Tribal Warfare
11-06-2008, 01:03 AM
Savage gets chance to make big impression (http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chiefs/story/877285.html)
In all probability, you’ll see plenty of Chiefs rookie Dantrell Savage in the backfield Sunday.
Because of the ongoing problems with Larry Johnson and the season-ending injury to Kolby Smith, Savage continues to climb the depth chart. Now, Savage is right behind starter and fellow rookie Jamaal Charles.
That should mean Savage, primarily a return man for the Chiefs, now will be counted on to help move the offense, too.
He’s ready, he says.
“I’m getting a lot more reps in practice,” Savage told me Wednesday. “The coaches have tried to fit me in with the No. 1 team.
“That is the plan, to work me in with Jamaal. It’s going to be a tiring week of practice — special teams, scout team, No. 1 team. But that’s why I came here. I love it.”
Savage never imagined he’d be in quite this position. His goal back in the spring was simply to get the Chiefs to notice him enough during free-agent workouts to get a training camp invite. And now, he’s got a chance to make a huge impression.
“It hasn’t hit me yet because I’m pretty laid back,” he said. “Maybe when I score a touchdown, it will kick in then.”
Savage, from Oklahoma State, is eager to share the backfield load with Charles, a Texas Longhorn.
“It’s all about the Big 12 — the 1-2 punch,” Savage said.
Well, since Savage and Charles are becoming good friends, have they determined who is faster?
“Jamaal’s got a different kind of speed,” Savage said. “He’s got track speed. I got field speed.
“I’m more quick. I’ve got more twitch, maybe. Jamaal, he is just fast.”
So, Charles would win the race?
“We’ve never raced before,” Savage said, smiling. “But yeah, Jamaal, he’s pretty fast.”
No boost
The summer Arbitron radio ratings showed that KCSP (610 AM) didn’t get much of a bump from having the Royals’ radio rights.
In fact, the numbers were down from the spring, and again rival WHB romped to an easy across-the-board victory.
In the morning, KCSP’s Roger Twibell had a 2.3 share in the summer, down from 3.3 in the spring. WHB had a 6.8 share in that time slot in the summer.
In mid-morning, KCSP’s Chris Hamblin and Cory Anderson went from a 2.6 share in the spring to a 1.4 in the summer. WHB countered with a 7.8 in mid-morning.
WHB’s Soren Petro had another easy win (7.7 to 3.1) over the Jim Rome show in midday.
Kevin Kietzman of WHB beat KCSP’s Marty Wall and Neal Jones in the afternoon, 8.5 to 2.2. Wall has since been let go by the station.
Close calls
Saw this interesting tidbit the other day: The Chiefs and Chargers have played more one-point games (10) against each other since 1960 than any other two teams currently in the league.
In all probability, you’ll see plenty of Chiefs rookie Dantrell Savage in the backfield Sunday.
Because of the ongoing problems with Larry Johnson and the season-ending injury to Kolby Smith, Savage continues to climb the depth chart. Now, Savage is right behind starter and fellow rookie Jamaal Charles.
That should mean Savage, primarily a return man for the Chiefs, now will be counted on to help move the offense, too.
He’s ready, he says.
“I’m getting a lot more reps in practice,” Savage told me Wednesday. “The coaches have tried to fit me in with the No. 1 team.
“That is the plan, to work me in with Jamaal. It’s going to be a tiring week of practice — special teams, scout team, No. 1 team. But that’s why I came here. I love it.”
Savage never imagined he’d be in quite this position. His goal back in the spring was simply to get the Chiefs to notice him enough during free-agent workouts to get a training camp invite. And now, he’s got a chance to make a huge impression.
“It hasn’t hit me yet because I’m pretty laid back,” he said. “Maybe when I score a touchdown, it will kick in then.”
Savage, from Oklahoma State, is eager to share the backfield load with Charles, a Texas Longhorn.
“It’s all about the Big 12 — the 1-2 punch,” Savage said.
Well, since Savage and Charles are becoming good friends, have they determined who is faster?
“Jamaal’s got a different kind of speed,” Savage said. “He’s got track speed. I got field speed.
“I’m more quick. I’ve got more twitch, maybe. Jamaal, he is just fast.”
So, Charles would win the race?
“We’ve never raced before,” Savage said, smiling. “But yeah, Jamaal, he’s pretty fast.”
No boost
The summer Arbitron radio ratings showed that KCSP (610 AM) didn’t get much of a bump from having the Royals’ radio rights.
In fact, the numbers were down from the spring, and again rival WHB romped to an easy across-the-board victory.
In the morning, KCSP’s Roger Twibell had a 2.3 share in the summer, down from 3.3 in the spring. WHB had a 6.8 share in that time slot in the summer.
In mid-morning, KCSP’s Chris Hamblin and Cory Anderson went from a 2.6 share in the spring to a 1.4 in the summer. WHB countered with a 7.8 in mid-morning.
WHB’s Soren Petro had another easy win (7.7 to 3.1) over the Jim Rome show in midday.
Kevin Kietzman of WHB beat KCSP’s Marty Wall and Neal Jones in the afternoon, 8.5 to 2.2. Wall has since been let go by the station.
Close calls
Saw this interesting tidbit the other day: The Chiefs and Chargers have played more one-point games (10) against each other since 1960 than any other two teams currently in the league.