Wesley: ‘I'm not a backup safety' - Page 2

oaklandhater · 03-19-2005, 09:52 AM

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/11164367.htm

Wesley: ‘I'm not a backup safety'

By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star

Greg Wesley figured that as a five-year starting safety for the Chiefs, he was entitled to the benefit of a doubt.

Sure, last year wasn't Wesley's best, but he was bothered by injuries and, hey, it's not as if he was the only Chiefs defender who didn't play to expectations.

So it caught Wesley from the blind side last week when the Chiefs signed Miami free agent Sammy Knight and handed him Wesley's job as the starting strong safety.

The move leaves Wesley and another longtime starter, Jerome Woods, competing to be the free safety.

Having a few days to digest the news did little to curb Wesley's frustration.

“I can't see myself playing backup to anybody,” he said Thursday. “I'm not a backup safety. I've been a starter in this league for five years, and I'm not about to be a backup now.

“I don't have a problem with them bringing somebody else in. I'm happy they're bringing some guys in to help the defense. Everybody knows the defense needs to improve. After the year we had, I expected something like this to happen. I just didn't expect it to happen to me.”

Would Wesley ask for a trade or his release if Woods winds up winning the job?

“I'm not going to say yes or no,” Wesley said. “We'll have to wait and see what happens.”

Both Wesley and Woods were given new contracts last year that make a trade or a release impractical.

“We have a lot of confidence in Greg's ability,” said his agent, Drew Pittman. “The Chiefs obviously think highly of him because they gave him a new contract last year.”

Wesley's reaction is part of what the Chiefs were seeking when they signed Knight. They wanted to get the attention of both Woods and Wesley, players they view as part of the problem last year.

They particularly wanted to motivate Wesley. The Chiefs gave Wesley a new contract last year that paid bonuses totaling $5 million and believe he lost some of the fire that led them to give him the contract in the first place.

“That's ridiculous to me,” Wesley said. “They talk about last year, but they don't talk about the four years I put in to get to where I am. I earned that money. I didn't have the year I wanted to have last year. I was hampered by a hamstring and everything. But I still don't think I had as bad a year as people make it seem.”

The Chiefs don't begin organized offseason workouts until late March but are already impressed with Woods' efforts to regain what he lost last season. Woods hired a speed coach and trains with him at his offseason home in Memphis.

The Chiefs have had little contact with Wesley since last season ended and were unsure of his efforts.

“I know what I have to do,” Wesley said. “I've been working. I didn't hire a strength coach or a speed coach or anything. But I've been working on my own. I'm going to be there for the start of the offseason program so I can stay in shape.”

Valiant · 03-19-2005, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cochise

He's not. The rest of the crapsacks we have put out on _efense for the past several years make him look bad. If he ends up with another team with a decent defense he'll be regarded as a good safety again. He can't cover 50 square yards of field by himself all the time.

he could if he had hired that speed coach...

**Bwana** · 03-19-2005, 12:52 PM

Wesley = clown. Sorry Greg, the team doesn't owe you Jack chit. With a little less lip service and a lot more quality play, you may have a shot at making the team.

deadbabyseal · 03-19-2005, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cochise

He can't cover 50 square yards of field by himself all the time.

You're right, he can't cover a 10 x 5 yard section of field by himself.

Chiefaholic · 03-19-2005, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cochise

He's not. The rest of the crapsacks we have put out on _efense for the past several years make him look bad. If he ends up with another team with a decent defense he'll be regarded as a good safety again. He can't cover 50 square yards of field by himself all the time.

LOL... You do realize that his ass better be able to covering 50 square yards. Considering there's 2000 square yards in a regualtion football field, his ass BETTER be able to.

Chiefaholic · 03-19-2005, 01:10 PM

RE: Wesley

His ass better wise up and realize there's more to the NFL than suiting up and stepping on the field on Sunday. The offense has worked their ass off for three consecutive seasons, w/o an ounce of help from the defense. Last year he "got paid" to be one of the best safties in the game. Now it's time for him to EARN his money that was given to him.

Wallcrawler · 03-19-2005, 01:15 PM

I think Wesley is better than he played last season. He's had one bad year in the past 3. It happens to everyone, and when pretty much everyone on the entire defense is just letting plays be made on them, he ends up trying to overextend himself to help out one guy, and then the play is made with him out of position.

With help, Wesley will be better. The two seasons before he nabbed 6 picks in each of those two seasons. He might have gotten complacent a little, but the rest of the guys on D didnt give him a lot of help either.

The way he is conducting himself on this issue though, isnt very good. Noone in the league is entitled to anything.

We will really see what type of Safety he is when Training camp and Preseason is over with. Whether or not he will buckle his chinstrap and go to work, and try to get the FS job, or just go into the tank and pout about it.

Calcountry · 03-19-2005, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PHOG

After last year's performance..you're lucky you're still on a roster..dickweed..

I honestly don't think you(Wesley) are a starting safety anywhere else in the league after last years performance.

I mean, you sucked on the suckiest defense.

mikey23545 · 03-19-2005, 01:32 PM

Wesley: ‘I'm not a backup safety'...

I just play one on tv....

go bo · 03-19-2005, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikey23545

Wesley: ‘I'm not a backup safety'

I just play one on tv....

ain't it the truth, sad to say?

03-19-2005, 09:52 AM
oaklandhater future chiefs fans Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: oakland california Casino cash: $7528993	Wesley: ‘I'm not a backup safety' http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/11164367.htm Wesley: ‘I'm not a backup safety' By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star Greg Wesley figured that as a five-year starting safety for the Chiefs, he was entitled to the benefit of a doubt. Sure, last year wasn't Wesley's best, but he was bothered by injuries and, hey, it's not as if he was the only Chiefs defender who didn't play to expectations. So it caught Wesley from the blind side last week when the Chiefs signed Miami free agent Sammy Knight and handed him Wesley's job as the starting strong safety. The move leaves Wesley and another longtime starter, Jerome Woods, competing to be the free safety. Having a few days to digest the news did little to curb Wesley's frustration. “I can't see myself playing backup to anybody,” he said Thursday. “I'm not a backup safety. I've been a starter in this league for five years, and I'm not about to be a backup now. “I don't have a problem with them bringing somebody else in. I'm happy they're bringing some guys in to help the defense. Everybody knows the defense needs to improve. After the year we had, I expected something like this to happen. I just didn't expect it to happen to me.” Would Wesley ask for a trade or his release if Woods winds up winning the job? “I'm not going to say yes or no,” Wesley said. “We'll have to wait and see what happens.” Both Wesley and Woods were given new contracts last year that make a trade or a release impractical. “We have a lot of confidence in Greg's ability,” said his agent, Drew Pittman. “The Chiefs obviously think highly of him because they gave him a new contract last year.” Wesley's reaction is part of what the Chiefs were seeking when they signed Knight. They wanted to get the attention of both Woods and Wesley, players they view as part of the problem last year. They particularly wanted to motivate Wesley. The Chiefs gave Wesley a new contract last year that paid bonuses totaling $5 million and believe he lost some of the fire that led them to give him the contract in the first place. “That's ridiculous to me,” Wesley said. “They talk about last year, but they don't talk about the four years I put in to get to where I am. I earned that money. I didn't have the year I wanted to have last year. I was hampered by a hamstring and everything. But I still don't think I had as bad a year as people make it seem.” The Chiefs don't begin organized offseason workouts until late March but are already impressed with Woods' efforts to regain what he lost last season. Woods hired a speed coach and trains with him at his offseason home in Memphis. The Chiefs have had little contact with Wesley since last season ended and were unsure of his efforts. “I know what I have to do,” Wesley said. “I've been working. I didn't hire a strength coach or a speed coach or anything. But I've been working on my own. I'm going to be there for the start of the offseason program so I can stay in shape.”
Posts: 23,762

03-19-2005, 12:52 PM	#17
Bwana It's Five O'Clock Somewhere Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Billings, Montana Casino cash: $2139433647	Wesley = clown. Sorry Greg, the team doesn't owe you Jack chit. With a little less lip service and a lot more quality play, you may have a shot at making the team. __________________ Adventure is dangerous....but monotony can kill you.
Posts: 69,763

03-19-2005, 01:10 PM	#20
Chiefaholic Veteran Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $3191169	RE: Wesley His ass better wise up and realize there's more to the NFL than suiting up and stepping on the field on Sunday. The offense has worked their ass off for three consecutive seasons, w/o an ounce of help from the defense. Last year he "got paid" to be one of the best safties in the game. Now it's time for him to EARN his money that was given to him.
Posts: 4,639

03-19-2005, 01:15 PM	#21
Wallcrawler How tall is this thing? Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Ground 0 for enema of US. Casino cash: $4202912	I think Wesley is better than he played last season. He's had one bad year in the past 3. It happens to everyone, and when pretty much everyone on the entire defense is just letting plays be made on them, he ends up trying to overextend himself to help out one guy, and then the play is made with him out of position. With help, Wesley will be better. The two seasons before he nabbed 6 picks in each of those two seasons. He might have gotten complacent a little, but the rest of the guys on D didnt give him a lot of help either. The way he is conducting himself on this issue though, isnt very good. Noone in the league is entitled to anything. We will really see what type of Safety he is when Training camp and Preseason is over with. Whether or not he will buckle his chinstrap and go to work, and try to get the FS job, or just go into the tank and pout about it. __________________ She did not open her eyes this morning. I don't know what else to say.
Posts: 6,936

03-19-2005, 01:32 PM	#23
mikey23545 MVP Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $10015321	Wesley: ‘I'm not a backup safety'... I just play one on tv.... Last edited by mikey23545; 03-19-2005 at 01:41 PM..
Posts: 12,314