Chiefs Whitlock: Chiefs can put their faith in Charles - Page 2

**Tribal Warfare** · 01-04-2010, 12:59 AM

Chiefs can put their faith in Charles
By JASON WHITLOCK
The Kansas City Star

DENVER | When it comes to inspiring hope, faith and a belief in miracles, Jamaal Charles has the right initials — J.C.

Sunday afternoon at Invesco Field at Mile High, Charles raised a dead franchise, walked all over the Denver Broncos and just may have stopped me from whining about Scott Pioli and Todd Haley.

On a day when the Broncos had to win and the hapless Chiefs had no reason to play hard, Charles smashed the Chiefs’ single-game rushing record, darting and dancing for 259 yards in 25 carries, leading Kansas City to a shocking 44-24 victory.

When it was over — after he’d eclipsed the 1,000-yard barrier in just half a season as a starter and after he’d surpassed Haley’s goal of 200 yards for the game — Charles credited the Hall of Fame savior in the sky.

“I just prayed on it,” Charles said, “and know that you can do anything through Christ.”

I’m starting to believe the Chiefs can do anything through Charles.

Before Charles, the Chiefs had the worst offensive line in football. The unit couldn’t open holes for Larry Johnson and couldn’t protect quarterback Matt Cassel. A blind man could see that Branden Albert, Brian Waters and Rudy Niswanger were awful and the right side of KC’s line was a bad joke.

Before Charles, Haley’s development of the offensive unit was incompetent at best and criminal in the eyes of some long-suffering Chiefs fans.

Before Charles, I couldn’t think of one reason to attend a 2010 Chiefs game. Not one.

Now, this miserable and painful 4-12 season has meaning. The emergence of Charles as a potential superstar forgives a multitude of sins and makes me believe next season might be significantly better.

What we witnessed Sunday was no fluke. In limited opportunities as a rookie, Charles averaged 5.3 yards per carry. In limited opportunities the first half of this season as an understudy to Larry Johnson, Charles averaged 5.2 yards per carry.

All Charles lacked was a true believer, the faith of his head coach. Johnson’s Twitter eruption, Kolby Smith’s ailing knee and Dantrell Savage’s bum ankle left Haley with no choice but to accept Jamaal Charles as his football savior.

The back Haley deactivated in week two just completed as impressive an eight-game stretch as we’ve seen in the history of the Chiefs.

As the featured back the second half of the season, J.C. rushed for 103, 58, 93, 56, 143, 154, 102 and 259 yards. That’s 968 yards. He carried the ball just 161 times, giving him an average of 6.0 yards a tote.

That’s a Barry Sanderslike average. On Sunday, Tennessee running back Chris Johnson became the sixth back in league history to gain 2,000 yards in a season. He averaged 5.6 yards per carry.

Charles is as good as any back in the league.

“He’s kind of forced us to think differently about him,” Haley admitted.

Thank God.

Charles is making me think differently about the Chiefs. They have an offensive identity. They have a home-run hitter in the backfield, a guy who will make the opposition respect the play-action pass on first down.

Charles can make Cassel a better quarterback the same way Charles improved the offensive line. If the Chiefs add a legitimate No. 1 receiver or a talented rookie receiver, a new center and develop a competent tight end, they’ll field a solid offense next season.

Fixing the defense won’t be as easy. But it might start with Haley making peace with linebacker Derrick Johnson.

D.J. is another player who has kind of forced the coaching staff to think differently about him. Johnson scored two touchdowns on Sunday, running back two Kyle "Pro Bowl" Orton interceptions.

I get that a 3-4 scheme — in the Patriots’ system — is an assignment-sound defense for linebackers and that Johnson isn’t the most disciplined player. Haley (and Pioli) must realize the Patriots system is fueled by Bill Belichick’s preparation and ability to anticipate what the opposition is doing. For years, the Steelers have successfully used the 3-4 scheme while employing more instinctive linebackers.

There’s more than one way to win football games. Placing glass ceilings on talented players because you jump to a quick conclusion is how you wind with your team MVP in street clothes in week two.

TigerPig · 01-04-2010, 12:33 PM

The only thing Whitlock should put his faith in is Nutrisystem.

And I seriously hope we don't overuse Charles in compensation for the rest of our team.

Christofire · 01-04-2010, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SensibleChiefsfan

Placing glass ceilings on talented players because you jump to a quick conclusion is how you wind with your team MVP in street clothes in week two.

Not always a fan of Whitlock but it's a pretty good article. The quote above is a good message, but let's not forget that Charles earned some of that time off the field/on the bench himself by being a fumbler early on in the season. For this coaching staff, it wasn't a matter of talent -- it was a matter of trust.

That said, glad to see that he's manned up, and we're giving him the ball and getting the hell out of the way.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 01-04-2010, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christofire

Not always a fan of Whitlock but it's a pretty good article. The quote above is a good message, but let's not forget that Charles earned some of that time off the field/on the bench himself by being a fumbler early on in the season. For this coaching staff, it wasn't a matter of talent -- it was a matter of trust.

That said, glad to see that he's manned up, and we're giving him the ball and getting the hell out of the way.

Damn, people.

He fumbled ONCE in the first 11 weeks of the season.

ONCE.

I have no idea where this myth started, or why people choose to continue believing it when facts are presented that prove it's false.

http://www.nfl.com/players/jamaalcha...s?id=CHA561428

Christofire · 01-04-2010, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Before Charles, the Chiefs had the worst offensive line in football. The unit couldn’t open holes for Larry Johnson and couldn’t protect quarterback Matt Cassel. A blind man could see that Branden Albert, Brian Waters and Rudy Niswanger were awful and the right side of KC’s line was a bad joke.

Hmm... just noticed this: He even threw Brian Waters under the bus. Surprising.

FAX · 01-04-2010, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Damn, people.

He fumbled ONCE in the first 11 weeks of the season.

ONCE.

I have no idea where this myth started, or why people choose to continue believing it when facts are presented that prove it's false.

http://www.nfl.com/players/jamaalcha...s?id=CHA561428

I posted in the other thread (you know, the one where we were discussing this, Mr. OnTheWarpath58) one possible "source" of the "myth".

Apparently, Charles had what was considered to be a significant fumbling problem in college. That would explain why he was branded with this reputation.

FAX

Christofire · 01-04-2010, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Damn, people.

He fumbled ONCE in the first 11 weeks of the season.

ONCE.

I have no idea where this myth started, or why people choose to continue believing it when facts are presented that prove it's false.

http://www.nfl.com/players/jamaalcha...s?id=CHA561428

I'm encompassing training camp/pre-season, too.

FAX · 01-04-2010, 12:46 PM

Charles is in charge, that's for sure.

From time to time, you get the bear and, in this case, fortune has smiled on us. As do a lot of people, I have concerns about his durability. The guy's shoulder pops out 10 times a game. He's fun as hell to watch, though. I love those 50 yard touchdown runs.

FAX

TigerPig · 01-04-2010, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christofire

I'm encompassing training camp/pre-season, too.

"We're talking about...practice... Not a game... Practice..."

[/Iverson]

**OnTheWarpath15** · 01-04-2010, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christofire

I'm encompassing training camp/pre-season, too.

Great. Games that don't count being used to perpetuate a myth. Cool.

Oh, wait. He only fumbled ONCE in the preseason?

So, two fumbles in the first 15 weeks of the season?

**OnTheWarpath15** · 01-04-2010, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

I posted in the other thread (you know, the one where we were discussing this, Mr. OnTheWarpath58) one possible "source" of the "myth".

Apparently, Charles had what was considered to be a significant fumbling problem in college. That would explain why he was branded with this reputation.

FAX

Well, Mr. FAX, college ball and the NFL are a different animal.

What's he's done in college has no bearing on what he's done in the league.

And again, this is directed more at the folks that keep claiming this supposed "early season fumbling problem" is the reason why he was inactive for a game, and buried on the depth chart.

Christofire · 01-04-2010, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Great. Games that don't count being used to perpetuate a myth. Cool.

Oh, wait. He only fumbled ONCE in the preseason?

So, two fumbles in the first 15 weeks of the season?

Calm down a little bit. You're not listening.

My point was this: Training camp and pre-season is what builds trust early in the season. Charles fumbled once (out of only four carries) against Minny in the pre-season. He only had 15 carries the entire preseason. It's logical to say that it hurt his chances of playing.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 01-04-2010, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christofire

Calm down a little bit. You're not listening.

My point was this: Training camp and pre-season is what builds trust early in the season. Charles fumbled once (out of only four carries) against Minny in the pre-season. He only had 15 carries the entire preseason. It's logical to say that it hurt his chances of playing.

Whatever you say.

Keep moving those goalposts.

Christofire · 01-04-2010, 12:54 PM

When did I change the message?

Christofire · 01-04-2010, 12:58 PM

I'm not trying to vilify Charles here, but I'm also noticing that you're now ignoring that he fumbled 3 times in 4 weeks vs. SD, Den and Cleveland.

Christofire · 01-04-2010, 12:59 PM

Here's my final say: Charles is awesome. I want him to play for us for a long time. All I'm saying is let's not pretend it was just the coaching staff that kept him from playing. He had to prove he could play, which he has done. Good for all of us. Go Chiefs.

01-04-2010, 12:59 AM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-3007187	Whitlock: Chiefs can put their faith in Charles Chiefs can put their faith in Charles By JASON WHITLOCK The Kansas City Star DENVER \| When it comes to inspiring hope, faith and a belief in miracles, Jamaal Charles has the right initials — J.C. Sunday afternoon at Invesco Field at Mile High, Charles raised a dead franchise, walked all over the Denver Broncos and just may have stopped me from whining about Scott Pioli and Todd Haley. On a day when the Broncos had to win and the hapless Chiefs had no reason to play hard, Charles smashed the Chiefs’ single-game rushing record, darting and dancing for 259 yards in 25 carries, leading Kansas City to a shocking 44-24 victory. When it was over — after he’d eclipsed the 1,000-yard barrier in just half a season as a starter and after he’d surpassed Haley’s goal of 200 yards for the game — Charles credited the Hall of Fame savior in the sky. “I just prayed on it,” Charles said, “and know that you can do anything through Christ.” I’m starting to believe the Chiefs can do anything through Charles. Before Charles, the Chiefs had the worst offensive line in football. The unit couldn’t open holes for Larry Johnson and couldn’t protect quarterback Matt Cassel. A blind man could see that Branden Albert, Brian Waters and Rudy Niswanger were awful and the right side of KC’s line was a bad joke. Before Charles, Haley’s development of the offensive unit was incompetent at best and criminal in the eyes of some long-suffering Chiefs fans. Before Charles, I couldn’t think of one reason to attend a 2010 Chiefs game. Not one. Now, this miserable and painful 4-12 season has meaning. The emergence of Charles as a potential superstar forgives a multitude of sins and makes me believe next season might be significantly better. What we witnessed Sunday was no fluke. In limited opportunities as a rookie, Charles averaged 5.3 yards per carry. In limited opportunities the first half of this season as an understudy to Larry Johnson, Charles averaged 5.2 yards per carry. All Charles lacked was a true believer, the faith of his head coach. Johnson’s Twitter eruption, Kolby Smith’s ailing knee and Dantrell Savage’s bum ankle left Haley with no choice but to accept Jamaal Charles as his football savior. The back Haley deactivated in week two just completed as impressive an eight-game stretch as we’ve seen in the history of the Chiefs. As the featured back the second half of the season, J.C. rushed for 103, 58, 93, 56, 143, 154, 102 and 259 yards. That’s 968 yards. He carried the ball just 161 times, giving him an average of 6.0 yards a tote. That’s a Barry Sanderslike average. On Sunday, Tennessee running back Chris Johnson became the sixth back in league history to gain 2,000 yards in a season. He averaged 5.6 yards per carry. Charles is as good as any back in the league. “He’s kind of forced us to think differently about him,” Haley admitted. Thank God. Charles is making me think differently about the Chiefs. They have an offensive identity. They have a home-run hitter in the backfield, a guy who will make the opposition respect the play-action pass on first down. Charles can make Cassel a better quarterback the same way Charles improved the offensive line. If the Chiefs add a legitimate No. 1 receiver or a talented rookie receiver, a new center and develop a competent tight end, they’ll field a solid offense next season. Fixing the defense won’t be as easy. But it might start with Haley making peace with linebacker Derrick Johnson. D.J. is another player who has kind of forced the coaching staff to think differently about him. Johnson scored two touchdowns on Sunday, running back two Kyle "Pro Bowl" Orton interceptions. I get that a 3-4 scheme — in the Patriots’ system — is an assignment-sound defense for linebackers and that Johnson isn’t the most disciplined player. Haley (and Pioli) must realize the Patriots system is fueled by Bill Belichick’s preparation and ability to anticipate what the opposition is doing. For years, the Steelers have successfully used the 3-4 scheme while employing more instinctive linebackers. There’s more than one way to win football games. Placing glass ceilings on talented players because you jump to a quick conclusion is how you wind with your team MVP in street clothes in week two.
Posts: 43,454

01-04-2010, 12:33 PM	#16
TigerPig One with the Force Join Date: Jan 2010 Casino cash: $10004900	The only thing Whitlock should put his faith in is Nutrisystem. And I seriously hope we don't overuse Charles in compensation for the rest of our team.
Posts: 879

01-04-2010, 12:46 PM	#22
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	Charles is in charge, that's for sure. From time to time, you get the bear and, in this case, fortune has smiled on us. As do a lot of people, I have concerns about his durability. The guy's shoulder pops out 10 times a game. He's fun as hell to watch, though. I love those 50 yard touchdown runs. FAX
Posts: 44,492

01-04-2010, 12:54 PM	#28
Christofire Aberzombie and Fitch Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Southwest Kansas Casino cash: $10004950	When did I change the message?
Posts: 582

01-04-2010, 12:58 PM	#29
Christofire Aberzombie and Fitch Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Southwest Kansas Casino cash: $10004950	I'm not trying to vilify Charles here, but I'm also noticing that you're now ignoring that he fumbled 3 times in 4 weeks vs. SD, Den and Cleveland.
Posts: 582

01-04-2010, 12:59 PM	#30
Christofire Aberzombie and Fitch Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Southwest Kansas Casino cash: $10004950	Here's my final say: Charles is awesome. I want him to play for us for a long time. All I'm saying is let's not pretend it was just the coaching staff that kept him from playing. He had to prove he could play, which he has done. Good for all of us. Go Chiefs.
Posts: 582