Chiefs Teicher: Charles presents a dilemma for Chiefs - Page 9

**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.”

Interim Chiefs Fan · 10-06-2009, 12:50 AM

I am coming out to KC with 8 buddies for the Dallas game. We do a football trip every year to a different stadium. Any suggestions for tailgating?

**BigMeatballDave** · 10-06-2009, 12:52 AM

Clark may be showing more interest in the Chiefs operations, but I bet he still likes soccer better...

**DaneMcCloud** · 10-06-2009, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

That may be, Dane. But your own quotes destroy your credibility on this topic.

You have been proven completely and utterly WRONG about Clark Hunt.

I'll take your opinions more seriously when they aren't all variations on the theme of "Chiefs Suck!"

No, I haven't.

Big deal. He paid Pioli enough money to leave New England.

Beyond that, he hasn't been involved in day-to-day operations.

He's NOT a hands on owner like the Mara's.

Or the Rooney's.

Or the Jones's.

Or hell, even Daniel Snyder.

He's just like his father. Hire a supposed "great" candidate, keep his hands out of the day-to-day and show up to sit in his suite on Sundays.

Reap the rewards of the TV contract, merchandising and box office. Spend as little as possible. This year, they're UNDER the salary floor.

Seriously, you need to get a clue.

**BigMeatballDave** · 10-06-2009, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Interim Chiefs Fan

I am coming out to KC with 8 buddies for the Dallas game. We do a football trip every year to a different stadium. Any suggestions for tailgating?

Meat and a grill would be a nice start...

**DaneMcCloud** · 10-06-2009, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigChiefDave

Clark may be showing more interest in the Chiefs operations, but I bet he still likes soccer better...

No, he's not and yes he does.

Interim Chiefs Fan · 10-06-2009, 12:58 AM

We are taking a cab to the game any other suggestions....is there anyone have room for 8 guys...we will bring alcohol or whatever is needed.....

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

He's NOT a hands on owner like the Mara's.

Oh, now it's that he's not hands on.

Months ago it was that he was absentee.

Keep moving those goalposts.

Wait a second, didn't we recently learn that Clark Hunt pushed Pioli to keep Chan Gailey.

Sounds "hands on," to me.

Wrong again, Dane.

I sure hope the Chiefs don't sign a bunch of high-dollar free agents this offseason. The SS McCloud might just sink right to the bottom of the ocean! It's already taking on a lot of water!

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Clark Hunt is a ****ing pussy who won't change a thing.

**DaneMcCloud** · 10-06-2009, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

Oh, now it's that he's not hands on.

Months ago it was that he was absentee.

Keep moving those goalposts.

Wait a second, didn't we recently learn that Clark Hunt pushed Pioli to keep Chan Gailey.

Sounds "hands on," to me.

Wrong again, Dane.

I sure hope the Chiefs don't sign a bunch of high-dollar free agents this offseason. The SS McCloud might just sink right to the bottom of the ocean! It's already taking on a lot of water!

You're a dummy.

Absentee, not hands-on - it's the same ****ING THING.

And the ONLY reason he pushed Gailey on Haley & Pioli was to save in excess of ONE MILLION DOLLARS.

You know, if you HAD a job and actually WORKED for a living, you'd MAYBE understand economics and the art of being a CHEAP mother****er like (c)Hunt.

JFC.

Seriously.

JFC.

Saccopoo · 10-06-2009, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

You know what I love, how Haley has snowed a bunch of fans into liking him because he yells.

Big ****ing deal he's getting out coached and made to look like he's quitting in 2nd halfs, I could give 2 shits that he yells like a person with an anger management problem.

Sorry, but this is a team that is coming out of the three year Herm/20 year Carl rebuild project. Everyone in football knew that the Chiefs were softer than a 400 lb. virgins vagina.

How good is Spagnola's Rams? Yeah, that Spagnola who was responsible for building the Giants defense. How good do the Super Bowl Cardinals look without Haley? Yeah, I thought so.

The Chiefs have personnel problems that are only surpassed by the Rams. (And they got a better ILB than us.)

But yet, they have been competitive, or at the very least, haven't rolled over against three of the best teams in the NFL in the Giants, Philly and Baltimore. They slaughtered the Raiders, but somehow managed to lose. That's a rebuild.

Haley needs to put a foot up their collective asses. Vrabel is doing it from the field. It's an entire change of philosophy that is going on here, and it isn't going to happen by game 4 of the rebuild, and maybe some guys never get it. Some guys that were able to get to middling in the NFL on talent alone. But that won't win you much - as evidenced by the Chiefs record/performance the past two/three years. This was a bad team. Still is. I'm sure that there are some really good players on this team, but they need to understand that it's going to take a bit more than talent to win ball games. And you don't get that out of people unless you put a foot in their ass for the most part. Players win games, but it's a coaches league - because you never have enough "players" to win it on their own. (Go ask Dan Marino if a player alone wins it all.)

Get a grip. Get a clue. Get a small percentage of objectivity. But realize that even the best need motivation. And these Chiefs players have not been motivated in the past three years. It's time.

Mecca · 10-06-2009, 02:32 AM

Spagnuolo never struck me as a Head Coach type, maybe that's just me.

But there's a lot more to being a successful head coach than being a good coordinator and one of those things seems to already be lost on Todd Haley, which is you hire good assistants and let them do their jobs.

Gary · 10-06-2009, 05:38 AM

Dear Clarke Hunt,

Here is a book for you. It's called the history of the Pittsburgh Steelers organization. Please read it several times. This is how an NFL franchise should be run.

GoTrav · 10-06-2009, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Interim Chiefs Fan

I am coming out to KC with 8 buddies for the Dallas game. We do a football trip every year to a different stadium. Any suggestions for tailgating?

beer is good too I hear...strippers would really set it off

**dirk digler** · 10-06-2009, 06:32 AM

There seems to be alot of butt hurt in this thread by some know it alls. You would think that the Chiefs were supposed to win the SB this year by all the whining and crying.

The fact is this is the first year of a total rebuild of this organization from the top down and it is not going to happen overnight.

There was alot of know it alls fans in NE too that bitched and moaned the first year of Belichick\Pioli reign and even alot that wanted to fire Bill after they started 0-2 in 2001. Now they look pretty stupid.

Let us also not forget that the Giants, the team that just kicked our ass, begged and pleaded for Pioli to come be their GM for 2-3 years straight but I guess the Mara family is stupid and dumb and don't care like Clark Hunt. And I will be the first to admit I was hard on Clark in the offseason of 08 because he retained Carl and Herm but he turned that around by hiring the best GM out there and one that was very highly sought after.

Mecca · 10-06-2009, 06:36 AM

They should be thrilled he turned them down because the Giants are the model franchise in the league at the moment.

**dirk digler** · 10-06-2009, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

They should be thrilled he turned them down because the Giants are the model franchise in the league at the moment.

So in your mind Floyd Reese is better than Scott Pioli?

Also what I don't get Mecca is you and others have said Chief fans have no patience for a rebuild but 4 games in you guys act like the GM and head coach kicked you in the balls and stole your lunch money. Maybe you don't have patience for a rebuild.

10-05-2009, 10:30 PM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-3037187	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, 12:50 AM	#121
Interim Chiefs Fan Rookie Join Date: Sep 2009 Casino cash: $10004900	I am coming out to KC with 8 buddies for the Dallas game. We do a football trip every year to a different stadium. Any suggestions for tailgating?
Posts: 4

10-06-2009, 12:52 AM	#122
BigMeatballDave GBM 8-12-15 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Dayton, Oh. Casino cash: $10052154	Clark may be showing more interest in the Chiefs operations, but I bet he still likes soccer better...
Posts: 59,997

10-06-2009, 12:58 AM	#126
Interim Chiefs Fan Rookie Join Date: Sep 2009 Casino cash: $10004900	We are taking a cab to the game any other suggestions....is there anyone have room for 8 guys...we will bring alcohol or whatever is needed.....
Posts: 4

10-06-2009, 02:32 AM	#130
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $-742950	Spagnuolo never struck me as a Head Coach type, maybe that's just me. But there's a lot more to being a successful head coach than being a good coordinator and one of those things seems to already be lost on Todd Haley, which is you hire good assistants and let them do their jobs.
Posts: 115,382

10-06-2009, 05:38 AM	#131
Gary The Shepherd Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Sunny Florida Casino cash: $9955472	Dear Clarke Hunt, Here is a book for you. It's called the history of the Pittsburgh Steelers organization. Please read it several times. This is how an NFL franchise should be run. __________________ The truth is you're the weak and I am the tyranny of evil men. But I'm tryin Ringo...I'm tryin real hard to be the shepherd.
Posts: 906

10-06-2009, 06:32 AM	#133
dirk digler Please squeeze Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Clinton, MO Casino cash: $104644	There seems to be alot of butt hurt in this thread by some know it alls. You would think that the Chiefs were supposed to win the SB this year by all the whining and crying. The fact is this is the first year of a total rebuild of this organization from the top down and it is not going to happen overnight. There was alot of know it alls fans in NE too that bitched and moaned the first year of Belichick\Pioli reign and even alot that wanted to fire Bill after they started 0-2 in 2001. Now they look pretty stupid. Let us also not forget that the Giants, the team that just kicked our ass, begged and pleaded for Pioli to come be their GM for 2-3 years straight but I guess the Mara family is stupid and dumb and don't care like Clark Hunt. And I will be the first to admit I was hard on Clark in the offseason of 08 because he retained Carl and Herm but he turned that around by hiring the best GM out there and one that was very highly sought after.
Posts: 67,119

10-06-2009, 06:36 AM	#134
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $-742950	They should be thrilled he turned them down because the Giants are the model franchise in the league at the moment.
Posts: 115,382