Sometimes, you have to read a quote two or three times, get up and walk around aimlessly, then sit back down to type.
Recently, Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Marshall Faulk did an interview with Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star and the subject of Jamaal Charles came up. As we all know, Charles tore his ACL in Week 5 against the Chicago Bears. From all accounts, his rehab is ahead of schedule. Yet, Faulk says it is time to cut bait with the 29-year-old superstar. Per NFL.com:
"“The conversation is, ‘Why does Kansas City keep Jamaal Charles when you saw Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West? For what reason?'” Faulk recently asked the Kansas City Star. “I can’t even see what reason they would continue to pay (him) if they have a way of getting up from under that contract and dispersing money elsewhere to fill some of the gaps that they have. And that’s just real talk — that’s the business of the game.“I love Jamaal, and I think he could find another home. I think there’s a lot left in him. But looking at what went on when he went down in Kansas City, are his days possibly numbered there?”"
He’s got to be kidding. I like Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware as much as the next guy, but cut Charles because they are on the team? Wow.
Charles is not just a great player, he is a generational talent. He owns the career record for yards per carry at 5.5. Last year, Charles rushed for 5.1 yards per carry and four touchdowns before the injury. He’s going to be 29 years old when training camp rolls around, but do you want to bet against him? To this point, Charles has rushed for 7,220 yards (a franchise record) been to four Pro Bowls and notched three All-Pro teams.
Much like Eric Berry is on defense, Charles is the heart and soul of the offense. Nobody plays harder or gives his team more than Charles. Without him, the offense has nowhere near the same potency. Think that Bears game might have been a bit different if Charles finishes the game? If Kansas City wins that contest, it takes the AFC West.
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Also, that contract that Faulk was talking about is about as tame as it gets. The Chiefs are due to pay Charles $5,312,500 this season and $7 million next year without any guaranteed money. Kansas City will likely restructure the deal in the coming months, saving money and giving Charles some guarantees.
When you are going for the ring as the Chiefs undoubtedly are in 2016, you don’t cut one of the best players in football to save a few cents on the dollar. Can you imagine if John Dorsey cut Charles and he went to the Denver Broncos? Did you just feel nauseous? Yeah, that’s why you don’t do something like that.