NFL 2011 - Chiefs' Jamaal Charles in Charge

Chiefs' Jamaal Charles in Charge
NFL 2011

NFL 2011 - Chiefs' Jamaal Charles in Charge
Jamaal Charles

Chiefs running back JAMAAL CHARLES played a pivotal role in Kansas City's resurgence in 2010 as the club finished atop the AFC West after a last-place finish in 2009. The 5-11, 199-pound speedster served as a big-play threat for an offensive unit that ranked No. 1 in rushing.

Last year, Charles -- who finished second in the NFL with a career-high 1,467 rushing yards -- averaged 6.38 yards per carry, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer JIM BROWN (6.40 yards per carry; 1,863 rush yards in 1963) as the only players in NFL history to have at least 1,400 rushing yards and average more than 6.30 yards per carry in a single season.

Running Back	Team	Year	Rushing Yards	Attempts	Yards / Carry
Source: NFL
Jim Brown	Browns	1963	1,863	291	6.40
Jamaal Charles	Chiefs 2010	1,467	230	6.38

San Diego Chargers linebacker SHAUN PHILLIPS, who faces Charles twice a year in the AFC West, has a tremendous amount of respect for the Pro Bowl running back's skill level.

"We don't want Jamaal getting the ball because he has the ability to go the distance at any time," says Phillips on Charles' big-play ability. "He's always been told that you are too small to play in this league, you can't play running back in the NFL, not at that size. Clearly he used that as motivation and kept working and working.

"What separates Jamaal is obviously his speed. He has track speed. He has game speed. He's definitely one of those exceptional players with great balance. He will take a hit and go down on one hand and he will get up and run again. It's rare to see that with a guy that's built like him. He's clearly gotten better each year. I know he's not going to stop now."

The dual purpose back also displayed his versatility last season by amassing 1,935 scrimmage yards, the second-most in the league.

"It's about how often you want to give him the ball and how often you can get him in situations where you know he's going to be the more dominant player, whether it be running the ball, or whether it be catching the ball out of the backfield," says Chiefs guard BRIAN WATERS. "I think Jamaal is doing a great job of continuing to grow and continuing to turn into the superstar we know he can be."

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