Keeping Tabs on the AFC West: A Kansas City Chiefs fan embarrasses himself

Welcome back again to Keeping Tabs, where Bolts From the Blue aggregates the news from around the division into a single post for your reading ease and convenience. With training camp in full swing and the preseason about to begin, I'm sure you're reading all the Chargers news you can get your hands on, but keep in mind that knowing the opponent is just as important.

Denver Broncos

The Pick Six

1. Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie suffered a high-ankle sprain and may be sidelined for up to five weeks.
2. Peyton Manning put on an impressive display in drills for the Broncos fans that showed up to watch training camp on Wednesday.
3. The Broncos claimed cornerback Nigel Malone off waivers on Thursday after the Steelers released him.
4. Tight end Julius Thomas was impressive in OTAs - and he's continued to provide highlight reel material throughout training camp.
5. Bronco Mike of Mile High Report believes applying game theory to football and our favorite team could help us understand the game on a deeper level.
6. The Broncos talked with centers Jeff Saturday and Eugene Amano about their interest in coming out of retirement prior to signing Ryan Lilja.

Under Review

The Broncos signed offensive lineman Ryan Lilja on Wednesday to help replace Dan Koppen, who was lost for the year after tearing his ACL. Although some reports have Manny Ramirez as the favorite to start at center, Lilja has one obvious advantage that may lead to him winning the job: he started 59 games for the Colts during Peyton Manning's heyday in Indianapolis. That familiarity factor alone might help mitigate some of the loss of Koppen should Lilja become the starter, but it's nevertheless a significant downgrade. That's not even mentioning the fact that it's not clear yet that Lilja will be able to remain healthy, as he underwent toe and knee surgery this offseason and may not even be in shape. Whatever the case, the Broncos now have a huge question mark at a pretty integral position.

Muffed Punt

Do you remember your first baseball game? Broncos offensive linemen Orlando Franklin is sure to never forget his. He was being interviewed by the Rockies TV broadcast - and then this happened courtesy of Peyton Manning and Eric Decker...

That's what she said:

"We have our hands full."

- Champ Bailey, on facing Peyton Manning and the offense during training camp.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Pick Six

1. Cornerback Sean Smith has been impressive thus far and could very well be a perfect compliment to Brandon Flowers.
2. Backup offensive lineman Donald Stephenson is expected to at least miss the first preseason game after having surgery to repair his injured finger.
3. Brad Childress will remain with the Chiefs as an offensive consultant even after training camp ends.
4. Matt Verderame of Arrowhead Pride had a little fun with the overreaction and hyperbole that is a staple of training camp and the preseason.
5. Defensive coordinator Bob Sutton is expected to bring pressure from anywhere and everywhere this season.
6. One fan used Andy Reid's record against 2013 opponents to predict the Chiefs' record.

Under Review

Andy Reid believes Jamaal Charles is "capable of doing the same things" that Westbrook and McCoy did in Philadelphia. This obviously means Reid plans to utilize Charles as a dual threat out of the backfield, which should prove to be pretty effective. After all, Charles racked up 1,745 total yards in 2012, only a year after suffering a torn ACL. Now another year removed from that injury, Charles could be poised to blow those 2012 numbers out of the water. Although Brian Westbrook's career-high of 2,104 total yards in 2007 seems like a lofty goal, Charles has always possessed that kind of talent and versatility. Now he has the coach. You're on notice, AFC West.

Muffed Punt

A dedicated Chiefs fan wrote a post detailing his tryout for the Chiefs Flag Warrior position, which apparently entails leading the team out on the field and doing something else during field goals. Besides his claim that he only runs three times a week and still manages to average a 4:57 mile pace (which, as a former cross country and track athlete, I find a little hard to believe), I think he took his training for the tryout a little too seriously. He says he ran around his neighborhood carrying a shovel to simulate running with a flag. I'm not kidding. You should know, though, he didn't end up getting the gig, but all that work isn't for not; his neighbors got quite a few laughs out of the deal, I'm sure.

That's what she said:

"Yeah, he tightened up a little bit."

-Andy Reid, on Eric Berry's hamstring injury.

Oakland Raiders

The Pick Six

1. Head coach Dennis Allen recently challenged wide receiver Denarius Moore to be a playmaker and Moore has responded well so far.
2. Tight end David Ausberry has been turning heads in camp and could be on his way to a breakout season.
3. The Raiders signed defensive tackle Myles Wade to fill in along the defensive line for the time being.
4. Rookie linebacker Sio Moore talked about his near-death experience and how it helped him realize he was heading down the wrong path.
5. Linebacker Miles Burris has struggled to return from offseason knee surgery and his job is very much in jeopardy.
6. Andrew McKillop of Silver and Black Pride detailed the very first game in Raiders history.

Under Review

Quarterback Matt Flynn "really likes" what he's seen from the Raiders wide receivers so far, because he would totally say he didn't like what he saw if that were the case, right? Maybe Flynn is being a completely genuine here. After all, he was around some pretty good receivers in Green Bay, so he would know what it looks like, but this seems like the kind of optimism and hyperbole that pervades this time of the year. There's hope Denarius Moore will continue to develop and turn into a true number one threat, but he has yet to even come close to cracking a 1,000 yards. Josh Cribbs is a glorified return man who's now breaking down. Jacoby Ford can be a headache for a defense on the rare occasion that he's actually healthy. And names like Juron Criner, Brice Butler and Rod Streater don't exactly invoke much confidence. Let's just remember to check back with Flynn to see if he still really likes what he sees when we're in the midst of the regular season.

Muffed Punt

Chris Kluwe getting his hands on Google Glass may be the best thing that's happened with the Raiders in years. Here he is again with yet another video, except this time he handed the glasses over to Sebastian Janikowski for a little field goal practice. Enjoy. (I strongly recommend subscribing to his YouTube channel.)

That's what she said:

"I don't think we have a go-to guy yet. I'm waiting for someone to jump out and be the guy."

- Dennis Allen, on the wide receiver situation in Oakland.