Teicher: Welbourn moving back to guard - Page 4

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.”

Brock · 03-29-2005, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

We traded a 3rd and a 5th for a guard.

Lovely.

A guard who will be sitting on the bench a lot.

**The Bad Guy** · 03-29-2005, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InChiefsHell

Well, agree to disagree. I think injury is more his problem. He's one of the few players I can recall noticing when he was just a special teams guy...I remember thinking "Damn, look at that hit...who the hell is #57??"

He has talent. No, maybe not pro-bowl talent, but he has talent. Better than most of the slugs on our current D. That may not be saying much, but I just don't understand how somebody could not like Maz...

...just me I guess...

Yep, it's just you. You have been brainwashed by Maz's attitude rather than physical skills.

He's nothing more than a rah-rah guy. If this was the defense of the 90s, Maz wouldn't have even made the roster.

People hoping Maz returns and plays are like a 5-year old hoping for a pony under the christmas tree.

keg in kc · 03-29-2005, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock Landers

A guard who will be sitting on the bench a lot.

We may need a stronger bench.

**The Bad Guy** · 03-29-2005, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock Landers

A guard who will be sitting on the bench a lot.

Our brilliant personel department deserves the praise for that.

It's just our brilliant talent evaluators. We give up 2 picks for a guard and then try to switch him to a position he has never played in the NFL.

But we won't trade a 2 for a 3-time Pro Bowl CB when we have a HUGE hole there.

It's truly mind-numbing.

keg in kc · 03-29-2005, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

Our brilliant personel department deserves the praise for that.

It's just our brilliant talent evaluators. We give up 2 picks for a guard and then try to switch him to a position he has never played in the NFL.

But we won't trade a 2 for a 3-time Pro Bowl CB when we have a HUGE hole there.

It's truly mind-numbing.

Now there I disagree. They're separate issues. Welbourn's turned out bad, but I wouldn't trade a 2 for Surtain right now, either; I think the right move is to wait.

TRR · 03-29-2005, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

Our brilliant personel department deserves the praise for that.

It's just our brilliant talent evaluators. We give up 2 picks for a guard and then try to switch him to a position he has never played in the NFL.

But we won't trade a 2 for a 3-time Pro Bowl CB when we have a HUGE hole there.

It's truly mind-numbing.

He played Tackle early in his career. He has switched back and forth. His knee injury really has limited his range IMHO. He was never known for being a mobile guy before the injury.

Hoover · 03-29-2005, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRR

He played Tackle early in his career. He has switched back and forth. His knee injury really has limited his range IMHO. He was never known for being a mobile guy before the injury.

Also the Chiefs have a good history with Olinemen, so it was bust, it happens. I wish it didn't.

**The Bad Guy** · 03-29-2005, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRR

He played Tackle early in his career. He has switched back and forth. His knee injury really has limited his range IMHO. He was never known for being a mobile guy before the injury.

And he couldn't cut it there when the Eagles had very little on their O-line.

InChiefsHeaven · 03-29-2005, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

Yep, it's just you. You have been brainwashed by Maz's attitude rather than physical skills.

He's nothing more than a rah-rah guy. If this was the defense of the 90s, Maz wouldn't have even made the roster.

People hoping Maz returns and plays are like a 5-year old hoping for a pony under the christmas tree.

Well, make no mistake. I'm only hoping that if he does return, that he doesn't fall on his face and look like total crap. I think he needs to hang it up to be sure, but I don't hate the guy. You're right, I'm still one of those fools who wants some players he can like who are also talented. Sorry, I think Maz was one of those. I said he was not pro-bowl material, but he was solid enough to play and was not an embarassment.

**The Bad Guy** · 03-29-2005, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

Now there I disagree. They're separate issues. Welbourn's turned out bad, but I wouldn't trade a 2 for Surtain right now, either; I think the right move is to wait.

I'm sick of waiting for a stud CB. The waiting game sure didn't help us in 2001 when we shelled over a 1 for Green. I'm not knocking that trade, but we waited on that one too and the compensation never came down.

I just don't think the Dolphins are dying to get rid of Surtain, thus meaning they aren't going to come down on their stance.

I think the right move is to get a deal done before someone else does. We are dead last in the NFL, and frankly I don't think we can afford to wait on getting a top-flight player.

If the Dolphins had a stud in waiting, then maybe I could see your point at corner. But they don't.

TRR · 03-29-2005, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

And he couldn't cut it there when the Eagles had very little on their O-line.

What do you mean he couldn't cut it?? He was a solid starter, and the only reason he isn't in Philly is because Reid guaranteed him a new contract, and then balked on the deal....leading to Welbourn ripping Reid and the organization on local radio shows.

JW is a better guard, however he can/had play(ed) both. Everyone knew that coming in.

andoman · 03-29-2005, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InChiefsHell

Your'e right, Shannon Sharpe was probably the suckiest TE to ever play the game. Maz should hang his head for getting beaten by such a peice of shit...

I thought that was Cadrez that got burned by Sharpe

Coach · 03-29-2005, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoover

Also the Chiefs have a good history with Olinemen, so it was bust, it happens. I wish it didn't.

Heh, I wouldn't quite say that just yet. This is his first year in the KC offense, meaning new scheme to learn, in contrast in Philly, where he has been there for some time.

Also that the knee was a concern at the time when we acquired him. Now that shouldn't be an issue anymore. I expect him to be at TC at 100%.

Now I'm not sure how long his contract is, but from ESPN in 2004 NFL Draft, it says,

Quote:

Welbourn told the Eagles last month that he wanted to renegotiate the seven-year, $13 million deal he signed in 2001

So if I do my work right, and correct me here if I am mistaken, that he has 3 years left on his contract. So he could make a good insurance policy whenever Shields decides to call it quits within the next year or two, which should mean that we shouldn't draft a guard in the NFL Draft (except day 2, I'm sure the Chiefs will probably do sometime)

I guess I'd just have to wait and see how it pans out in the 2005 season
before making any decisions about that.

**The Bad Guy** · 03-29-2005, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRR

What do you mean he couldn't cut it?? He was a solid starter, and the only reason he isn't in Philly is because Reid guaranteed him a new contract, and then balked on the deal....leading to Welbourn ripping Reid and the organization on local radio shows.

JW is a better guard, however he can/had play(ed) both. Everyone knew that coming in.

He couldn't cut it at tackle.

TRR · 03-29-2005, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

He couldn't cut it at tackle.

Not true. He played both in Philly, and pretty well. Like I said, he was always seen better at guard, however he looked good at RT in Philly (before the knee injury).

He was always thrust into a tackle spot when an injury occured. Then he would move back to RG when the injured player came back.

He said after the trade that he liked playing tackle as much/if not more than guard.

03-29-2005, 02:17 AM
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1462500	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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