Chiefs Babb: Charles measures up well to Bengals’ Benson

**Tribal Warfare** · 12-28-2009, 01:48 AM

Charles measures up well to Bengals’ Benson
By KENT BABB
The Kansas City Star

CINCINNATI | There weren’t many surprises Sunday, and both teams knew about the other’s weapons. Cincinnati is a running team out of preference. Kansas City is a running team out of necessity.

The Chiefs had another promising performance from running back Jamaal Charles, and the Bengals had another strong day from rusher Cedric Benson. Both surpassed 100 yards rushing, and each was the centerpiece of his team’s offense. Benson and his 133 rushing yards won the day over Charles’ 102, but Chiefs coach Todd Haley was interested in seeing how his young back compared.

“We knew it would be a great challenge for us,” Haley said, “(with) a running game that’s coming on, to kind of see where we stood.”

Benson and Charles were commanding enough that it was easy to forget about Larry Johnson, whom the Chiefs released in early November after a series of off-field issues that made his lack of productivity intolerable. Johnson played against his former team on Sunday, but it was the kind of performance that defined his later years in Kansas City — nothing like the impressive seasons that led to Johnson being named to consecutive Pro Bowls in 2005 and ’06. He rushed four times Sunday for 11 yards.

“We were glad to see each other again,” Charles said. “I’m happy to see him get another chance with another team. They’re a good team that might need him.”

If Cincinnati might need Johnson, the Chiefs will definitely need Charles. His speed and shiftiness have given Kansas City a weapon it didn’t possess with Johnson, and Charles again was the most impressive player for a team starving for playmakers.

Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel said Charles has emerged as perhaps the most dependable player on Kansas City’s offense. Big plays seem to be a given, and he has helped open a playbook that had stalled only a few weeks ago.

“The guy is trying to make the case to be talked about when you talk about the good backs in the league,” Haley said.

Haley seemed to approve of how Charles measured up against Benson. Neither rusher reached the end zone, but both backs’ abilities helped open things for their respective quarterbacks.

Haley said he liked to think about Charles being the anchor of a team whose rushing game is on the rise.

“He’s come a long way,” Haley said, “and I think that’s encouraging for us and for him.”

12-28-2009, 01:48 AM	Topic Starter
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-2997187	Babb: Charles measures up well to Bengals’ Benson Charles measures up well to Bengals’ Benson By KENT BABB The Kansas City Star CINCINNATI \| There weren’t many surprises Sunday, and both teams knew about the other’s weapons. Cincinnati is a running team out of preference. Kansas City is a running team out of necessity. The Chiefs had another promising performance from running back Jamaal Charles, and the Bengals had another strong day from rusher Cedric Benson. Both surpassed 100 yards rushing, and each was the centerpiece of his team’s offense. Benson and his 133 rushing yards won the day over Charles’ 102, but Chiefs coach Todd Haley was interested in seeing how his young back compared. “We knew it would be a great challenge for us,” Haley said, “(with) a running game that’s coming on, to kind of see where we stood.” Benson and Charles were commanding enough that it was easy to forget about Larry Johnson, whom the Chiefs released in early November after a series of off-field issues that made his lack of productivity intolerable. Johnson played against his former team on Sunday, but it was the kind of performance that defined his later years in Kansas City — nothing like the impressive seasons that led to Johnson being named to consecutive Pro Bowls in 2005 and ’06. He rushed four times Sunday for 11 yards. “We were glad to see each other again,” Charles said. “I’m happy to see him get another chance with another team. They’re a good team that might need him.” If Cincinnati might need Johnson, the Chiefs will definitely need Charles. His speed and shiftiness have given Kansas City a weapon it didn’t possess with Johnson, and Charles again was the most impressive player for a team starving for playmakers. Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel said Charles has emerged as perhaps the most dependable player on Kansas City’s offense. Big plays seem to be a given, and he has helped open a playbook that had stalled only a few weeks ago. “The guy is trying to make the case to be talked about when you talk about the good backs in the league,” Haley said. Haley seemed to approve of how Charles measured up against Benson. Neither rusher reached the end zone, but both backs’ abilities helped open things for their respective quarterbacks. Haley said he liked to think about Charles being the anchor of a team whose rushing game is on the rise. “He’s come a long way,” Haley said, “and I think that’s encouraging for us and for him.”
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