Jackie Battle Is The Surprise Of The Day For The Chiefs
by Joel Thorman on Oct 9, 2011 7:30 PM CDT
Email
PrintEven with Matt Cassel's four touchdowns, Dwayne Bowe's two touchdowns and Steve Breaston's pair of touchdowns, the surprise of the game for the Kansas City Chiefs contest against the Indianapolis Colts was Jackie Battle.
Last week, Battle had a couple of key carries to help close out the game against the Minnesota Vikings leading to some thinking that his role could expand this week against the Colts. To say his role expanded would be a total understatement.
Battle rushed 19 times for 119 yards -- both career highs (by quite a bit).
There's really no reason Battle should've been contributing on the Chiefs (and I don't mean that in a bad way). They had Jamaal Charles, Thomas Jones and Dexter McCluster ahead of him on the depth chart. You can even add Le'Ron McClain in there. Despite all that, he's arguably biggest bright spot right now in the Chiefs backfield.
And when you have a game like Battle did in Indy, you have your quarterback saying things like this about you:
"I'm so happy for Jackie," Matt Cassel said (video via KCChiefs.com). "He's a guy that never complains, just goes out and works hard. He'll do whatever you ask him to do. He does special teams. He's a guy that just grinds and grinds and grinds and as you can see when he gets his opportunities, he can play. He continues to show up week in and week out.
Check out Adam Teicher's story at the KC Star for quotes from Battle himself.
I also liked this line from Cassel: "There's never a time where I've seen him get hit where he doesn't fall forward." We've heard Haley talk about that, especially with the receivers. If you just fall forward when you go down, you can add a couple yards to every play.
Battle might be the biggest surprise of the Chiefs' 2011 season, to be honest. He went on IR in 2009 with little fanfare but there were plenty of nervous Chiefs fans when he was slow to get up on the final offensive play (that mattered) for KC today. That shows you the importance of what he did.
So the question now is what's next. Where does Battle go from here? Was this a one-game wonder or does he see himself as a significant part of the Chiefs offense from here on out?
70 comments
|
1 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
This, most likely.
Top 10 defense and another trip to the playoffs!
Tamba Hali, NFL Sack Leader, 2011
Battle Charge!
I'm so overrated, I'm underrated.
by RememberDelaney37 on Oct 9, 2011 7:37 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
BTW
What is the pic for this article? Is that Battle’s leg? Is it supposed to signify the most important part of Battle’s anatomy today? :-)
I'm so overrated, I'm underrated.
by RememberDelaney37 on Oct 9, 2011 7:40 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
He did
excellent. Jones was the primary and his age showed. Use Jones in the screens and he will do well. Battle put up 6.3 YPC on those 19 carries.
by Casey Byron Adkins on Oct 9, 2011 7:38 PM CDT reply actions
Jones did quite well today
Im kinda surprised, but Jones averaged 5.4 a carry. Those two pounding the rock like that reminded me of last year. If McCluster can have a Jamaal Charles effect, we could be back on track.
I'm cautiously optimistic
I remember Kolby Smith looking like a world beater for a week though.
Check out my blog!
Follow me on Twitter! @AustinJanzen
by ajanzen on Oct 9, 2011 7:45 PM CDT via iPhone app reply actions 2 recs
I'll admit it
I was wrong. I was one that wanted Battle cut this season because I thought if he hadn’t shown anything by now, it was time to move on. Well done Jackie. Keep it up.
I was down on him in camp.
I’m glad he’s proving me wrong now, though. If he can step up like this for us like this a few more times this season, I’ll be glad to jump on his bandwagon.
Battle-wagon?
Jump on the Battle-wagon! Mind the spikes!
I was down on him in preseason
Mostly because he was fumbling like mad. It made me nervous all day watching him carry – if he didn’t have it wrapped up I was just certain he was going to cough one up and break my hear. But he held strong, he played great.
He’s a big strong guy – you could see it as he ran people over today. He’s like our Peyton Hillis (listed a little lighter). Even when you do take him down it takes a lot out of you to do so.
Now, Indy doesn’t have a very good run D… it’s pretty bad actually. So I’ll temper my expectations until I see how he does against some better competition. We have 4 teams on the remaining schedule that are currently in the top 1/2 of the league in run D – Pats (13), Dolphins (14), Steelers (16), and Packers (2).
by Ochophosphate on Oct 10, 2011 1:00 AM CDT up reply actions
Agree
though he did what a good RB is supposed to do against a bad run defense and he looked great doing it.
Time to face the brutal facts.
by H. Roe Chief on Oct 10, 2011 5:17 AM CDT up reply actions
Geez...he's our fourth RB
He had a great game. IMO he looked a lot more explosive than TJ. TJ looks like he’s hit a wall.
Battle did enough for Cassel to get comfortable in the pocket, and that’s all we need. The running game needs to do just enough to threaten opposing defense’s so our passing game can open up.
Jared Allen, Culinary Acadamy
by aPacificChief on Oct 10, 2011 5:28 AM CDT up reply actions
He is what TJ should be - a brusing change-of-pace back
and I agree that TJ is clearly in decline. However, I could see Jones being the sub for Battle when he needs a breather. They fit a similar role and when TJ has had some rest he comes out and puts up some decent runs. I think the 10-12 carries per game is fitting TJ well. He still has good vision, just doesn’t have the legs to get him through the holes on a consistent basis. He’s still a good pass blocker as well.
I’m happy for Battle, and I sure as hell hope he continues to show up for the rest of the season.
by Ochophosphate on Oct 10, 2011 8:49 AM CDT up reply actions
He took a big step toward respect today.
I’d like to see him do it against a better run defense before I dub him the power back we’ve been needing.
Believe it or not
After reading what Haley said about him this week, I picked him up on my fantasy team. I even tweeted that I was going to start him over Michael Bush (yes a Raider. My team suck that bad) Battle was my leading scorer for the week (13) followed by Michael Turner (11). My friend started McCluster. Bush got a whopping goose egg.
by Givemethatmoney on Oct 9, 2011 11:38 PM CDT up reply actions
The rest is up to him...
Was this 15 minutes of Fame something that makes him hungry for More ?…Or does it just punch his Ticket to the Pine Bench where he has languished lo these past years ?…Enquiring Minds Would like To Know…Not Hatin’/ Just Statin’…
I don't
think he will give up. Not his style. He wants to be THAT back.
by Casey Byron Adkins on Oct 9, 2011 8:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Jackie stepped it up -
I can see him becoming a legit power back..
If he continues to progress.
Profile Image courtesy of 'christoffer'..
by chiefsfan62 on Oct 9, 2011 8:05 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Play calling makes a difference
We had a good mix with pass and run. When we run, run, pass we didn’t look very good.
The pass has to set up the run. He did show he got some game if we use him right.
by rdlvegas85 on Oct 9, 2011 8:07 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Battle had a beast of a day
Bit I think it was his week. The colts D is set up to stop the pass with fast LB’s and pass rushing D-line, a big bruising RB is their Achilles heal. I believe he will be valuable, if he doesn’t fumble like in preseason.
by Okie Red on Oct 9, 2011 8:16 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
ITS BATTLETIME….!!!!!!…..HE DEINTELY DESERVES A LARGER SHARE OF THE WORKLOAD…..BUT THE KEY is gonna be who is he taking carries from….as long as its not mccluster…the running game can use this as a launching pad 2 balancing the air attack that will go thru the roof once BALDWIN DEBUTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!………………..BUT IF mCLUSTER LOSES TOUCHES BASED ON TODAYS SHOWING THAN ….WE ARE BACK AT SQUARE OEN WHEN IT COMES 2 IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY OF THE RUN GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RAWKC@!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He reminds me of L.J only in the "right 53 mode "
by chiefs_alive on Oct 9, 2011 8:29 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
I'm not 100% sold on Battle...
The Colts are currently leading the league in the most yards allowed rushing. This is a major weakness of their defense…
If he can start stringing some games like this together against some solid teams and not fumble I’ll change my mind.
He had a great game, and I hope that he celebrates by knocking around a raider in a couple weeks.
Go Chiefs!!!!
by ravenhawk on Oct 9, 2011 8:36 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Significant part of the offense.
I was impressed with Battle in preseason last year. I’m glad we’ve seen him used more in the run game. He runs hard. I think he will be Jones’ permanent replacement.
Doesn't TJ look like he's hit a wall?
Funny how everybody wants to see more from our 4th RB, and ST ace. Before they can start believing. Battle’s who we got, so there aren’t many cards for us to play at RB.
Jared Allen, Culinary Acadamy
by aPacificChief on Oct 10, 2011 5:44 AM CDT up reply actions
if Battle keeps a consistent performance this season
Next season he will be what Thomas Jones was SUPPOSED to be for us
by blink182awa on Oct 9, 2011 8:52 PM CDT via iPhone app reply actions
Jones was definitely better last year than this year
But he was supposed to be pounding yards out every time he touched the ball. He did that half the time, but the other half of his play was what we are seeing from him all the time this year: weak
by blink182awa on Oct 9, 2011 9:15 PM CDT via iPhone app up reply actions
I was never much of a believer
even today when he was racking up yards, it was our line doing most of the work. It wasn’t until I saw the spin move he put on that defender in the 4th quarter when I became a believer.
we played a bad team.
im glad we can trust jackie battle. He has had fumble problems in the past. with his size if he can be solid omg we have a fullback !! im a lil sad about McClain. i have said for the longest sometimes players get better at different speeds. this sux imagine if we didnt have the injuries this year….. we wouldnt even notice the scruff on haleys face GO CHIEFS.
He had fumble problems in preseason...
And from what I remember Charles and even Jones fumbled quite a bit then too…
lets just say the entire team was asleep for the preseason and the first 2 games
Battle was no different
The only question in my mind
is will the Chiefs open up the passing game against Oakland?
This will determine if Battle has any more success. If we go back to R2P2 he doesn’t have a chance
Come at me bro, and I will throw a 2 yard screen pass to my running back, come at me bro.
the chances of baldwin being effective this early is slim.
But being the homer u all know i am. wouldnt it be nice if we hit a home run with Baldwin. he is tall and attacks the reception like we wished POPE would. Cassel needs to show me something in OAKLAND. im a lil lost here where are all the bashers tonite…….
He needs the experience
Bowe had a big year as a rookie, so there’s no reason to think that Baldwin can’t be effective moving forward this season. Plus, it’s going to be important for him to get the pro experience under his belt. I’m not sure if the Chiefs can make a competitive season out of this (we have only beaten two teams that were winless when they played us), or how it will all end going into the draft. I do know that getting Baldwin some pro reps is going to make a huge difference for a healthy Chiefs team next year.
The passing game is here to stay.
You just don’t stop using two WRs who had 2 really good games in a row. Bowe is one of the NFLs best. I bet Haley and Muir will game plan around them now… And Baldwin is about to get in on this too.
The Chiefs might have one of the best passing games this year, if this keeps up.
by Tomahawk29 on Oct 9, 2011 10:00 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Thats the way to beat Oakland.
Their LBs are trash in pass coverage, their secondary is very weak too. Quick hitters to avoid the rush and open it up because the Raiders aren’t built to come from behind.
"Success is never ending, failure is never final."
by GenericBrand on Oct 9, 2011 10:07 PM CDT up reply actions
Quick hitters
I was starting to think that Cassel didn’t have it in him to make those quick throws. Really glad to see the Chiefs call more of those plays in today’s situation.
Time to face the brutal facts.
by H. Roe Chief on Oct 10, 2011 5:21 AM CDT up reply actions
Didn't have it in him???
I’ve been begging for quick slants from the Chiefs for three years now. It’s pretty tough to put it on Cassel when the coordinator won’t call the damn play. He was on target the first three. The fourth one was a bad throw (behind Bowe) and Matt was lucky it wasn’t picked. But it’s a great weapon, especially with a monster like Bowe catching it in stride.
The Chiefs have been fortunate in having damn good RBs throughout the last 20 years.
Okoye, Allen, Priest, LJ, Charles… Seems like we always have a top 5 RB.
I would not be surprised if Battle is the next Arian Foster. There must be something in the water or air in KC that makes RBs beasts.
by Tomahawk29 on Oct 9, 2011 9:57 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Good offensive lines will do that for you
Over the last few decades the Chiefs have had some very good offensive lines. It’s no coincidence that when our line was not playing at a high level a few years back, we also didn’t have an RB tearing up defenses. Pioli has put an emphasis on rebuilding our offensive line (two relatively high draft picks and two of the bigger-named free agents we’ve signed).
by Chiefs4Life on Oct 9, 2011 10:13 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
THIS!
It is also no coincidence that our QB struggles against “good teams” when they devour our pass protection and the QB has to run for his life. The years of Pro Bowl O-Lines made some RB’s and QB’s look a lot better than they might have otherwise been. (I’m looking at you, Trent Green)
This is the one argument no one ever seems to consider when they are calling for Matt Cassel’s head… and the reason I want to wait before Stanzi gets thrown in there. Get some darn blockers!
The forgotten man today is Keary Colbert.
Alot of talk about Cassels big game , Bowe/Breastons big game, Battles breakout performance, the defense dominating the second half but this win doesn’t happen without Colbert. His stat line may not be overly impressive: 2 catches for 2 yards. But on both of those catches he converted 3rd downs with YAC, both conversions were outside of scoring position and both conversions happened on TD scoring drives. Those were the only two passes thrown his way today and he made them count.
"Success is never ending, failure is never final."
by GenericBrand on Oct 9, 2011 10:06 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Plus the fumble
You are right but one of those catches he fumbled and only by the grace of Bowe did we not have a turnover. Glad to see one of these old, veteran WRs that we keep bringing in may actually become clutch for the Chiefs.
Time to face the brutal facts.
by H. Roe Chief on Oct 10, 2011 5:24 AM CDT up reply actions
if battle plays like the last 2 weeks
the rest of the season we are going to surprise some teams. Colbert man and to think HE thought he was done.
Matt Cassel has a famous uncle. Can you name him?
I’m surprised nobody has made this known up until now…
Sadly, he is deceased, he was a SNL comedian and he starred in a long running ABC series in the 70s/80s.
by jhands on Oct 9, 2011 10:21 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Andy Kaufmann
"Success is never ending, failure is never final."
by GenericBrand on Oct 9, 2011 10:23 PM CDT up reply actions
I waited on him in Atlantic City in 1981
He was telling his friends how he had a course in college where all they did was analyze the Beverly Hillbillies.
"Even when the Chiefs win, they can’t win." - Aiken Drum
by electriclight on Oct 10, 2011 6:36 AM CDT up reply actions
I was one
Battle might be the biggest surprise of the Chiefs’ 2011 season, to be honest. He went on IR in 2009 with little fanfare but there were plenty of nervous Chiefs fans when he was slow to get up on the final offensive play (that mattered) for KC today. That shows you the importance of what he did.
This deal need sealed and we did :)
I think we all hope Battle becomes a big part of our running back production.
But lets not get to excited about one really good game against a defense that’s not so hot against the run. If this had been against the Ravens defense would he have had as good a game…………I doubt. Another thing, why did we go out and get McClain and why is he not getting some of the carries.
Now to the Baldwin subject, Cassel has just started to spread the ball around more, will adding another target help or hurt Cassel? I sit here and think of what our passing offense could be like with Bowe, Breaston, and Baldwin, not to mention a healthy Moeaki man the possibilities are endless if our OC would throw the ball to set up the run.
Anyways it was a great come back win for the Chiefs today, even against a Manningless Colts. Lets hope the playcalling continues to improve and Battle continues to run like he did today. Most of all lets hope Cassel plays like this for the rest of the season. It was a great day to be a Chiefs fan, go CHIEFS!!!
Warning: If you're reading this it has been censored.
Disclaimer: Comments above are not meant to be taken with a grain of salt.
FYI about McClain...
He left the Indy game with a neck injury. I haven’t heard anything more about how serious it was…
Go Chiefs!!!!
Oh man that sucks, and that would explain why i didn't see him much, thanks for the info.
Warning: If you're reading this it has been censored.
Disclaimer: Comments above are not meant to be taken with a grain of salt.
by CPT.Caveman on Oct 10, 2011 12:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Thomas jones had 2 nice carries called back
both were for over 10 yrs and for first downs…Pope got called for a hold on one…cant remember what the other penalty was…
Playoffs are a REAL possibility in 2010...just need few tweeks here and there.
Haha...GREAT game Jackie ..haha...
So I guess Haley knows who he’s got on his roster and their potential!!!!
Even if Jackie stuggles in the next game, he’s suppose to be our 4th RB and ST ace.
Great game Jackie, so I guess were not cutting him anymore?
Jared Allen, Culinary Acadamy
Was Battle part of the original game plan?
Looked to me like McCluster was going to get a good size of the carries today, but he did nothing with the chances. Then Battle started getting carries and McCluster didn’t see a hand-off the rest of the game. I had big hopes for him. On a couple of Jones and Battles big runs where they had such good blocking that they got through the line of scrimmage untouched, I couldn’t help but wonder what a speedy back like McCluster could have done
Time to face the brutal facts.
McCluster should be a third down back at best (when used as a HB)
He just seems to get swallowed up when he’s in the backfield. IMO Dext should be used more as a slot WR than as a HB.
Jared Allen, Culinary Acadamy
by aPacificChief on Oct 10, 2011 5:34 AM CDT up reply actions
Battle
Battle reminds me of Payton Hillis, he runs hard every play, even if there is no hole he still fights for a few yards. Dont make the mistake Denver did getting rid of Hillis.
Almost let Charles go for a fourth round pick.
Got rid of Jared Allen. Think he might complement Hali a little bit? Every team makes poor personnel decisions, the Chiefs are no different.
Time to get some O-Line men. A Pro Bowl O-Line would quiet a lot of the Cassel haters.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Arrowhead Pride
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
SBNation.com Recent Stories
In Association With
Shutdown Corner - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
- Detroit Lions DT Nick Fairley arrested again; now has more NFL arrests than NFL sacks
- Former high-school star Brian Banks does serious time on trumped-up charge, now hopes for an NFL shot
- Former ‘idiot kicker’ Mike Vanderjagt in trouble after accosting junior-high heckler
- Adrian Peterson blows teammates away in footraces; appears to be on the mend
- UPDATE: Charlie Sheen didn’t buy Lawrence Taylor’s Super Bowl ring
