Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson
Here are a couple of late AFC West notes on Wednesday night:
Big happenings in Kansas City where the Chiefs are moving linebacker Derrick Johnson from the outside to middle linebacker for the remainder of the season.
The Kansas City Star reports that the move will be made both to give Johnson a chance to salvage a disappointing season and to give the Chiefs a spark in the middle.
This is a significant move. Johnson hasn't had a great 2008. He has been bothered by injuries and hasn't been as productive as he has been in the past. If the Chiefs are moving Johnson, it means the staff believes his future could be in the middle. However, if Johnson fails to make the transition smoothly, it could put his future in jeopardy in Kansas City.
However, with the tenuous status of coach Herman Edwards' staff, the whole idea could be moot. If a new coaching staff takes over, it could have different ideas for Johnson, who has been an effective outside linebacker in the past.
Meanwhile, the Chargers have beaten Oakland, which they host Thursday night, 10 straight times dating back to 2003. That ties the team for the longest current streak in the NFL with Pittsburgh's stranglehold over Cleveland and New England's ownership of Buffalo.
Williamson joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four seasons covering the Denver Broncos for the Denver Post. He previously covered the Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks.
