Chiefs wanting more happy returns this year

The Chiefs are counting on players such as Dexter McCluster to provide a spark in the return game this season.
The Chiefs are counting on players such as Dexter McCluster to provide a spark in the return game this season.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) - Peering through heavy rain, Dexter McCluster backed-pedaled to catch a punt, cut left and sprinted a Kansas City team-record 94 yards for a touchdown to spark a season-opening victory over San Diego that led to the AFC West championship.

That's the last time the Chiefs returned a punt for a touchdown. Two years and counting. Even worse for the Chiefs, it's going on three years since anybody ran a kickoff all the way back to the end zone.

Not surprisingly, special teams coach Steve Hoffman lost his job and his replacement, Tom McMahon, has been stressing kick returns since the minute camp opened July 27.

"The return game has been a big point of emphasis," said McCluster. "We know what we're capable of if everyone will do their job. And we have the guys back there to get the job done."

Few things turn a game's momentum quicker than taking a punt or kickoff all the way back. While going 7-9 in 2011, the Chiefs were one of only 11 teams in the NFL with neither. Their average starting position on offense was basically their own 20-yard line (20.6) - 30th in the 32-team league.

Javier Arenas had a better-than-decent punt return average of 12.8 yards. But he never got into the end zone.

"It's frustrating to know the average is good. But that is not something we aim for," said Arenas. "We aim for exceeding all expectations on special teams.

Arenas insists he's not aware of the team's drought.

"If I am aware, then I'd be beating up on myself," he said. "I know what I can do and we all know what we can do and we are going to go do it. Simple as that."

All talk about the long touchdown return drought seems to have been banned.

"I'm not ever going to look back. The bottom line is we have to execute our returns," said McMahon. "We don't try to do so much that every week we are changing it. I think we have some good returners. They'll produce this year. I'm not talking over their heads, because those guys can produce. I'm going to look forward rather than behind."

McMahon's approach has been to drill, baby, drill on all the little things.

"There are 11 guys that are involved and we have to do a good job blocking," he said.

He's also been evaluating candidates to return both punts and kickoffs. McCluster, Arenas, Devon Wylie, Cyrus Gray and Mikail Baker have all been given long looks. The Chiefs had several nice returns during Friday night's 27-17 preseason victory over Arizona, including a 32-yard punt return by Wylie and Arenas' 31-yard kickoff return.

Still, nobody got into the end zone. In 2011, teams went 6-3 in games where they returned a kickoff for a TD. When taking back a punt for a score, teams were 15-5.

"I think the guys are working at it," said coach Romeo Crennel. "In practice, all the guys, they know the right assignments and they kind of go to the right spots. But when you do it in a game and that adrenaline is flowing and you're doing it against a different opponent, it doesn't always work out the way it does in practice. I like our ability in the return game. Now we have to get into the game. We have to execute and then take advantage of that ability."

On kickoff returns, McMahon said he would like to reach the 25-yard line on average. It might surprise him to know the boss has loftier hopes.

"I think if we can get the ball on the 30- and 40-yard line on a consistent basis, that would be pretty good," said Crennel.

Notes: CB Brandon Flowers began a third straight week of inactivity because of a foot injury. Crennel indicated Flowers probably would not play Saturday night in St. Louis. "We're doing all we can to evaluate him, look at him, and try to help him get back on the field," Crennel said. "And he's working, doing everything we ask of him to try to get back. But he's just not back yet. It's not where it needs to be with him."