Chiefs Covitz: Javier Arenas could be the Chiefs' next great return man - Page 2

**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.”

MMXcalibur · 08-16-2010, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donkhater

Shitty pick or not, the return game was no question a weakness on this team that needed addressed.

Exactly.

The return game was abysmal last season (save for Charles return vs Pittsburgh, but I think he might be needed elsewhere

).

COchief · 08-16-2010, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loochy

Tammarick Vanover...

Torching the Donks:

Torching the Donks again:

I saw the second one live at Pile High, I was going nuts as it was a grinder type of game until that play. Huge black guy gave me the dirtiest look ever.

Ralphy Boy · 08-16-2010, 09:25 AM

When I think of Arenas I think of Perrish Cox, who went to Denver in the 5th, as both were similarly rated CB's that were also record setting return specialists.

Cox is probably a more legitimate CB but has 3 kids and maturity issues.

Arenas is by all accounts a leader yet a couple inches shorter and a better all around defender.

Hopefully picking Arenas, 3 rounds higher than Cox ended up going, pays off for us.

**DaKCMan AP** · 08-16-2010, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ralphy Boy

When I think of Arenas I think of Perrish Cox, who went to Denver in the 5th, as both were similarly rated CB's that were also record setting return specialists.

Cox is probably a more legitimate CB but has 3 kids and maturity issues.

Arenas is by all accounts a leader yet a couple inches shorter and a better all around defender.

Hopefully picking Arenas, 3 rounds higher than Cox ended up going, pays off for us.

Arenas was a better, and more dangerous, returner in college than Perrish Cox. Arenas was Freshman All-SEC, 2nd team All-SEC, 1st team All-SEC and an All-American

Cox's off-field issues and slow 40-time at the combine contributed to his fall.

Against the Bengals Cox was unimpressive on kick returns and muffed a punt which was recovered by Cincinnati.

**the Talking Can** · 08-16-2010, 09:54 AM

can he play QB?

beach tribe · 08-16-2010, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billay

Shitty in coverage. Still a stupid 2nd round pick.

He was damn good in coverage at Alabama, and is going to be a fine nickel back. And in today's air it out NFL nickel corners spend enough time on the field to damn near be considered starters. The value of the safety position, and the nickel back have sky rocketed. Teams who realize that are ahead of the curve in this area.

Fish · 08-16-2010, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donkhater

Shitty pick or not, the return game was no question a weakness on this team that needed addressed.

Yes... and since we completely ignored the NT and LB position on defense in favor of a nickelback return guy, we'll certainly be returning lots of kicks.....

FlaChief58 · 08-16-2010, 11:09 AM

I agree with you (reluctantly since you are who you are) but once these guys have been around for a couple of years, the other teams figure out the tendencies and the speed diminishes. Thus the once "great" returners seem to faid away. That makes it that much more important to keep fresh legs in there at return man.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnowMo2724

Is it just me or do "great" return guys only seem to have one or two good seasons and then fade. Jermaine Lewis, Dante Hall, Hester.....

Mr. Laz · 08-16-2010, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PGM

Arenas and McCluster were called 'not fast' by quite a few on here.

FYP

Titty Meat · 08-16-2010, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRR

Weren't you the one that said Arenas was slow?
Posted via Mobile Device

Yup and he is. He ran a 4.7 he's slow in zone coverage too. He's good in the kick game because he can make guys miss thats different than speed.

Titty Meat · 08-16-2010, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bane_58

Yeah? How was that Texas/Neb game for ya last year!

The Neb/Mizzou game was alot better. Nebraska kicked your ass.

**DaKCMan AP** · 08-16-2010, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billay

Yup and he is. He ran a 4.7 he's slow in zone coverage too. He's good in the kick game because he can make guys miss thats different than speed.

Where are you getting the 4.7 number from?

Titty Meat · 08-16-2010, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaKCMan AP

Where are you getting the 4.7 number from?

All the reports I read said 4.6- 4.7. Why did you read something different?

**DaKCMan AP** · 08-16-2010, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billay

All the reports I read said 4.6- 4.7. Why did you read something different?

Are you talking about from the combine? You realize that he injured his hamstring and pulled up at the end of his first 40 run at the combine and sat out the rest? I can't find an official combine time, but this has his unofficial first run at 4.52 and all sites I can find have him clocked at under 4.6.

Quote:

Alabama cornerback Javier Arenas tweaked his hamstring running the 40 and didn’t go a second time. He ran a 4.52 unofficially on the first one.

http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/i...rry-runs-a-4-4

KCrockaholic · 08-16-2010, 12:00 PM

Kendrick Lewis is slow too, and because of this the offensive players will be able to run an extra 10 yards everytime they run at him.

08-16-2010, 12:52 AM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $792813	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: 42,122

08-16-2010, 09:25 AM	#18
Ralphy Boy MVP Join Date: Aug 2001 Casino cash: $10004900	When I think of Arenas I think of Perrish Cox, who went to Denver in the 5th, as both were similarly rated CB's that were also record setting return specialists. Cox is probably a more legitimate CB but has 3 kids and maturity issues. Arenas is by all accounts a leader yet a couple inches shorter and a better all around defender. Hopefully picking Arenas, 3 rounds higher than Cox ended up going, pays off for us.
Posts: 5,088

08-16-2010, 09:54 AM	#20
the Talking Can Supporter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: street Casino cash: $10022208	can he play QB? __________________ Clark Hunt: "Thank god for the Dominican pool boy"
Posts: 51,585

08-16-2010, 12:00 PM	#30
KCrockaholic Sarcasm Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Olathe Casino cash: $4712900	Kendrick Lewis is slow too, and because of this the offensive players will be able to run an extra 10 yards everytime they run at him.
Posts: 21,133