Holmes is expected back

[Angel]

Chiefs Notebook: Holmes is expected back
‘We’re counting him in,’ GM Peterson says
By ELIZABETH MERRILL
The Kansas City Star

Priest Holmes is working out in San Antonio, as he has for at least three offseasons, and the Chiefs said Thursday that they’re still operating as if he will play in 2006.

“As I said many other times specific to Priest Holmes,” Chiefs president/general manager Carl Peterson said, “I would not count him out. Right now, we’re counting him in.

“He’s making progress. If we had to start today, right now, the doctors would still not clear him for contact. But we don’t have to start today, and he’s going to be evaluated again later this spring.”

Holmes’ future has been iffy since he suffered a neck injury at midseason. His replacement — Larry Johnson — ran for nine straight 100-yard games and made the Pro Bowl. New coach Herm Edwards has given Johnson the starting job, but both Edwards and Peterson said Holmes would still play a significant role on an offense that ranked No. 1 in the NFL in 2005.

Edwards said he has talked to Holmes recently and he wouldn’t be surprised to see his veteran running back “darting in here shortly.”

“We had a good conversation,” Edwards said. “I would say probably after the draft or so I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in here.”

Peterson said that fans shouldn’t read anything into the fact that Holmes hasn’t been in Kansas City for offseason workouts. Other starters, including Tony Gonzalez, opt to train at home.

“He’s not required to be here,” Peterson said. “He hasn’t been here (the last three years) as well as some of our other starting players. I’d love to see our tall Spanish tight end, but he’d rather be in California, and I understand and respect that.”

■ NO BRAINER: The new regime is much more tight-lipped about its plans heading into the draft, and on several occasions Thursday, Edwards politely declined to speak about any individual players.

But he did momentarily rave about Texas quarterback Vince Young, probably because there is practically a zero chance the Chiefs would have a shot at him.

“Our owner, Lamar Hunt, he loves the guy,” Edwards said. “Lamar asked me about him one day and I said, ‘Lamar, if that guy drops to (No.) 20 he’s going to be a Chief.’ ”

Edwards was laughing, of course, when he said this. Young has long been expected to be one of the top four picks.


http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/football/nfl/kansas_city_chiefs/14391996.htm

 

[Rupert]

As far as I'm concerned you can have Vince.

I'll hate to see Holmes back and healthy for you guys. Before he went down last season I thought you had the rotation backwards (Priest getting more reps than Johnson). This season it will be exactly what I feared last year, more Johnson with a series here and there with a fresh Holmes. Deadly duo.

As a competitor, I hope the doctors never clear him to play, or he takes a solid hit in a game and starts thinking seriously about his future after the game and decides to walk away. Kind of like Rich Gannon walking away to keep his health. But that's probably wishful thinking.

Talk from Art Shell is about the Raiders needing more linebackers. Duh! Since we have to face the two-headed monster backfields from Denver and Kansas City and the single-headed monster of LT from San Diego, our backers will have to be well rested. And we won't be able to do that if we only have 3 we can trust.

 

[Angel]

As far as I'm concerned you can have Vince.

I'll hate to see Holmes back and healthy for you guys. Before he went down last season I thought you had the rotation backwards (Priest getting more reps than Johnson). This season it will be exactly what I feared last year, more Johnson with a series here and there with a fresh Holmes. Deadly duo.

As a competitor, I hope the doctors never clear him to play, or he takes a solid hit in a game and starts thinking seriously about his future after the game and decides to walk away. Kind of like Rich Gannon walking away to keep his health. But that's probably wishful thinking.

Talk from Art Shell is about the Raiders needing more linebackers. Duh! Since we have to face the two-headed monster backfields from Denver and Kansas City and the single-headed monster of LT from San Diego, our backers will have to be well rested. And we won't be able to do that if we only have 3 we can trust.

I'm sure most rival fans feel the same as you do.....as for me, I love Holmes and hope he is able to play.....if not, I wish him the best in life.....Would be great to see him and LJ in there tearing it up together though!!

I honestly hated to see Rich Gannon's career end the way it did, I loved him here in KC and even though the Raiders are our biggest rival, I still liked seeing him do so well there (except when we played the raiders).....I wish he could've enjoyed the game longer.

 

[Rupert]

I understand your feeling for Gannon. I kind of felt the same way for Marcus Allen. Even though he was in the twilight of his career, I thought his success should be a warning to Al Davis not to get into a pissing contest with your best players. I think that is part of the reason he didn't clash with Tim Brown, even though there were times I was fairly certain they weren't on the same page.

As far as Holmes goes, I like the explosive back from nowhere story. A guy who didn't explode until his second team. I just want him to realize that life away from football is better without further injury.

 

[Angel]

I understand your feeling for Gannon. I kind of felt the same way for Marcus Allen. Even though he was in the twilight of his career, I thought his success should be a warning to Al Davis not to get into a pissing contest with your best players. I think that is part of the reason he didn't clash with Tim Brown, even though there were times I was fairly certain they weren't on the same page.

As far as Holmes goes, I like the explosive back from nowhere story. A guy who didn't explode until his second team. I just want him to realize that life away from football is better without further injury.

Just an FYI....I loved Marcus Allen too....almost cried when he decided to retire.... I never thought we'd find another rb who could measure up, then there came Priest....Wonder if the Ravens ever regret choosing Jamal Lewis over him?

And yeah I know just why you want Holmes away from football!!