[ Coach Dick Vermeil's investment in diminutive return man ]

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Dec 13, 2002 by Rick Dean Capital-Journal

Coach Dick Vermeil's investment in diminutive return man

Dante Hall is paying big dividends this season for the Chiefs

NICK KRUG/The Capital-Journal

Kansas City's Dante Hall, right, has returned two punts and one kickoff for touchdowns this season, including this 90-yard punt return TD, with teammate Gary Stills (55), against Arizona.

Special plays

Big plays made by the Kansas City Chiefs' special teams this season:

Touchdowns (3) --- Dante Hall, 90-yard punt return vs. Arizona; Hall, 88-yard kickoff return vs. St. Louis; Hall, 86-yard punt return vs. St. Louis.

Blocked punts (2) --- Larry Atkins vs. San Diego; Monty Beisel vs. Denver.

Blocked field goal (1) --- Derrick Ransom vs. Oakland.

Forced fumbles (2) --- Gary Stills vs. San Diego; William Bartee vs. Denver.

By Rick Dean

The Capital-Journal

KANSAS CITY, Mo. --- OK, Dante Hall, you've returned three kicks for touchdowns in your last two games. You were named AFC special teams player of the week after becoming one of only 21 players in NFL history to score on both a punt and a kickoff return in one game, last week against St. Louis. You're ranked fourth in the league in punt returns and fifth on kickoffs.

So, Dante, what's it going to be this week when Kansas City needs something big in this playoff-like game at Denver? A kick return or a TD catch? What's your pleasure?

"I want both," Hall responded with a smile. "I'm greedy."

Nothing wrong with that. It might even be necessary, considering the role special teams have played in the recent Chiefs-Broncos series.

In 1999, Kansas City won in Denver when Tamarick Vanover returned a punt 80 yards. Then last December, the Chiefs' 26-23 overtime victory at Kansas City was decided on a 32-yard Todd Peterson field goal.

But turnabout is fair play. The Broncos' 37-34 victory at Arrowhead Stadium in October was decided when Denver blocked a punt in overtime to set up Jason Elam's 25-yard field goal. And this happened only after the Chiefs blocked a punt to set up a 14-point lead its defense couldn't hold in the final 12 1/2 minutes.

So, what is the overall shape of the Kansas City kicking teams heading into Denver, where Sunday's loser faces mathematical elimination from the playoff race?

Good in some areas, reported coach Dick Vermeil. Not so good in others.

The good news is that the return phase is at the top of its game right now.

"On the (86-yard) punt return (against the Rams), we had six real nice blocks," Vermeil said. "But the (88-yard) kickoff return, that was all Dante Hall. They did a good job of defensing it, but their outside guy lost containment, Dante broke it and off he went. You can't coach that. He's got that gift and that feel and vision."

To be sure, Hall's blocking unit also is seeing the fruits of its labor.

"There've been any number of times we could have broken one this year," said Gary Stills, a mainstay on the kicking teams. "But there always seemed to be one guy who missed a block or (Hall) didn't make the right read.

"Now he's making all the right reads at the right time with all the right players on the field making the right blocks."

Added Hall: "It makes the guys blocking for me want to work that much harder. It also puts the (opposing) kicking team on edge; maybe they don't come down the field as hard the next time."

The TD returns also represent a justification of the faith Vermeil showed in the 5-foot-8 Hall when other coaches might have given up.

After showing more promise than production in his first two NFL seasons, Hall received an ultimatum last spring. Tired of using a roster spot on a return specialist who did nothing else --- and not a lot in the return game --- Vermeil told Hall he would have to make the roster as a receiver.

"He's an honest guy; I respected that," said Hall, who responded to the challenge by emerging from training camp as Kansas City's No. 3 receiver.

He has since lost that role to newcomer Marc Boerigter. But Hall's recent production has provided the returns Vermeil was seeking on his professional investment.

"He's been patient, and I appreciate the faith he's showed in me," Hall said. "He knew that one day I could do this. I've played for a lot of coaches, but this guy really cares about the individual. I hate to say it, but that's rare. It makes me want to play that much harder for him."

Other elements of Kansas City's kicking game are not as warm-and- fuzzy, however.

Morten Andersen's field goal kicking has been solid. The 42-year- old has made 21 of 24 attempts, with 6-of-9 accuracy from beyond 40 yards, and he leads all NFL kickers in scoring with 111 points.

But his short kickoffs are an ongoing problem that will only worsen as the weather gets colder. St. Louis had an average drive start at the Chiefs' 39-yard line last week.

And Dan Stryzinski's punting continues to be a headache. The 38- year-old veteran ranks last among NFL punters in gross average (38.2) and third-from-worst in net average (31.7).

"Right now our punter is in a slump, though hopefully, he'll punt his way through it," Vermeil said. "I know he's physically better than that."