New Chiefs McCluster, Arenas Competing At Returner

by Joel Thorman on May 1, 2010 1:37 PM CDT in 2010 Kansas City Chiefs Season

Following the 2010 draft, Chiefs GM Scott Pioli said increasing the overall team speed was a priority. With the first three picks of the draft, that goal was achieved. Specifically, the two second round picks - WR/RB Dexter McCluster and CB Javier Arenas -- are not only speed guys, but return guys as well.

Both players excelled, particularly Arenas, in the return game while in college.

"We're back there competing," McCluster said this afternoon. "We're rookies trying to make the team."

McCluster is small, fast, and shifty which makes him, on the surface, an ideal return man. Arenas, like McCluster, is fast and shifty. Looking at the two men, it's obvious Arenas has a bigger build. He also said the two are already stirring the competition.

"[There is] no trash talking [between us] but of course competition," Arenas said this afternoon of returning kicks with McCluster. "That's the big thing. You don't come here and just expect to play. No one does."

Arenas averaged nearly 16 yards per punt return and 23 on kick returns. He was on of the country's elite but, if you ask him, it's not all him.

"Each and every time I scored," he said, "it was because of the team."

There's that character label again.

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I love it.

Line up Arenas on punts and both on kick-offs. Even if they kick away from McCluster they have to deal with Arenas.

3GChief = 3rd Generation Season Ticket Holder

by 3GChief on May 1, 2010 1:40 PM CDT reply actions

Doesn't sound like a bad idea

Hoffman could drum up some reverses, fake reverses… The options are endless.

The Chiefs will see a return to respectability in 2010, emerging as the front runner in the AFC West! ....And I'll quantify that however I choose. Ahem.

by ArrowSpread on May 1, 2010 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions

I just dont know I would want to see McCluster have to take on a 250lb guy

running full speed down field hitting him while he is waiting to make a block.

"Without me, it's just aweso".- a possible comment made by Jamaal Charles and/or Eric Berry.

by chiefs_fan05 on May 1, 2010 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions

I wouldn't. I hope he isn't put in the position to take punishment like that.

by ARROWHEADSHANE on May 1, 2010 1:49 PM CDT up reply actions

I just dont know I would want to see McCluster have to take on a 250lb guy

running full speed down field hitting him while he is waiting to make a block.

"Without me, it's just aweso".- a possible comment made by Jamaal Charles and/or Eric Berry.

by chiefs_fan05 on May 1, 2010 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions

I think Mccluster sees only a few returns this year...thats just an opinion...I think Arenas may be the guy...

Team Pioli/Haley

by SDChief on May 1, 2010 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions

New poster here but come here for all my chiefs news!

Not sure how to post hope this works, here goes. I am a big time Tide fan loving the arenas pick. cant wait to see him take the first kickoff of the year back to the house on the chargers! excited about this year tiered of my friends making fun of me for bieng a chiefs fan. We will be a feared team this year

Piolli, haley, crennel, weis nough said!!!

by Franke on May 1, 2010 2:47 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Hey franke, just go to either the fanposts or fanshots (depending on how much you write)

and let us know about you bud.

Welcome to AP

by readANDgold58 on May 1, 2010 2:48 PM CDT up reply actions

Welcome to AP

"For what we are about to see next, we must enter quietly into the realm of genius." Scott "Young Frankenstein" Pioli

by Steve_Chiefs on May 1, 2010 9:51 PM CDT up reply actions

yeah glad to have a coach I trust on ST...Priefer had me screaming for Gansz...Hoffman on the other hand seems to have it together

Team Pioli/Haley

by SDChief on May 1, 2010 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Hoffman is a stud

We better never let him get away :)

"For what we are about to see next, we must enter quietly into the realm of genius." Scott "Young Frankenstein" Pioli

by Steve_Chiefs on May 1, 2010 9:52 PM CDT up reply actions

They would kick away from Arenas, not McCluster

You have it backwards. Arenas is the most dangerous return guy.

by ARROWHEADSHANE on May 1, 2010 1:48 PM CDT up reply actions

Even better.

‘Cause I like Arenas’ chances making it up field as a reg. special teamer better anyway.

3GChief = 3rd Generation Season Ticket Holder

by 3GChief on May 1, 2010 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions

These guys talk like they have been playing with Haley for years

Very professional, talk competition, no body is guaranteed anything, and team oriented. Gotta love it

by ChiefMizzou09 on May 1, 2010 1:44 PM CDT reply actions

Yeah

You don’t think Pioli and Haley knew that going into the draft do ya?!?!?
Guys you can feel good about.

by ARROWHEADSHANE on May 1, 2010 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions

night and day difference from last year in my opinion...cant wait to see the shape the entire team is in come may 17

Team Pioli/Haley

by SDChief on May 1, 2010 2:18 PM CDT up reply actions

Part of the process of changing the culture

Key word being culture

Cry Havoc! And let slip the Chiefs Defense of War!!!

by nateforchiefs on May 1, 2010 3:16 PM CDT up reply actions

it's all about The Process.

Roll 'Bama Roll: The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs.

by kleph on May 1, 2010 8:50 PM CDT up reply actions

McCluster and Arenas will be on kickoffs and Arenas on punts I'll bet.

"Success is never ending, failure is never final."

by GenericBrand on May 1, 2010 1:52 PM CDT reply actions

Arenas on punts for sure!

They can duke it out for kickoff returns. Maybe both at the same time, Hoffman can put in some fake packages.

Official Member of the "Draft Eric Berry" Fanclub
...you had me at Berry!

by chiefsfan62 on May 1, 2010 2:02 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

can also switch it up based on who is tired...thats a huge advantage and a potential fumble saver

Team Pioli/Haley

by SDChief on May 1, 2010 2:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Dex was never a great returner when we had him @ Ole Miss.

We had other people returning that daddy. I think he’ll be much more effective if he focouses on sill plays on the offense.

Way down South in Mississippi... the Rebs kick your ass.

by Blue Chip Prospect on May 1, 2010 2:14 PM CDT reply actions

yeah..I really believe Arenas is the chiefs returner, and mccluster will end up focusing on offense

Team Pioli/Haley

by SDChief on May 1, 2010 2:19 PM CDT up reply actions

The Anti-Dante

We shouldve left him on limit offensive plays because it drastically affected his return game and wear and tear. With McCluster I think we wanna save him for the offense.

"Success is never ending, failure is never final."

by GenericBrand on May 1, 2010 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions

yep. that is my thinking, and they have to be considering ways to keep him fresh and injury free

Team Pioli/Haley

by SDChief on May 1, 2010 2:36 PM CDT up reply actions

KR/PR

Regardless of who it is returning kicks/punts for us this year, it’s just nice to actually have guys who can do instead of the past few years always trying to patchwork the return game. If these guys get us the field position needed to start our offense’s drives then this team will have a better chance of flirting with a .500 record this year. Next year will be our year to make a legit playoff run. And after that maybe Super Bowl?

by red_manwalkin83 on May 1, 2010 2:29 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

so glad KC didn't draft Terrence Cody to return kicks

his 40 time wasn’t that good.

but seriously, to quote the late, great George Peppard as John “Hannibal” Smith, “I love it when a plan comes together”.

by bansky on May 1, 2010 2:29 PM CDT reply actions

Space

An asset like McCluster needs space to perform his magic. Kickoff returns, slot receiver, wide-out or RB, it really doesn’t matter. Find(be creative) ways to get him the ball in open space and watch the magic show. Be careful though, at 5’8" and 165 his life expectancy in the NFL could be short.

by Pokercat on May 1, 2010 2:33 PM CDT reply actions

Can we...

get off the small stature criticism. The guy is 100% muscle. Darren Sproles and Desean Jackson seem to be doing just fine with their small frame.

Call me Red or IBR for short

by I_Bleed_Red. on May 1, 2010 2:41 PM CDT up reply actions

Why understate?

He’s 172.

by WURoyal on May 1, 2010 2:59 PM CDT up reply actions

Most places list him at 165

The one place that list him at 172 also has him at 5’9" and he is 5’8"

by bringbacktheglory on May 1, 2010 3:49 PM CDT up reply actions

his combine results say he is

5’8 5/8 and 172lbs.

by Larryemcdaniel on May 1, 2010 6:02 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

i miss the days of Eddie Drummond...

Arrowhead Pride - Moderator
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by woodman212 on May 1, 2010 3:32 PM CDT reply actions

Yeah, I loved him on Diff'rent Strokes.

Thanks to Pioli the children will go hungry without Dez Bryant.
Honestly, Dez couldn't have gone to a worse team.... Fudging Cowboys.
Eric Berry is an excellent addition to the Chiefs.

by BigRedChief on May 1, 2010 3:51 PM CDT up reply actions

That must be fun to watch!

Didn’t Berry do some returning in school, too?

One thing about our draft – for all the criticism the 2nd round got, seems like those two are now stealing the spotlight from Berry in a major way!

The path to Victory is made of losers.

by Brsrkr on May 1, 2010 8:03 PM CDT reply actions

Berry returned punts occasionally I believe

Played CB a bit his Freshman year, played QB in High School – he has fantastic ball skills and runs very well with the ball too.

I doubt we would use him for PR duty unless we have a lot of injuries.

by Ochophosphate on May 1, 2010 9:52 PM CDT up reply actions

Completely unrelated..

Just a funny story. My 3 year old daughter was just sitting on the potty and said “Daddy, my fart just sounded like Dexter McCluster” I’m not sure what that meant but for some strange reason I felt proud of her. My wife on the other hand, not so amused.

by loyalchfsfan35 on May 1, 2010 10:08 PM CDT reply actions