A signing I have not addressed yet was the acquisition of Le'Ron McClain on Wednesday. Not only is he the second Ravens player we have gotten in free agency this season (if you can't beat them, sign them), but he is a very solid addition to the reigning rushing champs.
Le'Ron McClain brings to the Chiefs something we haven't had since perhaps Tony Richardson: a very good full back. And the reason he is a very good full back is because he is very versatile. And for full backs, versatile means that he can block, run, and catch.
Versatile is something the Chiefs haven't had at full back lately. In the last two seasons, full backs Mike Cox and Tim Castille have combined for 61 rushing yards on 23 attempts and 197 receiving yards on 28 catches. In the last two seasons, Le'Ron McClain, by himself, has accumulated 165 rushing yards on 74 attempts and 275 receiving yards on 42 receptions. And, if we go back to McClain's 2008 season, we see the potential that McClain can bring to our team: 902 rushing yards (which is more than Thomas Jones had last season) on 232 carries (which is more carries than Jamaal Charles has ever been given during a season) and 123 receiving yards on 19 receptions.
What McClain also brings to the Chiefs is size. The Chiefs may have had the best rushing attack in the NFL last season, but they were worst in the NFL on 3rd and short situations, which is unacceptable. A reason for this could possibly be that they just didn't have the size or skill for such situations (which is probably why Shaun Smith ever got an opportunity). Charles is just 199 lbs and Jones just 212 lbs, so neither are a bigger back type. McClain offers that size, weighing in at 260 lbs, which is more than Cox, Castille, or rookie Shane Bannon.
Coach Todd Haley has already said that McClain will be used first and foremost as a full back, but knowing that McClain has the skills and size to come in and bring something to the table that the Chiefs lacked last season is a welcomed thought. Plus, it seems that McClain is a true team player; here's what he said to the KC Star:
“If I’ve got to block, I’ll do that,” he said. “If I’ve got to run, I’ll do that. I’ll do anything I can to get a W on the board for the Chiefs. It’s not about me.
"I’m a fullback, and I’m here to win. Two things. Just two things: Getting Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones 1,000 (yards) apiece, that’s what I’m here to do. Blocking linebackers, picking up linebackers, keeping them off Cassel. Anything I can do to help the team win.”
That's what you like to hear as a Chiefs fan.
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