Is Baldwin for real?

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[May 31, 2012]

Is Baldwin for real?

May 31, 2012 (The Kansas City Star - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- We can't yet be certain, not with the Chiefs practicing in shorts and without pads. But one thing we know about Baldwin, real football or not: He can go up and get the ball. It's too bad his spectacular, one-handed catch in practice on Tuesday came during a period when the Chiefs required media video cameras to be shut down. Everyone deserves to see that grab. The only video that exists of the catch are from the Chiefs' own practice cameras, and good luck getting them to share that.

A spectacular catch or two or even a strong set of off-season practices won't mean Baldwin is the real thing. But it has to be encouraging for the Chiefs after his near-waste of a rookie season. The Chiefs have a long set of unresolved issues on offense as they plow through their off-season work and those at wide receiver are at or near the top of the list. Until Dwayne Bowe shows up, their margin for error at the receiver spots is basically non-existent. Without Bowe, they'll need the A-game of all of their wide outs and Baldwin in particular.

He's their most talented wide receiver, again excluding Bowe, even he even he's not a complete player. Baldwin may not be a great route runner but he has a skill _ that ability to win the jump ball _ that few receivers have. So it's mandatory for the Chiefs to find a way to use it. When the regular season begins, Brian Daboll needs to find some ways to get Baldwin matched up one-on-one and Matt Cassel needs to find a way to get Baldwin the ball.

Then his remarkable catches would be on video for all to see.

___ (c)2012 The Kansas City Star (Kansas City, Mo.) Visit The Kansas City Star (Kansas City, Mo.) at www.kansascity.com Distributed by MCT Information Services

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