Chiefs Covitz: Wade wastes no time contributing to Chiefs

**Tribal Warfare** · 09-20-2009, 11:00 PM

Wade wastes no time contributing to Chiefs
By RANDY COVITZ
The Kansas City Star

Yes, kids, Chiefs wide receiver Bobby Wade is living proof that late-night cramming pays off.

Wade, who signed with the Chiefs earlier last week, had five days to learn formations, terminology and nuances of two quarterbacks before taking the field Sunday against the Oakland Raiders.

Little did Wade imagine he would become quarterback Matt Cassel’s go-to guy as well as the Chiefs’ punt returner in a 13-10 loss to Oakland.

Wade, a seven-year veteran who was surprisingly released by the Minnesota Vikings in the final roster reduction, caught six passes for a team-leading 72 yards in addition to returning six punts for a 9.5-yard average.

“It’s just about opportunities,” said Wade, who led the Vikings in receiving last year. “It was stuff we worked on in practice, and I had an opportunity to pick up the basics of the offense. … It was countless hours of video time and my head in the book.

“I tried to run myself through visualization in the game and things like that. I had no expectations other to come out and play hard with a lot of effort. This offense is extremely dynamic, it can allow you to do a lot of things, especially when you have a good running back like Larry Johnson and a quarterback like Matt.”

Wade didn’t waste much time making an impact. On his first reception, he converted a third-and-4 play by catching a 16-yard pass across the middle, sustaining the drive that led to the Chiefs’ first-quarter field goal.

He also was a first-down threat, making a 20-yard catch that moved the Chiefs into position to score before Cassel was intercepted on the drive. And his 11-yard catch jump-started the fourth-quarter drive that led to the Chiefs’ only touchdown of the game.

“He had a very difficult week, to come in and learn a brand-new system and did a lot of things for us,” Chiefs coach Todd Haley said. “We asked him to get into the mix fast, and he gave us a chance to win. I wish he would’ve been part of helping us win, and we’d be talking about that right now.”

Cassel was impressed with a teammate he met only last Wednesday.

“Bobby did a great job,” Cassel said. “It was one of those days he was getting open, so we gave him the ball. I know he stayed late this week and worked really hard, and learned the offense and was able to go out there and do well.”

The day didn’t go perfectly. Wade was called for an illegal block above the waist that nullified a 16-yard pass from Cassel to fullback Mike Cox. He had one dropped pass. And he muffed a punt in the fourth quarter that threw a scare into the Chiefs but was recovered by teammate Brandon Carr.

“I made a lot of mistakes out there,” Wade acknowledged. “I wanted to be able to play fast. That’s the most difficult thing. You don’t want to be out there thinking. When you’re thinking, that’s when you’re going to have trouble.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been back there (returning punts). But it was a good opportunity for me to get accustomed to catching punts again. (Shane) Lechler is a great punter. They did a good job covering some punts. But as the day went on, we kept getting better.”

Having come from a playoff team of a year ago, seeing the Chiefs fall to 0-2 after letting Sunday’s game slip away stung Wade as much as anyone.

“This is really tough,” he said in a hushed Chiefs locker room. “This is a division opponent, a home opener … all that stuff comes to mind. Not only that but just having an opportunity to win the game late …”

T-post Tom · 09-20-2009, 11:13 PM

He's only going to get better in this offense. Too bad he wasn't available at the start of training camp.

**TinyEvel** · 09-21-2009, 12:04 AM

He had some good grabs today. Punt returning? Meh. Granted the Raiders punter had a leg like a friggen telephone pole, Wade had to drop back 10 yards most of the time, but his returns were hesitant and he looked slow. We need a guy who can catch, hold onto it and take off like a bottle rocket.

Hammock Parties · 09-21-2009, 12:05 AM

Haley's arrogance in picking up Wade sure was stupid! What a strike against our head coach!

**DaneMcCloud** · 09-21-2009, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

Haley's arrogance in picking up Wade sure was stupid! What a strike against our head coach!

Weak

T-post Tom · 09-21-2009, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TinyEvel

He had some good grabs today. Punt returning? Meh. Granted the Raiders punter had a leg like a friggen telephone pole, Wade had to drop back 10 yards most of the time, but his returns were hesitant and he looked slow. We need a guy who can catch, hold onto it and take off like a bottle rocket.

Agree. Dante Hall is still a FA. Wonder if he's got anything left in the tank.

**DaneMcCloud** · 09-21-2009, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-post Tom

Agree. Dante Hall is still a FA. Wonder if he's got anything left in the tank.

The fact that he's still available says it all

Micjones · 09-21-2009, 12:46 AM

I think the Chiefs need to be patient with Lawrence as their all-purpose returnman.
He has all of the tools necessary to being dangerous in that role.

Wade is going to be special if he continues to play this well in this offense.

Micjones · 09-21-2009, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

The fact that he's still available says it all

Just says that teams don't believe he has anything left.
At this point... We don't have much in the cupboard and I think Wade proved he's much too valuable to the offense to hold both jobs down.

What could it hurt to work him out?

**DaneMcCloud** · 09-21-2009, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

Just says that teams don't believe he has anything left.

Point proven

teedubya · 09-21-2009, 03:30 AM

Why did the Vikings release him when he was their NUMBER ONE receiver last year? Where's the rub?

KCChiefsMan · 09-21-2009, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ari Chi3fs

Why did the Vikings release him when he was their NUMBER ONE receiver last year? Where's the rub?

kinda curious too, about that.

InChiefsHeaven · 09-21-2009, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-post Tom

Agree. Dante Hall is still a FA. Wonder if he's got anything left in the tank.

I'm assuming this was sarcasm, or a joke, or some such thing...

HMc · 09-21-2009, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

Just says that teams don't believe he has anything left.
At this point... We don't have much in the cupboard and I think Wade proved he's much too valuable to the offense to hold both jobs down.

What could it hurt to work him out?

I heard Roaf was coming back - he didnt clear out his locker

09-20-2009, 11:00 PM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $932813	Covitz: Wade wastes no time contributing to Chiefs Wade wastes no time contributing to Chiefs By RANDY COVITZ The Kansas City Star Yes, kids, Chiefs wide receiver Bobby Wade is living proof that late-night cramming pays off. Wade, who signed with the Chiefs earlier last week, had five days to learn formations, terminology and nuances of two quarterbacks before taking the field Sunday against the Oakland Raiders. Little did Wade imagine he would become quarterback Matt Cassel’s go-to guy as well as the Chiefs’ punt returner in a 13-10 loss to Oakland. Wade, a seven-year veteran who was surprisingly released by the Minnesota Vikings in the final roster reduction, caught six passes for a team-leading 72 yards in addition to returning six punts for a 9.5-yard average. “It’s just about opportunities,” said Wade, who led the Vikings in receiving last year. “It was stuff we worked on in practice, and I had an opportunity to pick up the basics of the offense. … It was countless hours of video time and my head in the book. “I tried to run myself through visualization in the game and things like that. I had no expectations other to come out and play hard with a lot of effort. This offense is extremely dynamic, it can allow you to do a lot of things, especially when you have a good running back like Larry Johnson and a quarterback like Matt.” Wade didn’t waste much time making an impact. On his first reception, he converted a third-and-4 play by catching a 16-yard pass across the middle, sustaining the drive that led to the Chiefs’ first-quarter field goal. He also was a first-down threat, making a 20-yard catch that moved the Chiefs into position to score before Cassel was intercepted on the drive. And his 11-yard catch jump-started the fourth-quarter drive that led to the Chiefs’ only touchdown of the game. “He had a very difficult week, to come in and learn a brand-new system and did a lot of things for us,” Chiefs coach Todd Haley said. “We asked him to get into the mix fast, and he gave us a chance to win. I wish he would’ve been part of helping us win, and we’d be talking about that right now.” Cassel was impressed with a teammate he met only last Wednesday. “Bobby did a great job,” Cassel said. “It was one of those days he was getting open, so we gave him the ball. I know he stayed late this week and worked really hard, and learned the offense and was able to go out there and do well.” The day didn’t go perfectly. Wade was called for an illegal block above the waist that nullified a 16-yard pass from Cassel to fullback Mike Cox. He had one dropped pass. And he muffed a punt in the fourth quarter that threw a scare into the Chiefs but was recovered by teammate Brandon Carr. “I made a lot of mistakes out there,” Wade acknowledged. “I wanted to be able to play fast. That’s the most difficult thing. You don’t want to be out there thinking. When you’re thinking, that’s when you’re going to have trouble. “It’s been a while since I’ve been back there (returning punts). But it was a good opportunity for me to get accustomed to catching punts again. (Shane) Lechler is a great punter. They did a good job covering some punts. But as the day went on, we kept getting better.” Having come from a playoff team of a year ago, seeing the Chiefs fall to 0-2 after letting Sunday’s game slip away stung Wade as much as anyone. “This is really tough,” he said in a hushed Chiefs locker room. “This is a division opponent, a home opener … all that stuff comes to mind. Not only that but just having an opportunity to win the game late …”
Posts: 42,056

09-20-2009, 11:13 PM	#2
T-post Tom Threepeat! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Milk/Honey/Gazland Casino cash: $4597293	He's only going to get better in this offense. Too bad he wasn't available at the start of training camp. __________________ You seem nice!
Posts: 20,211

09-21-2009, 12:04 AM	#3
TinyEvel Just a li'l Evel Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Bald. Goatee. Jorts. Casino cash: $5427131	He had some good grabs today. Punt returning? Meh. Granted the Raiders punter had a leg like a friggen telephone pole, Wade had to drop back 10 yards most of the time, but his returns were hesitant and he looked slow. We need a guy who can catch, hold onto it and take off like a bottle rocket.
Posts: 11,810

09-21-2009, 12:05 AM	#4
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4730478	Haley's arrogance in picking up Wade sure was stupid! What a strike against our head coach! __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 277,780

09-21-2009, 12:46 AM	#8
Micjones Whose house? Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: KCMO Casino cash: $10005180	I think the Chiefs need to be patient with Lawrence as their all-purpose returnman. He has all of the tools necessary to being dangerous in that role. Wade is going to be special if he continues to play this well in this offense. __________________ 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

09-21-2009, 03:30 AM	#11
teedubya Most Valuable Poster Join Date: Oct 2003 Casino cash: $9490002	Why did the Vikings release him when he was their NUMBER ONE receiver last year? Where's the rub?
Posts: 36,650