SportsBeat KC

Will Patrick Mahomes play against the Titans on Sunday? He’s missed two and a half weeks with a dislocated kneecap but Mahomes was listed as a full practice participant this week. That usually means the coast is clear to play. But the Chiefs aren’t saying that yet. The A-team had plenty to say about it on Facebook Live. Herbie Teope, Sam McDowell, Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian tackled this Chie...

For only the second time in the Bill Self era, Kansas opened the season with a loss. And there was no guesswork about what went wrong for the Jayhawks against Duke in the Championship Classic. KU committed an incredible 28 turnovers. Is this a problem that can be fixed? KU beat writer Jesse Newell joined SportsBeat KC host Blair Kerkhoff to break down the game. Also, the Chiefs haven’t named a sta...

The Royals didn’t exactly search for a new manager. Mike Matheny was already on the staff. And he didn’t exactly win the introductory news conference. But in a side sessions with reporters, Matheny opened up about his success and failures as the St. Louis Cardinals manager. Star columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian were there and offer up their takes on the hire — and their first impression...

The Kansas City Chiefs did something on Sunday they haven’t done since September, win a home game. They defeated the Vikings in dramatic fashion 26-23 on Harrison Butker’s 44-yard field goal as time expired. The A-team of Herbie Teope, Sam McDowell, Vahe Gregorian, Sam Mellinger and Blair Kerkhoff provided the postgame breakdown, from the improved play of the defense, to Damien Williams’ 91-yard t...

Kansas State beat writer Kellis Robinett and KU beat writer Jesse Newell tell is what’s at stake at the most significant Sunflower Showdown in at least a decade. The Wildcats and Jayahwks are coming off victories and feeling good about the direction of their programs heading into Saturday’s game. Not feeling great these days are the Missouri Tigers, and Mizzou beat writer Souichi Terada sees some...

The Chiefs could be without quarterback Patrick Mahomes for a second straight week, and suddenly Arrowhead Stadium has become a not-so-friendly home. The A-Team of Herbie Teope, Sam McDowell, Vahe Gregorian and Sam Mellinger discuss. Also, the Royals have their new manager. No surprise — it’s Mike Matheny. Read the stories we discussed: Just maybe the Chiefs are beginning to heal and injured playe...

As a podcast host on the talknorth.com network, Stephen Strom, knows the Vikings and shares his knowledge of the Chiefs’ next opponent with Blair Kerkhoff on SportsBeat KC. Also, Andy Reid didn’t say who would start at quarterback on Sunday between Matt Moore and Patrick Mahomes, who is recovering from a dislocated kneecap. But Moore met the media on Wednesday and shared his thoughts about his tem...

The football version of Sunflower Showdown, the rivalry between Kansas and Kansas State, has been a one-sided conversation for decades. The Wildcats have dominated on the gridiron, winning 10 straight meetings, and the Jayhawks have looked forward to basketball. This week is different with both teams coming off Big 12 victories. K-State stunned Oklahoma, and KU beat Texas Tech on the game’s final...

The Chiefs fell to the Green Bay Packers 31-24 on Sunday Night Football. The Chiefs fell behind 14-0, rallied to take a 17-14 leader behind reserve quarterback Matt Moore, but couldn’t hold off Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. Herbie Teope, Sam McDowell and Sam Mellinger broke down the game, the big moments and pivotal decisions on Facebook Live now presented as a SportsBeat KC podcast. Read the sto...

It’s a full college football weekend, with Kansas State, Missouri and Kansas each looking for some consistency. The Wildcats broke a two-game losing streak last week but now face rugged Oklahoma. Mizzou looks to avoid its second straight upset loss and visits Kentucky. Kansas nearly pulled off a stunner at Texas and hopes to find some answers on defense against Texas Tech. Also, meet The Star’s ne...

Patrick Mahomes is practicing. On a limited basis, but practicing. What are we to make of this? Sam Mellinger, Herbie Teope, Sam McDowell and Blair Kerkhoff dive into the topic on SportsBeat KC. Also, the group discusses the prospect of turning the terrific game by the defense in Denver into a trend, and its tackles this philosophical question: Would you take an Aaron Rodgers career to this point...

There was plenty to talk about for Kansas basketball coach Bill Self at Big 12 media day at Sprint Center. Self addressed the NCAA letter of allegations, his future at KU and the renewal of the Border War rivalry with Missouri — among other topics. KU beat writers Jesse Newell and Gary Bedore join SportsBeat KC host Blair Kerkhoff to discuss what we heard. Also, is it possible that Chiefs quarterb...

Kansas and Missouri will renew their men’s basketball rivalry starting next year, the schools announced Monday night. Vahe Gregorian and Sam Mellinger join host Blair Kerkhoff to discuss why this happened, why it’s important and why we love this rivalry. The columnists also use tonight’s World Series opener between the Astros and Nationals to remember what happened in Kansas City five years ago. I...

When Patrick Mahomes injured his knee against the Broncos on Thursday night, the worst was immediately feared. It’s doubtful Mahomes will play on Sunday but he hasn’t been ruled out. Coach Andy Reid and trainer Rick Burkholder spoke to the media on Monday. Chiefs beat writers Herbie Teope and Sam McDowell join SportsBeat KC host Blair Kerkhoff to discuss the latest developments. Read the stories w...

The Chiefs got out of Denver with a convincing victory and an injured quarterback. On a quarterback sneak, Patrick Mahomes suffered a dislocated right kneecap and left the game. That didn’t prevent the Chiefs from an impressive 30-6 triumph to end a two-game losing streak. But it presented questions about the Chiefs’ future at the position that Sam Mellinger, Herbie Teope, Sam McDowell and host Bl...

It’s game day. The Chiefs visit the Denver Broncos tonight and it’s a matchup of teams headed in different directions. After starting 4-0, the Chiefs have dropped two straight. After starting 0-4, the Broncos have won two in a row. We get the Broncos perspective on the game from Nick Griffith, a former Kansas City TV sports anchor who has spent the last eight years covering the Broncos and Denver’...

This week's college episode is happening as the football and basketball seasons begin their crossover. K-State beat writer Kellis Robinett tracked down Wildcats’ basketball coach Bruce Weber for an exclusive interview. Jesse Newell, who covers KU, provides the update on the latest basketball commitment and the first to pledge after the Jayhawks received their Notice of Allegations from the NCAA. M...

After suffering their second straight loss on Sunday, the Chiefs are officially struggling. The offense has slowed, the defense can’t stop opponents — especially on the ground — and injuries have played a role. But is this the right roster? The majority of the team’s 53-man squad was acquired by general manager Brett Veach through the draft, free agent signings and trades. How much has Veach gotte...

Oh boy, now it’s a losing streak for the Chiefs. And that’s two straight at Arrowhead Stadium. The A-Team of Herbie Teope, Sam McDowell, Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian joins Blair Kerkhoff in breaking down the Chiefs 31-24 loss to the Houston Texans. Not even the return of Tyreek Hill, who was terrific with two touchdown receptions, could rally the Chiefs, who were ahead 17-3 only to have the of...

College football seasons usually are 12 games, but if you extend Missouri’s to the last 25, you might be surprised at the Tigers’ record. Columnist Vahe Gregorian’s stat certainly surprised host Blair Kerkhoff. Mizzou plays host to Ole Miss on Saturday, and although Kansas State and KU are off this weekend, Kellis Robinett and Jesse Newell provide updates including news of a new offensive coordina...

The A-team brought a jumbo package to Big O Tires in Kansas City. Herbie Teope, Sam McDowell, Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian joined Blair Kerkhoff for our weekly Facebook Live discussion of the Chiefs. There was plenty to talk about, from the poor run defense to the lack of success by the passing offense against man coverage. But the national perspective on the game will focus on the quarterback...

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said his left ankle, injured in the opening game and aggravated in Sunday’s loss to the Colts, was “not perfect” but it won’t stop him from playing in this week’s game against the Houston Texans. Also, tight end Travis Kelce speaks to his push and then hug of offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy in that game. Finally, it was media day for Kansas basketball, so we...

The opening of basketball practice is celebrated at University of Kansas like nowhere else in the nation. The event includes skits, dancing, team introductions, a light scrimmage and often a celebrity guest. This year, KU brought rapper Snoop Dogg to Allen Fieldhouse and Late Night got edgy with stripper poles and money guns shooting out fake $100 bills. Coach Bill Self and Kansas officials said t...

The Chiefs were a double-digit favorite against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday Night Football. Arrowhead Stadium was packed and all signs pointed to the Chiefs remaining undefeated. Somehow, they lost, 19-13. It was the lowest scoring game of the Patrick Mahomes era. The A-team of Herbie Teope, Sam McDowell and Sam Mellinger join host Blair Kerkhoff to dissect the loss and determine what it mean...

In home games on Saturday, Kansas State, Kansas and Missouri face different levels of opponents. The Wildcats figure to be in tight contest with Baylor. KU is a huge underdog to powerful Oklahoma, and Missouri is a heavy favorite against Troy. The college beat writers — Kellis Robinett, Jesse Newell and Alex Schiffer — break down their games and have other news about their beats. And for one of th...