Jamaal Charles talks youth, Derrick Johnson and more

Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles is ready to rock. At 28 years old, Charles is entering that period in his career where many are expecting him to slow down a bit. The general feeling is that most running backs fall off a production cliff around age 30, something Charles is hellbent on avoiding.

On Tuesday, Charles spoke to the media after his first OTA session of the year, and discussed how his body feels heading into 2015.

"“I feel like I am 20, 21. I feel good, I feel healthy, I eat right, I take vitamins, I do yoga. I am doing everything I am supposed to do to keep my body up at age. I lose weight, every year you’re supposed to lose more than you need. When you get older, you’re supposed to lose one pound every year and massage your weight. So I think I am doing well.”"

The All-Pro continued on the subject a few questions later.

"“…I want to play another six years so, my form is to keep on taking my diet. The future is changing, football is changing. I’m seeing guys at 37 or 38 still playing football in the trenches and that’s somewhere where you don’t want to play. So I just want to change the game with the running backs. I want this to last longer and then when I retire, I’ll be happy with where I end my career at.”"

Charles is hoping to bounce back and get back into the MVP conversation as he was in 2013. After dealing with some physical issues in 2014, Charles is hoping to move on with better health.

"“It was just frustrating. It wasn’t the line; it was just me getting hurt. I had never played a whole season where I had nagging injuries and I can go in and I’ve got to come back out because my ankle hurt. And that was all the frustration. It wasn’t about the team. The team did a great job. We won nine games last year, so it couldn’t be the team. It was me because I missed a game and I felt like my team needed me. Even though Knile (Davis) did a great job, it just was frustrating getting hurt, that’s the only part.”"

The Chiefs’ all-time rushing leader also talked on the subject of his teammate, Derrick Johnson. Johnson is coming off a torn Achilles that he sustained Week 1 against the Tennessee Titans. Charles and Johnson both live in Texas during the offseason, and trained together.

"“I’ve been training with DJ this whole offseason, so he’s been up to speed fast. He is itching to get back out on the field, so I’m just excited for him to be back out on the field. I’ve been telling him he’s been looking good since I’ve been working out with him ever since March. He’s been dunking the ball, that’s surprising with an Achilles. So with him coming back, we’re going to need him this year for sure. We’re playing against a lot of good teams this year.”"