Alex Smith: Chiefs offense more wide open

Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith made some personal history this past week when he threw his first touchdown pass to a designated wide receiver for the first time since January 2014.

He liked the feeling.

The addition of receiver Jeremy Maclin to the roster this offseason, to whom Smith threw that pass against the Seahawks, can be what the Chiefs were looking for all this time. 

The presence of Albert Wilson and De'Anthony Thomas, Smith also feels, can help open up the passing game, a unit that was better than only three other teams last season.

"I think two things: For one, the deep ball for sure is something that gets a lot of attention," Smith said, via ESPN. "It's a matter of time and striking when it's right and being able to take advantage of those opportunities that are few and far between -- and when you get them, you've got to be able to hit them. That's kind of the nature of it."

Smith said the veteran versatility Maclin brings to the offense is his best trait.

"I think as far as Jeremy goes, I think he's the type of receiver that excels in all the areas," he said. "I think that's his biggest strength is just watching from afar. I don't think you can kind of pigeon-hole him as just a speed guy or over-the-top guy. His game is way more complex than that, and he can do a lot of different things."

Maclin led the Eagles last season in receptions, yards gained, and touchdowns after returning from sitting the 2013 season with an ACL torn in that summer's practice. Philadelphia would let him walk back to his native Missouri, though, when Andy Reid, his former coach with the Eagles, waved $55 million in front of him to come hither.

Their brief showing has been inspiring, but the key now, as it is for most teams, is to translate preseason theory into regular season practice. Having good ideas and plans are one thing, but doing them and doing them consistently is another.

Adrian Peterson to Jamaal Charles: "I'm the LeBron"

Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is back in the NFL, and he wants everyone to know about it.

While the cat was away, however, the mice saw fit to play, Chiefs back Jamaal Charles taking the opportunity to make public the notion that he was the LeBron James of the NFL.

Something former Minnesota linebacker Ben Leber brought up while he was speaking with Peterson on the sideline during their preseason game against the Raiders on Saturday night. If Charles was the LeBron, Leber asked him, then who would he be?

"I'm the LeBron," Peterson said, smiling.

Charles isn't the only NFL tailback who thought himself the best that Peterson has teased during his career. He and former Titans runner Chris Johnson tried to one-up each other over three seasons recently and when LeSean McCoy proclaimed himself the best in the league last year, Peterson sniffed, "He didn't really mean it."

At that time, Peterson was in and out of court defending himself on charges that he beat his son with a stick until he was bloody, and techinically the point is moot. The Cowboys' DeMarco Murray, who led the league in yards and touchdowns, was the best rusher last season.

A title Peterson clearly wants for himself.

He says the extra time he's had to work out during his time away has prepared him for his often-repeated goal of 2,500 yards. Whether or not that lofty feat is achieved will have to wait until the Vikings' Sept. 13 opener in San Francisco, the first time Peterson will see the field in uniform.

Smith connects with WR as Chiefs down Seahawks

Alex Smith made a bit of personal history on Friday night as the Kansas City Chiefs downed the Seattle Seahawks 14-13 in each team's second preseason contest.

Of the 18 touchdowns Smith tossed last season, none of them landed in the mitts of a designated wide receiver. Not even in that exhibition campaign did Smith connect with a wide-out anywhere in the vicinity of pay dirt.

Not, indeed, since the fourth day of the 2014 calendar year had Smith achieved the feat, the Chiefs' 45-44 postseason defeat at the hands of Andrew Luck's persnickety Colts. 

That all ended at the 9:56 mark of the opening quarter at Arrowhead Stadium, after Smith found Jeremy Maclin for a 3 yard touchdown to open scoring on the night, capping off an 83 yard drive that gobbled up most of the period.

Smith spearheaded what was until then a lackluster offensive effort, the Chiefs compiling eight yards in as many plays to open the game, but finished a respectable 11-of-18 over the first half on 81 yards, his scoring toss for Maclin, and what became a pick-six in the hands of Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner. 

Wagner, the new beneficiary of a four-year, $43 million contract, swung out from man coverage over center field and stepped in front of tight end James O'Shaughnessy and easily outpaced whoever was left behind in the Chiefs' formation.

A jolt of gumption is in order for the Chiefs' passing scheme, last season a unit that overall lulled around the bottom third of the league in all offensive categories. Under Smith, Kansas City was one of only four other programs to net under 200 yards through the air every Sunday and were exactly average in points scored per game (22.1). 

The man on the other end of Smith's score hopes to be the elixir for their ills in that department this fall. Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, Missouri-born, Missouri-educated, is back where he came from, joining the club in free agency after the Chiefs outbid the Eagles, his former squad, to the tune of $55 million. 

Russell Wilson ventured 15 passes for Seattle (0-2), nine of which found somebody, but the Seahawks' crew were as anemic as their hosts in moving the football. Steven Hauschka booted through two from 39 and 27 yards to make it look good.

Chiefs' Smith suspended 3 games

The Chiefs will be without one of their best defensive backs for the early part of this coming season.

Sean Smith was suspended three games by the NFL for violation of the substance abuse policy after he pleaded guilty to a DUI charge in Kansas City. He will have two years of probation as a result.

The league calls for a two game suspension for offenses against its substance abuse policy, but allows for increased punishment for what they call aggravating circumstances. Smith was pulled over by police after his car collided with and broke a light pole.

Smith's absence could derail the Chiefs' pass defense early on. They host Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos to Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 17 and two weeks later Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers, teams that were fourth and sixth, respectively, in total offense last season.

@MrJamesParks

Chiefs release WR Dwayne Bowe

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Wide receiver Dwayne Bowe was released by the Chiefs on Thursday, the team announced.

A first-round selection from LSU in 2007, he spent his entire eight year career with the team.

Bowe, a Pro Bowl selection in 2010, played in 118 games for the Chiefs, recording 532 receptions for 7,155 yards, adding 44 touchdowns. He led the league with 15 touchdown catches in his Pro Bowl campaign.

"It's been a pleasure working with Dwayne the past two seasons," Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said in a statement. "He showed up every day with a great attitude and did everything we asked of him. He was a productive player for a number of years here and I have a lot of respect for what he was able to accomplish."

Chiefs: TE Anthony Fasano released

KANSAS CITY - Tight end Anthony Fasano and the Chiefs have parted ways on Thursday after two seasons, according to NFL.com's Jeff Darlington.

The nine year veteran caught 25 passes last season and four touchdowns, and was due to make $2.8 million next year, as the veteran becomes the next victim of salary cap maneuvering. His release will save the Chiefs $1.96 million against the cap.

Fasano is seeking to continue his career, according to Darlington, and will test the free agent market two weeks ahead of other tight ends.

In 26 appearances for the club, he caught 48 passes for 426 yards and seven touchdowns.

Chiefs: WRs Avery and Jenkins released

KANSAS CITY - After a disappointing season overall at wide receiver, the Kansas City Chiefs began their rebuilding campaign on Tuesday, releasing Donnie Avery and putting A. J. Jenkins on waivers, according to multiple reports.

Avery, a seven year veteran, finished third on the team with 596 receiving yards on 40 catches two seasons ago, but following time off after a sports hernia surgery, 2014 found him with only 15 receptions for 176 yards.

Jenkins, drafted 30th overall by San Francisco in 2012, secured 17 receptions for 223 yards in his career, including 9 catches for 93 yards this season in nine appearances with the Chiefs.

The Chiefs signed Avery to a three-year, $8.55 million deal in 2013 and Jenkins was acquired in a trade with the 49ers in 2013.

Chiefs' Smith out (spleen)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith has a lacerated spleen and will miss the team's regular season finale against the Chargers, team trainer Rick Burkholder said Friday.

Burkholder said Smith was injured on a hit to his abdomen in the third quarter of the Chiefs' loss Sunday at the Steelers, though will not require surgery.

Smith noted some discomfort after that contest, though did not believe it then a serious injury, practicing fully on Tuesday and Wednesday of the past week.

Chase Daniel will relieve Smith for the Chiefs (8-7), who can clinch a playoff berth with a victory Sunday and defeats by Baltimore and Houston.