It was a bit of a milestone day for Chiefs CB 
Often regarded as one of the team’s most talented and consistent performers, it’s probably surprising to many that his NFL trophy case is basically empty. Aside from being honored by Pro Football Weekly as an All-Rookie Team selection in 2008, Flowers hadn’t received recognition of any kind until the NFL named him AFC Defensive Player of the Week Wednesday morning.
“It definitely means a lot when you go out there, have a good game, and get acknowledged for it,” Flowers said.
Even so, Flowers recognizes that the award could have just as easily gone to several of his teammates who helped blank the Raiders in their own back yard for the first time in Chiefs history.
Specifically, Flowers pointed to
“He did all of the dirty work,” Flowers said unprovoked. “Quarterbacks, receivers and cornerbacks get all of the glory, but guys like Derrick Johnson saved a lot of touchdowns for us and put them in a position that made them one-dimensional.”
At one point in the second quarter, Johnson posted five consecutive touchdown-saving tackles.
Johnson started the five-play tackle spree chasing down RB Michael Bush from behind after a 35-yard gain to the Chiefs five-yard line. Johnson then put his helmet on the football four consecutive snaps inside the five to force a turnover on downs.
“I’m not going to tell you that we knew we were going to stop them four times in a row like that, but we had a lot of heart and determination knowing the situation we were facing,” Johnson said.
Overall, the game appeared to be one of Johnson’s finest as a Chief.
Becht Is Back
Veteran TE Anthony Becht signed with the Chiefs for the third time of the season Wednesday morning. His last appearance on the roster was Week Three in San Diego, but a hamstring injury forced the Chiefs to make a move shortly after the 20-17 loss.
“With the injury, I didn’t have too many options as far as staying on a team with roster spots and that sort of thing,” Becht said. “I just went home with the mindset that if I got right, I could come back here or somewhere else.
“Four weeks was the timeframe and I got a call, so I’m very happy to be back and a part of what they have going on here.”
Becht spent the past month rehabbing with a performance trainer in Tampa, which means he wasn’t around for any of the Chiefs wins this season. The Chiefs were in a much different place when he left, but Becht saw the Chiefs turning the corner just before his exit.
“Honestly, when I was here I felt a good amount of confidence from the guys,” Becht recalled. “Even though they were down, I felt that they were about to turn the tables a little bit after that Chargers game. I thought they’d be able to make a comeback if they stayed with it and kept their minds focused.
“There is good leadership in this locker room and Coach Haley definitely has them going in the right path.”
The Chiefs had been playing short-handed at tight end throughout the past month with just two tight ends on the active roster.
“We’ve kind of been living on the edge from a tight end standpoint here, really all year,” Haley said. “We brought Anthony back because we felt he was very familiar in what we’re trying to do. We feel like he fits well with not only that group of tight ends, but the entire team.”
A roster move was expected after
“It really came down to a risk standpoint of being real thin at tight end,” Haley said of the decision to release Horne and re-sign Becht. “We’re just trying to make sure that we have all the bases covered so that we can go forward and feel comfortable.”
Becht said that he kept up to date with the team while he was away, watching all three games since he was last on the roster.
“It’s been a great run,” Becht said. “Game by game they’ve taken it one at a time, which is important. It’s very tough to dig out of a hole when you start off 0-3. Now its back to .500 and the toughest thing to do when you’re down is to get even.”
Baldwin In The Slot
Expect to see Jonathan Baldwin continuing to work out of the slot in the weeks to come.
The Chiefs wanted to find a way to get Baldwin on the field last week, but effective play from
Baldwin needed to see significant offensive participation in order to be active in Oakland, but Haley didn’t seem to want to tinker with Breaston’s recent success split wide. Haley decided it would be most efficient to use Baldwin as an inside receiver.
“The inside stuff is more of just ways to try and get him on the field,” Haley said. “He’s a talented guy who caught his first ball for us on a third down (conversion).”
Baldwin’s first career catch went for a 14-yard gain on the Chiefs second offensive possession.
“I think you’ll see him in a bunch of different places,” Haley said. “We’ll find different places and spots for him.”
Kansas City showed more three wide receiver sets last week than they had in previous games. It was clear the Chiefs were looking to exploit Oakland through the air with Bowe, Breaston and Baldwin when injuries forced the Raiders to dress only two cornerbacks.
“I just go wherever Coach Haley wants me to go and do whatever he wants me to do,” Baldwin said. “If he wants me to play (slot), it really doesn’t matter.”
Prior to Baldwin’s debut, veteran
Injury Report
The Chiefs and Chargers aren’t required to release injury reports until Thursday afternoon.
