Chiefs Babb: Charles, McCluster provide bright spots in Chiefs’ loss

**Tribal Warfare** · 08-13-2010, 10:46 PM

Charles, McCluster provide bright spots in Chiefs’ loss
By KENT BABB
The Kansas City Star

ATLANTA | Jamaal Charles and Dexter McCluster were on the Chiefs’ sideline. Their appearances didn’t last long, but they didn’t have to hang around to leave an impression.

Two of Kansas City’s smallest players showed Friday night that they could be the team’s biggest playmakers, invigorating an offense that looked ineffective and bored before a pair of pipsqueaks gave them something to feel good about.

“Somebody’s just got to come up and do some plays,” Charles said.

Yes, the Chiefs lost their first preseason game Friday in Atlanta, a 20-10 defeat to the Falcons in the Georgia Dome. And it didn’t look all that promising, either. But it wasn’t because Charles lost a step this offseason or because McCluster’s talent was overrated on draft day.

Kansas City is going to need those players. They found it out the hard way last year before Charles emerged as the team’s top offensive weapon, after the Chiefs gave Larry Johnson his final last chance, and there was no one left, really, but the undersized kid from Texas to take his place. Charles, of course, rushed for more than 1,100 yards in eight games, and when he was carrying the football, a Chiefs offense went from looking hopeless to something closer to promising.

“You like those guys,” coach Todd Haley said. “Defensive players, the ball just seems to come to them; when they’re offensive players, they find a way to make a play. That’s always a good sign when somebody comes in and good things happen.”

That’s the way things were Friday night.Haley and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis tried it their way. They used someone other than Charles at running back. This time it was veteran Thomas Jones, who suffered an injury in the first quarter, according to the Chiefs’ broadcast crew. Sure enough, Kansas City was faced with a familiar situation: a veteran out of the equation and Charles ready to take control.

When are the Chiefs going to learn?

Maybe that moment came in the first quarter Friday, when Charles rushed for 11 yards. Or the second quarter, when he touched the ball on three of four plays, compiling 29 yards in the process. When Kansas City’s offense looked embarrassingly similar to the one it fielded in 2009, the same player seemed to bail it out again.

“The whole team,” Haley said, “it looked like even defensively, that first drive, they were kind of sucking bananas.”

Now, though, Charles has company. Charles has said that, last year, he felt as if the Chiefs’ offense was at a disadvantage when he wasn’t available. When Charles needs a break this season, McCluster will be there to provide quickness, versatility and defensive confusion — even with Charles on the sideline.

It happened Friday. Charles was finished for the night — an abbreviated appearance, as these things go — and McCluster became the next logical option. On one of the Chiefs’ more productive series, which wasn’t necessarily saying much Friday, McCluster handled the ball on five of six plays. And he turned those chances into 25 rushing yards.

“If you go out there and compete,” McCluster said, “you know good things will happen.”

All told, Charles and McCluster combined for 62 rushing yards in nine total carries. McCluster isn’t even a running back. He’s listed as a receiver, after all, and he showed Friday that he’s pretty good at that, too, catching three passes for 23 yards.

When the Chiefs had Charles and McCluster on the field, interesting things happened. When they were on the sideline, it was time to do something else with your Friday night, because it probably wasn’t getting better.

“When I go in the game,” Charles said, “I just hope I can keep doing what I’m doing. I’ve got dreams and goals to accomplish.”

Silock · 08-13-2010, 10:50 PM

Sucking bananas... lolz

KCbroncoHATER · 08-13-2010, 10:51 PM

63 yards in 12 attempts

Wow ... now that's pretty sweet.

**BossChief** · 08-13-2010, 10:53 PM

This offense has real potential to be good if Cassel turns into a quarterback one day.

Chambers
Bowe
DMC
Moeaki
Charles
Jones

those are plenty of weapons for a damn good offense if the quarterback shows up and plays like one.

Chiefs Pantalones · 08-13-2010, 10:54 PM

I've seen enough. It's been one game but it's enough. Rest him.

Chiefs Pantalones · 08-13-2010, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

This offense has real potential to be good if Cassel turns into a quarterback one day.

Chambers
Bowe
DMC
Moeaki
Charles
Jones

those are plenty of weapons for a damn good offense if the quarterback shows up and plays like one.

The line needs to protect him better than it did tonight though.

**Bugeater** · 08-13-2010, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

This offense has real potential to be good if Cassel turns into a quarterback one day.

Yeah, and I have a real potential to be filthy rich if I turn into Warren Buffet one day.

go bo · 08-13-2010, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Yeah, and I have a real potential to be filthy rich if I turn into Warren Buffet one day.

be sure to call me when that day comes...

**cdcox** · 08-13-2010, 11:40 PM

It's raining midgets.

Rasputin · 08-14-2010, 01:12 AM

How many years have we biatched about this offense line? Willie & Will are gone, I know Croyle got slammed his first year as a starter the O-line was much worse then, Huard got creameulated that year too. When is our O-line not going to be an excuse so we can evaluate the rest of the players? Cassel plays like shit, but of course it's becouse our O-line still sucks so lets just keep letting Cassel be starter and give him excuses for sucking.

O-****ING LINE

O-****ing LINE

O_LINE

O_LINE

Damn now I gave myself a headache

Bambi · 08-14-2010, 01:15 AM

Cassel.

Just awful.

Should have drafted Clausen.

ChiefsCountry · 08-14-2010, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wickedson

Cassel.

Just awful.

Should have drafted Clausen.

No we should have drafted Sanchez last year. No Cassel, No Vrabel and No Jackson. This team would be in alot better shape.

Bambi · 08-14-2010, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

No we should have drafted Sanchez last year. No Cassel, No Vrabel and No Jackson. This team would be in alot better shape.

I agree. I go to 2-3 Jets games a year. I love Sanchez.

Unfortunately I see myself becoming a Jets fan as each day passes....

I'm so depressed.

**HemiEd** · 08-14-2010, 02:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wickedson

I'm so depressed.

Try and forget about Cassel, and take heart in the fact that this team has a good pair of "pipsqueaks."

LaChapelle · 08-14-2010, 03:56 AM

It's all nice and rosey
until you have to listen to a 20 minute rambling
of Michael Irvin on the Chiefs playmakers

08-13-2010, 10:46 PM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $892813	Babb: Charles, McCluster provide bright spots in Chiefs’ loss Charles, McCluster provide bright spots in Chiefs’ loss By KENT BABB The Kansas City Star ATLANTA \| Jamaal Charles and Dexter McCluster were on the Chiefs’ sideline. Their appearances didn’t last long, but they didn’t have to hang around to leave an impression. Two of Kansas City’s smallest players showed Friday night that they could be the team’s biggest playmakers, invigorating an offense that looked ineffective and bored before a pair of pipsqueaks gave them something to feel good about. “Somebody’s just got to come up and do some plays,” Charles said. Yes, the Chiefs lost their first preseason game Friday in Atlanta, a 20-10 defeat to the Falcons in the Georgia Dome. And it didn’t look all that promising, either. But it wasn’t because Charles lost a step this offseason or because McCluster’s talent was overrated on draft day. Kansas City is going to need those players. They found it out the hard way last year before Charles emerged as the team’s top offensive weapon, after the Chiefs gave Larry Johnson his final last chance, and there was no one left, really, but the undersized kid from Texas to take his place. Charles, of course, rushed for more than 1,100 yards in eight games, and when he was carrying the football, a Chiefs offense went from looking hopeless to something closer to promising. “You like those guys,” coach Todd Haley said. “Defensive players, the ball just seems to come to them; when they’re offensive players, they find a way to make a play. That’s always a good sign when somebody comes in and good things happen.” That’s the way things were Friday night.Haley and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis tried it their way. They used someone other than Charles at running back. This time it was veteran Thomas Jones, who suffered an injury in the first quarter, according to the Chiefs’ broadcast crew. Sure enough, Kansas City was faced with a familiar situation: a veteran out of the equation and Charles ready to take control. When are the Chiefs going to learn? Maybe that moment came in the first quarter Friday, when Charles rushed for 11 yards. Or the second quarter, when he touched the ball on three of four plays, compiling 29 yards in the process. When Kansas City’s offense looked embarrassingly similar to the one it fielded in 2009, the same player seemed to bail it out again. “The whole team,” Haley said, “it looked like even defensively, that first drive, they were kind of sucking bananas.” Now, though, Charles has company. Charles has said that, last year, he felt as if the Chiefs’ offense was at a disadvantage when he wasn’t available. When Charles needs a break this season, McCluster will be there to provide quickness, versatility and defensive confusion — even with Charles on the sideline. It happened Friday. Charles was finished for the night — an abbreviated appearance, as these things go — and McCluster became the next logical option. On one of the Chiefs’ more productive series, which wasn’t necessarily saying much Friday, McCluster handled the ball on five of six plays. And he turned those chances into 25 rushing yards. “If you go out there and compete,” McCluster said, “you know good things will happen.” All told, Charles and McCluster combined for 62 rushing yards in nine total carries. McCluster isn’t even a running back. He’s listed as a receiver, after all, and he showed Friday that he’s pretty good at that, too, catching three passes for 23 yards. When the Chiefs had Charles and McCluster on the field, interesting things happened. When they were on the sideline, it was time to do something else with your Friday night, because it probably wasn’t getting better. “When I go in the game,” Charles said, “I just hope I can keep doing what I’m doing. I’ve got dreams and goals to accomplish.”
Posts: 42,087

08-13-2010, 10:50 PM	#2
Silock MVP Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Overland Park Casino cash: $10020882	Sucking bananas... lolz
Posts: 19,908

08-13-2010, 10:51 PM	#3
KCbroncoHATER KCBH Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Lee's Summit, Missiouri Casino cash: $9984900	63 yards in 12 attempts Wow ... now that's pretty sweet.
Posts: 1,326

08-13-2010, 10:53 PM	#4
BossChief SuperBowl or bust Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: BF Iowa Casino cash: $1854088	This offense has real potential to be good if Cassel turns into a quarterback one day. Chambers Bowe DMC Moeaki Charles Jones those are plenty of weapons for a damn good offense if the quarterback shows up and plays like one. __________________ Dreams do come true... http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...postcount=1407
Posts: 47,130

08-13-2010, 10:54 PM	#5
Chiefs Pantalones GO CHIEFS!!!!!! Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $7898717	I've seen enough. It's been one game but it's enough. Rest him. __________________ Don't be fooled by my username, I'm white.
Posts: 26,630

08-13-2010, 11:40 PM	#9
cdcox www.nfl-forecast.com Join Date: Sep 2000 Casino cash: $2331769	It's raining midgets.
Posts: 45,536

08-14-2010, 01:12 AM	#10
Rasputin Tip of the hat LIV Champs Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: ks Casino cash: $3465421	How many years have we biatched about this offense line? Willie & Will are gone, I know Croyle got slammed his first year as a starter the O-line was much worse then, Huard got creameulated that year too. When is our O-line not going to be an excuse so we can evaluate the rest of the players? Cassel plays like shit, but of course it's becouse our O-line still sucks so lets just keep letting Cassel be starter and give him excuses for sucking. O-**ING LINE O-ING LINE O-**ing LINE O_LINE O_LINE Damn now I gave myself a headache
Posts: 54,963

08-14-2010, 01:15 AM	#11
Bambi Banned Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: New York City Casino cash: $10036993	Cassel. Just awful. Should have drafted Clausen.
Posts: 17,810

08-14-2010, 03:56 AM	#15
LaChapelle Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Casino cash: $10004900	It's all nice and rosey until you have to listen to a 20 minute rambling of Michael Irvin on the Chiefs playmakers
Posts: 8,588