In seven words, Romeo Crennel explained why the Kansas City Chiefs are so bad this year.
Asked after Sunday’s 26-16 loss to the Oakland Raiders why stud running back Jamaal Charles only got five carries, the Chiefs head coach seemed perplexed.
“Now, that I’m not exactly sure, either,” Crennel said, per Associated Press writer Dave Skretta.
Yeah, Romeo, that’s a question you might want to have answered DURING the actual game. To not have a clue about it after the game speaks to the problems of the Chiefs.
He later defended the lack of carries for Charles during Monday’s press conference.
“I don’t keep track of the count (of plays for Charles),” Crennel said, per FOX Sports Kansas City. “I stand on the sideline and see the rotation and see who goes in and who goes out. Jamaal definitely got the most touches of any running back in the game. Granted, it wasn’t 33 (like against New Orleans), but it was the most of anyone. It was the most — that’s running and passing.
“If you look back to when he ran the ball 33 times, we were gaining some yards, so sure you’re going to keep running. We had success so we could keep running the ball.
“Look, it’s really simple sometimes. If it’s working, you keep calling it. If it isn’t, you try something else. That’s what we’re doing. (Sunday), we weren’t running well so we tried something else.”
It’s not even like the game was a blowout early and the Chiefs felt they had to abandon the run; it was a one-score game the first 30 minutes. I don’t even think Crennel makes a good point. How can five carries be enough for you to determine that it’s not working? Charles ran for 233 yards a month ago, and now you give up on him after five carries? Five carries for their biggest playmaker? Yeah, you deserve to lose at home to the Raiders and to be 1-6.
Matt Cassel seemed to sum up the Chiefs’ season the best.
“I haven’t been part of a season, either, where this much has gone wrong.”
Ouch.
Photo credit: Denny Medley-US PRESSWIRE
