Chiefs Training Camp: Running Back May Get Interesting
by Joel Thorman on Jul 31, 2010 3:27 PM CDT
in Chiefs Training Camp
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PrintThe Kansas City Chiefs have a nice problem at running back: Finding a way to get them all on the field.
The early leader in the clubhouse is Thomas Jones who lined up with the first team for the second consecutive day. It's hard not to read too much into it and Todd Haley reminded us after practice not to read too much into the rotation.
On the one hand, you've got Jones, who is a proven veteran and probably doesn't need motivational tactics from the coaching staff to perform.
On the other hand, you've got Charles, who is a younger guy and coming off of a stellar half-season as the feature back. Folks are expecting big things from Charles so it's easy to see how he could get a big head (though I'd argue after hearing Charles talk that's not the case).
Meanwhile, you've still got Dexter McCluster to deal with. He's listed as a receiver but saw some Wildcat time today so obviously the Chiefs are willing to hand him the ball.
(Side note: Anyone else looking forward to seeing a McCluster/Charles combo in the backfield? Talk about a Madden '11 dream.)
Down the depth chart there's Kestahn Moore. He came to the Chiefs last season and has had a good start to camp. It's a little early to be making any judgments on him but I like what I see so far.
I wouldn't call running back a "battle" because there's no doubt Jones and Charles will see similar snaps in the regular season. This might turn out to be a better "battle" than we originally thought.
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Why does Charles tape up his biceps?
"Reach for new elevation; and see just how high we can go. Full blown determination; will take us further than we know. My own anticipation; keeps the fire from burning out, It's time for domination... no one can ever take us down" - Pillar - "For the Love of the Game"
by Red N Gold Beast on Jul 31, 2010 3:33 PM CDT reply actions
More friction on the ball when he's carrying, I'd guess.
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.
That's kind of what I thought when I saw him doing it last year.
Just curious if anyone has heard an official reason.
"Reach for new elevation; and see just how high we can go. Full blown determination; will take us further than we know. My own anticipation; keeps the fire from burning out, It's time for domination... no one can ever take us down" - Pillar - "For the Love of the Game"
by Red N Gold Beast on Jul 31, 2010 3:40 PM CDT up reply actions
A compression sleeve does give the elbow some extra stability.
It’s that much harder to bend it the wrong way. Be interesting to know just what kind of material is used and how it performs (friction-wise) in the cold.
"I ain't lyin' 'bout nothin'."
"Oh? So what exactly are you lying about?"
I would think its fumble related
Team Pioli/Haley. Decade of the Chiefs.
Team Colquitt
We do that to feel some resistance against the muscle when we flex.
It makes him feel stronger, also it absorbs the sweat running down his arms from his pits.
"Now, now, my good man, this is no time for making enemies."
~Voltaire~ (On his death bed, when asked by a priest to renounce Satan)
That's always good news
Anytime you hear the phrase “How are we going to get them all on the field?” you know you’ve got a good problem to have.
Plus, there aren’t any egos there except potentially Charles (and like you said, he’s saying all the right things and certainly acting humble). So we don’t have to fret about a guy going off because he wants the ball more.
I’m honestly trying to talk one of my buddies (who has a PS3) into buying Madden this year just so I can run that 2 RB set. That and I love playing S on defense, so us taking Berry’s a dream scenario for me.
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
It can also be a problem.. Anybody in here remember that "problem" that Marty had back in the late 80s/early 90s?
Lets see, we had Okoye, Word and Williams.
Of course we all know that Williams was a cancer and later became a Raider with such a stellar career.
Word later got hurt and Okoye after he lost his baby son if I remember correctly was never the same. Especially after that nasty hit he took from Atwater in the Bronco MNF game. He never ran again with the same intensity.
Not complaining mind you, but sooner or later, RBs get frustrated when they don’t get “enough” touches.
Its just something to keep in mind.
Rowdy
Good call
Fortunately for us (in a weird way), Jones is pretty long in the tooth, so there’s going to be space soon.
Hopefully Joel’s noticing Moore proves to be prophetic… It’s unusual for a rookie in Moore’s position to turn any heads, and he’s turned Gretz’s as well I believe.
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
Yes, MNchiefsfan, Moore has turned some heads. Add Haley to that list.
"I ain't lyin' 'bout nothin'."
"Oh? So what exactly are you lying about?"
25 is in for a big year
Todd’s probably trying to get Thomas acclimated to his new o-line and the offense in general. Jamaal’s gonna get at least a slight nod in regular season carries.
by The_Bernard_Pollard_Rule on Jul 31, 2010 3:39 PM CDT reply actions
may be more of a madden 11 dream when they increase mcclusters speed!
I think KC gets a 1000 yard 8 td season on the ground from charles…with a 5-6 ypc average…in other words, Jones may start, but charles will see enough carries to keep them guessing.
we will see
Team Pioli/Haley. Decade of the Chiefs.
Team Colquitt
I think the optimal game plan entails starting Charles or McCluster.
Make ‘em pursue wide, find where the cutbacks are, then put in your banger after you’ve made the d-line pursue to the edge a few times, especially if their tackles are expected to pursue to the sideline. More Jones in the 2nd half, when maybe the KC O-Line knows how to root ‘n’ hog up the gut against the current opponent.
"I ain't lyin' 'bout nothin'."
"Oh? So what exactly are you lying about?"
Good situation the Cheifs are in
Both backs have running styles that fit very very well with the blocking scheme, both are hungry, pushing each other and everyone around them. I like it.
Old guys rule...yeah you might have youth and talent on your side...but I have time and treachery...
From an injury stand point espescially.
"Now, now, my good man, this is no time for making enemies."
~Voltaire~ (On his death bed, when asked by a priest to renounce Satan)
You are correct sir
Old guys rule...yeah you might have youth and talent on your side...but I have time and treachery...
That Kestahn Moore could be a nice resource in that regard.
I think picking McCluster had a lot to do with wanting to preserve the speed threat in the backfield. At 5’10" and 214, Moore is a chip off the Thomas Jones block. More your prototypical, durable HB, with some meat to him. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. There’s a whole lot more to the HB job description than just what you do WITH the ball.
"I ain't lyin' 'bout nothin'."
"Oh? So what exactly are you lying about?"
I think the Chiefs will have a decision to make on whether to
keep Moore or Castille on the final roster. The decision being, do they keep a 4th running back, or a 2nd fullback.
Here’s the way I see it panning out.
The Chiefs will send Moore to the PS and keep a 2nd fullback to spell Mike Cox, that of course being Castille.
The final RB’s:
Charles
Jones
Battle
McCluster
With McCluster in the mix at RB and WR, a 5th RB would never see the field anyway.
So, two FB’s, three RB’s and a hybrid slash RB WR in McCluster. That would give us
the best mix of talent and versatility imo.
"Now, now, my good man, this is no time for making enemies."
~Voltaire~ (On his death bed, when asked by a priest to renounce Satan)
But I'd be comfortable with only the following on the opening day roster:
Charles
Jones
McCluster
Battle
Cox
I think the 5 of them can shoulder the load, but I think the Chiefs end the end are thinking that a 2nd blocking FB may be wise to keep, because that position is pretty hard on the body and fatique wise.
"Now, now, my good man, this is no time for making enemies."
~Voltaire~ (On his death bed, when asked by a priest to renounce Satan)
I'll be honest, I'm not a fan of Battle
He’s a good ST guy, but he doesn’t seem to bring anything to the offense.
He’s had 3 years and hasn’t made any impact running the ball. I’d like even the depth guys at RB to be legit options to run the ball if we need them.
I’ve heard more good things about Moore’s running than Battle’s running this offseason. Of course, at this point that doesn’t mean a whole lot, but still…
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
That's natural, because Moore is the new kid on the block and people
are more curious about him right now. Battle hasn’t been given a lot of opportunities, but the truth of the matter is that he’s light years ahead of Moore imo in terms of his development, and is a reliable and durable third back.
"Now, now, my good man, this is no time for making enemies."
~Voltaire~ (On his death bed, when asked by a priest to renounce Satan)
Very true
I’m easily excited at this time of year.
I am intrigued about Moore, though. Gretz names him as an impressive performer, and Joel sounds impressed too.
However, it’s a good point that the “new guy” gets people fired up around this time. I think we’d all like to see a 3rd back that could take a few carries a game, as opposed to guys that never see the ball unless someone gets hurt.
Of course, most teams don’t have that kind of depth.
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
I'm dubious of Battle.
I’m with MNchiefsfan on this one. So far, his college highlight reels and NFL measurables haven’t translated to the field of play, as yet. T-Richardson was one who was kind of like that, though. It took him a while to round out his game.
I’m rootin’ for Battle, because I see a lot of potential, but I’m not as confident of him in pads, or as confident of his durability. Seems like he was always limited by some nick or cut.
"I ain't lyin' 'bout nothin'."
"Oh? So what exactly are you lying about?"
I’ll be surprised if Cox makes the team. Castille is so much more versatile, and a blocking FB, which is all Cox can do, is a luxury on a team with all these weapons.
I would imagine it rather depends on who of those is the better blocker ...
… we have offensive weapons, as you noted, so a FB who can catch a short swing pass is a less needed luxury than one who’s an exceptional blocker … and after the LJ debacle of last year, I imagine Haley and Weis will put a premium on “Protecting the Cassel” from the Huns
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
Whitlock Rocks!
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
The Chiefs bacfield is the best in the AFC West....
It absolutely scares me how good they are! Hopefully my Broncos new defensive line can stop those monsters! ;)
It should be another great year of football with yet more great Broncos/Chiefs games!
"I used to fight the pain, but recently this became clear to me: pain is not my enemy; it is my call to greatness."
"Victory belongs to the most persevering." --Napoleon.
I agree completely!
If there is anything that the NFL has taught me, it is that you should never, under any circumstances, take anyone lightly. Especially when that team is a division rival.
"I used to fight the pain, but recently this became clear to me: pain is not my enemy; it is my call to greatness."
"Victory belongs to the most persevering." --Napoleon.
If you give up right now, we'll let you live.
"Now, now, my good man, this is no time for making enemies."
~Voltaire~ (On his death bed, when asked by a priest to renounce Satan)
No thanks, I would rather die then give up.
"I used to fight the pain, but recently this became clear to me: pain is not my enemy; it is my call to greatness."
"Victory belongs to the most persevering." --Napoleon.
There's no shame in surrender....save yourself. lol.
"Now, now, my good man, this is no time for making enemies."
~Voltaire~ (On his death bed, when asked by a priest to renounce Satan)
do NOT read much or even ANYTHING into TJ out there with first team ...
JC knows the OLine, he knows their moves, their tendencies … the blocks, the assignments who cuts where and when and how … TJ is coming out of a different system, he has yet to learn the details of Haley’s little scheme, who blocks where and when, what OLineman will do this or that or the other … TJ needs the time with that front line more than JC does
all there is to it
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
Whitlock Rocks!
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
So right wise one.
"Now, now, my good man, this is no time for making enemies."
~Voltaire~ (On his death bed, when asked by a priest to renounce Satan)
Side note: Anyone else looking forward to seeing a McCluster/Charles combo in the backfield? Talk about a Madden ’11 dream.
Hell yeah…you tell me which way the defense is going to shade pre-snap in case we run a toss sweep with one of those speed demons.
And then, just when they’re most confused, we run a draw up the gut – you get DMC or JC past the LB’s untouched on a solid draw play and either one of them is in the endzone, I don’t care if it’s from our own 5 yard line.
Ryan Succop will be the kicker for the AFC in the 2011 Pro Bowl
Is it possible to run a reverse to the slot-man?
"I ain't lyin' 'bout nothin'."
"Oh? So what exactly are you lying about?"
sure ... I mean, why not?
but would you WANT to? if Dex in the slot is getting the attention, a better move MIGHT be running that Reverse with Bowe …
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
Whitlock Rocks!
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
Bowe has decent speed
but man he can run over some people so very good option :)
We certainly aren’t limited on offense this year. I’m getting excited for the Monday Night GAME!!!!
Jamaal Charles...Enough said.
People dont get it?
The Chiefs are gonna use multiple formations in the backfield..Charles, Jones, Mccluster will all get plenty of plays in various packages..Im sure Thomas Jones in the lineup at start of camp gives some nice base formation sets for the lineman to work with too.
Were lookin nice in the backfield this year
by TheKansasCityChief on Jul 31, 2010 8:31 PM CDT reply actions
It is a great problem to
have that much talent at running back. We should have a pretty potent ground attack this year.
"The Hammer"
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