Cyrus Gray Will Contribute In 2012.

[Micjones]

3rd published article at Arrowhead Addict.

“With the 182nd pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select Cyrus Gray, runningback, Texas A&M.”

Those words were music to my ears on that overcast Saturday evening in Kansas City. Veterans Jackie Battle and Thomas Jones were both on their way out at Arrowhead. The two of them were unrestricted free agents unlikely to be re-signed for the 2012 campaign. The Chiefs filled one of those vacancies when they acquired former Browns runningback Peyton Hillis on March 14th. Gray was subsequently drafted by GM Scott Pioli in the top half of the sixth-round. He may well have been the best value of any player in the Chiefs’ draft class having been projected to be taken between rounds three and four (NFL Draft Scout, Draft Countdown, ProFootballWeekly).

I really like the cut of this kid’s jib. Gray stands about 5’10 and he’s a cut 206 pounds. Cut might be misleading, he’s pretty “rocked up”. It makes him a tough runner who’s difficult to bring down with an arm tackle. He’s not a burner, but he has a 40 time that hovers right around the mid-4.4′s. He doesn’t possess the straight line speed of his teammate Jamaal Charles, but he won’t be caught from behind very often. The former Aggie can be electric in the open field. The things that really impress me about his game tape are his field vision, his decision-making, his patience in setting up his blocks, his forward lean and the angles he takes. Gray’s a smart runner with a style reminiscent of Priest Holmes.

Under a normal set of circumstances I’d expect Cyrus Gray, in year one, only to contribute on Special Teams. He’ll be the third or fourth runningback on the Chiefs’ depth chart. Dexter McCluster is likely to be moved back to runningback if fourth-round pick Devon Wylie can stay healthy. Wylie’s unproven, but could displace him in the receiver corps. Gray will need to make his mark on Special Teams to be active on a weekly basis. Given his track record at Texas A&M, it’s likely he’ll do just that. He amassed well over 2,000 kick return yards (two that went for touchdowns) during his collegiate career. I suspect that he’ll get an audition for that role between now and the end of training camp. Gray should see offensive opportunities. The Chiefs will want to bring their top two backs along slowly after coming off of injury in 2011. Charles suffered a season-ending ACL tear in the second game of the season. Hillis was nagged by a hamstring injury throughout the year that caused him to miss several games for Cleveland (*cough, cough* Madden Curse *cough*). I think the Chiefs draftee will find a place in the backfield rotation. It’s what he’ll do with those chances that will make the difference.

Cyrus Gray has a versatile offensive skillset. He’s an inside runner with the speed to bounce outside. Add that to capable pass-catching hands and you have a runningback that can be beneficial to this offense in a number of ways. Gray’s the kind of weapon that can really hurt a tiring defense over the last 30 minutes of regulation. His highest yard per carry average came in either the third or fourth quarter of games in all three seasons at Texas A&M. If this football team is protecting a lead, expect to see him on the field. After struggling with fumbles early in his career at A&M, he was able to shake his ball security issues. He fumbled only once in his last two seasons as an Aggie. That will give him an edge over McCluster, who has often put the ball on the ground in crucial game situations. I’m looking forward to seeing what he’ll bring to the table in his rookie season. If he can gain the trust of this coaching staff I truly believe he’ll make a sizeable contribution this year.

If you haven’t had the pleasure of seeing Cyrus Gray play, take a few minutes to watch this highlight video from his 2010 season. Viewer discretion is advised. The track that accompanies the video isn’t suitable for the workplace. Neither I nor Arrowhead Addict will be held liable for the potential decline in office productivity or reprimands up to, and including separation of employment. With that in mind, enjoy the show!

[DTLB58]

Chiefs could very well have the best RB's in the NFL.

And they are gonna need them.

[Chiefshrink]

There was a thread during the draft on this kid that was just okay for me but nothing spectacular showing highlights from '11'. I noticed that this highlight reel is from yr '10'. The reel from '11' made me think of Kimble Anders. This yr '10' reel makes me think PH with more power and explosion. With that being said is this why we were able to get him in the 6th rd with Pioli thinking he can restore his yr '10' intensity and abilities? Because these 2 reels are very opposite of each other IMO. It's almost as if they are 2 different backs.

[AndChiefs]

Originally Posted by Chiefshrink

There was a thread during the draft on this kid that was just okay for me but nothing spectacular showing highlights from '11'. I noticed that this highlight reel is from yr '10'. The reel from '11' made me think of Kimble Anders. This yr '10' reel makes me think PH with more power and explosion. With that being said is this why we were able to get him in the 6th rd with Pioli thinking he can restore his yr '10' intensity and abilities? Because these 2 reels are very opposite of each other IMO. It's almost as if they are 2 different backs.

He was a much better runner in '11, IMO. I watched every game of his from both years.

[Chiefshrink]

Originally Posted by Micjones

Hillis is 3 inches taller and 45 pounds heavier.

He will definitely be our 'thumper' that will be able to catch the ball with some wiggle to him which will be good. Our own Mike Alstott with some wiggle. Let's just hope he can acquire Alstott's toughness in due time

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by SNR

These are some pretty good articles, MicJones. Any chance you can Tonya Harding Adam Teicher?

You're starting to show your age SNR. You better be careful with that analogy. The young posters on here probably don't know what that means. That was 18 years ago afterall.

[Micjones]

Originally Posted by Chiefshrink

There was a thread during the draft on this kid that was just okay for me but nothing spectacular showing highlights from '11'. I noticed that this highlight reel is from yr '10'. The reel from '11' made me think of Kimble Anders. This yr '10' reel makes me think PH with more power and explosion. With that being said is this why we were able to get him in the 6th rd with Pioli thinking he can restore his yr '10' intensity and abilities? Because these 2 reels are very opposite of each other IMO. It's almost as if they are 2 different backs.

I never could find a 2011 highlight video for Gray.
I see several of his '11 games posted, but nothing for the full season.

[Micjones]

Originally Posted by Buehler445

You're starting to show your age SNR. You better be careful with that analogy. The young posters on here probably don't know what that means. That was 18 years ago afterall.

[Micjones]

Originally Posted by Chiefshrink

He will definitely be our 'thumper' that will be able to catch the ball with some wiggle to him which will be good. Our own Mike Alstott with some wiggle. Let's just hope he can acquire Alstott's toughness in due time

Hopefully he can stay healthy. A hammy nagged him all last year.

[Deberg_1990]

Don't see him contributing much at all this year except maybe on special teams.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Chiefshrink]

Originally Posted by AndChiefs

He was a much better runner in '11, IMO. I watched every game of his from both years.

Well to me the yr '10' reel is much better than the yr '11' reel and why I can see the author used yr '10' instead of yr '11'. When I pulled this yr '10' reel up this a.m. I immediately thought this isn't the same kid I saw run in the thread back in April and then noticed it was yr '10'. Now I realized why Pioli took a chance on this kid late in the draft. To me yr '10' shows his electric ability as the author states whereas yr '11' is more of a journey man safe RB with very little playmaking ability. Just sayin. Hopefully we get yr '10' from this kid.

[Chiefshrink]

Originally Posted by prhom

That's a nice highlight reel. The guy looks like he'll be a nice balanced runner. Looks faster in this video than the highlights I watched after he was drafted.

BINGO !!

[Micjones]

Originally Posted by Chiefshrink

Well to me the yr '10' reel is much better than the yr '11' reel and why I can see the author used yr '10' instead of yr '11'. When I pulled this yr '10' reel up this a.m. I immediately thought this isn't the same kid I saw run in the thread back in April and then noticed it was yr '10'. Now I realized why Pioli took a chance on this kid late in the draft. To me yr '10' shows his electric ability as the author states whereas yr '11' is more of a journey man safe RB with very little playmaking ability. Just sayin. Hopefully we get yr '10' from this kid.

If you can find the '11 reel, will you post it?
I'd love to see it.

[Ming the Merciless]

Actually no, he probably won't contribute much on regular teams. If he even has to we probably lost someone....

D+

[Buehler445]

Are you guys dense? The returners aren't the only ones on ST. Battle and Copper are huge on ST, and they never return it. Gray could fall into one of those roles. WTF are you guys saying he won't play ST?

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by Micjones

Not sure I understand. I made no mention of his being a power runner.
That wasn't Priest's style either.

I never said you did.

It's the same mistake made with Thomas Jones. Because he was pretty much an ineffective runner for most of his career he'd just be asked to bang it up the middle and if he went down no one cared.

Honestly, that's it.

After doing it for 2 or 3 years and not getting injured he got this "banger" tag that was never really accurate.

Holmes broke tackles. Holmes dragged tacklers. Holmes stiff armed men to the ground.

It wasn't what he was trying to do but when necessary he could do it...