Holmes May Consider Retirement - Page 3

jspchief · 02-28-2006, 09:11 AM

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/f...t.d627130.html

Holmes may consider retirement

Web Posted: 02/28/2006 12:00 AM CST

Tom Orsborn
San Antonio Express-News While family and friends say they are unsure whether Kansas City Chiefs running back Priest Holmes will retire, they acknowledge his actions of late aren't in keeping with what he usually does to prepare for the season.

"He hasn't been carrying on as if he was going to play," Holmes' stepfather, Herman Morris, said. "Normally, he would be in the gym working out and have a routine going on. Right now, he seems to be laid back and relaxed and not wanting to think about it."

Holmes' NFL career, one of the greatest forged by a San Antonian, was jeopardized by a helmet-to-helmet collision Oct.30 in San Diego. Diagnosed with head and neck trauma, Holmes' season ended 10 days later when the Chiefs placed him on injured reserve.

Since then, the former Marshall High standout and University of Texas alumnus has undergone several examinations to determine if he is neurologically fit to play a ninth NFL season. Last week, he met with physician Robert Watkins, a Los Angeles-based spine surgeon.

A spokesperson for Holmes' agent, Todd France, said Monday that France and the Chiefs are awaiting a report from Watkins.

Holmes could not be reached for comment. Morris said he's been getting "mixed signals" from Holmes regarding his future.

"It has been difficult for him," Morris said of Holmes. "He still has the desire to play. But he wants to weigh all of his options and make sure the final decision he makes is the final decision."

Holmes, who graduated from Marshall in 1992, signed a four-year extension with the Chiefs before the 2003 season. The deal could pay him as much as $28million through the 2009 season. Terms included $8.5million in signing bonuses.

Holmes, 32, is a three-time Pro Bowler who has rushed for 1,000 yards or more four times. He ranks first in Chiefs history with 5,933 rushing yards, and the 66 touchdowns he scored from 2002-04 are a league record for a three-year period.

But injuries forced him to miss 17 games the past two seasons. Chiefs coach Herm Edwards already has named fourth-year player Larry Johnson the starter next season, an expected move considering Johnson, 25, rushed for 1,750 yards and 20 TDs last season.

Morris said Holmes and Johnson enjoy a warm relationship.

"(Holmes) made the comment he was really happy, in a way, that he didn't have to think about preparing for games and stuff as a starting running back," Morris said. "He was happy for Larry that he stepped up and did an outstanding job."

Edwards said Holmes indicated last month he is prepared to continue playing.

"It seemed like he wanted to come back," the Kansas City Star quoted Edwards as saying. "Hopefully, he's going to be cleared, and hopefully, he wants to come back."

Holmes typically spends February working out in San Antonio in preparation for grueling conditioning sessions with personal trainer Bremond "Bay Bay" McClinton.

"He always did his own thing before he came to me in March or April," McClinton said. "He always told me he would rather go get his body and mind right before he sees me because my workouts are so intense."

But instead of lifting weights and running sprints, Holmes has spent much of the offseason "taking care of other priorities," Morris said.

"He's spending a lot of time with his four kids," Morris said.

htismaqe · 02-28-2006, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

It doesn't improve our cap situation. It hurts it.

The pro-rated portion of his signing bonus would not count against our cap if he was forced to pay it back...

RedThat · 02-28-2006, 12:09 PM

Got this from KFFL:

Chiefs | Holmes pondering retirement?
Tue, 28 Feb 2006 10:03:30 -0800

ESPNews reports Kansas City Chiefs RB Priest Holmes (neck) is reportedly considering retirement.

jspchief · 02-28-2006, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

The pro-rated portion of his signing bonus would not count against our cap if he was forced to pay it back...

I know not every player that has retired has had to pay back their signing bonus. What determines whether a team will (or legally can) attempt to recover the SB of a retiring player?

htismaqe · 02-28-2006, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

I know not every player that has retired has had to pay back their signing bonus. What determines whether a team will (or legally can) attempt to recover the SB of a retiring player?

I'm not really sure how it works in every case. It might be specific to each individual contract.

I know this happened with Barry Sanders.

In this instance it boils down to injury status. If Priest says he can't play because he's injured, even though the team doctor's say he can, they're gonna ask for money back.

sedated · 02-28-2006, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedBull

Got this from KFFL:

Chiefs | Holmes pondering retirement?
Tue, 28 Feb 2006 10:03:30 -0800

ESPNews reports Kansas City Chiefs RB Priest Holmes (neck) is reportedly considering retirement.

we've landed on the moon!

jspchief · 02-28-2006, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

I'm not really sure how it works in every case. It might be specific to each individual contract.

I know this happened with Barry Sanders.

In this instance it boils down to injury status. If Priest says he can't play because he's injured, even though the team doctor's say he can, they're gonna ask for money back.

What if Preist just retires though, without the excuse of injury? We don't know that he's going to use the injury as an excuse.

He's an aging back that has battled injury over the past few years and is now being relegated to a backup status that took him years to break out from. For him to just say "enough is enough" seems plausible.

I just don't know how we can be sure that he will be forced to pay back his signing bonus.

02-28-2006, 09:11 AM
jspchief BAMF Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Your Face Casino cash: $9998710	Holmes May Consider Retirement http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/f...t.d627130.html Holmes may consider retirement Web Posted: 02/28/2006 12:00 AM CST Tom Orsborn San Antonio Express-News While family and friends say they are unsure whether Kansas City Chiefs running back Priest Holmes will retire, they acknowledge his actions of late aren't in keeping with what he usually does to prepare for the season. "He hasn't been carrying on as if he was going to play," Holmes' stepfather, Herman Morris, said. "Normally, he would be in the gym working out and have a routine going on. Right now, he seems to be laid back and relaxed and not wanting to think about it." Holmes' NFL career, one of the greatest forged by a San Antonian, was jeopardized by a helmet-to-helmet collision Oct.30 in San Diego. Diagnosed with head and neck trauma, Holmes' season ended 10 days later when the Chiefs placed him on injured reserve. Since then, the former Marshall High standout and University of Texas alumnus has undergone several examinations to determine if he is neurologically fit to play a ninth NFL season. Last week, he met with physician Robert Watkins, a Los Angeles-based spine surgeon. A spokesperson for Holmes' agent, Todd France, said Monday that France and the Chiefs are awaiting a report from Watkins. Holmes could not be reached for comment. Morris said he's been getting "mixed signals" from Holmes regarding his future. "It has been difficult for him," Morris said of Holmes. "He still has the desire to play. But he wants to weigh all of his options and make sure the final decision he makes is the final decision." Holmes, who graduated from Marshall in 1992, signed a four-year extension with the Chiefs before the 2003 season. The deal could pay him as much as $28million through the 2009 season. Terms included $8.5million in signing bonuses. Holmes, 32, is a three-time Pro Bowler who has rushed for 1,000 yards or more four times. He ranks first in Chiefs history with 5,933 rushing yards, and the 66 touchdowns he scored from 2002-04 are a league record for a three-year period. But injuries forced him to miss 17 games the past two seasons. Chiefs coach Herm Edwards already has named fourth-year player Larry Johnson the starter next season, an expected move considering Johnson, 25, rushed for 1,750 yards and 20 TDs last season. Morris said Holmes and Johnson enjoy a warm relationship. "(Holmes) made the comment he was really happy, in a way, that he didn't have to think about preparing for games and stuff as a starting running back," Morris said. "He was happy for Larry that he stepped up and did an outstanding job." Edwards said Holmes indicated last month he is prepared to continue playing. "It seemed like he wanted to come back," the Kansas City Star quoted Edwards as saying. "Hopefully, he's going to be cleared, and hopefully, he wants to come back." Holmes typically spends February working out in San Antonio in preparation for grueling conditioning sessions with personal trainer Bremond "Bay Bay" McClinton. "He always did his own thing before he came to me in March or April," McClinton said. "He always told me he would rather go get his body and mind right before he sees me because my workouts are so intense." But instead of lifting weights and running sprints, Holmes has spent much of the offseason "taking care of other priorities," Morris said. "He's spending a lot of time with his four kids," Morris said.
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02-28-2006, 12:09 PM	#32
RedThat Banned Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Earth Casino cash: $10004900	Got this from KFFL: Chiefs \| Holmes pondering retirement? Tue, 28 Feb 2006 10:03:30 -0800 ESPNews reports Kansas City Chiefs RB Priest Holmes (neck) is reportedly considering retirement.
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