Chiefs LOONEY -Charting the 53

C-Mac · 09-16-2009, 07:53 AM

CHARTING THE 53
September 16th – 6:00 AM

The Chiefs made their newest member of the club’s 53-man roster official yesterday afternoon. As WR Bobby Wade’s membership was put into ink by Kansas City, “Tryout Tuesday” was going on across the league. With many vested veterans available for hire, Week Two in the NFL has already proven to be an active week on the NFL’s transaction wire.

So, what does Wade bring to the table in Kansas City? I mean, we all know he can catch the football. But what does he bring that is different from all of the other players available on the market (and there are some big names out there – WRs Lance Long and Hank Baskett seem to be getting the most love from Chiefs fans I’ve talked to).

To me, it seems like Wade matches with the Chiefs on two accounts. His first match with Kansas City is the fact that Wade and head coach Todd Haley worked together in Chicago, during Wade’s rookie season (2003). There’s your base. Match One: Familiarity.

But “Chiefs match” number two is the most important. You see, Wade just might be part of the “right 53.”

“The thing I’ve been stressing to these guys is finding the right 53,” Haley said about his message to Chiefs players. “We’re going to do it at all costs. Every day is an evaluation, and if you’re not out there, how can we depend on you? If you’re out there and don’t know what to do, how can we depend on you?”

So why depend on Wade? How might he fit into the “right 53?” What makes the former all-time receiving leader at the University of Arizona, and seven-year NFL veteran, worth a shot? Two matches: Familiarity and need.

“After reviewing the tape, I thought special-teams wise it was a pretty solid performance,” Haley said yesterday. “Our special teams gave us a chance to win in most areas, but I would have liked to be better in the return game.”

That quote right there, paired with Haley’s post-game comment about being a bit disappointed in the awareness and technique of the Chiefs receivers core this Sunday, opened the door for a need. Those needs at receiver and at returner, paired with familiarity, are what looks like made Bobby Wade the newest Kansas City Chief.

Wade can return the football (50 kickoff returns for 1,194 yards/57 punt returns for 500 yards with a TD) and Wade can catch the football (208 receptions for 2,491 yards and seven TDs). He has the potential to fill two needs that Haley has identified. He has a chance to be part of the “right 53.”

Now it’s up to Wade to become dependable to this coaching staff. If the newest Chief is uncertain of expectations, which I’m sure he’s not, Haley left his receiving core some hints yesterday.

“Like I tell them: are you doing it how we’re coaching you and then it comes down to how well are you able to do it,” Haley said of the Chiefs wide receivers. “Talent is the great separator. There may be some guys who are doing it the way we want it done but maybe they’re just not good enough. Then maybe there are some guys that probably potentially could be really good but they’re not doing it the way we want it done.

“I want football players who are physical, physical receivers like I want at every position, guys who help block in the run game,” Haley continued. “I want football players, not just pass catchers, and then that have the ability to make plays when their number is called and in critical situations in difficult press coverage man-to-man.”

09-16-2009, 07:53 AM	Topic Starter
C-Mac Lurker Extraordinaire Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Wally World Casino cash: $-1096301	LOONEY -Charting the 53 CHARTING THE 53 September 16th – 6:00 AM The Chiefs made their newest member of the club’s 53-man roster official yesterday afternoon. As WR Bobby Wade’s membership was put into ink by Kansas City, “Tryout Tuesday” was going on across the league. With many vested veterans available for hire, Week Two in the NFL has already proven to be an active week on the NFL’s transaction wire. So, what does Wade bring to the table in Kansas City? I mean, we all know he can catch the football. But what does he bring that is different from all of the other players available on the market (and there are some big names out there – WRs Lance Long and Hank Baskett seem to be getting the most love from Chiefs fans I’ve talked to). To me, it seems like Wade matches with the Chiefs on two accounts. His first match with Kansas City is the fact that Wade and head coach Todd Haley worked together in Chicago, during Wade’s rookie season (2003). There’s your base. Match One: Familiarity. But “Chiefs match” number two is the most important. You see, Wade just might be part of the “right 53.” “The thing I’ve been stressing to these guys is finding the right 53,” Haley said about his message to Chiefs players. “We’re going to do it at all costs. Every day is an evaluation, and if you’re not out there, how can we depend on you? If you’re out there and don’t know what to do, how can we depend on you?” So why depend on Wade? How might he fit into the “right 53?” What makes the former all-time receiving leader at the University of Arizona, and seven-year NFL veteran, worth a shot? Two matches: Familiarity and need. “After reviewing the tape, I thought special-teams wise it was a pretty solid performance,” Haley said yesterday. “Our special teams gave us a chance to win in most areas, but I would have liked to be better in the return game.” That quote right there, paired with Haley’s post-game comment about being a bit disappointed in the awareness and technique of the Chiefs receivers core this Sunday, opened the door for a need. Those needs at receiver and at returner, paired with familiarity, are what looks like made Bobby Wade the newest Kansas City Chief. Wade can return the football (50 kickoff returns for 1,194 yards/57 punt returns for 500 yards with a TD) and Wade can catch the football (208 receptions for 2,491 yards and seven TDs). He has the potential to fill two needs that Haley has identified. He has a chance to be part of the “right 53.” Now it’s up to Wade to become dependable to this coaching staff. If the newest Chief is uncertain of expectations, which I’m sure he’s not, Haley left his receiving core some hints yesterday. “Like I tell them: are you doing it how we’re coaching you and then it comes down to how well are you able to do it,” Haley said of the Chiefs wide receivers. “Talent is the great separator. There may be some guys who are doing it the way we want it done but maybe they’re just not good enough. Then maybe there are some guys that probably potentially could be really good but they’re not doing it the way we want it done. “I want football players who are physical, physical receivers like I want at every position, guys who help block in the run game,” Haley continued. “I want football players, not just pass catchers, and then that have the ability to make plays when their number is called and in critical situations in difficult press coverage man-to-man.”
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