Chiefs Chiefs’ McCluster has potential but still seeks his niche - Page 7

**Tribal Warfare** · 08-05-2012, 03:23 AM

Chiefs’ McCluster has potential but still seeks his niche
McCluster has scored only four TDs in two years as he’s sought a niche with the Chiefs.
By RANDY COVITZ
The Kansas City Star
The Chiefs list Dexter McCluster as a running back, but he’s seldom in the backfield.

McCluster participates in drills with the wide receivers, not the running backs. In team work, he lines up as a slot receiver in most formations and splits wide in others. He occasionally gets a carry on a sweep or a reverse and sees work as a quarterback in the wildcat. And he’s also a prime candidate to return kicks and punts.

So where does head coach Romeo Crennel like McCluster the most?

“In the end zone,” said Crennel, with a hearty laugh. “That’s where I like him best.”

McCluster, a second-round draft pick in 2010, spent his first two seasons trying to find his niche in the offense as well as in the end zone.

He’s had 244 combined touches as a running back, receiver and kick returner and but has scored just four touchdowns.

A case can be made that McCluster — who would begrudgingly have to change his No. 22 jersey if classified as a wide receiver — hasn’t fulfilled his potential in the NFL because his attention has been divided between so many roles, and he hasn’t been able to master one position.

He disagrees.

“I think being more versatile gives me different outlets to get on the field,” said McCluster, a 5-8, 170-pounder. “Being more versatile can help throw defenses off balance. I like the fact that I can play multiple roles, I like the challenge.

“The running backs coach and the wide receiver coach are doing just as much to help me get better at that position as the next one, so right now I feel like I am mastering both.”

Quarterback Matt Cassel expects the Chiefs’ new offensive coordinator, Brian Daboll, to take advantage of McCluster’s diverse skills.

“He can do it all,” Cassel said of McCluster. “He really does have so much versatility that sometimes you have to make a decision what you want to do with him.”

McCluster, an all-purpose performer at Mississippi who earned all-Southeastern Conference honors as a receiver and a running back in his last two seasons, has provided glimpses of his big-play potential.

In 2010 in his first game as a pro, McCluster bolted a franchise-record 94 yards for a touchdown, sparking an opening-night victory over San Diego and igniting the Chiefs’ run to the AFC West title. Last year, he gained 516 yards on 114 rushing carries and picked up 328 yards on 46 pass receptions. He averaged 10.8 yards a carry on punt returns and 22.3 yards on kick returns.

But McCluster is the first to admit he’s still trying to put together a complete season.

“I know what I’m capable of,” he said. “I’m a very humble guy, a very patient guy … A lot of people ask when is it going to happen … They have seen what I’m capable of, but honestly I know I have more than that in me.”

McCluster spent the offseason studying tape of similar players whom Daboll has coached, including Reggie Bush of the Dolphins and Josh Cribbs of the Browns.

“The thing I like about coach Daboll is he tries to eliminate your weaknesses and heightens your strengths,” said McCluster. “It opens up a lot of playmaking possibilities. He lets you play football. … ‘This is how I want it done, this is how I’ve been doing it, this is how it’s been working. So watch the film. Watch guys before who have done it. And try to mimic that in your way.’ ”

The critical issues in determining McCluster’s workload are his durability and his ball security.

After getting off to a good start in his rookie season, McCluster, in a game against Jacksonville in which he ran four times for 28 yards and caught five passes for 41 yards, suffered an ankle sprain that sidelined him for five games and rendered him ineffective in the final five games.

Concerned about keeping him healthy, the Chiefs tried to monitor his touches last season when he averaged 12 per game — seven rushing, three receiving and two in the kicking game. So what’s ideal for him? Ten to 12 touches? Fifteen? Twenty?

“Twenty-five is not too much. I’m going to put that on the record right now,” McCluster said. “People from the outside looking in look at me and say, ‘He’s small.’ But I’ve been doing this all my life. … I know what I can do, I know what I’m capable of.

“My size … I accepted that, and I play bigger than I am. This year, I’m more in the film room. It’s more about technique. … Everybody is running the same speed, everybody has the same capability, but it’s all about technique and that extra space that you need to get open.”

As far as the fumbles go, McCluster is aware that at his size, he has to take extra precautions when hit by players outweighing him by 50 to 75 pounds.

“It’s football,” he said. “You’re going to have fumbles, you’re going to dropped balls. Ultimately it’s your job to limit that … knowing it’s that extra fighting for that extra yard, the ball can pop loose, so it’s making sure you have both hands on the ball as you’re going on.”

lcarus · 08-06-2012, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning

A good 4th WR can catch 40 passes. Dante Hall did.

McCluster caught 46 last year. A lot were screens and useless receptions, but still. He's used in the same ways Dante Hall was. He's not as good, clearly. But Hall was electric for a couple seasons.

Hammock Parties · 08-06-2012, 10:29 AM

That Dex fumble was probably the biggest crucial moment in that game.

It was 13-7, then he fumbles, Ravens get the ball at our 17 yard line.

Game over mother****ers.

Thanks, Dex.

Hammock Parties · 08-06-2012, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lcarus

McCluster caught 46 last year.

As a freaking running back, moron. Running stupid flares and screens and dumpoffs.

As a wide receiver, he won't catch 25 passes I bet.

Reerun_KC · 08-06-2012, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hulk Hogan

Yes.

JC fumbled in that game, can you post a gif of that play? Or are you just playing selective amnesia to fit your agenda?

**The Franchise** · 08-06-2012, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

You tell me Mr inside knowledge. As batshit crazy as Haley was. No one here could tell us what the freak he was going to do... Yet before JC got hurt, DMC was touching the ball 10+ times a game and the whining was non stop here...

And how many touches was your bet for?

Hammock Parties · 08-06-2012, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

JC fumbled in that game, can you post a gif of that play? Or are you just playing selective amnesia to fit your agenda?

JC is excused from that error for being otherwise completely ****ing awesome.

Dex touched the ball 6 times in that game for 22 yards.

Woo!

Sofa King · 08-06-2012, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning

roflcopter

where's that from? Someone is doing the lord's work.

I googled "McCluster animated gif" and to my surprise the first one i saw was a gif of a jukeless fumble.

**The Franchise** · 08-06-2012, 10:32 AM

Reerun_KC · 08-06-2012, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pestilence

And how many touches was your bet for?

http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?t=249844

**The Franchise** · 08-06-2012, 10:32 AM

Funny....it's from a shitty block by Brian Waters. You know....the douche bag that true fans pine for.

lcarus · 08-06-2012, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning

As a freaking running back, moron. Running stupid flares and screens and dumpoffs.

As a wide receiver, he won't catch 25 passes I bet.

Yeah I get that, but a lot of Hall's receptions were screens and shit too. Dexter could catch 2 passes a game and get more than 25 receptions.

Sofa King · 08-06-2012, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

JC fumbled in that game, can you post a gif of that play? Or are you just playing selective amnesia to fit your agenda?

Doesn't ring a bell.

Reerun_KC · 08-06-2012, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hulk Hogan

Doesn't ring a bell.

Well played, you can go back to swinging from Claythans sack now...

Hammock Parties · 08-06-2012, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lcarus

Yeah I get that, but a lot of Hall's receptions were screens and shit too. Dexter could catch 2 passes a game and get more than 25 receptions.

Dante Hall did shit like this.

CALL ME when Dex EVER makes a play like that.

Reerun_KC · 08-06-2012, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pestilence

Funny....it's from a shitty block by Brian Waters. You know....the douche bag that true fans pine for.

Between Cassels play, JC, Jones and DEX all fumblings. We didnt have a chance.

Well that and you factor in Baltimore raping Crennels defense. It was a long long day...

08-05-2012, 03:23 AM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-2937187	Chiefs’ McCluster has potential but still seeks his niche Chiefs’ McCluster has potential but still seeks his niche McCluster has scored only four TDs in two years as he’s sought a niche with the Chiefs. By RANDY COVITZ The Kansas City Star The Chiefs list Dexter McCluster as a running back, but he’s seldom in the backfield. McCluster participates in drills with the wide receivers, not the running backs. In team work, he lines up as a slot receiver in most formations and splits wide in others. He occasionally gets a carry on a sweep or a reverse and sees work as a quarterback in the wildcat. And he’s also a prime candidate to return kicks and punts. So where does head coach Romeo Crennel like McCluster the most? “In the end zone,” said Crennel, with a hearty laugh. “That’s where I like him best.” McCluster, a second-round draft pick in 2010, spent his first two seasons trying to find his niche in the offense as well as in the end zone. He’s had 244 combined touches as a running back, receiver and kick returner and but has scored just four touchdowns. A case can be made that McCluster — who would begrudgingly have to change his No. 22 jersey if classified as a wide receiver — hasn’t fulfilled his potential in the NFL because his attention has been divided between so many roles, and he hasn’t been able to master one position. He disagrees. “I think being more versatile gives me different outlets to get on the field,” said McCluster, a 5-8, 170-pounder. “Being more versatile can help throw defenses off balance. I like the fact that I can play multiple roles, I like the challenge. “The running backs coach and the wide receiver coach are doing just as much to help me get better at that position as the next one, so right now I feel like I am mastering both.” Quarterback Matt Cassel expects the Chiefs’ new offensive coordinator, Brian Daboll, to take advantage of McCluster’s diverse skills. “He can do it all,” Cassel said of McCluster. “He really does have so much versatility that sometimes you have to make a decision what you want to do with him.” McCluster, an all-purpose performer at Mississippi who earned all-Southeastern Conference honors as a receiver and a running back in his last two seasons, has provided glimpses of his big-play potential. In 2010 in his first game as a pro, McCluster bolted a franchise-record 94 yards for a touchdown, sparking an opening-night victory over San Diego and igniting the Chiefs’ run to the AFC West title. Last year, he gained 516 yards on 114 rushing carries and picked up 328 yards on 46 pass receptions. He averaged 10.8 yards a carry on punt returns and 22.3 yards on kick returns. But McCluster is the first to admit he’s still trying to put together a complete season. “I know what I’m capable of,” he said. “I’m a very humble guy, a very patient guy … A lot of people ask when is it going to happen … They have seen what I’m capable of, but honestly I know I have more than that in me.” McCluster spent the offseason studying tape of similar players whom Daboll has coached, including Reggie Bush of the Dolphins and Josh Cribbs of the Browns. “The thing I like about coach Daboll is he tries to eliminate your weaknesses and heightens your strengths,” said McCluster. “It opens up a lot of playmaking possibilities. He lets you play football. … ‘This is how I want it done, this is how I’ve been doing it, this is how it’s been working. So watch the film. Watch guys before who have done it. And try to mimic that in your way.’ ” The critical issues in determining McCluster’s workload are his durability and his ball security. After getting off to a good start in his rookie season, McCluster, in a game against Jacksonville in which he ran four times for 28 yards and caught five passes for 41 yards, suffered an ankle sprain that sidelined him for five games and rendered him ineffective in the final five games. Concerned about keeping him healthy, the Chiefs tried to monitor his touches last season when he averaged 12 per game — seven rushing, three receiving and two in the kicking game. So what’s ideal for him? Ten to 12 touches? Fifteen? Twenty? “Twenty-five is not too much. I’m going to put that on the record right now,” McCluster said. “People from the outside looking in look at me and say, ‘He’s small.’ But I’ve been doing this all my life. … I know what I can do, I know what I’m capable of. “My size … I accepted that, and I play bigger than I am. This year, I’m more in the film room. It’s more about technique. … Everybody is running the same speed, everybody has the same capability, but it’s all about technique and that extra space that you need to get open.” As far as the fumbles go, McCluster is aware that at his size, he has to take extra precautions when hit by players outweighing him by 50 to 75 pounds. “It’s football,” he said. “You’re going to have fumbles, you’re going to dropped balls. Ultimately it’s your job to limit that … knowing it’s that extra fighting for that extra yard, the ball can pop loose, so it’s making sure you have both hands on the ball as you’re going on.”
Posts: 43,447

08-06-2012, 10:29 AM	#92
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $860478	That Dex fumble was probably the biggest crucial moment in that game. It was 13-7, then he fumbles, Ravens get the ball at our 17 yard line. Game over mother****ers. Thanks, Dex. __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 297,236

08-06-2012, 10:32 AM	#98
The Franchise Most Valuable Villain Join Date: Dec 2006 Casino cash: $2065047
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08-06-2012, 10:32 AM	#100
The Franchise Most Valuable Villain Join Date: Dec 2006 Casino cash: $2065047	Funny....it's from a shitty block by Brian Waters. You know....the douche bag that true fans pine for.
Posts: 92,316