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KANSAS CITY, Mo. - At first glance, the Kansas City Chiefs appear poised to make a strong post-season run next season. Theyve solidified the quarterback spot, have several young stars under contract, and came within a hair of making the post-season this year.Delve a little deeper and the off-season outlook changes considerably.Their offensive line is in dire need of upgrades. So is their wide receiver corps, where Dwayne Bowe has failed to live up to his massive contract.Outside linebacker Tamba Hali could be forced to restructure his big contract or be cut, and fellow pass rusher Justin Houston — who just set the franchise record with 22 sacks this season — is a pending free agent.The Chiefs wont be busily preparing for a playoff game, but general manager John Dorsey and coach Andy Reid certainly have plenty of other work ahead of them.I dont think there is any one thing that you can say, OK, this is how were going to be better next year, Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt said after Sundays season-ending win over San Diego. Theyll get into evaluation mode right away. Well have free agency and the draft right around the corner. And the key is weve got to come back a better football team next year.That didnt necessarily happen this year.After winning 11 games and qualifying for the playoffs in Reids first season, Kansas City backtracked to 9-7. Yet the Chiefs were still in the post-season hunt until Sunday, when two outcomes they needed — Baltimore and Houston losing — failed to transpire.Not even a season-ending victory over San Diego did them any good.Its a bit of an empty feeling as far as winning the game but not having the opportunity to go to the playoffs, Reid said. Theres some good things we can learn from that.Namely, taking care of business in the second half of the season.Kansas City started 7-3 and was barrelling toward a first-round bye. But just like last year, the Chiefs fell into a tailspin and were never quite able to pull out of it.Now, as the Chiefs head into the off-season, here are some of the key story lines:HOUSTONS MONEY: No. 1 with an asterisk is the fate of Houston, who is poised for a big payday after his record-setting season. Only Michael Strahan has had more sacks in an NFL season, and that was by a half. The Chiefs spent last off-season negotiating with his representatives on a long-term deal, but the two sides were never close. If nothing else, the Chiefs could franchise him.You have to give us a window to lay out that plan here in the next four to five days, to be able to move in a proper direction, Dorsey said. Well be able to make those hard decisions.HEALTH CHECK: Alex Smith expects to be ready for the off-season program after lacerating his spleen in the Chiefs penultimate game. Meanwhile, Reid said linebacker Derrick Johnson and defensive Mike DeVito were making progress in their return from torn Achilles tendons.BERRYS FUTURE: Eric Berry is continuing treatment for Hodgkins lymphoma, leaving his future with the team in question. The star safety is due more than $8 million next season, the final year of his current contract — a big salary cap number for someone unlikely to play a game.OFFENSIVE LINE WOES: The Chiefs line was a mess most of the season, especially after Jeff Allen sustained a season-ending injury in Week 1. There are massive holes at guard and right tackle, and potentially at centre, where Rodney Hudson is a free agent.Im not really thinking about that right now, Hudson said. Take some time, reflect on the season a little bit, get a little rest and figure all that out.WIDE RECEIVER QUESTIONS: Bowe struggled all season and could be released. If that happens, the Chiefs would free up cash but lose one of their only playmakers. Upgrading at wide receiver will be just as important as fixing the offensive line.Whatever happens, happens, Bowe said. I know Im a great player. I did a lot here in the city and thats all I can look forward to.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Nike Air Max 1 Ireland .com) - Blake Griffin led five Clippers in double figures with 24 points and the LA Clippers got back on track with a 101-97 win over the Utah Jazz. Cheap Air Max 1 Wholesale . -- Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Sidney Rice tweeted an apparent goodbye after a report about his pending release. http://www.airmax1ireland.com/. -- All-Pro tight end Jimmy Graham and the New Orleans Saints met Tuesday for arbitration on his contract. Cheap Air Max 1 Ireland . So far, so good: Gonzalez has allowed one run through 12 innings this season. His second start came Tuesday night, when he gave up only three singles over six innings to lead the Nationals to a 5-0 victory over the Miami Marlins. Cheap Air Max 1 For Sale .J. - Trying to learn and absorb the new West Coast offence being installed by new offensive co-ordinator Ben McAdoo, the New York Giants wrapped their final organized team activity Thursday before a three-day mini-camp next week.This week, collegiate players from across Canada participated in three regional combines in Edmonton, Montreal and Toronto. Those who impressed in each of the three events were asked to attend the main CFL Combine which begins Friday in Toronto. TSNs Duane Forde gives his thoughts on this weeks regionals, who impressed and who to look out for in Toronto this weekend. EDMONTON - Twenty-one draft eligible players participated in Mondays Edmonton regional combine with five of them advancing to the national combine in Toronto. The most impressive among them was Simon Fraser receiver Tore Corrado. Having established himself more as a kick returner than as a receiver at the NCAA Division II-level, Corrados quickness is his greatest strength. His skill set gives him an opportunity to be an effective player on the bigger Canadian field. Corrados SFU teammate Dylan Roper turned scouts heads early in the day when he hoisted 225 lbs. 26 times. The defensive end clinched his trip to Toronto in the one-on-one drills, where his quickness off the edge and non-stop motor were evident. The Regina Rams also had two players promoted to the main combine in guard Kyle Paterson and defensive end Michael Dadzie. The latter hails from the athletic hotbed of Brampton, Ontario and, although he wasnt a full-time starter for the Rams, he possesses a combination of strength and speed that intrigues scouts. Paterson hopes to continue following in the footsteps of fellow Weyburn, Saskatchewan natives and U of R products Brendon LaBatte and Brett Jones. He topped the bench press test with 27 reps and was clearly the most athletic O-lineman in attendance. Rounding out the national combine invitees was rock solid Manitoba linebacker Thomas Miles, who tested well and brings an element of physical play to the table. My honourable mentions from the Edmonton regional go to scrappy Manitoba receiver Andrew Smith, who combines good leaping ability with a willingness to compete in the air for every ball, and Calgary kicker John Mark, who wasnt as accurate as usual, but hit the ball well on every field goal attempt. MONTREAL - There were twenty-seven draft eligible performers among the participants at Wednesdays Montreal regional combine, five of whom earned their way to the national event. Nigel Romick of Saint Marys distinguished himself in a very competitive defensive line group, testing very well across the board and showing great versatility by taking one-on-one reps at tackle, end and even linebacker. Sherbrooke receiver Francis Lapointe, one of the favourites among scouts entering the combine, lived up to his advance billing, running solid pass routes and tying for the fastest 40-yard dash of the day. Two running backs with very different skill sets will also be moving on to the national stage. Bruising fullback Alexandre Dupuis of the Montreal Carabins came back last fall from injuries to both knees that had wiped out his 2012 campaign and continued to impress with his work ethic and toughness.dddddddddddd Meanwhile, Lavals shifty Guillaume Bourassa, who has always had to share time in the crowded Rouge et Or backfield, shone as both a receiver and blocker. Performing on the Concordia University field that he has called home for the last four years, Stingers linebacker Travis Bent also punched his ticket to Toronto. The native of Ajax, Ontario was one of the most heavily recruited players in this class coming out of high school. A number of other players also caught my eye in Montreal, led by Mount Allisons Quinn Everett, who shows good potential as an O-lineman after spending the last four years on the defensive side. Defensive linemen Vincent Desloges (Laval), Shaquille Armstrong (Concordia) and Sanmi Adereti (St.FX) all had their moments, as did receivers Nathan Heather and Mike Harrington, while McGill DB Mattey Ossom and Bishops LB Omar Smith-Jackson displayed outstanding athleticism. TORONTO - On Thursday, Toronto was home to the third and final regional combine with 25 draft eligible prospects on hand. Four would ultimately earn promotions to this weekends national combine, led by former St.FX defensive back Raye Hartmann. An AUS All-Star in 2011, Hartmann had sat out the last two seasons, but showed absolutely no signs of rust as the 62" Mississauga, Ontario native was dominant in pass coverage and excelled in testing. Big Queens receiver Scott MacDonell was equally impressive, using his 65", 225 lbs. frame to his advantage in one-on-ones. He runs well for his size and could certainly contribute at the next leavel with most teams, at least occasionally, employing a tight end package. The day got off to a bit of a rough start for Toronto running back Aaron Milton, when he raised some eyebrows by declining to do the bench press test, later citing a shoulder injury. The big back more than made up for it on the field, showing both explosiveness as a ball carrier and receiver, as well as a willingness to get his nose dirty in blocking drills. High-energy defensive end James Tuck of the York Lions snagged the other invitation, combining an impressive level of athleticism with an even more impressive effort level. Winnipeg-born, Texas-raised offensive lineman Tchissakid Player of Northwestern State was a virtual lock to claim a spot at the main combine until a pulled hamstring ruled him out. Strong-legged kicker Zack Medeiros (Western), waterbug receiver Quincy Van De Cruize (Bishops), and hard-working Guelph defensive tackle Jeffery Finley were among several who didnt advance but likely still helped their stock on Friday. ' ' '