Chiefs Chiefs’ McCluster has potential but still seeks his niche - Page 10

**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.”

Reerun_KC · 08-06-2012, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hulk Hogan

I want to see a gif of a dolphin landing a Boeing 747 on the moon.

You HAVE to find it now since i requested it.

this is the best I can come up with...

jspchief · 08-06-2012, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simplicity

Okay that was just dumb... Just no, stop trying.

I've been calling him that for probably a year now, so yeah. No.

Reerun_KC · 08-06-2012, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

I've been calling him that for probably a year now, so yeah. No.

all I know and really care about Dexter is he got enough touches to be right.

They can trade him, **** him, use him as a tampon, pick him up and kill Stanzi with him, I dont care...

Just ****ing win something meaningful for a change.

jspchief · 08-06-2012, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

all I know and really care about Dexter is he got enough touches to be right.

They can trade him, **** him, use him as a tampon, pick him up and kill Stanzi with him, I dont care...

Just ****ing win something meaningful for a change.

I just don't want to see a concerted effort to make him fit into our offense. This isn't like a Josh Cribbs scenario, where the talent is so explosive you have to find ways to get the ball in his hands.

If he pans out as a WR, fine. But so far he hasn't been the match-up nightmare that he was supposed to be. He's serviceable albeit mediocre as a backup RB. He's not going to be overly fast as a WR. If the guy is our #4 WR, then he should only be on the field for plays that call for 4 WRs. I don't want to go into every game with the idea that we need to get X number of Dex touches as part of the gameplan.

Reerun_KC · 08-06-2012, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

I just don't want to see a concerted effort to make him fit into our offense. This isn't like a Josh Cribbs scenario, where the talent is so explosive you have to find ways to get the ball in his hands.

If he pans out as a WR, fine. But so far he hasn't been the match-up nightmare that he was supposed to be. He's serviceable albeit mediocre as a backup RB. He's not going to be overly fast as a WR. If the guy is our #4 WR, then he should only be on the field for plays that call for 4 WRs. I don't want to go into every game with the idea that we need to get X number of Dex touches as part of the gameplan.

Which from the looks of start of last season, that was the plan until Jamaal went down and the injuries piled up.

**RealSNR** · 08-06-2012, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

awe poor little baby...

Shouldnt you be back to your message board messiah threads by now?

Oh noes! I got hit by your "Oh shit how do I respond to this? Uhh... I'll just call him a baby!"

Reerun_KC · 08-06-2012, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SNR

Oh noes! I got hit by your "Oh shit how do I respond to this? Uhh... I'll just call him a baby!"

I am enjoying your meltdown over this... Please continue...

**RealSNR** · 08-06-2012, 03:32 PM

Now I'm having a meltdown, apparently.

I would call you a troll and walk away, but you're far too stupid to be trolling.

Reerun_KC · 08-06-2012, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SNR

Now I'm having a meltdown, apparently.

I would call you a troll and walk away, but you're far too stupid to be trolling.

Shit you have been trolling me for two pages... But I find it humerous and cant help but laugh at you buddy...

Of course, the only thing you can do is call someone stupid and reeruned, I would take it to heart if you were an adult, but until then, I just laugh at you.

**RealSNR** · 08-06-2012, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

Shit you have been trolling me for two pages... But I find it humerous and cant help but laugh at you buddy...

Of course, the only thing you can do is call someone stupid and reeruned, I would take it to heart if you were an adult, but until then, I just laugh at you.

Not quite. I explained WHY something you said was stupid and reeruned awhile ago.

Then you conveniently ignored my charges and called me a crybaby because you had nothing.

Christ, at least when petegz28 acts reeruned he's happy-go-lucky about it. When you do it, you act like the turnip truck guard who thinks he's the commanding general of the army.

Reerun_KC · 08-06-2012, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SNR

Not quite. I explained WHY something you said was stupid and reeruned awhile ago.

Then you conveniently ignored my charges and called me a crybaby because you had nothing.

Christ, at least when petegz28 acts reeruned he's happy-go-lucky about it. When you do it, you act like the turnip truck guard who thinks he's the commanding general of the army.

I called you a cry baby, because you are acting like one... YOUR charges can kiss my ass, Dexters ass, Cassels ass and Stanzi's ballsack.

This totally making my day, watching you meltdown is priceless...

**RealSNR** · 08-06-2012, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

I called you a cry baby, because you are acting like one

Explain?

Reerun_KC · 08-06-2012, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SNR

Explain?

You are the one following me around freaking out about why I asked for JC's fumble in the horrific playoff loss.

Then wrestle boy played goofy and didnt remember it. You paniced

From that point on you have been so hell bent on why Jamaal fumbled in the playoff game.

Is it really that big of a deal? Shit the whole team was ass. Jamaals fumble didnt help any. Neither did Cassels play, or DEX/2.0 fumbles... Or the fact that Crennels defense was pure garbage.

None of it really matters, its going on 2 season ago. Everyone around here has selective memory when it comes to the players they like or dont like or hate because of Pioli or draft postion, etc.

Right now Cassel and Dex are the flavor of the month. The message board messiah sucks, so people are looking for other shit to bitch about.

Josh007 · 08-06-2012, 04:02 PM

After that TD return against SD on MNF I thought he would be a star by now. Hope he has a big season.

**RealSNR** · 08-06-2012, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

You are the one following me around freaking out about why I asked for JC's fumble in the horrific playoff loss.

From that point on you have been so hell bent on why Jamaal fumbled in the playoff game.

Wrong. If I'm freaking out about anything, it's that somebody can be as stupid as you.

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, 04:02 PM	#149
Josh007 Rookie Join Date: Jul 2012 Casino cash: $10004900	After that TD return against SD on MNF I thought he would be a star by now. Hope he has a big season.
Posts: 17