GRETZ: Battle Gone; More to Come

Coogs · 08-11-2006, 08:10 AM

I know everyone knows Battle is toast, Just thought I would post the article in a new thread.

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GRETZ: Battle Gone; More to Come
Aug 11, 2006, 7:57:03 AM by Bob Gretz - FAQ

RIVER FALLS, WI – It will not go down as one of the more earth-shaking personnel moves in recent Chiefs history.

But the decision to release cornerback Julian Battle on Friday certainly caught the attention of his once fellow teammates.

And there will be more “surprises” in the coming days and weeks as Herm Edwards begins to pull out the weeds in the Chiefs roster.

“Just not good enough,” was Edwards’ reply when asked why Battle was released. “We did it now so he would have a better opportunity of catching on somewhere else.”

A spot was needed with the signing of quarterback Jeff Smoker, but there were others on the roster that could have been sent packing at this time. The decision to waive Battle was done to send the message that Edwards has stressed from Day One in Kansas City: he doesn’t want the players to feel too comfortable about their status.

Battle was one of those players who felt very comfortable. The Chiefs attempted to trade him on Friday. Actually, it’s the second time in the last few weeks they floated his name on the NFL grapevine hoping for a nibble. When they signed veteran cornerback Ty Law the week that training camp starters, Battle expressed his displeasure and asked to be traded.

They found no takers then, and none this week, so he was released.

The fact that Battle actually thought he was tradable was a symptom of his biggest problem: he thinks he’s good enough. Yet, the fourth-year pro has done nothing during his time with the Chiefs to show he could be a contributing player to the defense. His season last year was wiped out by an Achilles’ tendon injury in mini-camp. But he rehabbed and was at 100 percent through the off-season program and during two weeks of training camp.

Battle’s biggest problem was his lack of consistency. There have been times since he joined the Chiefs when he showed flashes of ability. Physically, he might be as gifted a cornerback as Dale Carter.

But the times when he displayed that ability were few and far between. He could not carry it from one play to another. Even in practice, he would handle coverage well on one play, then he would come back on the next play and completely forget about what he learned just 30 seconds earlier. Plus, he’s prone to penalties. Last Friday night in the practice against the Minnesota Vikings, on his first play of one-on-one pass coverage, he was flagged for holding by the NFL game officials who were working the affair.

Edwards isn’t going to put up with that type of inconsistency. That’s one of the major reasons that cornerback Eric Warfield was sent packing in the off-season. This defense is built on a foundation of strong, consistent fundamentals. Battle never figured that out.

His release is another defensive draft failure for the Chiefs. Battle was a third-round pick in 2003, a first-day choice and he joins recent first-day busts like DT Eric Downing (3rd-round, 2001), DT Eddie Freeman (2nd-round, 2002) and DT Junior Siavii (2nd-round, 2004), who remains missing in action in this training camp and could be the next weed pulled from the roster.

When Dick Vermeil was the head coach, his approach to player evaluation could be characterized as: we’ve seen you perform at least once, so we believe you have the ability to do it again and we’ll work with you to make that happen.

Edwards attitude is: do it once, then show me you can do it again, and again, and again, and then I’ll believe you can play.

Julian Battle never came close to achieving that performance level.

The opinions offered in this column do not necessarily reflect those of the Kansas City Chiefs.

shaneo69 · 08-11-2006, 08:14 AM

It was all Vermiel's fault.

Eleazar · 08-11-2006, 08:16 AM

I kind of can see Battle's perspective, since he lost all of last season to injury and probably felt like when Law was brought in, he lost his chance to earn a spot in the lineup. I'm sure he'll get another chance somewhere.

Frazod · 08-11-2006, 08:16 AM

So apparently, if you suck, Edwards will shitcan you. A refreshing change of pace from the last idiot who called the shots.

**BigRedChief** · 08-11-2006, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

So apparently, if you suck, Edwards will shitcan you. A refreshing change of pace from the last idiot who called the shots.

Now if Bartee gets cut the cycle will be complete.

**Bwana** · 08-11-2006, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

So apparently, if you suck, Edwards will shitcan you. A refreshing change of pace from the last idiot who called the shots.

Which is why Junior Siavii and Eric Hicks can't be resting all that well at night. Siavii naver has brought jack to the table and Hicks has been missing in action for years.

Hammock Parties · 08-11-2006, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

So apparently, if you suck, Edwards will shitcan you. A refreshing change of pace from the last idiot who called the shots.

Herm sucks. Just listen to the Jets fans.

**Lzen** · 08-11-2006, 08:30 AM

We already know Hicks has lost his starting spot. That is nice. He's a backup where he should've been the past few years.

Too bad about Battle, but I understand Herm's reasoning. Sounds good to me. There's a new sheriff in town.

Messier · 08-11-2006, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaneo69

It was all Vermiel's fault.

Most of it was.

shaneo69 · 08-11-2006, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

So apparently, if you suck, Edwards will shitcan you. A refreshing change of pace from the last idiot who called the shots.

Don't get me wrong. I totally blame Vermiel for hanging on to these chumps for so long.

But for Gretz to blame Vermiel for all the draft failures is typical Carl/Gretz.

MOhillbilly · 08-11-2006, 08:38 AM

dale carter? dale carter was a hundred dollar bill athlete w/ a 2 c head.

whats the guys name that got cut again?

chop · 08-11-2006, 08:43 AM

Come on guys, eventually Edwards is going to form bonds with certain players and it's going to be hard for him to release them when it's time. If they have performed for him in the past, he'll probably give them the benefit of the doubt when their skills start to fade. This is a new coach that has no bonds with the Chiefs current players so he's going to make the choices to get rid of some easier than Vermeil would have been able to do it.

hawkchief · 08-11-2006, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Messier

Most of it was.

Funny how King Carl takes credit for the few good picks, and blame for all the busts fall on Vermeil. Every draft day, Carl is on TV touting the picks, but when they tank, he's nowhere to be seen and has his puppet Gretz hang it on the ex-coach.

ck_IN · 08-11-2006, 08:45 AM

I totally blame Vermiel for hanging on to these chumps for so long.

But for Gretz to blame Vermiel for all the draft failures is typical Carl/Gretz

As a rule CP gives his coaches the players they ask for. If we got Battle I've no doubt it was because DV in his infinite genious wanted Battle.

Just another of the typical picks from Dicks magical mystery draft.

**dirk digler** · 08-11-2006, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

So apparently, if you suck, Edwards will shitcan you. A refreshing change of pace from the last idiot who called the shots.

I like it

08-11-2006, 08:10 AM
Coogs In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Northern Kansas Casino cash: $1334349	GRETZ: Battle Gone; More to Come I know everyone knows Battle is toast, Just thought I would post the article in a new thread. _____________________________________________________________ GRETZ: Battle Gone; More to Come Aug 11, 2006, 7:57:03 AM by Bob Gretz - FAQ RIVER FALLS, WI – It will not go down as one of the more earth-shaking personnel moves in recent Chiefs history. But the decision to release cornerback Julian Battle on Friday certainly caught the attention of his once fellow teammates. And there will be more “surprises” in the coming days and weeks as Herm Edwards begins to pull out the weeds in the Chiefs roster. “Just not good enough,” was Edwards’ reply when asked why Battle was released. “We did it now so he would have a better opportunity of catching on somewhere else.” A spot was needed with the signing of quarterback Jeff Smoker, but there were others on the roster that could have been sent packing at this time. The decision to waive Battle was done to send the message that Edwards has stressed from Day One in Kansas City: he doesn’t want the players to feel too comfortable about their status. Battle was one of those players who felt very comfortable. The Chiefs attempted to trade him on Friday. Actually, it’s the second time in the last few weeks they floated his name on the NFL grapevine hoping for a nibble. When they signed veteran cornerback Ty Law the week that training camp starters, Battle expressed his displeasure and asked to be traded. They found no takers then, and none this week, so he was released. The fact that Battle actually thought he was tradable was a symptom of his biggest problem: he thinks he’s good enough. Yet, the fourth-year pro has done nothing during his time with the Chiefs to show he could be a contributing player to the defense. His season last year was wiped out by an Achilles’ tendon injury in mini-camp. But he rehabbed and was at 100 percent through the off-season program and during two weeks of training camp. Battle’s biggest problem was his lack of consistency. There have been times since he joined the Chiefs when he showed flashes of ability. Physically, he might be as gifted a cornerback as Dale Carter. But the times when he displayed that ability were few and far between. He could not carry it from one play to another. Even in practice, he would handle coverage well on one play, then he would come back on the next play and completely forget about what he learned just 30 seconds earlier. Plus, he’s prone to penalties. Last Friday night in the practice against the Minnesota Vikings, on his first play of one-on-one pass coverage, he was flagged for holding by the NFL game officials who were working the affair. Edwards isn’t going to put up with that type of inconsistency. That’s one of the major reasons that cornerback Eric Warfield was sent packing in the off-season. This defense is built on a foundation of strong, consistent fundamentals. Battle never figured that out. His release is another defensive draft failure for the Chiefs. Battle was a third-round pick in 2003, a first-day choice and he joins recent first-day busts like DT Eric Downing (3rd-round, 2001), DT Eddie Freeman (2nd-round, 2002) and DT Junior Siavii (2nd-round, 2004), who remains missing in action in this training camp and could be the next weed pulled from the roster. When Dick Vermeil was the head coach, his approach to player evaluation could be characterized as: we’ve seen you perform at least once, so we believe you have the ability to do it again and we’ll work with you to make that happen. Edwards attitude is: do it once, then show me you can do it again, and again, and again, and then I’ll believe you can play. Julian Battle never came close to achieving that performance level. The opinions offered in this column do not necessarily reflect those of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Posts: 21,634

08-11-2006, 08:14 AM	#2
shaneo69 Smug Weasel Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Bleachers at Busch Casino cash: $10004900	It was all Vermiel's fault. __________________ "I like Chiefs president Carl Peterson. I respect his business savvy. I envy his management skills and his penchant never to be driven by the whims of popularity. I admire his willingness to take responsibility for decisions that don’t work out the way he would have wanted." - Rufus, from KCChiefs.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Posts: 4,910

08-11-2006, 08:16 AM	#3
Eleazar Beyond the Rapids Join Date: May 2003 Location: Langley, VA Casino cash: $-370000	I kind of can see Battle's perspective, since he lost all of last season to injury and probably felt like when Law was brought in, he lost his chance to earn a spot in the lineup. I'm sure he'll get another chance somewhere.
Posts: 80,659

08-11-2006, 08:16 AM	#4
Frazod WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $2855085	So apparently, if you suck, Edwards will shitcan you. A refreshing change of pace from the last idiot who called the shots.
Posts: 119,529

08-11-2006, 08:30 AM	#8
Lzen Supporter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Jan Quadrant Vincent 16 Casino cash: $2040692	We already know Hicks has lost his starting spot. That is nice. He's a backup where he should've been the past few years. Too bad about Battle, but I understand Herm's reasoning. Sounds good to me. There's a new sheriff in town. __________________ If at first you don't succeed ...skydiving is not for you.
Posts: 41,431

08-11-2006, 08:38 AM	#11
MOhillbilly Mama Tried Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Missouri Casino cash: $9949903	dale carter? dale carter was a hundred dollar bill athlete w/ a 2 c head. whats the guys name that got cut again? __________________ True Son of Liberty
Posts: 23,371

08-11-2006, 08:43 AM	#12
chop Go Chiefs! Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Michigan Casino cash: $2664270	Come on guys, eventually Edwards is going to form bonds with certain players and it's going to be hard for him to release them when it's time. If they have performed for him in the past, he'll probably give them the benefit of the doubt when their skills start to fade. This is a new coach that has no bonds with the Chiefs current players so he's going to make the choices to get rid of some easier than Vermeil would have been able to do it. __________________ Never be satisfied with what you achieve, because it all pales in comparison with what you are capable of doing in the future.
Posts: 2,946

08-11-2006, 08:45 AM	#14
ck_IN Feels so good. Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $10004900	I totally blame Vermiel for hanging on to these chumps for so long. But for Gretz to blame Vermiel for all the draft failures is typical Carl/Gretz As a rule CP gives his coaches the players they ask for. If we got Battle I've no doubt it was because DV in his infinite genious wanted Battle. Just another of the typical picks from Dicks magical mystery draft. __________________ As sweet as Tupelo Honey
Posts: 2,718