Chiefs Charles needs less carries

Lex Luthor · 09-29-2012, 07:15 PM

Chiefs’ strategy puts Charles’ health at risk

By SAM MELLINGER
The Kansas City Star

The head coach of the Chiefs is talking about Jamaal Charles, the team’s most valuable playmaker, and it sounds a bit like a husband’s strategy on disagreeing with his wife.

“We’re trying to pick the best spots so we get the most productivity,” he says.

The offensive coordinator of the Chiefs is talking about Charles, the one offensive player most likely to turn a game in the team’s favor like he did last week in New Orleans, and it sounds a bit like a baseball coach’s reasons for watching pitch counts.

“The productivity of a running back is directly related to how fresh they are,” he says.

Both quotes are from 2010. The head coach is Todd Haley, the offensive coordinator Charlie Weis. Back then, Charles was a precious, and protected, commodity.

Here in 2012, he is used in Costco sizes: the Chiefs just gave Charles 33 carries and six catches. That’s 12 more touches than Charles’ previous career-high, five more than anybody else in the NFL this season, and a number unsurpassed since 2004. Read that sentence again.

The new head coach, Romeo Crennel, gives no indication he wants to limit Charles’ exposure, even a year after major knee surgery. Two weeks ago, Crennel was saying he wasn’t sure if Charles would ever again be what he once was.

This is the desperation of the NFL, and of the Chiefs in particular.

Charles doesn’t worry too much about being used like a Greyhound bus, or at least he’s not saying publicly.

“It doesn’t matter,” he says.

Crennel and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll are apparently taking Charles at his word, ignoring the past and the future for the present.

“He never came to me to say he needed a break,” Crennel says.

“I was going to keep on giving it to him,” Daboll says.

This is dangerous on a lot of levels, particularly for Charles’ long-term health and the effectiveness of the Chiefs’ offense if they burn out their surest playmaker.

In the last five seasons, only six players have had 35 or more offensive touches in a game. That list does not include workhorse backs Adrian Peterson and Steven Jackson, who outweigh Charles by 18 and 41 pounds, respectively.

Of the six, only Chris Johnson weighs less than Charles. The others — Marshawn Lynch, Ray Rice, Arian Foster, Maurice Jones-Drew and Brian Westbrook — are between four and 29 pounds heavier.

As a group, their yards-per-carry average dropped by more than a quarter of a yard after the heavy use, and the five who played the week immediately after (no bye) averaged more than a half-yard less than their season averages. None of them did any of this in their first season back from ACL surgery, or two weeks after their head coach wondered out loud about their long-term strength.

The Chiefs are in a tough spot. Six of Charles’ carries and one of his catches came in overtime, and, with Peyton Hillis and Dexter McCluster both hurt, Charles will likely be asked to do even more with what was already a run-heavy offense built around Matt Cassel’s limitations.

This drives directly against the organization’s belief two years ago that Charles was most effective and best protected by limited use.

The key chance since then, of course: the futures of Crennel and general manager Scott Pioli with the Chiefs depend on making progress this season.

The season is only three games old and the Chiefs have been involved in two blowouts, so it’s hard to know exactly what to make of them ranking first in total offense and 18th in points.

But Charles is the league’s top rusher (and 10th in carries), while Cassel ranks 14th in passing yards, 21st in completion percentage, and 27th in passer rating. So even if you don’t watch the games, you can see where the team’s strength is.

It also shows that the Chiefs’ convenient change of philosophy comes as Crennel and Pioli face the hard reality that this “process” is past the point of needing to show progress.

In the NFL, that means luxuries like planning for the long-term effectiveness of Charles are suppressed by the urgency to save face and employment. Two years ago, the future was a priority. Now, not as much.

They’re going to ride Charles hard, whether it’s for the best in the long-term or not.

Pioli’s steady refusal to upgrade the quarterback situation — and now the injuries to Hillis and McCluster — mean there really isn’t another choice.

Link: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/09/29...#storylink=cpy

Lex Luthor · 09-29-2012, 07:17 PM

This reminds me of the Trey Hillman / Gil Meche fiasco. That didn't work out so well.

Reerun_KC · 09-29-2012, 07:17 PM

He needs 30 carries a game.

BoneKrusher · 09-29-2012, 07:18 PM

He Needs a QB to help him out.

Brock · 09-29-2012, 07:19 PM

If they use him like that when coming from behind, I can only imagine what they'll do if they're ever playing with a lead.

Nightfyre · 09-29-2012, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

He needs 30 carries a game.

30 touches a game is 480 over a 16-game season. Charles would break in half. No running back is ever the same after a 400-touch season. Quit saying stupid shit.

Bump · 09-29-2012, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nightfyre

30 touches a game is 480 over a 16-game season. Charles would break in half. No running back is ever the same after a 400-touch season. Quit saying stupid shit.

well he had to take that game over to win. That didn't look like the plan in the 1st half. They adjusted. I wouldn't expect that workload every Sunday, but if Cassel could help the team out a little bit they wouldn't have to give it to JC too much.

Brock · 09-29-2012, 07:24 PM

The reasons to make a QB switch keep piling up.

stonedstooge · 09-29-2012, 07:26 PM

Dumb shits are going to run him into the ground in a season that will have its limitations all due to the quarterback spot. Only so many plays in a running backs legs. ****ing Cheaps are ignorant

BoneKrusher · 09-29-2012, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stonedstooge

Dumb shits are going to run him into the ground in a season that will have its limitations all due to the quarterback spot. Only so many plays in a running backs legs. ****ing Cheaps are ignorant

it's all Pioli's fault, he doesn't want a QB on this roster that would threaten Matty's starting spot.

milkman · 09-29-2012, 07:41 PM

This team needs to work Droughn in on more snaps and carries.

Charles should not be getting more than 25-27 touches a game.

SPATCH · 09-29-2012, 07:42 PM

These are not the Draughns you are looking for...

SPATCH · 09-29-2012, 07:43 PM

Also, Thomas Jones is available.

milkman · 09-29-2012, 07:46 PM

One other thing.

Limit his catches.

We don't want Cassel to get him killed.

stonedstooge · 09-29-2012, 07:50 PM

Romeo and Daboll both seem like its cool with them. What the hell? They can't be that stupid can they?

09-29-2012, 07:15 PM
Lex Luthor MVP Join Date: Mar 2010 Casino cash: $10022775	Charles needs less carries Chiefs’ strategy puts Charles’ health at risk By SAM MELLINGER The Kansas City Star The head coach of the Chiefs is talking about Jamaal Charles, the team’s most valuable playmaker, and it sounds a bit like a husband’s strategy on disagreeing with his wife. “We’re trying to pick the best spots so we get the most productivity,” he says. The offensive coordinator of the Chiefs is talking about Charles, the one offensive player most likely to turn a game in the team’s favor like he did last week in New Orleans, and it sounds a bit like a baseball coach’s reasons for watching pitch counts. “The productivity of a running back is directly related to how fresh they are,” he says. Both quotes are from 2010. The head coach is Todd Haley, the offensive coordinator Charlie Weis. Back then, Charles was a precious, and protected, commodity. Here in 2012, he is used in Costco sizes: the Chiefs just gave Charles 33 carries and six catches. That’s 12 more touches than Charles’ previous career-high, five more than anybody else in the NFL this season, and a number unsurpassed since 2004. Read that sentence again. The new head coach, Romeo Crennel, gives no indication he wants to limit Charles’ exposure, even a year after major knee surgery. Two weeks ago, Crennel was saying he wasn’t sure if Charles would ever again be what he once was. This is the desperation of the NFL, and of the Chiefs in particular. Charles doesn’t worry too much about being used like a Greyhound bus, or at least he’s not saying publicly. “It doesn’t matter,” he says. Crennel and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll are apparently taking Charles at his word, ignoring the past and the future for the present. “He never came to me to say he needed a break,” Crennel says. “I was going to keep on giving it to him,” Daboll says. This is dangerous on a lot of levels, particularly for Charles’ long-term health and the effectiveness of the Chiefs’ offense if they burn out their surest playmaker. In the last five seasons, only six players have had 35 or more offensive touches in a game. That list does not include workhorse backs Adrian Peterson and Steven Jackson, who outweigh Charles by 18 and 41 pounds, respectively. Of the six, only Chris Johnson weighs less than Charles. The others — Marshawn Lynch, Ray Rice, Arian Foster, Maurice Jones-Drew and Brian Westbrook — are between four and 29 pounds heavier. As a group, their yards-per-carry average dropped by more than a quarter of a yard after the heavy use, and the five who played the week immediately after (no bye) averaged more than a half-yard less than their season averages. None of them did any of this in their first season back from ACL surgery, or two weeks after their head coach wondered out loud about their long-term strength. The Chiefs are in a tough spot. Six of Charles’ carries and one of his catches came in overtime, and, with Peyton Hillis and Dexter McCluster both hurt, Charles will likely be asked to do even more with what was already a run-heavy offense built around Matt Cassel’s limitations. This drives directly against the organization’s belief two years ago that Charles was most effective and best protected by limited use. The key chance since then, of course: the futures of Crennel and general manager Scott Pioli with the Chiefs depend on making progress this season. The season is only three games old and the Chiefs have been involved in two blowouts, so it’s hard to know exactly what to make of them ranking first in total offense and 18th in points. But Charles is the league’s top rusher (and 10th in carries), while Cassel ranks 14th in passing yards, 21st in completion percentage, and 27th in passer rating. So even if you don’t watch the games, you can see where the team’s strength is. It also shows that the Chiefs’ convenient change of philosophy comes as Crennel and Pioli face the hard reality that this “process” is past the point of needing to show progress. In the NFL, that means luxuries like planning for the long-term effectiveness of Charles are suppressed by the urgency to save face and employment. Two years ago, the future was a priority. Now, not as much. They’re going to ride Charles hard, whether it’s for the best in the long-term or not. Pioli’s steady refusal to upgrade the quarterback situation — and now the injuries to Hillis and McCluster — mean there really isn’t another choice. Link: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/09/29...#storylink=cpy
Posts: 16,709

09-29-2012, 07:17 PM	#2
Lex Luthor MVP Join Date: Mar 2010 Casino cash: $10022775	This reminds me of the Trey Hillman / Gil Meche fiasco. That didn't work out so well.
Posts: 16,709

09-29-2012, 07:17 PM	#3
Reerun_KC Rock Chalk Jayhawks! KU!!! Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $8301160	He needs 30 carries a game.
Posts: 934

09-29-2012, 07:18 PM	#4
BoneKrusher That's Right Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Bluefield, Virginia Casino cash: $9976645	He Needs a QB to help him out. __________________ "MaHomes/MaAuto"
Posts: 7,333

09-29-2012, 07:19 PM	#5
Brock Say hello to my little friend Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Larryville Casino cash: $9598422	If they use him like that when coming from behind, I can only imagine what they'll do if they're ever playing with a lead.
Posts: 47,314

09-29-2012, 07:24 PM	#8
Brock Say hello to my little friend Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Larryville Casino cash: $9598422	The reasons to make a QB switch keep piling up.
Posts: 47,314

09-29-2012, 07:26 PM	#9
stonedstooge Arf! Arf! Arf! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: North Casino cash: $5984173	Dumb shits are going to run him into the ground in a season that will have its limitations all due to the quarterback spot. Only so many plays in a running backs legs. ****ing Cheaps are ignorant __________________ 2013 ADOPT A CHIEF Eric Kush "Often is a word I seldom use"--JP
Posts: 25,284

09-29-2012, 07:41 PM	#11
milkman Dumbass! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Leading the Marty bashing Casino cash: $10029395	This team needs to work Droughn in on more snaps and carries. Charles should not be getting more than 25-27 touches a game. __________________
Posts: 70,769

09-29-2012, 07:42 PM	#12
SPATCH birth of spatch Join Date: May 2008 Casino cash: $10006207	These are not the Draughns you are looking for...
Posts: 4,569

09-29-2012, 07:43 PM	#13
SPATCH birth of spatch Join Date: May 2008 Casino cash: $10006207	Also, Thomas Jones is available.
Posts: 4,569

09-29-2012, 07:46 PM	#14
milkman Dumbass! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Leading the Marty bashing Casino cash: $10029395	One other thing. Limit his catches. We don't want Cassel to get him killed. __________________
Posts: 70,769

09-29-2012, 07:50 PM	#15
stonedstooge Arf! Arf! Arf! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: North Casino cash: $5984173	Romeo and Daboll both seem like its cool with them. What the hell? They can't be that stupid can they? __________________ 2013 ADOPT A CHIEF Eric Kush "Often is a word I seldom use"--JP
Posts: 25,284