Chiefs Teicher: Charles presents a dilemma for Chiefs - Page 5

**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.”

Mecca · 10-05-2009, 11:53 PM

Yes we really needed Alex Magee, I see he plays tons of snaps!

Mecca · 10-05-2009, 11:53 PM

You think the Chiefs are going to win 4 games...are you high?

**DaneMcCloud** · 10-05-2009, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

Probably 4 games. Teams improve. Haley and Pioli aren't morons. They've already proven that.

I know you say that while jacking off to pictures of Larry Johnson but how can you state unequivocally that Haley and Pioli are "smart" when to date, they've proven otherwise?

Mecca · 10-05-2009, 11:56 PM

It's really had for me to take him seriously when he still thinks Larry Johnson is awesome.

Hammock Parties · 10-05-2009, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

How?

For one thing, I don't think Clark Hunt hires stupid people.

For another, they've already accomplished a lot in the NFL

This isn't Herm and Carl 2.0. Seriously.

Hammock Parties · 10-05-2009, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

I know you say that while jacking off to pictures of Larry Johnson but how can you state unequivocally that Haley and Pioli are "smart" when to date, they've proven otherwise?

Everyone makes mistakes. People thought Dick Vermeil was a complete ****up in St. Louis.

Mecca · 10-05-2009, 11:57 PM

What have they accomplished...I'm curious.

WildTurkey · 10-05-2009, 11:58 PM

New coaches and GM combos are going to **** up.... it's already happened to this duo and it will happen again.... but having complete knee jerk reactions positive or negative is pointless... lets hope they make enough good moves in the future to make up for some of their early mistakes... thats what good GM's and coaches do.. I think more than anything how they recover from this season going into next season will be the true time to fully judge whether they are heading in the right direction or not

Hammock Parties · 10-05-2009, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

What have they accomplished...I'm curious.

You're being obtuse.

Mecca · 10-05-2009, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WildTurkey

New coaches and GM combos are going to **** up.... it's already happened to this duo and it will happen again.... but having complete knee jerk reactions positive or negative is pointless... lets hope they make enough good moves in the future to make up for some of their early mistakes... thats what good GM's and coaches do..

If they ****ed up on the QB it's really not going to matter.

**DaneMcCloud** · 10-05-2009, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

For one thing, I don't think Clark Hunt hires stupid people.

For another, they've already accomplished a lot in the NFL

This isn't Herm and Carl 2.0. Seriously.

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 ****.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 10-05-2009, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

You're being obtuse.

Put him in solitary. A month.

Mecca · 10-06-2009, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

You're being obtuse.

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.

**DaneMcCloud** · 10-06-2009, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

Everyone makes mistakes. People thought Dick Vermeil was a complete ****up in St. Louis.

Really? Who?

You are so full of shit.

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Really? Who?

You are so full of shit.

Ask any Rams fan.

10-05-2009, 10:30 PM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-2987187	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: 43,452

10-05-2009, 11:53 PM	#61
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $-702950	Yes we really needed Alex Magee, I see he plays tons of snaps!
Posts: 115,380

10-05-2009, 11:53 PM	#62
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $-702950	You think the Chiefs are going to win 4 games...are you high?
Posts: 115,380

10-05-2009, 11:56 PM	#64
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $-702950	It's really had for me to take him seriously when he still thinks Larry Johnson is awesome.
Posts: 115,380

10-05-2009, 11:57 PM	#67
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $-702950	What have they accomplished...I'm curious.
Posts: 115,380

10-05-2009, 11:58 PM	#68
WildTurkey I'm done Chiefs, Go Pack Go Join Date: May 2009 Location: Iowa Casino cash: $10004900	New coaches and GM combos are going to **** up.... it's already happened to this duo and it will happen again.... but having complete knee jerk reactions positive or negative is pointless... lets hope they make enough good moves in the future to make up for some of their early mistakes... thats what good GM's and coaches do.. I think more than anything how they recover from this season going into next season will be the true time to fully judge whether they are heading in the right direction or not
Posts: 2,008