HemiEd
10-19-2006, 10:40 AM
Chiefs' Wilson tackles new role
BY STEVE BRISENDINE
Associated Press
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kris Wilson has gone from a little-used tight end to the Kansas City Chiefs' starting fullback, just in time to face the NFL's stingiest defense.
Throw in the likelihood of a collision or two with San Diego linebacker Shawne Merriman, one of the league's fiercest hitters, and Wilson could be forgiven a few jitters going into Sunday's game. But on Wednesday, his first day of practicing full time at fullback, Wilson sounded confident.
"It's definitely different, coming from the backfield," said Wilson, who was moved to fullback after Ronnie Cruz had season-ending knee surgery on Monday. "But I prepared in summer camp and I've prepared throughout the season, so I'm ready to do it in a game."
And that meeting with Merriman, whose hit on Priest Holmes in a game last year has kept the Chiefs' running back sidelined with lingering effects of head and neck trauma?
"I'm ready for that," Wilson said.
Wilson is more likely to be used as a short-yardage blocker for feature back Larry Johnson or as an outlet receiver, though, than as a ball carrier. In five games this year, the third-year player has three catches for 19 yards.
"He's good coming out of the backfield catching the ball, we know that," coach Herm Edwards said. "But lead blocking is going to be the main thing for him."
That's fine by Wilson.
"Everybody likes having the ball in their hands," Wilson said. "But blocking's just as good. As long as we're scoring points, I'm happy."
The Chiefs placed Cruz on injured reserve on Wednesday and signed free agent fullback Greg Hanoian to a two-year deal.
The 6-foot-2, 263-pound Hanoian was cut by the New York Giants after training camp and spent part of the 2005 season on the Green Bay Packer's practice squad. Kansas City also signed tight end Keith Willis, who went through the Seattle Seahawks' training camp this year, to its practice squad.
Hanoian practiced with the Chiefs on Wednesday, but Edwards said he did not know whether the new fullback would be activated for Sunday's game.
"He did a pretty good job," Edwards said, "but right now our No. 1 fullback is Kris Wilson."
Wilson might not be the Kansas City's only option, though, even if Hanoian doesn't play.
"We've got some other candidates we could put back there, too," Edwards said. "I don't want to say who they are just yet. It could be a surprise."
The Chargers (4-1) are giving up an average of 218.4 yards, fewest in the league, and Kansas City (2-3) is coming off a 45-7 loss at Pittsburgh in which the Chiefs managed 213 yards.
Johnson gained 26 yards on 15 carries in that game, a week after running for 36 yards in a 23-20 victory at Arizona.
Still, San Diego coach Marty Schottenheimer expected Kansas City offensive coordinator Mike Solari to have the Chiefs ready for Sunday's AFC West matchup.
"I don't know that I've been around a better football coach than Mike Solari," Schottenheimer said. "Mike Solari will solve the problem, from a schematic standpoint. People are still going to have to execute it, but he will solve the problem schematically.
"We've got a pretty good front seven, but we're still going to have to earn everything we get."
http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/sports/15794260.htm
BY STEVE BRISENDINE
Associated Press
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kris Wilson has gone from a little-used tight end to the Kansas City Chiefs' starting fullback, just in time to face the NFL's stingiest defense.
Throw in the likelihood of a collision or two with San Diego linebacker Shawne Merriman, one of the league's fiercest hitters, and Wilson could be forgiven a few jitters going into Sunday's game. But on Wednesday, his first day of practicing full time at fullback, Wilson sounded confident.
"It's definitely different, coming from the backfield," said Wilson, who was moved to fullback after Ronnie Cruz had season-ending knee surgery on Monday. "But I prepared in summer camp and I've prepared throughout the season, so I'm ready to do it in a game."
And that meeting with Merriman, whose hit on Priest Holmes in a game last year has kept the Chiefs' running back sidelined with lingering effects of head and neck trauma?
"I'm ready for that," Wilson said.
Wilson is more likely to be used as a short-yardage blocker for feature back Larry Johnson or as an outlet receiver, though, than as a ball carrier. In five games this year, the third-year player has three catches for 19 yards.
"He's good coming out of the backfield catching the ball, we know that," coach Herm Edwards said. "But lead blocking is going to be the main thing for him."
That's fine by Wilson.
"Everybody likes having the ball in their hands," Wilson said. "But blocking's just as good. As long as we're scoring points, I'm happy."
The Chiefs placed Cruz on injured reserve on Wednesday and signed free agent fullback Greg Hanoian to a two-year deal.
The 6-foot-2, 263-pound Hanoian was cut by the New York Giants after training camp and spent part of the 2005 season on the Green Bay Packer's practice squad. Kansas City also signed tight end Keith Willis, who went through the Seattle Seahawks' training camp this year, to its practice squad.
Hanoian practiced with the Chiefs on Wednesday, but Edwards said he did not know whether the new fullback would be activated for Sunday's game.
"He did a pretty good job," Edwards said, "but right now our No. 1 fullback is Kris Wilson."
Wilson might not be the Kansas City's only option, though, even if Hanoian doesn't play.
"We've got some other candidates we could put back there, too," Edwards said. "I don't want to say who they are just yet. It could be a surprise."
The Chargers (4-1) are giving up an average of 218.4 yards, fewest in the league, and Kansas City (2-3) is coming off a 45-7 loss at Pittsburgh in which the Chiefs managed 213 yards.
Johnson gained 26 yards on 15 carries in that game, a week after running for 36 yards in a 23-20 victory at Arizona.
Still, San Diego coach Marty Schottenheimer expected Kansas City offensive coordinator Mike Solari to have the Chiefs ready for Sunday's AFC West matchup.
"I don't know that I've been around a better football coach than Mike Solari," Schottenheimer said. "Mike Solari will solve the problem, from a schematic standpoint. People are still going to have to execute it, but he will solve the problem schematically.
"We've got a pretty good front seven, but we're still going to have to earn everything we get."
http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/sports/15794260.htm