Chiefs Covitz: Javier Arenas could be the Chiefs' next great return man - Page 5

**Tribal Warfare** · 08-16-2010, 12:52 AM

Javier Arenas could be the Chiefs' next great return man
By RANDY COVITZ
The Kansas City Star

ST. JOSEPH | Based on just two weeks of training camp and one exhibition game, Chiefs coach Todd Haley isn’t ready to declare rookie Javier Arenas the next Dante Hall.

But Arenas, a second-round draft pick from Alabama, gave an indication in the exhibition opener Friday at Atlanta that he has the ability to restore the Chiefs’ lineage of talented kick-return men that was severed with the departure of Hall in 2007.

In the 1960s, it was Nolan “Super Gnat” Smith; in the 1970s, it was Ed Podolak; in the ’80s it was J.T. Smith; in the ’90s, it was Tamarick Vanover. And during the first half of the 2000s, it was Hall, whose six kickoff and five punt returns with the Chiefs combined to rank third in NFL history.

Noland Smith (1968), Podolak (1970), J.T. Smith (1980) and Hall (2003) all led the league in punt returns once in their careers, and Vanover (1996) led the AFC in kickoff returns.

“A goal of a return man for Kansas City would be to be mentioned in the same sentences as those guys,” Arenas said Sunday. “But first and foremost, you want to contribute, you want to do your job.”

In his pro debut, Arenas returned three kickoffs for 85 yards, including a 42-yarder in the third quarter. In addition, a 99-yard return for a touchdown was nullified because of a holding penalty on rookie free agent Justin Cole.

“It was a good start for us as a unit,” said Arenas, who stiff-armed Atlanta kicker Steve Hauschka on the 42-yard return but couldn’t escape him before being pushed out of bounds.

“I just go back there and be me … playing loose and using my God-given ability and trusting the guys blocking for me. I’m getting a chance. It’s what I do with it.”

Arenas, selected with the draft pick the Chiefs obtained in the Tony Gonzalez trade, called fair catches on both of his punt-return opportunities and let one kickoff go for a touchback. Haley was as impressed with those two decisions as he was the returns.

“Right out of the gate, on the first punt return, he called a fair catch, in traffic, it’s in his own end; he had a couple of those factors to deal with,” Haley said. “He did a good job of not catching the one that went into the end zone. That’s a real good sign from a young guy.

“The whole team recognized if they could do their job up front on these kickoff returns and punt returns, we have a chance to make big plays, and that can be a weapon for us, if he continues to progress and do the things he’s been doing.”

Arenas came to the Chiefs with impeccable credentials as a kick returner at Alabama. His seven punt returns for touchdowns rank first in SEC history and third in NCAA history. He was also the only college football player ever to generate more than 1,500 yards in punt returns and 2,000 yards in kickoff returns in a career.

“There is a lot of natural instinct in that position, and he appears to be real good with the ball in his hands,” Haley said. “We’ve seen that on interceptions in college, we’ve seen it on the practice field. He’s got a natural feel for running with the football in his hands. He’s got good vision. He knows how to set blocks. He’s got a skill set that enables him to use all of his assets.”

Arenas is also playing nickel back with the first-team defense. The Falcons didn’t go with many three-receiver sets Friday, so Arenas will have to wait until the second exhibition game on Saturday night at Tampa Bay to get more involved with the defense.

Arenas, who is just 5-foot-9 and 197 pounds, intercepted six passes in his two years as a starting left cornerback at Alabama, including five as a senior for the national-champion Tide. He also was a successful on-the-corner blitzer, recording seven sacks, including five as a senior. And he was beaten for just one touchdown.

“I play cornerback,” Arenas said, not wanting to be typecast as just a return man. “Returning is second for me. I’m not being greedy and saying I just want to do one thing. When I go out there and practice and give it my all, wherever role is, I’ll do the best.”

Pasta Little Brioni · 08-16-2010, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beach tribe

How many SEC games do you guys watch up there?
Javier Arenas is going to kick ass in the nickel.
Billay, you think you could link one of those 4.7 40s?
The guy is fast, and Hits like flowers. As a matter of fact, he plays with a lot of the same toughness and attitude,
as BF, and they are about the same size.
We did not draft this guy to be a return specialist, although that is an awesome bonus.
He's here to cover the Welkers, Harvins, and DMCs of the NFL. He'll be on the field for more than half the defensive snaps.

Spot on. Good blitzer too. It is easy to spot the peeps that have actually watched these guys and the ones who are talking out of thier ass.

**notorious** · 08-16-2010, 04:36 PM

I like Arenas, too. He is a playmaker.

Mr. Laz · 08-16-2010, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PGM

Spot on. Good blitzer too. It is easy to spot the peeps that have actually watched these guys and the ones who are talking out of thier ass.

oh suck my dick ... i have seen Arenas play several times.

still doesn't mean his worth is more than a decent NT or ILB.

Pasta Little Brioni · 08-16-2010, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

oh suck my dick ... i have seen Arenas play several times.

still doesn't mean his worth is more than a decent NT or ILB.

Here's the rub...I would have rather they selected Cody over Arenas, so I won't argue the NT part at all...but, Beach absolutely nailed why he was selected and is right about the growing role and importance of the 3rd corner. There was a thread a while back and someone posted all the 2nd rounders since 2000 and it was kind of surprising the fail rate throughout the league. Odds are most of these guys we are griping about passing over aren't going to be worth a damn anyway.

**J Diddy** · 08-16-2010, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

oh suck my dick ... i have seen Arenas play several times.

still doesn't mean his worth is more than a decent NT or ILB.

lol, so because you didn't get the pick you wanted the guy they picked is a pos.

08-16-2010, 12:52 AM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $942813	Covitz: Javier Arenas could be the Chiefs' next great return man Javier Arenas could be the Chiefs' next great return man By RANDY COVITZ The Kansas City Star ST. JOSEPH \| Based on just two weeks of training camp and one exhibition game, Chiefs coach Todd Haley isn’t ready to declare rookie Javier Arenas the next Dante Hall. But Arenas, a second-round draft pick from Alabama, gave an indication in the exhibition opener Friday at Atlanta that he has the ability to restore the Chiefs’ lineage of talented kick-return men that was severed with the departure of Hall in 2007. In the 1960s, it was Nolan “Super Gnat” Smith; in the 1970s, it was Ed Podolak; in the ’80s it was J.T. Smith; in the ’90s, it was Tamarick Vanover. And during the first half of the 2000s, it was Hall, whose six kickoff and five punt returns with the Chiefs combined to rank third in NFL history. Noland Smith (1968), Podolak (1970), J.T. Smith (1980) and Hall (2003) all led the league in punt returns once in their careers, and Vanover (1996) led the AFC in kickoff returns. “A goal of a return man for Kansas City would be to be mentioned in the same sentences as those guys,” Arenas said Sunday. “But first and foremost, you want to contribute, you want to do your job.” In his pro debut, Arenas returned three kickoffs for 85 yards, including a 42-yarder in the third quarter. In addition, a 99-yard return for a touchdown was nullified because of a holding penalty on rookie free agent Justin Cole. “It was a good start for us as a unit,” said Arenas, who stiff-armed Atlanta kicker Steve Hauschka on the 42-yard return but couldn’t escape him before being pushed out of bounds. “I just go back there and be me … playing loose and using my God-given ability and trusting the guys blocking for me. I’m getting a chance. It’s what I do with it.” Arenas, selected with the draft pick the Chiefs obtained in the Tony Gonzalez trade, called fair catches on both of his punt-return opportunities and let one kickoff go for a touchback. Haley was as impressed with those two decisions as he was the returns. “Right out of the gate, on the first punt return, he called a fair catch, in traffic, it’s in his own end; he had a couple of those factors to deal with,” Haley said. “He did a good job of not catching the one that went into the end zone. That’s a real good sign from a young guy. “The whole team recognized if they could do their job up front on these kickoff returns and punt returns, we have a chance to make big plays, and that can be a weapon for us, if he continues to progress and do the things he’s been doing.” Arenas came to the Chiefs with impeccable credentials as a kick returner at Alabama. His seven punt returns for touchdowns rank first in SEC history and third in NCAA history. He was also the only college football player ever to generate more than 1,500 yards in punt returns and 2,000 yards in kickoff returns in a career. “There is a lot of natural instinct in that position, and he appears to be real good with the ball in his hands,” Haley said. “We’ve seen that on interceptions in college, we’ve seen it on the practice field. He’s got a natural feel for running with the football in his hands. He’s got good vision. He knows how to set blocks. He’s got a skill set that enables him to use all of his assets.” Arenas is also playing nickel back with the first-team defense. The Falcons didn’t go with many three-receiver sets Friday, so Arenas will have to wait until the second exhibition game on Saturday night at Tampa Bay to get more involved with the defense. Arenas, who is just 5-foot-9 and 197 pounds, intercepted six passes in his two years as a starting left cornerback at Alabama, including five as a senior for the national-champion Tide. He also was a successful on-the-corner blitzer, recording seven sacks, including five as a senior. And he was beaten for just one touchdown. “I play cornerback,” Arenas said, not wanting to be typecast as just a return man. “Returning is second for me. I’m not being greedy and saying I just want to do one thing. When I go out there and practice and give it my all, wherever role is, I’ll do the best.”
Posts: 42,034

08-16-2010, 04:36 PM	#62
notorious Supporter Join Date: May 2005 Location: Who knows? Casino cash: $2955884	I like Arenas, too. He is a playmaker.
Posts: 83,261