Andy Reid doesn't think the Chiefs maximized Jamaal Charles' talent the past two years. He wants the ball in Charles' hands, and not just on running plays or screens. The 26-year-old with the highest yards-per-carry average in NFL history could be splitting out wide and running a variety of routes. Watching Charles' 2010 game tape, Reid saw Charles used to devastating effect. Charles caught 45 passes for 468 yards and three touchdowns – all career highs – while rushing for 1,467 yards. Kansas City won the AFC West that year. “Charlie [Weis] kind of moved him around like we did with our guys [in Philadelphia],†Reid said in an interview at the owners' meetings. “I did that just to see how [Charles] handled the quick passing game or the deep passing game from the wide receiver position. He handled it well. So that gives you another dimension that you know is in there that he wasn't utilized. … They just didn't use it in him the last couple years.†Source: CBS Sports
Translation: "Jamaal wan't run into the ground. I like to "run" backs into the ground until their tires fall off...but not literally."
Agreed. Look at 2009 when the Chiefs had Charles and that headcase Larry Johnson. Charles took the bulk of the snaps and had a respectable 1120 yard season. Enter an aging Thomas Jones in 2010 who shared the load and ended up with about 900 yards himself and started 10 games, but Charles in the running back by committee scenario, started only 6 games and ended up with around 1500 yards. If you and [MENTION=802]Crowned[/MENTION] is right and Reid's idea of using Charles is to give him around 300 carries, Charles will probably regress or get injured.