat writers Souichi Terada, Jesse Newell and Gary Bedore break down their teams and what’s at stake in the final weeks of the regular season.

Story links:

“Some guys didn’t show up:” How Mizzou’s lackluster defense doomed them at Ole Miss

How an NBA mentality helped them to their blowout of Iowa State

Bryce Thompson returns from injury, provides spark in Jayhawks victory over Iowa State

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Acquiring Andrew Benintendi means Royals are in a win-now mode Feb 11, 2021

Show notes

The Royals have a new left fielder. In a trade that involved three teams, the Royals acquired Andrew Benintendi from the Red Sox while parting ways with outfielders Franchy Cordero and Khalil Lee. The Mets get Lee.

It’s the latest move that indicates the Royals are in a win-now mode. Benintendi joins fellow newcomers Carlos Santana, Michael Taylor and Mike Minor on the roster while parting with players still chasing their upside.

Beat writer Lynn Worthy joins SportsBeat KC host Blair Kerkhoff to discuss the move on today’s show, and after a break you’ll hear from Benintendi and Royals general manager Dayton Moore.

Story links:

Royals acquire Andrew Benintendi from Boston in three-team trade

Royals left fielder Andrew Benintendi shares many of Alex Gordon’s defensive qualities

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Honoring and remembering our friend and colleague, Terez A. Paylor Feb 10, 2021

Show notes

On today’s SportsBeat KC, we remember Terez Paylor, The Kansas City Star sportswriter who left us much too soon. He died on Monday at age 37.

The tributes from across the journalism world have been overwhelming, and today some of his former colleagues at The Star got together on a zoom call to recall what we loved and admired about Terez.

You’ll hear from Sam Mellinger, Vahe Gregorian, Herbie Teope, Sam McDowell and Blair Kerkhoff. We could have talked to dozens more who worked with Terez during his 12 years at The Star or three years at Yahoo Sports. Everyone has a fond memory.

These are ours.

Story links:

A fellow beat writer pays tribute to ‘little brother’ and range buddy Terez Paylor

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article249150045.html

On the beauty and joy of Terez Paylor, a teammate who will always be in our hearts

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/vahe-gregorian/article249125055.html

Mourning the passing of our friend Terez, who leaves us with so many loving memories

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sam-mellinger/article249129035.html

One of a kind: Friends, colleagues what made Terez so special

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article249123685.html

Former Kansas City Star sportswriter Terez Paylor dies at 37

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article249126880.html

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Second day thoughts from Chiefs on the Super Bowl. It doesn’t hurt less Feb 09, 2021

Show notes

The pain of the Super Bowl loss continues for the Chiefs. On Monday, Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid provided their second day thoughts on the 31-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Mahomes discussed the most lopsided defeat of his young pro career and how that will help motivate him. He also takes us inside a play that could have been spectacular, the incomplete pass to Darrel Williams when Mahomes threw the ball while parallel to the turf.

After a break you’ll hear from Andy Reid on several topics, including the officiating in Sunday’s game and comments on Britt Reid.

Story links:

Flyin’ Mahomes explains how he got off amazing uncaught pass to Williams in Super Bowl

“Odor of alcoholic beverages:” See key details in Britt Reid search warrant documents.

Patrick Mahomes was motivated after winning a Super Bowl. Defeat will inspire him more

Super Bowl LV did not expose the Chiefs. But it did reinforce their most urgent need

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The Chiefs picked a lousy time (Super Bowl LV) to play their worst game Feb 08, 2021

Show notes

This Chiefs took a 3-0 lead against Tampa Bay in the Super Bowl, but it was all downhill from there. Penalties, turnovers, poor execution — you name it, the Chiefs were guilty of it Sunday night.

The disappointment will last long into the offseason.

The Star’s coverage team of columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam Mellinger and beat writers Sam McDowell and Herbie Teope unpacked what went wrong in a post-game episode of SportsBeat Live, presented now as a SportsBeat KC podcast. The audience came through with some great questions and comments.

Story links:

What went wrong in Chiefs’ Super Bowl loss: Penalties, pressure and more

Chiefs’ Reid on son’s crash that injured girl: “My heart bleeds for everyone involved”

Amid anguish of last few days, Chiefs own desolate end to this could have been season

Mahomes’ Chiefs never looked so bad. The work starts now to make sure they don’t again

Chiefs report card: The Super Bowl is pass-fail, and you know this went

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How Laurent Duvernay-Tardif went from Chiefs line to pandemic front lines Feb 05, 2021

Show notes

Welcome to the final SportsBeat KC podcast before the Super Bowl!

Today’s pod features a Chiefs player who isn’t with the team this season but played a major role last year. Offensive lineman Laurent Duvernay-Tardiff, who has a medical degree, opted out this season to help fight COVID-19. Duvernay-Tardif spoke with KC Star columnist Vahe Gregorian, whose column appears on kansascity.com today and in Sunday’s print editions of The Star.

After a break, we’ll hear from Chiefs coach Andy Reid. Listen until the end for his special message to former Chiefs coach Marty Schottenheimer.

Story links:

On eve of Super Bowl he’ll watch alone, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif reflects on opt-out

A year ago they asked Andy Reid if he’ll ever win. Now they ask if he’ll ever stop

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Updating Chiefs injuries and haircuts, and fondly remembering Martyball Feb 04, 2021

Show notes

Today’s SportsBeat KC gets in some final words before the Super Bowl. The Star’s coverage team of Sam McDowell, Vahe Gregorian and Sam Mellinger joined host Blair Kerkhoff to talk about the keys to Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and what kind of statistics to keep an eye on as the game unfolds. Beat writer Herbie Teope was on assignment.

Updates on injuries and haircut safety are also provided.

And we discuss the Chiefs’ tenure of former coach Marty Schottenheimer who entered hospice care earlier this week. The Chiefs as a piece of Kansas City culture with the ear-ringing crowds at Arrowhead Stadium and the extraordinary tailgating started with the success of Schottenheimer’s teams of the 1990s.

Story links:

Two Kansas City Chiefs landed on reserve/covid list because of barber’s positive test

Former Chiefs, Browns coach Marty Schottenheimer moved to hospice

Why the Chiefs haven’t lost faith in Mecole Hardman (He hasn’t either)

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Super Bowl breakdown from Tampa Bay’s perspective, game and festivities Feb 03, 2021

Show notes

It’s Tampa Bay day on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast. On today’s show we visit two journalists with the Tampa Bay Times. Joey Knight covers the Bucs and breaks down the game from a Tampa Bay perspective. Also, Sharon Kennedy Wynne is the TImes’ family, entertainment and events editor. She provides a pulse of the region that is hosting the nation’s most popular championship in the most unusual of times.

Also on today’s show, Chiefs president Mark Donovan met with reporters on Tuesday and said that the team and city are exploring the idea of Arrowhead Stadium as a COVID-19 vaccination center, like it was a polling place in November, and he shared some thoughts about how the team and NFL are handling the reduced number of tickets for the limited capacity event.

Story links

What was the turning point of the Bucs’ season? Take your pick

For Super Bowl visitors, a guide to Tampa Bay’s socially distanced attractions

Arrowhead Stadium as a vaccination site in Kansas City? It could happen

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Checking in with the prodigy (Patrick Mahomes) and GOAT (Tom Brady) Feb 02, 2021

Show notes

The quarterback matchup is biggest topic for the biggest game of the year. Patrick Mahomes is off to the best start to a career in NFL history and takes on the best body of work the game has seen in Tom Brady. The quarterbacks spoke glowingly about each other and covered many other topics on Monday as Super Bowl festivities kicked off.

During zoom interviews, Mahomes’ spoke about his motivation, the Bucs’ defense and in a question from a kid reporter, we learned about his spirit animal. Brady spoke of his career, his relationship with Bill Belichick and much more.

You’ll hear from Mahomes first, then Brady on today’s episode of SportsBeat KC, The Kansas City Star’s daily sports podcast that’s devoting this week to the Super Bowl.

Story links:

Big homes, fast cars, growing families: What Brady and Mahomes have in common (and don’t)

Mellinger Minutes: Nerdy Super Bowl breakdown, key to beating Brady and whoopee cushions

Add it up and all signs point to a close game between Chiefs, Bucs

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