Chiefs Teicher:Chiefs have catching up to do at wide receiver - Page 4

**Tribal Warfare** · 11-28-2012, 11:10 PM

Chiefs have catching up to do at wide receiver
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
Desperate to find some speed for their feeble offense, the Chiefs turned to a most unlikely source for wide-receiving help before last week’s game against the Denver Broncos.

Bypassing veteran Steve Breaston and fourth-round draft pick Devon Wylie, they turned to Jamar Newsome, who was freshly promoted from the practice squad.

The extent of Newsome’s NFL experience to that point: two games last season with Jacksonville.

It’s come to that for the Chiefs and their passing game. At wide receiver, at least, their choices this season have often been unappetizing: a usually well-covered Dwayne Bowe, a short pass to Dexter McCluster, or the underachieving Jon Baldwin.

It’s little mystery why the Chiefs are last in the league in scoring.

So the Chiefs took a chance with Newsome, a fast receiver who brought some speed to an otherwise plodding position group.

“I don’t think you can say that’s been the only deficiency,” coach Romeo Crennel said. “But that’s one of the things that we deal with — trying to get more speed on the field — because teams have been kind of pressing us a little bit. When you press, (receivers) aren’t open right away, and so now the quarterback has to hold the ball and the line has to protect longer. If you have some speed on the field, you have a chance to beat the press and get guys off you a little bit.”

Newsome didn’t make much of an impact, catching one pass for 10 yards against Denver. But he could be involved again Sunday when the Chiefs play against Carolina at Arrowhead Stadium.

Wylie might be, too. McCluster, who showed symptoms of a concussion after the Broncos game, didn’t practice Wednesday, though Crennel said McCluster has been cleared by doctors to play.

The Chiefs have nothing to lose by going with youth at wide receiver. They thought the position would be one of strength going into the season.

Instead, it has been inhabited by some of their biggest underachievers. McCluster’s longest catch this season is 26 yards. Breaston, after catching 61 passes last year, has seven receptions this season. Wylie hasn’t caught any passes.

But none of the Chiefs’ receivers are falling short of expectations like Baldwin, who was the star of offseason and training camp practices but has just 16 catches and no touchdowns through 11 games.

“As a receiver, you always want to make plays,” Baldwin said. “All I can do right now is keep working and just be ready when the opportunity presents itself.

“Receiver is a position where you know you’re not going to get the ball every play. It comes in flurries. All you can do at practice is keep preparing the same way, so when you do get the opportunity, you’re not stunned. You’re already prepared.”

Crennel wouldn’t go near a question about whether Baldwin was this season’s biggest disappointment.

“Everybody takes a role in this offense, and the offense as a whole hasn’t been as good as we want it to be, or need it to be, to win games,” Crennel said. “And this team hasn’t been as good as we want it to be, or need it to be, to win games. I’m not putting it on one guy. He’s going to be out there, and if the ball comes, we expect him to make the play. I cannot guarantee the ball is going to him. What I’ve found out is that if you make the play, the ball will go to you more.

“He hasn’t gotten as many opportunities, and if you look at Jon, he tried during the course of the game. He was open on one play, but Brady (Quinn) went the other way. If he would have gone to Jon, it might have been a touchdown. As coverages develop, as things develop in the game, the quarterback goes from one side to the other side and they just haven’t been going to him as much.”

The Chiefs started the season getting some big passing plays. They had 10 pass plays of 20 yards or longer in their first two games.

But they’ve had just 17 such plays over the last nine games. Last week, Denver had five of them and the Chiefs just one, a 21-yard catch-and-run by tight end Tony Moeaki.

That’s the only play of 20-plus yard in Quinn’s two starts at quarterback.

“They’re doing a good job getting open and doing their assignments,” Quinn said, taking blame for the problem. “It’s up to me as a quarterback to give them a good ball.”

As long as the other receivers are struggling to catch passes for significant yardage, the Chiefs will look for help in players like Newsome. He was signed to the practice squad late last season, went to camp with the Chiefs this year and spent the first 11 weeks of this season on the practice squad.

“I’ve been practicing with the offense for a while even though I was on the practice squad,” Newsome said. “I’ve been practicing, and the coaches know I have a lot of talent and I’m a smart player. I think they realized that maybe it was time to allow me the chance to do something.”

**notorious** · 11-29-2012, 10:50 AM

Bowe and Breaston are the only WR's worth a **** on this team.

It would be nice to have a REAL #1 that comes up big during big moments.

Sorter · 11-29-2012, 10:56 AM

While I seriously doubt that Breaston, DMC, Wylie, or Baldwin are elite talents, you see competent (not even elite) QBs making their receivers better.

keg in kc · 11-29-2012, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notorious

It would be nice to have a REAL #1 that comes up big during big moments.

It would be nice to have a team that has big moments for players to come up big in.

**Iowanian** · 11-29-2012, 11:05 AM

What Romeo is saying doesn't make sense.

When coaches talk about the need for big, physical WRs it is to beat press and man coverage. One of the knocks on smaller speed receivers is usually that they have trouble getting off of the line versus physical corners. Baldwin and Bowe are both physically large and strong. Maybe the team needs to look at who is NOT working with the WRs effectively.

As for Breaston, I don't understand it. He's rarely seen the field this year after success last year. When he's been on the field, he's made plays. The coaches obviously have an issue with him, but I don't see it being his play when he's been in the games.

The glaring deficiency is QUARTERBACK. A good quarterback, who can find open WRs and actually make those throws would make this group look pretty good imo.

They're right about one thing though, with this record, there is ZERO reason to continue to play vets that won't be here next year when there are young players that need to get some experience to find out what they have in them.

**bevischief** · 11-29-2012, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pestilence

Give Bowe, Baldwin and Breaston a real QB and OC and they'd be lighting it up.

This.

**notorious** · 11-29-2012, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

It would be nice to have a team.

Fyp

htismaqe · 11-29-2012, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sorter

While I seriously doubt that Breaston, DMC, Wylie, or Baldwin are elite talents, you see competent (not even elite) QBs making their receivers better.

Are Lance Moore or Pierre Garcon elite talents? How about Randall Cobb?

Great QBs make WRs better.

**The Franchise** · 11-29-2012, 11:21 AM

Jonathan Baldwin's upside is Demaryius Thomas. Look at what Peyton Manning has done with him.

Sorter · 11-29-2012, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Are Lance Moore or Pierre Garcon elite talents? How about Randall Cobb?

Great QBs make WRs better.

That is what I said

Although I do think Cobb has a chance to be really special. Harvin minus migraines.

Also think Lance Moore is criminally underrated.

htismaqe · 11-29-2012, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sorter

That is what I said

Although I do think Cobb has a chance to be really special. Harvin minus migraines.

Also think Lance Moore is criminally underrated.

I'm just sayin.

Marques Colston isn't "elite" without Drew Brees. Jordy ****ing Nelson isn't "elite" without Rodgers.

There's VERY few elite WRs that don't play with elite or borderline elite QBs. In fact, the only one I can think of off the top of my head is Andre Johnson.

keg in kc · 11-29-2012, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

I'm just sayin.

Marques Colston isn't "elite" without Drew Brees. Jordy ****ing Nelson isn't "elite" without Rodgers.

There's VERY few elite WRs that don't play with elite or borderline elite QBs. In fact, the only one I can think of off the top of my head is Andre Johnson.

Fitz...

Sorter · 11-29-2012, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

I'm just sayin.

Marques Colston isn't "elite" without Drew Brees. Jordy ****ing Nelson isn't "elite" without Rodgers.

There's VERY few elite WRs that don't play with elite or borderline elite QBs. In fact, the only one I can think of off the top of my head is Andre Johnson.

Honestly, the best WR with the worst QB has got to be Bowe.

Sorter · 11-29-2012, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

Fitz...

Not sure how I forgot about Larry.

htismaqe · 11-29-2012, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

Fitz...

Yeah, I thought of him right after I posted it.

That being said, can you think of even 1 more? I can't.

Mr. Laz · 11-29-2012, 12:44 PM

Bowe's inability to get consistent separation is probably why he doesn't have a new contract already.

Bowe thinks he's Calvin Johnson
Chiefs think he's Keyshawn Johnson

11-28-2012, 11:10 PM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $602813	Teicher:Chiefs have catching up to do at wide receiver Chiefs have catching up to do at wide receiver By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star Desperate to find some speed for their feeble offense, the Chiefs turned to a most unlikely source for wide-receiving help before last week’s game against the Denver Broncos. Bypassing veteran Steve Breaston and fourth-round draft pick Devon Wylie, they turned to Jamar Newsome, who was freshly promoted from the practice squad. The extent of Newsome’s NFL experience to that point: two games last season with Jacksonville. It’s come to that for the Chiefs and their passing game. At wide receiver, at least, their choices this season have often been unappetizing: a usually well-covered Dwayne Bowe, a short pass to Dexter McCluster, or the underachieving Jon Baldwin. It’s little mystery why the Chiefs are last in the league in scoring. So the Chiefs took a chance with Newsome, a fast receiver who brought some speed to an otherwise plodding position group. “I don’t think you can say that’s been the only deficiency,” coach Romeo Crennel said. “But that’s one of the things that we deal with — trying to get more speed on the field — because teams have been kind of pressing us a little bit. When you press, (receivers) aren’t open right away, and so now the quarterback has to hold the ball and the line has to protect longer. If you have some speed on the field, you have a chance to beat the press and get guys off you a little bit.” Newsome didn’t make much of an impact, catching one pass for 10 yards against Denver. But he could be involved again Sunday when the Chiefs play against Carolina at Arrowhead Stadium. Wylie might be, too. McCluster, who showed symptoms of a concussion after the Broncos game, didn’t practice Wednesday, though Crennel said McCluster has been cleared by doctors to play. The Chiefs have nothing to lose by going with youth at wide receiver. They thought the position would be one of strength going into the season. Instead, it has been inhabited by some of their biggest underachievers. McCluster’s longest catch this season is 26 yards. Breaston, after catching 61 passes last year, has seven receptions this season. Wylie hasn’t caught any passes. But none of the Chiefs’ receivers are falling short of expectations like Baldwin, who was the star of offseason and training camp practices but has just 16 catches and no touchdowns through 11 games. “As a receiver, you always want to make plays,” Baldwin said. “All I can do right now is keep working and just be ready when the opportunity presents itself. “Receiver is a position where you know you’re not going to get the ball every play. It comes in flurries. All you can do at practice is keep preparing the same way, so when you do get the opportunity, you’re not stunned. You’re already prepared.” Crennel wouldn’t go near a question about whether Baldwin was this season’s biggest disappointment. “Everybody takes a role in this offense, and the offense as a whole hasn’t been as good as we want it to be, or need it to be, to win games,” Crennel said. “And this team hasn’t been as good as we want it to be, or need it to be, to win games. I’m not putting it on one guy. He’s going to be out there, and if the ball comes, we expect him to make the play. I cannot guarantee the ball is going to him. What I’ve found out is that if you make the play, the ball will go to you more. “He hasn’t gotten as many opportunities, and if you look at Jon, he tried during the course of the game. He was open on one play, but Brady (Quinn) went the other way. If he would have gone to Jon, it might have been a touchdown. As coverages develop, as things develop in the game, the quarterback goes from one side to the other side and they just haven’t been going to him as much.” The Chiefs started the season getting some big passing plays. They had 10 pass plays of 20 yards or longer in their first two games. But they’ve had just 17 such plays over the last nine games. Last week, Denver had five of them and the Chiefs just one, a 21-yard catch-and-run by tight end Tony Moeaki. That’s the only play of 20-plus yard in Quinn’s two starts at quarterback. “They’re doing a good job getting open and doing their assignments,” Quinn said, taking blame for the problem. “It’s up to me as a quarterback to give them a good ball.” As long as the other receivers are struggling to catch passes for significant yardage, the Chiefs will look for help in players like Newsome. He was signed to the practice squad late last season, went to camp with the Chiefs this year and spent the first 11 weeks of this season on the practice squad. “I’ve been practicing with the offense for a while even though I was on the practice squad,” Newsome said. “I’ve been practicing, and the coaches know I have a lot of talent and I’m a smart player. I think they realized that maybe it was time to allow me the chance to do something.”
Posts: 42,161

11-29-2012, 10:50 AM	#46
notorious Supporter Join Date: May 2005 Location: Who knows? Casino cash: $2615884	Bowe and Breaston are the only WR's worth a **** on this team. It would be nice to have a REAL #1 that comes up big during big moments.
Posts: 83,564

11-29-2012, 11:05 AM	#49
Iowanian Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Utopia Casino cash: $4638454	What Romeo is saying doesn't make sense. When coaches talk about the need for big, physical WRs it is to beat press and man coverage. One of the knocks on smaller speed receivers is usually that they have trouble getting off of the line versus physical corners. Baldwin and Bowe are both physically large and strong. Maybe the team needs to look at who is NOT working with the WRs effectively. As for Breaston, I don't understand it. He's rarely seen the field this year after success last year. When he's been on the field, he's made plays. The coaches obviously have an issue with him, but I don't see it being his play when he's been in the games. The glaring deficiency is QUARTERBACK. A good quarterback, who can find open WRs and actually make those throws would make this group look pretty good imo. They're right about one thing though, with this record, there is ZERO reason to continue to play vets that won't be here next year when there are young players that need to get some experience to find out what they have in them.
Posts: 61,556

11-29-2012, 11:21 AM	#53
The Franchise Most Valuable Villain Join Date: Dec 2006 Casino cash: $2795047	Jonathan Baldwin's upside is Demaryius Thomas. Look at what Peyton Manning has done with him.
Posts: 92,298

11-29-2012, 12:44 PM	#60
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	Bowe's inability to get consistent separation is probably why he doesn't have a new contract already. Bowe thinks he's Calvin Johnson Chiefs think he's Keyshawn Johnson __________________
Posts: 95,626