Babb: Team concept binds Chiefs’ newcomers

[Tribal Warfare]

Team concept binds Chiefs’ newcomers
By KENT BABB
The Kansas City Star

They met on a van ride from the airport to Arrowhead Stadium, and they learned to lean on each other when someone noticed that the Chiefs’ rookies had to be at the team’s practice facility the next morning at 4:30.

It was the first cold reality of being an NFL player, and Kansas City’s newest draft class made the best of it.

“That kind of broke the ice,” said safety Eric Berry, the Chiefs’ top draft pick. “As soon as we kind of broke that ice, we felt like we’ve got each other’s back.”

Through three games, the team’s draft class has used that comfort, a history of leadership and some impressive talent to look like one of the team’s best rookie groups in years. Last year’s draft class has yielded no stars and few starters, and eyes were on the Chiefs and general manager Scott Pioli to select a more productive group in 2010.

Already, that class has shown plenty of promise. Berry is the starting strong safety. Second-rounders Dexter McCluster and Javier Arenas have been terrific as kick returners, and McCluster has averaged 15.6 yards per catch as a receiver. Third-round tight end Tony Moeaki has emerged as one of quarterback Matt Cassel’s favorite targets, and fifth-rounder Kendrick Lewis has started two games at free safety.

After the Chiefs’ draft picks made their first impressions on each other, they didn’t waste much time making an impression on Kansas City.

“This entire rookie class — everybody that made this team, drafted and undrafted, and there are a bunch of them — have come in with a certain attitude,” coach Todd Haley said last week. “They were intent on finding a way into this mix.”

Berry thinks the rookies have jelled quickly, at least in part, because of their backgrounds. Most of the draft picks had leadership positions in college, and five were team captains. Berry said the youngsters realized early that they had some things in common, and it didn’t take much time for them to start getting along.

“We’re all here for one common reason, and that’s to win football games,” he said. “After you realize that, you can just kind of be yourself and not be so uptight and try to impress each other.”

Berry might not be trying to impress his teammates, but he hasn’t yet made a dramatic impression on the Chiefs’ pass defense. He was the fifth overall pick this year, and some expected him to begin tallying interceptions from the start. Although Berry has been strong in Kansas City’s rush defense, he hasn’t yet gotten his hands on a pass.

He said he’s as eager as anyone to get that first interception.

“It just hasn’t fallen my way yet,” he said, “but at the same time, we’re 3-0. As long as I’m doing my job right and I don’t have not one interception and we’re 3-0, I’m cool with it.”

Haley said he has been impressed with the entire rookie class, not just the drafted players.

The coach has emphasized the importance of rookie free agents, and he also has given those players plenty of opportunities. Jovan Belcher, who went undrafted last year, signed with the Chiefs and is now one of their starting inside linebackers.

Wide receiver Jeremy Horne and linebackers Justin Cole and Cory Greenwood weren’t drafted, but they made the team after strong training camps. All three are listed on their respective third-team units.

Still, Haley said that chances will exist for all players who show promise. He said he doesn’t restrict roster spots or opportunities for those who were on that bus from the airport.

“They’ve all caught my eye, and that’s the truth,” he said. “Everybody is contributing. Everybody, and that’s the way it has to be.”