Direckshun
12-09-2006, 04:03 PM
Thought I'd give this a shot.
There's more to a player than either being a star or a bust. Dante is no longer a star, but that doesn't mean he's a bust.
Let's realize Dante's real value on this football team: he's a valuable role player. He's no longer a guy that can bust out a 50 yard return once a game, but he still does possess a unique set of skills that, when used in the right way, can benefit this football team.
I was hoping to look at the bright side of Dante in this post, while remaining reasonable of course, and see what you guys think.
(a.) Dante Hall is a truly unique weapon.
Very few people in the league provide the set of skills Dante offers: explosive speed with the ability to frequently stop on a dime, an entertaining supply of juke moves, instant energy and the ability to light up an entire team with a good return, good hands and great field awareness. He is easily one of the most electrifying players in the NFL, and his speed and (usually) sure hands are desperately needed in the Chiefs receiving core.
(b.) He has produced considerably well when used in focused ways on offense.
Solari's come closer to utilizing Dante where he works best: the open field. Dante's jukes + speed make him invincible when he's one on one in the open field. Solari has used Dante on a quick screen a handful of times this season, and every time he's managed to get three to ten yards out of the play. Used sparingly, this is a great weapon to keep in the playbook, and it utilizes Dante's strengths. He's also performed pretty well on reverses and on quick darts across the middle. If Solari can keep drawing plays that make the most of his unique abilities, Dante can be an effective weapon in certain situations. Otherwise, he's performed admirably as a wide receiver despite his size.
(c.) He has been durable.
If Dante isn't the smallest kick returner in the league by about twenty pounds, I'd be surprised. You don't return kicks or catch passes across the middle when you maybe weigh 180 pounds unless you are rock hard tough. Ever since he's been returning kicks for the Chiefs, Dante's had to endure a handful of very hard hits each game he's played, and he always gets up. That's very important, especially in seasons like this one where toughness is crucial.
(d.) Although his talent occasionally fails him, his heart's always on overdrive.
This has been a double-edged sword for Dante; the guy is driven by his passion. Without it he'd be half the player is he now. His on-field temprement would also be a lot better, though. But there's no doubt that Dante not only wants to win, he wants to run the other team into the ground, on every single play. And that kind of attitude is conducive in the locker room, where Dante has also been a respectable teammate. His beefs with coaches aside, his teammates respect him and enjoy his presense on the field (see Tony G's biofile that was posted in this forum a day ago), and he's been gracious (rather than arrogant) about the praise he received when he was hot.
(e.) If nothing else, keep him for our games against Denver!
He always seems to produce. :D
There's more to a player than either being a star or a bust. Dante is no longer a star, but that doesn't mean he's a bust.
Let's realize Dante's real value on this football team: he's a valuable role player. He's no longer a guy that can bust out a 50 yard return once a game, but he still does possess a unique set of skills that, when used in the right way, can benefit this football team.
I was hoping to look at the bright side of Dante in this post, while remaining reasonable of course, and see what you guys think.
(a.) Dante Hall is a truly unique weapon.
Very few people in the league provide the set of skills Dante offers: explosive speed with the ability to frequently stop on a dime, an entertaining supply of juke moves, instant energy and the ability to light up an entire team with a good return, good hands and great field awareness. He is easily one of the most electrifying players in the NFL, and his speed and (usually) sure hands are desperately needed in the Chiefs receiving core.
(b.) He has produced considerably well when used in focused ways on offense.
Solari's come closer to utilizing Dante where he works best: the open field. Dante's jukes + speed make him invincible when he's one on one in the open field. Solari has used Dante on a quick screen a handful of times this season, and every time he's managed to get three to ten yards out of the play. Used sparingly, this is a great weapon to keep in the playbook, and it utilizes Dante's strengths. He's also performed pretty well on reverses and on quick darts across the middle. If Solari can keep drawing plays that make the most of his unique abilities, Dante can be an effective weapon in certain situations. Otherwise, he's performed admirably as a wide receiver despite his size.
(c.) He has been durable.
If Dante isn't the smallest kick returner in the league by about twenty pounds, I'd be surprised. You don't return kicks or catch passes across the middle when you maybe weigh 180 pounds unless you are rock hard tough. Ever since he's been returning kicks for the Chiefs, Dante's had to endure a handful of very hard hits each game he's played, and he always gets up. That's very important, especially in seasons like this one where toughness is crucial.
(d.) Although his talent occasionally fails him, his heart's always on overdrive.
This has been a double-edged sword for Dante; the guy is driven by his passion. Without it he'd be half the player is he now. His on-field temprement would also be a lot better, though. But there's no doubt that Dante not only wants to win, he wants to run the other team into the ground, on every single play. And that kind of attitude is conducive in the locker room, where Dante has also been a respectable teammate. His beefs with coaches aside, his teammates respect him and enjoy his presense on the field (see Tony G's biofile that was posted in this forum a day ago), and he's been gracious (rather than arrogant) about the praise he received when he was hot.
(e.) If nothing else, keep him for our games against Denver!
He always seems to produce. :D