WR Improvement Needed … Thursday Cup O’Chiefs
Todd Haley really can’t help it.
He coached the wide receivers for so long that he’s naturally drawn to whatever end of the field where the guys are catching balls.
That’s led to a lot of frustration for the Chiefs head coach since the start of training camp. The Chiefs receivers have not been very efficient or productive. Haley and his staff are demanding of them, requiring them to run routes in a correct way, to control their body and most definitely catch the ball.
It’s been a struggle from top to bottom. At the top has been the soap opera with Dwayne Bowe (right) and his time in the Haley doghouse condo. At the bottom have been rookies like Taurus Johnson and Quinten Lawrence, who have struggled in every area.
But Haley says there’s finally been improvement from this group over the last week.
“I think they’re getting better; I think that the receiver group is improving,” said Haley. “I said early on I was pretty frustrated with that position but I think there is definite progress made across the board which keeps practice going.
“Now, hopefully, we take it to the game and make plays in the game. But I would say they’re making strides.”
Certainly that improvement is visible with Bowe. There are less theatrics from him, more hard work on routes and blocking in the running game. Bowe’s hands remain spotty; the drops have not disappeared. But he’s working harder on the little things, and that’s what Haley was looking for from his top receiver.
“From the early days of camp to where he’s at now I think he has made very good progress,” Haley said. “Is he there? No. Do we need to make more plays? Yes. But again, that’s what coaching is all about: trying to push the right buttons all the time with a lot of different guys. I would say that Dwayne has made progress in the last couple of weeks more specifically.
“I felt we were banging our heads against the wall early on and I don’t feel there’s as much banging on now. And, they’ve worked. You see them after practice working every day and that’s how you do it. There is no magic potion that does it other than working hard and getting better.”
While Bowe has made some progress, none of the other nine have left a big enough impression to be considered the No. 2 starter at the position. Devard Darling has been in that role most often, but he remains inconsistent. Same for Mark Bradley, same for Terrance Copper, same for … you get the picture.
Almost a non-factor has been the three veterans the Chiefs have added to the position: Bobby Engram, Amani Toomer and Ashley Lelie. Combined, they have one catch for 16 yards; that belongs to Toomer.
“I think you’ve seen Amani get a little more acclimated to the system,” said Haley. “Bobby Engram, I think, the closer we get to the season he’s an older veteran that I’ve got to worry about him conserving too much. I kind of got on him this week that I wanted to see what he had, see what we were going to get from him this week. I think he stepped up.
“I think that (Lelie) he’ll have another week under his belt of understanding the offensive system. He’ll be in a rotation like everybody else and we’ll try to maximize that as best we can. If I could say let us have 120 plays on offense in this game I would, but that’s not the way it goes. There were guys on defense that didn’t get to play last week because it was a short game for the defense. There are things you can’t control, so you’ve got to try and maximize and have a plan for these guys so they can be evaluated.”
As a group, they’ve had trouble holding on to the ball. Too often in practice, the receivers are on the ground, whether slipping while making cuts, falling on routes and sometimes diving unnecessarily for passes. It happens so often that yards after the catch will be minimal with this group if it keeps up. During a given practice, there might be one or two passes where quarterback and wide receiver connect on stride and moving down field.
Right now, Haley and his coaching staff are doing what they can to help this group. In Wednesday’s two practices, the receivers got more time against the cornerbacks, running routes and getting off the line of scrimmage.
And the head coach is always watching.
“For a while there it was treading water but now I feel the arrow is going in the right direction,” said Haley.
SIGNINGS, INJURIES & MOVEMENT AROUND THE LEAGUE
- BEARS – placed G Tyler Reed on injured reserve; released TE Fontel Mines.
- BENGALS – signed DE/DT Ventrell Jenkins
- BRONCOS – signed QB Ingle Martin (Chiefs); released RB Marcus Thigpen; QB Chris Sims has a high ankle sprain and will miss two to four weeks.
- CARDINALS – signed LB David Holloway; released OT Elliot Vallejo.
- JAGUARS – signed DT Jervonte Jackson; released DE Jeremy Mincey.
- JETS – announced that rookie Mark Sanchez will be the team’s starting QB for the opening of the ‘09 season.
- LIONS – signed K Billy Cundiff; released K Swayze Waters.
- PATRIOTS – signed WR Robert Ortiz.
- RAIDERS – claimed DT Joe Cohen on waivers (Dolphins): released CB Jason Horton and WR Samie Parker.
- SEAHAWKS – made official their signing of veteran RB Edgerrin James.
- TITANS – activated C Kevin Mawae from the PUP List.
FROM THE PAGES OF CHIEFS HISTORY
On August 27, 1960 the Dallas Texans beat the Denver Broncos 48-0 in a pre-season game in Little Rock, Arkansas. (More details later today.)
On August 27, 1966 the Chiefs beat Houston 31-20 in a pre-season game at Municipal Stadium. WR Otis Taylor had five catches for 140 yards and two touchdowns, including an 80-yard TD in the fourth quarter. There were touchdown runs of 2 yards by RB Curtis McClinton and 1-yard by RB Bert Coan. S Bobby Hunt had three interceptions.
On August 27, 1972 the Chiefs beat the Los Angeles Rams 19-13 in a pre-season game at Arrowhead Stadium in front of 77,764 fans. K Jan Stenerud had FGs of 37, 40, 57 and 36 yards. That 57-yarder was the second longest in NFL history at that time. RB Wendell Hayes had a 1-yard TD run. The Chiefs had just 201 yards in total offense. DE Aaron Brown had three sacks.
On August 27, 1977 the Chiefs beat the Los Angeles Rams 27-19 in a pre-season game at Arrowhead Stadium. There were touchdown runs of 9 yards by RB Larry Williams, 1-yard by RB Tony Reed and 3 yards by RB Pat McNeil. K Jan Stenerud had FGs of 24 and 39 yards. The Chiefs had three interceptions, coming from LB Thomas Howard, CB Tim Gray and S Gary Barbaro. For the Rams, RB John Capelletti ran 14 times for 70 yards and QB Joe Namath was 3 of 7 passing for 52 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT.
SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY …
Born on August 27, 1932 in Bogalusa, Louisiana was G Sid Fournet. He was a member of the original Dallas Texans, joining the AFL after putting in three seasons in the NFL with the Rams and Steelers. Fournet played in 28 games over two seasons with the Texans (1960-61) and was the team’s starting left guard in that first season. Fournet finished up his football career with two seasons with the New York Titans/Jets in 1962-63.
Born on August 27, 1932 in Waco, Texas was DT Walter “Buffalo” Napier. He was a member of the original Dallas Texans, joining the franchise for two seasons (1960-61) and appearing in a total of 20 games. Napier came out of Paul Quinn College, but he was 28 years old when he played with the Texans in the first season of the AFL. He was timed in the 100-yard dash at 10.2 seconds, despite being 6-4, 280 pounds. Napier was working at a tire factory when he signed with the Texans.
Born on August 27, 1965 in Midwest City, Oklahoma was C Kevin Adkins. He played in two games with the Chiefs during the 1987 NFL players strike. That was his only taste of NFL football.
It takes time for the QB’s and WR’s to get on the same page. They need to KNOW each other. There’s a little more to it than just throwing and catching. I’m not worried. Yet.
My biggest worry, still, is not having an effective running game. If we can’t run the ball again, and HAVE to pass all the time…we could be in trouble. As long as we have balance, I think we’ll be fine.
As far as Toomer and Engram? I think once the games start for real…they’ll be ready to go. I don’t predict big numbers for either…but I think they’ll both make some big catches in clutch situations. And isn’t that pretty much what we brought them in here for?
Good comments on the WR/QB chemistry, Scott.
It’s been said, correctly I believe, that WR is the toughest position to transition into from college right after the QB job. How much of that transition is needed when coming in from another team and having a demanding guy like Haley wanting excellence in all the phases of being an excellent WR?
Probably a tough assignment which is good for the future of the Chiefs. Running precise routes, executing blocking assignments, separating from the defender and oh yes, CATCHING the ball are skills that will either make team or miss the opportunity.
We all know Bowe is a lock. After that? It looks to be up for grabs in WR jobs 1-5 or 1-6 with two weeks before toe hits ball for real. Will at least one or more rook make the cut or will all 5-6 WRs be vets?
I think one rook makes it but wouldn’t place any money on that happening. One last thing: It’s refreshing to see a guy like Bowe not complain when called out by Haley and, instead, put his head down and work harder to get better.
I think the running game will be fine. We definitely have talent back there the only thing we are lacking is solid blocking up front. I believe that Haley is more along the lines of the Dick Vermiel type of offensive ideals, in that you can use the pass to set up the run, and eventually incorporate the play action pass and draw plays from that. Let’s just hope that the receivers can be in form by the seasons start.
And please don’t feed the animals!
JB
The Chiefs have to have an effective running game. LJ does not look like the answer right now. That can change if the OL starts blocking better.
The older WRs will probably be ready by the first game but Haley will have to make cuts based on what has not happened. Throw in a returner for special teams and WR is still broken and cannot get up.
What is the word on the tight ends and how they are doing? I really wanna see Cottam do well. If we can get a good receiving tight end, that will take the pressure off all other areas. Also if Kolby Smith can come back and play well, I think that will pay huge dividends in the whole offensive package.
Time for the vets to show what they have. Preseason game 3 is everyone’s show case for what they can do for this team. If Engram, Toomer, or Lelie don’t show up on Saturday…we go with someone else.
Teams like the Packers and Giants are going to be cutting WRs that could start as the #2 WR for the Chiefs. Sucks that the guys will be the last cuts who will then take time to learn our system.
I have diarrhea!
“I think you’ve seen Amani get a little more acclimated to the system”
He had 1 catch for 16 yards so far, that’s acclimated?? Um, why didn’t they bring in Harrison, after all he can run routes and catch the ball unlike engram and lelie…
Anyone else watching Babin excelling with the Eagles?? he looks like he is going to be getting on the roster and getting playing time with them, after the sack and forced fumble of Peyton Manning last thursday. The Chiefs should have resigned him he had some talent…
Kiowa, wrong coach, Haley doesn’t run a TE friendly offense, so much so that he got rid of the recieving talent at tight end…
While we are wondering about where some players are in the grand scheme of things, what is with Zack Thomas. He has spent all his time on the injured area. Maybe he is done? Ideas anyone?
I have diarrhea!
i think Zack Thomas was brought in as a decoy. he was retiring and the coaching tandem actually was using him as an assistant coach to mentor the linebackers(DJ in particular).
i can agree deployed but he spends all his time on the field away from the practices. How much mentoring can he do?
“If we can’t run the ball again, and HAVE to pass…we could be in trouble.”
You should be worried. Expect double or triple coverage schemes to take away D-Bowe since TG88 is gone and nobody else has stepped up in the passing game. I am worried that any team with half a good defense will simply take him out of the game and still be able to put 8 in the box.
I want to make out with Scott’s diarrhea!
You take a chance on a guy like Thomas. If it works out…it works out. If it doesn’t…then it doesn’t. No harm done.
Looks like the BS is starting early today.
That’ll do it for me. Enjoy.
“Todd Haley really can’t help it.”
- I agree Bob G…he’s just making things worse, obviously. It’s clear – crystal – that he’s in over his #4 wood head. He’s in the sand trap… lost over in the rough…over and out…
0-16 the humanity!
“He coached the wide receivers for so long that he’s naturally drawn to whatever end of the field where the guys are catching balls.”
- ‘check’ must have also been ‘helping out’ with the offensive line – oh, and the kick return game to be sure. Why I bet before is done he’ll have also had his fingers in the. . .well, you’ll see!
Right. ‘check’
But enuf about one walking talking contradiction, let’s talk about two others in a rescue 911 sense – “Chicklets” & ‘Clippers” – KC’s newest secret weapon(s) ‘long the seeping dike they are a gonna help patch, shore up and lead to countless (as in winless) glories untold (will be none to tell) in 2009 – the coached ‘down’ more so than up offensive line and it’s latest ’subtractions via additions” Alleman & Ndukwe, starring in “Saviors II.”
They’ve arrived…we are saved. Now playing on the second team in a drive-in theatre near you.
And that’s the way it is Thursday, August 27th, 2009. This is Rin Tin Tin – RTT Morning News – till my pen creates again!
&
I liked the addition of Engram; he’s been a quality reciever for over a decade. I don’t think he’s going to make the squad, though, unless there’s a major breakthrough against Seattle. Too bad; I thought he was going to be able to make up some of Tony G.’s 3rd down production.
I think Copper is another veteran on the chopping block; he’s shown nothing running with the first team. I also don’t think Taurus Johnson will stick; Lawrence may make the squad if he can perform on special teams. Besides Bowe, I think Bradley, Toomer, Lelie, and Darling make the squad unless receivers are found elsewhere; as aPauled and others have mentioned, though, there will be some good recievers available as squads like the Giant, Panthers, and Eagles cut down to regular season numbers
Re: Babin, I’ve watched his preseason success with the Eagles. I think it’s based on the fact that he’s pretty much just a rush end in the Eagles 4-3 scheme, and he’s playing on a good enough D-line that he can’t be double-teamed. In the Chiefs scheme he wasn’t going to work as a lineman, and his coverage skills would have to have been developed for him to be a linebacker.
jason babin was terrible last season, I was so glad when I could sign on a chiefs forum and not read some fan saying that kc was going to bring back babin and use him as an OLB.
continue to ignore the village idiot, I enjoy the debates scott etc have…just ignore the guy with all the smilies and stupid negative chiefs hogwash
eyes, CC gots eyes…
___________
arrowhead1978
Agreed on Babin – an excellent player that & were too dense to resign. Came in late last year and actually was delivering a pass rush AND some sacks.
Gosh I’m glad we are doing so well this year with out & ‘with’ our new DE’s … the #1 pick as well the 2nd pick KC’s.
How many sacks is it they have rung up now? Huh? Que? Zippity do-dah?
Oy.
Keep bringing that stampede…
daddy-o
I’ve heard gossip elsewhere that the Eagles might be looking to deal Reggie Brown (WR).
Babin, on his fourth team, will not be a difference maker.
When the team starts winning, old vices learned from sound bite hermie changed to winning ways, RTT0w will fade away.
Joe Dimaggio was better known to later generations as the Mr. Coffee guy than one of the greatest players ever. The same fate awaits Herm, “the miracle of the Meadowlands” moment fades and the Coors light commercial replaces it. Instead of stressing it to the press perhaps he should have stressed it to the players. For that matter to himself, kicking fieldgoals and relying on the 31st ranked defense to stop the other team, foolish at best and disastrous in action.
Babin? Really? Did you watch him play last year? He was an emergency stop gap and played very poorly (although so did our whole line, so I can see some of your confusion). He’s a fringe backup and situational player, at best. Not something we need right now.
SG – What’s your assessment of Brown? He’s inconsistent, but I think if he was on the Chiefs he’d be their 2nd-best reciever. He can also stretch the field a bit.
steve said
- ” ~ yawn ~ ” afore as well aft considering his contribution to the BloG…
“When the team starts winning”
- Carlin? George…is that you? We thought you were dead! Great stuff!!! heh heh heh
Psst! “when”? The Chiefs? Know when to say when – now close the lid (and turn out the lights) your party’s over, they say that all good things must end…
“old vices”
- like Miami’s: “Chicklets & Clippers” as in “any 22 will do”, skidoo’s…
“bite hermie”
- whatever you’re into lower class- er, lower case steve…
“changed to winning ways”
- (cue Glen Campbell) “Such are the dreams of the everyday Chiefsdumb- er, dom…”
“RTT0w will fade away.”
- like Levi’s and mine quips, Rin Tin Tin ne’er dies nor fades away; He just keeps on keepin’ on!
“Joe Dimaggio was better known to later generations as the Mr. Coffee guy than one of the greatest players ever.”
- is a better known golfer than football coach. His handicap? When his lips start moving.
He never played the game – either one perhaps, really. Talk? Yup, he’s “full of it”, alright.
His work with the KC WR’s this year is the stuff legends are built on (and that coaches get fired for.)
He kept telling the guys to keep their eye on the ball but not to move their head…reason why they never line up right, can’t catch the ball & fall down alot. Really they are not so much WRs now as contortionists. Here’s a secretly recorded training camp coaching session:
“Alright… everybody take a knee in front of me. Ok, now stand up again. I want you to start with your head directly over the top your belt buckle then you must move your head over to your right shoe on the backswing- no wait, ‘check’ that – I mean when you make your cut.
“Keep your eye on the ball & your head perfectly still… if you start with your head more toward your right shoe than your belt buckle, you won’t need to move as much- er, you won’t fall down as much on your pass pattern. Now, ‘if you do’ find yourself falling remember – you’ll be closer to the ground and have a 2nd chance to nab the golf ball- NO WAIT, FOOTBALL! I MEAN FOOTBALL! before it hits the green – I MEAN TURF! Alright, that’s enough for now. Anybody have any questions?
Players: ~ crickets ~
Alright, anybody that can’t apply what I just taught you will have to run laps. LET’S GO! LET’S GO!! LET’S GO!!!
daddy-o
Rin, I think I’d like to make out with YOUR diarrhea too!
Get in line…
You know Dog Iam really starting too be concerned for your mental health. Same thread different day move on with your thoughts . Get A Life ……….Signed Concerned Chief……PnS
It’s nice the way that you consider Rin’s well being… thanks.
Anonymous: “Yeah, I’m a real thoughtful b*****d!”
(Scott Wilson as Hickock “In Cold Blood”, ‘67.)
daddy-o
Mine diarrhea is the fragrence of life and liberty, and the team I TRUELY love, the Raiders of Oakland!!!
Crappy-O
Mine diarrhea is the fragrence of life and liberty, and the team I TRUELY love, the Raiders of Oakland!!!
Crappy-O
As many times as RTTw refers to “any 22″ it is obvious who he is. Whitlock. He is the only one to talk to “the source”. He is the only one who felt comfortable to run with the story. No wonder he took the name of a dead K-9, it was appropriate to cover his tracks. Already reprimanded many times by The Star, banned from ESPN, he did not want anymore trouble for spouting ignorance. Can you doubt why he supports Herm, JW loved sound bite Herm. So your secret is out Jason, I mean Rin Tin Tin, I still think your prediction of zero wins is far fetched. They have 16 regular season games to prove you wrong. I think they have a chance to win as many this year as Herm (please quit genuflecting when I say his name) did in the last two, a long shot with what Herm left behind, but a shot anyway.
Bob used to referto what The Star put out as “fish wrap”, wonder what he thinks of you’r stuff, you can’t wrap fish in a P.C. screen, but that doesn’t mean it your words don’t stink.
Nyet; am I naught Whitlock? No, am not – hey, I’m phat, not fat…
Yes, Rin went there. Phat: A word out of the popular vernacular for about as long as Rin has been out of mind, mine.
Crappy-O
ok rin and how many sacks from tank or turk? in TWO seasons
you are asking about tjackson and magee after two PRESEASON games…cmon, and btw, jackson got half a sack…is what it is…hes even said hes 40 percent. unlike…herm picks, no pro bowls, ZERO, no alternates, no leaders in any catagories, no major signings that influenced the team in any way that wasnt downward.
6 wins in 2 years…Golf Clap all around. Bravo Bravo. And yeah Haley lost 2 preseason games, much like the same team that was 15-1, unlike the 0-16 lions who went 4-0.
glenn holt got cut by the vikes, he can KR and has talent, they may look at him.
I love the logic, judge those who havent played in regular season games as busts, but those who have(herm picks) are just fine…and gosh golly if they do well its due to herm, if they fail, gosh bad coaching!!!, even though some like turk have already failed….
Succop made you look like a moron, how quickly you backtracked…and its STILL the preseason, way to stick to them guns. rin.
Waste…of…time…no point, he knows less than a friend of mine who is a raider fan…
“SG – What’s your assessment of Brown? He’s inconsistent…”
You covered it quite well. Additionally, the Eagles have spent a couple of high draft picks to get WR’s, a position that Brown played. That speaks to how they felt about him.
alex k said
“ok”
- good, we start out on a positive note…
“Rin”
- yes al(ex), i.e., formerly as in ‘not’ aka ‘no longer’ al, hence ‘ex’ – what is it now suffering long thou ‘Q’est you’est marching/chowder society bandleader his, alternately known as ‘Mr. Sousa’?
Talk to me babe…
“and how many sacks from tank or turk?”
- the 2nd rounder McBride who only started last year and then played only half the season has 1.
3rd rounder Tyler is yet to get 1 officially tho he did lose one result the errancy a stat review decision 2008. As DEs have a much easier time of it than DTs, not suprising.
Unless your a & find, x2…
Meanwhile to help refresh your memory, #1 pick DE Jackson hath none … so too KC’s 2nd pick Magee.
I’m sorry to burst your fragile bubble yet again, but you need to hear the truth: Ty, Alex (unlike you al(ex), he ‘is’ Alex), & are utter flotsam & jetsam as a quartet.
“in TWO seasons”
- in just two games, the 0-2 truth theirs be marching on… (gl0ry, gl0ry ha-venosax-jah!)
“you are”
- Rin Tin Tin, the one & only! But you knew that; stop asking redundant question’s – pull yourself together man!
“asking about tjackson and magee after two PRESEASON games”
- we just covered that; leave them alone before the flies start buzzing around…
“cmon, and btw”
- “let’s play two!” – Ernie Banks
“jackson got half a sack”
- marvelous… next time: 3/4 for sure!
“is what it is”
- what it be called simon is simple math…
“hes even said hes 40 percent.”
- he’ll have to run some more that case… double his efforts as such – expects nothing less than 80% of your best everyday…
“unlike…herm picks”
- yes, Herm always wanted 100%, but he left the negotiating with the players to Carl P. By the way, what do you think of the effort so far by ’search’ & ‘check’? If the duo were players how would you rate their impact to date?
“no pro bowls, ZERO, no alternates, no leaders in any catagories, no major signings that influenced the team in any way that wasnt downward.”
- wonderful! We’ve absolute consensus! What changed your mind?
“6 wins in 2 years”
- yes, 6 be > > 2 by any measure!
“Golf Clap all around. Bravo Bravo.”
- hear hear! author author! encore encore!
“And yeah Haley”
- (snicker) no kiddin’, I know what you mean man… sheesh.
“lost 2 preseason games”
- yup, got hanmmered in both…
“much like”
- a step-child, agreed.
“the same”
- I’m glad you’ve come to see the error of & s ways. If Herm was still here, what type of success do you think he’d have this year?
“team”
- yeah, the team record. That was-
“that was”
- that’s correct earmuffs, “that was” the question.
“15-1″
- agreed.
“unlike the 0-16 lions”
- exactly, the diametric opposite.
“who went 4-0.”
- anyone not named ’search’ & ‘check’, that much we know, but-
“glenn holt got cut by the vikes”
- umm, ok… good to know al(ex). Uh, why – did he try & steal extra portions from the training table?
“he can”
- so that implies he has previously … if so he wouldn’t last long in Kaycee – would have glenn running laps like the crazy man ‘check’ is unless holt managed to find the secret key code to understanding his jabberwocky teaching style nee coach speak.
Maybe if he brought a 9-iron ‘check’ could relate to him (failing said, glenn could wrap it around s head.)
“KR”
- PI
“and”
- there’s more where that came from…
“has talent”
- Riin Tin Tin…
“they may look at him.”
- they ‘all’ do… He’s daddy-o
Bob I disagree with your comments of Haley can’t help himself by paying attention to the wideouts because he us to be a receiver coach. Its more because this group out of all the other positions on the field are doing the worst. I mean the offensive line would be second but at least Albert and Waters are solid for the most part.
But even our best receiver has underperformed in the past and through training camp up until the last couple weeks. I think the group is going to turn it around though. I think Cassell just starting to develop some good chemistry with the group. The longer he plays with those guys the better both the Qb and receivers will become. As far as the running game goes we have a host of good backs. I expect LJ to have a pro bowl season. Charles to be explosive in big plays. Battle to be our version of Brandon Jacobs for the Giants, and Salvage like Charles to be a spark as well. Heck Kolby Smith hasn’t even been healthy but I definately think he can run as well. HOpefully will keep more running backs than receivers this season because we have more talent in the backfield than at the wideout position.
WOW, im glad that im important enough on this blog to have fraudulent messages signed by me…