Baldwin emerges as the Chiefs’ go-to receiver in single coverage

[Branden Albert's Huge Balls]

http://www.kansascity.com/2012/05/29...he-chiefs.html

Jonathan Baldwin established a reputation for making the near-impossible catch last year with an around-the-defender grab of a pass against the Denver Broncos.

He solidified it at the Chiefs’ practice on Tuesday, when he made a one-handed diving grab of a Matt Cassel pass for a touchdown over cornerback Stanford Routt. Baldwin’s ability to go up and get a pass has prompted Cassel and other Chiefs quarterbacks to attempt throws to Baldwin in one-on-one coverage that they might not make to other receivers.

By now, they’re aware the 6-foot-4, 230-pound Baldwin has a distinct size advantage over most cornerbacks and will win most jump-ball opportunities.

“He’s a guy that likes to go up and compete,” Cassel said, “and there’s not a lot of corners in the league that can go up vertically with him.

“Guys like that, you have to give them an opportunity to make a play. He’s such a big target, and he’s so physical that you just kind of have to put it in the vicinity and try not to overthrow him. Just give him an opportunity to go up and out-battle somebody for the ball.”

In this case, that somebody was Routt, who, at 6-foot-1, is tall for a cornerback. But he was no match for Baldwin on this particular play.

Routt, left alone with Baldwin down the sideline, wrestled with the bigger receiver as the ball was on its way.

In a game, Routt probably would’ve been called for pass interference. He wound up pinning one of Baldwin’s arms against his body as the receiver reached for the pass.

Routt’s biggest mistake was in not pinning both of Baldwin’s arms. Baldwin made the catch one-handed, and all Routt could do afterward was shake his head.

“It happens,” Routt said. “I’m not worried about it. It’s football. Sometimes you make the play, and sometimes he makes the play.”

The catch came with just seconds remaining in a two-minute drill near the end of practice and was just the kind of thing the Chiefs envisioned when they made Baldwin their first-round draft pick last year.

“It was a two-minute situation and the coach is always talking about making plays,” Baldwin said. “I just had to step up and make a play.

“As receivers, we always want to go and make the play. I just want to make every play I possibly can. I was fortunate to make the play.”

Count Cassel among the impressed.

“The one against Denver was pretty impressive last year,” Cassel said. “But it was a great catch. Those are the kind of plays you need, especially in a two-minute drill.”

In addition to his reception against the Broncos, which was erased by a penalty not involving Baldwin, the Chiefs got a taste of his knack for the big catch in a Monday night win over the San Diego Chargers. Baldwin went over cornerback Marcus Gilchrist to catch a 39-yard touchdown pass.

Otherwise, the Chiefs mostly failed last season to use Baldwin to their advantage. That was his only touchdown as a rookie and the longest play among his 21 receptions.

But plays like the one in practice Tuesday suggest the Chiefs will try harder to find ways to get Baldwin matched up in single coverage.

“When you have a guy like Jon, there’s a bigger window,” reserve quarterback Ricky Stanzi said. “He’s a big body, and he has great hands. You always want to put the ball right on him, but you do have a better chance if you do miss for him to come up and make a play. He can make your mistakes look really good.”

Routt now knows that as well as anyone. While with the Raiders last season, he played twice against Baldwin and the Chiefs. But Baldwin had just two catches against Oakland, the longest going for 14 yards.

“It’s the same thing when you have to defend any tall receiver,” Routt said. “Obviously, (be aware of) the jump ball. Obviously, you’ve got to be a little more physical with him because he’s a bigger target.

“He uses his body pretty good. On that catch, he did a pretty good job. I know last year, he was a rookie and he was young. But you can tell he’s definitely taken some strides since last year.”

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/05/29...#storylink=cpy

[Marcellus the True]

Originally Posted by Satanic Goat

Nothing.

But I know that ***** doesn't have a leg to stand on in these negotiations.

You are clueless. Bowe isn't going to forfeit $9MM this season to sit out so he will be playing whether he gets a new contract or not.

I think Bowe stands a better shot at getting that contract by showing up for TC and showing he is willing to play and negotiate rather than hold out and get into a pissing match.

[Buzz_TinBalls]

bowe will be there when TC starts. he has to be.

[Chiefnj2]

What was the purpose of being 20-30 mil under the cap the last few years if the team isn't going to overspend on a few of their own players like Carr or Bowe?

[oldman]

My first thought when I read those articles was that MC didn't throw the ball 40 yards. Then I read it was a circus catch and knew it was a Cassel pass. But back to subject.
Bowe will be in TC with a new contract, end of discussion. ***** knows that this is a make or break year for MC so he'll make sure every weapon is in place. If MC sucks as usual, not even SP can justify keeping him as the #1 QB.

[durtyrute]

This reminds me of all of the times Cassel failed to hit the receiver in stride and said receiver had to jump five feet in the air to catch the ball. If he could just bring his high ass passes down, the WR could keep running and get more yards.

I'll still back the fugger as long as he is a Chief though.

[KCUnited]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

I don't think I've ever seen so much hype over an OTA catch.

And yet it's still the number 2 play behind the still photo of Stanzi's drop back.

[Marcellus the True]

Originally Posted by durtyrute

This reminds me of all of the times Cassel failed to hit the receiver in stride and said receiver had to jump five feet in the air to catch the ball. If he could just bring his high ass passes down, the WR could keep running and get more yards.

I'll still back the fugger as long as he is a Chief though.

Not defending Cassel here but I don't recall too many plays where a QB has hit a receiver in stride 40 yards down the field. Usually the receiver is either slowing up to adjust or going up to make a play on the ball, and keep in mind this play was in the endzone so no chance of hitting him in stride 40 yards out.

Just sayin.

[Molitoth]

Originally Posted by Rausch

It reeks of Carl.

Pay the man and move on. If the cap is a problem ask our leader at QB to take a ****ing pay cut...

EFFING THIS!!!!!!!!!!

[durtyrute]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

Not defending Cassel here but I don't recall too many plays where a QB has hit a receiver in stride 40 yards down the field. Usually the receiver is either slowing up to adjust or going up to make a play on the ball, and keep in mind this play was in the endzone so no chance of hitting him in stride 40 yards out.

Just sayin.

That is very true. I didn't mean this play in particular, or any 40 yard play. I should have been more clear, my bad. It seems like most of his passes are high so the receivers have to jump out of their shoes time and time again. Maybe the WR's like that, maybe it's by design, I'm not sure. It's just something that I noticed over the past couple of years. Sometimes it's not necessary to jump or to throw the ball so damn high.

and it's cool that you're a Cassel lover, I won't tell......./jk

[SNR]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

What was the purpose of being 20-30 mil under the cap the last few years if the team isn't going to overspend on a few of their own players like Carr or Bowe?

We were saving up for a new RT.

[Tribal Warfare]

Cassel among the impressed.

“But it was a great catch. Those are the kind of plays you need, especially in a 2-minute drill.”

Cassel Speak: thanks for saving my ass

[Cassel>Manning]

The plan will be to single cover Bowe all day because he isn't a big play threat and then don't worry about Baldwin unless he is running a go route.

[Branden Albert's Huge Balls]

Originally Posted by Cassel>Manning

The plan will be is single cover Bowe all day because he isn't a big play threat and then don't worry about Baldwin unless he is running a go route.

Charles all day, you bitch.

[SNR]

Originally Posted by Cassel>Manning

The plan will be is single cover Bowe all day because he isn't a big play threat and then don't worry about Baldwin unless he is running a go route.

Cute. That's cute.

[Cassel>Manning]

Originally Posted by Satanic Goat

Charles all day, you bitch.

We will have to ease Jamaal into the offense. The first 8 weeks of the year we shouldn't give him more than 10 carries in any game.