Alex Magee, Shaun Smith, Dion Gales and rookie Jeffrey Fitzgerald of Kansas State got some starters’ snaps on the defensive line.  Andy Studebaker and Pierre Walters took some turns at linebacker.

On the offensive side, Casey Wiegmann replaced Rudy Niswanger for some snaps at center and Barry Richardson stood in for Ryan O’Callaghan at right tackle.

Not a huge surprise on the offensive side of the ball.

We should see Wiegmann and Niswanger go back and forth through most of training camp in what should be a great battle to watch.  I don’t see Richardson as a guy that will push O’Callaghan for the starting job so much as Todd Haley and Charlie Weis making sure he’s prepared if needed.

The names popping up on defense are much more intriguing.

Magee was mostly invisible during his rookie year, which isn’t a shock considering the learning curve for defensive linemen.  Could he be one of these players ready to take a huge leap forward his sophomore year?  Magee showed a special sort of versatility during his time at Purdue that could get him on the field plenty in Romeo Crennel’s system.

Smith and Gales will need to help out Ron Edwards at nose, especially if Glenn Dorsey isn’t going to get much run inside.

Two guys to watch closely once the pads go on are Fitzgerald at defensive end and Walters at outside linebacker.

I would argue that Fitzgerald is the most athletic lineman (on either side of the ball) that the Chiefs have.  We don’t know just how that will translate to the field, but when it clicked during his time at Virginia and Kansas State, Fitzgerald was very impressive.

We saw a little (okay, very little) of Walters last year, but don’t overlook the fact that he stuck on the roster from start to finish last season and an undrafted free agent.  That’s something draft picks Quinten Lawrence and Javarris Williams weren’t able to do.  Like Fitzgerald, Walters brings a unique set of physical gifts to the table that could be a huge addition to the defense if he can take a big step in his second season.

The Kansas City Chiefs were back on the practice field this afternoon and this time without the rain.  Today the information comes from Josh Looney @ KCChiefs.com and the staff at UWRF.  Bob Gretz of CBSSports.com is in Canton for Derrick Thomas’ HOF induction.

DE Tyson Jackson made his camp debut with the Chiefs after ending his holdout.  LB Wes Dacus was released to make room on the roster for Jackson.  Sitting out the afternoon practice were DaJuan Morgan, Kolby Smith, Monty Beisel, Zach Thomas, Wade Smith, Demorrio Williams and Mike Vrabel.

The team opened practice in shoulder pads and helmets, just as they have for every second practice of two-a-days during training camp.

Jackson participated in full at every drill during practice.  He quickly learned the training camp rule: jump off sides and you run.  He was also learning plenty of other things as practice went along.  D-line coach Tim Krumrie pulled Jackson to the side before the single sled drill to let him know just what was expected of him.

During the one-on-one session with WRs and DBs, Amani Toomer made a nice catch on a deep route.

Jackson began the 11-on-11 “team run”  portion of practice with the first team defense, lining up opposite Glenn Dorsey.

Jamaal Charles broke free for two big runs.  The first came on an inside hand off between C Rudy Niswanger and G Mike Goff.  He busted through the hole and went untouched for 15 yards.  Then he went off right tackle for another big gain.  Later the offense shined with a great play-action pass by Matt Cassel.  The session only lasted 12 plays, which drew boos from the crowd when the horn sounded.

CBs Travis Daniels and Ricardo Colclough both knocked passes down during the 11-on-11 session.  But the defensive play of the session came when rookie CB Donald Washington broke up Tyler Thigpen’s last second heave to Jeff Webb in the endzone.

For the first time during training camp, Todd Haley gave his players a break.  He let the team — except the QBs — take their shoulder pads off and finish practice just in their helmets.

During the 7-on-7 session, the defense took the spotlight back from the offense.  Cassel attempted a pass to Bowe, who failed to come back for the ball.  That allowed Brandon Carr to swat the ball out of the air.  Later, Bernard Pollard took a Cassel interception to the house for a touchdown.

The offense ends the red zone portion of practice on a high note.  Amani Toomer caught a ball in traffic for a touchdown.

Haley’s parents, Dick and Carolyn, watched practice from the sidelines.  After practice, the Chiefs head coach pulled Larry Johnson to the side to personally introduce him to his parents.  The four had a long conversation before Johnson left to meet the media.

So good to finally have Tyson Jackson in the fold.  And I have to say, I’m a little surprised he jumped right in with the first team.  He explained that he passed Haley’s conditioning test, but I have to believe in order to run with the starters immediately that he destroyed it.  Now, if Zach Thomas and Mike Vrabel can get back into pads tomorrow we can see what the new look Chiefs defense actually looks like.  I would have rather Jackson was here from the start to get with the program, but this past week of reps for Alex Magee were huge for him.  This holdout may end up being a good thing for the defense if Jackson proves to be a quick study.

According to a league source, third-round pick DE Alex Magee and sixth-round pick WR Quinten Lawrence were the latest to agree to deals.

Terms of Magee’s deal weren’t immediately available, but it’s believed he agreed to a three-year deal.

Lawrence, out of McNeese St. University, signed a three-year, $1.275 million deal that includes a signing bonus of just over $90,000.

And here we go.  Now all that are left are fourth-round pick CB Donald Washington and the third overall pick in the draft, DE Tyson Jackson.  The news of Washington agreeing to a deal should be coming down shortly, with Jackson being the only question mark as the Chiefs take off for camp.

There are two teams that have already signed all their draft choices: Chicago and the New York Jets.  Two other teams – Philadelphia and Pittsburgh – have all but one of their draft choices already under contract.

On the other side, there are six teams that haven’t signed a choice yet, including Dallas with 12 choices.  Others that have not announced a signing are Cleveland, Indianapolis, Oakland, New Orleans and St. Louis.

The Chiefs have three of their eight picks signed: fifth-round OT Colin Brown and seventh round choices TE Jake O’Connell and K Ryan Succop.

As usual, the earliest picks have not yet agreed to terms.  Only two first rounders (QBs Matt Stafford and Mark Sanchez) and one second-round pick (RB LeSean McCoy) have signed contracts.  That’s three of the first 64 players drafted, including the Chiefs first-round pick, DE Tyson Jackson.

It will be interesting to see how long it takes Jackson’s agent Eugene Parker to get a deal done with Scott Pioli because he’s one of three players sandwiched between the big deals given Stafford (six years/$72 million) and Sanchez (five years/$60 million).  Jackson, OT Jason Smith in St. Louis and LB Aaron Curry in Seattle have those deals as bookends for their demands.  But you can bet the Chiefs, Rams and Seahawks are unwilling to talk about money that would put those players in the same salary scale as the two quarterbacks.

There are 15 players unsigned in the sixth-round, including Kansas City-bound WR Quinten Lawrence.  Only 13 of 47 choices in the seventh round are unsigned, including RB Javarris Williams, the first of the Chiefs three picks in the round.

Why Lawrence and Williams remain unsigned is hard to understand.  The payouts to players on these deals generally fall into a slotting system, with the pick before making more and the pick after making less.  The players drafted after Lawrence and Williams both have agreed to deals.

So with two teams that have all their picks signed and six that haven’t signed anyone, the Chiefs seem to be right in the middle.  Just like I don’t mind a veteran skipping voluntary workouts most seasons, I normally wouldn’t worry much if a pick missed a portion of training camp.  But with so many changes going on in Kansas City, it would be best for everyone if Tyson Jackson, Alex Magee and the rest of the Chiefs draft picks are signed, sealed and delivered in time for that first practice in River Falls.

Speaking of Jackson, his “Tyson Jackson 101″ event served as an open house for the new Southeast Community Center.  Joining the first round pick were teammates Turk McBride and Tank Tyler.  While at the event, Jackson was interviewed by WDAF for a “web exclusive”.

On the Tyson Jackson 101 Event:

Just coming back and giving something back to the community even though it’s not the community I was raised in.  It’s different kids from around the inner-city who are growing up with some struggles and coming back and giving something back to those people is a blessing.

His schedule for the next month:

Well right now all the rookies are still training with the coaching staff.  Still working out and running every morning.   Thurday is our due date and we’ll report back home from there.  And once I get back home I’ll get back to LSU and train with those guys to get ready for training camp.

Status of contract talks:

Well I haven’t spoken to my agent yet but I should be getting in contact with him sometime this week and see where we are with the contract agreement.  But so far I have no idea what’s going on.

H/T to Arrowhead Pride for the link and transcript to the video.  And many thanks to WDAF for their intern, Amber Merrifield.  Good job, Amber.  As for Jackson, I can’t say enough good things about the young Chiefs and all the work they are doing in the Kansas City community.  Keep up the good work!

Current Chiefs aren’t the only ones out there helping charities.  Former Chiefs great Ed Podolak will be joining former MLB pitcher Dennis Rasmussen at the “Swing with the Legends Classic” in Aspen.

Rasmussen, other members of the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association, Podolak and other former and current professional athletes will participate in two days of events that include a charity golf tournament, fundraising dinner and even a baseball clinic.  The objective: Help raise funds to support Aspen Junior Golf, the MLBPAA and the Shining Stars Foundation, which provides sport, recreation and other programs for children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

In an effort to bolster support of local youth programs and charities Rasmussen has enlisted some friends, former teammates and fellow professional sports standouts to take part this weekend.  In addition to Podolak, Todd Haley’s former golf teammate at the University of Florida Chris DiMarco will be a part of the weekend festivities.

Each foursome in Monday’s tournament will be paired with a sports star.   Interested in participating or making a donation? For more information on Sunday’s and Monday’s events, visit www.aspenjuniorgolf.com.

Good to see Podolak helping out…Even if it’s in Colorado!  Hopefully he can get more recognition for his charity work and skills on the radio than one night of extra curricular activities.

Jackson on adjusting to the Kansas City defense:

“It’s pretty different.  It’s more of a 3-4 role here, compared to the 4-3 at LSU.  At the end of the day football is football.  You’ve got to get down, put your hand in the dirt and you’ve got to attack an offensive lineman.  Once I get adjusted and get acquainted with what’s going on around here, I’ll be OK.”

Read all of Jackson’s comments here.

Magee on his expectations and what impression he wants to make this weekend:

“I think they expect basically the same out of all of us. Everybody has an equal opportunity coming into this weekend. Basically it’s just play to the best of your ability and give all that you’ve got. First impression is the most important, obviously I want to leave a good impression.”

Read all of Magee’s comments here.

Brown on adjusting from the spread offense at Missouri to Haley’s system with the Chiefs:

“It’s not as bad as I had feared it would be. There are a lot of similarities. There are some minor things that you have to adjust to, but for the most  part it is pretty similar.”

Read all of Brown’s comments here.

Succop on working with special teams coach Steve Hoffman:

“He came to work me out before the draft.  He showed  me something in five minutes and it was probably one of the most helpful tips I’ve had as a kicker my whole career. That was pretty cool how much of a difference it made.  He’s been here with me two days working and I’ve got a whole lot of respect for him.”

Read all of Succop’s comments here.

I don’t know what else Jackson has to say before he starts winning everyone over.  Yes, the final judgement will be made based on what he does on the field, but so far he’s said all of the right things in the few quotes we’ve gotten from him since the draft.  Jackson also made a great point about already playing against a variety of top competition in the SEC.  Actions speak louder than words, but until Haley and Scott Pioli actually allow the fans to see these kids in action this is all we can go on.

The Kansas City Chiefs called Magee early on the second day of the draft to tell him they would select him with the 67th overall selection.  Then, as the Chiefs were on the clock, the Chicago Bears — owners of pick 68 — called Magee’s representation to say they would be taking him.  But the Chiefs picked him as promised and Magee joined LSU defensive end Tyson Jackson as additions to a defensive unit that finished 31st in the league in total defense, 28th in pass defense and 29th in points allowed.  And Magee sounds ready to help change things for the Chiefs.

“We’ve got a new program and everything’s about to turn around for Kansas City.  We’ve got a new coach (Todd Haley) and he’s real cool, (and the Chiefs have) brand-new facilities, so basically it’s starting fresh. I think a lot of good things are going to happen in Kansas City. As far as I’m concerned, we’ve really got a good D-line. I think I got put in a pretty good situation honestly.”

Coach Todd Haley doesn’t just like the way Magee fits into the Chiefs new 3-4 defense, but also how he was so willing to play multiple positions at Purdue.

“He did it unselfishly and at the same time added to his versatility.  “He’s a big, long-armed guy and we like that type of build playing the end. It gives us another guy that has a chance to come in and compete right away on first, second and third down because of his inside experience.”

So, yes, Alex Magee was not drafted until the third round and of course was disappointed he did not come off the board earlier.  But he is in a place where he can contribute and he says that’s most important.

“My foot’s in the door and I’m there — that’s all that really matters.  That’s what really counts. I’m just glad that I was able to get an opportunity and it was a great to be the 67th pick overall. I was really excited, my family was really excited and everyone was really emotional. I was really happy.”

Tyson Jackson will have the most pressure to perform because he will have the big contract hanging over his head, but I think Magee has a chance to be the best player from the Chiefs 2009 draft class.  At 6-3/300 Magee is a big man that moves faster than you would think, plus the versatility he showed his senior season.  During that year, his first playing defensive end, he had six tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.  Not mind blowing numbers, but considering Magee is still learning how to play on the outside he will only keep getting better.  I can imagine a third down line of Dorsey-Magee-Jackson and it’s giving me chills.  There is no way the Chiefs get pushed around on defense this season the way they were last year.

It’s a great introduction to Magee, but here is the highlight for me:

Q: How do you feel about rushing the passer?

MAGEE: “We are going to get to the quarterback. The D-line coach there taught me some things that I really didn’t know. I am just excited to get in there and see what he has to teach me. We will definitely get to the passer.”

Another high character guy, Magee is majoring in Law & Society and aspires to work for the FBI or DEA.  Enjoys going to church.  Played fullback in short-yardage situations in high school and can line up at DE.

Scouts Inc. gave Magee a rating of 74 and ranked him the 8th best DT available in the draft.

Check out his combine profile page at NFL.com.

ESPN.com’s analysis:

Magee is versatile enough to line up inside in a four-man front or outside in a three-man front. He’s arguably a better fit on the outside and he’ll hold up against the run better there. Although he needs to develop his arsenal of pass-rush moves, Magee’s capable of improving in that area. Finally, he has lined up at fullback in short-yardage situations in high school and could possibly do that in the NFL.

I like this pick a lot.  He may have been listed as a DT, but I imagine he will play end in the Chiefs new 3-4 scheme.  The only reason he was a third round talent is because he didn’t progress the way a lot of people thought he would after being dominant early in his career.  My brother-in-law is a Purdue grad so I had the opportunity to watch Magee — and the rest of the Boilermakers — play quite a bit the past couple of seasons and this kid can play.