Charles and Jones both saying the right things
With the way 2009 ended for him, Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles seemed poised for a monster year in 2010.
That optimism was stunted by the signing of free-agent running back Thomas Jones, who was the third-ranked rusher in the league last year. However, Charles (and Jones, for that matter) has the right attitude based on what's being said so far.
“I knew we had to get another playmaker and somebody to help me out,” Charles said, per Adam Teicher of the Kansas City Star. “He’ll get some carries, I’ll get some carries. I don’t have any problem with that. It’s turning into a two-back league, anyway. ... When I go out of the game, I know we’ve got somebody that can pick us up. I don’t have to hurry up and catch my breath and go back in the game.”
Meanwhile, Jones looks at it as an opportunity for the offense to use two backs that will have the ability to go with the guy who's hot.
“It just depends on the situation," Jones said. "You’ll have some games where if one guy’s hot, he’ll continue to carry the ball. If a guy presents a matchup problem for the defense, then that guy will play. At the end of the day it’s all about the team, it’s all about how each individual guy can help us win. We all have different strengths and we all have different weaknesses. It’s just about putting the right guy on the field at the right time.”
This off-season, Charles had shoulder surgery and says it's "holding up fine.” He expects to be ready for training camp.
No other 2010 running back tandem had more combined rushing yards (albeit on a separate teams) than this duo, who were two of the league's 13 rushers to finish with 1,100+ yards.
Whether either of them rushes for 1,100+ yards in 2010 is the question.
