Chiefs Devard Darling ready to reclaim starting job - Page 2

Hammock Parties · 06-09-2009, 12:51 PM

Recognize the talent and wait for the DVD revolution.

http://www.bobgretz.com/chiefs-footb...%99chiefs.html

Darling Chases Starting Spot … Tuesday Cup O’Chiefs

Todd Haley says there are no starting jobs assured on the 2009 Chiefs right now.

That’s OK with Devard Darling. He’s more than willing to keep working for a starting job. He’s just excited that right now, he’s running with the first team offense as the other receiver with Dwayne Bowe.

It was Bowe who got all the attention on Monday as the Chiefs started another week of OTA workouts. Haley talked about Bowe, and then the wide receiver spoke to the media, something he’s done very little of during this off-season.

On the other side of the room was the team’s other starting receiver – at least for now. As always, Darling did not draw a lot of attention. It’s probably one of the biggest surprises of the new season so far that a guy considered an unrestricted free agent bust last year, has pushed himself into the mix in the Chiefs offense. A starting job in June does not mean he goes back to Baltimore in September and takes the field for the first offensive play.

But right now, Darling is getting the chance to build rapport with QB Matt Cassel, thanks to those reps with the first team.

“I’m excited about the opportunity,” Darling said. “It’s too early to think things are set. There’s a lot of work left to do, then training camp. I’m just going out and working as hard as I can every day that I’m here. That’s what I’ve done through this whole off-season and that’s what I’m going to continue to do.”

In a Chiefs passing game that has struggled in the last week or so to get things done, Darling has been very consistent and very productive.

“You hear from the coaches all the time that they are evaluating,” said Darling. “So I try to take advantage of every opportunity that comes my way.”

People forget that Darling started last year in the Chiefs offense. It was a spot he held for the first five games of the season. He caught just four passes in those games and the only one to remember was the 68-yard play where he split the Patriots defense in the fourth quarter and gave the Chiefs a chance to beat New England. Right after Darling catch and run, Bowe dropped a TD pass in the end zone and the Chiefs racked up the first of their 14 defeats.

That play should have been Darling’s ticket to more action in the Chiefs offense. But something got in his way. First, it was the problems at quarterback and first Brodie Croyle and then Damon Huard were injured. Through the first five weeks, Darling caught just four passes, none longer than 11 yards.

That’s when Darling lost his starting job, as Mark Bradley advanced to the first unit after being signed off the waiver wire. Darling did not start again until Bradley was injured late in the season.

And it was in the last month that Tyler Thigpen found him again, as Darling caught seven passes in the final three games, including a 33-yard TD catch against Miami.

So what happened between the 68-yarder against the Patriots and the 33-yard catch against the Dolphins? Darling would like to know.

“I can’t really tell you what happened,” he said. “Nobody ever said anything to me. I didn’t get a lot of opportunities.”

Darling ended the season with 17 catches for 247 yards and one touchdown. Those numbers were all less than what he’d done in the 2007 season with Baltimore (18 for 326 and 3 TDs.) He did contribute 11 special teams tackles last season, which was second on the team.

“It was a bad year, the worst season I was part of in my career,” Darling said. “It wasn’t just that I didn’t get a chance in the offense. It was the losing. It was just awful.”

Like everyone else that returns from the 2-14 debacle, Darling is looking for an opportunity to wash that sour taste out of his mouth.

“We have a chance to overcome that,” said Darling. “That’s what I’m trying to do. I’m trying to get better every day and help this team win some games.”

BigVE · 06-09-2009, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

I'm telling you right now...Darling was completely hamstrung by our reerunus maximus offensive playcalling before we went to the spread. He's waaaaay better than what he showed last year. Haley's gonna find a way to use him. No doubt in my mind.

Of course he will, the guy DID have 11 special teams tackles last year ya' know. He will be a S.T. standout.

wild1 · 06-09-2009, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

you mean the one where he was running free for the game-tying TD and got ran down from behind by 99 year old rodney harrison IIRC?

precisely.

MGRS13 · 06-09-2009, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

He can play. It's not like he was dropping passes. He just needs an opportunity. He got a raw deal last year.

No he can't. what passes? he doesn't get open. his opportunity should come in the UFL. He got a deal with an NFL team while having XFL talent I don't call that raw.

Hammock Parties · 06-09-2009, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MGRS13

No he can't. what passes? he doesn't get open..

He'd get open in a pro-style offense. That gimmicky spread stuff doesn't even require a quarterback to read the whole field half the time.

BarrySPAMAID · 06-09-2009, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

you mean the one where he was running free for the game-tying TD and got ran down from behind by 99 year old rodney harrison IIRC?

LOL!!! Yes,...

In fairness, he had to run the whole length of the field. And it was the first time he touched the ball the entire game. So, good point, but again, it was a spectacular play.

MGRS13 · 06-09-2009, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

He'd get open in a pro-style offense. That gimmicky spread stuff doesn't even require a quarterback to read the whole field half the time.

Dude really stop. i saw the guy live every game at aarowhead he can not play. It had nothing to do with his QB's or lack there of. He just sucks. Like I said you played this game last year and came out looking pretty stupid so pick some other scrub to stick up for. I mean whats next Hootie coming out of the wood work to tell us Huard has enough juice left in that cannon of his for one more super bowl run.
Your man crush on devard "football jesus" Darling = Hooties man man love with Hutard................. sad man just really really sad.

**The Franchise** · 06-09-2009, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarrysKOOLAID

LOL!!! Yes,...

In fairness, he had to run the whole length of the field. And it was the first time he touched the ball the entire game. So, good point, but again, it was a spectacular play.

Seriously?

He had to run the whole length of the field? He got caught by Rodney Harrison! That's like getting caught by a fast offensive lineman.

The length that some people go is pathetic.

Hammock Parties · 06-09-2009, 01:38 PM

He wasn't caught by Harrison.

**The Franchise** · 06-09-2009, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

He wasn't caught by Harrison.

Who then?

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-h...-Patriots-2008

Deltha O'Neil

**Skip Towne** · 06-09-2009, 01:43 PM

Nebraska's punter is faster than Darling.

Mr. Krab · 06-09-2009, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarrysKOOLAID

I can agree with that Claython. I do remember the big play he had in the New England game as well. There is an opportunity for Devard this year. Let's see how it pans out.

One WPI guy agreeing with another. I'm shocked.

**Bugeater** · 06-09-2009, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip Towne

Nebraska's punter is faster than Darling.

Kicker. That was a fake FG, not a fake punt.

**Skip Towne** · 06-09-2009, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Kicker. That was a fake FG, not a fake punt.

That's even worse.

Farzin · 06-09-2009, 03:01 PM

Basileus777 · 06-09-2009, 03:05 PM

Claythan redeemed!

06-09-2009, 12:51 PM
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4480478	Devard Darling ready to reclaim starting job Recognize the talent and wait for the DVD revolution. http://www.bobgretz.com/chiefs-footb...%99chiefs.html Darling Chases Starting Spot … Tuesday Cup O’Chiefs Todd Haley says there are no starting jobs assured on the 2009 Chiefs right now. That’s OK with Devard Darling. He’s more than willing to keep working for a starting job. He’s just excited that right now, he’s running with the first team offense as the other receiver with Dwayne Bowe. It was Bowe who got all the attention on Monday as the Chiefs started another week of OTA workouts. Haley talked about Bowe, and then the wide receiver spoke to the media, something he’s done very little of during this off-season. On the other side of the room was the team’s other starting receiver – at least for now. As always, Darling did not draw a lot of attention. It’s probably one of the biggest surprises of the new season so far that a guy considered an unrestricted free agent bust last year, has pushed himself into the mix in the Chiefs offense. A starting job in June does not mean he goes back to Baltimore in September and takes the field for the first offensive play. But right now, Darling is getting the chance to build rapport with QB Matt Cassel, thanks to those reps with the first team. “I’m excited about the opportunity,” Darling said. “It’s too early to think things are set. There’s a lot of work left to do, then training camp. I’m just going out and working as hard as I can every day that I’m here. That’s what I’ve done through this whole off-season and that’s what I’m going to continue to do.” In a Chiefs passing game that has struggled in the last week or so to get things done, Darling has been very consistent and very productive. “You hear from the coaches all the time that they are evaluating,” said Darling. “So I try to take advantage of every opportunity that comes my way.” People forget that Darling started last year in the Chiefs offense. It was a spot he held for the first five games of the season. He caught just four passes in those games and the only one to remember was the 68-yard play where he split the Patriots defense in the fourth quarter and gave the Chiefs a chance to beat New England. Right after Darling catch and run, Bowe dropped a TD pass in the end zone and the Chiefs racked up the first of their 14 defeats. That play should have been Darling’s ticket to more action in the Chiefs offense. But something got in his way. First, it was the problems at quarterback and first Brodie Croyle and then Damon Huard were injured. Through the first five weeks, Darling caught just four passes, none longer than 11 yards. That’s when Darling lost his starting job, as Mark Bradley advanced to the first unit after being signed off the waiver wire. Darling did not start again until Bradley was injured late in the season. And it was in the last month that Tyler Thigpen found him again, as Darling caught seven passes in the final three games, including a 33-yard TD catch against Miami. So what happened between the 68-yarder against the Patriots and the 33-yard catch against the Dolphins? Darling would like to know. “I can’t really tell you what happened,” he said. “Nobody ever said anything to me. I didn’t get a lot of opportunities.” Darling ended the season with 17 catches for 247 yards and one touchdown. Those numbers were all less than what he’d done in the 2007 season with Baltimore (18 for 326 and 3 TDs.) He did contribute 11 special teams tackles last season, which was second on the team. “It was a bad year, the worst season I was part of in my career,” Darling said. “It wasn’t just that I didn’t get a chance in the offense. It was the losing. It was just awful.” Like everyone else that returns from the 2-14 debacle, Darling is looking for an opportunity to wash that sour taste out of his mouth. “We have a chance to overcome that,” said Darling. “That’s what I’m trying to do. I’m trying to get better every day and help this team win some games.”
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06-09-2009, 01:38 PM	#23
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4480478	He wasn't caught by Harrison. __________________ Chiefs game films
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06-09-2009, 01:43 PM	#25
Skip Towne Supporter Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: T-Town Casino cash: $10004900	Nebraska's punter is faster than Darling.
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06-09-2009, 03:01 PM	#29
Farzin Host of "The Chiefs Zone" Join Date: Jun 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	lol __________________ http://www.Facebook.com/TheChiefsZone http://Twitter.com/TheChiefsZone TheSportsStuff.com/?cat=20
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06-09-2009, 03:05 PM	#30
Basileus777 MVP Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New Jersey Casino cash: $5245958	Claythan redeemed!
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