Should I Pick Up Jackie Battle?
Alex Dunlap, Rosterwatch.com

Yes. Put in your waiver request now.

We have been on this story since we spotlighted Battle last week.

Chiefs HC Todd Haley did not just gush to the media about the 5th year special teams player turned running back. In fact, he brought the hype to the Chiefs pre-game speech prior to their comeback win against the Colts.

Todd Haley, in a very non-Todd Haley manner, read the team a letter from a fan.

This fan came from a military background and compimented Haley on his leadership style- but questioned his inability to hold running backs Dexter McCluster and Old Man Thomas Jones accountable for the Chiefs abject lack of production from the position this season after star RB Jamaal Charles was placed on IR. He then challenged Todd Haley to give Jackie Battle a legitimate shot.

After reading the letter, he announced to the team that this would be Battle’s day and challenged his team to get behind him and get a victory.

Jackie Battle answered the call, going for 140 yards on 19 carries and 2 receptions in a Chiefs victory. He looked great, falling forward on interior power runs and looking like every bit of the low 4.4 forty-yard-dash prospect that Battle was coming out of U of Houston 5 years ago.

This kind of pickup can be a season changer for you. If you have watched the Chiefs this season (As I have had the misfortune of doing every week as a fantasy analyst) you can’t help but notice the distinct difference in how defenses compensate for Battle as opposed to the others. His presence does not only bring a new dimension and identity to the run game, but also opens up the slant and go route for WR Dwayne Bowe on traditional running downs when the strong safety will put the spy on.

Two games with Battle involved. Two wins. Realize that this is a RW doctrine. Recognize situations for what they are.

Haley has a little bit of Shanahan in him- Stubbornly refusing to get Jamaal Charles involved for the longest time in favor of Thomas Jones, but this stubbornness seems to bode well for a player like Battle who he has gone out on a limb for and gotten a big payoff.

Go get him.