Chiefs Teicher: Charles presents a dilemma for Chiefs - Page 6

**Tribal Warfare** · 10-05-2009, 10:30 PM

Charles presents a dilemma for Chiefs
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

The dilemma with running back Jamaal Charles gets to the heart of the problem Todd Haley has in getting the 0-4 Chiefs a victory — and, longer term, building them into a playoff contender.

On one hand, Charles, who returns kickoffs and plays as the third-down back, is one of the Chiefs’ most talented players. He is one of the few Chiefs capable of making big plays and one of the fastest players on an otherwise slow team.

On the other hand, Charles has been an unreliable player whose fumble on the opening kickoff Sunday put the Chiefs in an immediate hole against the undefeated New York Giants. He delivered some big plays as a rookie last year, but a precious few this season.

The Chiefs figure to need Charles and his potential Sunday when they play the Dallas Cowboys at Arrowhead Stadium. But, perhaps mindful of the damage Charles is also capable of inflicting on his own team, Haley wouldn’t commit to having Charles active.

“We’ll have to see where we’re at personnelwise,” Haley said. “We’ll talk about that as the week progresses.

“Jamaal was very remorseful about (the fumble). He told his teammates that. We’ve just got to move forward.”

As Haley and general manager Scott Pioli continue what now seems like an eternal Chiefs rebuilding program, they have precious few younger offensive players who can help with the process. Dwayne Bowe, perhaps. Matt Cassel and Branden Albert, they hope.

Charles could figure into their plans — if not as a regular, then as a spot player capable of causing matchup problems for the opposing defense because of his speed. Haley appears to like Charles as a player, which certainly helps his cause. Haley certainly doesn’t want to give up on Charles too quickly and then watch him become a productive player for an opposing team.

But Charles’ time to prove his worth to the Chiefs could be running out. Kolby Smith is close to finishing his rehabilitation from last year’s knee surgery and is eligible to be activated from the injured list later this month.

He could take Charles’ place as Larry Johnson’s primary backup. In the interim, Dantrell Savage, a less talented but more reliable player than Charles, is the option.

For his part, Charles indicated he is ready for whatever punishment Haley dishes out for the fumble against New York.

“Whatever they do to me, they do to me,” he said. “I’ll still go out there and give it my all. It was my fault (Sunday) fumbling the ball like that. I put the defense in a bad situation. We’re (not) that good to be turning the ball over. I’ll take responsibility for that. If I had held on to that ball, it would have been a lot different.

“I’m trying to get things going, and I wasn’t thinking about the ball. It wasn’t a big hit. The ball just came out.”

Since coming to the Chiefs, Haley has emphasized that he wants players he can count on every down, and not necessarily talented players whose performance goes up and down. He’s been willing to bend that policy in the case of Charles.

“He doesn’t have to say anything about that,” Charles said. “Every coach wants consistent players.

“I agree with him. If I didn’t practice that good or play that good, don’t put me in that week. If you think Savage practices better than me, play Sav. I don’t have anything against Sav. He’s a good player.”

Charles showed a glimpse of his big-play ability on his 53-yard kickoff return against New York in the fourth quarter. He might have taken it all the way if teammate Terrance Copper had made a better block.

The fumble against New York was only the latest in a series of drops for Charles. The Chiefs aren’t strong enough to overcome mistakes like that.

“We’ve talked about margin of error around here,” Haley said. “We can’t do that against a good football team. Generally, it will get you beat.

“Jamaal starting the game that way is a morale-hurter. It hurts like a dagger in your abdomen. It was not in any way the way we wanted to start the game. It wasn’t a big hit or a great play by a defensive player. I feel like we kind of served it up for them. We can’t do it.

“We just have to work on the technique. We have the gantlet (machine) we run through twice a week, and we talk about protecting the football and how you’ve got to do it. We’ve just got to work harder at it.”

Hammock Parties · 10-06-2009, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Well, he effectively hired Clancy Pendergast.

As I stated earlier, if my Head Coach came to me and said "Hey, I'm going to hire Clancy Pendergast as my DC. Cool?".

I'd tell him to go **** himself and come back with a better candidate.

Maybe in another 40 years, you'll realize that the (c)Hunt family, if they unfortunately still own the team, don't GIVE A ****.

Who else was available?

I'm not even going to talk about Clark Hunt with you.

**DaneMcCloud** · 10-06-2009, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

Ask any Rams fan.

Fan? Fan?

WTF?

They'd been in St. Louis for exactly THREE YEARS before winning the Super Bowl.

Are you dense?

**BigMeatballDave** · 10-06-2009, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

No really, I listened to an ESPN guy absolutely shred Todd Haley on the radio last week for being a nobody that thinks he's a somebody.

He may be right, but I really don't give a shit what anyone from ESPN thinks.

Hammock Parties · 10-06-2009, 12:04 AM

You know who else were regarded as incompetent boobs early on?

WildTurkey · 10-06-2009, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

You know who else were regarded as incompetent boobs early on?

don't you know you have to be perfect immediately..... how dare you live in the world of sunshine and rainbows you ****ing homer

**BigMeatballDave** · 10-06-2009, 12:06 AM

In Haley's defense, he was handcuffed on who he could hire as far as his assistants. Hopefully that will be addressed during the offseason.

**Easy 6** · 10-06-2009, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

Like Gruden or not the fact that he succeeded in Oakland speaks volumes for him.

His O is as methodical & boring as washing dishes, but theres certainly no disputing this.

He had enough charisma & cred with the players to override Al & his sycophants & spies.

+1 Gruden.

Mecca · 10-06-2009, 12:06 AM

Those guys built a team through the draft, they didn't make their first franchise move as one to go trade for a QB.

ChiefsCountry · 10-06-2009, 12:07 AM

I think Lamar wanted to win - his two big problems were a) he was too damn loyal and b) he lost his ass in the diamond market. That second one is one most fans overlook.

I'll save my judgement on Clark as history hasn't played out yet. For one I think he has the right idea for the franchise - build through the draft, he just hired the wrong guy. Now it was one hell of a move in football world, but Chiefs weren't the franchise type that Pioli needed to go to IMO.

Mecca · 10-06-2009, 12:08 AM

If you wanted to build through the draft we needed to hire a guy from the Colts/Ravens or Giants.

**DaneMcCloud** · 10-06-2009, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

Who else was available?

Um, just about every defensive coordinator in college and just about every position coach in the NFL.

Due diligence is required, Dumbass. You don't just hire a guy that ****ing sucks ass just because he came from the same organization that you came from.

Oh, and he was FIRED, BTW.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

I'm not even going to talk about Clark Hunt with you.

You know, you're REALLY starting to piss me off. You don't know me, you don't know my contacts, you've NEVER sat in a room with Clark (c)Hunt without the media around, NOR are you in business with Clark (c)Hunt or the (c)Hunt family in ANY capacity.

I've been in the same room as some of the lawyers that help to create the AFL. I've been in the same room as some of the people who have known the (c)Hunt family from the very beginning and even before the AFL.

You're ****ing kid sitting in a goddamm Texas basement that doesn't know jack ****ing shit other than what you read or what you hear from Nick ****ing Cocksucking Athan.

It's a joke.

Just like the Chiefs franchise for the better part of the past 40 YEARS.

WildTurkey · 10-06-2009, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

Those guys built a team through the draft, they didn't make their first franchise move as one to go trade for a QB.

while I agree with you on building a team through the draft.... I'm willing to give the noob front office more than one draft and offseason before I go off on them... I'm not happy with everything they have done but I think it's early to say they will not be successful we simply don't know at this point

Mecca · 10-06-2009, 12:09 AM

Why shouldn't he hire a coach just because he came from the same place he did?

That's what we do with players.

**DaneMcCloud** · 10-06-2009, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

You know who else were regarded as incompetent boobs early on?

Only by fools.

Not by people who'd seen J.J. coach at Okie State and Miami.

And everyone knew that Jerry Jones would win because he was a brash asshole with oil money.

Mecca · 10-06-2009, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WildTurkey

while I agree with you on building a team through the draft.... I'm willing to give the noob front office more than one draft and offseason before I go off on them... I'm not happy with everything they have done but I think it's early to say they will not be successful we simply don't know at this point

I just personally don't see this ending well, hopefully I'm wrong but you build a foundation early and this first season has brought nothing.

10-05-2009, 10:30 PM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-3047187	Teicher: Charles presents a dilemma for Chiefs Charles presents a dilemma for Chiefs By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star The dilemma with running back Jamaal Charles gets to the heart of the problem Todd Haley has in getting the 0-4 Chiefs a victory — and, longer term, building them into a playoff contender. On one hand, Charles, who returns kickoffs and plays as the third-down back, is one of the Chiefs’ most talented players. He is one of the few Chiefs capable of making big plays and one of the fastest players on an otherwise slow team. On the other hand, Charles has been an unreliable player whose fumble on the opening kickoff Sunday put the Chiefs in an immediate hole against the undefeated New York Giants. He delivered some big plays as a rookie last year, but a precious few this season. The Chiefs figure to need Charles and his potential Sunday when they play the Dallas Cowboys at Arrowhead Stadium. But, perhaps mindful of the damage Charles is also capable of inflicting on his own team, Haley wouldn’t commit to having Charles active. “We’ll have to see where we’re at personnelwise,” Haley said. “We’ll talk about that as the week progresses. “Jamaal was very remorseful about (the fumble). He told his teammates that. We’ve just got to move forward.” As Haley and general manager Scott Pioli continue what now seems like an eternal Chiefs rebuilding program, they have precious few younger offensive players who can help with the process. Dwayne Bowe, perhaps. Matt Cassel and Branden Albert, they hope. Charles could figure into their plans — if not as a regular, then as a spot player capable of causing matchup problems for the opposing defense because of his speed. Haley appears to like Charles as a player, which certainly helps his cause. Haley certainly doesn’t want to give up on Charles too quickly and then watch him become a productive player for an opposing team. But Charles’ time to prove his worth to the Chiefs could be running out. Kolby Smith is close to finishing his rehabilitation from last year’s knee surgery and is eligible to be activated from the injured list later this month. He could take Charles’ place as Larry Johnson’s primary backup. In the interim, Dantrell Savage, a less talented but more reliable player than Charles, is the option. For his part, Charles indicated he is ready for whatever punishment Haley dishes out for the fumble against New York. “Whatever they do to me, they do to me,” he said. “I’ll still go out there and give it my all. It was my fault (Sunday) fumbling the ball like that. I put the defense in a bad situation. We’re (not) that good to be turning the ball over. I’ll take responsibility for that. If I had held on to that ball, it would have been a lot different. “I’m trying to get things going, and I wasn’t thinking about the ball. It wasn’t a big hit. The ball just came out.” Since coming to the Chiefs, Haley has emphasized that he wants players he can count on every down, and not necessarily talented players whose performance goes up and down. He’s been willing to bend that policy in the case of Charles. “He doesn’t have to say anything about that,” Charles said. “Every coach wants consistent players. “I agree with him. If I didn’t practice that good or play that good, don’t put me in that week. If you think Savage practices better than me, play Sav. I don’t have anything against Sav. He’s a good player.” Charles showed a glimpse of his big-play ability on his 53-yard kickoff return against New York in the fourth quarter. He might have taken it all the way if teammate Terrance Copper had made a better block. The fumble against New York was only the latest in a series of drops for Charles. The Chiefs aren’t strong enough to overcome mistakes like that. “We’ve talked about margin of error around here,” Haley said. “We can’t do that against a good football team. Generally, it will get you beat. “Jamaal starting the game that way is a morale-hurter. It hurts like a dagger in your abdomen. It was not in any way the way we wanted to start the game. It wasn’t a big hit or a great play by a defensive player. I feel like we kind of served it up for them. We can’t do it. “We just have to work on the technique. We have the gantlet (machine) we run through twice a week, and we talk about protecting the football and how you’ve got to do it. We’ve just got to work harder at it.”
Posts: 43,455

10-06-2009, 12:04 AM	#79
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $750478	You know who else were regarded as incompetent boobs early on? __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 297,571

10-06-2009, 12:06 AM	#81
BigMeatballDave GBM 8-12-15 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Dayton, Oh. Casino cash: $10052154	In Haley's defense, he was handcuffed on who he could hire as far as his assistants. Hopefully that will be addressed during the offseason.
Posts: 59,997

10-06-2009, 12:06 AM	#83
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $-752950	Those guys built a team through the draft, they didn't make their first franchise move as one to go trade for a QB.
Posts: 115,387

10-06-2009, 12:07 AM	#84
ChiefsCountry The Insider Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake of the Ozarks Casino cash: $-1641248	I think Lamar wanted to win - his two big problems were a) he was too damn loyal and b) he lost his ass in the diamond market. That second one is one most fans overlook. I'll save my judgement on Clark as history hasn't played out yet. For one I think he has the right idea for the franchise - build through the draft, he just hired the wrong guy. Now it was one hell of a move in football world, but Chiefs weren't the franchise type that Pioli needed to go to IMO.
Posts: 52,184

10-06-2009, 12:08 AM	#85
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $-752950	If you wanted to build through the draft we needed to hire a guy from the Colts/Ravens or Giants.
Posts: 115,387

10-06-2009, 12:09 AM	#88
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $-752950	Why shouldn't he hire a coach just because he came from the same place he did? That's what we do with players.
Posts: 115,387