Teicher: Welbourn moving back to guard - Page 7

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.”

melbar · 03-29-2005, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InChiefsHell

Boy, if Maz was able to come back it'd be a miracle. A year and a half out of the game, he's not some young pup either, and I believe he was more of a motivator than a dominating MLB. Still, if you don't like Maz, you don't like real football players. It'd make a great story if he were able to come back and contribute this year, but I just don't have any real hope in that happening.

Ya, Maz is great.
Remember how we promoted him to starter and the next year he was doing everything he could to bolt to another team... ya , that guys great...

**Rausch** · 03-29-2005, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melbar

No doubt ! Wheres our offer of a second for Collins?

Don't even think about it...

DaWolf · 03-30-2005, 02:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rufusmaqe

Wait to see if the Dolphins' asking price comes down. If it doesn't, give them the second. But if it does and we can get him for less, it's worth waiting.

This might wind up being similar to the Trent Green deal, where the Chiefs didn't want to give up the 1st rounder, but the Rams wouldn't budge, and in the end we got it done on the eve of the draft with us getting Green, a 5th, and Horne in return for the 1st rounder...

Big Chief Homer · 03-30-2005, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melbar

No doubt ! Wheres our offer of a second for Collins?

For a Qb who only throws 8 yard outs.We deserve a more than a just a second.

Frankie · 03-30-2005, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melbar

No doubt ! Wheres our offer of a second for Collins?

I have defended CP against the onslaught of sometimes unfair charges ("He'll automatically waste the 2nd rder!"). I have also ragged on him on some of his frustrating decisions (The Dan Williams fiasco or cap suffocating long term contract renewals of undeserving players). Your post above, albeit toungue in cheek, reminds me of one of my pet peeves against him. While some GMs seem to get something for their trash, Peterson just dumps players and gets NO VALUE. It's as if he doesn't have the patience or the creativity to use the said players in some sort of a trade scenario. Be it individual or package deals.

C-Mac · 03-30-2005, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigChiefFan

So basically we gave up a 3rd and 5th rounder for a BACK-UP.

Originally Posted by C-Mac
People forget(like Laz) that we got our 3rd back, so basically we got him for a 5th, but it is a crap shoot. Lew Bush and Carlton Gray still own the "one of the worst moves in recent memory" category.
Welbourn is a dang good respected guard that had played tackle also, ProBowl candidate with the Eagles. The Chiefs had a void when Tait left, so I too was glad he was traded for and I still think he will still be positive part of the Chiefs O-line. Maybe next year if Shields retires you wont feel as though those picks were a waste on Welbourn.

Quote:

Originally Posted by melbar

We didnt get our 3rd back, we would have had 2 third round picks if we hadnt made a mistake on Welbourn.

..and we wouldnt have Welbourn.
Most every one here supported this deal at first and breathed a sigh of relief knowing the void John Tate left. You know this compensatory pick was in the back of the minds of the management when they made the deal. Admit it or not, we basically gave up a 5th for him(peanuts), and if he would have converted better to tackle, none of this bashing would be going on. I'm anxious to see what value Welbourn truly becomes and what this "didnt get our 3rd back" compensatory pick becomes, I expect some of us here will be dining at Black Bird cafe.

keg in kc · 03-30-2005, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vlad Logicslav

Wait for what? Carl to waste another 2nd round pick like he has done all but 2 times in his tenure here.

I don't subscribe to a defeatist attitude. If I followed that kind of "logic," then I would not be here now and I would not watch any games next season, since my history with the team indicates that we only have a 28.5% chance of finishing with a record above .500.

And if the front office showed for an iota of a second that they thought like that, I'd dump this team faster than the day after Taco Bell.

03-29-2005, 02:17 AM
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1512500	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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