Chiefs training camp preview: Running Backs
By Andrew Jones
Main Reserve: Charcandrick West
West managed to steal the hearts of many Chiefs fans last year with his play-making ability and his winning smile. The issue is that he is a more finesse runner like Charles without the open space vision required to be truly effective in the screen game. West will get his time on the field this year simply because he is too talented and secure with the football not to (as long as it’s not his own team poking it out.)
West averaged 4 yards per carry last season and in 160 carries only lost the ball one time so that kind of security definitely puts him ahead of guys like Knile Davis and Darrin Reaves but with the return of Charles he will have a much smaller role that the year before.
Roster Bubble: Knile Davis & Darrin Reaves
Knile Davis is one of those guys who is extremely frustrating for Chiefs fans. On one hand he scored a touchdown on a brilliant kick return to open (and secure) the Chiefs first playoff win in two decades. On the other hand he fumbled away possible contention in the following game in New England.
During the draft, it was apparent that the Chiefs were trying to trade Davis but the consensus is that these days, quality running backs are better found in the undrafted ranks and giving up a pick for a proven ball security risk is just not smart football. So Davis remains on the roster but whether he will stay on the team this year given that the Chiefs drafted a return specialist remains to be seen.
Darren Reaves was picked up last year after an unproductive 2014 with the Carolina Panthers. For the Panthers, Reaves averaged right at 2.5 yards per carry and his longest run was 16 yards. He managed no touchdowns in six games that included one start and spent last season on the Chiefs practice squad. Reaves may continue his stint with the Chiefs but after the preseason he won’t see playing time barring another injury.
Next: Sherman tank