Jamaal Charles: Kansas City Chiefs New Offense Could Be Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me
By Josh Sanchez
During the Kansas City Chiefs OTAs, it was clear that the team had big plans for running back Jamaal Charles. The two-time Pro Bowler had been lining up at tailback, in the pistol and out as a receiver, so everyone knew the idea was for Charles to take advantage of his versatile skill set and get involved in the team’s new offense as much as possible. Offensive coordinator Doug Pederson has said that the “sky is the limit” for Charles, and Charles appears to believe that is true.
When Charles was discussing the team’s new offensive strategy, his excitement was obvious and he appears ready to take advantage of the opportunity he will have under a head coach (Andy Reid) that utilized the full skill sets of his former running backs LeSean McCoy and Brian Westbrook.
“This offense might be the best thing that ever happened to me,” Charles said, via the Kansas City Star. “I think this offense will get me open. They’re going to throw me the ball more. I think I’ll continue to stack Pro Bowls on Pro Bowls if I can stay healthy.
“I definitely know my role. I’ve got a lot of stuff to program in my mind right now. There’s a lot of stuff in the Andy Reid offense, the same stuff he did with Westbrook and McCoy, and I think I fit his scheme as well as they did. Definitely more studying and definitely more knowing the scheme of the defense, especially when I go out there and play another position like wide receiver. I go in there and try to read the defense. I feel like this year it will be more than I catch out of the backfield.”
Charles is coming off of a career where he rushed for a career-high 1,509 yards last season, so if he can take advantage of what the team appears to have in store he could have an incredible season and be a standout among the NFL backs.
When both coaches and players are excited about what is to come, you can’t help but get excited yourself.