Chiefs RB Jackie Battle Plans To Test Free Agency
 

Chiefs RB Jackie Battle Plans To Test Free Agency
by Joel Thorman on Feb 20, 2012 5:16 PM CST in 2012 KC Chiefs Free

"[The Chiefs] said they wanted me back before we left but I was gonna just see what my options were before I made that decision," Battle told Andrew Bogusch and Pat Kirwan on SiriusXM NFL Radio Monday afternoon. "But they said they wanted me back before the season ended."

Battle recognized that this is the NFL and things change so it's possible Chiefs change their mind and look elsewhere for a running back.

"I don't know who they're looking at or what their strategy is," Battle said. "But I'm going to go out there and look around a little bit and if the Chiefs are the best situation for me then I'd love to go back."

He also said he's definitely going to be on the look out for a situation that gives him more carries at running back, whether that's with the Chiefs or another team.


"I played a bunch of special teams throughout my career but I'm a running back true and true," he said. "I want to play as much running back as I can. I'm looking for an opportunity to get a bigger running back role. And hopefully it's with the Chiefs."

Here's the dilemma for the Chiefs: If you lose Battle in free agency, you're losing a backup running back and one of your top special teamers. Battle mentioned on the show that he has played special teams, backup running back and fullback. He was making the point that he can do a lot of different things for the team.

In my mind, Battle should go with the money. He came into the league as an undrafted free agent and until this season was only known as a special teams guy. He's coming off what is by far his best year with seven times as many carries (149) this season as his previous career high (20). His stock may never be higher. And I wouldn't blame him for testing the free agency waters, either.

As for the teams who could be interested, there aren't any known teams with interest. Battle did say that he liked the way the Texans ran their offense. He said he wasn't talking about any particular teams -- just their offense itself -- but it's kinda funny that Battle's hometown is...Houston.

I have a million ****s and wouldn't give a single one if he leaves.

He had one 100 yard game against a team that ended up with the #1 pick. Yeah, I suspect that there's big money waiting out there for him.

I like the guy, but his main strategy should be to make a roster.

Battle is dollar menu material

Doesnt do any one thing particularly well, easily replaced.

LMAO that scrub should be thankful ANYONE wanted him back. "Test" those waters big guy.

Good for him. Good luck with that. Good to know ya. Good that you gave it your almost best for this team. Good, well bye.

Let him

If he gets a payday, all the best to him.

He got lucky that Charles got hurt and we were relying on a 85 year old in Jones, but he has to try his one chance to be seen as anything but a special teamer.

Slowest RB in the league to get to the line of scrimmage.

Played pretty well all things considered.
I have nothing bad to say about the kid.
Can't imagine he'll get anything, but another backup job though.

Cheaps, rabble rabble rabble

Well bye

He did have 4 ypc. That's not bad, certainly better than Jones. He isn't bad depth, but if he wants a big payday, he needs to look elsewhere. He's good depth, and a change of pace but nothing more.

The UDRFA pool is littered with backs like Battle. Giving him any more than the vet minimum would be morAnic.

I cannot remember a bigger running back that struggled more in short yard situations that Jackie Battle. He had the occasional leap for a 1st down/TD but that was about it.

Its like the coaches kept saying "he's so big he can't possibly be that bad in short yardage situations..." But he was.
Posted via Mobile Device

Being successful in short yardage situations isn't about size though.
It CAN be, but ultimately I think vision, awareness, good decision-making and explosion are more important.
Marcus Allen wasn't a big guy, but he knew how to move the chains. Or sneak into the endzone.

Bring me some nachos...

WTF is Pioli thinking?! We are 38.2 Billion under the cap! We need to keep the young guys that produce!


Sign him!!!!!!

Oh Noz, were gonna lose our number 1 rusher from last year...I think he had more yards than rookie breaker grandpa, right?

He was better than Jones and McCluster.

That's not saying much, though.

bye

Terrance Ganaway? I like him as a replacement if we can get him late.

Don't blame him from trying, this is probably the only chance he'll get to get a relative good contract.

I will forever hate Battle for letting McCluster get 160 touches.

Don't blame Battle it's that dumbass Haley that continued to run McCluster like a power back. Also DMC on the delay draw on ever 3rd and long was classic Haley.

I like Battle. Hope for the best and all.

Nothing wrong with the kid trying to get a payday. Wouldn't be bad to have him back for depth and special teams, but not much of a loss if he leaves.

Your right...Its not all about size. Priest Holmes was a great short yardage back as well without great size. However, it doesn't hurt either. It highlighted the fact that Battle does not have good vision or balance.
Posted via Mobile Device

Maybe if he takes a handoff from someone who otherwise would be a threat to pass that will help him.

Did he really say that?

A good special teamer who can fill in at RB in a pinch
He should actually get a good deal somewhere

Good luck Brah!! I mean with the whole RB thing.

I like Jackie Battle ! I'd like him more if he was a Raider, Bronco or Charger.

I hope he signs a big deal somewhere. Else.

:)

ROFL

Trent Richardson, come on down!

Oh, shit. The day gets worse and worse.

Oh snap, whatever will we do without Battle! Run for the hills Armageddon is coming.

If we draft a RB first day I'll cut your throat.

fyp

Battle will probably end up on the Giants/Saints/Steelers or Pats and win 2 rings as a special teamer/ part time player.

Another wasted authentic jersey purchase. Dang man, I had such high hopes.

Ding, Ding, Ding!

He does a have great name for football. For that I'd give him the vet minimum, take it or leave it.

Oh btw, Brianfo's still alive.

He's a dude that given a hole is alright. I wish he was better at short yardage, seems like the small guys that can get sideways and have some wiggle are the best at short yardage.

Havent seen Trent Richardson play, eh?

Dude is a complete beast in all facets of the game.

He would be well worth our pick, if he lasts that long.

A more likely scenario is a team moving up to the pick right before ours to take him because they know he will be on our radar with a significant need at the position.

I actually liked Battle too but I wish him the best of luck, hope he's able to get payday somewhere and do well.

Bring him to jacksonville. MJD needs to be spelled or we will run him into the ground.

I'm a fan of Rashad Jennings. When he's not injured he's a pretty solid HB.

McDonalds is hiring...

If we pick a RB at #10 I am going to puke.

If we pick anyone at #10, I'll puke too.

If we pick somebody at #9, I'll puke and also make poo.

FAX

If we pick someone at #8, then I will be irate.

You’d be disappointed. He doesn’t create his own holes like MJD does.

ok player .. guess go fo it ......

What?

The Chargers, still looking to add a veteran backup to Ryan Mathews, had a visitor Tuesday.

Running back Jackie Battle met with team personnel and toured the Chargers facility as one of four candidates in the mix to join the backfield.

Mike Tolbert, who spelled Mathews the past two seasons, reached a four-year deal with the Panthers on Monday.

Battle, 28, spent the first five years of his career with the Chiefs. The bulk of his playing time came last season when he had 149 carries for 597 yards and two touchdowns. He also had nine catches for 68 yards.

If signed, Battle would be reunited with new Chargers fullback Le’Ron McClain, who spent last year in Kansas City.

Mathews and Curtis Brinkley currently stand as the team's lone running backs. The team is also interested in returning fullback Jacob Hester in a reserve role behind McClain.

HA HA

He can steal some carries from Ryan run real fast and tackled by a gust of wind Mathews.

Oh please sign there...!

I liked Battle. I'm not afraid of him being a Bolt, I just kinda liked having him around. Oh well. Good luck Jackie.

He's good on special teams but I don't really want to watch him carry the ball again.

FYP

The only thing better than taking good players from a rival is sending them your mediocre ones.

The guy tried, but just didn't have enough speed to be dangerous or enough size/strength to consistently break tackles when he needed to.

I was never a fan and TBH, I'm glad he is gonna walk.

He looked like he should have bowled over every mother ****er in his path, but damn if it didn't seem like he tripped over his own feet all the time. Adios Jackie!

He went to the Thomas Jones school of running backs.

Me too, everyone always said he stuck around so long because he was a good special teams player and gave us depth at RB. I was just surprised we could never seem to find an upgrade.

Don't worry, JB will be back in camp.

I dun think so. I honestly think we will draft a RB and run with JC/DMC/Draftee

No Hillis?

nah, i doubt it.

good luck to Jackie though, wish him well except for against the Chiefs.

I liked Battle well enough, but it was plan to see he wasn't going to be anything special.

Battle has zero breakaway speed in him.

He needs to be as far away from KC as possible.

Kinda forgetting about Hillis aren't you?

We need to resign this guy! He finished off the games for us last year and is a bruising runner! It will bite us in the ass if the Chargers get him!

We'll be fine without him. Hillis should be able to finish off games for us just fine. I figure we'll end up with a bigger RB somewhere in the draft to add a little depth in case Charles and Hillis can't stay healthy.