Tribal Warfare
11-03-2009, 01:57 AM
Chiefs will give Charles a chance to run against Jacksonville (http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chiefs/story/1545835.html)
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
Sooner or later, the day will come when the Chiefs no longer build their running game around the talents of Larry Johnson.
That being the case, Jamaal Charles might be wise to consider Sunday’s game against the Jaguars an audition of sorts.
Chiefs coach Todd Haley might be looking at it that way. The game in Jacksonville will be their first of the season without Johnson, who is suspended. The Chiefs confirmed Monday they have reached a settlement with Johnson that will keep him out of Sunday’s game.
It also will be the Chiefs’ first look at Charles as their featured back. He’s been mostly a third-down back since joining the team as a rookie last year.
“I think this is an opportunity for Jamaal,” Haley said, “without a doubt.”
It could be a chance for Kolby Smith, too. Haley stopped short of saying the Chiefs would activate Smith for this week’s game but indicated it was likely.
“I’m optimistic about having the opportunity to see him play,” Haley said.
The Chiefs have a sense for what Smith can do as the featured back, having seen him carry a full load for several weeks as a rookie in 2007 after injuries to Johnson and Priest Holmes.
Charles is more of a mystery to the Chiefs in that sense. He also makes more sense as a featured back in the Jacksonville game because Smith hasn’t played since injuring a knee midway through last season. He returned to practice only last month.
“I’m ready to go, whatever they give me,” Charles said. “I’ll go out there and try to make plays for the team.
“I’m a running back. I know how to run the ball. Whatever running plays they give me, I’ll be able to do them.”
Haley’s actions would indicate he’s not as certain about Charles as a runner. Haley hasn’t been afraid to try different players when a certain part of the Chiefs isn’t working properly.
The running game certainly qualifies. Johnson is averaging only 2.7 yards per carry and doesn’t have a touchdown, yet the running game has stayed mostly as his domain.
The Chiefs haven’t used Charles much as a runner. In seven games, Charles has only 23 carries, and most have been draws and other runs out of passing formations. Charles was even a healthy scratch for an early-season game against Oakland.
Charles has fumbled a few times, but Haley hasn’t otherwise said why Charles, the fastest of Chiefs running backs, hasn’t been more of a runner.
“This has been a process for him,” Haley said. “I’ve made it pretty clear I’m happy with the progress he’s making. I don’t know that I can point to or say one thing that can answer that question.
“Jamaal has worked hard. He’s overcome some adversity. He’s shown signs of trying to take that next step. Obviously, there’s going to be some more playing time involved here, and I think he’s got a great opportunity.”
Haley acknowledged he doesn’t know how Charles will do with a heavy workload.
The busiest day of his pro career came last year when the Chiefs handed him the ball 18 times against Tampa Bay.
Johnson was out that day with a suspension, and Smith went out early because of his injury, leaving the Chiefs no choice but to go with Charles.
“We’ll have to see how that goes,” Haley said. “But he’s doing everything on his end to be ready to go. He’s probably our best pass protector as a back as far as understanding who he’s supposed to block. He’s really improved at that.
“Our running game is something we know we have to have to have a chance to win. I don’t think we’re going to beat people just throwing it 50, 60 times a game right now.”
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
Sooner or later, the day will come when the Chiefs no longer build their running game around the talents of Larry Johnson.
That being the case, Jamaal Charles might be wise to consider Sunday’s game against the Jaguars an audition of sorts.
Chiefs coach Todd Haley might be looking at it that way. The game in Jacksonville will be their first of the season without Johnson, who is suspended. The Chiefs confirmed Monday they have reached a settlement with Johnson that will keep him out of Sunday’s game.
It also will be the Chiefs’ first look at Charles as their featured back. He’s been mostly a third-down back since joining the team as a rookie last year.
“I think this is an opportunity for Jamaal,” Haley said, “without a doubt.”
It could be a chance for Kolby Smith, too. Haley stopped short of saying the Chiefs would activate Smith for this week’s game but indicated it was likely.
“I’m optimistic about having the opportunity to see him play,” Haley said.
The Chiefs have a sense for what Smith can do as the featured back, having seen him carry a full load for several weeks as a rookie in 2007 after injuries to Johnson and Priest Holmes.
Charles is more of a mystery to the Chiefs in that sense. He also makes more sense as a featured back in the Jacksonville game because Smith hasn’t played since injuring a knee midway through last season. He returned to practice only last month.
“I’m ready to go, whatever they give me,” Charles said. “I’ll go out there and try to make plays for the team.
“I’m a running back. I know how to run the ball. Whatever running plays they give me, I’ll be able to do them.”
Haley’s actions would indicate he’s not as certain about Charles as a runner. Haley hasn’t been afraid to try different players when a certain part of the Chiefs isn’t working properly.
The running game certainly qualifies. Johnson is averaging only 2.7 yards per carry and doesn’t have a touchdown, yet the running game has stayed mostly as his domain.
The Chiefs haven’t used Charles much as a runner. In seven games, Charles has only 23 carries, and most have been draws and other runs out of passing formations. Charles was even a healthy scratch for an early-season game against Oakland.
Charles has fumbled a few times, but Haley hasn’t otherwise said why Charles, the fastest of Chiefs running backs, hasn’t been more of a runner.
“This has been a process for him,” Haley said. “I’ve made it pretty clear I’m happy with the progress he’s making. I don’t know that I can point to or say one thing that can answer that question.
“Jamaal has worked hard. He’s overcome some adversity. He’s shown signs of trying to take that next step. Obviously, there’s going to be some more playing time involved here, and I think he’s got a great opportunity.”
Haley acknowledged he doesn’t know how Charles will do with a heavy workload.
The busiest day of his pro career came last year when the Chiefs handed him the ball 18 times against Tampa Bay.
Johnson was out that day with a suspension, and Smith went out early because of his injury, leaving the Chiefs no choice but to go with Charles.
“We’ll have to see how that goes,” Haley said. “But he’s doing everything on his end to be ready to go. He’s probably our best pass protector as a back as far as understanding who he’s supposed to block. He’s really improved at that.
“Our running game is something we know we have to have to have a chance to win. I don’t think we’re going to beat people just throwing it 50, 60 times a game right now.”