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AirForceChief · 04-10-2005, 10:02 AM

Just in case this thread takes a bizzare turn back toward talk of football and Beisel (from yesterday's Topeka Cap-Jor):

Dean: Beisel could have plugged the leaks

By Rick Dean
The Capital-Journal
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Let's lift our morning cup of pick-me-up today to a guy who finally caught the break he deserved.

One can't help but feel good for Kansas State product Monty Beisel after he agreed to a two-year contract with the New England Patriots, champions in three of the last four Super Bowls.

If only we could feel that good about the team Beisel left behind, the linebacker-lacking Kansas City Chiefs.

In a classic one-step-forward, two-steps-back maneuver, the Chiefs' leaky defense may be in worse shape today than it was before the significant free-agent acquisition of Kendrell Bell, the impact middle linebacker who (if healthy) could patch a major hole in the KC middle.

But now, suddenly, there are two other holes with geyser potential to Bell's right and left. And with Beisel's departure, Kansas City lost its most capable plumber.
Breaking at the same time as news of Beisel's leaving is word that strong-side linebacker Scott Fujita has an ankle injury that could make his availability questionable.

Fujita, who just signed a one-year deal for the restricted free agent minimum of $656,000, underwent an arthroscopic procedure Friday to determine whether he would need more significant surgery on the ailing ankle that limited his mobility much of last season.

Keep in mind, too, that KC will open the season without Shawn Barber, the accomplished weak-side linebacker who missed eight games last year after tearing his ACL. His recovery took on water when a second operation was required. Barber won't be available until early in the season, at best.

The Chiefs might have handled these leaks better with Beisel aboard. Remember, he played all three linebacking positions in three seasons after the Chiefs gave up on making him an undersized NFL defensive end, the position he played at K-State.

It would be nice to report that Beisel was a jack of all trades at all three positions. In truth, he never really mastered any. The never-ending shifting left him quietly frustrated as he fought through the mental mush of learning new responsibilities.

We consequently never really saw -- apology in advance -- the full Monty in Kansas City.

That's why we're happy today that Beisel will get to focus on one position with New England. The Patriots face the unhappy prospect of playing without Teddy Bruschi, their splendid inside linebacker whose football future is in jeopardy after experiencing stroke-like symptoms. Beisel will get every chance to compete for Bruschi's spot if Bruschi can't play.

It's a better deal than he had in Kansas City -- which, we understand, was ready to match or even top New England's financial offer. With the Chiefs, however, Beisel knew he would always be a utility guy, a spot starter awaiting the return of Barber or Fujita. He deserved better, and now he's getting it.

Just when the Chiefs need a utility man more than ever.

04-10-2005, 10:02 AM	#106
AirForceChief Thread Killer Extraordinaire Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Monument, Co Casino cash: $10004930	Just in case this thread takes a bizzare turn back toward talk of football and Beisel (from yesterday's Topeka Cap-Jor): Dean: Beisel could have plugged the leaks By Rick Dean The Capital-Journal KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Let's lift our morning cup of pick-me-up today to a guy who finally caught the break he deserved. One can't help but feel good for Kansas State product Monty Beisel after he agreed to a two-year contract with the New England Patriots, champions in three of the last four Super Bowls. If only we could feel that good about the team Beisel left behind, the linebacker-lacking Kansas City Chiefs. In a classic one-step-forward, two-steps-back maneuver, the Chiefs' leaky defense may be in worse shape today than it was before the significant free-agent acquisition of Kendrell Bell, the impact middle linebacker who (if healthy) could patch a major hole in the KC middle. But now, suddenly, there are two other holes with geyser potential to Bell's right and left. And with Beisel's departure, Kansas City lost its most capable plumber. Breaking at the same time as news of Beisel's leaving is word that strong-side linebacker Scott Fujita has an ankle injury that could make his availability questionable. Fujita, who just signed a one-year deal for the restricted free agent minimum of $656,000, underwent an arthroscopic procedure Friday to determine whether he would need more significant surgery on the ailing ankle that limited his mobility much of last season. Keep in mind, too, that KC will open the season without Shawn Barber, the accomplished weak-side linebacker who missed eight games last year after tearing his ACL. His recovery took on water when a second operation was required. Barber won't be available until early in the season, at best. The Chiefs might have handled these leaks better with Beisel aboard. Remember, he played all three linebacking positions in three seasons after the Chiefs gave up on making him an undersized NFL defensive end, the position he played at K-State. It would be nice to report that Beisel was a jack of all trades at all three positions. In truth, he never really mastered any. The never-ending shifting left him quietly frustrated as he fought through the mental mush of learning new responsibilities. We consequently never really saw -- apology in advance -- the full Monty in Kansas City. That's why we're happy today that Beisel will get to focus on one position with New England. The Patriots face the unhappy prospect of playing without Teddy Bruschi, their splendid inside linebacker whose football future is in jeopardy after experiencing stroke-like symptoms. Beisel will get every chance to compete for Bruschi's spot if Bruschi can't play. It's a better deal than he had in Kansas City -- which, we understand, was ready to match or even top New England's financial offer. With the Chiefs, however, Beisel knew he would always be a utility guy, a spot starter awaiting the return of Barber or Fujita. He deserved better, and now he's getting it. Just when the Chiefs need a utility man more than ever. __________________ John Stuart Mill: "War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."
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