Articles by A to Z Sports,Charles Goldman

Technology

Kansas City Chiefs to bring promising UDFA that got away during 53-man roster cuts back to the practice squad

The Kansas City Chiefs are expected to reunite with an undrafted free agent who got away during 53-man roster cuts. Back in early September, Brett Veach made a tough decision and waived UDFA OT Esa Pole during 53-man roster cuts. It was a risky move for the Chiefs, who ultimately wanted the preseason standout back on the team's practice squad. Much to the team's dismay, the New York Jets got in the way of those plans and claimed Pole on the waiver wire.Hit the fast-forward button, and the Jets released Pole from their 53-man roster on Thursday, Oct. 23. The rookie officially cleared waivers on Friday, Oct. 24, making him an unrestricted free agent and free to join any team of his choosing. Despite interest from other clubs, Pole is expected to re-sign with Kansas City on the practice squad. A source with direct knowledge of the situation has told A to Z Sports that Pole is flying into Kansas City on Friday evening. If all goes well and as planned on Saturday, he'll sign to the practice squad. The Chiefs, of course, have an open space on the practice squad after signing CB Kevin Knowles to the 53-man roster. Chiefs OT Esa Pole returns to Kansas City at a time when the offensive tackle depth is stretched thin Pole's return to Kansas City comes at a time when the team is stretched thin at the offensive tackle position. Josh Simmons remains away from the team due to personal reasons, which has Jaylon Moore filling in at the left tackle position. Jawaan Taylor dinged up his shoulder late in the Week 7 game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Ethan Driskell remains on the non-football injury list due to having his appendix removed this offseason. Suddenly, the team is relying on players like Wanya Morris and Chu Godrick as their last line of defense at the offensive tackle position. Chiefs OT Esa Pole's Preseason Stats Games played: 3 Offensive snaps: 46 Pressures allowed: 0 Pole has been a healthy scratch each week since he was claimed by the Jets, but his performance in the preseason with Kansas City was auspicious.

Technology

Chiefs coaches adamant about continued ramp up for WR Rashee Rice's snaps in 'Monday Night Football' vs. Commanders

Kansas City Chiefs WR Rashee Rice didn't waste time getting involved during his first game back from a six-game suspension against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 7. In what was his first NFL regular-season game in over 380 days, the third-year wide receiver was targeted 16 times, recording 10 receptions for 42 yards and two touchdowns during the shutout win against Las Vegas. On plays where he wasn't the focal point, he was used as a decoy to divert attention and create opportunities for other players. The performance was about what you'd expect as Rice gets integrated back into the offense following his suspension and season-ending knee injury in 2024. But what can fans expect out of his next game on "Monday Night Football" in Week 8 against the Washington Commanders? Chiefs HC Andy Reid, OC Matt Nagy weigh in on Rashee Rice's Week 8 playing time Speaking to media members on Thursday, Chiefs HC Andy Reid said that Rashee Rice finished the Week 8 game with right about as many snaps as they had him penciled in for. His expectations moving forward are a continued ramp-up to what could eventually be a full dosage of snaps.“Yeah, so we set out to get him (Rashee Rice) to 40% or around that area," Reid said. "And it came out to 41%, the way it worked out. He didn’t play in the fourth quarter, and he probably wanted to. But I think if you increase it from there, he came out feeling good. That was a positive, and now he gets another week of practice under his belt, and I think he can keep his numbers going up.” Chiefs WR Rashee Rice's Week 7 Snaps Offense: 33 (41%) Routes Run: 17 (52%) As for Chiefs OC Matt Nagy, he expects this week to look similar to last week as far as Rice's usage. "I feel like it'll be very similar, if not more," Nagy said. "We'll give him as much as he can and wants to go. I think more of it than anything is just, it's a lot to come back in and play right away and play 60 snaps. So, we'll have a feel on how the game goes. But as much as we can get him in and keep him in, we will do that." It's going to take time for Rice to get his legs under him and play a full helping of snaps. If they can continue to give him a little bit more with each passing week, there's no reason that he can't be ready for an outsized helping of snaps. At the same time, what Rice said after the Week 7 win vs. the Raiders also resonates. It echoed the mantra that he unintentionally brought to the Chiefs' locker room: Everybody Gotta Eat.

Technology

Chiefs Super Bowl LIV champion to return to Kansas City for pregame ritual in Week 8 'Monday Night Football' game vs. Commanders

GEHA Drum Deck Quick Facts: Known as the beating heart of Chiefs Kingdom, the GEHA Drum Deck was introduced as a part of the team's stadium renovations in 2019. It's the home of two gameday traditions: TheDrum Honoree and the Tony DiPardo Spirit Leader. Earlier this week, Fisher joined the Lee’s Summit West High School Girls Flag Football team, current Chiefs players, and local Marine Corps League members for a special visit to The National WWI Museum & Memorial. This was part of the team's contribution to this year's NFL Salute to Service celebration. Former Chiefs LT Eric Fisher returns to Arrowhead Stadium The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft out of Central Michigan, Fisher was a big part of the Chiefs' rise to prominence in the early goings of the Patrick Mahomes era. He was Mahomes' blindside protector during the team's record-setting 2018 NFL season, earning his first career Pro Bowl selection. He started in the Chiefs' Super Bowl LIV victory over the San Francisco 49ers during the following year. In 2020, Fisher put together his second Pro Bowl season, but tore his Achilles tendon during the AFC Championship Game against the Buffalo Bills. Kansas City released him during the offseason. He spent the 2021 NFL season with the Indianapolis Colts in an attempt to mount a comeback. He spent about a month with the Miami Dolphins in 2022 before he was placed on injured reserve in January. Eric Fisher won't be the only former Chiefs offensive lineman making his return to Arrowhead Stadium Ironically, a pair of Fisher's former Chiefs teammates will also return to Arrowhead Stadium in Week 8, but on the opposing sideline. The Washington Commanders have taken a liking to signing former Chiefs offensive linemen. They've got both Andrew Wylie and Nick Allegretti on the 53-man roster, while Lucas Niang is also on their injured reserve list. Both Wylie and Allegretti have appeared in games for the Commanders this season, but will they see any action on Monday night? That remains to be seen.