Chiefs Covitz: Chiefs’ Charles quietly rumbling toward record rushing year

**Tribal Warfare** · 12-13-2012, 06:32 PM

Chiefs’ Charles quietly rumbling toward record rushing year
By RANDY COVITZ
The Kansas City Star
Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles has produced what may be the quietest 1,220 yards the NFL has ever seen.

Charles regained the AFC rushing lead with his 165-yard performance last week at Cleveland with his fourth 100-yard performance in five weeks.

But with the Chiefs mired in a 2-11 season, even his dazzling 80-yard touchdown run on the opening play of the Cleveland game was just a footnote on the highlight shows, which featured more meaningful games.

“Jamaal is the best player we have,” linebacker Derrick Johnson said. “We lean on him a lot.”

Charles carried more than a football the last two weeks. He has also carried the burden of caring for a heart-broken family. Charles’ wife, Whitney, was first cousin of Kasandra Perkins, who was murdered on Dec. 1 by Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher, who then committed suicide.

The next day, Charles rushed for 127 yards in the Chiefs’ 27-21 win over Carolina, which snapped an eight-game losing streak. Charles’ 9.2-yard per carry average at Cleveland last week raised his career mark to 5.75, which surpassed Hall of Famer Jim Brown, 5.22, for the best average in NFL history for backs with at least 700 carries.

Charles, who turns 26 on Dec. 27, has not publically spoken about his grief and how he has overcome his anguish to perform at such a high level.

He has a message on his Twitter account that reads: “I want to thank everybody for your support. The Lord has blessed me and allowed me to take care of my family through football.”

Charles’ teammates can only marvel at his fortitude.

“His faith is strong,” said Johnson, a fellow Texan and University of Texas product. “He’s a pro. Could he have handled this in his first two years? I don’t know. But with this experience that has gone on, he can handle it. And he’s handled it quite well.”

Quarterback Brady Quinn said: “How he’s able to have an optimistic perspective throughout all the things he’s battling through right now speaks to who he is as a man.”

Charles’ third 1,100-yard-plus season in the past four years has been even more impressive considering he was coming off knee surgery after suffering a season-ending injury in the second game of the 2011 season.

There was concern how much pounding his slender, 5-foot-11, 199-pound body could take, but Charles dispelled that fear in week three, when he carried 33 times for 233 yards and also caught six passes for 55 yards in the Chiefs’ overtime win at New Orleans.

“He’s tough,” tackle Branden Albert said. “Everybody respects his speed, but he’s a tough cookie. He runs that ball hard like he’s 250 pounds. He goes between the tackle … he can run the ball outside. He does it all. That’s what makes him special. He gets hit and he keeps on ticking. And not to be that big of a guy, he runs the ball hard.”

Charles displayed that toughness in the second quarter at Cleveland when at the end of a 15-yard run, he bruised some ribs when he landed on the ball while being tackled. Charles sat out the rest of that possession and the next one but returned for the final series of the half and carried seven times in the second half.

“He’s a special player,” tackle Eric Winston said. “I think he’s just getting 100 percent healthy now, too. It’s even more amazing what he’s done already this year.”

Charles, a former track star at Texas, now has three of the longest runs in Chiefs history — a franchise-record 91-yarder earlier this year at New Orleans; an 80-yard run at St. Louis in 2010 and the 80-yard run at Cleveland, where he broke through right guard Jon Asamoah, followed a crunching block by fullback Patrick DiMarco and put safety T.J. Ward on the ground with a stutter step before outracing the secondary to the end zone.

“His breakaway speed sets him apart,” Winston said. “He’s got to be in the top 1-2-3 home-run hitters in the league. On the 80-yard run, guys had some angles on him, and they weren’t even coming close. He’s not just a speedster, though. He does a good job of getting up in there and getting three or four yards when it’s called for that. He’s able to make guys miss, he’s got that ability where he can stop and go somewhere else. His vision helps, the way he can maneuver around out there … it’s fun to watch.”

The Chiefs will be even more dependent on Charles during the final three games of the season. With wide receiver Dwayne Bowe out for Sunday’s game at Oakland and most likely out for season, Charles — whose 33 rushes of 10 yards or more rank fourth in the NFL — is the Chiefs’ only legitimate playmaker.

“As you look at it, he’s been the consistent staple in our offense because he gains yards,” coach Romeo Crennel said, “and he’s the guy who has the potential to run for a touchdown.”

If Charles continues his current pace of 94 yards per game, he’ll finish with 1,502, breaking his personal best of 1,467 in 2010, when he went to his only Pro Bowl. Despite leading the AFC in rushing, Charles is just fifth in the Pro Bowl balloting, underscoring how quiet his season has been.

Charles is raising his profile through the website yourvamp.com, in which he is participating in a promotion in which fans can use an app to place themselves in a photo with NFL players such as Baltimore’s Ray Lewis, San Francisco’s Chris Culliver and Charles.

“Take a photo with me,” Charles posted on Twitter. “If I like it, you can win a chance to take a real photo with me after a Chiefs game.”

The photo might be with the AFC rushing champion.

**MahiMike** · 12-13-2012, 06:34 PM

JC's birthday is 2 days off.

**bevischief** · 12-13-2012, 06:37 PM

What a waste of a good player on a shitty team and shitty leadership.

threebag · 12-13-2012, 06:37 PM

Thank you for all you do 25

stonedstooge · 12-13-2012, 06:38 PM

I wish Fat Scott would quit throwing Winston out as a team spokesman. I have no desire to hear what that **** has to say. Rock on Jamaal

ShowtimeSBMVP · 12-13-2012, 06:42 PM

Imagine him with a real quarterback.

Hammock Parties · 12-13-2012, 06:43 PM

I believe there is now a new winner for chocolatiest penis in the AFC West.

**Buehler445** · 12-13-2012, 06:44 PM

**** Pioli. God bless Charles

**the Talking Can** · 12-13-2012, 06:47 PM

and fat scott has wasted his career

Reerun_KC · 12-13-2012, 06:50 PM

JC needs more carries

ThaVirus · 12-13-2012, 06:51 PM

Is it true that Scott tried to trade Jamaal when he first got here?

ThaVirus · 12-13-2012, 06:53 PM

MVP: Peyton Manning [although I'd rather they award it to AP]

Offensive Player of the Year: Adrian Peterson

Comeback Player of the Year: Jamaal Charles

Chiefs Pantalones · 12-13-2012, 06:54 PM

One of the best. Dude is a boss.

Hammock Parties · 12-13-2012, 06:54 PM

Manning will win comeback player of the year guaranteed.

Chief Roundup · 12-13-2012, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

Is it true that Scott tried to trade Jamaal when he first got here?

Not that I remember hearing about.

12-13-2012, 06:32 PM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-2937187	Covitz: Chiefs’ Charles quietly rumbling toward record rushing year Chiefs’ Charles quietly rumbling toward record rushing year By RANDY COVITZ The Kansas City Star Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles has produced what may be the quietest 1,220 yards the NFL has ever seen. Charles regained the AFC rushing lead with his 165-yard performance last week at Cleveland with his fourth 100-yard performance in five weeks. But with the Chiefs mired in a 2-11 season, even his dazzling 80-yard touchdown run on the opening play of the Cleveland game was just a footnote on the highlight shows, which featured more meaningful games. “Jamaal is the best player we have,” linebacker Derrick Johnson said. “We lean on him a lot.” Charles carried more than a football the last two weeks. He has also carried the burden of caring for a heart-broken family. Charles’ wife, Whitney, was first cousin of Kasandra Perkins, who was murdered on Dec. 1 by Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher, who then committed suicide. The next day, Charles rushed for 127 yards in the Chiefs’ 27-21 win over Carolina, which snapped an eight-game losing streak. Charles’ 9.2-yard per carry average at Cleveland last week raised his career mark to 5.75, which surpassed Hall of Famer Jim Brown, 5.22, for the best average in NFL history for backs with at least 700 carries. Charles, who turns 26 on Dec. 27, has not publically spoken about his grief and how he has overcome his anguish to perform at such a high level. He has a message on his Twitter account that reads: “I want to thank everybody for your support. The Lord has blessed me and allowed me to take care of my family through football.” Charles’ teammates can only marvel at his fortitude. “His faith is strong,” said Johnson, a fellow Texan and University of Texas product. “He’s a pro. Could he have handled this in his first two years? I don’t know. But with this experience that has gone on, he can handle it. And he’s handled it quite well.” Quarterback Brady Quinn said: “How he’s able to have an optimistic perspective throughout all the things he’s battling through right now speaks to who he is as a man.” Charles’ third 1,100-yard-plus season in the past four years has been even more impressive considering he was coming off knee surgery after suffering a season-ending injury in the second game of the 2011 season. There was concern how much pounding his slender, 5-foot-11, 199-pound body could take, but Charles dispelled that fear in week three, when he carried 33 times for 233 yards and also caught six passes for 55 yards in the Chiefs’ overtime win at New Orleans. “He’s tough,” tackle Branden Albert said. “Everybody respects his speed, but he’s a tough cookie. He runs that ball hard like he’s 250 pounds. He goes between the tackle … he can run the ball outside. He does it all. That’s what makes him special. He gets hit and he keeps on ticking. And not to be that big of a guy, he runs the ball hard.” Charles displayed that toughness in the second quarter at Cleveland when at the end of a 15-yard run, he bruised some ribs when he landed on the ball while being tackled. Charles sat out the rest of that possession and the next one but returned for the final series of the half and carried seven times in the second half. “He’s a special player,” tackle Eric Winston said. “I think he’s just getting 100 percent healthy now, too. It’s even more amazing what he’s done already this year.” Charles, a former track star at Texas, now has three of the longest runs in Chiefs history — a franchise-record 91-yarder earlier this year at New Orleans; an 80-yard run at St. Louis in 2010 and the 80-yard run at Cleveland, where he broke through right guard Jon Asamoah, followed a crunching block by fullback Patrick DiMarco and put safety T.J. Ward on the ground with a stutter step before outracing the secondary to the end zone. “His breakaway speed sets him apart,” Winston said. “He’s got to be in the top 1-2-3 home-run hitters in the league. On the 80-yard run, guys had some angles on him, and they weren’t even coming close. He’s not just a speedster, though. He does a good job of getting up in there and getting three or four yards when it’s called for that. He’s able to make guys miss, he’s got that ability where he can stop and go somewhere else. His vision helps, the way he can maneuver around out there … it’s fun to watch.” The Chiefs will be even more dependent on Charles during the final three games of the season. With wide receiver Dwayne Bowe out for Sunday’s game at Oakland and most likely out for season, Charles — whose 33 rushes of 10 yards or more rank fourth in the NFL — is the Chiefs’ only legitimate playmaker. “As you look at it, he’s been the consistent staple in our offense because he gains yards,” coach Romeo Crennel said, “and he’s the guy who has the potential to run for a touchdown.” If Charles continues his current pace of 94 yards per game, he’ll finish with 1,502, breaking his personal best of 1,467 in 2010, when he went to his only Pro Bowl. Despite leading the AFC in rushing, Charles is just fifth in the Pro Bowl balloting, underscoring how quiet his season has been. Charles is raising his profile through the website yourvamp.com, in which he is participating in a promotion in which fans can use an app to place themselves in a photo with NFL players such as Baltimore’s Ray Lewis, San Francisco’s Chris Culliver and Charles. “Take a photo with me,” Charles posted on Twitter. “If I like it, you can win a chance to take a real photo with me after a Chiefs game.” The photo might be with the AFC rushing champion.
Posts: 43,447

12-13-2012, 06:34 PM	#2
MahiMike He's Mahomie! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Jax, FL Casino cash: $10023443	JC's birthday is 2 days off. __________________ 99.9%
Posts: 17,387

12-13-2012, 06:37 PM	#3
bevischief .... Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Somewhere Kansas Casino cash: $7739352 VARSITY	What a waste of a good player on a shitty team and shitty leadership.
Posts: 27,771

12-13-2012, 06:37 PM	#4
threebag Snacks Are Under My Apron Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Edge Casino cash: $-1052380	Thank you for all you do 25 __________________ Smells like Up Dog in here. RIP HayWire Greatest Almost Mod Ever
Posts: 26,259

12-13-2012, 06:38 PM	#5
stonedstooge Arf! Arf! Arf! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: North Casino cash: $3834173	I wish Fat Scott would quit throwing Winston out as a team spokesman. I have no desire to hear what that **** has to say. Rock on Jamaal __________________ 2013 ADOPT A CHIEF Eric Kush "Often is a word I seldom use"--JP
Posts: 25,289

12-13-2012, 06:42 PM	#6
ShowtimeSBMVP Chiefs Join Date: Feb 2009 Casino cash: $1226009	Imagine him with a real quarterback.
Posts: 23,832

12-13-2012, 06:43 PM	#7
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $860478	I believe there is now a new winner for chocolatiest penis in the AFC West. __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 297,236

12-13-2012, 06:44 PM	#8
Buehler445 Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Scott City KS Casino cash: $-1535266	**** Pioli. God bless Charles
Posts: 59,985

12-13-2012, 06:47 PM	#9
the Talking Can Supporter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: street Casino cash: $9222208	and fat scott has wasted his career __________________ Clark Hunt: "Thank god for the Dominican pool boy"
Posts: 51,585

12-13-2012, 06:50 PM	#10
Reerun_KC Banned Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $7231160	JC needs more carries
Posts: 1,529

12-13-2012, 06:51 PM	#11
ThaVirus 5 o’clock free crack giveaway Join Date: Sep 2007 Casino cash: $-1767631	Is it true that Scott tried to trade Jamaal when he first got here?
Posts: 47,019

12-13-2012, 06:53 PM	#12
ThaVirus 5 o’clock free crack giveaway Join Date: Sep 2007 Casino cash: $-1767631	MVP: Peyton Manning [although I'd rather they award it to AP] Offensive Player of the Year: Adrian Peterson Comeback Player of the Year: Jamaal Charles
Posts: 47,019

12-13-2012, 06:54 PM	#13
Chiefs Pantalones GO CHIEFS!!!!!! Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $6868717	One of the best. Dude is a boss. __________________ Don't be fooled by my username, I'm white.
Posts: 26,653