Chiefs RB Kolby Smith Talks About LJ, Running Back By Committee
by Joel Thorman on Nov 9, 2009 1:21 PM CST
in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Campaign
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PrintCurrent Kansas City Chiefs RB Kolby Smith talked about his relationship with former Chiefs RB Larry Johnson this afternoon and touched on the future of the Chiefs running backs in the wake of LJ's release.
"He looked after me and made sure I was good on every level," he said of LJ via Josh Looney of KCChiefs.com. "He had been a true friend."
Despite that friendship, the rest of the Chiefs running backs, namely Smith, Jamaal Charles and Dantrell Savage, will have to continue on.
"It was unfortunate what took place, but now we just have to move on. Jamaal (Charles), Dantrell (Savage) and I must move forward and continue to help this team try and win a game."
Smith said the Chiefs will likely employ what has struck fear into fantasy footballers for years - a running back by committee.
"Going forward, it will probably be more of a running back by committee," he said today. "It won’t just be totally on one running back’s shoulders."
If it matters, Smith did say he believes someone will pick up LJ.
"Yes, he’s a very good back," Smith said. "He’s a two-time pro bowler and he was only 74 yards away from holding our all-time record here. I know that other teams are looking at that and have seen what he’s done in the past. I think that someone will pick him up."
Smith also said there was no announcement from the coaching staff regarding LJ's release. Ironically, some of them heard the news through Twitter.
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Or else it'll turn out like
Podolak, Reed, and Bailey in ’77.
I actually do have a lot of hope with this crew -specifically Charles. Averaging 6 yards per carry on 6 carries may not seem like much, but he also did well in the couple of times he was thrown the ball.
I’ll take anything over LJ, I really will. Perhaps that’s short-sighted or because I’ve grown to despise him over the last three years.
I saw someone joke about burning their Larry Johnson jersey and putting it on here. I really will. Of course, my only other two jerseys are Gonzo and Jared Allen, but I’ll find someone who’ll stick around for awhile to replace it. Or I’ll just wear Jared’s… oh how I miss him.
Don't knock Podolak
He was a productive workhorse for the Chiefs for many years
"There are few secrets in football. So execute." ~Coach Stram
"I think it's the fans. The place is crazy. It's a good crazy, if you're Kansas City." ~Coach Schottenheimer
Oh, and one last fun note about Ed.
And then Ed Got Fired. Poor guy.
http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/01/14/ed-podolak-fired-for-enjoying-women-beer/
The committee idea was good.
But it was pretty futile in the postseason.
I’m a believer in the committee. But I’d like to see a little more uniformity between the members’ styles, so the substitution doesn’t impose a re-set of the offense. They all need to be good in protections, decent hands, and patience and vision for the hole. Beyond that, you’ll always have a guy who’s a step quicker than another, who deserves more minutes.
“Thunder and Lightning” sounds cool, but “Thunder” needs some quick and “Lightning” needs some stout.
As a unit, I think what we see KC runnin’ with is better-rounded than before. I think Charles brings more to the plate, if he can hold up between the tackles. He’s at a tipping point between forcing the opposition into nickel, against which he very well might have some success up the gut against defenses that fear this pesky player splitting wide or moving up into the slot.
Smith looks a week or more away from playing with the same explosion, and it’s possible he’ll never be as explosive as once he was. But even after the long layoff, he has a better feel for the seam, when there isn’t much there, than LJ did, imo. Keep in mind he’s played once and it was against a weak defense against the run. To my eye, Savage is a nice combo of quickness, balance and toughness. Not as big of a breakaway threat in the open field, but more of a breakaway threat in traffic. More likely to get you your 4 if things go a little (lot) wrong, by battling to the whistle.
No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.
ugh....I forgot about Cloud
A man who says he can, and a man who says he can't are both right. Which one are you?
I loved hearing fantasy football players on the cbs' gametracker (whatever it's called) chat moan and complain about Jamal Charles because analysts were high on him this past weekend...
Now more people recognize how bad the Chiefs are playing…yay?
A side of fantasy football I can do without. :]
exactly
now the “experts” can at least justify saying to grab him since he is now a starter
A man who says he can, and a man who says he can't are both right. Which one are you?
I know people keep saying it, but maybe he really isn't sturdy enough for a heavy workload...
I would think his appeal is for the potential for the “home run” ability…sadly we have yet to get one this year…soon enough now I guess. :]
They're sending him up the gut here and there.
But until they improve up front, I’d be sparing with him, myself. He’s a premiere talent who needs a little cleaner opportunity. One thing about LJ is he could stand up to the beatings, and he deserves some props for toughness.
No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.
I still believe LJ has plenty of gas in the tank physically and talentwise to do damage on the field
however, no matter what, he will never thrive with the Chiefs until they get a great o-line and improved coach. But that won’t be soon. The shoe doesn’t fit plain and simple.
I will say off topic but
I am a bit tired of reading about how cassel isnt the guy…cassel ended up at a 96 rating yesterday, he still doesnt turn it over even though sometimes he gets sacked in 2 seconds before he can read the defense…he has missed some throws, but timing will come when he feels like he can sit in the pocket…hes playing protect the football…and doing a great job at it…if we had an OL…it would be SO SO Different…and he still has a 10/5 TD/INT ratio…for 63 mil, with top QB’s at 90 mil…I think we got a steal for a 2nd rounder. Plus he can move in the pocket, most forget poor Trent’s first year, and he had a decent OL. Most called him TRINT…so give the poor guy some time.
no, I'd call it WAY off topic - just sayin'
but since you asked – toss out the last 3 minutes and what do you have? QB rating of what, 65 going into “garbage time” there? Cassel looked, shall we say, less than really good … granted he sometimes has no time, but other times he does and misses the target … holds the ball too long far too often, just as he did last year in NE
Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisiton!
Not to pile on
As Cassel progressed heads and shoulders over the Chargers game, but that 2nd FG should have been a Lance Long TD, but Cassel took to long to get him the ball. Long was wide open in that slant.
Johnnie Morton: The Man. The Myth. The Legend.
by craig in calgary on Nov 9, 2009 2:11 PM CST up reply actions
re-watch the tape
He also had a big set of defenders hands and arms in the way earlier in the route. he couldn’t have hit him earlier. I saw it on the replay when the announcers said the same thing during the game and called BS on it then.
However, he did have a missed TD opportunity with Chambers due to a miscue. Chambers pulled up short Cassel threw it further into the End zone and was very lucky it was not picked off, as 2 Jags defenders got their hands on it.
I'm not a smart man
Long and Chambers gave secondaries more problems.
When Cassel DID get some decent looks, he had people open. He looked very good when he got a chance to set up. When protections become more predictable and less of an every-down cluster-fuck, he’s gonna look pretty darn good.
No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.
I agree..
Cassel is probably contributing MORE than any other available QB would be contributing at this point, on this team.
EVERY QB misses some throws, sometimes. Cassel is no exception. But, he’s a leader, he doesn’t turn the ball over much, he CAN make the plays when needed, and seems to have a knack for 4th quarter TD drives.
I’ll take him over Croyle, Huard, Thigpen, Mark Sanchez, Matt Stafford, Jason Campbell, Derick Anderson, Brady Quinn, Trent Edwards, Sean Hill, Alex Smith and LOTS of other NFL QBs.
You gotta have patience when evaluating a new QB. He’ll be a VERY solid player for this team for many years, IMO
* "I doubt anyone will miss Connor Barth except UCrawford"
* the LB corps may become the biggest strength of the Chiefs in 2009
* The OL is NOT as bad as you think it is... give it time, and you'll see improvement this season
by stagdsp on Nov 9, 2009 2:43 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I like how
ypu didn’t even bother with including JaMarcus in your comment! That is pretty much a given isn’t it!
oh, yeah... forgot about Jamarcus the hut :)
* "I doubt anyone will miss Connor Barth except UCrawford"
* the LB corps may become the biggest strength of the Chiefs in 2009
* The OL is NOT as bad as you think it is... give it time, and you'll see improvement this season
He's been very, very tough.
I’ve NEVER seen him get down on his teammates for the beatings he’s taken. If I tried my very BEST to keep a lid on it, you’d’ve STILL seen the laser stare from me. It’s my nature. It ain’t Cassel’s nature (or he’s just FAR more disciplined than I was in MY 20s).
When he gets an opportunity to set up or if he’s moving around with some room, i.e., getting some help, he’s got what it takes. Definitely a keeper until and unless the supporting cast improves and we see him playing against playoff-caliber defenses. At that point, he might grade out lower than we might hope, but I kinda doubt it.
No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.
Cassel is a liability
but timing will come when he feels like he can sit in the pocket…hes playing protect the football…and doing a great job at it…if we had an OL…it would be SO SO Different
Yeah? If he had an OL and sit in a pocket? Despite having no dependable OL, he is still holding on to the ball longer than he should. Imagine – once he knows he has a better OL, he’ll hold on to it EVEN LONGER. It’s his play…not all the OL.
Watch tapes of the 1st game with “ouc” Brodie in there. The ball comes out 20th of sec quicker. When Brodie sets hit feet…the ball is out. With Cassel, you see him scrambling the moment he drops back, There was one play that it was so evident where the pocket was forming and he had at least 1-2 secs..to scan the field YET he rolled out and started scrambling away. After stating that – that was also the play where he found Chambers in the corner for the 2nd TD.
Predictions as of 06.24.2009.
Larry Johnson will be a top 3 fantasy pick once again in 2010 (after a monster season in 2009.)
Dwayne Bowe will be a 2009 Pro Bowl selection.
Brandon Flowers will have at least 6 INTs in 2009 season.
Todd Haley will have a sideline shouting match caught on TV yelling at one of his asst. coaches.
by 58 was my friend on Nov 9, 2009 2:57 PM CST up reply actions
Pavlovian reaction
As often as Cassel has been hit, hurried and sacked it would be natural to have happy feet. Until the line brings a sense of security to Cassel I do not see it changing.
I will take a sack over throwing it while under pressure and getting a turnover from it. Considering the duress that Cassel has been under I find it very promising that he refuses to create a turnover opportunity for the opposing team.
"There are few secrets in football. So execute." ~Coach Stram
"I think it's the fans. The place is crazy. It's a good crazy, if you're Kansas City." ~Coach Schottenheimer
Some roll outs are by design
Could be that was the play call. Especially since you only reference one instance. I agree he needs to get rid of the ball faster, but it goes along with the protecting the football thing. With Chambers now in there along with D-Bowe, Long and Bradley I think we will see a better passing game. Also with Charles and Smith in the backfield it will help dramatically.
I'm not a smart man
dont agree, sorry...I think a lot of people are going to be wrong...very wrong about Cassel
hes a leader, when hes not worried about getting killed, he will get comfortable, thats when the timing happens…right now how can he ever feel good in the pocket? he has to protect the ball for this team to have a chance…look at our turnovers, we our one of the best in the league at not turning it over…its because Cassel does a heck of a job.
Once again, lets all forget trent green’s first year, or the drops from the WR’s, the worst OL the in the league…Cassel being a leader….
negative negative negative
cant wait till he proves these haters wrong
Not a liability, certainly not yet.
He’s a good, tough QB who can weather the storms of ‘09. I agree with you about Croyle’s mechanics. A beautiful thing to see. He might ascend to starter and do very, very well. But not now. This is definitely Cassel’s time. If Cassel becomes the limiting factor on an otherwise very good team, this topic bears review. But not at this point.
No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.
I feel like the new era officially begins now
We are now in full rebuilding mode instead of the “sorta rebuilding while still carrying dead weight” mode we’ve been in for the past two years now.
I'll be happy the day after he signs with another team
because at that point he’ll be no more than an afterthought on the threads here. I’m officially burnt-out on LJ talk.
Runningback by committee may not be such a bad thing
with the two backs that we have now. Cassel can keep his jersey a little bit cleaner now that he acutally has backs that can catch out of the backfield and have the speed and moves to actually gain some yards with those draw plays that Haley loves to call so much. And maybe we’ll score more than a FG in the 1st quarter and chew up the clock to acually win a game and not have to come from behind.
by His Royal Greatness on Nov 9, 2009 2:22 PM CST reply actions
Remember
When L J was out with a bad toe Kolby Smith got a couple of 100 yard games. He can make us forget that guy we just let go.
by Charles # 1 chiefs fan on Nov 9, 2009 2:50 PM CST reply actions
With Alleman in place of Goff against a questionable run D.
I like the quickness I see compared to what I saw with LJ. But I’m not jumping on any RB’s bandwagon until I start seeing W’s, and can clearly see that the RB was a big part of the difference.
That being said, I get less of a sinking feeling pre-snap with LJ gone. KC now has backs who threaten to turn the corner on every down by out-quicking the D to the spot. This will make the job of the o-line a lot easier. With better threats to the edge, one step to the side, and all of a sudden there ARE cutback lanes up the gut, because defenses will tend to overpursue, rather than just staying at home and waiting for LJ to come to them.
No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.
As a Redskin fan/friend of mine said about the news
Zorn has nothing to lose. Bring ‘em in….write a book about all the fireworks in DC in a few years and make some big money off of that. He can title the book “Zorn to Lose” or “Zorn Losers”
How great would it have been
if the Chiefs had broken the news he was released via Twitter? Not classy, but would’ve been great.
That though
crossed my mind just a few minutes ago.
Like Gunther reading about before he knew he was fired… except I actually like Gunther.
Out of respect for the actual article before us,
Smith had NOTHING but good things to say about LJ as a teammate. LJ does a lotta things right.
This release could actually play to LJ’s favor. 8 games to go. LOTS of teams out there, all of whom are subject to the injury bug. LJ’s a bona fide starting RB who could give a playoff contender some help. What if Brandon Jacobs blows up his knee next week? I hope he doesn’t, but NYG are one team that sets up the kind of holes LJ can read, and LJ can still break arm tackles and demoralize a defense in the right situation.
No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.
Plus, as a Chiefs fan, you HOPE somebody picks him up.
I think that’d save the Chiefs some coin.
No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.
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