Teicher: No quick decision on Shields' future

tk13 · 03-31-2005, 02:06 AM

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/11271515.htm

No snap decision on Shields' future

By ADAM TEICHER

The Kansas City Star

As he tries to decide whether to return to the Chiefs for a 13th season or retire, guard Will Shields has plenty of factors pulling him in either direction.

Shields is still playing well, as last year's selection to a 10th straight Pro Bowl shows. Since he won't turn 34 until September, Shields is relatively young. He hasn't missed a game since joining the NFL with the Chiefs in 1993 — and that streak of 192 games means more to Shields than he lets on publicly.

But what else does Shields have left to prove? The only thing, perhaps, is that he can be a part of a championship team. The Chiefs haven't won a playoff game since Shields' rookie season, and that prospect for this year doesn't look promising in light of their 2004 record of 7-9.

That's enough to give Shields some pause.

“We all have those crossroads in our lives,” said Shields' agent, Joe Linta. “That's where he is with all of this right now. He's asking the question: Do I really want to push this one more year? He's having that discussion with his family.”

• BEISEL VISITS WITH STEELERS: Linebacker Monty Beisel, an unrestricted free agent, had his first meeting with another team Wednesday. Beisel was in Pittsburgh visiting with the Steelers. He has a visit scheduled next week with the Green Bay Packers.

The Chiefs would miss Beisel's versatility if he signs elsewhere. He played all three linebacker positions at various stages last season and started nine games as an injury replacement for Kawika Mitchell and Shawn Barber. The Chiefs also valued Beisel for his ability as a special-teams player.

• WILLIAMS SIGNS WITH RAMS: Defensive end Jay Williams, a recent free-agent visitor to Arrowhead Stadium, signed instead with St. Louis. The Chiefs had been looking at Williams to be part of their rotation at defensive end, but his versatility also would have helped.

Williams, who played for Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil while with the Rams earlier in his career, can also play defensive tackle.

03-31-2005, 02:06 AM	Topic Starter
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1882500	Teicher: No quick decision on Shields' future http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/11271515.htm No snap decision on Shields' future By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star As he tries to decide whether to return to the Chiefs for a 13th season or retire, guard Will Shields has plenty of factors pulling him in either direction. Shields is still playing well, as last year's selection to a 10th straight Pro Bowl shows. Since he won't turn 34 until September, Shields is relatively young. He hasn't missed a game since joining the NFL with the Chiefs in 1993 — and that streak of 192 games means more to Shields than he lets on publicly. But what else does Shields have left to prove? The only thing, perhaps, is that he can be a part of a championship team. The Chiefs haven't won a playoff game since Shields' rookie season, and that prospect for this year doesn't look promising in light of their 2004 record of 7-9. That's enough to give Shields some pause. “We all have those crossroads in our lives,” said Shields' agent, Joe Linta. “That's where he is with all of this right now. He's asking the question: Do I really want to push this one more year? He's having that discussion with his family.” • BEISEL VISITS WITH STEELERS: Linebacker Monty Beisel, an unrestricted free agent, had his first meeting with another team Wednesday. Beisel was in Pittsburgh visiting with the Steelers. He has a visit scheduled next week with the Green Bay Packers. The Chiefs would miss Beisel's versatility if he signs elsewhere. He played all three linebacker positions at various stages last season and started nine games as an injury replacement for Kawika Mitchell and Shawn Barber. The Chiefs also valued Beisel for his ability as a special-teams player. • WILLIAMS SIGNS WITH RAMS: Defensive end Jay Williams, a recent free-agent visitor to Arrowhead Stadium, signed instead with St. Louis. The Chiefs had been looking at Williams to be part of their rotation at defensive end, but his versatility also would have helped. Williams, who played for Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil while with the Rams earlier in his career, can also play defensive tackle.
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