Chiefs pleased with running backs

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The battles-within-the-battle are most intriguing in NFL practice games.

From that perspective, Kansas City's 26-16 exhibition victory over the Minnesota Vikings Saturday night proved a good night for Doug Chapman and Derrick Blaylock.

Chapman, the four-year veteran competing with rookie Onterrio Smith to be Minnesota's featured running back, had 34 yards on six carries, averaging 5.7 yards. Smith had four carries and netted two yards, including a 1-yard touchdown plunge.

Blaylock clearly bested first-round draft choice Larry Johnson in the fight to back up Priest Holmes in the Chiefs' backfield. Carrying six times, Blaylock showed good quickness while picking up 48 yards. He had one 17-yard gain going around the corner in the second quarter.

Johnson picked up 26 yards on nine carries.

"Chapman ran hard and really showed his toughness in there and averaged almost six yards a carry," said Minnesota coach Mike Tice. "I thought that was outstanding."

While Blaylock had the advantage of running behind the first-team offensive line, he also had the disadvantage of facing the Vikings' No. 1 defense.

"I thought Derrick Blaylock came in and showed some flashes, which was nice," Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil said. "Larry Johnson showed a flash or two, which was good. He's got to grow."

The Chiefs, who led the NFL in scoring last year but had failed to reach the end zone in two exhibition games, finally ended that drought. Trent Green connected with Marc Boerigter on a 59-yard touchdown pass play in the second quarter. Then backup quarterback Todd Collins, who also had a good game, threw a 12-yard touchdown pass through an apparently confused Minnesota secondary in the second half.

Green was 7-of-13 for 152 yards. Collins hit 8-of-13 for 139 yards.

"I felt good," Collins said. "At the end of the first half we went into a two-minute drill and that was my first time to work with the first unit. This is my third year in the system. I do feel more comfortable. I think it's natural coming up through the system watching Trent and letting the coaches coach me."