Special teams coach thinks Dexter McCluster has unlocked potential as a returner
 

Chiefs’ new special teams coach thinks Dexter McCluster has unlocked potential as a returner
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
Dexter McCluster brought back a punt 94 yards for a touchdown in his first NFL game for the Chiefs in 2010, sparking hope he could surpass Chicago’s Devin Hester as the NFL’s next great return specialist.

That hasn’t happened yet, but the Chiefs aren’t giving up on the idea. This offseason they hired away the Bears’ Dave Toub, the special teams coach who worked with Hester and helped him become one of the all-time greats with 17 career return touchdowns.

And Toub is a fan of McCluster’s.

“McCluster is somebody that’s very intriguing to me,’’ Toub said. “He can really make you miss and I just think he’s got a lot of untapped potential as a punt returner.’’

A McCluster revival is just part of what the Chiefs have planned for their return game. They’re also looking at rookie running back Knile Davis to return kickoffs, though Davis never brought back a kick in college at Arkansas.

That plan, too, is part of the effort to awaken a long dormant return game. The Chiefs haven’t returned a kickoff for a touchdown since 2009 or a punt for a score since McCluster did it in the season-opening game in 2010 against the Chargers.

The Chiefs traded one of their main return specialists from the past couple of seasons, Javier Arenas. They have others working in the mix, including wide receiver Devon Wylie. But for the time being, at least, they appear to have settled on McCluster and Davis.

McCluster hasn’t had many chances to return punts since his rookie season in part to keep the 5-foot-8, 170-pound McCluster fresh for offensive plays. But the new coaching staff led by Andy Reid doesn’t have that idea.

“We’re kind of dusting him off in that area,’’ Toub said. “He has all the skills that you like to see as a punt returner.’’

Davis is an interesting option as a kickoff returner. He hasn’t returned a kick in a live game since he was in high school and was a frequent fumbler at running back last season.

But the Chiefs see a fast runner with a big body who could be difficult for opponents to bring down in the open field.

“He’s a big guy and he can run (fast),’’ McCluster said. “He just needs a little more repetition and I think he’ll be really good.’’

Reid said Davis has good vision, which is key for a returner.

“That position, you want the guys that are willing to hit it up the field,” Reid said. “We’ll see how he does. I’m not saying he’s the guy necessarily right now. But he’s working at it and we’ll see how he does through training camp.’’

Judging from offseason practice, Davis will get plenty of work at running back in the regular season even though Jamaal Charles is the starter. But he said returning kickoffs would be another way for him to contribute.

“Any way I can touch the field,’’ he said. “It’s no fun sitting on the sideline.

“I like the idea. The biggest difference from college to the league is that here, they want you to catch it forward so you can have that momentum going up the field.

“The key is hitting it full speed. But it’s a lot harder to judge it and catch it that way. You’ve got to judge it just right or it will be a big mistake. In college, you can kind of stand there and judge it and catch it on your back leg. I’ve pretty much got it down, for the most part.’’

The Chiefs are withholding judgment on that last part.

“We’ve got a long way to go,’’ Toub said. “We’ve got to find out when the (games) start whether this guy will be able to hold on to the ball. That’s going to be the key for him on kickoff return.’’

“There’s a lot for him to learn. It’s a totally different feel (than at running back). He’s got the ball in his hand like at running back but still it’s totally different. It’s about closing the distance. It’s about (getting up the field) real quick. There are a lot of collisions out there. You’ve got guys running 10, 15 yards running full speed at you. There will be a learning curve for him.’’

I bet Davis beats DMC out in preseason. They'll probably put both of them back there for kickoffs though. Would like to see Davis on punt returns.

yeah prolly not

LMAO

This.

It's truly sad that coaches, scouts, front office personnel, etc. aren't truly allowed to speak their mind about things.

Now, I'm not sure that I want our new ST coach ripping DMC but this is literally the same rhetoric we've heard since he's been drafted.

D-MacRib is back?

:shrug:

With a new bionic elbow baby!!!!

DMC isn't tapping shit except maybe a beer at a bar. Davis will be better than DMC in KR for the simple fact he can break a tackle.

Here's BOTH of Dexter's 2012 punt returns:

http://i.imgur.com/rM97H1z.gif

http://i.imgur.com/chky9.gif

Here's one from 2011:

http://i.imgur.com/h4HtVXy.gif

And don't forget kickoffs:

http://i54.tinypic.com/4r54zk.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/ZNYxotV.gif

But he did make a 250-pound Charger LB slip on wet grass, once, though...so that's a positive.

This makes me so happy we got Toub. DMC sucked, but our ST's coverage was shitty too.
I expect our ST's to be much better and more organized this year.

So when does the ban hammer strike for anyone posting ADAM TEICHER articles?

:doh!:

DMC is full of something, just not untapped potential.

DMC couldn't juke a ****ing toddler

So you think Toub has DMC as the main return guy for Shits and giggles? I don't know about you, but I'm willing to defer to one of the greatest ST coaches on this issue. If he thinks DMC is the best returner on the team, no reason for me to doubt him.
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This Kool aid taste like shit.

Yeah - I'm getting tired of all this damn Chiefs news. It's getting in the way of Hootie's countdown.

FTFY.

I generally agree that we need to wait and see, but we've been down this road far too often in recent years.

I think that 2010 game was the drunkest I've ever been at a sporting event. I kept falling over bleachers into the row in front of me. How I didn't get removed immediately is beyond me. I just remember giving the excuse that it was slippery, as the reason I fell forward four separate times into the people in front of me. LMAO LMAO

Chiefs | Knile Davis talks about fumble issues
Thu, 30 May 2013 08:48:57 -0700

Kansas City Chiefs RB Knile Davis said the fumble problems he displayed in his final season at Arkansas have been fixed. "I think I'll never fumble again," the 2013 third-round pick said. "I had two bad games last year where I fumbled a lot. It was just me not focusing on it."



Read more: http://www.kffl.com/team/21/nfl/kans...#ixzz2UyZwVjcV

I think that McCluster is the best returner on the team, as well.

I also think that Alex Smith is the best QB on this team, and that Tyson Jackson is the best DE on this team.

So, to summarize, I think we're pretty ****ed on those positions.

Dave Toub isn't going to tell us that about his returners, though.

A coach that is a motivational speaker? wow

Lil man is goin off this year

I'm pretty sure Teicher has no unlocked potential as a journalist.

Nothing has changed with this organization. Nothing.

Royals and Chiefs. Chiefs and Royals. Show me hope.

So...everything has changed then

FYP

"It was just me not focusing on it" is either a personal issue or problematic coaching (or both). Given Arky's coaching issues last year, I wouldn't rule out the latter, but the former is very likely too. Old habits, and all that.

i'm not sure why people are flipping about about this article being written by Teicher.

It's talking about a legitimate issue with the Chiefs

You want to be pissed then be mad at the Chiefs for their evaluation of McCluster, not Teicher for reporting it.

:shrug:

Oh, you know that any positive news about a guy the board doesn't like is going to cause panties in a wad syndrome.

the returners might be garbage (McCluster being slow and useless, Knile Davis fumbling kickoffs) but the actual special teams should be really good. They signed a lot of guys that have special teams experience like the back of their hand

you can roll out units with: Zombo, Akeem Jordan, Zac Diles, Anthony Sherman, Terrance Copper, Tony Moeaki (like that time on kickoff when that Donky went all hitman on him lol), Edgar Jones, Quinton Demps, Jalil Brown, etc

those are really good special teams players. good coverage units, punt teams, etc.

More than anything, the worst part is that now we have a few strong offensive minds and the best special teams coach in the NFL, and they're both intrigued by McCluster, yet everyone on this board is convinced he doesn't belong in the NFL. Apparently he's good enough that they didn't mind giving away Javier Arenas. I don't think McCluster is great, but clearly the coaches see some opportunities to use him.

They had Arrelious Benn, Surgery Kindle, and Mush Cody higher on their homemade bigboard, so they'll bang that drum till their deaths. (Even though Dex has outperformed those POS)

Please. Please. Please...let this happen.

Yeah this really qualifies as "news".

even though, gadget midget was not a need at that pick

what was a need as like 80 percent of the next ten picks.

we could have had Benn, who is terrible but they also could have addressed the safety position in Nate Allen or TJ Ward, or the DE position in Lamarr Houston or Troup, or instead of trading up for a Brokedick 3rd string TE, got Rob Gronkowski, or Koa Misi, Zane Beadles, you pick it, we needed it over McCluster.

A lot of people also wanted Sergio Kindle who is god damn terrible.

i didn't agree with the Arenas move either but my point is that this isn't about Teicher.

we have watched McCluster fail to make people miss for years now and that fact that this coaching staff doesn't see it is irritating.


good information from Teicher

I'm going off of who the board wanted at the time. After taking Berry there may have been 1 guy that wanted to go safety with the top 2 picks.

The team did have a need for a guy that can make plays though...Dex just hasn't lived up to that standard yet.

Yup, don't get me wrong, the guy has to improve. A ton. And maybe he never does. But the same coaching staff that had no problem cutting Arenas, Winston, and a whole bunch of other holdovers obviously seems to have confidence in McCluster and wants him in a prominent role.

Dexter Rocks!!!

I don't either, but I'm sure that decision doesn't get made unless Toub is okay with the returners he has on the team. Either that, or Toub would have had the influence to go into the draft or free agency and pick a returner up. I'm not saying it's an endorsement of McCluster, but we can't just claim that they were stuck with who they had.

Teicher has to write for his audience. The only people who subscibe to newspapers anymore are in/about to enter nursing homes.

Yet you clicked on the thread to check it out. ;)

Wait.... why not Wylie? Dude was a return machine in college.

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And Wylie has actual...y'know...speed.

Would like to see him get a chance over that stupid midget.

I'm ready to move on.

Open it up. Put Wylie vs. LaCkluster as the ST battle of the Preseason...

From the OP...

Put white Dante on the return team yesterday...

I dunno about drunk, but I was high on life, and Simply Red can attest to that.

This is me at that game:

http://i.imgur.com/LdBms.gif

You son of a bitch.

The funny thing is I used to think McCluster seemed like the type of guy the Eagles would love even more than us... and it was rumored they wanted to draft him a couple picks after us. I guess we'll find out if they're serious about him.

when McCluster is getting 3 yard screen passes and takes them for -2 yards on 3rd down that should be going to Charles, I wont be happy.

I just think hes going to be taking balls from Charles in the short passing game and that's pretty much it.

No one ever took shit away from Shady McCoy he ran between the tackles and took the dump offs. I expect the same from Charles and not trying to fit a square midget gadget peg in a round hole but forcing him into plays

I dont' see that as his role at all. He's going to be used as misdirection for Charles and he'll run more of the receiver routes Charles can't run (Charles is not a good receiver. He is, as you say, a pure screen and dump off guy). If anybody is going to be a change-of-pace back, it will be Knile Davis. I'm expecting Charles to get about 200 carries and 50+ receptions, which is standard for any Reid back.

The only thing Dex makes anyone miss is Dante Hall.

so you think McCluster will play more slot/WR hybrid than RB/screen/dump off?

in that case then, one of the WRs loses a spot on the depth chart to McCluster, its either Avery or Baldwin, pick your poison

cause then you are essentially running 2 WRs, McCluster, Charles, and at least 1 TE and 1 FB or 2 TEs

really there are not enough balls in the entire state of kansas for Fasano, Kelce/Moeaki, Bowe/Baldwin/Avery/McCluster then Charles/Davis

there is going to be an odd man out standing on the sidelines with a very low snap count this season, I just dont know who that will be.

Not really. McCluster will probably see less action on running downs, where you might want that extra tight end, an extra back, or a fullback in there. On some of those running downs, you might see him swap in for the fullback just to give some more creative running options.

If McCluster plays well, there's a role for him to get plenty of snaps where he's a valuable guy to have on the field. That's a big "if" as he has to play a lot better than he has to date.

How is McCluster valuable in any way?

Does he provide big plays?

Does he make people miss?

Does he pick up first downs?

Does he score touchdowns?

Does the scare the defense in any way?

The answer to all of those questions...is no.

We have the best special teams coach in the NFL and a bunch of good offensive minds that disagree with you.

I haven't seen him to it yet on the NFL level. I know he has to improve a ton. But I also think it's silly that we're so convinced he has nothing to offer. What I've seen of him in college and in the combine is he has tremendous quick twitch agility but he just hasn't used it well in the NFL. I'm not sold on him yet, but I also think it's far too soon to say he's through.

There are lots of dumb people in the NFL.

Anyone who thinks McCluster is an asset beyond "warm body" is obtuse.

Players don't improve on their ability to make people miss at this stage in their careers.

Time to flush McTurd or we'll just be wasting touches on him.

No offense, buddy. I'm in no ways an apologist for Andy Reid. But I trust he knows a little more about offense and that Toub knows a little more about special teams than you do.

Reid has a proven track record of knowing offense. Toub is the best in the game at special teams. Of course these guys can and have made mistakes. But again, these guys have a good enough track record that you can't just chalk it up to them being dumb.

Here we go again. :LOL:

"X is in the NFL, therefore he is more knowledgeable than you!"

Andy Reid is the same maroon who thought Freddie Mitchell was a BAMF, so these guys can and do make mistakes.

Reid was enamored with Dex coming out in the draft so it's not surprise he wants to give him a shot now.

Soon as he starts shitting out every orifice of his body again, he'll be toast.

And I will raise a toast.

I am pointing out that Andy Reid has coached offenses for years and he has coached them well. Yes, they make mistakes and yes you can disagree with their decisions, but claiming they're stupid and you're right is another thing.

This is different from Alex Smith where they were maybe taking whatever options they could get. This is an example of a guy Reid could have easily cut or taken out of his plans, and he chose not to.

The Chiefs have shit and poop at WR. Dex is only on the roster because of that. The lone fact he had one game above 80 yards receiving last year means he makes the roster.

He sucks

I still remember that third and 1 play where we threw it to Dex and he got a half yard.

That's who he is.

He needs to follow Tamba's lead and shave his head. Mofo mojo

Bright coaches get unnecessary chubbies for bad players all the time. It happens. You're going to make mistakes in player evaluations. The truly great ones are the guys who flush those mistakes the quickest and move on from their mistakes.

Pioli never did that, and that's one of the big reasons why we were 2-12 last year.

Reid can give McCluster one last chance. I'm fine with that. But when McCluster inevitably disappoints like he does every year, it's Andy Reid's job to fix that mistake and move on. If he doesn't fix it and keeps trying to make it work, guess what he's being?

He's being stupid.

That's true for ANY ****ing coach. I don't give a shit if you're Romeo Crennel or Vince ****ing Lombardi.

Ahahahaha

Can't even gain a yard

ahhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

*can't breathe*

http://i.imgur.com/E4psZm0.gif

:spock:

lol @ adam teicher

Guys,

we have seen mccluster plenty on KO duty......it aint happening.

the only possibility is maybe MAYBE give him another shot , at PR....

but he will get his head knocked off.....

I mean maybe he was too hesitant in hitting the holes or making that 1st decision, but i swear with pads on he just hasnt shown to be as fast as they say he is....maybe his quickness is there but thats why I say perhaps PR....

I think KR will fail again...

I heard DMC grew 4 inches and added 40 pounds this off season.

The hope I am holding out for McCluster is the story of Dante Hall. Remember how bad Dante Hall was before Vermeil arrived? With good coaching on special teams, he suddenly became fast and elusive, almost ... say ... an X factor on special teams.