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FILLING THE VOID
November 18th – 5:04 PM

Chiefs head coach Todd Haley is treating the four-game departure of WR Dwayne Bowe no differently than he would if Bowe would have gotten hurt. The circumstances surrounding Bowe’s absence may be different, but to a head coach, it’s all the same when gameday rolls around.

As a whole, the Chiefs offense - specifically the receiving core - seem to be looking at the situation as a group opportunity. They are attacking the challenge of going to battle without their primary receiving play-maker as an challenging task, not a liability.

“Our receiver group must step up now,” Haley said. “We lose one of our better receivers for four games. I’ve said here for the last couple of weeks I feel like our receiver group is improving as a whole. It will be an opportunity for a Bobby Wade to get back into the mix. I know he’s been waiting for another opportunity and he’ll get one this week. But as a whole, this group needs to step up and fill the void.“

Wade is one of the receivers who stands to gain an opportunity to contribute with Bowe away from the team. After getting off to a hot start since signing with the team during the second week of the season, and eventually becoming the teams leading receiver second only to Bowe, Wade has found himself on the inactive list over the past two games. He knows that it’s imperative he doesn’t skip a beat when he returns to game action this Sunday vs. Pittsburgh.

“All the other receivers need to pick up their level of play,” WR Bobby Wade said. “It calls for not only the receivers, but for everybody that’s part of this offense to pick up their play. Obviously Dwayne was a really big part of this offense and I think that today in practice guys were focused on that fact and looking forward to the opportunity.“

Wade’s two weeks of inactivity obviously haven’t been something that he prepared for or desired, but he’s been able to keep a level perspective throughout his time on the bench.

“It’s been tough,” Wade said. “Obviously there are a lot of moving parts to this team and coach Haley is just trying to find the right guys that he wants to keep around as core guys. Whatever that calls for, that’s always been my take on it.“

WR Mark Bradley, possibly the most similar receiver to Bowe on the Chiefs roster, isn’t putting the pressure of mimicking Bowe’s play on the field solely on his shoulders. Bradely, like his teammates and head coach, think that it is a collaborative effort to make the Chiefs click offensively.

“It’s a group,” WR Mark Bradley said. “No one man is bigger than the group. It’s all a group effort, we have to contribute.“

The receiver on the Chiefs roster with the most experience NFL experience also happens to be the club’s most viable vertical threat. WR Chris Chambers sees a hole in the Chiefs passing game without  Bowe and knows that a challenge awaits him and the four other receivers on the Chiefs active roster.

“We’re looking forward to the challenge,” WR Chris Chambers said. “It’s up to the other receivers to step up, not only for the receiving core, but for the whole offense. We have a guy who has been pretty productive down and we are going to do our best to make sure that we add to (the offense).“

Overall, Chambers thinks that four weeks from now Bowe will be a better player from this experience.

“I’m just getting to know (Bowe),” Chambers, who was acquired two weeks ago, said. “I know that he is a great kid and that he made a mistake. We’ve all make mistakes before, it whatever it is. I’m sure he regrets what happened to him, but it will be a blip on his career. He’ll come back, he’ll be stronger and he’ll be better for it.”

WHY TIM CASTILLE?
November 18th – 3:32 PM

Why Tim Castille? What’s the scoop on this guy?

Castille, signed on Tuesday evening, joined former collegiate teammates Brodie Croyle and Wallace Gilberry on the practice field this morning. The former Crimson Tide runner is expected to contribute at both running back and fullback, what Haley calls a “cross-over back.“

As the Chiefs go to a running back by committee feel in their backfield, adding a bruising runner to the mix that can also serve as a blocking back can’t hurt. The tactic has been used in Baltimore with Rb La’Ron McClain who, ironically, Castille battled for playing time in college at Alabama.

”Tim Castille is from Alabama and shared duties with McClain, who is a very good fullback. Tim is another guy I have some experience with and I’m excited to get him in here. He’s a guy that can help us on special teams and I think he can be a little bit of a cross-over back and be a bigger running back for us and play fullback. 

“He adds to us in a couple different spots especially with [Dantrell] Savage being injured,” Haley said. “He got going today.“

Savage did not practice today due to a left ankle injury.

INJURY RACE/WILL WE SEE TROY?
November 18th – 3:13 PM

The Chiefs and Steelers seem to be in a competition that no football team wishes to enter - the race of who has the most injuries. Unfortunately, both teams seems to have entered that dreaded competition this week. If it’s any consolation, it appears that the Steelers could be the early favorites take home the coveted medal by the time Sunday rolls around. Then again, maybe not, it all depends on who you ask.

Both teams had four players completely held away from drills today in practice. As mentioned earlier, G Andy Alleman (knee), LB David Herron (knee), RB Dantrell Savage (ankle) and LB Mike Vrabel (knee) all were held out of practice today for Kansas City. Last week, Vrabel missed the majority of practice time with a hip injury. His knee ailment is different and was suffered in the game at Oakland on Sunday.

In Pittsburgh, LB James Farrior (non-injury related), S Troy Polamalu (knee), WR Mike Wallace (ill) and WR Hines Ward (non-injury related) all missed practice, while RB Carey Davis (hamstring) and DE Travis Kirschke (calf) were only able to participate in a limited role. Obviously, Palamalu is the “big question mark” on the Steelers injury list.

Polamalu missed a good chunck of games after suffering a sprained MCL in his left knee in the season opener on September 10th. He suffered a sprained PCL in that same knee on Sunday vs. Cincinnati. The newest injury isn’t considered serious and is similar to the malady that Chiefs QB Matt Cassel suffered this preseason in the sense that it’s a sprain that will heal itself, without surgery. Cassel’s injury kept him out of the season opener at Baltimore and it looks like Polamalu’s injury will keep him out this Sunday in Kansas City.

Chiefs head coach Todd Haley, however, isn’t buying that Polamalu will miss Sunday’s game. He’s playing the more cautious role and will believe it when he see’s it (or when the inactives are announced 90 minutes prior to kickoff).

“I hope your right,” Haley answered when a media member asked him what he thought about Polamalu missing this weekend’s game. “I wouldn’t count him out of anything. He’s a great player. You put on tape for a couple of minutes and you see a true wild card that is hard to account for, hard to know where he’s at. I know that coach (Dick) Lebeau gives him a little bit of freedom, but it’s amazing from the spots he starts at and where he ends up. If you’re not paying attention, he’ll end up where you don’t want him.

“He’s a great player,” Haley continued. “He’s not the type of player that you want to see on a weekly basis.“

It’s safe to say that the Chiefs will prepare for Polamalu and adapt on Sunday if he’s indeed not on the field. Obviously, that route is much easier than preparing and adapting the opposite way. Although the media in Pittsburgh seems to have written Polamalu off for this weekend, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin wasn’t so fast to announce the scratch this afternoon.

“More encouraged than I think we initially anticipated,” Tomlin said today of Polamalu’s status. “There is no setback in regards to his MCL. We’re going to take it day by day. (The injury) doesn’t appear as significant as the MCL he sustained earlier in the season.“

A strategic move by Tomlin? Possibly. But it’s better to play this one safe if you’re the Chiefs.

STUDEBAKER ALWAYS SET
November 18th – 2:38 PM

LB Andy Studebaker made waves during training camp with very solid play in both practice and preseason games. He led the team with 1.5 sacks during the four exhibition games, but had received very little defensive action during the regular season until last week.

The second-year player from Wheaton (IL) College played a season-high 24 defensive snaps in Oakland last Sunday after LB Mike Vrabel was forced to leave the contest due to injury. Before Vrabel’s injury on Sunday, Studebaker had played in just two defensive plays all season. Both of those snaps came in week three at Philadelphia. Regardless, Studebaker said today that he’s always read to step in.

With Vrabel missing practice this morning, this is actually Studebaker’s second consecutive week taking the majority of practice reps. Vrabel missed most of last week while he nursed a hip injury.

“I don’t know exactly if it changes much,” Studebaker said of preparing for a game without Vrabel in practice. “Obviously I’m getting more reps in practice and that kind of thing, but as far as last week I prepared as if something could happen because you never know as a back-up when your name is going to be called.

“The coaches encourage us no matter what position you are playing, whether you are a starter or a back-up,” Studebaker continued. “You just prepare as if you are going to play the whole game, because after the first snap you may be.“

Although he wishes the circumstances were different on Sunday, Studebaker was excited to get back on the field defensively for essentially the first time since the preseason.

“It feels good to get into the game,” Studebaker said. “You never like to see injuries happen and that kind of thing. I’m just looking forward to executing my role on the defense and preparing this whole week to get the job done on Sunday.”

BOWE ISSUES STATEMENT ON SUSPENSION
November 18th – 11:53 AM

WR Dwayne Bowe issued a statement to regarding his four-game suspension last night on 810 AM WHB in Kansas City. Host Jason Anderson and co-host Eddie Kennison (yes, the former Chiefs wide receiver and teammate of Bowe) were the first to release Bowe’s statement.

Courtesy 810whb.com, Bowe’s statement, in full, is below.

“First of all, to all my fans, I’m extremely sorry. I was only trying to do right for my team by losing weight to be much quicker.  I would never use steroids of any kind.  My reputation is everything.  My fans know I am not that type of guy to get over.”

WEDNESDAY PRACTICE REPORT
November 18th – 11:50 AM

The Chiefs took to the field despite the cool temperatures this morning to begin prep for Pittsburgh. There wasn’t much noteworthy news surrounding personnel other than additions and injuries.

RB Tim Castille, signed Tuesday evening, was working in full and wearing #46.

LB David Herron, who missed the Oakland game with a knee injury, was still on the stationary bikes, but went through pre-practice with his teammates and seems to be progressing as he jogged around a bit today.

LB Mike Vrabel, G Andy Alleman and RB Dantrell Savage were all off to the side during the early portion of practice this morning. Utility lineman Wade Smith filled in for Alleman with the first team.

WR Dwayne Bowe missed his first official team activity since being dealt a four-game suspension by the NFL for violating the league’s performance enhancing drug policy. Bowe will refrain from all team activities until December 13th.

GO DEEP!
November 18th – 10:17 AM

Chiefs quarterbacks have combined to post a 5.68-yard per attempt average this season. That mark isn’t exactly ideal. In fact, that number ranks 27th in the league. The kind of output you’d like to see your quarterbacks post in that category is somewhere in the mid-to-high seven’s. If your quarterbacks break eight, that’s generally a very solid . To put it into perspective, Chiefs opponents average 7.52-yards per attempt and eight of the league’s top-10 teams in that category break the eight-yard barrier (Drew Brees and the Saints top the NFL at 8.79-yards per attempt).

What does it all mean? In general, it means that the Chiefs haven’t been testing defenses vertically on a consistent basis throughout the game. The reasoning for this breaks down to a number of issues involving protection, scheme and utilizing a deep threat in the receiving game. That statistic, however, seems to be changing in recent weeks. After spending the first half of the 2009 season in the doldrums, the Chiefs yards-per-attempt in the passing game is headed north.

WR Chris Chambers entered the receiving picture on November 3rd. In just over two weeks, Chambers has changed the Chiefs receiving core dramatically. His signing was originally viewed as another solid veteran, but not a deep threat the Chiefs so desperately. Chiefs head coach Todd Haley cautioned those who thought Chambers didn’t have vertical speed. Haley reminded everyone that Chambers was a “burner” coming out of college - 4.34 speed.

Haley went on record by saying that the addition of Chambers would help the Chiefs vertically. Thus far, Chambers hasn’t disappointed.

In his first game with the club, just five days after joining the team, Chambers got loose on a 54-yard TD connection - all vertical. That play was (and is) the longest gain of the Chiefs season. Last weekend in Oakland, Cassel once again tried to reach Chambers vertically. This time, Cassel’s pass was intercepted, but the attempt was there. When you test the field vertically, there is risk and you have to take the balance of risk vs. reward. Many would rather see the Chiefs at least give it a try.

Chambers’ arrival as a vertical threat certainly hasn’t gone unnoticed. In just the two games since his arrival the Chiefs have connected on passes of 54, 44, 41, 36, 34 and 31 yards. Over the seven game before Chambers arrived, the Chiefs connected on just three passes of 30 yards or more. THAT’s INCREDIBLE. Chambers’ presence alone is obviously changing the way Kansas City does things offensively.

Chambers’ arrival also provided an immediate for WR Dwayne Bowe, who has logged 10 receptions for 165 yards in the two games playing alongside Chambers. Those two-game numbers represent 30.3% of Bowe’s reception total in all of 2009 and 35.4% of his yardage total.

Chambers’ big impact will take a step forward over the next four weeks as he becomes even more involved in Kansas City’s passing game while Bowe watches from home.

MIKE BROWN HONORED WITH LEAGUE AWARD
November 18th – 7:43 AM

Chiefs S Mike Brown was awarded for his efforts in Oakland on Wednesday morning when the league informed the team that Brown will be named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week. Brown recorded two INTs in Oakland. His final INT in the closing seconds sealed Kansas City’s 16-10 victory over the Raiders. The win marked the Chiefs seventh-straight win over the Raiders in Oakland.

Brown is the first Chiefs safety to win the honor since S Jerome Woods in 1997. This is Brown’s first AFC Defensive Player of the Week honor, however he was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week with Chicago in 2001.

BULLS-EYE
November 18th – 5:58 AM

Congratulations on your accomplishment last Sunday Mr. Charles, we now have your next assignment…

When Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles looks down this Sunday, he’ll likely see a gigantic red bulls-eye painted squarely across his chest. If he wasn’t already the focal point of the league’s premier rushing defense, he certainly is now.

Charles officially arrived on the radar of opposing defenses after last Sunday’s 18-carry, 103-yard performance in Oakland. His day featured a number of impressive runs, including a 44-yard game-breaker on 4th-and-one that turned into the team’s longest TD run since the 2005 season and ultimately become the turning point of Kansas City’s 16-10 victory. Charles is no longer anonymous.

With the news of WR Dwayne Bowe’s league-imposed, four-game suspension levied out yesterday - Charles can run, but he can’t hide. Facts are facts. A Chiefs offense that has only seen one 100-yard rushing, and one100-yard receiving, performance this season just lost its most proven big-play play-maker.

Expect the Steelers to have a spy locked on Charles everywhere he goes this Sunday. Whether he takes a toss, he’ll have a spy. If he runs a swing route, expect a spy. If he releases into the second-level on a delayed route, spy. Screen? Spy. Blocking? Spy. SPY…SPY…SPY!

Charles will be a marked man this Sunday. If Charles can produce yet another break-out game considering the circumstances he faces, then we may very well have a very special player on our hands.

Unless Charles is the second-coming of Barry Sanders, he’s going to need some serious help this Sunday to match his success over the weekend in Oakland.

(Random Timeout Tidbit – With all-do respect to one of the greatest runners of all time, Sanders was still aided by not one, but TWO 1,000-yard receivers during his record-setting 2,053-yard rushing season in 1997 – Herman Moore and Jonnie “do the worm/keep me away from Matt Millen” Morton).

Yes, the offensive line will need to build off of their effort in the run game from a week ago, but Charles’ biggest asset is a go-to receiving threat. Until someone emerges into that role on Sunday, expect Pittsburgh to tee off on #25. Everywhere he goes, the Steelers will go. Eight in the box? Certainly. Run blitzes? Galore.

No single player needs to turn into the big-play target that Bowe provided the Chiefs with. When a key player is lost, stepping up and playing at the top of your game, as a collective unit, goes much further. No player on this Chiefs roster can masquerade as #82 on Sunday’s. It’s not a talent issue; it’s simply a physical issue. There just aren’t any receivers on this team that resemble the same type of player as Bowe.

In other words, there is no number one receiver on the Chiefs roster at the moment, and there won’t be on Sunday. The receiving core as a whole must come together and become the Chiefs leading receiver, allowing QB Matt Cassel a number of targets to choose from. Bowe’s 33 catches for 466 yards and four TDs almost equal the season totals of the other five Kansas City receivers - 57 receptions, 682 yards and five TDs.

Mark Bradley needs to step up and fill the role as the player going up and grabbing that jump ball. Chris Chambers needs to keep getting loose on vertical routes. Lance Long has to be that reliable possession man out of the slot. Bobby Wade can’t hang his head after two weeks of inactivity; he needs to return to form as a steady target as well.

The tight ends and the fullback need to factor into the receiving game as well, pitching in where they can. Heck, even LB Mike Vrabel might serve as a valuable target and/or decoy.

The point is, the focus on Charles will be like none that the second-year runner has ever experienced before this Sunday. It will take a collective, offensive effort in the passing game to provide Charles with a fair opportunity to succeed against a run defense that yields just 69.3 yards per game.

Should Charles be able to produce yet another big day on Sunday, it may be his biggest accomplishment as a pro. It would also be a huge step for this young team/offense as a whole. The challenge has been issued. We’ll see how this team responds.

I’ll borrow a quote I heard in the office yesterday, that is very appropriate given the Chiefs current situation.

“It’s the 53 men that come out to battle on game day that become one!”

Indeed it is. The Kansas City Chiefs will be tested this Sunday.

*Be sure to catch RB Jamaal Charles in the Red Zone with Soren Petro today on kcchiefs.com – 3:00 PM (CST)