Post by MizzouTiger on Dec 21, 2007 4:57:40 GMT -5
www.kansascity.com/sports/story/413060.html
Grigsby may be playing for job next year in Chiefs’ final two games
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
What began as a desperate experiment to salvage Boomer Grigsby’s career and at the same time find a fullback might finally be paying off for the Chiefs.
It’s too early to call Grigsby’s conversion from linebacker to fullback a success, but the Chiefs are encouraged by his progress in recent games and particularly in last week’s loss to Tennessee.
Other than perhaps quarterback Brodie Croyle, Grigsby might have the most to gain by playing well or to lose by playing poorly in the season’s final two games, starting with Sunday’s meeting with the Lions.
“I think I’ve been making a good impression,” Grigsby said. “I look at these last two games as a huge opportunity for me to show that this is my job and that I can help this team win. I’ve been looking at it that way all season, but it became reality when I started playing more snaps the last four games or so.
“This is a job I can do very well. I can be one of the best in the league.”
Looking toward next season, the Chiefs have no other in-house candidate to play fullback. Kris Wilson has played some at fullback out of necessity, but he hasn’t been a good fit, and his contract expires at the end of the season.
Grigsby can establish himself as the favorite to be the regular going into next season, even though the Chiefs probably will bring in at least one more fullback.
“You’ve got to create competition at the position,” coach Herm Edwards said. “But he’s a guy that might have a shot at playing fullback. He’s improved.
“The last couple of weeks he’s done a pretty good job. He’s starting to keep his feet when he blocks now. (Last) week he did a really good job of keeping his feet when he hit the pile. That’s critical for that position.”
The Chiefs don’t hand off or throw to the fullback much, so blocking is far and away the most important ability for Grigsby.
“He’s got the aggressive part of it down,” running-backs coach James Saxon said. “He could always do that. He needs to get himself under control as he’s making the contact. He’ll get better at it as he continues to play more. He’s a lot better than he was at the beginning of the year. He’s a lot better than when he first came over.”
Nobody ever questioned Grigsby’s taste for physical play. That’s what led the Chiefs to switch Grigsby from linebacker last winter.
“Everyone knows I can thump,” Grigsby said. “I’m going to run into anyone in the NFL. That’s no secret. That’s not thingyiness or anything. That’s just the way it is. I’d be very surprised if we couldn’t get 1 yard with somebody behind me.”
He only recently has figured out the job isn’t just running into a defender. Running into the proper defender and at the proper angle are also important.
“The little things are better,” he said. “I was always very good at the initial strike. I’ve learned to kind of use … my upper-body strength and grab with my hands and push and kind of finish blocks all the way to the whistle rather than just trying to win on the initial strike.
“Every game in the last few weeks, something new has happened to me, and I’ve had to be able to make the adjustment and know my responsibility and know what’s happening. I can tell it’s just really coming together.”
Although Grigsby never will be a prolific runner or receiver, he will have to develop those abilities if he’s going to be a regular. There will be times when he’s the only outlet available.
“That’s another phase of his development,” Saxon said. “He can catch the ball. You saw him catch one a couple of games ago. You also saw him drop one a couple of games ago. He’s got to improve in that area.”
Grigsby may be playing for job next year in Chiefs’ final two games
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
What began as a desperate experiment to salvage Boomer Grigsby’s career and at the same time find a fullback might finally be paying off for the Chiefs.
It’s too early to call Grigsby’s conversion from linebacker to fullback a success, but the Chiefs are encouraged by his progress in recent games and particularly in last week’s loss to Tennessee.
Other than perhaps quarterback Brodie Croyle, Grigsby might have the most to gain by playing well or to lose by playing poorly in the season’s final two games, starting with Sunday’s meeting with the Lions.
“I think I’ve been making a good impression,” Grigsby said. “I look at these last two games as a huge opportunity for me to show that this is my job and that I can help this team win. I’ve been looking at it that way all season, but it became reality when I started playing more snaps the last four games or so.
“This is a job I can do very well. I can be one of the best in the league.”
Looking toward next season, the Chiefs have no other in-house candidate to play fullback. Kris Wilson has played some at fullback out of necessity, but he hasn’t been a good fit, and his contract expires at the end of the season.
Grigsby can establish himself as the favorite to be the regular going into next season, even though the Chiefs probably will bring in at least one more fullback.
“You’ve got to create competition at the position,” coach Herm Edwards said. “But he’s a guy that might have a shot at playing fullback. He’s improved.
“The last couple of weeks he’s done a pretty good job. He’s starting to keep his feet when he blocks now. (Last) week he did a really good job of keeping his feet when he hit the pile. That’s critical for that position.”
The Chiefs don’t hand off or throw to the fullback much, so blocking is far and away the most important ability for Grigsby.
“He’s got the aggressive part of it down,” running-backs coach James Saxon said. “He could always do that. He needs to get himself under control as he’s making the contact. He’ll get better at it as he continues to play more. He’s a lot better than he was at the beginning of the year. He’s a lot better than when he first came over.”
Nobody ever questioned Grigsby’s taste for physical play. That’s what led the Chiefs to switch Grigsby from linebacker last winter.
“Everyone knows I can thump,” Grigsby said. “I’m going to run into anyone in the NFL. That’s no secret. That’s not thingyiness or anything. That’s just the way it is. I’d be very surprised if we couldn’t get 1 yard with somebody behind me.”
He only recently has figured out the job isn’t just running into a defender. Running into the proper defender and at the proper angle are also important.
“The little things are better,” he said. “I was always very good at the initial strike. I’ve learned to kind of use … my upper-body strength and grab with my hands and push and kind of finish blocks all the way to the whistle rather than just trying to win on the initial strike.
“Every game in the last few weeks, something new has happened to me, and I’ve had to be able to make the adjustment and know my responsibility and know what’s happening. I can tell it’s just really coming together.”
Although Grigsby never will be a prolific runner or receiver, he will have to develop those abilities if he’s going to be a regular. There will be times when he’s the only outlet available.
“That’s another phase of his development,” Saxon said. “He can catch the ball. You saw him catch one a couple of games ago. You also saw him drop one a couple of games ago. He’s got to improve in that area.”