When doling out credit for the Kansas City Chiefs remarkable turnaround last season, quarterback Alex Smith thinks he should be

When doling out credit for the Kansas City Chiefs remarkable turnaround last season, quarterback Alex Smith thinks he should be at the front of the line to receive his praise. Nike Clearance Store . The Chiefs were a 2-14 team heading into the season last year when they brought in a new general manager, John Dorsey, head coach, Andy Reid, and of course starting quarterback, Smith. Kansas City wasnt void of talent before last year – the team had a surprising six players named to the Pro Bowl after their 2-14 season – but they needed change at the top positions to realize their full potential as a team. After finishing with an 11-5 record and making the playoffs last season, the new acquisitions deserve claim for their part in the turnaround, and in Smiths case, that comes in the form of a new contract. The 30-year-old Smith threw for 3,313 yards and 23 touchdowns to seven interceptions in his first year in Kansas City (eighth overall). Hes now entering the final year of his current contract which pays him $7.5 million per year and reportedly wants a bigger contract than the one given to Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler recently (seven years and $126 million). Smiths value is hard to gauge because he will never put up the gaudy numbers of the highest paid quarterbacks around the league, but produces similar results to the top earners. While theres no doubt running back Jamaal Charles is the teams best player, many around Kansas City would be okay with the assertion that Smith was the teams MVP. As pointed out by analysts this off-season, Smiths value is further clouded by the lack of a second-tier quarterback market. In terms of contracts at least, quarterbacks are either elite players earning big bucks, or unsolidified starters making far less. The Chiefs need to negotiate terms with Smith, who seems to fall in between the two categories. The problem could solve itself this year. If Smith leads the team on another playoff run hell almost certainly be able to claim hes joined the top tier at his position. And conversely if Kansas City takes a step back, Smith may have no choice but to accept lesser terms from the team. There is of course, always the franchise tag as well. Notes While Smith is waiting on his contract extension, Charles got a big one just ahead of the season. The Pro Bowl running back was given an extension that will pay him $18 million over the next two seasons, his age 27 and 28 years. The Chiefs lost left tackle Brandon Albert this off-season, but saw the move coming a year ago and should be prepared to deal with the loss. Last years first overall pick Eric Fisher struggled in his rookie campaign on the right side but a move to left tackle – typically the highest leverage position on the line – should help his fortunes moving forward. Fisher is a natural left tackle and will likely welcome a move back to the side of the line hes most comfortable on. Kansas City cut ties with longtime Chief Brandon Flowers this off-season, leaving a hole – and a competition – in the secondary. Flowers isnt quite what he used to be, but is still a solid cornerback and with no clear replacement on the roster, the move is risky. The Chiefs started the run on second-tier pass rushers (after Jadeveon Clowney, Khalil Mack, and Anthony Barr) by selecting Auburn defensive end Dee Ford, who claimed he was the better pass rusher than Clowney, with their first round pick. Also intriguing picks included QB Aaron Murray, whose torn ACL dropped him to the fifth round, and Canadian tackle Laurent Duvernay-Tardiff in the sixth-round. The Chiefs were relatively quiet in free agency but did add three potential starters in guard Jeff Linkenbach, defensive tackle/end Vance Walker, and cornerback Chris Owens. Nike Clearance Sale .J. -- While Martin Brodeur wasnt willing to say he stole one for the New Jersey Devils against the Columbus Blue Jackets, almost everyone else was. Wholesale Nike Shoes . The 33-year-old defender has spent his entire career at Chelsea, scoring 57 goals in 621 appearances. He regained his regular starting place under Jose Mourinho in the season that ended at the weekend without Chelsea winning a trophy. http://www.clearancenikeshoes.com/ . The second-ranked Jayhawks will play the Miners of Texas-El Paso at Imperial Arena in the Bahamas. The game can be seen live on TSN2 starting at 7pm et/4pm pt.Derbyshire have signed former Lancashire all-rounder Luis Reece on a two-year contract. Reece has been with Lancashire for four years, making 30 appearances and scoring 1,235 runs across all three formats. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ￡6.99. No contract. Im grateful to Derbyshire for providing me with this opportunity, Reece said. Speaking to the club, they have exciting ambitions for the years ahead and I cant wait to get started. The 26-year-old was named Lancashires Young Player of the Year in 2013, his debut season, as the club secured promotion to the top flight. He appeared in 10 first-class fixtures that year, hitting 722 runs at an average of 55.As well as being a talented batsman, Reece is a left-arm bowler and has taken 22 wickets in his senior career. Luis is a very talented batsman, in both red- and white-ball cricket, who is also an improving left-arm seam bowler, Derbyshire director of cricket ;Kim Barnett said. Nike Shoes Outlet Clearance. Meanwhile, all-rounder Wes Durston has left Derbyshire by mutual consent. Wes Durston has parted company with Derbyshire The 36-year-old joined Derbyshire in 2010 and helped them to County Championship promotion in 2012 before becoming limited-overs captain for 2015 and 2016, but injury limited his participation this year.He made many notable contributions down the years, no more than in our 2012 promotion-winning season, but both parties feel that the time is now right to move on, Derbyshire cricket advisory director Kevin Dean said.You can watch Englands tour of Bangladesh, plus Premier League football and the Japan Grand Prix on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy three months at half price! Also See: Fixtures/results Live cricket on Sky Get Sky Sports Cricket videos ' ' '