Chiefs remain built for the future

Running Back

Go back as far as you like and there is always one thing you know to be true about the Kansas  City Chiefs…they like to pound the rock.  Even the air-based attack of the Vermeil years was anchored by the dangerous running attack of Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson (pre-2.7).  It doesn’t even appear to be something the team is always looking for.  A lot of the time, these guys just seem to fall in their lap.

That’s probably the best way to sum up the Chiefs current stable of running backs.  Even Jamaal Charles was a bit of a surprise, being taken in the 3rd round and playing behind Larry Johnson early in his career.  And the players that appear to be a part of the next generation were also rare finds, showing just how good John Dorsey is at scouring the less used avenues of team building.

Charcandrick West – West made the most of his opportunity last year when asked to fill in for the injured Jamaal Charles.  With “Charknado” carrying the load, the Chiefs running game didn’t miss a beat.  And, statistically, the team actually got even better with him carrying the load.  Don’t jump to any wild conclusions about West being better than Charles, there were a number of changes that helped the running game.  But also don’t take anything away from the youngster as he certainly earned the new contract the Chiefs gave him.

Next: More on the backs