SportsBeat KC

Often when a baseball record is set, it occurs during game with fanfare. Not this time. The integration of Negro Leagues statistics into Major League Baseball that has resulted in new leaders atop some lists, happened decades later, and determined by a committee.A Negro Leagues slugger, Josh Gibson, has surpassed Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb in a couple of batting categories, and some who started their career in the Negro Leagues before moving to MLB -- Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays and others -- had numbers added to their stats.On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian discuss baseball’s move and its impact. You’ll also hear from Negro Leagues Baseball Museum President Bob Kendrick, who shared his thoughts on the development and answers questions at a news conference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2014, the Royals were scuffling around the All-Star break, falling a couple of games under .500 and looking like the postseason drought, nearing three decades, would continue. But the Royals put together a sizzling second half and qualified for the playoffs.There, they made history, becoming the first team to win the first eight games of a postseason. The quest reached Game 7 of the World Series, where the Royals fell short to the San Francisco Giants and Madison Bumgarner.Last week, many of the players and coaches from 2014 returned to Kansas City for a reunion and celebration, and on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, you’ll hear from manager Ned Yost, first baseman Eric Hosmer, third baseman Mike Moustakas and outfielder Alex Gordon. All played major roles in the team’s success that year and the next when they finished the job by capturing the World Series.On this episode, the conversations stay mostly with the 2014 season and team, as Yost, Hoz, Moose and Gordo relive one of the Royals’ greatest seasons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Only the NFL could turn its schedule announcement into an event. And we even know the opponents.On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, Chiefs beat writer Jesse Newell previews the unveiling, and what’s known so far. The Chiefs first’ two games have been identified: home contests against the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals. What does that mean for the rest of the slate?Also discussed: What move can the Chiefs made at wide receiver now that free agent Zay Jones has signed with the Arizona Cardinals; an appreciation for Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who has signed with the Buffalo Bills; impact of new kickoff rules; and do you prefer game shows or horror shows? Travis Kelce is involved with both. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The winning continues for the Royals as baseball approaches the quarter pole of the season. We’re not longer waiting for the bottom to fall out on a team that dropped 106 games last year and has posted seven consecutive losing record records heading in 2024.The starting pitching has excelled. The defense is superb, and the Royals are getting enough offense the believe the success is sustainable. On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Jaylon Thompson and columnist Sam McDowell explain the surge and why it could develop into a playoff push. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs’ 2024 draft class addressed needs, specifically at wide receiver and offensive tackle, and the team took some fliers on others. Did the Chiefs meet all their goals, and do more positions require more attention?On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Jesse Newell offers thoughts on all seven selections and looks ahead to how the group will blend with the the two-time defending Super Bowl champion. Who among the newcomers will be counted on immediately, and how will special teams factor in for some? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Annual Player Selection Meeting, or informally known as the NFL Draft, kicks off its three-day run on Thursday in Detroit. As Super Bowl champion, the Chiefs own picks No. 32 and 64 in the first two rounds, but there should be good depth at the positions of team needs, like wide receiver and offensive tackle.Will the Chiefs go there? On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Jesse Newell and columnist Sam McDowell provide insights into possibilities for the Chiefs. It might make sense to work a deal to trade up or move back.If the Chiefs stand pat, we provide names of possible draft targets, players we have identified in the Star’s mock drafts.The draft, and the undrafted free agent signings afterwards are this important: The backbone of last year’s team was homegrown, with 66 percent (35 of 53) of the roster comprised of Chiefs’ draft picks or undrafted free agents. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Quite the soccer scene in Kansas City last weekend. Sporting Kansas City took on Lionel Messi and Inter Miami before more than 72,000 last weekend at Arrowhead Stadium. The game, and Messi’s performance lived up the hype in Miami’s 3-2 victory.On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian look back at the event and what it means for a stadium and region that will host World Cup games in two years.Also, you’ll from Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes, who opened his postmatch press conference by remarking on the historic game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The baseball season is about two weeks old, and the Royals are still in it entering a three-game home series against the Houston Astros. The team is off to its best start in three years and it’s a refreshing change from recent seasons.The starting pitching has been outstanding and players like M.J Melendez, Salvador Perez, Maikel Garcia and Bobby Witt Jr., are off to fast starts. On SportsBeat KC, beat writer Jaylon Thompson discusses the team’s solid start and what it will take for the Royals to keep up the pace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jackson County votes have spoken, and they said “no” to a new stadium for the Royals and upgrades at Arrowhead Stadium for the Chiefs.On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian, who covered the stadium tax campaign from the beginning, share their thoughts on why it failed and what’s next for the teams.The teams didn’t put together a winning game plan. Now the future of the teams in Jackson County comes into question.Story links:Sam McDowell: The Royals and Chiefs should blame themselves, not voters, for stadium tax failuresVahe Gregorian: After stadium tax whiff, Royals, Chiefs should heed message and work to earn trust Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On April 2, Jackson County residents will decide whether to approve a 3/8-cent sales tax that would fund a new stadium for the Royals and provide upgrades at Arrowhead Stadium for the Chiefs.The tax expected to generate about $2 billion over 40 years. A “Yes,” vote means the Royals will move out of Kauffman Stadium and build a new stadium in the Crossroads District. The Chiefs will stay put and improve the fan experience at Arrowhead.A “No,” vote means...No one is certain, but columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian join host Blair Kerkhoff on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, to break down this generational decision. We discuss what the vote means for Kansas City and offer predictions on the outcome. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The first wave of free agency has passed and the Chiefs were active. It actually started before the period opened when the two-time Super Bowl champion gave Chris Jones a record-setting contract.In free agency, the Chiefs came away with wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown as their big splash, while signing several defensive players in hopes of recreating the magic of the 2023 unit.The Chiefs aren’t finish. Running back and offense tackle remain positions of need. And what becomes of cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, who carries the franchise tag? Will the Chiefs seek a trade?Beat writer Jesse Newell breaks down the free agency work and looks ahead at what might happen next on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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The Kansas Jayhawks won their most recent battle. How will they fare in the postseason wars? On SportsBeat KC, The Star's sports podcast, beat writers Gary Bedore and Shreyas Laddha break down KU's victory over Kansas State and look ahead to postseason prospects.The Jayhawks, who entered the season as the nation's top-ranked team but has fallen to No. 14 in the latest poll, do many things well, as it showed in the in the victory over Kansas State earlier this week.,But it's also a team with fatal flaws. They've been good enough to defeat the nation's top teams, while losing to bottom teams in the Big 12 this season.KU hasn't missed a tournament since 1989. The program lives for March, but two years after winning the program's fourth NCAA title, can they made a deep run? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In two weeks, the Kansas City Current of the NWSL will open its season and new stadium. The following month, Sporting will play host to Miami and Lionel Messi at Arrowhead Stadium. And the FIFA 2026 World Cup games are never far from mind.But on this SportsBeat KC podcast, we discuss Sporting Kansas City. Columnist Vahe Gregorian and beat writer Daniel Sperry are joined by special guest Nate Bukaty, a co-host on SportsRadio 810 WHB and now a member of the MLS national soccer broadcast team for Apple TV and Fox.We discuss Sporting’s season prospects, plus what it will mean to have Messi come to Kansas City.After a break, you’ll hear from Sporting manager Peter Vermes and captain Johnny Russell, who shares among other things, what he enjoys most about being a Chiefs season ticket holder. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One final official act of the Kansas City Chiefs LVIII championship remains: Wednesday’s parade. After that, it’s on to 2024.On SportsBeat KC, The KC Star’s sports podcast recorded about 24 hours after the Chiefs’ 25-22 overtime victory over the San Francisco 49ers, beat writer Jesse Newell discusses the game and some of its unsung heroes and the decision by the 49ers to take the ball first in overtime.We also look at the three-peat quest and legacy of Patrick Mahomes, and what lies ahead for the Chiefs roster.Some big decisions await for the team and some of the players, like Chris Jones and L’Jarius Sneed. On what we call the final show for the 2023 season, we break it all down in the afterglow of a third championship in five year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs bid for their third Super Bowl championship in five years, while the San Francisco 49s look to avenge their loss to Kansas City in the big game four years ago.Both teams make strong cases to feel confident about victory. On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Jesse Newell and columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell break down the game and make the case for both teamsThe 49ers are a slight favorite. But the Chiefs have been the more impressive team in the postseason. Patrick Mahomes is the game’s top quarterback. San Francisco’s Brock Purdy has been sensational in his second year.We discuss it all on this episode from Las Vegas, the site of Super Bowl LVIII. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs have had a more impressive path to the Super Bowl than the San Francisco 49ers, with Kansas City winning twice on the road. Their most recent common opponent is the Baltimore Ravens. The Chiefs beat them for the AFC championship last week, the 49ers lost them at home late in the regular season.So why are the Chiefs underdogs in Super Bowl LVIII. Beat writer Jesse Newell and columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell explain on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast.We also discuss some of the Chiefs heroes of the postseason, some you’d expect, and some surprises. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The last season the Chiefs didn’t play in the AFC Championship Game (2017), a solar eclipse passed over Kansas City. It’s been nothing but football sunshine since then.Sunday, the Chiefs travel to the Baltimore Ravens with the winner advancing to the Super Bowl. The Chiefs got here by winning at the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Jesse Newell along with columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian break down this week’s showdown, discuss last weekend’s dramatic triumph, and argue about the penalty for fumbling the ball out of bounds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs season lives. They’ve reached the Divisional Round of the AFC playoffs and will visit the Buffalo Bills on Sunday after defeating the Miami Dolphins in the wild card round last weekend.We break down the matchup on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, with beat writer Jesse Newell and columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell.A defense that shut down Tyreek Hill and the Miami offense will have its hands full taking on Josh Allen and the Bills, who defeated the Chiefs during the regular season. But recent postseason history favors Kansas City. The Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes have won two playoff games against the Bills in the previous three seasons.Those games were at Arrowhead. This one will be in Buffalo and will be Mahomes’ first true road playoff game in six seasons. Are he and the Chiefs up to the task? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With a No. 3 seed, the Chiefs have their worst playoff starting position since Patrick Mahomes became the quarterback in 2018. That likely means they’ll have their most difficult path, beginning with Saturday’s home game against the Miami Dolphins.On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Jesse Newell and columnists Vahe Gregorian break down the Chiefs chances and discuss the matchup that includes a return to Kansas City for Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill.Which Chiefs team shows up in what’s supposed to be frigid conditions? The one that seemed to find its offensive rhythm two weeks ago against the Cincinnati Bengals and have played rugged defense all season, or the one that can’t avoid the giveaways?No better time than the playoffs for the Chiefs to find the best version of themselves.Story link:How the Chiefs playoff path to the Super Bowl just got a lot tougher Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The eighth straight AFC West is clinched, and a ninth consecutive playoff appearance assured. But one game remains in the regular season. How do Andy Reid and the Chiefs play it?Look for the Chiefs to rest starters against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Why would that be important? Columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian along with beat writer Jesse Newell and repoter Pete Grathoff explain.Also, we dive into the important of righting the ship in Sunday’s victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. The Chiefs fell behind by double digits before rallying for the victory. Championship hats and t-shirts were presented after the game, but the Chiefs will seek bigger rewards when the playoffs begin.Story link:Why the Chiefs, locked into the No. 3 seed, are in a perfect spot ahead of Week 18https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sam-mcdowell/article283722298.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Mistakes doomed the Chiefs in their loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, but one -- a penalty against wide receiver Kadarius Toney -- got more attention than the others.Offensive offside was the flag against Toney, and it wiped out a touchdown that started as a pass from Patrick Mahomes to Travis Kelce and finished with Toney racing to the end zone after taking a lateral from Kelce.But the go-ahead touchdown with about 90 seconds remaining didn’t count, and the Chiefs couldn’t recover.Beat writer Jesse Newell, and columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian discuss all aspects of the play, the call and reaction on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast.Story link:We’re debating the wrong question on the flag against Chiefs’ Kadarius Toney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In some ways, the Chiefs’ loss at the Green Bay Packers was their most troubling of the season. The offense couldn’t finish drives with touchdowns in the red zone early. The defense, so good throughout the year, allowed the Packers to score on five of seven possessions. More problems in the passing game, and a bad play on a momentum-turning interception by Patrick Mahomes.We discuss all of it and more, including the importance of Sunday’s home game against the Buffalo Bills with The Star crew that regularly covers the Chiefs, beat writer Jesse Newell and columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian.The home stretch of the regular season has arrived. Can the Chiefs return to the form a team that’s played in the last five AFC Championship Games and won two Super Bowls?Story link:Why Skyy Moore slowed down his route on late interception Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It took a few series to get going, but the Chiefs put away the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday and solved a few issues in the process.It had been a month since the Chiefs had scored in the second half. That streak ended. And the Chiefs were very good in short-yardage situations. Wide receiver Rashee Rice had a breakout game. The Chiefs kept the penalties down and didn’t commit a turnover.Good stuff all around from a team that fell behind by two touchdowns.We discuss all of it on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, with beat writer Jesse Newell and columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell.Story link:Rashee Rice received this compliment from Andy Reid after career day vs. Raiders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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With the first half of the season behind them, who has been the Chiefs’ top defensive player? Most improved player? Best newcomer?In this episode of SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Jesse Newell and columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian break down the first half of the season through those categories.As you might imagine, the emphasis is on the defense.Also, we single out a couple of plays from the Chiefs’ most recent game, their victory over the Miami Dolphins in Germany last weekend: one by the Chiefs’ defense and one by the Chiefs’ offense.Those plays have helped define the Chiefs season,Story link:What we learned about Chiefs victory over the Miami Dolphins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How bad was last weekend’s loss to the Denver Broncos? The Star’s Chiefs writers count the ways on the latest episode of SportsBeat KC podcast.Beat writer Jesse Newell and columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian broke down the 24-9 loss, especially the offense and quarterback Patrick Mahomes.The Chiefs’ next challenge is daunting, a trip to Frankfurt, Germany, to take on the Miami Dolphins. Both teams have 6-2 records and a spotlight will fall on Tyreek Hill, the Delphins wide receiver who won a Super Bowl with the Chiefs.Story link:The Chiefs want to talk turnovers. Their problems stretched far beyond that in Denver Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs are off to a 6-1 start and have basic offensive and defensive numbers that rank among the NFL’s best. So, how does this team stack up to last year’s Super Bowl champion?Columnist Vahe Gregorian’s response on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, might surprise you. We talk about how the position groups compare between seasons, and what this season’s improved defense means for the Chiefs’ long term prospects.Also, we look at this week’s opponent, the Denver Broncos. The Chiefs not only have won 16 straight in the series, they haven’t lost in Denver since 2014. We put the Chiefs dominance of the rivalry in historic context.Story link:How to watch Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos: kickoff time, TV, betting odds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs have been grinding on offense, at least by their standards. Heading into Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers, they rank ninth in points and fourth in total yards.And yet...The Chiefs share the best record in the NFL at 5-1 heading into Sunday’s home game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Star columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell break down the Chiefs offense and how it can improve in short yardage situations, and when it comes to throwing the deep ball.Defensively, a stout unit figures to get even better as lineman Charles Omenihu rejoins the team after serving a suspension. But what about Frank Clark? Should the Chiefs find a roster spot for the former defensive end?Story link:The Chiefs’ most pressing issue needs a savior, and Patrick Mahomes hasn’t been ithttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sam-mcdowell/article280457854.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Kansas City Chiefs aren’t exactly pulverizing opponents, but they keep finding ways to win. The Chiefs look to make it five straight when the Denver Broncos visit on Thursday Night Football.On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Jesse Newell, discuss what’s working for the Chiefs and where improvements can be made. We look ahead to the Broncos, who are off to an awful start at 1-4 and having major issues on defense.Also, former Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr., joins SportsBeat KC for a conversation. An All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowl player, Harris spent nine seasons in Denver, inlcuding the Super Bowl championship season of 2015. He describes what he sees with the Broncos defense.On a happier note, Harris shares his observations by recent football success of his alma mater, Kansas.Story link:How to watch Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos: Kickoff time, TV, betting odds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No AFC team has a better record than the Chiefs at 3-1, and they’re taking a three-game winning streak to Minnesota on Sunday.But wind doesn’t seem to be in the Chiefs’ sails after a 23-20 victory over the New York Jets on Sunday Night Football. Uneven play on both sides marked the triumph, and one position group continues to come under scrutiny, the wide receivers.On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian, along with beat writer Jesse Newell, break down the group and how improvements can happen.Also, the defense continued its mostly stellar play but at times had trouble handling the Jets passing game. The Vikings are 1-3 but have had success in the passing game. Catch it all on SportsBeat KC.Story link:Patrick Mahomes’ final scramble was supposed to be a pass to this teammate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For a blowout victory there was quite the commotion surrounding the Chiefs’ 41-10 victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday. Call it the Taylor Swift affect.There was Swift, sitting next to Travis Kelce’s mother during the game, and the pop star and tight end walked out of Arrowhead together afterwards. As if the defending Super Bowl champion needs more attention.Ready or not, they’re about to get it, and we discuss that and football on this edition of SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, with beat writer Jesse Newell.There are plenty of Chiefs topics to cover, and we get into the importance of establishing the run, having the makings of an excellence defense and much more. Oh, and are NFL officials picking on Chiefs tackle Jawaan Taylor? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After the Chiefs won the first Super Bowl with Patrick Mahomes, the team made him the game’s highest paid player. History has repeated itself. Mahomes, coming off his next Super Bowl triumph, has a restructured deal that pushes him back to the top of the earnings list.On SportsBeat KC, Star columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell discuss the new agreement and its importance to Mahomes and the Chiefs. We also break down the Chiefs’ 17-9 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, an effort that was led by the defense, and look ahead to Sunday’s home game against the Chicago Bears.Story link:Patrick Mahomes has a restructured deal with the Chiefs. Here are the detailshttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article279481654.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the first time since 2010, Kansas State will visit Missouri on Saturday in a meeting of former Big Eight/Big 12 rivals, and the setting should bring back some happy memories for former Wildcats coach Bill Snyder. His teams won six of nine meetings played on Faurot Field.After engineering one of the greatest program turnarounds in college football history, Snyder stepped down from his Hall of Fame career after the 2018 season. He recently sat down with The Star’s Blair Kerkhoff to discuss his life in football, how he came to K-State, some of the remarkable players and games in program history and more. The conversation is presented in a podcast and Q&A.There’s another Snyder connection to Saturday’s game: He attended Missouri...briefly. Snyder grew up in St. Joseph, and looked to play football for the Tigers. It didn’t work out and after a year he enrolled at William Jewell, where the seeds were planted for an incredible coaching tenure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Jones is signed for this season and will be with the Chiefs in practice this week and at their game on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. His holdout cost him fines and game check and the maximum value of his deal, with incentives, is $25.2 million.But it’s not a long-term deal, and it might be challenging for Jones to hit all of his incentives. So, who got the better of the deal?On today’s SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Jesse Newell and columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian break down the contract and what it means for the Chiefs and Jones.Also, the crew breaks down the issues in the Chiefs’ opening game loss to the Detroit Lions and looks ahead at Sunday’s game at the Jacksonville Jaguars. Did missing Travis Kelce make that much difference? Yes it did.Story link:Holdout ends as Kansas City Chiefs star Chris Jones agrees to contract: detailshttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article279221469.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs’ season has arrived, but not Chris Jones.The Chiefs now face the hard reality of meeting the Detroit Lions in their season opener Thursday without their top defensive player, and the short- and possible long-term impacts of his absence are the focus of SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast.Beat writer Jesse Newell joins columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian in discussing where Jones and the Chiefs go from here. The defense is weakened, but by how much? Who steps up at the position, and who could take on an enhanced leadership role on that side of the ball?Also, the eve of the season opener is projection time. We speculate on such topics as who might lead the Chiefs in receiving yards and which player from the most recent draft class will make the biggest contributions.Story link:Skyy Moore expects this Chiefs role in 2023: ’I’m excited to just show the world’ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

College football season is back and area colleges should all get off to good starts.Kansas State, Missouri and Kansas each played in a bowl game last season, and returning to the postseason is at least the objective for all of them this season.On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, the beat writers check in to preview their teams, offer strengths and weaknesses and provide a projected final record.Kellis Robinett covers the defending Big 12 champion Wildcats, who return quarterback Will Howard. Chris Kwiecinski covers Mizzou for the Columbia Tribune, and Shreyas Laddha follows the Jayhawks.Spoiler alert: All have the teams they cover headed to another bowl game this season.Story links:Kansas State vs. Southeast Missouri: 5 things to knowhttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/kansas-state/article278605079.htmlKansas vs. Missouri State: 5 things to knowhttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article278673024.htmlMissouri: Game by game predictions, and five bold predictionshttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-missouri/article278419829.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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It hasn’t been a good few days for the Chiefs. They opened the preseason with a sluggish performance by the starters and a costly turnover by the reserves to seal a loss at New Orleans.Now, injuries are making news.Beat writer Jesse Newell breaks down the recent developments on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast. We cover the ups and downs of the game against the Saints and look ahead to Saturday evening’s second preseason game, at the Arizona Cardinals (7 p.m. kickoff).And we of course discuss the latest news: The Chiefs on Tuesday announced that they have placed tight end Jody Fortson on IR, effectively ending his season. Three Chiefs receivers left the practice field with injuries Tuesday.All of this, and defensive tackle Chris Jones continues his holdout.Story link:Three Chiefs wide receivers injured at training camp, including Justyn Ross Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chiefs general manager Brett Veach remains confident that a deal will get done with All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones, he told The Star earlier this week. You’ll hear his optimism on today’s SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast.Veach sat down with The Star’s Chiefs coverage crew, including columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian and beat writer Jesse Newell, and discussed the Jones situation.“For all parties the best resolution would be for (Jones) to end his career here as a Chief,” Veach said.Also hear how the Chiefs had the Jones contract extension in mind when they made the Tyreek Hill trade in 2022, and what Veach has to say about the idea of trading Jones.After a break, we switch to the Royals, who recently rolled up a season-best seven-game winning streak, led by shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. Through the run came the trade deadline, and Royals beat writer Jaylon Thompson shares his thoughts on the Royals moves.Story link:Chris Jones ‘deserves a big contract,’ Chiefs’ Brett Veach says. Where do things stand?https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article278014703.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs couldn’t avoid the injury bug hitting NFL training camps.Defensive back Nazeeh Johnson, who had been rising up the depth chart, suffered a torn ACL and is lost for the season. On today’s episode of SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Jesse Newell discusses the impact of that injury and other topics.Johnson was one of five defensive backs selected by the Chiefs in the 2022 NFL Draft. He didn’t play a defensive snap last season, but he did see reps this summer with the first-team defense, earning praise from head coach Andy Reid and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.Also, although it’s only been a few days of practice in pads, it’s not too early to offer observations about who has stood out. Among those making a good early impression is undrafted running back Deneric Prince.After a break, we stay with football but switch teams: Kansas State coach Chris Klieman spent time with beat writer Kellis Robinett during Big 12 media days, and today you’ll hear that conversation. Klieman discusses this season’s prospects for the defending Big 12 champion Wildcats, including how K-State will adjust to losing star running back Deuce Vaughn and defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah (who’s now with the Chiefs). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs road to repeating as NFL champions is off to a bumpy start. A few days into training camp, defensive star Chris Jones has officially become a holdout, and wide receiver Kadarius Toney suffered a knee injury almost as soon as he stepped on the field.We discuss these issues and more on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, from training camp at Missouri Western. with beat writer Jesse Newell and columnist Vahe Gregorian.Andy Reid and the Chiefs gave the impression talks were going smoothly with Jones’ camp and it would be a matter of time before an agreement was reached. What are the team’s options, and do they include a trade?Toney, who caught a touchdown pass and set up another with a record-setting punt return in the Super Bowl victory, has been injury prone, and now it’s up to others to step up. The Chiefs’ wide receiver competition will be among the team’s most watched in the preseason.Story link:Here are the Chiefs options with Chris Jones. You might not like themhttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sam-mcdowell/article277580888.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Training camp opens for the Chiefs this week and all the questions left unanswered at the end of the off-season activities last month...remain unanswered. But we’re a little closer to resolution when it comes to starters, roster moves and the big one, a new contract for Chris Jones.On today’s SportsBeat KC podcast, beat writer Jesse Newell discusses the biggest issues facing the Super Bowl champions as quarterbacks, rookies and others arrive to camp early. The rest of the veterans report later this week.You’ll hear from Patrick Mahomes, who met with reporters as he checked into the dorm at Missouri Western in St. Joseph. The Super Bowl and NFL MVP addresses his leadership role and participation in the popular Netflix series, “Quarterbacks.”After a break, we switch gears to the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which opens this week in Australia and New Zealand. The U.S. is looking to extend its World Cup winning streak to three and enters this event with a new coach, Kansas City’s Vladko Andonovski.Star columnist Vahe Gregorian recently caught up with Andonovski and you’ll hear that interview.Story links:Patrick Mahomes hopes Netflix gave you a peek of his life. We learned something elsehttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sam-mcdowell/article277443638.htmlMagical dynamic between Chiefs coach Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes has room to growhttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/vahe-gregorian/article277439118.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Where should Kansas State fall in the preseason Big 12 football rankings? After all, the Wildcats are the defending conference champions.On today’s episode of SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Kellis Robinett discusses how K-State and Big 12 football are about to play the most unique season in the league’s history. The Big 12 will be 14 strong with the addition of BYU, Central Florida, Cincinnati and Houston, and we discuss their impact on the league race.Also, two Wildcats are now looking to make an impact in the NBA. Keyontae Johnson was recently selected No. 50 overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Markquis Nowell signed a deal with the Toronto Raptors as soon as the draft concluded. How will they fare at the next level?Story link:Kansas State point guard Markquis Nowell signs with NBA team after going undrafted Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Royals recent series against the Tampa Bay Ray was quite eventful with continued success on the mount for Daniel Lynch, the end of a miserable run for Jordan Lyles and a major league record for Austin Cox. Plus, the Royals split the series against the team with baseball’s top record.Beat writer Jaylon Thompson and reporter Pete Grathoff broke down the Royals, especially the pitching, and look ahead to this week for the team. Not just the homestand against the Cleveland Guardians and Los Angeles Dodgers but also where the trade winds could push the team.Aroldis Chapman, Scott Barlow, Nicky Lopez, who else could be wearing a different uniform soon?Story link:A tattoo tale, ‘Ox’ & ‘Little Bill’: Kansas City Royals’ call-ups are living the dream Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Missouri’s quarterback for the 2023 season will be...We look to answer that question and ask more of Chris Kwiecinski and Matt Stahl, who cover the Tigers for the Columbia Daily Tribune on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast.Mizzou’s 2024 SEC football schedule, the first without divisions, is explored, and we discuss Kobe Brown’s NBA Draft possibilities, along with prospects for Coach Dennis Gates’ second season, including a stab at a starting lineup for the 2023-24 season.Brown is looking to become the first Missouri player selected in the NBA Draft since Michael Porter Jr., in 2018. Porter just completed his NBA Championship season with the Denver Nuggets.Story links:Missouri Tigers’ 2024 SEC football schedule: let’s talk potential (and possible risks)https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-missouri/article276425821.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The KU basketball season ended with a NCAA Tournament second-round thud. But the news has been mostly good for the Jayhawks since then.The roster has been bolstered by the return of Kevin McCullar and additions like Michigan transfer Hunter Dickinson. Former Jayhawks player Christian Braun won an NBA Finals championship ring with the Denver Nuggets, and KU should have two players, Gradey Dick and Jalen Wilson, selected in Thursday’s NBA Draft.Beat writers Gary Bedore and Shreyas Laddha talk about these topics and more on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast.How about some observations from open scrimmages and a projected starting lineup for next season? We have those too.Story link:KU basketball’s KJ Adams focused on developing jump shot as he prepares for new rolehttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article276560461.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs entered their short phase of down time with a ring ceremony at Union Station, and the next time we see the Super Bowl champions is when training camp begins at Missouri Western next month.But the work continues in the front office, especially when it comes to the Chris Jones contract negotiation. On today’s SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Jesse Newell breaks down the issues involving the extension.Both sides have said they’d like to get a deal done. Why hasn’t it happened, and what are the prospects of Jones-who missed off-season activities-holding out once training camp begins?Also, we discuss the roster stability, and whether the Chiefs have their starting 22 set.And did you see those rings?Story link:Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce provided input for Chiefs’ Super Bowl rings. Here’s howhttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article276467056.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs organization gathered for the private celebration at Union Station, and before that we spoke with some Chiefs. On today’s show, you’ll hear from Patick Mahomes and Andy Reid. This was in the morning before the evening’s event but spoke about the meaning of the rings among other topics.We start the show with a voice from the recent past. Offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy now holds the same position with the Washington Commanders. He joined several other Chiefs, like safety Juan Thornhill, now with the Cleveland Browns, and wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, with the New England Patriots, in returning to celebrate the Super Bowl triumph.Bieniemy talks about the Super Bowl triumph over the Philadelphia Eagles and what he hopes to bring to his new job.Story link:Super Bowl ring bonds Chiefs, even those who have moved on from KChttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article276467931.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices