Chiefs Chiefs’ McCluster has potential but still seeks his niche - Page 4

**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.”

Pasta Little Brioni · 08-06-2012, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

of course it was....

Kid's got more excuses than anyone I've ever seen.

jspchief · 08-06-2012, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

I dont get the over done criticism of this guy? Is he perfect? No. He wasnt drafted to be a franchise "cornerstone". He was a better pick than alot of Carls 2nd rounders like Mike Cloud, Junior Siavii and Kris Wilson.

At least we get production from him and the occasional big play. He pretty much was the single reason we almost won the Raiders game at the end last year.

Hes not perfect but neither does he deserves all the crap alot of you guys heap upon him. Its tired.

Using a 2nd round pick on a gimmick type player, and it turns out all his gimmicky stuff doesn't really translate to the NFL very well.

He's not an all out bust like Siavii. And what he did last year is probably enough to buy him more time. But as someone else said, it turns out he's not that fast, not that elusive, and not that powerful. He may be a jack of all trades, but it's reasonable that he could be replaced with masters of individual trades.

I think I said it last year. If he finds his vision, he can probably be a good player. I do think he has the athleticism to make people miss. He just hasn't shown the vision and timing for it.

**RealSNR** · 08-06-2012, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

You are kind of the same way, The more you post the less effective you are with your credibility...

McCluster clowned you last year. I am sure he will do it again this year. Mr Welcher...

Too bad McCluster hasn't "clowned" any football player since the entire San Diego special teams in the 2010 opening game.

Since then he's been a huge wet fart.

Hammock Parties · 08-06-2012, 09:35 AM

He's not so much of a "jack of all trades" as a "jackoff of all trades."

lcarus · 08-06-2012, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning

He's not so much of a "jack of all trades" as a "jackoff of all trades."

Dude, your hatred for Cassel is more than warranted and I applaud you for it, but I think you hate McCluster a too much. He isn't bad.

Hammock Parties · 08-06-2012, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lcarus

Dude, your hatred for Cassel is more than warranted and I applaud you for it, but I think you hate McCluster a too much. He isn't bad.

We could find just about anyone to do what he does, man.

He's unspecial.

lcarus · 08-06-2012, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning

We could find just about anyone to do what he does, man.

He's unspecial.

I agree that he's not special and that we drafted him too high, but I still think he can be a good role player on our team. As long as he just doesn't get the ball too much I'm fine with it.

Sofa King · 08-06-2012, 09:44 AM

I just wish McCluster would find the damn weight room.

Sofa King · 08-06-2012, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lcarus

I agree that he's not special and that we drafted him too high, but I still think he can be a good role player on our team. As long as he just doesn't get the ball too much I'm fine with it.

Soooooo.... As long as said football player doesn't touch the football, you're good with it???

What ****ing sense does that make?

**the Talking Can** · 08-06-2012, 09:45 AM

using the #36th pick on a #4 WR/RB was smart...

lcarus · 08-06-2012, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hulk Hogan

Soooooo.... As long as said football player doesn't touch the football, you're good with it???

What ****ing sense does that make?

I think he serves a role on the team, but I don't want him getting the ball TOO much. How does that not make sense? I don't want him taking away from Charles or Hillis, but the occasional touches are fine. As long as they don't treat him like he's the second coming of Reggie Bush or Darren Sproles and give him the ball 15 times a game I'm ok with him.

**RealSNR** · 08-06-2012, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lcarus

I think he serves a role on the team, but I don't want him getting the ball TOO much. How does that not make sense? I don't want him taking away from Charles or Hillis, but the occasional touches are fine. As long as they don't treat him like he's the second coming of Reggie Bush or Darren Sproles and give him the ball 15 times a game I'm ok with him.

That's not how the team will treat him and you ****ing know it.

The past two years we've had to suffer through all these plays drawn up with the sole purpose of getting the ball into McCluster's hands, and 97% of them are underwhelming garbage. And the hilarious part is that all these plays we're drawing up would be perfect for a RB with incredible field speed and who possesses perhaps the best vision in the entire NFL. Someone with moves, who makes defenders miss all the time, and who can fit through tiny holes or break one deep when he gets into open space.

Someone like JAMAAL ****ING CHARLES.

**loochy** · 08-06-2012, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SNR

That's not how the team will treat him and you ****ing know it.

The past two years we've had to suffer through all these plays drawn up with the sole purpose of getting the ball into McCluster's hands, and 97% of them are underwhelming garbage. And the hilarious part is that all these plays we're drawing up would be perfect for a RB with incredible field speed and who possesses perhaps the best vision in the entire NFL. Someone with moves, who makes defenders miss all the time, and who can fit through tiny holes or break one deep when he gets into open space.

Someone like JAMAAL ****ING CHARLES.

So you're saying that on every single 3rd and long we should run a draw to Jamaal Charles?

jspchief · 08-06-2012, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning

We could find just about anyone to do what he does, man.

He's unspecial.

Pretty much.

**RealSNR** · 08-06-2012, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Ultimate Warrior

So you're saying that on every single 3rd and long we should run a draw to Jamaal Charles?

Better than running a draw to ****stick Mcone who sucks the penis

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, 09:35 AM	#49
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $860478	He's not so much of a "jack of all trades" as a "jackoff of all trades." __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 297,229

08-06-2012, 09:44 AM	#53
Sofa King Bump it Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: South Dakota Casino cash: $-340000 VARSITY	I just wish McCluster would find the damn weight room.
Posts: 23,465

08-06-2012, 09:45 AM	#55
the Talking Can Supporter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: street Casino cash: $9222208	using the #36th pick on a #4 WR/RB was smart... __________________ Clark Hunt: "Thank god for the Dominican pool boy"
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