Chiefs Special teams coach thinks Dexter McCluster has unlocked potential as a returner - Page 6

**Tribal Warfare** · 06-01-2013, 12:09 AM

Chiefs’ new special teams coach thinks Dexter McCluster has unlocked potential as a returner
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
Dexter McCluster brought back a punt 94 yards for a touchdown in his first NFL game for the Chiefs in 2010, sparking hope he could surpass Chicago’s Devin Hester as the NFL’s next great return specialist.

That hasn’t happened yet, but the Chiefs aren’t giving up on the idea. This offseason they hired away the Bears’ Dave Toub, the special teams coach who worked with Hester and helped him become one of the all-time greats with 17 career return touchdowns.

And Toub is a fan of McCluster’s.

“McCluster is somebody that’s very intriguing to me,’’ Toub said. “He can really make you miss and I just think he’s got a lot of untapped potential as a punt returner.’’

A McCluster revival is just part of what the Chiefs have planned for their return game. They’re also looking at rookie running back Knile Davis to return kickoffs, though Davis never brought back a kick in college at Arkansas.

That plan, too, is part of the effort to awaken a long dormant return game. The Chiefs haven’t returned a kickoff for a touchdown since 2009 or a punt for a score since McCluster did it in the season-opening game in 2010 against the Chargers.

The Chiefs traded one of their main return specialists from the past couple of seasons, Javier Arenas. They have others working in the mix, including wide receiver Devon Wylie. But for the time being, at least, they appear to have settled on McCluster and Davis.

McCluster hasn’t had many chances to return punts since his rookie season in part to keep the 5-foot-8, 170-pound McCluster fresh for offensive plays. But the new coaching staff led by Andy Reid doesn’t have that idea.

“We’re kind of dusting him off in that area,’’ Toub said. “He has all the skills that you like to see as a punt returner.’’

Davis is an interesting option as a kickoff returner. He hasn’t returned a kick in a live game since he was in high school and was a frequent fumbler at running back last season.

But the Chiefs see a fast runner with a big body who could be difficult for opponents to bring down in the open field.

“He’s a big guy and he can run (fast),’’ McCluster said. “He just needs a little more repetition and I think he’ll be really good.’’

Reid said Davis has good vision, which is key for a returner.

“That position, you want the guys that are willing to hit it up the field,” Reid said. “We’ll see how he does. I’m not saying he’s the guy necessarily right now. But he’s working at it and we’ll see how he does through training camp.’’

Judging from offseason practice, Davis will get plenty of work at running back in the regular season even though Jamaal Charles is the starter. But he said returning kickoffs would be another way for him to contribute.

“Any way I can touch the field,’’ he said. “It’s no fun sitting on the sideline.

“I like the idea. The biggest difference from college to the league is that here, they want you to catch it forward so you can have that momentum going up the field.

“The key is hitting it full speed. But it’s a lot harder to judge it and catch it that way. You’ve got to judge it just right or it will be a big mistake. In college, you can kind of stand there and judge it and catch it on your back leg. I’ve pretty much got it down, for the most part.’’

The Chiefs are withholding judgment on that last part.

“We’ve got a long way to go,’’ Toub said. “We’ve got to find out when the (games) start whether this guy will be able to hold on to the ball. That’s going to be the key for him on kickoff return.’’

“There’s a lot for him to learn. It’s a totally different feel (than at running back). He’s got the ball in his hand like at running back but still it’s totally different. It’s about closing the distance. It’s about (getting up the field) real quick. There are a lot of collisions out there. You’ve got guys running 10, 15 yards running full speed at you. There will be a learning curve for him.’’

Hammock Parties · 06-01-2013, 02:22 PM

Ahahahaha

Can't even gain a yard

ahhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

*can't breathe*

-King- · 06-01-2013, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stanley Nickels

FTFY.

I generally agree that we need to wait and see, but we've been down this road far too often in recent years.

**Ming the Merciless** · 06-01-2013, 06:02 PM

lol @ adam teicher

Guys,

we have seen mccluster plenty on KO duty......it aint happening.

the only possibility is maybe MAYBE give him another shot , at PR....

but he will get his head knocked off.....

I mean maybe he was too hesitant in hitting the holes or making that 1st decision, but i swear with pads on he just hasnt shown to be as fast as they say he is....maybe his quickness is there but thats why I say perhaps PR....

I think KR will fail again...

BlackHelicopters · 06-01-2013, 06:04 PM

I heard DMC grew 4 inches and added 40 pounds this off season.

**Rain Man** · 06-01-2013, 09:02 PM

The hope I am holding out for McCluster is the story of Dante Hall. Remember how bad Dante Hall was before Vermeil arrived? With good coaching on special teams, he suddenly became fast and elusive, almost ... say ... an X factor on special teams.

**notorious** · 06-01-2013, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theelusiveeightrop

I heard DMC grew 4 inches and added 40 pounds this off season.

He finally broke 150?

Must have drank a lot of water before the weigh-in.

**RealSNR** · 06-01-2013, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

The hope I am holding out for McCluster is the story of Dante Hall. Remember how bad Dante Hall was before Vermeil arrived? With good coaching on special teams, he suddenly became fast and elusive, almost ... say ... an X factor on special teams.

Vermeil was a huge factor in Hall becoming what he was.

The other big one was NFL Europe. Hall had to make the roster as a WR first and a kick returner second. He absolutely made that happen, and he can probably thank an entire offseason in Europe at the WR position for that successful transition.

**Gadzooks** · 06-01-2013, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SNR

Vermeil was a huge factor in Hall becoming what he was.

The other big one was NFL Europe. Hall had to make the roster as a WR first and a kick returner second. He absolutely made that happen, and he can probably thank an entire offseason in Europe at the WR position for that successful transition.

Hall absolutely sucked as a WR in the NFL. The Chiefs should let McCluster go to the CFL where he can waste his time figuring out what he is.

**bevischief** · 06-01-2013, 11:48 PM

No s#$%.

Hammock Parties · 06-02-2013, 02:56 AM

Dante Hall wasn't even given a CHANCE here before Vermeil.

Dexter has had plenty of chances.

**ChiefGator** · 06-02-2013, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SNR

The other big one was NFL Europe. Hall had to make the roster as a WR first and a kick returner second. He absolutely made that happen, and he can probably thank an entire offseason in Europe at the WR position for that successful transition.

Yeah, I think the NFL is missing NFL Europe as much as the fans. It was a good developmental league.

**ChiefGator** · 06-02-2013, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pawnmower

the only possibility is maybe MAYBE give him another shot , at PR....

They are absolutely giving him another shot at punt returning, per all the coach interviews.

06-01-2013, 12:09 AM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $632813	Special teams coach thinks Dexter McCluster has unlocked potential as a returner Chiefs’ new special teams coach thinks Dexter McCluster has unlocked potential as a returner By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star Dexter McCluster brought back a punt 94 yards for a touchdown in his first NFL game for the Chiefs in 2010, sparking hope he could surpass Chicago’s Devin Hester as the NFL’s next great return specialist. That hasn’t happened yet, but the Chiefs aren’t giving up on the idea. This offseason they hired away the Bears’ Dave Toub, the special teams coach who worked with Hester and helped him become one of the all-time greats with 17 career return touchdowns. And Toub is a fan of McCluster’s. “McCluster is somebody that’s very intriguing to me,’’ Toub said. “He can really make you miss and I just think he’s got a lot of untapped potential as a punt returner.’’ A McCluster revival is just part of what the Chiefs have planned for their return game. They’re also looking at rookie running back Knile Davis to return kickoffs, though Davis never brought back a kick in college at Arkansas. That plan, too, is part of the effort to awaken a long dormant return game. The Chiefs haven’t returned a kickoff for a touchdown since 2009 or a punt for a score since McCluster did it in the season-opening game in 2010 against the Chargers. The Chiefs traded one of their main return specialists from the past couple of seasons, Javier Arenas. They have others working in the mix, including wide receiver Devon Wylie. But for the time being, at least, they appear to have settled on McCluster and Davis. McCluster hasn’t had many chances to return punts since his rookie season in part to keep the 5-foot-8, 170-pound McCluster fresh for offensive plays. But the new coaching staff led by Andy Reid doesn’t have that idea. “We’re kind of dusting him off in that area,’’ Toub said. “He has all the skills that you like to see as a punt returner.’’ Davis is an interesting option as a kickoff returner. He hasn’t returned a kick in a live game since he was in high school and was a frequent fumbler at running back last season. But the Chiefs see a fast runner with a big body who could be difficult for opponents to bring down in the open field. “He’s a big guy and he can run (fast),’’ McCluster said. “He just needs a little more repetition and I think he’ll be really good.’’ Reid said Davis has good vision, which is key for a returner. “That position, you want the guys that are willing to hit it up the field,” Reid said. “We’ll see how he does. I’m not saying he’s the guy necessarily right now. But he’s working at it and we’ll see how he does through training camp.’’ Judging from offseason practice, Davis will get plenty of work at running back in the regular season even though Jamaal Charles is the starter. But he said returning kickoffs would be another way for him to contribute. “Any way I can touch the field,’’ he said. “It’s no fun sitting on the sideline. “I like the idea. The biggest difference from college to the league is that here, they want you to catch it forward so you can have that momentum going up the field. “The key is hitting it full speed. But it’s a lot harder to judge it and catch it that way. You’ve got to judge it just right or it will be a big mistake. In college, you can kind of stand there and judge it and catch it on your back leg. I’ve pretty much got it down, for the most part.’’ The Chiefs are withholding judgment on that last part. “We’ve got a long way to go,’’ Toub said. “We’ve got to find out when the (games) start whether this guy will be able to hold on to the ball. That’s going to be the key for him on kickoff return.’’ “There’s a lot for him to learn. It’s a totally different feel (than at running back). He’s got the ball in his hand like at running back but still it’s totally different. It’s about closing the distance. It’s about (getting up the field) real quick. There are a lot of collisions out there. You’ve got guys running 10, 15 yards running full speed at you. There will be a learning curve for him.’’
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06-01-2013, 02:22 PM	#76
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4430478	Ahahahaha Can't even gain a yard ahhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa can't breathe __________________ Chiefs game films
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06-01-2013, 06:02 PM	#78
Ming the Merciless Emporer of Mongo Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Milky Way Casino cash: $2697556	lol @ adam teicher Guys, we have seen mccluster plenty on KO duty......it aint happening. the only possibility is maybe MAYBE give him another shot , at PR.... but he will get his head knocked off..... I mean maybe he was too hesitant in hitting the holes or making that 1st decision, but i swear with pads on he just hasnt shown to be as fast as they say he is....maybe his quickness is there but thats why I say perhaps PR.... I think KR will fail again... __________________ ---- 2018 Adopt-A-Chief : Chris Conley 2017 Adopt-A-Chief : FRANK ZOMBO Click here-->*The Holy Chiefsplanet Lexicon **
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06-01-2013, 06:04 PM	#79
BlackHelicopters Spiraling down the Drain Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Dante's Ninth Circle Casino cash: $2450588	I heard DMC grew 4 inches and added 40 pounds this off season. __________________ "We're both part of the same hypocrisy, Senator, but never think it applies to my family." "Fredo. You are my brother, and I love you. But never take sides against the Family again. Ever." 2019 Adopt a Chief - Travis Kelce #87
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06-01-2013, 09:02 PM	#80
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $3038491 VARSITY	The hope I am holding out for McCluster is the story of Dante Hall. Remember how bad Dante Hall was before Vermeil arrived? With good coaching on special teams, he suddenly became fast and elusive, almost ... say ... an X factor on special teams. __________________ I'm putting random letters here as a celebration of free speech: xigrakgrah misorojeq rkemeseit.
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06-01-2013, 11:48 PM	#84
bevischief .... Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Somewhere Kansas Casino cash: $8659352 VARSITY	No s#$%.
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06-02-2013, 02:56 AM	#85
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4430478	Dante Hall wasn't even given a CHANCE here before Vermeil. Dexter has had plenty of chances. __________________ Chiefs game films
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