River Falls, Wis. ? The theme for the Kansas City Chiefs in their first year under coach Todd Haley has been competition. Never give up in drills. Always try to be first in conditioning. Every job is open to whomever works the hardest.

It has been the perfect atmosphere for running back Jackie Battle.

The third-year running back has thrived in Haley’s never-let-down approach, giving himself a shot at making the 53-man roster, though he’s got little chance of knocking Larry Johnson out of the starter’s role.

“Jackie has put himself in a position to succeed, and I think it has shown here in these first few days,” Haley said. “If I had to point to anybody on the team as getting it, he’s somebody that I would definitely talk about.”

An undrafted free agent out of Houston, Battle has bounced around in his three years in the NFL.

He started off as a free agent with Dallas in 2007 before being released. He landed on Kansas City’s practice squad, was added to the roster in December, rushing 14 times for 47 yards and a touchdown in three games.

Battle played one game last season before being released and added to the practice squad. He was called up to the roster again in November, lasted one game before being released, then went back to the practice squad. A week later, he was on the roster again, finishing out the season on special teams.

After all those ups and downs, Battle finally feels like this is his chance.

“Todd said it was open this year, and he’s actually having his open competition,” Battle said. “He’s giving everybody a shot. All I could do is ask for a shot and I’m finally getting it.”

Versatility could help Battle.

At 6-foot-2, 238 pounds, Battle dropped weight over the offseason at the coaches’ request, entering training camp quicker and more agile. He’s had a solid camp — other than a recent fumble on a goal-line situation — and is the kind of back who could fill in at tailback or fullback.

And with so many question marks with the team’s receivers, the Chiefs could be relying heavily on the running game.

“It’s hard to find a guy of his size with his speed,” Haley said. “Again, I think he did everything he could to give himself a chance and now he’s working hard and doing some good things for us. And he should have some excellent special teams ability when you can get a big body who can run.”

Battle’s abilities on special teams seem to be his best shot at making the team. He played nine games there last season and probably won’t supplant Johnson and Jamaal Charles at the top of the depth chart.

But the way Battle sees it, being on the team, whether as the third-string tailback or special teams player, could give him the chance he’s been waiting for three years.

“As of right now I’m just trying to prove I can play special teams — I think that’s the best way to get on,” Battle said. “After that, I want to try to get some carries this year. I mean, I’m a running back — I want to carry the ball some.”