ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs offered a preview during recent 11-on-11 training camp practices of what could be in store for unsuspecting quarterbacks this season. Pro Bowl linebackers Tamba Hali and Justin Houston, first-round draft pick Dee Ford and fellow pass-rusher Josh Martin all trotted onto the field at the same time, leaving defensive tackle Dontari Poe as the lone down lineman in a unique scheme designed to create pressure.

Elsewhere in the NFL, similar personnel groups are known as “NASCAR packages” — the idea is that they overwhelm the opposing offense with their speed. “We call it the ‘dog front,'” Hali said. “A bunch of dogs going after (the quarterback).”

MIAMI (AP) — Justin Masterson pitched seven scoreless innings in his best outing since joining the St. Louis Cardinals, and they averted a series sweep by beating the Miami Marlins 5-2 Wednesday. Masterson, acquired in a trade with Cleveland on July 30, allowed three hits — all singles — and no walks and threw only 91 pitches before departing for a pinch hitter.

After recording only six outs in his previous start, he lowered his ERA to 6.00 in three outings with the Cardinals, and 5.14 overall this year. The 6-foot-6 right-hander improved to 2-1 with St. Louis and 5-6 overall. He also earned his first career RBI in the sixth with a two-out single.

Nathan Eovaldi allowed four runs, two earned, in six innings.

AMES, Iowa (AP) – Even Iowa State knows that it probably won’t win the Big 12 this year.  The Cyclones just want to win a bowl game. Iowa State went to three bowls in its first four years under coach Paul Rhoads. But the Cyclones lost seven straight Big 12 games and finishing 3-9 – by far their worst mark for Rhoads.

Iowa State has predictably been picked to finish ninth in the 10-team league, ahead of only Kansas. But Rhoads has set the bar at a postseason victory, which the Cyclones have achieved just once under Rhoads and three times in school history.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Most coaches only get one chance to turn around a program. Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz is poised to revive the Hawkeyes for the third time in 12 years. Many dismissed Ferentz and the Hawkeyes after a 4-8 finish in 2012. But Iowa answered its critics with eight wins last season, including victories at Minnesota and Nebraska and a trip to the Outback Bowl.

A veteran roster and a favorable schedule should put Iowa in position to contend for the inaugural Big Ten West title in 2014.

If the tackle box out in your garage is rusted through, busted up or has otherwise seen better days, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources wants to see it. The DNR says it will accept photos of Iowa’s ugliest tackle boxes for a contest to run this August on Facebook, with the winner receiving a new tackle bag and lures courtesy of the Des Moines Chapter of the Izaak Walton League and Mid-Iowa Bassmasters.

Ugly tackle box photos can be submitted to photos@dnr.iowa.gov by Aug. 18th. The DNR will post photos from selected finalists to the DNR’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/iowadnr, at 8:30 p.m. Aug. 20, where Iowans can then vote for the ugliest tackle box in the state.

The photo with the most Facebook likes, comments and shares will win the new tackle box and gear, valued at $100. Official contest rules are available on the DNR website at www.iowadnr.gov/portals/idnr/uploads/files/Uglytackleboxofficialrules.pdf

Photo entries will also be posted to the DNR’s Pinterest boards at www.pinterest.com/iowadnr.

The Des Moines chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America provided the tackle box for this contest. Learn more about the group and its work to improve outdoor recreation and protect natural resources at http://desmoinesikes.com.

The lures were provided by the Mid-Iowa Bassmasters. Learn more about the group’s stewardship efforts and work to promote fishing in central Iowa at http://www.midiowabassmasters.org.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has scheduled four public meetings to discuss proposed changes to the state fishing regulations for 2015. One of the hearings will take place 6:30-p.m. Sept. 2nd, at the Lewis and Clark State Park Visitor Center, (21914 Park Loop) in Onawa.

The DNR is proposing a series of rule changes to make the regulations easier to understand, to protect lake improvements, remove duplicate language in the Iowa code and to enhance fishing opportunities.

The proposals also include: allowing the DNR to manage walleye populations in the same manner as it does bass by posting length limit signs at lakes; removing hand fishing as a legal means of take for all rough fish; establishing a paddlefish season on the Missouri and Big Sioux rivers; and removing duplicate trotline or throw line language in the Iowa Administrative code.

At the hearing, persons will be asked to give their names and address for the record and to confine their remarks to the content of the proposed amendments. Any persons who intend to attend the hearing and have special requirements, such as those related to hearing or mobility impairments, should contact the DNR and request specific accommodations.

Any person may submit written suggestions or comments on the proposed amendment through Sept. 4, 2014. Written materials should be addressed to Martin Konrad, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 502 East Ninth Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0034, by fax at 515-281-8895 or by email to martin.konrad@dnr.iowa.gov.

Chiefs’ Eric Berry leaves practice with heel pain

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Pro Bowl safety Eric Berry left the Chiefs’ practice for the second time this training camp on Tuesday as he continues to be bothered by tendinitis in his right heel. Berry missed a few days of practice last week with the heel injury. He eventually returned to workouts but did not play in the Chiefs’ preseason opener against Cincinnati.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid said that the team will continue to monitor Berry and rest him as needed, though it’s unclear when he’ll return. Kansas City plays at Carolina on Sunday. Defensive end Mike Catapano also left practice with the same illness that has sidelined him for much of training camp. Kicker Ryan Succop remained out with groin inflammation.

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Chiefs finally building up depth at wide receiver

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — The past few years in Kansas City, it’s been Dwayne Bowe and everyone else at wide receiver. Bowe is the unquestionable leader of the group, but Junior Hemingway also has emerged as a big, reliable slot target. De’Anthony Thomas already has proven to be an electrifying playmaker, whether the rookie’s taking a handoff or splitting out wide. And a group that includes Donnie Avery, Kyle Williams, A.J. Jenkins and Frankie Hammond Jr. has all had moments of brilliance.

While he put some of the best numbers of his career last year, many of those yards came on dump-offs and short passes that running back Jamaal Charles turned into big plays. Smith hardly had the same kind of big, rangy targets such as Michael Crabtree that he had in San Francisco.

MIAMI (AP) — Jarred Cosart pitched seven innings in a duel with Adam Wainwright to earn his first victory for the Miami Marlins, who beat the St. Louis Cardinals 3-0 Tuesday. Cosart allowed three hits and one walk to win for the first time since July 7. The victory came in his second start for Miami after being acquired from Houston in a trade for prospects.

He’s 1-1 with Miami and 10-7 overall this year. Wainwright, making his first start against the Marlins since 2010, missed a chance to became the first 15-game winner in the majors. He went seven innings and allowed three runs, with two coming on a home run off the foul pole by Donovan Solano — only the sixth homer allowed by the Cardinals’ ace.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Jamaal Charles is known for his speed and skill. He’d like to be known for his ability to lay the lumber, too. The Chiefs’ Pro Bowl running back relishes the chance to drop a blitzing safety or linebacker, even though there are no fantasy points at stake for a block. He considers it one of the biggest reasons why he’s become one of the few every-down running backs in the league.

In fact, Charles has even coined his own “Jamaal Charles rule,” whereby he promises to keep his defender out of his quarterback’s face for 3 seconds. After that, they’re on their own. Chiefs offensive coordinator Doug Pederson said Monday that Charles has become a better blocker over the last year, and that’s allowed him to take the next step toward greatness.