Chiefs Teicher: Chiefs’ backfield will work together to replace Charles - Page 2

**Tribal Warfare** · 09-23-2011, 04:26 AM

Chiefs’ backfield will work together to replace Charles
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

Le’Ron McClain thought he would have to put aside his desire to be a featured running back over the summer when he signed his one-year contract with the Chiefs.

But Jamaal Charles’ season-ending injury forced the Chiefs to do some shuffling, and now McClain, their fullback, figures in their plans to replace Charles.

They will spread the ball to McClain, Thomas Jones, Dexter McCluster and perhaps even Jackie Battle out of the backfield in Sunday’s game against the Chargers in an attempt to jump-start their ailing offense.

“I’m excited about these guys,” coach Todd Haley said. “We’ve got a good group of running backs. We do have versatility there, which is a good thing.”

McClain and Battle are the power runners. McCluster is small and quick. Jones is the most well-rounded of their backs. The Chiefs will mix and match those abilities to try to regain what they’ve lost now that Charles is out.

“It’s going to take a collective effort,” McCluster said. “We all bring something different to the table.”

McCluster has some breakaway ability, but hasn’t matched Charles in the number of big plays. Charles saved the Chiefs’ season at many points last year with a long run.

None was bigger than a 56-yard touchdown run against the Chargers in the season-opening game. The Chiefs trailed 7-0 at the time. They went on to win the game, and that result set the tone for a successful season.

“This league is about big-play players,” San Diego coach Norv Turner said. “Those are guys that change games. Guys like Jamaal, they break off a 60-yard run, like he did in our first game last year, and it’s an instant score.”

The Chiefs had some running backs in for workouts this week but it’s unclear whether they believe they need to add another runner or whether they’re just doing their homework in the event of another injury.

Even if they sign another back this week, they’ll go to San Diego with the ones they have. Between rushes and pass catches, McCluster had the busiest day of his career last week against the Lions. He had eight carries for 51 yards and caught four passes, totaling negative-2 yards.

He has big-play skills similar to those of Charles. But he’s only 170 pounds and the Chiefs are being careful not to wear him down with a heavy workload.

McCluster has also lost a fumble in each of the last two games while fighting for extra yardage.

“He’s a talented guy but that’s part of being a smart player, knowing when to say when, knowing what you are and what your role is,” Haley said. “He can’t take everybody on every play. That’s something you love about Dexter, but at the same time he needs to and will learn, and I believe he’s learning it. Right now, it’s been under fire and the hard way.”

McCluster said the lesson has already been learned.

“Being a competitor, it’s hard to deal with,” he said. “You always (want) to fight for that extra inch.”

Jones had a streak of five straight 1,000-plus-yard seasons snapped last season. He split the running back carries with Charles but was far less effective.

This year, McCluster is averaging almost 8 yards per carry while Jones is at a lowly 3.1. But as the most versatile of the Chiefs’ backs, he now figures as their main ball carrier.

McClain, who played four seasons with Baltimore before joining the Chiefs this year, wanted to become a featured back and said so as he became a free agent when the lockout ended.

But despite rushing for 902 yards and scoring 10 touchdowns in his one season sharing the featured back spot in 2008, he had no takers other than as a fullback. The Chiefs made it clear McClain was a fullback and thus mainly a blocker, when they signed him.

“I put that behind me when I signed with the Chiefs,” McClain said of his desire to be a featured back.

McClain was in the game for just three plays in the season-opening loss to Buffalo. But he played more last week against Detroit and got the ball six times.

“If they ask me, yes,” McClain said when asked if he still wanted to get the ball. “But the first thing they (said) when I came here is, ‘fullback.’ That’s what I’m doing. We still have Thomas, we still have Dex, we still have Jackie Battle and me to block for them. That’s the goal, that’s what I’m looking forward to.”

Marcellus · 09-23-2011, 09:39 AM

8 YPC bitches!

Rooster · 09-23-2011, 10:19 AM

Tiki Barber seen at KCI.

**Rausch** · 09-23-2011, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rooster

Tiki Barber seen at KCI.

Penis.

It's what's for dinner...

**Rausch** · 09-23-2011, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notorious

This place would implode if Jackie Battle blew his ACL. Total Chaos.

Why the **** is he even on our practice squad?...

durtyrute · 09-23-2011, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

Why the **** is he even on our practice squad?...

Geniousoli knew Charles would have his shit blown up and keep Battle as insurance

**Bob Dole** · 09-23-2011, 10:32 AM

Anyone else get the feeling we'll get to experience a mix, where one back is clearly the best on that particular day, only to see them get 2 more carries because by gawd we are going to use RBBC?

(And then we'll be down by 14 and they'll decide it's time to completely abandon the run and turn it into the Mark Castle show.)

Inspector · 09-23-2011, 12:06 PM

Kimball Anders was buying a house in Leawood last week.

Oh wait, I mean, Kim Anderson was.

That's completely different.

bowener · 09-23-2011, 12:29 PM

Thomas Jones, the most well rounded back...

Speed/agility of a fullback + the size of a halfback = Thomas Jones

09-23-2011, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donkhater

???

Does the Star employ editors at all? How does that quote indicated he has learned his lesson?

You can't crack on grammatical errors while offering grammatical errors of your own. It's not right.

**The Franchise** · 09-23-2011, 12:36 PM

****. Use McClain until we're down by 21.

So.....5 minutes worth of carries.

suds79 · 09-23-2011, 12:36 PM

Eh they can slice it up however they want.

When you go from Jamaals 6+ YPC average down to a I'm guessing 3.6, there's no coming back from that.

Direckshun · 09-23-2011, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pestilence

****. Use McClain until we're down by 21.

So.....5 minutes worth of carries.

Sofa King · 09-23-2011, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pestilence

****. Use McClain until we're down by 21.

So.....5 minutes worth of carries.

There's no guarantee that our offense would even touch the ball during that time either the way McCluster has been handling kicks....

**Easy 6** · 09-24-2011, 06:11 PM

Theres no 'replacing' Charles, a once in a generation type talent, a true track star who actually has the instincts & toughness to play football at the highest level.

Having him on ones team is akin to seeing a snow leopard in the wild, it hurts me even more than losing Berry.

Signed, Still in Mourning.

KCwolf · 09-24-2011, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott free

Theres no 'replacing' Charles, a once in a generation type talent, a true track star who actually has the instincts & toughness to play football at the highest level.

Having him on ones team is akin to seeing a snow leopard in the wild, it hurts me even more than losing Berry.

Signed, Still in Mourning.

Welll Done young man.....well done.

09-23-2011, 04:26 AM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $902813	Teicher: Chiefs’ backfield will work together to replace Charles Chiefs’ backfield will work together to replace Charles By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star Le’Ron McClain thought he would have to put aside his desire to be a featured running back over the summer when he signed his one-year contract with the Chiefs. But Jamaal Charles’ season-ending injury forced the Chiefs to do some shuffling, and now McClain, their fullback, figures in their plans to replace Charles. They will spread the ball to McClain, Thomas Jones, Dexter McCluster and perhaps even Jackie Battle out of the backfield in Sunday’s game against the Chargers in an attempt to jump-start their ailing offense. “I’m excited about these guys,” coach Todd Haley said. “We’ve got a good group of running backs. We do have versatility there, which is a good thing.” McClain and Battle are the power runners. McCluster is small and quick. Jones is the most well-rounded of their backs. The Chiefs will mix and match those abilities to try to regain what they’ve lost now that Charles is out. “It’s going to take a collective effort,” McCluster said. “We all bring something different to the table.” McCluster has some breakaway ability, but hasn’t matched Charles in the number of big plays. Charles saved the Chiefs’ season at many points last year with a long run. None was bigger than a 56-yard touchdown run against the Chargers in the season-opening game. The Chiefs trailed 7-0 at the time. They went on to win the game, and that result set the tone for a successful season. “This league is about big-play players,” San Diego coach Norv Turner said. “Those are guys that change games. Guys like Jamaal, they break off a 60-yard run, like he did in our first game last year, and it’s an instant score.” The Chiefs had some running backs in for workouts this week but it’s unclear whether they believe they need to add another runner or whether they’re just doing their homework in the event of another injury. Even if they sign another back this week, they’ll go to San Diego with the ones they have. Between rushes and pass catches, McCluster had the busiest day of his career last week against the Lions. He had eight carries for 51 yards and caught four passes, totaling negative-2 yards. He has big-play skills similar to those of Charles. But he’s only 170 pounds and the Chiefs are being careful not to wear him down with a heavy workload. McCluster has also lost a fumble in each of the last two games while fighting for extra yardage. “He’s a talented guy but that’s part of being a smart player, knowing when to say when, knowing what you are and what your role is,” Haley said. “He can’t take everybody on every play. That’s something you love about Dexter, but at the same time he needs to and will learn, and I believe he’s learning it. Right now, it’s been under fire and the hard way.” McCluster said the lesson has already been learned. “Being a competitor, it’s hard to deal with,” he said. “You always (want) to fight for that extra inch.” Jones had a streak of five straight 1,000-plus-yard seasons snapped last season. He split the running back carries with Charles but was far less effective. This year, McCluster is averaging almost 8 yards per carry while Jones is at a lowly 3.1. But as the most versatile of the Chiefs’ backs, he now figures as their main ball carrier. McClain, who played four seasons with Baltimore before joining the Chiefs this year, wanted to become a featured back and said so as he became a free agent when the lockout ended. But despite rushing for 902 yards and scoring 10 touchdowns in his one season sharing the featured back spot in 2008, he had no takers other than as a fullback. The Chiefs made it clear McClain was a fullback and thus mainly a blocker, when they signed him. “I put that behind me when I signed with the Chiefs,” McClain said of his desire to be a featured back. McClain was in the game for just three plays in the season-opening loss to Buffalo. But he played more last week against Detroit and got the ball six times. “If they ask me, yes,” McClain said when asked if he still wanted to get the ball. “But the first thing they (said) when I came here is, ‘fullback.’ That’s what I’m doing. We still have Thomas, we still have Dex, we still have Jackie Battle and me to block for them. That’s the goal, that’s what I’m looking forward to.”
Posts: 42,081

09-23-2011, 09:39 AM	#16
Marcellus Diablo Negro Join Date: Sep 2003 Casino cash: $3072662	8 YPC bitches!
Posts: 69,222

09-23-2011, 10:19 AM	#17
Rooster Draft a QB Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: JoCo Casino cash: $9961689	Tiki Barber seen at KCI. __________________ When Reno Hightower was a prick he was the best damn quarterback in the history of Kern County.
Posts: 5,753

09-23-2011, 10:32 AM	#21
Bob Dole King Shit of **** Mountain Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Texarkana, Texas Casino cash: $2574497	Anyone else get the feeling we'll get to experience a mix, where one back is clearly the best on that particular day, only to see them get 2 more carries because by gawd we are going to use RBBC? (And then we'll be down by 14 and they'll decide it's time to completely abandon the run and turn it into the Mark Castle show.)
Posts: 48,549

09-23-2011, 12:06 PM	#22
Inspector MVP Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: K.C. Casino cash: $9924975	Kimball Anders was buying a house in Leawood last week. Oh wait, I mean, Kim Anderson was. That's completely different. __________________ As always, this is IMO.
Posts: 7,907

09-23-2011, 12:29 PM	#23
bowener BAMF! Join Date: Nov 2007 Casino cash: $9549897	Thomas Jones, the most well rounded back... Speed/agility of a fullback + the size of a halfback = Thomas Jones __________________ Main Entry: bowe·ner Pronunciation: \ˈbō-nər\ Function: noun Date: circa 2007
Posts: 8,358

09-23-2011, 12:36 PM	#25
The Franchise Most Valuable Villain Join Date: Dec 2006 Casino cash: $3095047	****. Use McClain until we're down by 21. So.....5 minutes worth of carries.
Posts: 92,187

09-23-2011, 12:36 PM	#26
suds79 MVP Join Date: Sep 2000 Casino cash: $10005036	Eh they can slice it up however they want. When you go from Jamaals 6+ YPC average down to a I'm guessing 3.6, there's no coming back from that.
Posts: 5,747

09-24-2011, 06:11 PM	#29
Easy 6 pie is never free Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: the drivers seat Casino cash: $3717775	Theres no 'replacing' Charles, a once in a generation type talent, a true track star who actually has the instincts & toughness to play football at the highest level. Having him on ones team is akin to seeing a snow leopard in the wild, it hurts me even more than losing Berry. Signed, Still in Mourning.
Posts: 91,717