Teicher: Welbourn moving back to guard

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.”

Nightfyre · 03-29-2005, 04:02 AM

wait.... if maz is back....
Allen
Sims
Dalton
Hicks
Fujita
Maz
Bell
*Insert star CB here*
Warfield
Knight
Wesley

htismaqe · 03-29-2005, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nightfyre

wait.... if maz is back....
Allen
Sims
Dalton
Hicks
Fujita
Maz
Bell
*Insert star CB here*
Warfield
Knight
Wesley

No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No.

We've taken steps FORWARD this offseason. Why take another step BACK?!?!

Big Chief Homer · 03-29-2005, 06:43 AM

I cant believe they are counting on Maz again.Geez the guy hasnt played in a year and a half.

Thanks Maz but its time we went in another direction. Want to keep him in a back up role and special teams fine,but we need starters that can play. Not hope that they can play.

Chan93lx50 · 03-29-2005, 06:51 AM

I am sure Maz is not on Dicks list for Starting MLB this season.

Its not like Dick is going to say "Oh Maz that gimp he is getting better, but I have no place for him."

This is just Dick talking from his ass again.

Okay who is better Kawika or Maz(Healthy), Hmmmmmmmm

Gaz · 03-29-2005, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dick Vermeil

...“Will Shields hasn't told me 100 percent that he plans to return, though I think he will,” ...

Did this scare the crap out of anyone else?

xoxo~
Gaz
Heading home for a change of panties.

Coogs · 03-29-2005, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaz

Did this scare the crap out of anyone else?

xoxo~
Gaz
Heading home for a change of panties.

The team is getting old on offense. We have drafted young guys on defense. Time for some of them like Saivii and Fox to step in and make a contribution, so we can spend draft picks (trade down with Philly scenario?) to replace an aging offense. Roaf, Green, Richardson, Kennison, Morton, Collins, Holmes (we have LJ, but who beyond that), etc.

Sign Law. Keep the draft picks. Prepare for the future too.

Coogs - always wants to be competative. Super Bowl championship is just icing on the cake for me.

philfree · 03-29-2005, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coogs

The team is getting old on offense. We have drafted young guys on defense. Time for some of them like Saivii and Fox to step in and make a contribution, so we can spend draft picks (trade down with Philly scenario?) to replace an aging offense. Roaf, Green, Richardson, Kennison, Morton, Collins, Holmes (we have LJ, but who beyond that), etc.

Sign Law. Keep the draft picks. Prepare for the future too.

Coogs - always wants to be competative. Super Bowl championship is just icing on the cake for me.

Yeah we need to keep looking for O line players who can fill the voids that will be left when Roaf and Shields retire. We do have Waters who plays at pro bowl level so we won't be completely devoid of O line talent. We do have Gonzo and LJ so IMO we'll still be in a decent position when it comes time to rebuild the O. If Wilson turns out decent he's another. I also think that if we keep protecting Green the way we have he can play at the same level that he has for another 3 seasons. It's all about the O line.

PhilFree

jspchief · 03-29-2005, 07:32 AM

Quote:

“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.”

And all this time I thought it was about winning games....

I'm about maxed out on Vermeil-speak. Comments like that, when referencing player evaluation, are why we hang onto the bums we hang onto.

InChiefsHeaven · 03-29-2005, 07:35 AM

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.

C-Mac · 03-29-2005, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaz

Did this scare the crap out of anyone else?
xoxo~
Gaz
Heading home for a change of panties.

My heart did a little hickup too, but I think that if Will see's enough change in the defense and see's that the Chiefs can contend, I have no doubt he would come back this year, you know he really wants a ring. Maybe even for another year if their sucessfull and Vermeil comes back too.

TRR · 03-29-2005, 08:06 AM

That Welbourn trade is turning out to be one of the worst moves in recent memory. We traded our 3rd and 5th round pick for a backup guard that has a pretty decent sized contract.

I was all in favor of getting Welbourn on draft day, however the trade is looking pretty bad right now.

htismaqe · 03-29-2005, 08:11 AM

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.

Bullshit.

You can like real football players and not like Maz.

Maz may have a "real football player" attitude, but he doesn't have the talent.

**Fire Me Boy!** · 03-29-2005, 08:15 AM

“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.”

What about this little nugget. There'd be a revolution in KC if they benched Shields or Waters in favor of Welbourne.

C-Mac · 03-29-2005, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRR

That Welbourn trade is turning out to be one of the worst moves in recent memory. We traded our 3rd and 5th round pick for a backup guard that has a pretty decent sized contract.

I was all in favor of getting Welbourn on draft day, however the trade is looking pretty bad right now.

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.

03-29-2005, 02:17 AM
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $2012500	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.”
Posts: 54,919

03-29-2005, 04:02 AM	#2
Nightfyre MVP Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Helena, MT Casino cash: $3668849	wait.... if maz is back.... Allen Sims Dalton Hicks Fujita Maz Bell Insert star CB here Warfield Knight Wesley
Posts: 18,538

03-29-2005, 06:43 AM	#4
Big Chief Homer Veteran Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: offseason hell Casino cash: $10009985	I cant believe they are counting on Maz again.Geez the guy hasnt played in a year and a half. Thanks Maz but its time we went in another direction. Want to keep him in a back up role and special teams fine,but we need starters that can play. Not hope that they can play. __________________ “I’m at the prime of my career right now. I’m living life and doing the best I can do right now. We have a really good team on paper, we just have to get the chemistry down and put it all together. There’s no ceiling for Derrick Johnson.”
Posts: 1,638

03-29-2005, 06:51 AM	#5
Chan93lx50 Veteran Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Cedar Rapids, IA Casino cash: $10004900	I am sure Maz is not on Dicks list for Starting MLB this season. Its not like Dick is going to say "Oh Maz that gimp he is getting better, but I have no place for him." This is just Dick talking from his ass again. Okay who is better Kawika or Maz(Healthy), Hmmmmmmmm __________________
Posts: 1,847

03-29-2005, 07:35 AM	#10
InChiefsHeaven Rockin' yer FACE OFF! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Casino cash: $3904937	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. __________________ We have a million reasons for failure, but not one excuse... Die Donks, DIE!! Holy Crap fellas!!! We did it!!! THREE TIMES!!!
Posts: 25,716

03-29-2005, 08:06 AM	#12
TRR The Priest and I Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: CO Casino cash: $9870185	That Welbourn trade is turning out to be one of the worst moves in recent memory. We traded our 3rd and 5th round pick for a backup guard that has a pretty decent sized contract. I was all in favor of getting Welbourn on draft day, however the trade is looking pretty bad right now.
Posts: 7,260

03-29-2005, 08:15 AM	#14
Fire Me Boy! Cast Iron Jedi Join Date: Nov 2004 Casino cash: $9999900 VARSITY	“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.” What about this little nugget. There'd be a revolution in KC if they benched Shields or Waters in favor of Welbourne.
Posts: 35,253