Chiefs Devard Darling ready to reclaim starting job - Page 3

Hammock Parties · 06-09-2009, 12:51 PM

Recognize the talent and wait for the DVD revolution.

http://www.bobgretz.com/chiefs-footb...%99chiefs.html

Darling Chases Starting Spot … Tuesday Cup O’Chiefs

Todd Haley says there are no starting jobs assured on the 2009 Chiefs right now.

That’s OK with Devard Darling. He’s more than willing to keep working for a starting job. He’s just excited that right now, he’s running with the first team offense as the other receiver with Dwayne Bowe.

It was Bowe who got all the attention on Monday as the Chiefs started another week of OTA workouts. Haley talked about Bowe, and then the wide receiver spoke to the media, something he’s done very little of during this off-season.

On the other side of the room was the team’s other starting receiver – at least for now. As always, Darling did not draw a lot of attention. It’s probably one of the biggest surprises of the new season so far that a guy considered an unrestricted free agent bust last year, has pushed himself into the mix in the Chiefs offense. A starting job in June does not mean he goes back to Baltimore in September and takes the field for the first offensive play.

But right now, Darling is getting the chance to build rapport with QB Matt Cassel, thanks to those reps with the first team.

“I’m excited about the opportunity,” Darling said. “It’s too early to think things are set. There’s a lot of work left to do, then training camp. I’m just going out and working as hard as I can every day that I’m here. That’s what I’ve done through this whole off-season and that’s what I’m going to continue to do.”

In a Chiefs passing game that has struggled in the last week or so to get things done, Darling has been very consistent and very productive.

“You hear from the coaches all the time that they are evaluating,” said Darling. “So I try to take advantage of every opportunity that comes my way.”

People forget that Darling started last year in the Chiefs offense. It was a spot he held for the first five games of the season. He caught just four passes in those games and the only one to remember was the 68-yard play where he split the Patriots defense in the fourth quarter and gave the Chiefs a chance to beat New England. Right after Darling catch and run, Bowe dropped a TD pass in the end zone and the Chiefs racked up the first of their 14 defeats.

That play should have been Darling’s ticket to more action in the Chiefs offense. But something got in his way. First, it was the problems at quarterback and first Brodie Croyle and then Damon Huard were injured. Through the first five weeks, Darling caught just four passes, none longer than 11 yards.

That’s when Darling lost his starting job, as Mark Bradley advanced to the first unit after being signed off the waiver wire. Darling did not start again until Bradley was injured late in the season.

And it was in the last month that Tyler Thigpen found him again, as Darling caught seven passes in the final three games, including a 33-yard TD catch against Miami.

So what happened between the 68-yarder against the Patriots and the 33-yard catch against the Dolphins? Darling would like to know.

“I can’t really tell you what happened,” he said. “Nobody ever said anything to me. I didn’t get a lot of opportunities.”

Darling ended the season with 17 catches for 247 yards and one touchdown. Those numbers were all less than what he’d done in the 2007 season with Baltimore (18 for 326 and 3 TDs.) He did contribute 11 special teams tackles last season, which was second on the team.

“It was a bad year, the worst season I was part of in my career,” Darling said. “It wasn’t just that I didn’t get a chance in the offense. It was the losing. It was just awful.”

Like everyone else that returns from the 2-14 debacle, Darling is looking for an opportunity to wash that sour taste out of his mouth.

“We have a chance to overcome that,” said Darling. “That’s what I’m trying to do. I’m trying to get better every day and help this team win some games.”

JuicesFlowing · 06-09-2009, 03:10 PM

Mandatory "Who the **** is Devard Darling?"

**SAUTO** · 06-09-2009, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pestilence

Who then?

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-h...-Patriots-2008

Deltha O'Neil

ooops another speedster, after hearing all through TC just how fast DVD was from clay.

redsurfer11 · 06-09-2009, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MGRS13

please please please don't do this again claythan. I mean come on didn't you learn any thing last year? Devard "football jesus" Darling can't play. please attach your self to some other never will be as opposed to the same one you mouth humped all of last year.

Shake,Shake,Shake. Squirt,Squirt,Squirt.

Titty Meat · 06-09-2009, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

He can play. It's not like he was dropping passes. He just needs an opportunity. He got a raw deal last year.

Yea he was only the starter for half the season before they picked up a draft bust who outplayed him

Hammock Parties · 06-09-2009, 03:18 PM

O'Neal is actually quite fast.

-King- · 06-09-2009, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

O'Neal is actually quite fast.

....10 years ago. The guy was 32. A wr should not get caught like that by a 32 year old nickelback.
Posted via Mobile Device

Farzin · 06-09-2009, 03:37 PM

Darling won't make much of an impact.

Just Passin' By · 06-09-2009, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KcChiefsKing

....10 years ago. The guy was 32. A wr should not get caught like that by a 32 year old nickelback.
Posted via Mobile Device

Champ Bailey got caught by Benjamin Watson some time back, and Bo Jackson was once caught from behind. Between angles and fatigue, it happens.

**The Bad Guy** · 06-09-2009, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pestilence

Seriously?

He had to run the whole length of the field? He got caught by Rodney Harrison! That's like getting caught by a fast offensive lineman.

The length that some people go is pathetic.

It's truly like mental reerunation spreads on that board.

I've never seen a more fitting name on anyone. No one drinks the Kool Aid more than that poster.

If anything, the WR should have been far more fresh than the 200 year old safety who never had speed to begin with.

What was so spectacular about running a seam route down the field wide open?

**SAUTO** · 06-09-2009, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Passin' By

Champ Bailey got caught by Benjamin Watson some time back, and Bo Jackson was once caught from behind. Between angles and fatigue, it happens.

fatigue??? IIRC it was the only pass he caught

Just Passin' By · 06-09-2009, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

fatigue??? IIRC it was the only pass he caught

I wasn't referring to any particular play. I was just noting that it happens. Also, it's not as if O'Neal can't run at all. His (O'Neal's) problem isn't that he's slow. His problem is that he sucks.

Hammock Parties · 06-09-2009, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

fatigue??? IIRC it was the only pass he caught

It's called "running out of gas."

chiefzilla1501 · 06-09-2009, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

He'd get open in a pro-style offense. That gimmicky spread stuff doesn't even require a quarterback to read the whole field half the time.

Claythan, you raise an interesting point, but you can clearly see that Thigpen was a much different QB with Bradley in the game than when he wasn't.

I don't know if Bradley's playing w/the second time because of health issues. But he clearly outplayed Darling last year. And given that Haley likes the shotgun offense and that Cassel operated out of it quite a bit last year, I don't think as much will change in the offensive approach as you might think. At least not in a way that will affect Darling's play.

Hammock Parties · 06-09-2009, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

Claythan, you raise an interesting point, but you can clearly see that Thigpen was a much different QB with Bradley in the game than when he wasn't.

I don't know if Bradley's playing w/the second time because of health issues. But he clearly outplayed Darling last year. And given that Haley likes the shotgun offense and that Cassel operated out of it quite a bit last year, I don't think as much will change in the offensive approach as you might think. At least not in a way that will affect Darling's play.

Just because the quarterback in the shotgun does not mean it is the same offense. Or even remotely the same. I have explained this over and over.

I don't believe Darling was even given a chance when they switched the offense last year.

**SAUTO** · 06-09-2009, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

It's called "running out of gas."

well after all the bullshit YOU threw at this board about DVD i would expect much more. the guy cant run hard for 100 yards?

06-09-2009, 12:51 PM
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4390478	Devard Darling ready to reclaim starting job Recognize the talent and wait for the DVD revolution. http://www.bobgretz.com/chiefs-footb...%99chiefs.html Darling Chases Starting Spot … Tuesday Cup O’Chiefs Todd Haley says there are no starting jobs assured on the 2009 Chiefs right now. That’s OK with Devard Darling. He’s more than willing to keep working for a starting job. He’s just excited that right now, he’s running with the first team offense as the other receiver with Dwayne Bowe. It was Bowe who got all the attention on Monday as the Chiefs started another week of OTA workouts. Haley talked about Bowe, and then the wide receiver spoke to the media, something he’s done very little of during this off-season. On the other side of the room was the team’s other starting receiver – at least for now. As always, Darling did not draw a lot of attention. It’s probably one of the biggest surprises of the new season so far that a guy considered an unrestricted free agent bust last year, has pushed himself into the mix in the Chiefs offense. A starting job in June does not mean he goes back to Baltimore in September and takes the field for the first offensive play. But right now, Darling is getting the chance to build rapport with QB Matt Cassel, thanks to those reps with the first team. “I’m excited about the opportunity,” Darling said. “It’s too early to think things are set. There’s a lot of work left to do, then training camp. I’m just going out and working as hard as I can every day that I’m here. That’s what I’ve done through this whole off-season and that’s what I’m going to continue to do.” In a Chiefs passing game that has struggled in the last week or so to get things done, Darling has been very consistent and very productive. “You hear from the coaches all the time that they are evaluating,” said Darling. “So I try to take advantage of every opportunity that comes my way.” People forget that Darling started last year in the Chiefs offense. It was a spot he held for the first five games of the season. He caught just four passes in those games and the only one to remember was the 68-yard play where he split the Patriots defense in the fourth quarter and gave the Chiefs a chance to beat New England. Right after Darling catch and run, Bowe dropped a TD pass in the end zone and the Chiefs racked up the first of their 14 defeats. That play should have been Darling’s ticket to more action in the Chiefs offense. But something got in his way. First, it was the problems at quarterback and first Brodie Croyle and then Damon Huard were injured. Through the first five weeks, Darling caught just four passes, none longer than 11 yards. That’s when Darling lost his starting job, as Mark Bradley advanced to the first unit after being signed off the waiver wire. Darling did not start again until Bradley was injured late in the season. And it was in the last month that Tyler Thigpen found him again, as Darling caught seven passes in the final three games, including a 33-yard TD catch against Miami. So what happened between the 68-yarder against the Patriots and the 33-yard catch against the Dolphins? Darling would like to know. “I can’t really tell you what happened,” he said. “Nobody ever said anything to me. I didn’t get a lot of opportunities.” Darling ended the season with 17 catches for 247 yards and one touchdown. Those numbers were all less than what he’d done in the 2007 season with Baltimore (18 for 326 and 3 TDs.) He did contribute 11 special teams tackles last season, which was second on the team. “It was a bad year, the worst season I was part of in my career,” Darling said. “It wasn’t just that I didn’t get a chance in the offense. It was the losing. It was just awful.” Like everyone else that returns from the 2-14 debacle, Darling is looking for an opportunity to wash that sour taste out of his mouth. “We have a chance to overcome that,” said Darling. “That’s what I’m trying to do. I’m trying to get better every day and help this team win some games.”
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06-09-2009, 03:10 PM	#31
JuicesFlowing Losing with passion. Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Oblivion Casino cash: $10004925	Mandatory "Who the **** is Devard Darling?"
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06-09-2009, 03:18 PM	#35
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4390478	O'Neal is actually quite fast. __________________ Chiefs game films
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06-09-2009, 03:37 PM	#37
Farzin Host of "The Chiefs Zone" Join Date: Jun 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	Darling won't make much of an impact. __________________ http://www.Facebook.com/TheChiefsZone http://Twitter.com/TheChiefsZone TheSportsStuff.com/?cat=20
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