KANSAS CITY — Who turned off The Show?

There’s something different about Dwayne Bowe, the Chiefs’ third-year wide receiver. He’s quieter now. More reserved in practices. Focused.

Bowe used to run his routes during workouts, and on the walk back toward the huddle, he’d notice a television camera pointed somewhere other than at No. 82. Bowe would correct that, of course, and he’d reward the photographer with a display of flexing or dancing and always some of Kansas City’s finest free entertainment. It was called “The Show,” and for all Bowe lacked in a creative title, he made up for it with a consistent performance.

Bowe had his chance Monday morning. The Chiefs were running passing drills, and quarterback Matt Cassel locked on Bowe, who stuck out a hand and reeled in a tough catch. The cameras swung toward the receiver, out of habit now more than anything, but Bowe jogged quietly back toward the huddle. Show’s canceled today, boys and girls, and the star didn’t so much as take a bow before the curtain came down.

“I’m older now,” Bowe, 24, explained. “This is my third year, a critical year. I want to be more serious and not even give him any reason to think I’m joking around.”

He’s talking about first-year coach Todd Haley, a director of a show that has no room for fluff. Haley has made it known that he doesn’t put up with distractions, and the Chiefs are here to work and not divert attention from their goals, regardless of the laughs that Bowe’s behavior used to generate.

“We want guys that are pretty serious about football,” Haley said. “That when it doesn’t go right that they’re as upset as the coaches are, or their teammates are; that they’re not guys that, when it doesn’t go right, they go, ‘Oh, well, let’s move on.’ It’s just part of trying to change the way everybody’s thinking.

“We’re not interested in a lot of distractions. I don’t believe that’s the way you win football games: by distracting yourself with a lot of other things.”

If Haley is making Bowe a pet project, the coach has all the material and motivation he can handle. He also has the experience. Haley was a wide-receivers coach for two NFL teams, and his eye is sharp enough to know that Bowe is as talented as he is complex. He’s the Chiefs’ No. 1 receiver for a reason, but he’s as much known for spectacular plays as mood swings and dropped passes.

In addition to cutting the electricity to the Bowe Show Theatre, he hadn’t spoken to reporters for weeks. Even after agreeing Monday to answer questions, Bowe said he would do it only with the understanding that he wouldn’t discuss football. His colorful personality and how it meshes with the fiery Haley was one thing—”This guy has tendencies,” Bowe said, “but he means well”—but a football discussion wouldn’t be on the playbill.

Haley admitted last weekend that he doesn’t expect to get along with all players, acknowledging that he’s not here to make friends. Bowe could represent one of Haley’s tallest challenges: a potential star whose bulging personality and unrefined work habits often are in conflict. Haley said Bowe reported to offseason practice out of shape, the same as several other players.

“It’s been a long road back,” Haley said. “We definitely need work.”

Work is no fun, and that always seemed to be the thing that motivated Bowe. Haley will now have to find the right words and tests to unlock Bowe’s possibilities, and the coach’s mind already is working overtime to get through to the youngster.

Were his drops last year a physical or mental problem? Or even a problem with Bowe’s vision? Haley’s thoughts are churning, and if he hasn’t yet struck gold, he has at least eliminated a few barren mines.

“We’ve checked all those guys visionwise. That’s not the problem,” Haley said. “You have to let the player know, whoever it is, that it’s not all right. It’s not all right to let the ball hit your hands and then the ground or, worse than that, tip to the other side.”

“You can’t let it go. You’ve got to continue to press the issue that the ball has to be caught and then drill it before and after practice and at all times. I think that’s the best solution I’ve found.”

So when Bowe and Haley had one of their first discussions, Bowe said, the coach said it was time to pull the plug on The Show. Haley needed Bowe’s full attention, and work had to come before entertainment. Instead of greeting fans or opponents before games, Bowe said Monday, he’ll be catching passes on the sideline. Instead of posing for television cameras and causing a scene after a receiving drill, he’ll be working on securing the ball and technique and concentration.

And he’ll do it all quietly. For now.

“You’ll be able to see The Show,” Bowe said, “but right now, I’m under the radar because of that new guy, and I’ve got to get accustomed.

“He just wants me to go out there and work on what I need to work on. There’s going to be a lot of ball drills this year.”

Bowe said he’s giving this new approach a chance. He said he wants to realize his potential, and if that means stifling his personality—even for the short term—for the greater good, then it’ll be worth it for himself and the team.

“Dwayne’s been very receptive to trying to do it our way,” Haley said, “and the way we want it done.”

So maybe it’s a little quieter on the sideline this offseason. A little more boring. Bowe said The Show will return in due time, when his bigger concerns are no longer concerns, and catching the football and appeasing his coach no longer are issues worth questioning.

It’s still early in the spring lineup, but Bowe said he trusts his coach enough to go with his suggested format changes.

“It took a while,” Bowe acknowledged. “It took a few OTA practices, a few minicamps, but I see where he’s coming from."