KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Both optimists and pessimists among Kansas City's long suffering fans are pointing to Jamaal Charles as proof that they are right.

The optimistic say the emergence of the quiet running back with rare sprinter's speed gives hope for better things to come.

To pessimists, Charles is further evidence that Todd Haley and his coaches don't know what they're doing. The second-year pro was stuck on the bench and even inactive for one game until Larry Johnson earned himself a suspension, and an eventual release, for comments on his Twitter account Oct. 25.

That gave Charles a chance to play. And if he has a big game in Denver on Sunday, the guy who hardly touched the ball until early November will crack the 1,000 yard rushing mark.

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