Chiefs Special teams coach thinks Dexter McCluster has unlocked potential as a returner - Page 4

**Tribal Warfare** · 06-01-2013, 12:09 AM

Chiefs’ new special teams coach thinks Dexter McCluster has unlocked potential as a returner
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
Dexter McCluster brought back a punt 94 yards for a touchdown in his first NFL game for the Chiefs in 2010, sparking hope he could surpass Chicago’s Devin Hester as the NFL’s next great return specialist.

That hasn’t happened yet, but the Chiefs aren’t giving up on the idea. This offseason they hired away the Bears’ Dave Toub, the special teams coach who worked with Hester and helped him become one of the all-time greats with 17 career return touchdowns.

And Toub is a fan of McCluster’s.

“McCluster is somebody that’s very intriguing to me,’’ Toub said. “He can really make you miss and I just think he’s got a lot of untapped potential as a punt returner.’’

A McCluster revival is just part of what the Chiefs have planned for their return game. They’re also looking at rookie running back Knile Davis to return kickoffs, though Davis never brought back a kick in college at Arkansas.

That plan, too, is part of the effort to awaken a long dormant return game. The Chiefs haven’t returned a kickoff for a touchdown since 2009 or a punt for a score since McCluster did it in the season-opening game in 2010 against the Chargers.

The Chiefs traded one of their main return specialists from the past couple of seasons, Javier Arenas. They have others working in the mix, including wide receiver Devon Wylie. But for the time being, at least, they appear to have settled on McCluster and Davis.

McCluster hasn’t had many chances to return punts since his rookie season in part to keep the 5-foot-8, 170-pound McCluster fresh for offensive plays. But the new coaching staff led by Andy Reid doesn’t have that idea.

“We’re kind of dusting him off in that area,’’ Toub said. “He has all the skills that you like to see as a punt returner.’’

Davis is an interesting option as a kickoff returner. He hasn’t returned a kick in a live game since he was in high school and was a frequent fumbler at running back last season.

But the Chiefs see a fast runner with a big body who could be difficult for opponents to bring down in the open field.

“He’s a big guy and he can run (fast),’’ McCluster said. “He just needs a little more repetition and I think he’ll be really good.’’

Reid said Davis has good vision, which is key for a returner.

“That position, you want the guys that are willing to hit it up the field,” Reid said. “We’ll see how he does. I’m not saying he’s the guy necessarily right now. But he’s working at it and we’ll see how he does through training camp.’’

Judging from offseason practice, Davis will get plenty of work at running back in the regular season even though Jamaal Charles is the starter. But he said returning kickoffs would be another way for him to contribute.

“Any way I can touch the field,’’ he said. “It’s no fun sitting on the sideline.

“I like the idea. The biggest difference from college to the league is that here, they want you to catch it forward so you can have that momentum going up the field.

“The key is hitting it full speed. But it’s a lot harder to judge it and catch it that way. You’ve got to judge it just right or it will be a big mistake. In college, you can kind of stand there and judge it and catch it on your back leg. I’ve pretty much got it down, for the most part.’’

The Chiefs are withholding judgment on that last part.

“We’ve got a long way to go,’’ Toub said. “We’ve got to find out when the (games) start whether this guy will be able to hold on to the ball. That’s going to be the key for him on kickoff return.’’

“There’s a lot for him to learn. It’s a totally different feel (than at running back). He’s got the ball in his hand like at running back but still it’s totally different. It’s about closing the distance. It’s about (getting up the field) real quick. There are a lot of collisions out there. You’ve got guys running 10, 15 yards running full speed at you. There will be a learning curve for him.’’

chiefzilla1501 · 06-01-2013, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PGM

They had Arrelious Benn, Surgery Kindle, and Mush Cody higher on their homemade bigboard, so they'll bang that drum till their deaths. (Even though Dex has outperformed those POS)

Yup, don't get me wrong, the guy has to improve. A ton. And maybe he never does. But the same coaching staff that had no problem cutting Arenas, Winston, and a whole bunch of other holdovers obviously seems to have confidence in McCluster and wants him in a prominent role.

**TimeForWasp** · 06-01-2013, 10:46 AM

Dexter Rocks!!!

chiefzilla1501 · 06-01-2013, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

i didn't agree with the Arena move either but my point is that this isn't about Teicher.

we have a watch McCluster fail to make people miss for years now and that fact that this coaching staff doesn't see it is irritating.

good information from Teicher

I don't either, but I'm sure that decision doesn't get made unless Toub is okay with the returners he has on the team. Either that, or Toub would have had the influence to go into the draft or free agency and pick a returner up. I'm not saying it's an endorsement of McCluster, but we can't just claim that they were stuck with who they had.

OrtonsPiercedTaint · 06-01-2013, 11:05 AM

Teicher has to write for his audience. The only people who subscibe to newspapers anymore are in/about to enter nursing homes.

Coogs · 06-01-2013, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrtonsPiercedTaint

Teicher has to write for his audience. The only people who subscibe to newspapers anymore are in/about to enter nursing homes.

Yet you clicked on the thread to check it out.

Dante84 · 06-01-2013, 11:26 AM

Wait.... why not Wylie? Dude was a return machine in college.

Hammock Parties · 06-01-2013, 11:30 AM

And Wylie has actual...y'know...speed.

Would like to see him get a chance over that stupid midget.

**Rausch** · 06-01-2013, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dante84

Wait.... why not Wylie? Dude was a return machine in college.

I'm ready to move on.

Open it up. Put Wylie vs. LaCkluster as the ST battle of the Preseason...

Coogs · 06-01-2013, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dante84

Wait.... why not Wylie? Dude was a return machine in college.

From the OP...

Quote:

They have others working in the mix, including wide receiver Devon Wylie.

**Rausch** · 06-01-2013, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coogs

From the OP...

Put white Dante on the return team yesterday...

Hammock Parties · 06-01-2013, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stanley Nickels

I think that 2010 game was the drunkest I've ever been at a sporting event. I kept falling over bleachers into the row in front of me. How I didn't get removed immediately is beyond me. I just remember giving the excuse that it was slippery, as the reason I fell forward four separate times into the people in front of me.

I dunno about drunk, but I was high on life, and Simply Red can attest to that.

This is me at that game:

Hammock Parties · 06-01-2013, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simply Red

I personally watched GoChiefs celebrate in the stands WITH the CamaroHeadz after DMC returned that Punt against the Chargers. When the rain picked up - Claythan rushed into the concessions looking for a Run DMC tee shirt.

So it's comical seeing the critical gifs.

You son of a bitch.

Simply Red · 06-01-2013, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Branden Albert's Huge Balls

You son of a bitch.

I assure you you still have the video of you hollering 'YEAH, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH!!!!!!!'

tk13 · 06-01-2013, 11:59 AM

The funny thing is I used to think McCluster seemed like the type of guy the Eagles would love even more than us... and it was rumored they wanted to draft him a couple picks after us. I guess we'll find out if they're serious about him.

mcaj22 · 06-01-2013, 12:02 PM

when McCluster is getting 3 yard screen passes and takes them for -2 yards on 3rd down that should be going to Charles, I wont be happy.

I just think hes going to be taking balls from Charles in the short passing game and that's pretty much it.

No one ever took shit away from Shady McCoy he ran between the tackles and took the dump offs. I expect the same from Charles and not trying to fit a square midget gadget peg in a round hole but forcing him into plays

06-01-2013, 12:09 AM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $872813	Special teams coach thinks Dexter McCluster has unlocked potential as a returner Chiefs’ new special teams coach thinks Dexter McCluster has unlocked potential as a returner By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star Dexter McCluster brought back a punt 94 yards for a touchdown in his first NFL game for the Chiefs in 2010, sparking hope he could surpass Chicago’s Devin Hester as the NFL’s next great return specialist. That hasn’t happened yet, but the Chiefs aren’t giving up on the idea. This offseason they hired away the Bears’ Dave Toub, the special teams coach who worked with Hester and helped him become one of the all-time greats with 17 career return touchdowns. And Toub is a fan of McCluster’s. “McCluster is somebody that’s very intriguing to me,’’ Toub said. “He can really make you miss and I just think he’s got a lot of untapped potential as a punt returner.’’ A McCluster revival is just part of what the Chiefs have planned for their return game. They’re also looking at rookie running back Knile Davis to return kickoffs, though Davis never brought back a kick in college at Arkansas. That plan, too, is part of the effort to awaken a long dormant return game. The Chiefs haven’t returned a kickoff for a touchdown since 2009 or a punt for a score since McCluster did it in the season-opening game in 2010 against the Chargers. The Chiefs traded one of their main return specialists from the past couple of seasons, Javier Arenas. They have others working in the mix, including wide receiver Devon Wylie. But for the time being, at least, they appear to have settled on McCluster and Davis. McCluster hasn’t had many chances to return punts since his rookie season in part to keep the 5-foot-8, 170-pound McCluster fresh for offensive plays. But the new coaching staff led by Andy Reid doesn’t have that idea. “We’re kind of dusting him off in that area,’’ Toub said. “He has all the skills that you like to see as a punt returner.’’ Davis is an interesting option as a kickoff returner. He hasn’t returned a kick in a live game since he was in high school and was a frequent fumbler at running back last season. But the Chiefs see a fast runner with a big body who could be difficult for opponents to bring down in the open field. “He’s a big guy and he can run (fast),’’ McCluster said. “He just needs a little more repetition and I think he’ll be really good.’’ Reid said Davis has good vision, which is key for a returner. “That position, you want the guys that are willing to hit it up the field,” Reid said. “We’ll see how he does. I’m not saying he’s the guy necessarily right now. But he’s working at it and we’ll see how he does through training camp.’’ Judging from offseason practice, Davis will get plenty of work at running back in the regular season even though Jamaal Charles is the starter. But he said returning kickoffs would be another way for him to contribute. “Any way I can touch the field,’’ he said. “It’s no fun sitting on the sideline. “I like the idea. The biggest difference from college to the league is that here, they want you to catch it forward so you can have that momentum going up the field. “The key is hitting it full speed. But it’s a lot harder to judge it and catch it that way. You’ve got to judge it just right or it will be a big mistake. In college, you can kind of stand there and judge it and catch it on your back leg. I’ve pretty much got it down, for the most part.’’ The Chiefs are withholding judgment on that last part. “We’ve got a long way to go,’’ Toub said. “We’ve got to find out when the (games) start whether this guy will be able to hold on to the ball. That’s going to be the key for him on kickoff return.’’ “There’s a lot for him to learn. It’s a totally different feel (than at running back). He’s got the ball in his hand like at running back but still it’s totally different. It’s about closing the distance. It’s about (getting up the field) real quick. There are a lot of collisions out there. You’ve got guys running 10, 15 yards running full speed at you. There will be a learning curve for him.’’
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06-01-2013, 10:46 AM	#47
TimeForWasp Sprinkle in some Mahomes Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Butte Montana Casino cash: $7678507	Dexter Rocks!!! __________________ Posted via Slingshot using Rocks eBay sniper
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06-01-2013, 11:05 AM	#49
OrtonsPiercedTaint MVP Join Date: Dec 2012 Casino cash: $10004980	Teicher has to write for his audience. The only people who subscibe to newspapers anymore are in/about to enter nursing homes.
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06-01-2013, 11:26 AM	#51
Dante84 Tossed Salad & Scrambled Eggs Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: ATX & OPKS Casino cash: $1741996 VARSITY	Wait.... why not Wylie? Dude was a return machine in college. __________________ ..
Posts: 19,747

06-01-2013, 11:30 AM	#52
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4670478	And Wylie has actual...y'know...speed. Would like to see him get a chance over that stupid midget. __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 278,029

06-01-2013, 11:59 AM	#59
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1942500	The funny thing is I used to think McCluster seemed like the type of guy the Eagles would love even more than us... and it was rumored they wanted to draft him a couple picks after us. I guess we'll find out if they're serious about him.
Posts: 54,962

06-01-2013, 12:02 PM	#60
mcaj22 MVP Join Date: Feb 2010 Casino cash: $10014454	when McCluster is getting 3 yard screen passes and takes them for -2 yards on 3rd down that should be going to Charles, I wont be happy. I just think hes going to be taking balls from Charles in the short passing game and that's pretty much it. No one ever took shit away from Shady McCoy he ran between the tackles and took the dump offs. I expect the same from Charles and not trying to fit a square midget gadget peg in a round hole but forcing him into plays
Posts: 11,886