Chiefs News Etc 8/17/12

[Ace Gunner]

Slow day so far. Heard Sean Salsbury on the radio talking about the QB situation in KC and ATL. Sean said Matt Ryan is on fire again and the Chiefs will have their hands full from the very first game this season.

Then, they put on a couple of Chiefs cheerleaders and interviewed them. The cheerleaders said they have to pass a "football test" and one of the questions was "align each team logo with it's proper division". Like I said, slow news day.


So, here's a piece written for the Chiefs' site;






Running back has factored into Kansas City’s offense this preseason





St. Joseph, Mo. – If things went as planned, Shaun Draughn would probably be in Redskins camp right now.

That’s where he was at this time last year, eyeing a spot on Washington’s 53-man roster.

But things weren’t meant to be in Washington. Draughn received limited opportunities – just 11 preseason carries – and his 1.7-yard rushing average didn’t do the undrafted rookie any favors.

Shaun Draughn was just another name looking for work by the time September rolled around.

“I came up the rough side of the mountain,” Draughn said. “I was cut last year and had to come to a new team as a member of the practice squad.”

Draughn remained unemployed until early October when Kansas City took a midseason flier on the former North Carolina Tarheel. Rookie offensive lineman Butch Lewis was traded out for Draughn on the Chiefs eight-man practice squad.

It was on Kansas City’s practice squad that Draughn’s NFL career began to turn in a new direction.

“Actually, it was probably a blessing in disguise to go the practice squad route,” Draughn said. “I feel like I got so much better just practicing against our defense and learning form guys like Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones. Thomas was a big mentor to me last year and was always encouraging me to keep pushing forward.”

He listened and kept working, running opponents’ offensive plays for the Chiefs scout team. It wasn’t long before Draughn started to get noticed.

Draughn’s practices became impressive enough that defensive line coach Anthony Pleasant sought out assistant head coach Maurice Carthon to make sure the former NFL running back wasn’t overlooking Draughn’s scout team production.

“Our defensive coaches were really impressed with his work on the scout team,” Carthon recalled. “Every other day Anthony Pleasant was saying, ‘hey, did you just see the move that kid made?’ So I started to take a closer look at him. He’s flashed throughout OTAs and here in training camp. Now I hope that he continues to grow.”

The Chiefs promoted Draughn to the active roster prior to last year’s regular season finale when Jackie Battle landed on injured reserve. Draughn would only play special teams against the Broncos, but it ensured him a spot on the Chiefs roster for at least the 2012 offseason program.

“It’s was a blessing,” Draughn said of the promotion. “I’m thankful for the organization giving me a chance. My approach has been to just keep doing what I’ve been doing. I’m focused on improving every day and trying to make this team.”

With Jamaal Charles, Peyton Hillis and sixth-round draft pick Cyrus Gray all competing for time in Kansas City’s backfield – not to mention a possible cameo from Dexter McCluster – Draughn slid under the radar for much of the offseason. But fans and media started to take notice during open training camp practices.

Draughn began stringing big plays together one after the other and scored a touchdown in last week’s preseason opener against Arizona.

“It was crazy when I scored,” Draughn said. “Even when I was in college I never heard the crowd. You kind of zone out when you score, but that time I kind of took it all in and took my time getting to the sideline. I wanted to stay out there as long as I could and celebrate with my teammates.”

Camp is closing and it’s been a successful three-week run for Draughn. He’s put himself in position to make a solid run at a roster spot over the final three preseason games. The Chiefs have given him looks running with the first-team offense and he’s already logged more carries than he did all of last preseason with the Redskins.

Saturday night represents another big test in St. Louis. Gray is sidelined with a hamstring injury, leaving Draughn with more opportunities to show his progression. He’ll also be running on multiple special teams units in addition to an expanded offensive role.

“I just feel like I’m doing what I’m coached to do and when I get my chance I try to shine as best I can,” Draughn said. “What people don’t notice is that I probably go harder in special teams than anything else. That’s how I’ll make this football team. It’s going to be a big role that I’ll have to play.”

Kansas City’s backfield now appears more crowded than it did entering training camp. Carthon says it’s the deepest group of backs he’s coached since joining the Chiefs four seasons ago.

“I wish I could keep them all, not just four,” Carthon said. “They are all great guys, good people and are working hard. That’s exactly what they are and it’s good as a coach. It’s like being a kid in a candy store. You go in the morning and those guys are there mentally, you don’t hear too much talk-back from any of them and they are always ready to focus on the task at hand.”


http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/article...b-c9c4e63e222b

[BossChief]

Ryan always looks good at home.

His problems start when he is playing on the road.

We will need at pressure him al lot and when we have the ball, we need to run it down their throats.

4 sacks and a bunch of hurries on d and 175+ rushing will win the game.

[Micjones]

Originally Posted by BossChief

Ryan always looks good at home.

His problems start when he is playing on the road.

We will need at pressure him al lot and when we have the ball, we need to run it down their throats.

4 sacks and a bunch of hurries on d and 175+ rushing will win the game.

175 is quite a bit. Especially out of the gate.
The year we lead the league in rushing we didn't put that many yards together until the 3rd week of the season.

And ATL's got a Top 10 run defense.

[CoMoChief]

McCluster won't see time at RB this season.

Only time he'll run the ball if it's on a WR reverse etc.

[Micjones]

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

McCluster won't see time at RB this season.

Only time he'll run the ball if it's on a WR reverse etc.

What makes you so sure about that?

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by Micjones

175 is quite a bit. Especially out of the gate.
The year we lead the league in rushing we didn't put that many yards together until the 3rd week of the season.

And ATL's got a Top 10 run defense.

I think both of those marks I posted are not only possible, but probable.

Our run game should be in beast mode...our line and backs might be the best in the league and our receivers are good enough to prevent Atlanta from stacking to stop the run.

As far as the sacks go, our pass rush should be able to overwhelm Atlantas OL and hopefully gets in his head and makes him force passes that fruit us a couple picks.

We REALLY need Flowers out there, though...otherwise, Julio Jones is gonna torch Brown.

[Micjones]

Originally Posted by BossChief

I think both of those marks I posted are not only possible, but probable.

On paper, sure.
Unfortunately there's no way to know how good this backfield will be.

The #1 run game of 2010 didn't post 175 yards on the ground until Game 3.
I think that's ALOT to expect any team to put together in the opening week of the season.

And again, that Atlanta run defense is pretty stout.
They didn't surrender 175 yards on the ground to ANY team all last season.

175 is ALOT to ask for in the opener.
Especially with Charles and Hillis both coming back from injury.
I doubt seriously that Daboll loads either of them up with a bunch of carries in Game 1.

[Chiefs Pantalones]

I'm confident about the first game. We should be able to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. They won't be able to run against us with their shaky offensive line and we should be able to run up and down the field on them with the improvements we've made. Their secondary is swiss cheese so Cassel should be able to find the open WR. We shall see though. Lots of "shoulds." But I'm confident though.

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by Micjones

What makes you so sure about that?

the more success DMC has at WR the less likely they are to use him at RB. IMO

also we have so many more options at RB that i'm not sure there's room for him.

Charles
Hillis
Draughn
Gray

who would you suggest be replaced by McCluster?

[TEX]

Jessie Haynes?

[O.city]

The Falcons secondary, is most certainly not swiss cheese. The Falcons are a really solid, well put together football team.


Gonna be a good tough test for the Chiefs to gauge where they are.

[Chiefs Pantalones]

Originally Posted by O.city

The Falcons secondary, is most certainly not swiss cheese. The Falcons are a really solid, well put together football team.


Gonna be a good tough test for the Chiefs to gauge where they are.

Yes, it is. Grimes is the only concern I'd have, but that's it.

[TEX]

Originally Posted by Chiefs Pantalones

I'm confident about the first game. We should be able to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. They won't be able to run against us with their shaky offensive line and we should be able to run up and down the field on them with the improvements we've made. Their secondary is swiss cheese so Cassel should be able to find the open WR. We shall see though. Lots of "shoulds." But I'm confident though.

Well I think if it's close, and it should be, they more dynamic offense will have the advantage down the stretch. I bet we lose a close one. Should be a good game though.

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

McCluster won't see time at RB this season.

Only time he'll run the ball if it's on a WR reverse etc.

I don't think we'll see him lining up back there frequently, but I wouldn't be at all surprised to see them line him up at WR and then motion back to RB on occasion. It seems like Dabol wants to incorporate a bit of the Saunders trickeration, so I'm sure McC will end up back there from time to time just to throw defenders off.

[CoMoChief]

Originally Posted by Micjones

What makes you so sure about that?

Because we're keeping 5 backs if you include Bannon and he hasn't played any snaps at RB?

[CoMoChief]

Originally Posted by DaFace

I don't think we'll see him lining up back there frequently, but I wouldn't be at all surprised to see them line him up at WR and then motion back to RB on occasion. It seems like Dabol wants to incorporate a bit of the Saunders trickeration, so I'm sure McC will end up back there from time to time just to throw defenders off.

Ok so a gimmick play.....like a WR reverse ...are the only times DMC will be carrying the rock.