Chiefs News Etc 8/17/12

[Ace Gunner]

Slow day so far. Heard Sean Salsbury on the radio talking about the QB situation in KC and ATL. Sean said Matt Ryan is on fire again and the Chiefs will have their hands full from the very first game this season.

Then, they put on a couple of Chiefs cheerleaders and interviewed them. The cheerleaders said they have to pass a "football test" and one of the questions was "align each team logo with it's proper division". Like I said, slow news day.


So, here's a piece written for the Chiefs' site;






Running back has factored into Kansas City’s offense this preseason





St. Joseph, Mo. – If things went as planned, Shaun Draughn would probably be in Redskins camp right now.

That’s where he was at this time last year, eyeing a spot on Washington’s 53-man roster.

But things weren’t meant to be in Washington. Draughn received limited opportunities – just 11 preseason carries – and his 1.7-yard rushing average didn’t do the undrafted rookie any favors.

Shaun Draughn was just another name looking for work by the time September rolled around.

“I came up the rough side of the mountain,” Draughn said. “I was cut last year and had to come to a new team as a member of the practice squad.”

Draughn remained unemployed until early October when Kansas City took a midseason flier on the former North Carolina Tarheel. Rookie offensive lineman Butch Lewis was traded out for Draughn on the Chiefs eight-man practice squad.

It was on Kansas City’s practice squad that Draughn’s NFL career began to turn in a new direction.

“Actually, it was probably a blessing in disguise to go the practice squad route,” Draughn said. “I feel like I got so much better just practicing against our defense and learning form guys like Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones. Thomas was a big mentor to me last year and was always encouraging me to keep pushing forward.”

He listened and kept working, running opponents’ offensive plays for the Chiefs scout team. It wasn’t long before Draughn started to get noticed.

Draughn’s practices became impressive enough that defensive line coach Anthony Pleasant sought out assistant head coach Maurice Carthon to make sure the former NFL running back wasn’t overlooking Draughn’s scout team production.

“Our defensive coaches were really impressed with his work on the scout team,” Carthon recalled. “Every other day Anthony Pleasant was saying, ‘hey, did you just see the move that kid made?’ So I started to take a closer look at him. He’s flashed throughout OTAs and here in training camp. Now I hope that he continues to grow.”

The Chiefs promoted Draughn to the active roster prior to last year’s regular season finale when Jackie Battle landed on injured reserve. Draughn would only play special teams against the Broncos, but it ensured him a spot on the Chiefs roster for at least the 2012 offseason program.

“It’s was a blessing,” Draughn said of the promotion. “I’m thankful for the organization giving me a chance. My approach has been to just keep doing what I’ve been doing. I’m focused on improving every day and trying to make this team.”

With Jamaal Charles, Peyton Hillis and sixth-round draft pick Cyrus Gray all competing for time in Kansas City’s backfield – not to mention a possible cameo from Dexter McCluster – Draughn slid under the radar for much of the offseason. But fans and media started to take notice during open training camp practices.

Draughn began stringing big plays together one after the other and scored a touchdown in last week’s preseason opener against Arizona.

“It was crazy when I scored,” Draughn said. “Even when I was in college I never heard the crowd. You kind of zone out when you score, but that time I kind of took it all in and took my time getting to the sideline. I wanted to stay out there as long as I could and celebrate with my teammates.”

Camp is closing and it’s been a successful three-week run for Draughn. He’s put himself in position to make a solid run at a roster spot over the final three preseason games. The Chiefs have given him looks running with the first-team offense and he’s already logged more carries than he did all of last preseason with the Redskins.

Saturday night represents another big test in St. Louis. Gray is sidelined with a hamstring injury, leaving Draughn with more opportunities to show his progression. He’ll also be running on multiple special teams units in addition to an expanded offensive role.

“I just feel like I’m doing what I’m coached to do and when I get my chance I try to shine as best I can,” Draughn said. “What people don’t notice is that I probably go harder in special teams than anything else. That’s how I’ll make this football team. It’s going to be a big role that I’ll have to play.”

Kansas City’s backfield now appears more crowded than it did entering training camp. Carthon says it’s the deepest group of backs he’s coached since joining the Chiefs four seasons ago.

“I wish I could keep them all, not just four,” Carthon said. “They are all great guys, good people and are working hard. That’s exactly what they are and it’s good as a coach. It’s like being a kid in a candy store. You go in the morning and those guys are there mentally, you don’t hear too much talk-back from any of them and they are always ready to focus on the task at hand.”


http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/article...b-c9c4e63e222b

[durtyrute]

New day, new news thread.

I love it.

rep

[Micjones]

Kid's gonna get a bunch of carries this week. If I'm not mistaken, Gray won't play.

[Black Bob]

Ryan definately looked good last night. He started 11 for 11 and finished 18-21 for 174 yards and a TD. Not bad for a quarter and a half. We are going to have to get pressure on him or he will kill us.

[kcmaxwell]

Originally Posted by durtyrute

New day, new news thread.

I love it.

rep

Agreed. This is so much better.

[Sofa King]

“I wish I could keep them all, not just four,” Carthon said.

Keeping four, he will make the team.

[QuikSsurfer]

Originally Posted by BlackBob

Ryan definately looked good last night. He started 11 for 11 and finished 18-21 for 174 yards and a TD. Not bad for a quarter and a half. We are going to have to get pressure on him or he will kill us.

If there's a god, Flowers will be ready.

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

Atlanta will be a good matchup, they have so many weapons. I agree, the key will be getting pressure on Ryan and not letting the recievers have time to get downfield. I can forsee us losing in a close game with the difference Bowe and Cassel not being on the same page and two penalties by Routt. But then again we have as many weapons, really more, than them and our D should be better than theirs.

[Chiefnj2]

I don't understand.

This thread doesn't have an argument about Stanzi. Isn't this an infraction of the terms of use?

[Imon Yourside]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

I don't understand.

This thread doesn't have an argument about Stanzi. Isn't this an infraction of the terms of use?

No, but it should be.

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

Another thought is , if their QB goes down their chances of winning goes down. If ours goes down our chances of winning go up.

[durtyrute]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

I don't understand.

This thread doesn't have an argument about Stanzi. Isn't this an infraction of the terms of use?

No arguing on Fridays it's all peaches and lollipops.

[boogblaster]

run baby run .....

[Micjones]

Originally Posted by BlackBob

Ryan definately looked good last night. He started 11 for 11 and finished 18-21 for 174 yards and a TD. Not bad for a quarter and a half. We are going to have to get pressure on him or he will kill us.

No doubt about it. I expect to see that sub-package (Berry at the Joker spot) quite a bit in that game.

[Dante84]

Originally Posted by Micjones

No doubt about it. I expect to see that sub-package (Berry at the Joker spot) quite a bit in that game.

Yup, 6 db's for the win. Play him like we did Rodgers last year.

Falcons run game is not at all dominant, and our run d is. I think we pick him twice.