Tribal Warfare
08-26-2017, 12:54 AM
Chiefs’ running back picture is murky after Spencer Ware’s injury (http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/vahe-gregorian/article169522832.html)
BY VAHE GREGORIAN
vgregorian@kcstar.com
The Chiefs in February cast away much-admired running back Jamaal Charles — foreshadowing an offseason of dramatic change that later included the surprising release of receiver Jeremy Maclin and stunning firing of general manager John Dorsey.
Mostly, they discarded Charles because of his apparently precarious knees. Charles, who had 7,260 career rushing yards and an NFL running back career record of 5.5 yards a carry, was limited by injuries to 83 carries the last two seasons.
At least some factor in not even trying to negotiate with Charles was this: They believed the combination of Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West — and whoever else they could bring in to bolster the group — was sufficient to make Charles expendable.
The true virtue of the strategy can’t really be known for months to come, but it’s getting a test and more data this weekend.
On the eve of Charles making his preseason debut for the Denver Broncos, Ware went down on the first drive of the Chiefs’ unsightly 26-13 preseason loss to Seattle on Friday at CenturyLink Field.
Even on a forgettable night fraught with dropped passes and 14 penalties for 126 yards and other mental lapses by the Chiefs, the most troubling snapshot was the sight of Ware clutching his right knee before being carted off the field.
The immediate update to his condition was a cryptic press box announcement that Ware had, in fact, hurt his right knee and would “not return.”
After the game, coach Andy Reid said that Ware had a sprained knee. X-rays were negative, he added, but a telltale MRI awaits on Saturday
BY VAHE GREGORIAN
vgregorian@kcstar.com
The Chiefs in February cast away much-admired running back Jamaal Charles — foreshadowing an offseason of dramatic change that later included the surprising release of receiver Jeremy Maclin and stunning firing of general manager John Dorsey.
Mostly, they discarded Charles because of his apparently precarious knees. Charles, who had 7,260 career rushing yards and an NFL running back career record of 5.5 yards a carry, was limited by injuries to 83 carries the last two seasons.
At least some factor in not even trying to negotiate with Charles was this: They believed the combination of Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West — and whoever else they could bring in to bolster the group — was sufficient to make Charles expendable.
The true virtue of the strategy can’t really be known for months to come, but it’s getting a test and more data this weekend.
On the eve of Charles making his preseason debut for the Denver Broncos, Ware went down on the first drive of the Chiefs’ unsightly 26-13 preseason loss to Seattle on Friday at CenturyLink Field.
Even on a forgettable night fraught with dropped passes and 14 penalties for 126 yards and other mental lapses by the Chiefs, the most troubling snapshot was the sight of Ware clutching his right knee before being carted off the field.
The immediate update to his condition was a cryptic press box announcement that Ware had, in fact, hurt his right knee and would “not return.”
After the game, coach Andy Reid said that Ware had a sprained knee. X-rays were negative, he added, but a telltale MRI awaits on Saturday