Chiefs spokesman: "Priest NOT retiring"
 

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/13123314.htm


Chiefs spokesman: Holmes is not retiring

By ELIZABETH MERRILL The Kansas City Star

As speculation continued to swirl about Priest Holmes’ future, the Chiefs said Wednesday that their career rushing leader has no plans to leave football because of a mystery injury that has taken him to three doctors.

“I would say this — Priest Holmes is not retiring,” Bob Moore, a team spokesman, said Wednesday morning. “That I do know.”

Moore said there was no news conference planned on Holmes’ status. The Star reported Sunday that Holmes, a three-time Pro Bowl running back, was seeing a spine specialist and could be sidelined for an extended period of time. On Tuesday, Holmes was in Miami to see another doctor, prompting speculation in Kansas City that the 32-year-old may end his football career.

Holmes has suffered two neurological injuries this season — he was involved in a helmet-to-helmet collision Oct. 30 at San Diego and suffered a shoulder injury in September at Oakland.

Coach Dick Vermeil waited until the late hours Tuesday night to hear word on Holmes’ status. Moore declined to comment early Wednesday on whether the Chiefs had spoken to Holmes.

The Chiefs were scheduled to practice Wednesday afternoon.

..........

But didn't someone say in another thread that the Chiefs called a press conference about him? And that they don't call press conferences to deny rumors?

Moore saying anything carries slightly more credibility than nick athan.

Why?

Happy to see him set LJ back even more? Priest goes about half a season every year, and gets hurt. He's not the same RB. He should spell LJ if we keep him. Priest would've been caught at about the 25 yardline last week. TJ can live happily...because Priest has finally lost his burst. I love what he did for the Chiefs, but he can't do anything now.

Go news on Priest for now.

LJ gets the rock against Bills.

Well LJ you asked for you got it.

Jack Harry, busted.

Well now I'm not sure what to think. It is Bob Moore, but that is a pretty definitive statement. Usually the Chiefs just make real cryptic statements that leave things open... if that's what he said, that was a pretty hard definitive no.

there is more to this story. It also says that they will not confirm if he will be ready to play the rest of the season.

No where in there does it say when he is expected to play. So basically this article is just rulling out that Priest won't retire this week, but still could be done playing football.

DV will do his usual after-practice Q&A with reporters, but I don't think there's anything going on besides that.

Bob Moore wouldn't lie too much. His job is to maintain the great image the Chiefs organizations has. If he ends up looking bad, the Chiefs end up looking bad.

hehe

Because we need a second running back if we are going to make legitimate run IMO. As I have stated in other threads, I agee it is time to turn over the main load to LJ, but we need a RB to spell him. We could not ask for anyone better than Holmes to do that if he is able IMO.

well thats it PH is done.

Who believes ANYTHING that comes outta the kc front office?

nah ... that statement leaves a gaping hole to sneak out of

Moore didn't say anything about Priest's health ... he said he wouldn't retire.

well you know what ... with his new contract the chiefs will prolly ask Holmes to not officially retire for the maximum amount of time allowed by the league to spare them the salary cap hit.



we still don't know anything about Holme's health

why? is KC gonna line one of them up at reciever or DB?

DV wouldn't do it, his ego wouldn't allow it. Unless Priest says, "I want LJ to start, and I spell him," there won't be no change. Priest will start when he comes back, or if he comes back.

If he's out for the year, it will be interesting to see what they do about RB.

I was referring to the story that Priest was going to retire today or tomorrow...

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5068124

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - A spokesman for the Kansas City Chiefs denied a report Wednesday that running back Priest Holmes may retire because of a spinal injury.

"We won't have anything until later today," said Bob Moore, the director of public relations. "I don't think it's career-ending."
Holmes, 32, a three-time Pro Bowler whose 66 touchdowns between 2002-2004 are an NFL record for any three-year span, was injured on a helmet-to-helmet hit against San Diego on Oct. 30.

He missed last week's game against Oakland and in the past two weeks has seen spinal-injury specialists in California and Florida. Speculation has been rampant that he would be out for an extended period, although the Chiefs have said they were hopeful he would soon return to the lineup.

KSHB reported Wednesday that doctors had found a lump on Holmes' spine and were concerned about possible paralysis should he take a direct hit. Citing a highly-placed source it didn't identify, the station said Holmes could announce his retirement as soon as Thursday.

Holmes' agent, Todd France, was traveling Wednesday and not immediately available. An employee of France's agency, who asked not to be named, disputed the report and said suggestions that Holmes was about to retire were inaccurate.

But no one was discounting the possibility Wednesday that the Chiefs' career rushing leader could be out an extended period, perhaps the rest of the year.

Injuries have caused Holmes to cut short two of his last three seasons. But he has shown flashes of his old self while rushing for 451 yards and six touchdowns on 119 carries. He also has 21 catches for 197 yards, including a 60-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown in a victory over Washington on Oct. 16.

If he is out for a long period, the Chiefs would turn to Holmes' backup, Larry Johnson, who has averaged 5.2 yards per carry, with 506 yards on 97 attempts. Johnson had two touchdowns in the 27-23 victory Sunday over Oakland, including a 1-yard vault on the final play of the game. He has frequently complained that he was not being given enough carries.

"I don't have any information," coach Dick Vermeil said Tuesday. "In fact, sometimes I get upset because I don't have more information. But the information and communication system is in the right hands."

When the three-time Pro Bowl running back is cleared to play again, it will be as the Chiefs' starter — even though Johnson has both of Kansas City's 100-yard rushing games this year.

For all that, though, Vermeil wants Holmes back as soon as possible — especially with the Chiefs (5-3) suiting up three backs against the Raiders. Two —Tony Richardson and Ronnie Cruz — are fullbacks.

Although the Chiefs could go with Johnson as their halfback again Sunday against Buffalo, Vermeil said, "I'm hoping that doesn't happen. We know how talented he is, but we know we need two good running backs."

Vermeil, who had been using Holmes in two of every three offensive rotations, left no doubt as to his preference for the veteran.

"If you want to base it on merit, you have to look at everything Priest Holmes has done," Vermeil said. "His numbers have been the best in the NFL."

:rolleyes:.........yea, actually I am...lost his burst, what games have you been watching......:harumph:

You can't be serious.

He spends more time on IR than David Boston. That's sad.

Dude, He only said he's not retiring, not that he's not through playing football. There could be settlement issues being worked on. Maybe Priest wants to see if it gets better in the off season, try a comeback. Who knows? But Moore is the publicity spinner for King Carl. He lacks credibility but he didn't deny anything but that priest isn't retiring. Well he's got a frigging loop hole to drive that lie through.

I'm not saying kill the guy and wash away his records and achievements with the KC. I'm just saying it's time that he's the backup, if he comes back this year, which is doubtful.

My a$$ Priest lost his burst. He has a more methodical way of running than LJ, he just doesnt pound it up the middle. Thats why it was great to have both, a change of pace.

Believe me, switching the backs on the defense helped LJ. Dont get me wrong, LJ is a great back, but it is joke to say Priest has lost his burst.

You make good points, but I would suggest that things have been headed that way lately. 1) Recently Priest told LJ to stay in. 2) The Health situation may dictate to Dick not to give Priest the primary load. I think DV does what he does for good reason, but should back off from it once in a while when it makes sense.

I would love to have them both, too, but he gets injured all the time. Older=more injuries, usually. He's not the same RB as he was in 03. 03 was his peak year, and he has fallen.

Oh, so now he's on IR? Talk about exaggerating the situation. I'm not saying that Priest should be the starter, but you go from "lost his burst" to having him on IR. Did you even watch the Redskins game?

02 was his peak year, IMO.

He wasn't the same after that hip injury.

Yep, I probably jumped the gun but am glad to have some good news on this. You are right, the other shoe may drop yet but I hope not.

I watched the Redskins game. I just think his time is done as starter. He'll break some now and then, but he's usually fighting the injury bug now. Dude is small, we can't forget that. He's built like a brick, but he's still a small guy and at 32 I doubt his body is recovering faster than 25-26.

I hope he doesn't go on IR. I hope he comes back this season, but I doubt it.

Man, all this time...if we only had a defense...

Seems like Priest's attitude has been really good about sharing with LJ, and even letting LJ stay in the game when it was not his turn. I think Priest loves this organization, and if he can play he will, but I can totally see him being comfortable with the back seat roll, spell LJ and be an influence on the team. Of course, if LJ has the season we would like him to have, it will also mean Priest needs a paycut so we can afford to keep LJ.

...that's if Priest is really injured and can't play for most of this season. It is too bad he has been injured so much, just think of what his numbers would be if not for the injuries...

It's really quite depressing. I try not to think about it too much.

I know, I keep coming back to that too...

I know this is cliche around here, but true...

It's Carl and DV's fault, for different and same reasons.

And in the DT/Smith/Hasty mid 90's era we wished we had an offense. We just can't seem to do both. The only constant throughout all this playoff win drought is King Carl. Does he get any blame?

See my previous post...

It's either that or last year. He was a total beast last year... carried this team on his back. He was darn near on pace for 1800 yards and 30 TD's. Seems like everybody forgot just how good he was last year though.

:shrug:

The bottomline is Priest has to be healthy enough to play. If he continues to get injured you can't expect him to be productive enough for him to keep his #1 RB status. He didn't play half the season last year, and it looks like he could not play a good part of the rest of the season. Given this you have to give #1 status to LJ. Priest has been awesome for us, but it's time to pass the baton. You can't be injury prone in the NFL and expect to keep your #1 status forever. It's time to make LJ our #1 and Priest #2.

Chiefs | Holmes Going to IR
Wed, 9 Nov 2005 12:08:43 -0800

Adam Schefter, of the NFL Network, reports the Kansas City Chiefs will place RB Priest Holmes (head, shoulder) on Injured Reserve.

810 says Priest will be put on IR as well.

I read posts on here saying that Priest still has burst. Sorry but Priest never had burst. He had burst at the point of attack shooting through the line but he can't run for distance. That was how he hurt his hip in the first place because he was chased from behind. Actuall the only time I saw him kick it in gear was against the Redskins this year. He was pumping! But honestly he wasn't moving that fast, not as fast as LJ. I say we move up McKenzie Smith. Has the same body style as Priest and he kicked arse in NFL Europe. He is a very talented and FAST RB.