Post by MizzouTiger on Dec 24, 2007 3:47:24 GMT -5
www.kansascity.com/sports/chiefs/story/416379.html
Rookies make the most of their playing time
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
DETROIT | Jackie Battle specialized in college in scoring touchdowns.
So it’s no surprise that Battle, a rookie Chiefs running back, scored a touchdown in his first NFL carry in Sunday’s 25-20 loss to Detroit at Ford Field.
“It’s not a bad first step,” said Battle, who was recently promoted from the practice squad and served as Kolby Smith’s only backup Sunday.
“That’s all I did in college. The only way it could have been better was if we had won the game.”
Battle was only a part-time starter in college at Houston, but he still scored 31 touchdowns, including 15 as a senior.
At 238 pounds, Battle is bigger and more powerful than Smith, so the Chiefs gave him duty as their goal-line back. The touchdown in the second quarter was his only carry of the day, but he made it count.
With the Chiefs at the Lions’ 3, Battle took the handoff from quarterback Damon Huard, shook off a defender and went in for the score.
Another rookie, offensive tackle Herb Taylor, played for the first time on offense. He replaced left tackle Damion McIntosh, who injured an ankle, and played more than half of the game.
Taylor was beaten a few times but held his own on many others.
“I did OK considering I was playing for the first time,” Taylor said. “There are some plays I’d like to have back. It was a good place for me to play my first game. I’ll be better for it the next time I get a chance to play.”
The Chiefs had no choice but to play Taylor when McIntosh went out because of the injury. They last week released veteran Chris Terry and lost Kyle Turley for the season when he went on the injured-reserve list.
Will Svitek was their starting right tackle Sunday, and their only other reserve offensive lineman was guard Tre Stallings, who like Taylor before Sunday had never played in a regular-season NFL game.
Rookies make the most of their playing time
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
DETROIT | Jackie Battle specialized in college in scoring touchdowns.
So it’s no surprise that Battle, a rookie Chiefs running back, scored a touchdown in his first NFL carry in Sunday’s 25-20 loss to Detroit at Ford Field.
“It’s not a bad first step,” said Battle, who was recently promoted from the practice squad and served as Kolby Smith’s only backup Sunday.
“That’s all I did in college. The only way it could have been better was if we had won the game.”
Battle was only a part-time starter in college at Houston, but he still scored 31 touchdowns, including 15 as a senior.
At 238 pounds, Battle is bigger and more powerful than Smith, so the Chiefs gave him duty as their goal-line back. The touchdown in the second quarter was his only carry of the day, but he made it count.
With the Chiefs at the Lions’ 3, Battle took the handoff from quarterback Damon Huard, shook off a defender and went in for the score.
Another rookie, offensive tackle Herb Taylor, played for the first time on offense. He replaced left tackle Damion McIntosh, who injured an ankle, and played more than half of the game.
Taylor was beaten a few times but held his own on many others.
“I did OK considering I was playing for the first time,” Taylor said. “There are some plays I’d like to have back. It was a good place for me to play my first game. I’ll be better for it the next time I get a chance to play.”
The Chiefs had no choice but to play Taylor when McIntosh went out because of the injury. They last week released veteran Chris Terry and lost Kyle Turley for the season when he went on the injured-reserve list.
Will Svitek was their starting right tackle Sunday, and their only other reserve offensive lineman was guard Tre Stallings, who like Taylor before Sunday had never played in a regular-season NFL game.