Chiefs Baldwin’s focus is on getting better

Hammock Parties · 08-05-2011, 09:58 PM

Lots of positive vibes in this article. I like that he's texting Haley...a bond is forming.

http://www.kansascity.com/2011/08/05...ng-better.html

ST. JOSEPH | The pressure already was weighing on Jonathan Baldwin. He was feeling it.

Baldwin, the Chiefs’ first-round draft pick, a 6-foot-4, 230-pound wide receiver from the University of Pittsburgh, signed his contract eight days ago, joining his new teammates and facing the expectations that no rookie — especially an early draft pick — can avoid.

Earlier this week, Baldwin said he was ready for this challenge.

“Every day they pick out a few rookies who have to sing,” Baldwin said. “So I think today is my day.

“I’ve got a couple of hours to figure out what I’m going to sing.”

It was the first test for Baldwin, whose career will come with expectations and questions, particularly after he called out his former college quarterback and criticized his coaches. Baldwin said he was prepared for whatever lay ahead, whether that’s singing in a hazing ritual at a team meeting or playing his first NFL game as the Chiefs’ likely No. 2 receiver.

“Only thing I can do, only thing I can control now is how hard I work,” he said. “I really can’t say anything about what everybody else says. I’m just going to continue to do the things that I’ve been doing.”

Coach Todd Haley said his newest project — he was a receivers coach before becoming a coordinator and head coach, and he still takes an interest in wideouts — appears to have the tools necessary to be a standout NFL player. Baldwin is big and fast, and Haley said there’s more to Baldwin than the speed limit often associated with being a possession receiver.

“The indicators are good,” Haley said. “Speed is not an issue. I think it’s easy to just say he’s a big possession guy. Until we get going and pads are on and these guys get their legs under them, I don’t know that we’ll see really all that’s there.”

Haley said he caught a glimpse of Baldwin’s focus on Tuesday, the team’s day off. Haley was headed toward the Chiefs’ offices at the Griffon Indoor Sports Complex at Missouri Western, and there was Baldwin, hoofing back to the team’s dormitory, on the hottest day of the year.

When Baldwin could’ve stayed in the air conditioning, ignoring coaches’ suggestions that players take care of their bodies, he spent time proving that he not only can catch and run. He can follow his coaches’ instructions, too.

“Good signs that a guy is focused in the right place, and he wants to succeed,” Haley said. “I’m getting late-night texts from him, and those are all good signs.

“I felt good when I saw a guy not worrying about much else other than doing the things that we’re asking him to do.”

Baldwin spent Friday in the team’s conditioning area after appearing to suffer a leg injury a day earlier. Haley has said he plans to take a cautious approach with all injuries.

Baldwin caught 127 passes for 2,325 yards in three seasons at Pittsburgh. He raised concerns before the NFL combine, being quoted by a website that he thought his coaches were “purposely trying to disrupt my draft stock.”

He showed no such signs of outspokenness this week, when he was short and direct with his answers. He wouldn’t even reveal who his NFL idols are, saying he preferred to avoid answering that question.

Whatever baggage he might have picked up in Pittsburgh, Baldwin connected enough with the Chiefs that they were willing to draft him. Not only that, Baldwin has connected with Kansas City’s fans, too. His Twitter page has more than 8,000 followers, and he occasionally tweets about the Chiefs and his expectations.

He did share one goal:

“Win the Super Bowl,” he said. “Same goal as everybody else.”

Not long after that, Baldwin headed toward the locker room, where he said he would decide on a song to serenade his teammates with that afternoon.

“I’m going to get it going in the locker room in a little bit,” he said, turning the conversation briefly back to football. “I try to do everything. I don’t want to do just one thing. I just try to work hard at everything.

“You’ve got to do all the little things, extra, working extra, just doing all the things that you can to make yourself different.”

**BossChief** · 08-05-2011, 10:55 PM

Ill go ahead and gloat about Baldwin for a little while before I go to bed...
http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...&postcount=112 <---11/7/10
http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...4&postcount=23 <----11/15/10 good one!
http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...3&postcount=45 <---bold 11/15/10
http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showt...in#post7176590 <---a solid team overview from 11/16/10 targeting Baldwin as the receiver in the draft to target and a good team overview of needs that we targeted in the draft 5 months later.
http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showt...in#post7274965 <---boom goes the dynamite!
http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...&postcount=501 <---hes on FIRE

I love it that this regime keeps drafting the guys I am vocal about.

"just calling it as I see it"

/close thread

**wazu** · 08-05-2011, 11:09 PM

I get the feeling that time will prove that Haley is an unbelievably awesome coach.

**BossChief** · 08-05-2011, 11:12 PM

http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...9&postcount=16 <---11/23/10

the hits just keep on coming!

**Reaper16** · 08-05-2011, 11:19 PM

No one on this board is as in love with himself as BossChief is right now. Dude even took credit for changing GoChiefs mind about Larry Johnson as a player. Dude's batting 1.000 at life.

Hammock Parties · 08-05-2011, 11:20 PM

BossChief could GM, coach and play for the Chiefs all in one lifetime.

**BossChief** · 08-05-2011, 11:32 PM

Im bored, a little tipsy and went home alone tonight.

I needed a boost.

**BossChief** · 08-05-2011, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reaper16

No one on this board is as in love with himself as BossChief is right now. Dude even took credit for changing GoChiefs mind about Larry Johnson as a player. Dude's batting 1.000 at life.

GoChiefs, care to chime in?

Do you remember that conversation?

Direckshun · 08-05-2011, 11:37 PM

Holy shit.

Seriously, this guy is all green lights in my eyes at this point.

THE SKY is his roof. Good god, what an amazing start to his career.

Direckshun · 08-05-2011, 11:38 PM

Your thoughts on Riley Rieff, BossChief?

**Reaper16** · 08-05-2011, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Direckshun

Holy shit.

Seriously, this guy is all green lights in my eyes at this point.

THE SKY is his roof. Good god, what an amazing start to his career.

I KNOW. And he's only been posting since December of 2008. He's still got his peak years ahead of him. So much upside.

Direckshun · 08-05-2011, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reaper16

I KNOW. And he's only been posting since December of 2008. He's still got his peak years ahead of him. So much upside.

Him too. I'm not going to knock any dude who's big on the draft.

They're a bit rare on CP.

**BossChief** · 08-05-2011, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Direckshun

Your thoughts on Riley Rieff, BossChief?

not a big fan, honestly. Not as good as Bulaga, IMO.

If I could chose one Hawkeye to have a good NFL career out of next years squad that will be in next years draft, it would be Marvin McNutt.

If we can get him the ball like Stanzi did last year...he should climb up boards leading up to the draft.

I wouldnt be surprised to see him go in the second round or so, but be looked at as a 4th or 5th rounder prior to the draft.

Quesadilla Joe · 08-16-2011, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Jonathan Baldwin off to slow start with Chiefs

The Chiefs drafted wideout Jonathan Baldwin in the first round partly because they were very thin at the position.

Jerheme Urban looked like a returning starter, and someone like Kevin Curtis played snaps for the Chiefs in the playoffs just a week after signing with them. Not to mention Dwayne Bowe is in a contract year.

The Chiefs would love for Baldwin to step into a sizable role right away, but he’s off to a sluggish start. The Pitt product has reportedly struggled to get off the line of scrimmage because he’s getting jammed. He’s also dealt with a hamstring injury, and is currently listed as a third-team receiver, no higher than fifth on the depth chart. Baldwin says he’s “100%” now.

Urban remains a starter, while free agent pickup Steve Breaston is set to play the slot role. This group still has holes. Baldwin gained 14 yards in his preseason debut, playing with the deep reserves.

That production sadly was good for second among Chiefs wideouts in receiving yards during an ugly preseason outing.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...t-with-chiefs/

Urc Burry · 08-16-2011, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnowMo2724

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...t-with-chiefs/

Not really surprising.. He never had to deal with press coverage in college. And Haley has never been one to throw a rookie into the starting role. I'm pretty confident he will be no lower then the 3rd receiver come 1st game of the regular season

08-05-2011, 09:58 PM
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4350478	Baldwin’s focus is on getting better Lots of positive vibes in this article. I like that he's texting Haley...a bond is forming. http://www.kansascity.com/2011/08/05...ng-better.html ST. JOSEPH \| The pressure already was weighing on Jonathan Baldwin. He was feeling it. Baldwin, the Chiefs’ first-round draft pick, a 6-foot-4, 230-pound wide receiver from the University of Pittsburgh, signed his contract eight days ago, joining his new teammates and facing the expectations that no rookie — especially an early draft pick — can avoid. Earlier this week, Baldwin said he was ready for this challenge. “Every day they pick out a few rookies who have to sing,” Baldwin said. “So I think today is my day. “I’ve got a couple of hours to figure out what I’m going to sing.” It was the first test for Baldwin, whose career will come with expectations and questions, particularly after he called out his former college quarterback and criticized his coaches. Baldwin said he was prepared for whatever lay ahead, whether that’s singing in a hazing ritual at a team meeting or playing his first NFL game as the Chiefs’ likely No. 2 receiver. “Only thing I can do, only thing I can control now is how hard I work,” he said. “I really can’t say anything about what everybody else says. I’m just going to continue to do the things that I’ve been doing.” Coach Todd Haley said his newest project — he was a receivers coach before becoming a coordinator and head coach, and he still takes an interest in wideouts — appears to have the tools necessary to be a standout NFL player. Baldwin is big and fast, and Haley said there’s more to Baldwin than the speed limit often associated with being a possession receiver. “The indicators are good,” Haley said. “Speed is not an issue. I think it’s easy to just say he’s a big possession guy. Until we get going and pads are on and these guys get their legs under them, I don’t know that we’ll see really all that’s there.” Haley said he caught a glimpse of Baldwin’s focus on Tuesday, the team’s day off. Haley was headed toward the Chiefs’ offices at the Griffon Indoor Sports Complex at Missouri Western, and there was Baldwin, hoofing back to the team’s dormitory, on the hottest day of the year. When Baldwin could’ve stayed in the air conditioning, ignoring coaches’ suggestions that players take care of their bodies, he spent time proving that he not only can catch and run. He can follow his coaches’ instructions, too. “Good signs that a guy is focused in the right place, and he wants to succeed,” Haley said. “I’m getting late-night texts from him, and those are all good signs. “I felt good when I saw a guy not worrying about much else other than doing the things that we’re asking him to do.” Baldwin spent Friday in the team’s conditioning area after appearing to suffer a leg injury a day earlier. Haley has said he plans to take a cautious approach with all injuries. Baldwin caught 127 passes for 2,325 yards in three seasons at Pittsburgh. He raised concerns before the NFL combine, being quoted by a website that he thought his coaches were “purposely trying to disrupt my draft stock.” He showed no such signs of outspokenness this week, when he was short and direct with his answers. He wouldn’t even reveal who his NFL idols are, saying he preferred to avoid answering that question. Whatever baggage he might have picked up in Pittsburgh, Baldwin connected enough with the Chiefs that they were willing to draft him. Not only that, Baldwin has connected with Kansas City’s fans, too. His Twitter page has more than 8,000 followers, and he occasionally tweets about the Chiefs and his expectations. He did share one goal: “Win the Super Bowl,” he said. “Same goal as everybody else.” Not long after that, Baldwin headed toward the locker room, where he said he would decide on a song to serenade his teammates with that afternoon. “I’m going to get it going in the locker room in a little bit,” he said, turning the conversation briefly back to football. “I try to do everything. I don’t want to do just one thing. I just try to work hard at everything. “You’ve got to do all the little things, extra, working extra, just doing all the things that you can to make yourself different.”
Posts: 278,935

08-05-2011, 10:55 PM	#2
BossChief SuperBowl or bust Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: BF Iowa Casino cash: $1534088	Ill go ahead and gloat about Baldwin for a little while before I go to bed... http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...&postcount=112 <---11/7/10 http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...4&postcount=23 <----11/15/10 good one! http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...3&postcount=45 <---bold 11/15/10 http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showt...in#post7176590 <---a solid team overview from 11/16/10 targeting Baldwin as the receiver in the draft to target and a good team overview of needs that we targeted in the draft 5 months later. http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showt...in#post7274965 <---boom goes the dynamite! http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...&postcount=501 <---hes on FIRE I love it that this regime keeps drafting the guys I am vocal about. "just calling it as I see it" /close thread __________________ Dreams do come true... http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...postcount=1407
Posts: 47,175

08-05-2011, 11:09 PM	#3
wazu ... Join Date: May 2002 Location: Kansas City, MO Casino cash: $1842295 VARSITY	I get the feeling that time will prove that Haley is an unbelievably awesome coach.
Posts: 27,961

08-05-2011, 11:12 PM	#4
BossChief SuperBowl or bust Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: BF Iowa Casino cash: $1534088	http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...9&postcount=16 <---11/23/10 the hits just keep on coming! __________________ Dreams do come true... http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...postcount=1407
Posts: 47,175

08-05-2011, 11:20 PM	#6
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4350478	BossChief could GM, coach and play for the Chiefs all in one lifetime. __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 278,935

08-05-2011, 11:32 PM	#7
BossChief SuperBowl or bust Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: BF Iowa Casino cash: $1534088	Im bored, a little tipsy and went home alone tonight. I needed a boost. __________________ Dreams do come true... http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...postcount=1407
Posts: 47,175

08-05-2011, 11:37 PM	#9
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $4173447	Holy shit. Seriously, this guy is all green lights in my eyes at this point. THE SKY is his roof. Good god, what an amazing start to his career.
Posts: 59,314

08-05-2011, 11:38 PM	#10
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $4173447	Your thoughts on Riley Rieff, BossChief?
Posts: 59,314