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On reflection, Priest's career more complete
Web Posted: 07/09/2006 12:00 AM CDT
San Antonio Express-News
Priest Holmes doesn't talk to his old teammate much. But more and more these days, there are moments when Ricky Williams is on his mind.
A decade ago, who'd have thought they'd end up like this?
Back when they shared a backfield at Texas, there were plenty of people who figured one of them would end up having to prove himself in Canada while the other reaped the rewards of a record-setting NFL career. It's just that everyone had it backwards.
Holmes has been in a reflective mood lately, which can happen when you're dealing with a career-threatening neck injury. But even with his future uncertain, he smiles when he thinks about how things have changed.
"Ricky and me, we took different paths," Holmes said Saturday at All-Sports gym, where he was helping kids register for next week's Football Camp with the Pros. "And the paths we took weren't necessarily the ones people thought we'd take."
Now, Holmes wonders if those roads are about to diverge even further. While Williams — the enigmatic, underachieving former Heisman Trophy winner — attempts to rebuild his image and bounce back from a drug-related NFL suspension by playing in Canada, Holmes — the undrafted Marshall alum who made three Pro Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs — is facing the possibility of retirement.
Holmes, 32, said Saturday "everything is on hold" until doctors decide if his neck can withstand the rigors of a 10th NFL season. Although he appeared to be in good physical shape, he said he hasn't been able to work out and lift weights like he has in previous offseasons.
From most players, such an admission would spell the all-but-certain end of a career. But from Holmes, the man who battled back from three knee injuries and a gruesome hip displacement, it was just an acknowledgement that he once again has some work to do.
Sure, the Chiefs already have a viable alternative. Larry Johnson took over the starting job last year and has emerged as one of the league's most dangerous running backs. And unlike Williams, Holmes doesn't have much else to prove.
But he still doesn't see his neck injury — which he suffered when hit helmet-to-helmet by San Diego's Shawne Merriman in October — as a reason to quit.
"I know it sounds funny to say it, but I've had the luxury of being injured before," Holmes said. "Most people don't see that as a luxury. But at least I know what to expect."
Even so, this injury is different, and Holmes knows it. His California spinal specialist, Robert Watkins, has warned him about the long-term effects of re-injuring his neck. And although Holmes joked about Watkins' hidden motives for keeping him off the field — "he's a USC grad, and he lost a (Rose Bowl) bet" — he's taking the doctor's words seriously.
"It's not what it will do to me today," Holmes said of a possible recurrence of his neck problem. "It's what it will do when I'm 40 or 50."
Holmes said he wants to play another two or three years, but he said the decision on his future ultimately belongs to Watkins. If the doctor determines taking the field is too big of a risk, Holmes said he won't fight to play.
Holmes wouldn't be the first person in his family to end a career this year. His stepfather, Herman Morris, recently retired from Fort Sam Houston after serving in Iraq. Morris spends much of his time these days taking the grandchildren out on four-wheelers, and Holmes might be joining them soon.
And if he does end up spending this fall hurtling down dirt roads instead of over linebackers, Holmes said he'll be at peace with how his career ended. When he was rehabilitating from injuries earlier in his career, he said he was always trying to make a name for himself, or live up to a new contract, or fulfill fans' expectations. This summer, he said, that's not the case.
"I don't think anybody's going to feel like they got gypped," Holmes said. "I think I gave everybody their money's worth."
Somehow, it's difficult to imagine those words coming from Williams.
Different paths?
Holmes knows which one was better. Even if his is coming to an end.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/...SA070906.3C.COL.FBNfinger.holmes.134aa1e.html
Web Posted: 07/09/2006 12:00 AM CDT
San Antonio Express-News
Priest Holmes doesn't talk to his old teammate much. But more and more these days, there are moments when Ricky Williams is on his mind.
A decade ago, who'd have thought they'd end up like this?
Back when they shared a backfield at Texas, there were plenty of people who figured one of them would end up having to prove himself in Canada while the other reaped the rewards of a record-setting NFL career. It's just that everyone had it backwards.
Holmes has been in a reflective mood lately, which can happen when you're dealing with a career-threatening neck injury. But even with his future uncertain, he smiles when he thinks about how things have changed.
"Ricky and me, we took different paths," Holmes said Saturday at All-Sports gym, where he was helping kids register for next week's Football Camp with the Pros. "And the paths we took weren't necessarily the ones people thought we'd take."
Now, Holmes wonders if those roads are about to diverge even further. While Williams — the enigmatic, underachieving former Heisman Trophy winner — attempts to rebuild his image and bounce back from a drug-related NFL suspension by playing in Canada, Holmes — the undrafted Marshall alum who made three Pro Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs — is facing the possibility of retirement.
Holmes, 32, said Saturday "everything is on hold" until doctors decide if his neck can withstand the rigors of a 10th NFL season. Although he appeared to be in good physical shape, he said he hasn't been able to work out and lift weights like he has in previous offseasons.
From most players, such an admission would spell the all-but-certain end of a career. But from Holmes, the man who battled back from three knee injuries and a gruesome hip displacement, it was just an acknowledgement that he once again has some work to do.
Sure, the Chiefs already have a viable alternative. Larry Johnson took over the starting job last year and has emerged as one of the league's most dangerous running backs. And unlike Williams, Holmes doesn't have much else to prove.
But he still doesn't see his neck injury — which he suffered when hit helmet-to-helmet by San Diego's Shawne Merriman in October — as a reason to quit.
"I know it sounds funny to say it, but I've had the luxury of being injured before," Holmes said. "Most people don't see that as a luxury. But at least I know what to expect."
Even so, this injury is different, and Holmes knows it. His California spinal specialist, Robert Watkins, has warned him about the long-term effects of re-injuring his neck. And although Holmes joked about Watkins' hidden motives for keeping him off the field — "he's a USC grad, and he lost a (Rose Bowl) bet" — he's taking the doctor's words seriously.
"It's not what it will do to me today," Holmes said of a possible recurrence of his neck problem. "It's what it will do when I'm 40 or 50."
Holmes said he wants to play another two or three years, but he said the decision on his future ultimately belongs to Watkins. If the doctor determines taking the field is too big of a risk, Holmes said he won't fight to play.
Holmes wouldn't be the first person in his family to end a career this year. His stepfather, Herman Morris, recently retired from Fort Sam Houston after serving in Iraq. Morris spends much of his time these days taking the grandchildren out on four-wheelers, and Holmes might be joining them soon.
And if he does end up spending this fall hurtling down dirt roads instead of over linebackers, Holmes said he'll be at peace with how his career ended. When he was rehabilitating from injuries earlier in his career, he said he was always trying to make a name for himself, or live up to a new contract, or fulfill fans' expectations. This summer, he said, that's not the case.
"I don't think anybody's going to feel like they got gypped," Holmes said. "I think I gave everybody their money's worth."
Somehow, it's difficult to imagine those words coming from Williams.
Different paths?
Holmes knows which one was better. Even if his is coming to an end.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/...SA070906.3C.COL.FBNfinger.holmes.134aa1e.html