SportsBeat KC

Latest Episodes:

Chiefs shake snow globe, Denver Broncos in 23-3 victory Dec 16, 2019

Show notes

The Chiefs defeated the Denver Broncos 23-3 on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium in a game played in a snow globe. Chiefs beat writers Herbie Teope and Sam McDowell joined columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian to break down one of the Chiefs’ most complete games of the season, even though it was played in a snowstorm. Patrick Mahomes was terrific, tight end Travis Kelce was record setting and the defense continued its rugged play of late.

Story links

Off kilter for weeks, Patrick Mahomes went into a snow globe and found himself

This version of the Chiefs is good enough to win the Super Bowl. Yes, we’re saying it

Chiefs safeties are leading the defensive overhaul in Kansas City. And it’s no fluke

Blizzard at Arrowhead? Snow problem as Chiefs pummel Drew Lock, Denver Broncos 23-3

Chiefs report card: Frightful weather but delightful game for Mahomes, defense

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KU poised for No. 1 ranking; Drew Lock taking Denver by storm Dec 14, 2019

Show notes

The Kansas Jayhawks are a victory over UMKC away from probably becoming the nation’s top-ranked team. Is KU really the nation’s best? Jesse Newell breaks down the program that hasn’t lost since its opener against Duke and what lies ahead for Kansas.

Also, it’s only been two games but the excitement is building for Drew Lock as the Denver Broncos’ quarterback. The former Mizzou and Lee’s Summit High standout has won his first two starts, and Cecil Lammey of 104.3 The Fan in Denver discusses what Lock’s success means for the organization.

Story links:

KU Coach Bill Self seeks energy for upcoming Kansas City game at Sprint Center

How Kansas Jayhawks point guard Devon Dodson has improved in a somewhat unexpected way

Homecoming in KC: How Drew Lock turned a draft day nightmare into NFL redemption

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Chiefs are AFC West champs again. Now what? Broncos arrive Lock-ed in Dec 12, 2019

Show notes

The Chiefs are AFC West champs again, but three weeks remain in the regular season, starting with Sunday’s home game against Denver. With one goal down, the Chiefs can’t begin to pursue their second — playoff success — until next month.

How will the Chiefs play it? And look who is leading the Broncos’ offense: former Missouri and Lee’s Summit High quarterback Drew Lock. He’s making his third NFL start this weekend, and the Chiefs hope to hand him his first loss.

Bonus chat on SportsBeat KC today: Favorite animated movie or character in honor of Lock’s Buzz Lightyear celebration.

Story links:

Injury-riddled season illuminates character that makes Patrick Mahomes special

Hard work paying off for this Chiefs wide receiver, not to mention the offense

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Talking K-State bowl snub, Patrick Mahomes, and Sporting KC’s big acquisition Dec 12, 2019

Show notes

Kansas State is going to a bowl game, as expected, but not the one the program had hoped for. What’s the reaction from the school and its fans? Kellis Robinett checks in from Manhattan to give us the latest on SportsBeat KC presented by Big O Tires.

Also, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes stepped to the podium to provide his thoughts on the Broncos, Missouri and Lee’s Summit product Drew Lock, and his own team’s sluggish offense. Finally, Sporting KC made a huge move this week, signing Alan Pulido from Liga MX. We hear from Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes and Shaun Goodwin, who covered the story for The Star Wednesday.

Story links:

Why three Big 12 bowls snubbed K-State and how Gene Taylor hopes Wildcats fans to respond

Pulido’s goals in KC: MLS Cup championship, individual scoring title

Frank Clark sees specialist about stomach ailment; Patrick Mahomes’ hand improves

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What does victory at New England say about Chiefs’ potential? Dec 11, 2019

Show notes

Nothing short of winning the AFC Championship will wipe away the disappointment of last season’s ending for the Chiefs, but on Sunday they got a measure of revenge on the team that knocked them from the playoffs, the New England Patriots. The Chiefs won in 23-16, and The Star’s Herbie Teope, Vahe Gregorian, Sam McDowell and Sam Mellinger talked about it from the Gillette Stadium press box after the game on Facebook Live now presented as a SportsBeat KC podcast. They covered the ever-improving Chiefs defense, Patrick Mahomes’ hand injury, the issue with the missing equipment before the game, and several other topics.

Story links:

The Chiefs beat the Patriots but suddenly that’s not enough

Strange but true: Chiefs defense was pivotal in turnabout against Patriots

What an odd year it’s been for Patrick Mahomes, yet Chiefs are division champs

Defense leads way again as Chiefs beat Brady’s Patriots in New England

Good grades all around, especially in pass defense, for Chiefs’ victory over Patriots

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Eliah Drinkwitz wins press conference, needs more victories at Mizzou Dec 11, 2019

Show notes

Eliah Drinkwitz is the new head football coach at the University of Missouri. He came on the Tigers’ radar screen late in the process but Mizzou believes it’s found the right person for the job after Drinkwitz compiled a 12-1 record and Sun Belt Conference championship at Appalachian State.

Star columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam Mellinger joined MU beat writer Souichi Terada and SportsBeat KC host Blair Kerkhoff in describing the introductory event in Columbia and speculating on Drinkwitz’s future in the SEC.

Links to the stories we discussed:

Drinkwitz’s first impression at Mizzou? Good. Sterk’s role in his hire? Not so much

Gary Pinkel showed Mizzou what was possible in the SEC, believes Drinkwitz can follow suit

From Eliah Drinkwitz’s salary to buyout, here are his Mizzou contract details

After whirlwind weekend, Eliah Drinkwitz seizes “opportunity of a lifetime” at Mizzou

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Latest on Mizzou’s search, K-State’s bowl, KU’s football conclusion Dec 06, 2019

Show notes

It’s a college sports Friday on SportsBeat KC, and The Star’s college beat writers weigh in with the latest at Missouri, Kansas State and Kansas. Souichi Terada provides the update on Mizzou’s football coaching search. There are names. Is an announcement near? The WIldcats know they’re going bowling. But where? Kellis Robinett runs down the possibilities. Les Miles completed his first year as the KU football coach, and the Jayhawks finished with the same record as last season. But is there a different feel as Kansas enters the offseason?

Where’s the A-list? Sterk’s Missouri football coaching search seems to lack wow factor

Here’s a look at the four Missouri football coaching candidates on AD Jim Sterk’s list

Why K-State might play in one of the Big 12’s top bowls, or get passed over for Texas

This KU QB’s breakout year began at the Virginia Inn. It ended with a final, unselfish act

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Are we buying chatter about underdog Chiefs taking down Patriots? Dec 05, 2019

Show notes

It’s Chiefs-Patriots week, and this is a game the Chiefs have thought about since dropping the AFC Championship Game to New England in January. Young gun quarterback Patrick Mahomes faces six-time Super Bowl championship quarterback Tom Brady. The Patriots have excelled defensively, the Chiefs have looked better in recent weeks with most of their starters healthy.

Herbie Teope, Sam McDowell, Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian joined Blair Kerkhoff in breaking down the game, what to look for, and how the afternoon in Foxborough might unfold on SportsBeat KC presented by Big O Tires.

Story links:

Still the Pats: Chiefs brush off talk of potentially declining Patriots offense

Patrick Mahomes’ preparation for this weekend’s Patriots game started back in January

Former NFL running back explains why he expects Tom Brady to outplay Patrick Mahomes

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A Maui wowie performance by KU; Patrick Mahomes previews Patriots Dec 04, 2019

Show notes

Jesse Newell stops by to discuss the Jayhawks’ next game, against ranked Colorado, and reviews Kansas’ impressive performance in the Maui Invitational. Of note: how one play late in the title game against Dayton, which didn’t involve a shot or pass, helped KU win the tournament. Also, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes met the media and the primary topic was Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots and Tom Brady.

Story links:

How Marcus Garrett led KU against Dayton by helping team away from disaster - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article237845044.html

Self pleased with KU’s play so far. Where does coach rate his squad on 1-10 scale? - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article238045304.html

Patrick Mahomes’ preparation for this weekend’s Patriots game started back in January - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article238042179.html

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Who should Mizzou hire? And grading K-State, KU football seasons Dec 03, 2019

Show notes

Missouri is in the hunt for a new football coach and that’s the topic on SportsBeat KC. Star columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam Mellinger discuss why Barry Odom was fired and join host Blair Kerkhoff in breaking down what Mizzou athletic director Jim Sterk may be seeking in a replacement. We come up with a favorite candidate. Also, the group assigns grades to the football seasons of Kansas State and Kansas.

Story links:

A Battle Line Rivalry...for a coach? What’s the better job, Arkansas or Mizzou? - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-missouri/article237970634.html

In final days of Mizzou’s Odom tenure, near unanimous support from players, coaches - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-missouri/article237966749.html

Why K-State might play in one of Big 12’s top bowls, or get passed over by Texas - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/kansas-state/article237970119.html

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