Breaston sees bigger opportunity with new Chiefs regime
 

Breaston sees bigger opportunity with new Chiefs regime

Steve Breaston will turn 30 this summer, and that’s the age at which the skills of many wide receivers decline. He is coming off his worst NFL season, one in which he spent plenty of time anchored on the bench.

But Breaston said Friday he is so energized by the change at head coach from Romeo Crennel to Andy Reid that he can see a bright future for himself with the Chiefs.

“I do,” Breaston said Friday at Central High School, where through his Steve Breaston Foundation he presented a new iPad to each of the 10 winners of an essay-writing contest.

“I’ve never gotten down on myself. It’s a new opportunity so things can change for me. It’s all up to me and what I do on the field. I feel good about (Reid) being here. My big thing is to just show him my work. I feel like there’s a clean slate right now. I’m looking forward to (off-season practice).”

The Chiefs could certainly use a bounce-back season from Breaston, who had 1,000-plus yards for Arizona in 2008 and as recently as 2011 caught 61 passes with the Chiefs. Their best wide receiver, Dwayne Bowe, is a potential unrestricted free agent, though the Chiefs could re-sign him or otherwise retain him by designating him as their franchise player.

Otherwise, their receiving group is a collection of underachieving players, led by Jon Baldwin and Dexter McCluster. Other than Bowe, Breaston is the most accomplished of the bunch, though last season he practically disappeared.

Breaston played in just 10 games, started only four and caught seven passes, the lowest total of his career.

Reid saw the decline in Breaston’s numbers last season. But Breaston left a lasting impression during a 2008 game between the Cardinals and Eagles, then coached by Reid. Breaston caught six passes and scored a touchdown that day.

“I’m familiar with Steve because we played against him a bunch of times,” Reid said. “I know two years ago he had a good year numbers-wise and this year he was down a bit. We’ll see how things work out for him, but I know that as a slot receiver he was always dynamite against us. That’s a unique skill to have. He had a nice knack for that, but I just didn’t see that much from him last year, didn’t see him in that spot.”

Breaston said he was also puzzled by his lack of participation last season as a slot receiver. The Chiefs mainly used Baldwin and Bowe as the starters and McCluster as the slot receiver, leaving little work for Breaston.

“It was kind of odd,” Breaston said. “I played the slot position my first year here. I didn’t get a down in the slot last year. I can’t explain it. Nobody explained it to me.”

Breaston also had no explanation for his relative lack of playing time last season. When the Chiefs used extra receivers, they often turned to young players Jamar Newsome and Devon Wylie instead.

“I still don’t know what happened last year,” Breaston said. “I can’t put a finger on it. Nobody ever said anything to me. I know that one thing I did was work hard every day. My teammates saw me working hard every day. I did what I needed to do.

“But last year was last year. As difficult as last year was, that’s in the past. Now it’s a fresh start and I’m looking forward to that. I’m going to take advantage of that. I’ve already talked with (new receivers coach David) Culley. I got a feel for what they expect. It’s a new opportunity for me.”

Breaston came up with the idea to purchase iPads for inner-city students last year. Initially, he planned to present one new iPad for every 100 of his 2012 receiving yards.

But he had just 74 yards.

“That didn’t work out but I wanted to do this regardless,” he said. “Kids that work hard deserve to have certain tools to help them boost their creativity. This way, they’re not limited in what they do.

“Hopefully it will make their classes and their lives easier.”

I love satire.

Breaston would be really good on a Reid offense.


Hell, Hank Baskett was decent.

All I got out of that was "Breast"on and "bigger"

I really think he was put into pioli's dog house last year because he was a haley guy. I expect big things from him this year.

“I played the slot position my first year here. I didn’t get a down in the slot last year. I can’t explain it. Nobody explained it to me.”

This pisses me off

Yeah me too.... Why the hell would you not use this guy?

Honestly I could see Breaston, Baldwin, and McCluster all blowing up with the production Reid will bring from the QB position. Hope Bowes here for the ride!

There was alot of shady shit around Pioli. Im so glad that regime is done.

As much as I am ready to move on I wouldn't mind hearing stories about some of the stuff that went on.

That's the only explanation I can think of. I'm sure as shit not buying Romeo's claim that he didn't know the offense.

Roleo would always act so pissed when he was asked about him. Strange shit for a dude that was supposedly like a grandfather to almost all the others

Yeah, no way. He has been a good receiver for years. One of the better slot receivers in the league. Theres no reason why we never used him as such last year.

A bigger opportunity would mean that he's actually on the game day roster for more than three or four games, so yeah, I would hope he has a bigger opportunity.

Maybe they'll make him the new nickel linebacker if they move Berry out of that position.

It's safe to say Andy Reid is responsible for Hanks hot,reeruned wife and reality show.

Gotta give dude credit for not going postal. He got royally ****ed and mostly kept his mouth shut.