Teicher: Welbourn moving back to guard

tk13 · 03-29-2005, 02:17 AM

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/11253775.htm

Welbourn will be heading back to guard

By ADAM TEICHER

The Kansas City Star

The Chiefs traded with Philadelphia last year for John Welbourn hoping he could be a suitable replacement at right tackle for the departed John Tait.

The move was a gamble in the sense that Welbourn had been a guard for most of his NFL career. The position change didn't go as smoothly as the Chiefs hoped, and they will move Welbourn back to guard, where he will serve as a backup to starters Brian Waters and Will Shields.

“Will Shields hasn't told me 100 percent that he plans to return, though I think he will,” Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil said. “At the same time, John is just better equipped to play guard. Now, if it ends up that he's our best right tackle, he'll play right tackle.”

Shields and Willie Roaf, who would both begin their 13th seasons this fall, indicated late last season that they would be back for 2005.

The Chiefs have no shortage of candidates to be their new right tackle. Jordan Black, who started four games late last season, will probably get the first shot, but the Chiefs will also give a long look to Kevin Sampson.

Chris Bober could also wind up with the job, but the Chiefs appear more comfortable with him as the backup to Casey Wiegmann at center. All three players are athletic and fit the Chiefs' right-tackle mold better than Welbourn, who is more physical than the others.

The Chiefs sent this year's third-round pick to the Eagles for Welbourn. That pick otherwise could have been used to bridge the gap in trade talks between the Chiefs and Miami regarding cornerback Patrick Surtain.

The Dolphins are asking for the Chiefs' second-round pick, and the Chiefs have reportedly offered a fourth-rounder. The Chiefs recently gained a third-round compensatory pick from the NFL to cover Tait's loss in free-agency, but comp picks can't be traded.

Having the extra pick, however, could make the Chiefs more comfortable in trading their second-round choice.

Injury updates

The Chiefs have several players who ended last season on the injured-reserve list or are in various stages of rehabilitation. Here is a look at the progress of several key players:

• Tight end Tony Gonzalez had foot surgery after the end of the season, but the Chiefs expect him to be ready for their June minicamp.

• Halfback Priest Holmes should have no issues with the knee injury that cost him the last half of last season. He has told Vermeil he will continue to train at home in Texas rather than join the Chiefs for their offseason conditioning program, which started Monday.

“Priest Holmes has always done what he's said he was going to do and been ready when he said he was going to be ready,” Vermeil said. “He tells me he's doing fine, so as far as I'm concerned he's doing fine.”

Holmes may join the Chiefs when practices begin in May.

• Wide receiver Marc Boerigter, who missed all of last season because of a knee injury, should be ready by training camp — and perhaps in time for minicamp.

• The Chiefs expect linebacker Shawn Barber to begin training camp on the physically-unable-to-perform list.

• Vermeil was hopeful but not definitive about linebacker Mike Maslowski, who missed the last season and a half because of knee ailments.

“All reports are good,” Vermeil said. “He seems to be progressing nicely. But none of the medical people have said with definition when he'll be ready. Knowing Maslowski, you'd have to say he'll be ready for training camp.”

Offseason program

The Chiefs opened their offseason program with a team meeting and barbecue. The events provided a welcome break for Vermeil after a solid three months spent on player evaluation.

“Sometimes when the players aren't around, you lose sight of the business you're in,” he said. “It's all about helping them be what they have the ability to be.”

03-29-2005, 02:17 AM	Topic Starter
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $542500	Teicher: Welbourn moving back to guard http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/11253775.htm Welbourn will be heading back to guard By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star The Chiefs traded with Philadelphia last year for John Welbourn hoping he could be a suitable replacement at right tackle for the departed John Tait. The move was a gamble in the sense that Welbourn had been a guard for most of his NFL career. The position change didn't go as smoothly as the Chiefs hoped, and they will move Welbourn back to guard, where he will serve as a backup to starters Brian Waters and Will Shields. “Will Shields hasn't told me 100 percent that he plans to return, though I think he will,” Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil said. “At the same time, John is just better equipped to play guard. Now, if it ends up that he's our best right tackle, he'll play right tackle.” Shields and Willie Roaf, who would both begin their 13th seasons this fall, indicated late last season that they would be back for 2005. The Chiefs have no shortage of candidates to be their new right tackle. Jordan Black, who started four games late last season, will probably get the first shot, but the Chiefs will also give a long look to Kevin Sampson. Chris Bober could also wind up with the job, but the Chiefs appear more comfortable with him as the backup to Casey Wiegmann at center. All three players are athletic and fit the Chiefs' right-tackle mold better than Welbourn, who is more physical than the others. The Chiefs sent this year's third-round pick to the Eagles for Welbourn. That pick otherwise could have been used to bridge the gap in trade talks between the Chiefs and Miami regarding cornerback Patrick Surtain. The Dolphins are asking for the Chiefs' second-round pick, and the Chiefs have reportedly offered a fourth-rounder. The Chiefs recently gained a third-round compensatory pick from the NFL to cover Tait's loss in free-agency, but comp picks can't be traded. Having the extra pick, however, could make the Chiefs more comfortable in trading their second-round choice. Injury updates The Chiefs have several players who ended last season on the injured-reserve list or are in various stages of rehabilitation. Here is a look at the progress of several key players: • Tight end Tony Gonzalez had foot surgery after the end of the season, but the Chiefs expect him to be ready for their June minicamp. • Halfback Priest Holmes should have no issues with the knee injury that cost him the last half of last season. He has told Vermeil he will continue to train at home in Texas rather than join the Chiefs for their offseason conditioning program, which started Monday. “Priest Holmes has always done what he's said he was going to do and been ready when he said he was going to be ready,” Vermeil said. “He tells me he's doing fine, so as far as I'm concerned he's doing fine.” Holmes may join the Chiefs when practices begin in May. • Wide receiver Marc Boerigter, who missed all of last season because of a knee injury, should be ready by training camp — and perhaps in time for minicamp. • The Chiefs expect linebacker Shawn Barber to begin training camp on the physically-unable-to-perform list. • Vermeil was hopeful but not definitive about linebacker Mike Maslowski, who missed the last season and a half because of knee ailments. “All reports are good,” Vermeil said. “He seems to be progressing nicely. But none of the medical people have said with definition when he'll be ready. Knowing Maslowski, you'd have to say he'll be ready for training camp.” Offseason program The Chiefs opened their offseason program with a team meeting and barbecue. The events provided a welcome break for Vermeil after a solid three months spent on player evaluation. “Sometimes when the players aren't around, you lose sight of the business you're in,” he said. “It's all about helping them be what they have the ability to be.”
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