Free agent running back
Jackie Battle made an appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio this afternoon. The
Kansas City Chiefs running back indicated he plans to test the free agency waters in March and, while he's willing and hopeful to come back to the Chiefs, he does hope to find a situation that gives him more opportunities as a running back.
"[The Chiefs] said they wanted me back before we left but I was gonna just see what my options were before I made that decision," Battle told Andrew Bogusch and Pat Kirwan on SiriusXM NFL Radio Monday afternoon. "But they said they wanted me back before the season ended."
Battle recognized that this is the NFL and things change so it's possible Chiefs change their mind and look elsewhere for a running back.
"I don't know who they're looking at or what their strategy is," Battle said. "But I'm going to go out there and look around a little bit and if the Chiefs are the best situation for me then I'd love to go back."
He also said he's definitely going to be on the look out for a situation that gives him more carries at running back, whether that's with the Chiefs or another team.
"I played a bunch of special teams throughout my career but I'm a running back true and true," he said. "I want to play as much running back as I can. I'm looking for an opportunity to get a bigger running back role. And hopefully it's with the Chiefs."
Here's the dilemma for the Chiefs: If you lose Battle in free agency, you're losing a backup running back and one of your top special teamers. Battle mentioned on the show that he has played special teams, backup running back and fullback. He was making the point that he can do a lot of different things for the team.
In my mind, Battle should go with the money. He came into the league as an undrafted free agent and until this season was only known as a special teams guy. He's coming off what is by far his best year with seven times as many carries (149) this season as his previous career high (20). His stock may never be higher. And I wouldn't blame him for testing the free agency waters, either.
As for the teams who could be interested, there aren't any known teams with interest. Battle did say that he liked the way the Texans ran their offense. He said he wasn't talking about any particular teams -- just their offense itself -- but it's kinda funny that Battle's hometown is...Houston.
Unless the Chiefs plan to use him as the No. 2
I’d say he’s pretty replace
Joel Thorman - February 20, 2012
I like Battle more than most Chiefs fans do.
I wish him well if he gets a better opportunity elsewhere, but I wouldn’t mind seeing him back as the #3 RB/#2 FB.
Tarkus - February 20, 2012
I agree
plus he was pretty good on ST.
KSU-Chief - February 20, 2012
We did fire our Special teams coach
Steve_Chiefs - February 20, 2012
Yep
Funny how that works. Fire the ST coach and lose players to free agency. Hmmm…
Aiken_Drum - February 20, 2012
Fire defensive coordinator (Gunther), lose disgruntled safety afterwards (Page)
End up with better defensive coordinator (RAC) and better safeties.
And the wheel continues to turn.
TRSChief - February 20, 2012
the sun also rises?
Shanghai_Chiefs - February 20, 2012
I wonder if...
Charles coming back affected his decision to test the waters?…
JQuest - February 20, 2012 via Android app
But... he could easily spend the whole year as #1 on the depth chart, and Charles #2.
sea_people - February 20, 2012
Nah, Haley got fired.
Tarkus - February 20, 2012
I really like the way he runs
unless its 3rd and short.
andrew33 - February 20, 2012
same
he takes a few steps to get going out of the backfield, but once he hits his stride he has great speed for a guy his size and is really fun to watch. a great complementary back but maybe not the best to rely on as heavily as we had to this year. he’s a hard worker and tremendous athlete and i wish him the best wherever he ends up.
shaytron - February 20, 2012
I thought he was too soft.
He went down too easily for a 245lb RB, doesn’t have great vision because he puts his head down too often when running with the ball to make sure it’s still there, and he doesn’t have good acceleration, it takes him awhile to build up some speed.
KC_Chiefs - February 20, 2012
I doubt he is 245 pounds
That maybe what he is listed at but I doubt he weighs that much. More like the 225 to 230 range
nateforchiefs - February 20, 2012 via mobile
I remember some interview he did during last season I think he said he weighed
somewhere b/t 238 – 242 range.
KC_Chiefs - February 20, 2012
Either way he's still soft
KC_Chiefs - February 20, 2012
Go ahead
ChiefWarPaint - February 20, 2012
I like battle
especially for his special teams play, but he can be replaced. I would like to see Michael Bush or Green-Ellis as a complement to JC. If Battle wants to stick around as #3 and play a lot of special teams that would be nice, but I doubt that’s what hes looking for especially after getting a little more exposure last year.
kcchiefs91 - February 20, 2012
Bye Battle
BAMFSpecialOps - February 20, 2012
if Battle does catch on elsewhere, makes it even more important for us to bring back McClain ... and sign someone else to backup Charles
upamtn - February 20, 2012
I don't see how McClain really factors in.
They made it pretty clear they saw him as a FB. I suppose that could change if they lose Battle and can’t find another back. I honestly don’t see why everyone sees him as such a necessity, I didn’t think he was anything fantastic last season.
polodude017 - February 20, 2012
Battle was the fall back plan at FB I believe
BAMFSpecialOps - February 20, 2012
LaMichael James
Steve_Chiefs - February 20, 2012
Dex
upamtn - February 20, 2012
We already have HIM
Steve_Chiefs - February 20, 2012
Charles, Dex, James, and RGIII
Steve_Chiefs - February 20, 2012
so who's gonna block?
upamtn - February 20, 2012
the Offensive Line
Steve_Chiefs - February 20, 2012
well yeah, would be nice if we had one
upamtn - February 20, 2012
They were there
all five of them, waiting for Cassel to make up his mind
Steve_Chiefs - February 20, 2012
ha !
chiefsman! - February 20, 2012
and what's gotten into YOU?
man, you used to be Mr Bring On The Beef … now you want a track meet?
upamtn - February 20, 2012
Yeah Ups
What has gotten into you:)
Steve_Chiefs - February 20, 2012
QB > O-linemen
Steve_Chiefs - February 20, 2012
I know, our fallback fallback fullback plan
upamtn - February 20, 2012
McClain
yippe ki yee Moth****er
:)
Steve_Chiefs - February 20, 2012
Mister Falcon
Helmets - February 21, 2012
Glad this is catching on
Dude us going to set the league in fire
HIV 2 Elway - February 20, 2012 via mobile
Cant go all speed though.
Need some power too.
nateforchiefs - February 20, 2012
P-P-P-P-P-P POWER!
Tarkus - February 20, 2012
love those. that guy is cool.
chad unit - February 20, 2012
Says who?
Interchangeable parts work in every industry.
HIV 2 Elway - February 20, 2012 via mobile
LaMichael James not scared of nobody
PSUkegreen - February 20, 2012
that was with different OCs than we have now
kabrink - February 20, 2012
Thanks for your service, Battle
ExRoyalsFan - February 20, 2012
So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, adieu...
GenericBrand - February 20, 2012
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye...
nateforchiefs - February 20, 2012 via mobile
Well i guess Routt gets the #26
km230015 - February 20, 2012
Nope
Reserved for Antonio Allen.
GenericBrand - February 20, 2012
Ha! you know vets gonna bet 1st choice though.
Well since he already signed and all.
km230015 - February 20, 2012
He'll buy it from him
I’ll chip in to help make it happen.
GenericBrand - February 20, 2012
I like Battle
as the power back to team with Charles. He is big and fast and in the right situations just as much of a breakaway threat as McCluster.
maddirishman - February 20, 2012
?
Really
Steve_Chiefs - February 20, 2012
Best Joke I've heard all day.
And I hear a lot of jokes
Speck60 - February 20, 2012
LOL
This dude cant even break away from the backfield. Do like him though
chief red foreman - February 20, 2012 via mobile
Replace Battle with the Law Firm, keep Charles
and bring in a talented rookie to take on the running back position.
super8 - February 20, 2012
Fine by me.
Charles/McCluster/somebody else is enough for the running back spot. We should probably just fill it with an undrafted free agent. That would be cheapest.
wustl_chiefs_fan - February 20, 2012
BJGE
seems likely
ExRoyalsFan - February 20, 2012
If the Chiefs fall for the law firm
it will be just another circumstance of Belechick taking advantage of Pioli.
Aiken_Drum - February 20, 2012
How
He is a free agent. What would Belichick have to do with it. They drafted two RBs last year as it is and still have Woodhead under contract.
Steve_in_RI - February 20, 2012
just pioli taking hoodies word about him being a good risk.
Aiken_Drum - February 21, 2012
Totally.
We should totally have an undrafted FA as our 3rd back. Not like our 175 and 200 pound RBs have any injury histories…
We’ll just follow the Texan Way and hope to hit on a UDFA RB. Good plan.
Tomahawk29 - February 20, 2012
It is very common for UDFA running backs to turn out well.
Priest Holmes, Arian Foster. Besides, running back doesn’t matter that much, but I already know we disagree about that.
wustl_chiefs_fan - February 20, 2012
RB's are worthless
Steve_Chiefs - February 20, 2012
Not worthless, but relatively unimportant.
Without actually looking at the numbers, I wouldn’t be shocked if punters or kickers turned out to be more important. RB should be a position you fill almost exclusively with late round draft picks and cheap free agents.
wustl_chiefs_fan - February 20, 2012
A great o-line can cover for a RB.
To bad we dont have one yet. We’re a BRich cut away from that!
nateforchiefs - February 20, 2012
Thanks for chiming in MR Hunt
Snprhed - February 20, 2012
If you really think Hunt is cheap, this is the last year you have to worry about it.
Starting in 2013, it doesn’t matter how cheap he is, we’ll be forced to be at at least 90% of the cap.
wustl_chiefs_fan - February 20, 2012
To me he proved he can be a #2 RB
He plays with power and fights for extra yards except on one very forgettable play…
KCCHIEFSfan 82 - February 20, 2012 via mobile
hes a step too slow. his special teams play keeps him in the league, but imo thats about it. that will end eventually too as hes not exactly young for a hb either
SDChief - February 20, 2012
wouldn't mind a late round pick ...
on someone like a terrance ganaway. More upside than battle, IMHO. Props to Battle though. HE won that GB game. Only one who could finally get into the endzone, and kept rogers on the sideline by grinding out a huge 1st down on last drive. I get it – it’s a passing leaugue, but never understimate the importance of these last first downs to put the opponent of of his misery.
paxi - February 20, 2012
Battle is too inconsistent and soft
Every once and a while he would show some power, but a guy his size should be extremely difficult to bring down. He just barely gets touched and goes down the majority of the time.
werewolf_1979 - February 20, 2012
Reminds me off
Larry Johnson once he got paid…1 yard and down
ArrowheadS - February 20, 2012
Go ahead and test the waters Jackie
We’ll be ready to sign you for the league min. If not, good luck in the CFL.
(was this mean?)
Brad-KC - February 20, 2012
accurate.
SDChief - February 20, 2012
Nope...pretty much spot-on.
Really like the guy, wish him well, but he’s not going to get better than he got in KC. Hope he has an insurance license to fall back on (in ‘12 or ’13, he’ll likely need it).
go_saleaumua - February 20, 2012
if the chiefs really want to improve this run game, you let battle leave just like jones.
find a way to retain mcclain.
and go after benjarvis green-ellis.
find a back in the mid rounds of the draft.
problem solved.
SDChief - February 20, 2012
Unless Battle wants the little to nothing...
Adios! He and Jones can help pack each others bag.
ArrowheadS - February 20, 2012
off topic:
It’s like we have a revolver and all of our bullets are bad ass…however, our pistol is a piece of shit. The S&W Cassel.
ps. don’t buy one. it’s junk
Brad-KC - February 20, 2012
I will really
miss having the slowest halfback tandem to ever play at any level of football.
Barranquilla - February 20, 2012
me too
Were dedinitely gonna take a step back when we get jc back
chief red foreman - February 20, 2012 via mobile
I was not a jackie battle fan at all.
to soft, didnt see the speed he was suppost to have so much of and he had no moves.
chad unit - February 20, 2012
Best of luck out there Jackie. You should have been cut in the preseason
Topchief1 - February 20, 2012
Yes, he was absolutely turrible when we needed a RB.
Think about all the yards we could have gained with a naked Dex back there.
Aiken_Drum - February 20, 2012
I can't visualize that at all.
Mr.Pibbs - February 20, 2012
Anthony Becht will be disappointed
that was the best block he threw all season.
Chief Willie Wildcat - February 20, 2012
The Chiefs gave you a chance.....
enjoy Cleveland.
HowSweetItIs - February 20, 2012
One fascinating thing to look at
Is the fact that HE decided to look into FA regardless of what the Chiefs say or do.
Those who believe FA is just a matter of “locking guys up” and that it’s so automatic should take note. Sometimes it’s not up to the team.
MNchiefsfan - February 20, 2012
Or the Chiefs told him look around because they know he's a chump
HIV 2 Elway - February 20, 2012
Could be
MNchiefsfan - February 20, 2012
He's gone
And do we really care? The guy did nothing the last 6 weeks of the season before breaking his foot. There are younger , more talented options out there
saints_chiefsfan1979 - February 21, 2012
Sign Michael Bush and then we will be know as Oakland East. Come on we need something to equal out the NE West name.
NFL season ticket holder - February 20, 2012
we don't need him
good luck to him on the open market
kcchiefs2782 - February 20, 2012 via Android app
I like Tolbert better than the Law Firm...
Takes us further away from New England’s "Thanksgiving Kiddies’ Table "& closer to owning a "Rolling Ball of Butcher Knives "…
KCChef - February 20, 2012
i wouldn't mind tolbert
for some reason i hate having to watch him play against us. However i would love either tolbert or law firm
swish7209 - February 20, 2012
Let Battle go on his merry way
and sign Hillis. The dude had a rough year (Madden curse) and wasn’t happy with how the Browns were treating him. We can get him cheap, sign him to a 3-4 year deal. He is a beast and I’m sure he’d love the opportunity to line up against the Donkeys twice a year.
5280ChiefsFan - February 21, 2012
I like Hillis
but the dude is injury prone and couldn’t play through a sore throat last year. He’s damaged goods
saints_chiefsfan1979 - February 21, 2012
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