Chiefs Babb:Smith could start at running back against Raiders - Page 2

**Tribal Warfare** · 11-14-2009, 12:59 PM

Smith could start at running back against Raiders
By KENT BABB
The Kansas City Star

Chiefs coach Todd Haley said Friday that Kolby Smith could start at running back Sunday at Oakland, but he didn’t commit to a starter, saying the first offensive play could influence the decision.

Smith was activated last week after missing the previous year while rehabbing from a knee injury. Jamaal Charles and Dantrell Savage are the Chiefs’ other options.

“This is a major injury that he’s come back from,” Haley said. “It would be unrealistic to believe that a guy, after 12 months of rehab, surgery, all the things that he’s done, to expect him to come in and be at the top of his game.

“He’s worked very hard. He’s practiced now four weeks, so I would say he’s getting better. But I would still say that, given the circumstances, it’s still asking too much to feel like this guy is going to be the best he’s going to be right now.”

Chiefs end week on an encouraging note

Haley said the Chiefs’ final practice of the week was their “best Friday” of the season, an encouraging sign.

The Chiefs worked out in their indoor facility to simulate the noisy environment Haley expects at Oakland Coliseum. Haley said he hopes that, eventually, a series of good practices might translate into strong game performances.

“You can’t think any other way,” Haley said. “That’s how we gauge how a week has gone.”

He said the Chiefs’ tempo, enthusiasm and discipline was on point Friday. That isn’t the way it always has been. Several weeks ago, coaches walked off the field on a Friday because players weren’t performing up to expectations. Players were left to complete their drills on their own as a sign of punishment.

“These last three, four weeks, it looks like we’re starting to get it,” Haley said. “Eventually it’s going to start translating, and that’s all you can do.”

Haley emphasizes ‘sense of urgency’

After the second game in four weeks in which the Chiefs’ offense played best when facing a late-game, desperate situation, Haley said he has spent time this week trying to emphasize the importance of urgency throughout games.

The Chiefs scored two touchdowns in the final 3 minutes in a loss at Jacksonville. Haley said he wants to tap whatever works in those situations, and try to get players to play that way during the beginning, middle and end of games.

“We’ve got to talk about it, got to coach it, got to make them think about it,” he said. “That’s what we can do. Trying to have everybody thinking the same way. We have to think with a sense of urgency, that each snap could be the difference in the game.”

Injury report

Chiefs linebacker David Herron (knee) is out for Sunday’s game. Linebacker Jovan Belcher (head), wide receiver Chris Chambers (foot), free safety Jon McGraw (thigh), guard Wade Smith (ankle) and linebacker Mike Vrabel (hip) were full participants Friday and are listed as probable.

Mr. Laz · 11-14-2009, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wild1

Cassel does played scared .... and it's really hurting the offense.

**BossChief** · 11-14-2009, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KcChiefsKing

Oh ok, gotcha, the injuries are an issue so let's take carries from charles and give them to the guy one year rmoved from an ACL tear.

And what are these injuries you speak of?
Posted via Mobile Device

Quote:

Originally Posted by KcChiefsKing

Wtf? Who's more talented than him?
Posted via Mobile Device

I misreasd your post, I thought you were saying Kolby is the most talented. I failed. I was wrong, you were right.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

you know what's funnier?

is that you think Haley even knows who your are

hence the

in my post.

All of our HCs after Marty have known who I am in person, though. Dick, Gun and Herm all knew my real name. I didnt go to camp this year.

But yeah, that part of my post was obviously a joke.

stevieray · 11-14-2009, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

Cassel does played scared .... and it's really hurting the offense.

...and who wouldn't behind the sub with a screen door?

**Tribal Warfare** · 11-14-2009, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevieray

...and who wouldn't behind the sub with a screen door?

One has to play all out, and if Cassel is holding back he shouldn't have chosen football as a profession.

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 11-14-2009, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

I misreasd your post, I thought you were saying Kolby is the most talented. I failed. I was wrong, you were right.

hence the

in my post.

All of our HCs after Marty have known who I am in person, though. Dick, Gun and Herm all knew my real name. I didnt go to camp this year.

But yeah, that part of my post was obviously a joke.

I've long thought you were Carl Peterson.

**BossChief** · 11-14-2009, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

I've long thought you were Carl Peterson.

Need a loan? I got lots of this guy Clark Hunts money and didn't do shit for it!

TRR · 11-14-2009, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dante84

Charles is not an every down back. I don't think he's a starter in this league. He is a third down player.

But on our team he could be an any down player. Shit, I am on the street and I could be an any down player.

How in the HELL would you know he's not an every down back? He blocks better than any RB on the team including LJ, catches the ball better than some of our WR's and has world class speed and good vision. He was THE featured back at Texas and was a workhorse.

You have NO Clue if he can be an every down RB or not. There are smaller backs in the NFL carrying the load right now for their respective teams.

God I hate posts like this...
Posted via Mobile Device

TRR · 11-14-2009, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

injury ring a bell?

it rings for him often.

Yea? Name them off? More than Kolby Smith?

No...
Posted via Mobile Device

SenselessChiefsFan · 11-14-2009, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

Haley emphasizes ‘sense of urgency’

Essentially calling out Cassel to stop playing scared.

Now, if he will just let Cassel call his own plays like he gets to do in the last two minutes. Then, maybe he won't look so 'scared'.... because he will actually throw the ball downfield.

Mr. Laz · 11-14-2009, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevieray

...and who wouldn't behind the sub with a screen door?

Understood, it's not easy but he is getting paid millions to deal with it and he needs to do better.

Aaron Rodger has gotten sacked more than Cassel and he's still keeping his eyes down field.

Rodgers - 166 of 263, sacked 37 times
Cassel - 143 of 251, sacked 30 times

DaKernal · 11-14-2009, 04:27 PM

How is anyone supposed to know whether or not Charles can carry the load? He's never had the chance except the one game last year when he had 16 carries and he was very effective in that game. We'll never know if he can truly be a featured back unless Haley gives him the chance and lets him do it over a strech of games.

11-14-2009, 12:59 PM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $922813	Babb:Smith could start at running back against Raiders Smith could start at running back against Raiders By KENT BABB The Kansas City Star Chiefs coach Todd Haley said Friday that Kolby Smith could start at running back Sunday at Oakland, but he didn’t commit to a starter, saying the first offensive play could influence the decision. Smith was activated last week after missing the previous year while rehabbing from a knee injury. Jamaal Charles and Dantrell Savage are the Chiefs’ other options. “This is a major injury that he’s come back from,” Haley said. “It would be unrealistic to believe that a guy, after 12 months of rehab, surgery, all the things that he’s done, to expect him to come in and be at the top of his game. “He’s worked very hard. He’s practiced now four weeks, so I would say he’s getting better. But I would still say that, given the circumstances, it’s still asking too much to feel like this guy is going to be the best he’s going to be right now.” Chiefs end week on an encouraging note Haley said the Chiefs’ final practice of the week was their “best Friday” of the season, an encouraging sign. The Chiefs worked out in their indoor facility to simulate the noisy environment Haley expects at Oakland Coliseum. Haley said he hopes that, eventually, a series of good practices might translate into strong game performances. “You can’t think any other way,” Haley said. “That’s how we gauge how a week has gone.” He said the Chiefs’ tempo, enthusiasm and discipline was on point Friday. That isn’t the way it always has been. Several weeks ago, coaches walked off the field on a Friday because players weren’t performing up to expectations. Players were left to complete their drills on their own as a sign of punishment. “These last three, four weeks, it looks like we’re starting to get it,” Haley said. “Eventually it’s going to start translating, and that’s all you can do.” Haley emphasizes ‘sense of urgency’ After the second game in four weeks in which the Chiefs’ offense played best when facing a late-game, desperate situation, Haley said he has spent time this week trying to emphasize the importance of urgency throughout games. The Chiefs scored two touchdowns in the final 3 minutes in a loss at Jacksonville. Haley said he wants to tap whatever works in those situations, and try to get players to play that way during the beginning, middle and end of games. “We’ve got to talk about it, got to coach it, got to make them think about it,” he said. “That’s what we can do. Trying to have everybody thinking the same way. We have to think with a sense of urgency, that each snap could be the difference in the game.” Injury report Chiefs linebacker David Herron (knee) is out for Sunday’s game. Linebacker Jovan Belcher (head), wide receiver Chris Chambers (foot), free safety Jon McGraw (thigh), guard Wade Smith (ankle) and linebacker Mike Vrabel (hip) were full participants Friday and are listed as probable.
Posts: 42,075

11-14-2009, 04:27 PM	#26
DaKernal Money Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Wichita, KS Casino cash: $9964900	How is anyone supposed to know whether or not Charles can carry the load? He's never had the chance except the one game last year when he had 16 carries and he was very effective in that game. We'll never know if he can truly be a featured back unless Haley gives him the chance and lets him do it over a strech of games.
Posts: 439