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After practice Wednesday the Kansas City Chiefs announced the 2012-2013 captains: Matt Cassel, Derrick Johnson, Terrance Copper, Eric Berry, Ryan Lilja, and Dustin Colquitt.

With the home opener against the Atlanta Falcons just a few days away the Chiefs are working out the kinks of the injured and focusing on starting out the season with a win.

Sunday’s game will feature some player debuts.

Jamaal Charles will be making his first regular season appearance since September 18^th of last year. Johnson and Brandon Flowers may enter the game Sunday but were limited during practice on Wednesday.

After practice the Chiefs spoke with the media.

QB Matt Cassel’s thoughts on heading into the first game of the season:

“It’s been a long time coming. We’ve put a lot of hard work and effort into not only the offseason but mini-camps and then you get into the season and you’ve had four preseason games and now it’s for real. We’re all excited, we’re enthusiastic about it, and this team is working hard, so we couldn’t be more excited. And, the fact that we also get to have the Opening Day at home in front of our fans and all the traditions that go along with it with Red Friday and everything else, it’s going to be a great weekend.”

RB Jamaal Charles on returning to the field on Sunday:

“It’s going to feel real great. I’m excited to be on the field again, especially with my teammates. The passion out there, everything I said in the interview when I met with you all in the offseason, it’s part of what I want to do when Sunday comes. I spoke it and I have to come and prove it. I feel good, I feel great right now. I just can’t wait until the opportunity comes.”

CB Javier Arenas on being connected to one of the biggest trades in Chiefs history, Tony Gonzalez leaving and Arenas drafted:

“I kind of don’t look at it that way, that’s Tony Gonzalez. He’s his own man, he has his own legacy, and I understand I’m a small piece of the trade being that I was that pick but he is who he is…he has his own legacy and I’m trying to build mine.”

RB Peyton Hillis on the friendly competition between him and Charles:

“I think in anything in life, no matter what job it is, you have somebody there that can make you better because they’re that talented. I think it’s good for both of us. He brings something to the table that I look up to, I try to learn some of his game to apply to mine and hope it can help my game out some. I’m blessed enough to be in the same back field with him and to play with him.”

DB Stanford Routt was asked if winning the first home game was important:

“It doesn’t matter whether you’re playing in China; you always want to win the first game of the season, period.”

DT Dontari Poe on potentially starting in his first regular season game:

“I’ll be kind of nervous and excited, all of emotions all in one. I’ll have to bundle all of that up and go out there to do what I'm used to doing. I’ve got to settle down, keep myself calm and do what this defense needs.”

TE Kevin Boss on the anticipation of the season opener on Sunday:

“First game is always exciting; it kind of feels like a playoff game. We’re excited and being a part of it is always fun.  You get the pregame jitters again, you get excited, and the fans are excited about football being back and we’re right there with them.”