Chiefs Offseason Questions: Jamaal Charles And...?
by Joel Thorman on Feb 10, 2012 9:17 AM CST
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Our series of offseason questions continues...
Here's an odd way of looking at the Kansas City Chiefs running back situation heading into 2012: They could lose last season's leading rusher, 60 percent of the depth chart in free agency and actually get significantly better next season.
Yes, I'm talking about the return of Jamaal Charles in 2012. For you Chiefs optimists, this is your ace. The team can be really good simply by adding Charles back to the field. (I think it's important in general to remember that over the next seven months.)
But who's going to split the load with him? Charles' best season came in 2010 with Thomas Jones shouldering part of the load. A lot of teams are investing in a two-back setup and I think that makes sense. That's one of my big questions as the Chiefs start to hit free agency and the NFL draft, and especially since the Chiefs have two running backs (Thomas Jones, Jackie Battle) and a fullback (Le'Ron McClain) scheduled for free agency.
So who can take the role of Charles' sidekick?
Chiefs free agents
The last two seasons this role has belonged to Thomas Jones, who is scheduled to be a free agent. Jones brings some intangibles to the table but at the end of the day he simply was not very productive in 2011. Running backs usually don't improve at his age (33). (And, yes, I still think it's weird to describe someone that's 33 as "old".)
Jackie Battle was the Chiefs leading rusher last season and he's also scheduled to be a free agent. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Chiefs bring him back as he can also contribute on special teams. I think there's a role for him on the team, quite possibly complementing Charles.
The final in-house candidate to split carries with Charles is Le'Ron McClain, who is also going to be a free agent. The Chiefs used McClain as a fullback last season so if they saw him as a guy who could take 10-plus carries a game they certainly didn't show it.
Chiefs under contract
Dexter McCluster will get some carries for sure. But I also think the Chiefs need a bigger back to pair with Charles. McCluster is a nice luxury but I don't foresee him as a guy that carries the ball 150-plus times. With Charles out last season, McCluster carried it more than normal an ended up with just 114 carries.
Shaun Draughn was acquired midseason but we don't really know anything about him. Seems unlikely he'd be considered the favorite for this role. He's under contract next season.
Free agency/NFL draft
I'd guess the Chiefs are keeping an eye on the running back market. Peyton Hillis, Ryan Grant...there are some names out there. Cedric Benson is another one, which reminds me of Scott Pioli and the Patriots once picking up a former "disgruntled" Bengals running back. 1,600+ rushing yards, a Super Bowl title and three straight years of 12-plus touchdowns later and Corey Dillon doesn't look like such a bad signing. I'm not saying sign Benson, I'm just pointing out that Pioli has usually had that veteran back whether it be a Kevin Faulk or a Corey Dillon or a Thomas Jones.
The Chiefs also have the draft to address this but I just assume pick up a known quantity on the free agent market and use the draft for other purposes. You strike it rich in the draft with a guy like Jamaal Charles every once in a while but I think the role of Charles' co-pilot has veteran written all over it.
My prediction
I think the Chiefs will re-sign Jackie Battle but also look at the veteran running back market in free agency. I can't tell you who that'll be but of the options in finding someone to pair with Charles I think a combination of Battle and a veteran free agent makes sense.
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Peyton Hillis is my vote.
But I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Thomas Jones is beating up rookies again this season at St. Joe.
2012 Chiefs Draft Picks by Falcon58: CB Kirkpatrick/G DeCastro 1st rd, WR Wright/OT Adams or Sanders 2nd rd, QB Foles/ILB Cole 3rd rd, TE M. Williams/RB I. Pead 4th rd, S G. Iloka or DT/NT Hicks 5th rd, RB L. Dunbar or ILB Galippo 6th; FA Signings: NT Poliai or Hill; Resign: Carr, Bowe, Orton, McClain, Gordon, Belcher. Trade Dorsey for picks, promote Gordon to DT/DE.
I think your prediction makes some sense
but, I could also see Pioli signing Battle/McClain and drafting a guy in the 3rd-ish (Pead/Martin)
if they sign one in FA, my money is on Ryan Grant or (most likely) BGE.
I will be disapointed if McClain and/or Battle aren’t back. Both are good team players that contribute in multiple roles
by stagdsp on Feb 10, 2012 9:29 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
Tolbert would be my pick
Not only would be be a perfect compliment to JC with soft hands, signing him would weaken an opponent. Doesn’t get more win/win than that.
by mushin on Feb 10, 2012 9:31 AM CST via mobile reply actions
He's a better dancer than Charles too.
2012 Chiefs Draft Picks by Falcon58: CB Kirkpatrick/G DeCastro 1st rd, WR Wright/OT Adams or Sanders 2nd rd, QB Foles/ILB Cole 3rd rd, TE M. Williams/RB I. Pead 4th rd, S G. Iloka or DT/NT Hicks 5th rd, RB L. Dunbar or ILB Galippo 6th; FA Signings: NT Poliai or Hill; Resign: Carr, Bowe, Orton, McClain, Gordon, Belcher. Trade Dorsey for picks, promote Gordon to DT/DE.
Rather have him than Battle
If he can play ST, he’s more proven than Battle.
In accordance with the prophecy
Plus he can play fullback.
Put him and Charles on the field at the same time and you’ve got a lot of really intriguing options.
Of course, we had a player on the team last year who is capable of playing both halfback and fullback, and I wouldn’t hate the idea of just retaining him and giving him a few more carries this year.
"[Jamaal Charles] probably fights crime in his spare time while inhaling carbon emissions, exhaling oxygen, and crapping oil. That’s how awesome he is. Not just good for the Chiefs, but America."
- MNchiefsfan
I like McClain, but Tolbert > McClain
Tolbert goes all “Manimal” at times and is impossible to bring down in the open field. I saw McClain do that in Balt, but didn’t see that from him last year. That may have been more about the number of touches than ability, but it was what it was. Plus Tolbert doesn’t put the ball on the ground.
by mushin on Feb 10, 2012 10:14 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
It really depends on how big of a load they'd shoulder.
Because, while Tolbert is the better halfback, McClain is the better fullback. And having a good blocking fullback is an underrated luxury in the NFL, in my opinion, dying position or no.
So if it’s between those two and we’re looking for somebody to should a load roughly equivalent to what Thomas Jones got in 2010, I’d go Tolbert, but if we’re looking for somebody to play a bit of both positions and split Jones’ 2010 load with McCluster and a rookie, I’d go with McClain.
Of course, there is a third option. Since Pioli has a bit of cap space to throw around:
"[Jamaal Charles] probably fights crime in his spare time while inhaling carbon emissions, exhaling oxygen, and crapping oil. That’s how awesome he is. Not just good for the Chiefs, but America."
- MNchiefsfan
Only problem with holding a true FB on the roster is that it's getting harder
every rule change to win as a dominate running team. To take up a roster spot for a guy whose primary job is to open holes in the running game doesn’t make much sense if you need to score 40 to stay in the game. Damn rule changes.
But truth be told, having both on the roster and letting Battle go would suit me fine.
Law Firm
He is rarely tackled for a lose, doesn’t fumble, and he can run it inside and outside.
Men succeed when they realize that their failures are the preparation for their victories.
Hammerfisting my own balls since 2006
Plus he's got a great name.
And Law Firm is probably the second best nickname in the NFL after Calvin “Megatron” Johnson’s.
"[Jamaal Charles] probably fights crime in his spare time while inhaling carbon emissions, exhaling oxygen, and crapping oil. That’s how awesome he is. Not just good for the Chiefs, but America."
- MNchiefsfan
Littering and ....?
Littering and …?
Littering and …?
Check out my blog on software development:
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by Scaryclouds on Feb 10, 2012 9:34 AM CST via mobile reply actions 1 recs
Dammit, you beat me to it.
First thing that popped in my head when seeing the article.
by Ochophosphate on Feb 10, 2012 10:20 AM CST up reply actions
FA RBs
Of all the badass free agent RBS, you pick Hillis and Grant to talk about? Sorry joel…
Can anyone say Michael Bush!?!?!
Mike Tolbert!?!?!?
BJGE….
I really like Jason Snelling as well.
probably because
of the Daboll connection. He had Hillis running well a couple years ago.
hillis seems a bit of a drama queen …
and grant doesn’t impress me much . i would like Bush or tolbert really.
3 headed Monstor
Charles, Battle, Jones is still a great 3 headed Monster. You sprinkle Mcluster and you have the makings for a rerun of 2010. Jones production was down for a couple reasons, one was the fault of Lenard Pope, who had in the vicinity of 7 penalties over the season that got Jones longer run plays called back, which if i did my math right, added up to over 100 yards. 100 yards is a big deal when it comes to making a difference in a game.
The other was the offensive line, specifically the right tackle. Barry Richardson caused more problems(penalties, sacks, blocking) for everyone, but jones too.
I believe Jones has another year or two in him. I think he could be a great mentor for Shaun Draughn, to come along and step right in the 3 headed monster.
The chiefs have plenty of talent at RB/FB and really don’t need to add anything. Get the O-line fixed, have a great lengthy training camp. Let these guys run..
Charles, Jones, Battle, Mcluster, Draughn, McClain
Are you going to make excuses for Cassel also?
RonSkitzo FOR PREZ BRAH
Fixing the O-Line is critical
It’s not making excuses to say that we had players under-performing because protection sucked.
-TPal (jk)
by ChiefsDude on Feb 10, 2012 10:08 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
honestly
Jones DID have some good runs this year
but, I think he’s done… especially now that Haley is gone
Define 'decent ones' in reference to Thomas Jones.
8 yards? 9? 11?
2012 Chiefs Draft Picks by Falcon58: CB Kirkpatrick/G DeCastro 1st rd, WR Wright/OT Adams or Sanders 2nd rd, QB Foles/ILB Cole 3rd rd, TE M. Williams/RB I. Pead 4th rd, S G. Iloka or DT/NT Hicks 5th rd, RB L. Dunbar or ILB Galippo 6th; FA Signings: NT Poliai or Hill; Resign: Carr, Bowe, Orton, McClain, Gordon, Belcher. Trade Dorsey for picks, promote Gordon to DT/DE.
Charles, me, and John Madden would still be a great 3 headed monster. That's just how good Charles is.
Kind of similiar to how Wayne and Brent Gretzky lead NHL all time in scoring by a pair of brothers (2857 for Wayne and 4 for Brent).
Regardless, we should still try to upgrade our depth behind him.
"[Jamaal Charles] probably fights crime in his spare time while inhaling carbon emissions, exhaling oxygen, and crapping oil. That’s how awesome he is. Not just good for the Chiefs, but America."
- MNchiefsfan
Battle= meh
He shows flashes and is a great ST player, but he’s not a solid #2 that can pickup the slack if Charles go down. None of those guys showed they can consistently carry the load with out JC.
only problem with Battle i have
is that he runs to high… he doesn’t run with his pads low, he only drops them when he sees the hit coming which is why he fumbles so much… only good thing about running upright is most of the time you have your momentum behind you and you can fall forward… that being said, if Battle learned how to lower his shoulder while running then i would feel more comfertable with him running 3rd and 1’s… i’m sorry but to many times last year we needed just 1 yard and battle got stopped for a no gainer or lost yardage… maybe we should fire our RB coach, since we can’t evaluate the coach based off Charles since he has such raw talent, but out of all the other backs they just can’t produce… and like somebody up top said, your not always going to get so lucky to get a player like JC from the draft every time…
O/T: But how does Routt's release affect our Carr situation?
Anybody have any thoughts? I’m between A) Routt’s new contract could set a precedent for how Carr gets paid and B) Routt on the market takes at least one suitor off the table for Carr’s camp.
2012 Chiefs Draft Picks by Falcon58: CB Kirkpatrick/G DeCastro 1st rd, WR Wright/OT Adams or Sanders 2nd rd, QB Foles/ILB Cole 3rd rd, TE M. Williams/RB I. Pead 4th rd, S G. Iloka or DT/NT Hicks 5th rd, RB L. Dunbar or ILB Galippo 6th; FA Signings: NT Poliai or Hill; Resign: Carr, Bowe, Orton, McClain, Gordon, Belcher. Trade Dorsey for picks, promote Gordon to DT/DE.
Routt on the market takes at least one suitor off the table for Carr’s camp.
Unless the Raiders are going to try to replace Routt in free agency.
"[Jamaal Charles] probably fights crime in his spare time while inhaling carbon emissions, exhaling oxygen, and crapping oil. That’s how awesome he is. Not just good for the Chiefs, but America."
- MNchiefsfan
If we go after a FA RB
There’s no reason to keep Battle. Dex should get another 100 carries, as he produced at a high level when used correctly (as in, not constant draws)
Throw in a FA like Tolbert, Bush, Grant, Law Firm, or Benson (any of whom would be an upgrade to Battle) and there’s another 150-200 carries.
Throw in JC’s roughly 200 carries, and McClain’s (if he’s here) limited carries, and we’re out of snaps for Battle.
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
I am the Master of Hyperenthetical Asiditry (you know, like this. Only more)
by MNchiefsfan on Feb 10, 2012 10:20 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
I'm fine with keeping Battle.
But I don’t want him any higher on the depth chart than #4RB/#2FB/ST.
Although, you know who else would be even cheaper, younger, and could potentially fill that role (in addition to a little TE?). Shane Bannon. Sure, we haven’t seen anything from him yet but we’ve never seen that much from Battle, either.
"[Jamaal Charles] probably fights crime in his spare time while inhaling carbon emissions, exhaling oxygen, and crapping oil. That’s how awesome he is. Not just good for the Chiefs, but America."
- MNchiefsfan
Sitting on the depth chart behind Charles, McCluster, ?, and probably even McClain?
It wouldn’t bother me too much.
I guess I just feel like Battle being cheap isn’t enough to warrant bringing him back. He’s getting close to 30. He’s a known quantity. I’d just assume give his spot to someone who hasn’t already hit their (pretty underwhelming) ceiling. That can be Bannon or (preferably) a rookie, but I think it should be someone.
I’m not going to be livid if we bring back Battle. Because you’re right, he’ll be cheap and we could do worse. But we could also do better.
"[Jamaal Charles] probably fights crime in his spare time while inhaling carbon emissions, exhaling oxygen, and crapping oil. That’s how awesome he is. Not just good for the Chiefs, but America."
- MNchiefsfan
I have a feeling Battle will want a chance to get more carries with another team
Arrowhead Pride addict
by groundedchevy on Feb 10, 2012 10:44 AM CST up reply actions
but, will he be given that chance?
I think he, McGraw, and a few others are more valuable in KC than anywhere else
I agree with McGraw...
I can see Battle getting some looks from other teams as a 3rd RB. I think he will be nothing more than a 4th back at KC.
Arrowhead Pride addict
by groundedchevy on Feb 10, 2012 10:53 AM CST up reply actions
Do we want 4 RBs active every gameday?
I guess I see that as overkill
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
I am the Master of Hyperenthetical Asiditry (you know, like this. Only more)
by MNchiefsfan on Feb 10, 2012 10:27 AM CST up reply actions
Well, Denver kept 4 active if you included their FB...err I mean QB
And they won a playoff game. Damn donkies.
Rec'd because I couldn't have said it better myself.
Though I’d add that if Pioli wanted to draft a rookie somewhere in rounds 2-5 to pair with Charles, McCluster, and McClain (who can shoulder a bigger load if need be), I would be fine with that.
"[Jamaal Charles] probably fights crime in his spare time while inhaling carbon emissions, exhaling oxygen, and crapping oil. That’s how awesome he is. Not just good for the Chiefs, but America."
- MNchiefsfan
battle
has got to go. cant stand watching that guy run like lj
by cirque de so gay on Feb 10, 2012 12:14 PM CST via Android app reply actions
Here would be my ideal setup
Charles, McClain, Dex, Battle, Bannon.
Charles is Charles. McClain takes Jones’ role and trains up Bannon to be the full-time blocking FB.
Dex is used here and there and as Charles’ backup, but mostly as KR/PR.
Battle survives only because of his ST ability and is the backup for McClain.
This all assumes of course that Bannon can actually become a good blocking FB and we don’t need McClain in that role.
I like...
the idea of Charles and Bush in the backfield and re-signing McClain at FB.. I don’t think Oakland lets go of Bush but i think it’d be a awesome backfield!
by sweetactionjackson13 on Feb 10, 2012 10:08 PM CST reply actions
id be happy with tolbert, but id prefer to just find a mid round back and take him a round early or whatever to secure whoever they like
Pay Brandon Carr/ Pay Colquitt
Team Colquitt
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