Chiefs Teicher: Chiefs say draft mission accomplished as team gains playmakers - Page 2

**Tribal Warfare** · 04-24-2010, 10:41 PM

Chiefs say draft mission accomplished as team gains playmakers
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

The draft hadn’t even concluded but Todd Haley and some of his offensive coaches were already tinkering with ways to use the Chiefs’ new offensive pieces. Some of the things they were drawing up included Jamaal Charles, Thomas Jones and Dexter McCluster all on the field at once.

That’s already a change from last year, when the Chiefs most times were struggling to find enough playmakers to line up and play at one time.

The Chiefs made finding playmakers, whether they’re on offense, defense or special teams, an emphasis in the draft. They cast the net wide and emerged with safety Eric Berry of Tennessee in the first round and running back/wide receiver McCluster of Mississippi and kick returner/nickel back Javier Arenas of Alabama in the second.

The Chiefs finished their draft Saturday by using their last two picks, both in the fifth round, on developmental players — safety Kendrick Lewis of Mississippi and outside linebacker Cameron Sheffield of Troy.

The emphasis on playmakers came at a cost. The Chiefs failed to add an offensive tackle, meaning Branden Albert and Ryan O’Callaghan will start again next season.

Their only major offseason player additions on defense were Berry and Arenas. They appeared content with that.

“We accomplished as much as we could this year,” general manager Scott Pioli said. “We made significant progress this offseason, this draft.”

The Chiefs already faced the prospect of a crowded backfield with Charles, who ran for more than 900 yards over the final eight games last year, and Jones, who rushed for more than 1,400 yards for the New York Jets in 2009.

To this, they added McCluster, who between rushing and receiving accumulated 1,700 yards and 11 touchdowns last year at Ole Miss. The Chiefs plan to use him in a variety of ways: as a wide receiver, slot receiver, traditional running back and perhaps even as a quarterback in the Wildcat formation.

McCluster is only 5 feet 8 and 165 pounds, so he’s hard for defenders to find and because of his quickness, he can be difficult for them to handle once they do. Then there’s Charles and his speed and the more conventional abilities of Jones.

“I think when you have unique ability guys that have some of those qualities, it’s an advantage to whoever has those players,” Haley said. “(McCluster) was one of the higher-rated running backs we’ve had on the board and he was one of the higher-rated receivers we had on the board. When you have a unique player like that, the number one thing you gain or you have a chance to utilize is matchups. He’s a player that you put at a number of different spots and pressure a defense in a sense.

“We have another guy in Jamaal Charles that proved last year he can do some things in addition to running the football. So I’m excited from an offensive standpoint to have a guy like that because our motto is the more you can do … he’s a great example of a player that can do a number of things.”

One of the Chiefs’ biggest offseason goals was to find a skilled kick return specialist. Their return game has been among the most lackluster in the league the last three seasons since the Chiefs traded Dante Hall.

“It was a must, in my opinion,” Haley said. “There are musts and then there are needs and that was a must.”

The Chiefs now potentially have two returners. Arenas scored seven touchdowns and averaged 14 yards per punt return over his four seasons in college. McCluster returned little at Ole Miss because his coaches wanted to preserve him for offense, but he has the ability.

“I know coach (Steve) Hoffman, our special teams coach, is as excited as I’ve seen him. I said, ‘We better not hear another word out of you.’ We got him two of the better returners in the league and now he’s got to put them to good use.

“Having a potential game-changer returner would be a nice addition to this team. In general, we just felt like we needed some difference-makers. At least on paper and how we came out of this weekend, I think we’re excited.”

As far as improvement on defense, the Chiefs will rely mainly on help from Berry, who will start at safety, and Arenas, who could be the nickel back.

The Chiefs are also counting on improvement from their younger defensive players, including ends Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson.

“Defense is a team game,” Haley said. “We’re developing the guys we have here that are already on campus. We’re all really excited about that process and where we are as we speak. Then adding the guys we have on defense to the mix, we expect them to have an impact on that.

“It’s important that some of these young guys take another step for us.”

chiefzilla1501 · 04-25-2010, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

People wanted FULL TIME playmakers.

That's fine, but there's also a lot of hypocrisy. When people rave about CJ Spiller (who would either be a part-time playmaker OR force a full-time playmaker like Charles to become a part-time playmaker) in the first, then call McCluster a part-time playmaker in the second? I realize Spiller is a hell of a lot better than McCluster, but that doesn't change the fact that Spiller's role in KC would have been similar to the role McCluster will play.

When fans rave about Golden Tate in the slot (a "part-time position"), and then throw a shit-fit when they draft McCluster to play in the slot?

And when you actually add up the mileage, how part-time is it? If you have a nickel corner who plays 40-50% of defensive snaps and returns punts, that's close to a full-time position. And when you have a RB/WR who'll probably be on the field 2 out of 3 downs, and might also return kicks, that's pretty full-time too. Not any less full-time than, say, a Terrence Cody, who'll probably be a pure 2-down player.

**Gonzo** · 04-25-2010, 09:33 AM

I like the Arenas pick. But like everyone else, the McCluster**** pick still baffles me.

Meh, maybe he'll be awesomness. Time will tell.
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milkman · 04-25-2010, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Full time safety
Full time slot reciever
full time kick returner

Hopefully........

No one is questioning the Eric Berry pick.

But I'm betting that Arenas sees the field more as the nickel than McCluster does on offense, and Arenas was drafted more for his return ability than his coverage abiility.

**notorious** · 04-25-2010, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

Which left Cody from Alabama out....

No way he could play 3 straight downs at a time, all game...

And he will eat himself out of the league in 2 years.

Mosbonian · 04-25-2010, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

No one is questioning the Eric Berry pick.

But I'm betting that Arenas sees the field more as the nickel than McCluster does on offense, and Arenas was drafted more for his return ability than his coverage abiility.

So....we filled a need with Eric Berry.

Arenas and McCluster filled a need also...we completely stunk at the return game to the point I almost wanted to see Dante Hall return because we at least had 3 chances in 10 that we might see a TD run.

The Guard from Illinois is a steal according to everyone who looks at the draft.

Did we fill all our needs? No....but everyone here seems to be down on the fact that we didn't pick Kindle or Cody when each has an acknowledged weakness or injury concern that makes them a good possibility of being as much a bust as a boon. Imagine the meltdown here if the Chiefs picked Kindle and on the first play of the season he suffered the same injury that put him down in college. Or imagine the meltdown as Cody pretty much gives us 2 bad plays for every one and shows to be as lazy as some have acknowledged he has a propensity to be.

mmaddog
********

chiefzilla1501 · 04-25-2010, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

No one is questioning the Eric Berry pick.

But I'm betting that Arenas sees the field more as the nickel than McCluster does on offense, and Arenas was drafted more for his return ability than his coverage abiility.

I don't agree.

Given how much Weis loves to throw to his RBs and given that he loves to run multiple plays from the same formation, I can guarantee you that he's drooling at the thought of a guy who can line up in the backfield and motion into the slot based on where the mismatch is. I think he's going to see the field quite a bit as a receiver-version of Kevin Faulk, who saw a ton of reps when he was with Weis, particularly as a receiver.

milkman · 04-25-2010, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmaddog

So....we filled a need with Eric Berry.

Arenas and McCluster filled a need also...we completely stunk at the return game to the point I almost wanted to see Dante Hall return because we at least had 3 chances in 10 that we might see a TD run.

The Guard from Illinois is a steal according to everyone who looks at the draft.

Did we fill all our needs? No....but everyone here seems to be down on the fact that we didn't pick Kindle or Cody when each has an acknowledged weakness or injury concern that makes them a good possibility of being as much a bust as a boon. Imagine the meltdown here if the Chiefs picked Kindle and on the first play of the season he suffered the same injury that put him down in college. Or imagine the meltdown as Cody pretty much gives us 2 bad plays for every one and shows to be as lazy as some have acknowledged he has a propensity to be.

mmaddog
********

It didn't have to be Clausen, or Kindle, or Cody, or Tate.

But we needed starters in the second round, not part time players.

Mosbonian · 04-25-2010, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

It didn't have to be Clausen, or Kindle, or Cody, or Tate.

But we needed starters in the second round, not part time players.

So....taking out the 4 that you mention above, who would you have taken at that time who was still on the board?

mmaddog
********

milkman · 04-25-2010, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmaddog

So....taking out the 4 that you mention above, who would you have taken at that time who was still on the board?

mmaddog
********

Based on how things fell, Misi or Benn, then Sean Lee or Jason Worilds.

There are other options as well, those are just a couple.

Mosbonian · 04-25-2010, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

Based on how things fell, Misi or Benn, then Sean Lee or Jason Worilds.

There are other options as well, those are just a couple.

Didn't Benn come with some reservations on the part of the draftniks?

mmaddog
********

milkman · 04-25-2010, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

I don't agree.

Given how much Weis loves to throw to his RBs and given that he loves to run multiple plays from the same formation, I can guarantee you that he's drooling at the thought of a guy who can line up in the backfield and motion into the slot based on where the mismatch is. I think he's going to see the field quite a bit as a receiver-version of Kevin Faulk, who saw a ton of reps when he was with Weis, particularly as a receiver.

No question that Faulk is a weapon in the Pats offense, but the Pats won those SBs with defense and Tom Brady.

Even at his best, I'd be surprised if Faulk was used more than 60% of the Pats snaps, a part time weapon, and the Pats have never had anyone as dynamic as Charles.

**DaneMcCloud** · 04-25-2010, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Full time safety
Full time slot reciever
full time kick returner

Hopefully........

Full time guard
Full time safety

The only guy I question at this point is Moeaki. But if his string of fluke injuries is over, he'll become an important player.

milkman · 04-25-2010, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmaddog

Didn't Benn come with some reservations on the part of the draftniks?

mmaddog
********

There's a lot of people who had reservations about him, but he's talented and had a sorry QB to work with.

Deberg_1990 · 04-25-2010, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Full time guard
Full time safety

The only guy I question at this point is Moeaki. But if his string of fluke injuries is over, he'll become an important player.

Yea, i didnt really care for the Moeaki pick either.....oh well....who knows right?

Consistent1 · 04-25-2010, 10:32 AM

It really seems that a whole lotta guys are way too upset with the draft.Those 2nd rounders will see a lot of action.Just have to wait and see what happens.They couldn't have made the D a complete shut-down unit in one draft.There will be no Superbowl,but I think the team will improve and be interesting to watch.May even surprise many people.
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04-24-2010, 10:41 PM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-3107187	Teicher: Chiefs say draft mission accomplished as team gains playmakers Chiefs say draft mission accomplished as team gains playmakers By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star The draft hadn’t even concluded but Todd Haley and some of his offensive coaches were already tinkering with ways to use the Chiefs’ new offensive pieces. Some of the things they were drawing up included Jamaal Charles, Thomas Jones and Dexter McCluster all on the field at once. That’s already a change from last year, when the Chiefs most times were struggling to find enough playmakers to line up and play at one time. The Chiefs made finding playmakers, whether they’re on offense, defense or special teams, an emphasis in the draft. They cast the net wide and emerged with safety Eric Berry of Tennessee in the first round and running back/wide receiver McCluster of Mississippi and kick returner/nickel back Javier Arenas of Alabama in the second. The Chiefs finished their draft Saturday by using their last two picks, both in the fifth round, on developmental players — safety Kendrick Lewis of Mississippi and outside linebacker Cameron Sheffield of Troy. The emphasis on playmakers came at a cost. The Chiefs failed to add an offensive tackle, meaning Branden Albert and Ryan O’Callaghan will start again next season. Their only major offseason player additions on defense were Berry and Arenas. They appeared content with that. “We accomplished as much as we could this year,” general manager Scott Pioli said. “We made significant progress this offseason, this draft.” The Chiefs already faced the prospect of a crowded backfield with Charles, who ran for more than 900 yards over the final eight games last year, and Jones, who rushed for more than 1,400 yards for the New York Jets in 2009. To this, they added McCluster, who between rushing and receiving accumulated 1,700 yards and 11 touchdowns last year at Ole Miss. The Chiefs plan to use him in a variety of ways: as a wide receiver, slot receiver, traditional running back and perhaps even as a quarterback in the Wildcat formation. McCluster is only 5 feet 8 and 165 pounds, so he’s hard for defenders to find and because of his quickness, he can be difficult for them to handle once they do. Then there’s Charles and his speed and the more conventional abilities of Jones. “I think when you have unique ability guys that have some of those qualities, it’s an advantage to whoever has those players,” Haley said. “(McCluster) was one of the higher-rated running backs we’ve had on the board and he was one of the higher-rated receivers we had on the board. When you have a unique player like that, the number one thing you gain or you have a chance to utilize is matchups. He’s a player that you put at a number of different spots and pressure a defense in a sense. “We have another guy in Jamaal Charles that proved last year he can do some things in addition to running the football. So I’m excited from an offensive standpoint to have a guy like that because our motto is the more you can do … he’s a great example of a player that can do a number of things.” One of the Chiefs’ biggest offseason goals was to find a skilled kick return specialist. Their return game has been among the most lackluster in the league the last three seasons since the Chiefs traded Dante Hall. “It was a must, in my opinion,” Haley said. “There are musts and then there are needs and that was a must.” The Chiefs now potentially have two returners. Arenas scored seven touchdowns and averaged 14 yards per punt return over his four seasons in college. McCluster returned little at Ole Miss because his coaches wanted to preserve him for offense, but he has the ability. “I know coach (Steve) Hoffman, our special teams coach, is as excited as I’ve seen him. I said, ‘We better not hear another word out of you.’ We got him two of the better returners in the league and now he’s got to put them to good use. “Having a potential game-changer returner would be a nice addition to this team. In general, we just felt like we needed some difference-makers. At least on paper and how we came out of this weekend, I think we’re excited.” As far as improvement on defense, the Chiefs will rely mainly on help from Berry, who will start at safety, and Arenas, who could be the nickel back. The Chiefs are also counting on improvement from their younger defensive players, including ends Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson. “Defense is a team game,” Haley said. “We’re developing the guys we have here that are already on campus. We’re all really excited about that process and where we are as we speak. Then adding the guys we have on defense to the mix, we expect them to have an impact on that. “It’s important that some of these young guys take another step for us.”
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04-25-2010, 09:33 AM	#17
Gonzo Stuff & Things Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Yukon Casino cash: $10126924	I like the Arenas pick. But like everyone else, the McCluster**** pick still baffles me. Meh, maybe he'll be awesomness. Time will tell. Posted via Mobile Device
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04-25-2010, 10:32 AM	#30
Consistent1 _____________ Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $10004900	It really seems that a whole lotta guys are way too upset with the draft.Those 2nd rounders will see a lot of action.Just have to wait and see what happens.They couldn't have made the D a complete shut-down unit in one draft.There will be no Superbowl,but I think the team will improve and be interesting to watch.May even surprise many people. Posted via Mobile Device
Posts: 3,096