In the NFL’s Week 12, the Kansas City Chiefs are hoping to snap a two-game losing streak with a win over the Indianapolis Colts, so the full participation of running back Isiah Pacheco in Wednesday’s practice was welcome news — although he was then a limited participant in Thursday’s session. Before missing the last two games, he was the leading team’s back; this season, he’s averaged more yards per game (41.1) and per carry (4.2) than backup Kareem Hunt.
But as far as running backs coach Todd Pinkston is concerned, Pacheco’s value to the team goes beyond that.
“I have a good room with a lot of leadership, with Kareem and the other guys in there,” Pinkston told local media on Thursday, “but Pacheco brings that energy to the room and on the field. It’s just another piece that we have to the puzzle to get everything we want to get accomplished this season. It’s good to see him back. We’re just taking these baby steps now; we’ll see what happens in the long run.”
Pacheco sprained his MCL in the Week 8 win over the Washington Commanders. The bye week allowed him to miss just two games as he recovered. But both matchups were losses; the offense was missing his energy and speed.
So it was fitting how Pinkston described Pacheco’s relentless nature.
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“He and I talk about it all the time as far as it being a walkthrough or a jog-through, but he’s a Tasmanian Devil,” he grinned. “And Taz is never walking — so just think about that.
“That’s a good thing for him. One speed is his only speed — and [Head coach Andy Reid] always emphasizes playing fast. That’s what he does.”
Pinkston knows what Reid looks for in a player: he was a wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles during the first five seasons of Reid’s tenure as head coach. He is now in his third season as Kansas City’s running backs coach and has a good feel for what skills the Chiefs’ top offensive mind wants from the position.
“[Being] versatile,” he declared. “Guys that are going to protect the quarterback — and guys that are just going to be themselves. What we have now is guys that can do all three things, if not more. I can remember back when we were in Philly — remember Brian Westbrook, Duce Staley, Correll Buckhalter — those guys can do multiple things, and that’s the type of back Coach is looking for.”
“Versatile” certainly fits rookie back Brashard Smith. The 228th overall selection in the NFL Draft has been deployed in creative ways all season. Pinkston indicated that Smith is “growing” — but is counting on the rookie’s teammates to bring him along.
“What we have to do is continue to trust the guys in the room to get him some good stuff to go by — as far as being a true professional and being a true running back,” explained the coach. “He has done that. We’re just trying not to put too much on him, giving him things he needs to learn so he can go out there, perfect it and play fast.”
Smith is one of three backs the Chiefs have trusted to play an impactful role in the offense. Each player must understand the complexities of the playbook and how to execute run-pass option plays.
“They know the dynamic of the offensive scheme and what we’re trying to attack,” said Pinkston. “For the most part, the guys know if there’s a run play called, run the play. We don’t control what the quarterback does because he has his reads. In this offense — what we’re doing now with the RPO system — it makes defenses have to cover the field. That’s what Patrick has been doing a good job of the last few weeks, so we don’t worry about that… whenever your [name] is called, make the best of your abilities when you get the carry.”
In the 22-19 loss to the Denver Broncos, the running backs didn’t have their names called enough. Hunt averaged 4.5 yards per carry over 13 rushes, the only attempts by any Kansas City running back in the game.
The return of Pacheco — bringing his high energy and top speed with him — could help normalize the Chiefs’ balance between running and passing.
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