Chiefs postcard (cont.)

Rookie Report

In February, Todd Haley was coaching the Cards in the Super Bowl. Now, he's trying to lead the 2-14 Chiefs back to respectability. AP

The Chiefs believe their first round pick, defensive end Tyson Jackson, is the perfect speed rusher for the 3-4. Jackson also happens to have gone to LSU, just like Kansas City first-round picks Dorsey (2008) and Bowe ('07). The Chiefs are actually the first team that has had three first-round picks from the same school in successive years. Jackson's college buddies might want to tell him to hurry up and get in camp. While he is still negotiating his contract, rookie defensive end Alex Magee is taking some of his reps with the first team and looking like he belongs. Magee, a tireless and explosive third-rounder from Purdue, was originally slotted to back up Jackson and Dorsey. But with Jackson holding out and Dorsey confined to a side field for extra conditioning, Magee has an opportunity to gain on them and so far is taking advantage of it.

Memorable Image

With three defenders flying in front of him, tight end Sean Ryan made a nifty one-handed catch at the end of Monday morning's practice, prompting a rare shout-out from Haley in the press conference. The Chiefs didn't have to worry much about their tight ends for the past decade. But with Tony Gonzalez making his one-handed grabs in Atlanta now, the Chiefs are auditioning about a half-dozen candidates to replace him, including projected starter Brad Cottam, as well as Tony Curtis and Tom Crabtree. Ryan, a six-year vet who was with San Francisco last season, is in the mix, as well. If he keeps making one-handers in traffic, he could evoke a few memories of Gonzalez.

On the Menu

Crossing the border from Minnesota to Wisconsin, over the majestic St. Croix River, the first town you hit is Hudson, named because the original mayor likened the St. Croix to the Hudson River. On the main drag, you'll find Barker's Bar and Grill, a 1900 brick building with tin ceilings and an oak bar, where the motto is "A Bistro of a Tavern" and the bread is brought in daily from River Falls. Try the Silver Bison Burger -- raised in Baldwin -- and a Rush River Amber Ale to wash it down.

Parting Shots

• Yes, the Chiefs were 2-14 last season, but they did come within six inches of sweeping Denver, lost two games to San Diego by a combined two points and lost in overtime to Tampa Bay after blowing a 21-point lead. Haley is unsympathetic. As the team ran sprints Saturday, one observer overheard him say: "Go through the motions and you'll be 2-14 again."

• Haley is in his first year with the Chiefs, but he knows the club's history. He wore a red Dallas Texans hat to practice Monday.

• Why were the Chiefs 2-14? They only have three players on the current roster that they drafted from 2001-2005: Larry Johnson, Derrick Johnson and punter Dustin Colquitt.

• The Chiefs media guide reports that Larry Johnson upholstered his Mercedes Benz G500 with throwback jerseys of NFL greats such as Jim Brown, Earl Campbell and Marion Motley.

• Evidence of how River Falls has embraced the Chiefs: The Oscar-Mayer Wienermobile came to practice Monday, not as part of any promotion, but just because the driver had the day off.