Kansas City Chiefs: Knile Davis Must Improve Hands


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Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The most important aspect of the game that the Kansas City Chiefs need to fix is their turnover ratio. In 2012, the Chiefs were tied for the worst ratio in the NFL with a mark of -24.

If anybody values the importance of a good turnover ratio, it should be head coach Andy Reid. Last season, his Philadelphia Eagles were the team that was tied for last with the Chiefs in the category, and it was a big factor to the Eagles’ terrible season. Ultimately, it cost Reid his job.

Winning the turnover battle is a must for Reid and right now, rookie running back Knile Davis seems like a major liability in that department.

In his senior season at Arkansas, Davis fumbled seven times on just 112 carries. Drafting him was a big gamble for the Chiefs. His small hands are a problem, but his performance at the NFL Combine was amazing. He bench pressed 31 reps of 225 pounds and clocked the second-fastest 40-yard dash among running backs with a time of 4.37 seconds.

That is an elite combination of strength and speed, but it will go to waste if he can’t secure the football. Early on in training camp, his hands have looked weak as he dropped a few short passes and fumbled his first attempt at a kickoff return.

Reid had a simple response, saying “We’ll get that fixed.”

Let’s hope so, because it would be a shame to waste his talent. The Chiefs have a great running back situation and therefore have no reason to gamble on Davis if he can’t improve his hands. Nobody is expecting miracles from the third-round draft pick as there is always a learning curve with rookies.

There is still plenty of time for the exciting prospect to get it together, but the sooner he does, the sooner he will see significant playing time.

Aaron Charles is a Kansas City Chiefs writer for www.rantsports.com. Follow him on twitter @aaroncharleskc or add him to your network on Google+



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