Chiefs notebook

[Angel]

CHIEFS NOTEBOOK | Svitek to start against Saints?
The Kansas City Star

The shuffling of the offensive line continued at practice Tuesday. Will Svitek was working with the first unit at right tackle instead of Kevin Sampson, while Chris Bober instead of Jordan Black played right guard for the injured Will Shields.

Coach Herm Edwards wouldn’t say whether Svitek would start Thursday night’s game against New Orleans at Arrowhead Stadium. But Tuesday was hardly a time for shuffling without that intent because it was the Chiefs’ only real practice because of the shortened week.

“It’s a good possibility,” Edwards said. “I won’t give my starting lineup away, though. We’re looking at different guys in different spots on the offensive line. That’s what you need to do.”

Bengals draw attention

The Chiefs’ opening-day opponent is Cincinnati on Sept. 10 at Arrowhead Stadium. The Bengals certainly got the Chiefs’ attention with their nationally televised 48-17 win over Green Bay on Monday night.

Quarterback Carson Palmer, in his belated preseason debut, threw for 140 yards and three touchdowns while showing few signs of a player who had knee ligaments torn just eight months ago.

The Chiefs yielded more passing yards than all but two teams last season. While they were impressed by Palmer, they weren’t awed.

“I think our defense is better than Green Bay,” defensive end Jared Allen said. “We have a different mentality up front.”

Injury update

Backup defensive end Eric Hicks didn’t practice because of what Edwards called a bruised shoulder. Hicks had offseason surgery on the same shoulder, and it prevented him from practicing during most of the spring.

Edwards was confident Hicks would be ready to play against the Bengals.

Shields (ankle) and fullback Ronnie Cruz (shoulder) also did not practice, but Edwards indicated they would play against Cincinnati. Shields has started 207 straight regular-season games, the longest streak in Chiefs history and second-longest among current NFL players behind Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre (221).

“Will’s been a fast healer,” Edwards said.

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/football/nfl/kansas_city_chiefs/15392715.htm


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