Kansas City Chiefs Rumors: BenJarvus Green-Ellis could be Perfect Complement to Jamaal Charles in 2012

Saturday, February 18, 2012

BuffaloBills.com

By Kris Knox
Featured NFL Writer


The Kansas City Chiefs suffered through a number of injuries in 2011, but perhaps none bigger than the torn ACL suffered by star running back Jamaal Charles.

The Chiefs were fortunate enough last year to have the loss of Charles softened a bit by the combined running of Jackie Battle (149 carries for 597 yards) and Thomas Jones (153 carries for 478 yards). Unfortunately, both players are expected to hit the free agent market this year, leaving a void at the running back position.

While Charles' rehab is currently on pace to have him ready for 2012, finding a back to help share the load on offense should be a critical part of the Chiefs' off-season plans.

Coming off a serious ACL injury can be risky for a running back, and if the Chiefs are going to keep Charles healthy moving forward, they cannot overwork him. Charles had a stellar 1,467 yard season in 2010, but he did not lead the team in carries that year. Jones was responsible for 245 carries and 896 yards two seasons ago, and new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll would be wise to try to duplicate that recipe in 2012.

Charles will likely enter next season as the go-to ball carrier, so there will not be a rush to sign a premier free agent or spend an early round draft pick on a complementary back. Instead, expect Kansas City to take a look at a second-tier free agent who can fit the offense and help fill the void if Battle and Jones both depart.

One interesting name that has recently been mentioned is that of New England's BenJarvus Green-Ellis.

Green-Ellis has been a solid, if unspectacular piece of the Patriots offense since being signed as an undrafted free agent in 2008. Green-Ellis has rushed for 1,674 yards over the past two seasons, but with the Patriots firmly focused on a pass-first offense, he is expected to find his way into free agency.

While New England may no longer have a need for the man known as "Law Firm," he would be a perfect fit in Kansas City for number of reasons.

First, there is the obvious Patriot connection with Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, who was New England's general manager when Green-Ellis was first signed. Pioli and new head coach Romeo Crennel share a vision of running a Patriots-style organization, which Green-Ellis should feel right at home in.

Relationships aside, Green-Ellis has the physical tools to be a perfect complementary back to Charles. Charles has made his mark as an explosive back who can break big runs and score at any time. At 5'11" and 215 pounds, Green-Ellis is a bruiser who can wear down the defense over the course of the game--setting Charles up perfectly for some of those big runs.

Green-Ellis would also bring some of piece of mind in terms of ball security. In both his college and NFL careers, he has never fumbled the football. He is also just 26-years old and has only been a full-time starter in the NFL for two seasons, giving him fresh legs and plenty of upside if the Chiefs decide to make him part of their long-term plans.

Even if Kansas City decides to make a move to retain Battle (Jones will almost certainly not be resigned), there should be plenty of room to fit Green-Ellis into the offense, especially if the Chiefs decide to take their time working Charles back into the game-plan.


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