NEW ERA OF RUSHING
Most of the NFL has evolved into at least some form of a “running back by committee system” – at least the most successful rushing teams, anyway. Monday’s release of RB Larry Johnson marked the first time in nearly a decade that the Chiefs had truly committed themselves to that type of system.
It was a day of firsts for the Chiefs new rushing philosophy, and it was an impressive day at that. Besides turning in their first 100-yard rushing performance of the season (Jamaal Charles, 103 yards), first rushing TD of the season (Jamaal Charles) and longest rush of the season (Jamaal Charles, 44 yards), the Chiefs also turned in the first rushing performance that sparks hope in that department, in quite some time.
Get this, Charles’ 44-yard TD run was the longest since Johnson broke off a 49-yarder vs. Cincinnati in the 2005 season finale. We’re talking the #### Vermeil era! That play, a fourth-and-one with the Chiefs trailing by seven, also happened to be a game changer. It was the spark that Kansas City needed to turn the corner on Sunday.
The Chiefs run game produced a turning point. How about that!
“It was supposed to have been a hurry-up play,” Charles explained of his 44-yard TD burst. “It was a toss outside and I just saw everybody coming inside, and they didn’t have anybody on the inside. I saw a hole and I just ran. Chris (Chambers) made a good block and I just got of Chris’ block and ran straight for the pylon.”
Simple enough, wouldn’t you say? Who said this game wasn’t easy?
Charles showed speed that can be matched by few NFL runners. The former Big 12 sprinting champion (10.27 in the 100-yard dash) eluded defenders in the backfield and turned on the jets in space to post a 5.7 rushing average on a day when he tied a career-high with 18 carries. Overall, the Chiefs targeted Charles on 23 (22 actual touches) of 67 plays (34.3%) and saw him account, singlehandedly, for 36.8% (117/318) of the team’s total offense.
“I kind of like Jamaal Charles,” Chiefs head coach Todd Haley said. “His head is in the right place, he obviously has ability and he went out there and made probably the biggest play of the game for us. But so did some other guys. I know that these guys were excited about this opportunity.
“I’ve seen a big change in Jamaal here over the past three or four weeks,” Haley said. “Really a big change in his overall personality, and everything. You can see him kind of growing into becoming a player.”
The day, by far, was the Chiefs most impressive rushing performance of the year. It might even be the most impressive of the past two-three years when you truly analyze some of these runs. What a day! Not a bad way to start a new era!
“I told the coaches that I can make the big plays,” Charles said. “I can make the 40-yard runs and I can make the 60-yard runs, just give me a chance to prove myself and what type of player that I am. I won’t be the biggest back and I won’t be the strongest back breaking all the tackles, but I will go out there and give it my all.
Charles did get his chance, and it won’t be his last. He’ll also get some help from his fellow backfield mates.
but he will see the pine next Sunday vs. Pitt. I just wish Ronnie B. did not go down with an ankle 
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