Stakes continue to rise as Sunflower Showdown & another big Mizzou game approach
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Episodes
SportsBeat KC
A podcast about the biggest sports stories in and around Kansas City. Covering Chiefs, Royals, Sporting KC, University of Kansas, University of Missouri, Kansas State University and more. Hosted by Blair Kerkhoff.
Episodes
With first half over, who’s been Chiefs’ top defender, newcomer, most improved player?
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 Ge...
Reliving the Chiefs’ frightful day at Denver with a bigger challenge ahead: Podcast
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 ...
Podcast: Is it possible for these Chiefs to be better than the Super Bowl champs?
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 no...
Short yardage, deep passes, Chiefs offense has issues. But winning isn’t one. Podcast
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, ...
Podcast: A Chiefs breakdown & former Broncos star Chris Harris wants to see better
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 S...
Podcast: Concerned about Chiefs’ wide receiver production? More patience required
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, brea...
Let’s count the many things to like in Chiefs’ Swift and decisive victory
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, ...
Why Patrick Mahomes’ new big deal is a big deal for Chiefs quarterback
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 wa...
Podcast: The remarkable coaching career of Bill Snyder, who transformed Kansas State
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 hi...
Who was the winner in the contract holdout, Chris Jones or Chiefs?
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 McDowe...
Impact of Chris Jones’ absence and bold predictions for the Chiefs’ season
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 po...
K-State, Mizzou, KU look for bowls and beyond as football season kicks off
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...
Podcast: What happens with Chris Jones and Chiefs’ upcoming roster decisions?
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Here’s what should concern the Kansas City Chiefs entering their second preseason game
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...
Brett Veach: For Chris Jones, ending career as Chief would be ‘best resolution’
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,”...
Whose star is rising (or falling) at Chiefs camp? Also, Kleiman talks K-State prospects
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 t...
Discussing how Chiefs carry on without Chris Jones (holdout), Kadarius Toney (injury)
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...
Are you ready for some Chiefs football? And KC’s Vlatko leads the USWNT
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 ...
Big 12 football and the four conference newcomers + NBA awaits these top Cats
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...
Podcast: In recent series with Rays, pitching made news for Royals, in good ways
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 Ang...
Podcast: Breaking down Mizzou quarterbacks, Kobe Brown’s NBA Draft prospects
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 looki...
Podcast: Breaking down KU hoop roster, workouts, NBA Draft & another Braun on the way
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 ab...
Podcast: Sizing up Chiefs Super Bowl bling and Chris Jones’ contract as team breaks
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 ...
Podcast: Mahomes, Reid on rings, end of OTAs, Netflix series & a Bieniemy cameo
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 Thor...
Podcast: Talking Chiefs and motivation with Kelce, Edwards-Helaire, Karlaftis
One final week of workouts for the Chiefs before they break for a short summer break, and on today’s SportsBeat KC podcast you’ll hear from three players, starting with tight end Travis Kelce. It’s been a busy schedule for Kelce, with the Saturday Night Live hosting duties, White House appearance and, earlier this week, throwing a first pitch at a Royals game. But he’s all business when it comes to football. Clyde Edwards-Helaire began last year as the Chiefs’ starting running back but he wasn’t...
Podcast: “Now we have to bring this to life,” says new KC2026 World Cup director
A year ago this week, 16 North American sites were announced as hosts for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the U.S., Mexico and Canada and Kansas City made the cut. Less than three years remain before the first games are played and the Kansas City effort has an executive director. Katherine Holland, who headed the city’s bid for landing the event, moves into the new role that oversees the Kansas City 2026 preparation. There are plenty of items on Holland’s to-do list. How will transportation work for ...
Podcast: To the list of things the KC Royals need to fix add glove work
There are several reasons for the Royals last-place position in the AL Central. They’ve gotten there with inconsistent hitting and pitching, and now they’ve added another problem: fielding. They rank near the bottom in several fielding categories, and it’s not just errors. Poor decisions also have hurt the team and played a big role in Tuesday’s loss at the Miami Marlins. On today’s SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Jaylon Thompson and reporter Pete Grathoff discuss the defen...
Podcast: How three-time Super Bowl champion Chiefs enjoyed first White House visit
The Chiefs went where their previous Super Bowl championship teams had not gone before...to the White House. Meeting the President wasn’t a thing when they won Super Bowl IV, and the pandemic prevented the visit four years ago. The team made the most of their moment on stage and backstage, touring the White House, then heard words of praise from President Biden. On today’s SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast, we’ll hear his comments and those of Andy Reid and team president Mark Donov...
SportsBeat KC podcast: Breaking down new rules and newcomers with Chiefs coordinators
The Chiefs are closing in on the end of organized team activities and on today’s SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast, we hear from the coordinators. Special teams coordinator and assistant head coach Dave Toub doesn’t like the new rule that will allow the ball to be placed at the 25 with a fair catch inside the 25. Also, Toub provides updates on players the Chiefs could use at return positions. Matt Nagy is back at offensive coordinator, a position he held with the Chiefs in 2016 and ...