Chiefs Devard Darling ready to reclaim starting job - Page 5

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.”

Farzin · 06-09-2009, 07:30 PM

Everyone is acting like the catch against NE was his only one. It was a big play, but he threw in the towel with only a couple yards left on that play.

I personally don't see a lot in him. Mark Bradley came in late during the season and despite his injury that limited him in the second half of the season while being a Chief, he produced more than Darling did in all the games he played in.

Just my two cents..

Ultra Peanut · 06-09-2009, 07:55 PM

DVD owns, **** the haters

wild1 · 06-09-2009, 08:00 PM

I'm curious. Why does Darling have pimps? What reason is there to believe he will ever be anything?

He was a scrub with Baltimore, and then he came here where a guy who was signed off the street thoroughly outplayed him and took his job.

What is the cause for people to be swearing up and down he's a starter in this league? What has he ever shown? Where? Examples? Why does someone think he could get open in the league when he's never demonstrated it? I don't get it. Why pick this guy out on a team full of scrubs? Was he a great college player? Did he do something at some point to make people think he has a lot of upside?

Ultra Peanut · 06-09-2009, 08:10 PM

because he owns, OKAY

Farzin · 06-09-2009, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ultra Peanut

because he owns, OKAY

With Miz being your avatar, I can picture him saying all the things your typing haha.

aturnis · 06-09-2009, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

I'm telling you right now...Darling was completely hamstrung by our reerunus maximus offensive playcalling before we went to the spread. He's waaaaay better than what he showed last year. Haley's gonna find a way to use him. No doubt in my mind.

ReAlLy? I'm pretty sure the was lucky to catch one ball a day at training camp last year. Stop pimping losers!

Ultra Peanut · 06-09-2009, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Farzin

With Miz being your avatar, I can picture him saying all the things your typing haha.

The Miz and I have much in common.

For instance, we are both AWESOME.

Farzin · 06-09-2009, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ultra Peanut

The Miz and I have much in common.

For instance, we are both AWESOME.

Are you both 6-0 against Cena?

wild1 · 06-09-2009, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ultra Peanut

because he owns, OKAY

I am sure he owns many things.

Ultra Peanut · 06-09-2009, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Farzin

Are you both 6-0 against Cena?

Ahem, Miz is 7-0 and also 1-0 against Big Show.

Farzin · 06-09-2009, 09:12 PM

Lol my bad haha

Micjones · 06-09-2009, 09:31 PM

I'm not drinking the Devard Darling Kool-Aid, but did anyone actually watch the play?
Deltha O'Neal, the fleet-footed Deltha O'Neal, had a GREAT angle on the guy.

stlchiefs · 06-09-2009, 10:02 PM

Our "speedy" WR got ran down from behind on a play that should have won the Chiefs the game. He was not fatigued from numerous catches that day and he should have been able to go 70+ yards full speed (Deltha had to right?). They guy didn't succeed at the one strength his own supporters said he excelled at. He's not all that you make him out to be Claythan, give the guy the slot spot if anything.

BarrySPAMAID · 06-10-2009, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stlchiefs

Our "speedy" WR got ran down from behind on a play that should have won the Chiefs the game. He was not fatigued from numerous catches that day and he should have been able to go 70+ yards full speed (Deltha had to right?). They guy didn't succeed at the one strength his own supporters said he excelled at. He's not all that you make him out to be Claythan, give the guy the slot spot if anything.

The slot goes to Engram.

**SAUTO** · 06-10-2009, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

I'm not drinking the Devard Darling Kool-Aid, but did anyone actually watch the play?
Deltha O'Neal, the fleet-footed Deltha O'Neal, had a GREAT angle on the guy.

what about harrison closing fast from directly behind?

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, 07:30 PM	#61
Farzin Host of "The Chiefs Zone" Join Date: Jun 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	Everyone is acting like the catch against NE was his only one. It was a big play, but he threw in the towel with only a couple yards left on that play. I personally don't see a lot in him. Mark Bradley came in late during the season and despite his injury that limited him in the second half of the season while being a Chief, he produced more than Darling did in all the games he played in. Just my two cents.. __________________ http://www.Facebook.com/TheChiefsZone http://Twitter.com/TheChiefsZone TheSportsStuff.com/?cat=20
Posts: 1,307

06-09-2009, 07:55 PM	#62
Ultra Peanut v^V^v^V^v^V^ Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Holland* Casino cash: $10005177	DVD owns, **** the haters __________________
Posts: 39,518

06-09-2009, 08:00 PM	#63
wild1 MVP Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: 31040 Casino cash: $10004900	I'm curious. Why does Darling have pimps? What reason is there to believe he will ever be anything? He was a scrub with Baltimore, and then he came here where a guy who was signed off the street thoroughly outplayed him and took his job. What is the cause for people to be swearing up and down he's a starter in this league? What has he ever shown? Where? Examples? Why does someone think he could get open in the league when he's never demonstrated it? I don't get it. Why pick this guy out on a team full of scrubs? Was he a great college player? Did he do something at some point to make people think he has a lot of upside? Last edited by wild1; 06-09-2009 at 08:09 PM..
Posts: 6,935

06-09-2009, 08:10 PM	#64
Ultra Peanut v^V^v^V^v^V^ Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Holland* Casino cash: $10005177	because he owns, OKAY __________________
Posts: 39,518

06-09-2009, 09:12 PM	#71
Farzin Host of "The Chiefs Zone" Join Date: Jun 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	Lol my bad haha __________________ http://www.Facebook.com/TheChiefsZone http://Twitter.com/TheChiefsZone TheSportsStuff.com/?cat=20
Posts: 1,307

06-09-2009, 09:31 PM	#72
Micjones Whose house? Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: KCMO Casino cash: $10005180	I'm not drinking the Devard Darling Kool-Aid, but did anyone actually watch the play? Deltha O'Neal, the fleet-footed Deltha O'Neal, had a GREAT angle on the guy. __________________ It's like when I'm right I'm right, when I'm wrong I could been right, so I'm still right cause I coulda been wrong.
Posts: 15,344

06-09-2009, 10:02 PM	#73
stlchiefs Veteran Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: St. Loser, MO Casino cash: $10005674	Our "speedy" WR got ran down from behind on a play that should have won the Chiefs the game. He was not fatigued from numerous catches that day and he should have been able to go 70+ yards full speed (Deltha had to right?). They guy didn't succeed at the one strength his own supporters said he excelled at. He's not all that you make him out to be Claythan, give the guy the slot spot if anything.
Posts: 4,160