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| | | | | | | | Wednesday, September 27, 2000
Chiefs confident anemic running game will come around
Associated Press
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- If Gunther Cunningham is deeply worried
about a running game that's near the bottom of the league in almost
every aspect, he's not admitting it.
|  | | Gunther Cunningham claims he's satisfied with the progression of the Chiefs' running game. |
"Day by day we're getting better," the Kansas City coach said
Tuesday. "We've had a few starters missing out of our offense and
we've never said a word about it."
Nevertheless, there has to be concern in the coaches' office in
Arrowhead Stadium as their date with Seattle next Monday night
approaches. In a 23-22 victory over Denver Sunday that possibly
saved their season, the Chiefs (2-2) netted 49 yards on the ground.
Forty-nine?
In the Chiefs' old days, that would not be a satisfactory number
for even a half. League-wide, their average per rush of 2.6 yards
is dead last among 31 NFL teams. In total rushing yards, they're
26th.
The only thing that's kept them alive with victories the past
two weeks over San Diego and Denver has been a relentless defense
and Elvis Grbac's surprising new ability to make clutch passes. The
30-year-old veteran was AFC offensive player of the week two weeks
ago after throwing five touchdown passes against the Chargers.
At Denver, he was 21-of-33 for 250 yards and two touchdowns,
including the game-winner in the final minutes.
This is not the grind-it-out, ground-hugging offense Chiefs fans
have come to know.
What's wrong with the running game?
"You used to ask these questions about passing," Cunningham
said with a smile.
For one thing, the passing game has emerged as a much greater
threat. Grbac is throwing the ball better than ever. And with
rookie wide receiver Sylvester Morris and Pro Bowl tight end Tony
Gonzalez, he has more inviting targets. Morris caught three
touchdown passes against San Diego.
Gonzalez, finally freed of the extra coverage people had been
laying on him, emerged with 10 catches for 127 yards and a TD at
Denver.
"We have more playmakers than we had a year ago to throw the
ball to," Cunningham said. "(Defenses) are starting to pay for it
when they come down (with eight people near the line of scrimmage
to stop the run).
"The development of the offense is coming along fine. Not only
is Elvis throwing the ball well, but the receivers are making some
good catches. So that will take the pressure off the running
game."
Injuries to left guard Dave Szott and running back/fullback
Donnell Bennett have also hampered the running game. Szott, who may
be out for the year with an injured arm, has been replaced by Jeff
Blackshear and Donald Willis. Neither is as effective as the former
Pro Bowler at run-blocking.
"The left guard and left tackle (second-year man John Tait) are
both new players," Cunningham said. "Tait played some last year
but this is really his first year as a starter. We're going to keep
pounding away at it."
Cunningham is hopeful Bennett will be back in time for Seattle.
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