Chiefs Babb: New Chief McCluster shows strength to make up for lack of size - Page 2

**Tribal Warfare** · 05-03-2010, 12:21 AM

New Chief McCluster shows strength to make up for lack of size
By KENT BABB
The Kansas City Star

As much as the Chiefs might hope for one last growth spurt, or order Dexter McCluster to burn hours in the weight room, there’s a fact he has come to terms with.

“I can tell you one thing,” McCluster, a rookie slot receiver, said this weekend during Kansas City’s three-day rookie minicamp. “I’m 5-8 and 21 years old, so I don’t think I’m growing taller right now.”

The Chiefs drafted McCluster last weekend in the second round out of Mississippi. They like his speed and playmaking ability, and those skills remind observers of Philadelphia receiver DeSean Jackson and San Diego running back Darren Sproles. But like those players, it’s McCluster’s size that doesn’t seem a natural fit in the NFL.

McCluster is listed at 170 pounds, a weight that makes Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles — at 199 pounds — look like Hercules. Both Jackson and Sproles are each at least 10 pounds heavier than McCluster.

Now the Chiefs’ challenge is to try to add thickness to McCluster without sacrificing the speed and quickness that made him so enticing. Chiefs coach Todd Haley said that whatever happens next, McCluster already has proved that he possesses the mettle to hang in an NFL locker room.

“It takes special ability and character to make it at that size,” Haley said. “We feel he’s got the right combination of quickness, speed and strength, which is a key thing when you start talking about smaller receivers or backs.”

Haley compared McCluster to former New York Jets receiver Wayne Chrebet (5-10, 188 pounds) and former Chiefs and St. Louis kick returner Dante Hall (5-8, 187), players who overcame their diminutive statures with remarkable strength. Haley said he thought McCluster was a similar kind of player.

“Those are the things that you hear about him: He’s pound-for-pound the strongest guy at Mississippi,” Haley said.

McCluster admitted this weekend that this wasn’t the first time he’s been questioned about his size. It’s also not the first time he overcame those concerns and thrived. He played running back and receiver for the Rebels, catching 130 passes and rushing for 1,955 yards in four seasons. Haley said Friday that McCluster was one of the Chiefs’ highest-rated running backs and wide receivers on the team’s draft board when its turn came up early in the second round.

He was small for Southeastern Conference standards, too. Not that it affected his performance or confidence.

“There was never a time at Ole Miss that I doubted myself,” McCluster said. “All my life growing up, I’ve been a smaller guy and had to prove (myself) to people. It was pretty much the fuel to my success.”

Another thing that has fueled McCluster’s success is his willingness to work. He said he’d be up for extra work in the weight room or playing any position. He worked this weekend at running back, receiver and kick returner.

“We oriented him into multiple areas,” Haley said. “So it was important for us to see how he handled some of that: being in a different classroom, different meeting, different spots. We’re learning as much as they are, and it’s important.”

That’s not all.

“Hope he grows, too,” Haley said with a laugh.

Haley didn’t elaborate on the team’s plans to thicken McCluster before training camp, saying that the team will lean on first-year strength coach Mike Clark to design a program for McCluster.

Not that it matters, McCluster said.

“I want to make a name for myself,” he said. “Whatever they ask, you best believe I’m doing it.”

JohnnyV13 · 05-03-2010, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWillie007

I don't believe it

I'm 5'7 173, and I bench press 225 for 3 sets of 10 in my routine.

I can probably do 14 or 15 for a single set strength test. And, I'm over 30 and hardly a professional football player.

I can believe McCluster did 20 reps at the combine. I think short arms do help a bench presser. I've been a strong bench presser my whole life, probably more than any other routine.

SPATCH · 05-03-2010, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Meat Dragon

20

strempth.... not strength. strempth.

SPATCH · 05-03-2010, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyV13

I'm 5'7 173, and I bench press 225 for 3 sets of 10 in my routine.

I can probably do 14 or 15 for a single set strength test. And, I'm over 30 and hardly a professional football player.

I can believe McCluster did 20 reps at the combine. I think short arms do help a bench presser. I've been a strong bench presser my whole life, probably more than any other routine.

Yeah and I've got a 10 inch cock.

just ****in with you dude. I believe you.

Mr. Laz · 05-03-2010, 10:28 AM

gimme a call when he's strong enough to play ILB

**DaneMcCloud** · 05-03-2010, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

gimme a call when he's strong enough to play ILB

There are only so many offensive playmakers in the NFL that can score every single time they touch the ball.

Linebackers are everywhere and odds are that you're not going to find anyone special at #36 or #50.

DumbHillbillies · 05-03-2010, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWillie007

Contrary to popular belief, being short or tall has little to do w/ how much one can bench press. If you look at powerlifting competitions and some of the data compiled, you will find there is not a strong correlation to height at all.

I don't know, I've heard nfl analyst/coaches say that the don't too much emphasis on the bench press for 3-4 DEs with long arms. I'll find an article.

KCrockaholic · 05-03-2010, 10:41 AM

People make too much of a big deal about his size. I don't care how big he is. He is one of the few players in the NFL that can do basically everything in an NFL offense. Runningbacks turned WR's should be the new cliche for the next couple years. With the success of guys like Percy Harvin, we should only see a bigger splash of playmakers like McCluster in the NFL.

Pants · 05-03-2010, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcrockaholic4life

People make too much of a big deal about his size. I don't care how big he is. He is one of the few players in the NFL that can do basically everything in an NFL offense. Runningbacks turned WR's should be the new cliche for the next couple years. With the success of guys like Percy Harvin, we should only see a bigger splash of playmakers like McCluster in the NFL.

Yeah, but he was a WR turned RB turned WR again. It's not like he's played only RB his whole life.

KCrockaholic · 05-03-2010, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metrolike

Yeah, but he was a WR turned RB turned WR again. It's not like he's played only RB his whole life.

Players who have experience doing both gain a huge advantage over guys who have been stuck playing 1 position their whole career. Golden Tate should only continue to show what it can do for a career.

ChiefMojo · 05-03-2010, 11:33 AM

That is true, the two main slot receivers of interest that are mainly talked about in McCluster and Tate both have RB/WR playing time. What makes them special is what they do with the ball after the catch... they are just quick RB's out in space. Sproles is the same way, but he works out of the backfield as we all know.

Mecca · 05-03-2010, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWillie007

Contrary to popular belief, being short or tall has little to do w/ how much one can bench press. If you look at powerlifting competitions and some of the data compiled, you will find there is not a strong correlation to height at all.

It has nothing to do with how much you can bench, your arm length does have something to do with the amount of reps you can do.

Basically a high rep number is really not a true indicator of strength, anyone who lifts for power doesn't do high reps, they do low reps of high weight. 225 is basically something you need to train yourself for stamina wise more than power wise, it's why you see some big guys have low numbers with it.

If a guy doesn't extensively train for it, he won't get that many reps in because he's not training that way even though he may be significantly stronger than a guy who does numerous more reps.

OleMissCub · 05-03-2010, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metrolike

Yeah, but he was a WR turned RB turned WR again. It's not like he's played only RB his whole life.

but he played RB for 26 straight games in the SEC against the likes of Bama, Florida, & LSU. He definitely knows what he is doing if he is put back there.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 05-03-2010, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWillie007

Contrary to popular belief, being short or tall has little to do w/ how much one can bench press. If you look at powerlifting competitions and some of the data compiled, you will find there is not a strong correlation to height at all.

It does when you have 29" arms.

CoMoChief · 05-03-2010, 12:44 PM

So when you're benching 225 20 times, you're saying that arm length has "nothing" to do with it?

You're both laying flat on the same bench, guy A is 5'7 and lifts the bar 29in up into the air and back down. Guy B is 6'4 and has 46in up into the air.

Why do you think it's easier for smaller guys to put on muscle mass than people who are tall and lanky?

chiefsnorth · 05-03-2010, 12:46 PM

will be nice to have actual playmakers instead of the practice squad heroes Carl and Herm ran out there.
Posted via Mobile Device

05-03-2010, 12:21 AM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $892813	Babb: New Chief McCluster shows strength to make up for lack of size New Chief McCluster shows strength to make up for lack of size By KENT BABB The Kansas City Star As much as the Chiefs might hope for one last growth spurt, or order Dexter McCluster to burn hours in the weight room, there’s a fact he has come to terms with. “I can tell you one thing,” McCluster, a rookie slot receiver, said this weekend during Kansas City’s three-day rookie minicamp. “I’m 5-8 and 21 years old, so I don’t think I’m growing taller right now.” The Chiefs drafted McCluster last weekend in the second round out of Mississippi. They like his speed and playmaking ability, and those skills remind observers of Philadelphia receiver DeSean Jackson and San Diego running back Darren Sproles. But like those players, it’s McCluster’s size that doesn’t seem a natural fit in the NFL. McCluster is listed at 170 pounds, a weight that makes Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles — at 199 pounds — look like Hercules. Both Jackson and Sproles are each at least 10 pounds heavier than McCluster. Now the Chiefs’ challenge is to try to add thickness to McCluster without sacrificing the speed and quickness that made him so enticing. Chiefs coach Todd Haley said that whatever happens next, McCluster already has proved that he possesses the mettle to hang in an NFL locker room. “It takes special ability and character to make it at that size,” Haley said. “We feel he’s got the right combination of quickness, speed and strength, which is a key thing when you start talking about smaller receivers or backs.” Haley compared McCluster to former New York Jets receiver Wayne Chrebet (5-10, 188 pounds) and former Chiefs and St. Louis kick returner Dante Hall (5-8, 187), players who overcame their diminutive statures with remarkable strength. Haley said he thought McCluster was a similar kind of player. “Those are the things that you hear about him: He’s pound-for-pound the strongest guy at Mississippi,” Haley said. McCluster admitted this weekend that this wasn’t the first time he’s been questioned about his size. It’s also not the first time he overcame those concerns and thrived. He played running back and receiver for the Rebels, catching 130 passes and rushing for 1,955 yards in four seasons. Haley said Friday that McCluster was one of the Chiefs’ highest-rated running backs and wide receivers on the team’s draft board when its turn came up early in the second round. He was small for Southeastern Conference standards, too. Not that it affected his performance or confidence. “There was never a time at Ole Miss that I doubted myself,” McCluster said. “All my life growing up, I’ve been a smaller guy and had to prove (myself) to people. It was pretty much the fuel to my success.” Another thing that has fueled McCluster’s success is his willingness to work. He said he’d be up for extra work in the weight room or playing any position. He worked this weekend at running back, receiver and kick returner. “We oriented him into multiple areas,” Haley said. “So it was important for us to see how he handled some of that: being in a different classroom, different meeting, different spots. We’re learning as much as they are, and it’s important.” That’s not all. “Hope he grows, too,” Haley said with a laugh. Haley didn’t elaborate on the team’s plans to thicken McCluster before training camp, saying that the team will lean on first-year strength coach Mike Clark to design a program for McCluster. Not that it matters, McCluster said. “I want to make a name for myself,” he said. “Whatever they ask, you best believe I’m doing it.”
Posts: 42,087

05-03-2010, 10:28 AM	#19
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	gimme a call when he's strong enough to play ILB __________________
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05-03-2010, 10:41 AM	#22
KCrockaholic Sarcasm Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Olathe Casino cash: $4762900	People make too much of a big deal about his size. I don't care how big he is. He is one of the few players in the NFL that can do basically everything in an NFL offense. Runningbacks turned WR's should be the new cliche for the next couple years. With the success of guys like Percy Harvin, we should only see a bigger splash of playmakers like McCluster in the NFL.
Posts: 21,133

05-03-2010, 11:33 AM	#25
ChiefMojo Happy, Happy, Happy!!! Join Date: Jan 2009 Casino cash: $10004935	That is true, the two main slot receivers of interest that are mainly talked about in McCluster and Tate both have RB/WR playing time. What makes them special is what they do with the ball after the catch... they are just quick RB's out in space. Sproles is the same way, but he works out of the backfield as we all know.
Posts: 2,283

05-03-2010, 12:44 PM	#29
CoMoChief Mahomes Dynasty Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $8052254	So when you're benching 225 20 times, you're saying that arm length has "nothing" to do with it? You're both laying flat on the same bench, guy A is 5'7 and lifts the bar 29in up into the air and back down. Guy B is 6'4 and has 46in up into the air. Why do you think it's easier for smaller guys to put on muscle mass than people who are tall and lanky?
Posts: 39,156

05-03-2010, 12:46 PM	#30
chiefsnorth Veteran Join Date: Apr 2010 Casino cash: $10004900	will be nice to have actual playmakers instead of the practice squad heroes Carl and Herm ran out there. Posted via Mobile Device
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