Sportsbeat Kc

It’s not all Chiefs playoff talk this week, not when the nation’s third and fourth ranked college basketball teams meet. That happens in Lawrence on Saturday when No. 3 Kansas takes on fourth-ranked Baylor. Jesse Newell breaks down the Big 12 mega matchup. Also, the Chiefs coverage A-team gets tackles the topic of Eric Bieniemy who apparently will not get an NFL coaching job this year. We ask why, and try to provide an answer. Story links: The two words Bill Self used to spark his team...After KU’s first plan didn’t work Chiefs’ Eric Bieniemy is ready for an NFL head coaching job, now more than ever before Thanks to our sponsor: Big O Tires Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get a preview of The Star’s special section in Sunday’s print editions and currently on the kansascity.com website from columnists Vahe Gregorian, Sam Mellinger and beat writers Herbie Teope and Sam McDowell. They talked about the stories - Patrick Mahomes flying under the radar, a Royals championship feeling for the Chiefs, getting to know Chris Jones and the importance of secondary play - that help define the team’s playoff push. Story links: Chiefs’ Eric Bieniemy is ready for an NFL head coaching job, now more than ever before “Like flying bullets:” A year later, Chiefs are better prepared for speed of playoffs “Spectacular:” Former Chiefs photographer recalls covering the Super Bowl Chiefs are a heavy betting favorite against the Texans. Uh oh Thanks our sponsor: Big O Tires Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s a different Chiefs team that will take the field than the one that started the playoffs a year ago. For one thing, Patrick Mahomes has a year of postseason experience under his belt. He and Chiefs Coach Andy Reid spoke to the advantage of having been there, done that and many other topics that are part of the SportsBeat KC podcast. Story links: Chiefs-Texans prediction: Great QB battle will go to the Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes These were seven of the Chiefs most electrifying plays from the 2019 season Chiefs-Texans players to watch: Look beyond the stars for possible difference-makers Thanks to our sponsor: Big O TIres Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

So, what about these Houston Texans, the Chiefs playoff opponent on Sunday? They’ve already won at Arrowhead Stadium this season and now Deshaun Watson, JJ Watt and company look to pull off the upset in the AFC Divisional Round. Aaron Reiss, a former Star reporter who now covers the Texans, provides the latest on Houston. Later, we’ll hear from Texans Coach Bill O’Brien, who spoke with media members who regularly cover the Chiefs. Mellinger MInutes: How the Chiefs might exploit the Texans, a bit about the Royals and more This Chiefs-Texans game will be different than the first. Here are five reasons why Everybody will practice: Chiefs in good shape ahead of playoff game vs. Texans Thanks to our sponsor: Big O Tires Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Patrick Mahomes vs. Deshaun Watson in the AFC Divisional Round is the featured matchup when the Chiefs play host to the Texans on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium. The Texans hope muscle memory kicks in. They defeated the Chiefs 31-24 in Kansas City in Week 6. Star columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian and beat writers Herbie Teople and Sam McDowell speak to the impact of that game on this one. Story links: Sam Mellinger: Chiefs lose 31-24 at home to Houston Texans, insta-reaction! Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes is part of the changing of the guard in AFC playoffs Five things to know about Chiefs’ playoff opponent: Houston Texans Thanks to our sponsor: Big O Tires Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Conference basketball season has arrived in the Big 12 and SEC and Kansas, Kansas State and Missouri all face difficult challenges in their openers. Beat writers Jesse Newell, Kellis Robinett and Souichi Terada break down their teams and look ahead to league play while taking a quick look back at the previous decade. Story links: What are KU basketball’s odds to win the Big 12? Here’s what two projection sites say K-State Q&A: Chris Klieman’s first four-star recruit, Liberty Bowl, Big 12 basketball Missouri’s depth adds layer of strength as SEC hoops opener at Kentucky approaches Thanks to our sponsor, Big O Tires Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Like their fans, the Chiefs will be watching the AFC Wild Card round playoff games on Saturday. The playoffs start the following week for the Chiefs. Which opponent would provide the best matchup among the Patriots, Texans or Bills. Star columnist Sam Mellinger and beat writers Herbie Teope and Sam McDowell discuss that and other Chiefs topics on a SportsBeat KC podcast that originated as a Facebook Live. Also, if you can take a former Chiefs player from the 2010s and add him to the current roster, who would that be? The three priorities that guided Chiefs GM Brett Veach in making a good situation even better Snap counts vs. Chargers: Thronhill’s injury increases Watts’ playing time Panthers, Giants ask to interview Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy for head coaching jobs Is Arrowhead jinxed? Chiefs struggles in playoffs lead some to wonder Thanks to our sponsor: Big O Tires! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chiefs are the first topic of 2020. Patrick Mahomes met the media this week and discussed the team’s approach to the playoff bye week among other topics. Later, a couple of huge Chiefs fans, actors David Koechner and Rob Riggle chatted with Vahe Gregorian and Blair Kerkhoff about their fandom and the Big Slick events that benefit Children’s Mercy Hospital. Big Slick returns to Kansas City for the 11th time in June. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 2010s brought incredible coaching stability to Kansas City pro sports teams and area college teams. In the second part of The Star’s decade-in-review, columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian join SportsBeat KC host Blair Kerkhoff discussing Andy Reid, Ned Yost, Peter Vermes, Bill Self, Bill Snyder and Gary Pinkel. Also, what’s in store for the 2020s? The panel offers its predictions. Story links: Chiefs Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes were meant for each other How Ned Yost and the Royals brought out the best in each other Peter Vermes will be back, but Sporting KC will enact changes. Among them? Spending From Naismith to Self: How eight coaches in 120 years of KU hoops got their jobs The 18th choice for the job: Bill Snyder’s legacy via former K-State president Jon Wefald Gary Pinkel transformed Mizzou football program Thanks to our sponsor: Big O Tires Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

No Wild Card round playoff game for the Chiefs, who felt like they won twice Sunday. They won their way out next week’s schedule with a victory over the Chargers and the Patriots upset loss to the Miami Dolphins. Star reporters Herbie Teope and Sam McDowell joined columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam Mellinger in breaking down the 31-21 victory over the LA Chargers and prospects in the postseason, which now begins for the Chiefs on Jan. 11 or 12. Story links: Chiefs handle own business against the Chargers, get gift win via Dolphins to claim No. 2 seed - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article238803193.html ‘You know we’re living right.’ Chiefs take AFC No. 2 seed to begin quest in earnest - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/vahe-gregorian/article238801948.html The Chiefs win and get a bye, but it’s not all good news. On the change now required - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/article238801788.html Just like last season, Chiefs running back Damien Williams rounding i

The college football bowl season is in full swing and Kansas State’s postseason game approaches. Beat writer Kellis Robinett tells us what’s in store for the Wildcats when they take on Navy, the nation’s top rushing year, in the Liberty Bowl on New Year’s Eve. Also, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes met with reporters to break down Sunday’s regular-season finale against the LA Chargers and the team’s prospects heading into the playoffs. Story links: Chris Klieman losing sleep over Navy’s offense as K-State prepares for Liberty Bowl Chiefs’ keys vs. Chargers: Win game you should win, don’t let Austin Ekeler run wild Why Tyrann Mathieu and the “Honey Badger” were at odds and how they came to co-exist Thanks to our sponsor: Big O Tires! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Chiefs conclude the 2019 season against the Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium with playoff seeding uncertainty. But some potential matchups are better than others. Sam Mellinger, Sam McDowell and Herbie Teope discuss the playoff possibilities on Facebook Live, now a SportsBeat KC podcast presented by Big O Tires. Also, who is the Chiefs MVP? The panel and viewers weigh in. Story links: Chiefs place running back Spencer Ware on injured reserve, activate Xavier Williams - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article238710293.html “You never know in this business:” Why Chiefs will play their starters in Week 17 - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article238702263.html Mellinger Minutes: So much Chiefs, plus playoff stuff and KC’s best football players - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sam-mellinger/article238659753.html Thanks to our sponsor Big O Tires Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 2010s are closing. What were the biggest stories on the Kansas City sports scene in the decade? The Star’s Sam Mellinger, Vahe Gregorian and Blair Kerkhoff identified the news that shaped the sports and the region’s scene. The Chiefs, Royals and colleges are represented in this SportsBeat KC podcast, the first of two conversations about the decade. The second will be posted next Tuesday. Story links: Royals are World Series champs For the first time since ‘83. Chiefs draft quarterback in the first round, Patrick Mahomes Game on: KU, Mizzou agree to six-year resumption of men’s basketball rivalry Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Chiefs walloped the Chicago Bears 26-3 on Sunday Night Football at Soldier Field and Herbie Teope, Sam McDowell, Same Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian were to talk about it. What didn’t go well for the Chiefs? The defense continued its dominant play. Patrick Mahomes threw two touchdown passes and ran for another. Harrison Butker kicked a career long 56-yard field goal. One game remains in the regular season but the Chiefs look playoff-ready and we discuss on SportsBeat KC presented by Big O Tires. Story links: Gregorian: Giving up 3 touchdowns in 5 games, Chiefs defense has gone from farce to force https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/vahe-gregorian/article238647068.html Mellinger: What Mahomes told his teammates about his 10 count and why he did it (beyond the obvious) https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sam-mellinger/article238648493.html The Chiefs at their best is a picture that includes Damien Williams https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article23864648

No small task for Kansas City’s Vlatko Andonovski, just maintain the excellence of the world’s best women’s soccer club, the two-time defending World Cup champion U.S. women’s national team. In an interview with Star columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian and host Blair Kerkhoff on SportsBeat KC, Adonovski said he’s up to the challenge. He also discussed his days as an indoor soccer player and coach, women’s professional league coach and growing up in a soccer-centric family in Macedonia. Story links: Vlatko Adonovski’s unlikely path from Skopje to KC to leading U.S. women’s soccer U.S women’s soccer team has a new coach, Kansas City’s Vlatko Andonovski Thanks to our sponsor, Big O Tires! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Kansas City Chiefs added a key component in defensive lineman Terrell Suggs, the Pro Bowl rosters were released and the Chiefs take on the Chicago Bears and former assistant coach Matt Nagy on Sunday. There was plenty to discuss on when Chiefs beat writer Herbie Teope joined Star columnists Vahe Greorgian and Sam Mellinger along with host Blair Kerkhoff at Big O Tires in Olathe on Thursday. Story links: After talk with Reid, Terrell Suggs knew he wanted to play for Chiefs: “Let’s do it” Chiefs Pro Bowl reaction: Praise for selections, disappointment for snubs Chicago Tribune: Why did the Chicago Bears draft Mitchell Trubisky over Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes? Thanks to our sponsor, Big O Tires! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Chiefs claimed seven-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Terrell Suggs this week, and Suggs told reporters Wednesday he’s happy to be joining a playoff-bound team that likes to play basketball in the locker room. And quarterback Patrick Mahomes shared his thoughts on the acquisition and other topics. Also, KU beat writer Jesse Newell is covering the nation’s top-ranked team. He talked about what’s gone right the Jayhawks since their opening loss to Duke and previews KU at Villanova this weekend. Story links: Chiefs claim veteran pass rusher Terrell Suggs off waivers Although Ravens didn’t try to claim Terrell Suggs, their fans are mad at Chiefs Kansas Jayhawks ascend to No. 1 in Associated Press men’s basketball poll Thanks to our sponsor, Big O Tires! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Royals don’t often make a splash at baseball’s winter meetings but plant seeds for future moves. Royals beat writer Lynn Worthy joined Star columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian around the hot stove to discuss the club’s early offseason moves and project what lies ahead for the organization, including such players as Whit Merrifield, Hunter Dozier and Alex Gordon, on SportsBeat KC, presented by Big O Tires. John Sherman may want Royals run differently than how they’ve operated for past decade Royals set to give Ryan O’Hearn every chance to win first base job in spring training Royals probably won’t rush to sign free agents, Moore said, but later deals possible Despite Hunter Dozier’s success, Royals will explore options at third base Thanks to our sponsor, Big O Tires! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Chiefs defeated the Denver Broncos 23-3 on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium in a game played in a snow globe. Chiefs beat writers Herbie Teope and Sam McDowell joined columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian to break down one of the Chiefs’ most complete games of the season, even though it was played in a snowstorm. Patrick Mahomes was terrific, tight end Travis Kelce was record setting and the defense continued its rugged play of late. Story links Off kilter for weeks, Patrick Mahomes went into a snow globe and found himself This version of the Chiefs is good enough to win the Super Bowl. Yes, we’re saying it Chiefs safeties are leading the defensive overhaul in Kansas City. And it’s no fluke Blizzard at Arrowhead? Snow problem as Chiefs pummel Drew Lock, Denver Broncos 23-3 Chiefs report card: Frightful weather but delightful game for Mahomes, defense Thanks to our sponsor, Big O Tires! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Kansas Jayhawks are a victory over UMKC away from probably becoming the nation’s top-ranked team. Is KU really the nation’s best? Jesse Newell breaks down the program that hasn’t lost since its opener against Duke and what lies ahead for Kansas. Also, it’s only been two games but the excitement is building for Drew Lock as the Denver Broncos’ quarterback. The former Mizzou and Lee’s Summit High standout has won his first two starts, and Cecil Lammey of 104.3 The Fan in Denver discusses what Lock’s success means for the organization. Story links: KU Coach Bill Self seeks energy for upcoming Kansas City game at Sprint Center How Kansas Jayhawks point guard Devon Dodson has improved in a somewhat unexpected way Homecoming in KC: How Drew Lock turned a draft day nightmare into NFL redemption Thanks to our sponsor, Big O Tires! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices