Dean: Holmes just right for Chiefs - Page 2

keg in kc · 07-29-2001, 03:19 PM

[b]Holmes just right for Chiefs[/b]

[i]Running back brings a different look to Kansas City's backfield[/i]

By Rick Dean
[url=http://chiefszone.com/stories/072901/foo_holmes.shtml]The Capital-Journal[/url]

RIVER FALLS, Wis. -- Priest Holmes can appreciate the almost heavenly irony of the situation.

Judged not big enough to play for Baltimore coach Brian Billick, who was trying to bulk up his Ravens offense, Holmes was exactly the right-sized running back for the new Kansas City Chiefs, who are trying to slim down and hurry up their attack.

"I never thought it was a reflection on my ability," Holmes said of losing his job in Baltimore to Jamal Lewis, the 5-foot-11, 231-pound rookie who rushed for 1,578 yards last year in the Ravens' Super Bowl campaign.

"Billick's background (as offensive coordinator with Minnesota) was with tall, big receivers like Randy Moss and Cris Carter, and big running backs," Holmes added. "It was just a matter of time before he got the running back he wanted in there."

The Chiefs, under new head coach Dick Vermeil, also wanted a new look in the backfield.

After a decade of employing big backs in a power-oriented running game, Vermeil wanted a smaller runner who could turn the corner, catch the ball on the perimeter, pass protect when necessary and still run inside effectively when asked to do so.

He wanted Marshall Faulk, the 5-11, 211-pound All-Pro running back he had during St. Louis' 1999 Super Bowl campaign. But as the Rams haven't lost their collective minds, Vermeil turned instead to the suddenly available Holmes.

At 5-9, 213 pounds, the former Texas back is markedly smaller than the banger backs employed during the physically dominating tenure of Marty Schottenheimer.

That might have been a problem in 1995 were Holmes asked to run between the tackles 20 times a game. But in 2001, things have changed.

Today, when the Chiefs talk about their featured back getting 20 touches a game, they most likely mean 13 carries and seven receptions. Total yards from scrimmage, a combination of rushing and receiving yards, is the new barometer of a runner's worth.

Indianapolis' Edgerrin James, for example, was the NFL's rushing leader last year with 1,709 yards on an average of 24 runs a game. James also added 594 receiving yards on four catches a game for 2,303 yards from scrimmage.

Faulk, in contrast, ranked only eighth in rushing (1,359 yards on 15 carries a game). But with 830 receiving yards added in, his total yards count reached 2,189, putting him No. 2 behind only James.

It's as a combination runner/receiver that the Chiefs think Holmes can be most effective.

In 1998, before a knee injury the following year set him back, Holmes rushed for 1,008 yards (averaging 14.5 carries a game) and added 260 receiving yards. That's 1,268 total yards, a figure the Chiefs believe will increase when Holmes gets more touches.

"We hope to be able to do a lot of different things with the people we have," noted offensive coordinator Al Saunders. "We hope we have some guys who can be effective ball carriers after they make a catch or are handed the football. (Holmes) can be one of those guys. We think he can be a very, very dominant player for us."

At times, Holmes will line up in a two-back set alongside fullback Tony Richardson. On other occasions, he might shift out and become a slot receiver, hoping to create a mismatch with a linebacker he can outrun.

"In the NFL, if you can get a running back working one-on-one against a linebacker in open space, you've got an advantage," Holmes noted. "That has to affect a defense. They don't know if they're about to get hit by a big guy (Richardson) or passed up by a smaller, quicker guy (himself)."

That explains why Holmes likes the idea of sharing backfield duty with Richardson, a more typically sized Chiefs back at 233 pounds.

"Tony is a guy with size who will make a defense worry about who's in our backfield," Holmes said. "I might be in there or I might be lined up in the slot and Tony will be running the ball. Or he might be catching the ball. Either way, we'll have both the size and the speed to compete.

"I'm excited about the opportunities," Holmes added. "On days when I'm down and not getting it done, we've got someone else who can carry the load. (Richardson) knows the system, he's hungry, he's ready to shine. You have to know we've got two guys you have to reckon with."

Abba-Dabba · 07-30-2001, 01:10 AM

Let me add Maturity to that list as well

**Rausch** · 02-17-2003, 02:33 AM

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by NaptownChief [/i]
[B]not that I don't want Blaylock to excel, I just don't won't to add Holmes to the long list of wasted cap on bad free agent moves... [/B][/QUOTE]

:D

Chiefs Pantalones · 02-17-2003, 02:41 AM

It seems everyones got a case of Hepa[B]TITUS[/B].:D

07-29-2001, 03:19 PM
keg in kc oxymoron Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: OP/KC/Whatever Casino cash: $9556299	Dean: Holmes just right for Chiefs [b]Holmes just right for Chiefs[/b] [i]Running back brings a different look to Kansas City's backfield[/i] By Rick Dean [url=http://chiefszone.com/stories/072901/foo_holmes.shtml]The Capital-Journal[/url] RIVER FALLS, Wis. -- Priest Holmes can appreciate the almost heavenly irony of the situation. Judged not big enough to play for Baltimore coach Brian Billick, who was trying to bulk up his Ravens offense, Holmes was exactly the right-sized running back for the new Kansas City Chiefs, who are trying to slim down and hurry up their attack. "I never thought it was a reflection on my ability," Holmes said of losing his job in Baltimore to Jamal Lewis, the 5-foot-11, 231-pound rookie who rushed for 1,578 yards last year in the Ravens' Super Bowl campaign. "Billick's background (as offensive coordinator with Minnesota) was with tall, big receivers like Randy Moss and Cris Carter, and big running backs," Holmes added. "It was just a matter of time before he got the running back he wanted in there." The Chiefs, under new head coach Dick Vermeil, also wanted a new look in the backfield. After a decade of employing big backs in a power-oriented running game, Vermeil wanted a smaller runner who could turn the corner, catch the ball on the perimeter, pass protect when necessary and still run inside effectively when asked to do so. He wanted Marshall Faulk, the 5-11, 211-pound All-Pro running back he had during St. Louis' 1999 Super Bowl campaign. But as the Rams haven't lost their collective minds, Vermeil turned instead to the suddenly available Holmes. At 5-9, 213 pounds, the former Texas back is markedly smaller than the banger backs employed during the physically dominating tenure of Marty Schottenheimer. That might have been a problem in 1995 were Holmes asked to run between the tackles 20 times a game. But in 2001, things have changed. Today, when the Chiefs talk about their featured back getting 20 touches a game, they most likely mean 13 carries and seven receptions. Total yards from scrimmage, a combination of rushing and receiving yards, is the new barometer of a runner's worth. Indianapolis' Edgerrin James, for example, was the NFL's rushing leader last year with 1,709 yards on an average of 24 runs a game. James also added 594 receiving yards on four catches a game for 2,303 yards from scrimmage. Faulk, in contrast, ranked only eighth in rushing (1,359 yards on 15 carries a game). But with 830 receiving yards added in, his total yards count reached 2,189, putting him No. 2 behind only James. It's as a combination runner/receiver that the Chiefs think Holmes can be most effective. In 1998, before a knee injury the following year set him back, Holmes rushed for 1,008 yards (averaging 14.5 carries a game) and added 260 receiving yards. That's 1,268 total yards, a figure the Chiefs believe will increase when Holmes gets more touches. "We hope to be able to do a lot of different things with the people we have," noted offensive coordinator Al Saunders. "We hope we have some guys who can be effective ball carriers after they make a catch or are handed the football. (Holmes) can be one of those guys. We think he can be a very, very dominant player for us." At times, Holmes will line up in a two-back set alongside fullback Tony Richardson. On other occasions, he might shift out and become a slot receiver, hoping to create a mismatch with a linebacker he can outrun. "In the NFL, if you can get a running back working one-on-one against a linebacker in open space, you've got an advantage," Holmes noted. "That has to affect a defense. They don't know if they're about to get hit by a big guy (Richardson) or passed up by a smaller, quicker guy (himself)." That explains why Holmes likes the idea of sharing backfield duty with Richardson, a more typically sized Chiefs back at 233 pounds. "Tony is a guy with size who will make a defense worry about who's in our backfield," Holmes said. "I might be in there or I might be lined up in the slot and Tony will be running the ball. Or he might be catching the ball. Either way, we'll have both the size and the speed to compete. "I'm excited about the opportunities," Holmes added. "On days when I'm down and not getting it done, we've got someone else who can carry the load. (Richardson) knows the system, he's hungry, he's ready to shine. You have to know we've got two guys you have to reckon with."
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07-30-2001, 01:10 AM	#16
Abba-Dabba MVP Join Date: May 2001 Casino cash: $3582970	Let me add Maturity to that list as well
Posts: 18,278

02-17-2003, 02:41 AM	#18
Chiefs Pantalones GO CHIEFS!!!!!! Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $6878717	It seems everyones got a case of Hepa[B]TITUS[/B].:D __________________ Don't be fooled by my username, I'm white.
Posts: 26,653