I miss me some Will Shields
 

He still looks like he should have the No. 68 plastered across his chest, even if he says he's not close to playing shape.


Calm and equipped with a sharp, but dry sense of humor, former Kansas City Chief lineman Will Shields raised his voice Saturday morning just a little so his target could hear him.

"I might be able to trip Grant (Wistrom) if he came off the line with my left foot, but that's about it," Shields joked at a press conference about his fellow Nebraska alumnus and former NFL defensive end.

But seeing Shields inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday in glasses and slacks, rather than a helmet and shoulder pads, not only reminds Chiefs fans of the winning ways of the 1990s and early 2000s, but just how far away those days feel.

Shields is 37 now, two seasons removed from 12 straight Pro Bowls and 230 consecutive games played, second only to Brett Favre's current streak of 291.

And since he retired after the 2006 season, the Chiefs have stumbled with a 6-26 record and fired head coach Herm Edwards, and long-time general manager Carl Peterson resigned. The duo were replaced with GM Scott Pioli and head coach Todd Haley.

Shields, who still lives in Kansas City, said he thinks the Chiefs figured it out.

"I think the Chiefs are going in the right direction," Shields said. "Not saying that (Edwards) was a bad coach or (Peterson) was a bad GM. They went with rebuilding and rebuilt through players, rather than rebuilding through the company.

"That makes a big difference."

Shields sounds like a guy who's looking big picture. Renowned for his charity work throughout the Kansas City area, including winning the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2003, the former third-round pick in 1993 has shifted his focus from keeping his quarterback's shirt clean to molding players for the next level.

Through his two 68's Inside Sports Fitness and Training Facilities in the KC area, Shields is starting to build a reputation for producing balanced football players.

While 68's still offers recreational opportunities, and workout facilities for the general public, Shields finds himself working more with high school football players, to get them ready for college, or to prepare college players for the NFL.

He wants to be the middleman.

"When (colleges or pro teams) get them in, they recruit them for their system," Shields said. "They don't prepare them beyond that. They're interested in wins and losses. I'm not.

"I want them to be the most balanced player they can be."

And he's getting serious about it.

The tone of his voice raises slightly when mentioning breaking down tape of current NFL and college systems, trying to learn the schemes. It also picks up when talk of trying to install controlled aggression in younger, more amiable players.

He said he's working with a few regional NFL hopefuls, preparing them for the combine and other pro days.

"With the loss of NFL Europe and Arena League, where can you take a kid who ran the spread and help him with power mush ball? Especially when he's already 340 pounds and he hasn't had his hand in the ground in 3 years," Shields said. "We can teach them the basics."

Plus, the training helps keep him just enough in the game, not from trying to be an NFL coach or trying to stage an on-the-field comeback.

He said he doesn't want to build any sort of training empire, but he likes it right where he is, whether it's knocking heads and pads with future NFL hopefuls or 7- and 8-year old kids at the facilities.

"I get enough football in a day. It keeps me going," Shields said.

http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs...=2009902080351

Now if he doesn't get into the HOF on the first ballot, I'll be really pissed.

Awesome guy.

He has to be in. That's a lot harder for an offensive lineman to do than a ****ing QB. QB's are pussies. Those O-Lineman have bad knees.

Cool

A stud's stud.

One of my favorite players of all times. And one of the best Chiefs ever. I think he would make a great coach.

FAX

That actually isn't true if you look at most of the longest game streaks and players who played the longest there are alot of linemen on there.

I'll be completely stunned if Shields goes in first ballot just because he's a guard that never won a bowl.

There once was an OG named Willie
Who kicked ass from Frisco to Philly
His name we extol
'Cause he opened holes
Bigger than Redrum's mom's lily

FAX

It's sad that it's gotten to the point where I see Mecca has the last response, I click to read this thread and I already know he's gonna be the guy at the end saying Shields isn't a first ballot HOF'er, haha.

Well it's unfortunate but that's the NFL HOF, they reward good players on great teams more than great players on bad teams, never winning a bowl is penalized and they hate certain positions.

Normally, this would be true. But if Will's presenter brings the video of Shields pwning Ray Lewis....he'll be a first ballot. :)

Who had more impact on the Chiefs - DT or Will Shields? Everyone would say DT and you saw how long he had to wait.

You can't say Will Shields is a slam dunk first-ballot HOFer. Realistically he probably won't be given his position and the Chiefs post season futility.

Roaf has a better chance at FBHOF, IMO. He got a lot more accolades during the DV era.

It will be a travesty, but I'd be willing to bet that neither Shields nor Gonzo are first-ballot guys.

Evidence A for why the NFL HOF is a bit of a joke.

Gonzo will be first ballot.

After what happened with Sharpe who retired with all the records and 3 rings...if Gonzalez retires without ever winning a playoff game I have doubts about it.

I don't think playoff success matters quite so much for a TE. Sharpe just isn't as perceived as a dominant player the way Tony is. Tony changed the way the position is played and he has all the records. I think Gonzalez is the one TE the committee won't snub.

Agreed. Right is right no matter what color jersey the man wore.

Right.

Forget SB's. We're talking about a player without a playoff victory.

It's not right, but this will factor into the decision of a lot of voters.

Yep, it's very predictable.

Yea knowing how the HOF committee works sucks I guess....what do you want me to do lie about it?

Do you have any opinions, or do you just reveal fact?

Mecca and DeezNutz are correct. Their concerns could hurt Shields' and Gonzo's chances for first ballot.

I'd be pissed, but I don't get a vote.

People don't want to look at things rationally.

You were criticizing the Chiefs with this post, weren't you?

Kill yourself.

It's the internet buddy, it's understood that I'm presenting an opinion.

I still think Gonzo will get in first ballot, though it is by no means certain. I think Shields will get in eventually, but first ballot is highly unlikely.

You don't say.

I'm not your buddy, pal.

It's all the same my friend.

Bruce Matthews was a first ballot HOF'er just a year or two ago, and he didn't win anything either. It depends who you're up against sometimes. I don't know who would be in Shields HOF class. There's nothing "irrational" about it.

You must not know how the HOF committee works.

Can someone help this guy with a response?

I thought that I was culturally challenged.

Come on. You can joke all you want, but there far more evidence to the contrary.

DT in year 5. Sharpe and Carter (again) this year. The selection process is a ****ing joke.

ROFL

Chill out.

I'm not your pal, guy?

Two words: Randy Gradishar.

I understand that. But I think Shields has a 50/50 shot to get in first ballot.

(THAT'S IT! Help Basileus777 along, eh?)

I'm not your guy, homey.

I'm not your homey, friend.

Yep.

Yeah, depending on the class, I could see 50/50 as being realistic. But I think it will be about the same odds for Gonzo, and both guys should be forget-about-it locks.

I think Gonzo has a better shot than Shields. Depends on how badly he smashes the record book though.

A guy who sets the all-time record for a position in nearly all categories?

Tough call, it really is if he's first ballot or not. The chances aren't as ugly as some posters like to think it is. All time receiving yards, TDs, catches for a TE? That's pretty big shit.

Also, Barry Sanders was a first ballot HOFer. And he won ONE playoff game.

Luckily the HOF committee actually looks at how good a player actually is, and not just how good of a team the guy was on for his career.

I don't really think Gonzo is questionable. I think he is automatic. He still isn't done and has broken most records.

What next, Floyd Little?

Tony just set the all-time record for receiving yards in the Pro Bowl. THE PRO BOWL! You know how many hall of famers have played in the pro bowl? A lot!

Guys like Derrick Thomas, Cris Carter, and Sharpe didn't get in on the first ballot, and they were premier players who got tons of coverage.

Shields played an anonymous condition for a mediocre team.

In a lot of ways, it's like Heisman balloting. It generally goes to the highest profile player on one of the best teams.

It took Elvin Bethea 15 years, Buck Buchanan 10+, Dan Dierdorf took 7 or 8 years despite not giving up a sack for over two years at right tackle and being a media fixture on MNF.

I think you're being wildly pessimistic about Gonzo... it's gotta be at least 60/40. He's considered a superstar, and when you get in a room one day and break down everything that he's going to accomplish, I think he's got a strong chance. As long as the presenter hammers home the fact he redefined the position and took "pass catching TE" to a new level. Although they do discriminate against TE's, but there haven't been too many as important to an offense as TG.

For any sane voter he shouldn't be. But when Mr. Jewry couldn't exchange his hardware for enshrinement, it gives me serious pause.

For some players I don't even think there's the need for the formality of a vote. When they retire, the league should contact them and say, "See you in 5." Seriously.

First of all Barry Sanders is a RB. RB and QBs are horrendously overrepresented.

Barry Sanders was also the most dynamic player of his generation, and anyone who thinks that he shouldn't have been a first ballot HOFer should be chemically neutered.

And the 1970's Steelers are filled with horrendously overrated guys who are in the HOF due to the success of the team rather than the individual.

It's funny that Gonzo is probably playing his best football right now. He's a better blocker than he's ever been, his hands are like tar, and he's dragging defenders just like always.

If Gonzo can't do it, you can't get in on the first ballot on stats and personal achievement alone.

FAX

Perhaps. And I hope you're right.

But as soon as you start bringing up all these great attributes and pieces of praise, all richly deserved, it immediately forces us to return to the bottom line. With all these records and the on-field dominance, why couldn't he help lead that franchise to a single post-season win?

Again, I think it's garbage, but KC is also out of the media spotlight. Perhaps if he were the exact same player with the exact same team success in NY, his odds would be exponentially better.

In my opinion, no.

Gonzo has media appeal. Moreso than the Chiefs or any other recent Chiefs player, anyhow.

I realize that QB and RB are sexier positions, and I don't know for sure, but I'll bet there are WRs in the hall with worse receiving stats than Gonzo. If he continues to pad his stats for two or three more years, his odds are good that he'll get in on first ballot, in my view.

As for Willie, the homer in me says he deserves it, but those are long odds.

FAX

No better example of the fact that the NFL HOF is a team sport than Lynn Swann.

That's a safe assumption, Mr. FAX.

The game wasn't as receiver-friendly when I was young, and the TE didn't exist as a realistic passing threat.

Newsome, Winslow and Gonzalez, in that order, in my opinion these days. Sharpe follows Gonzo, but Sharpe gets into the Hall before Gonzo.

I'm funning you.

I like to poke Denver fans about the chip on their shoulders about not having very many HOFers. I have seen many of them cry over Floyd not being in the Hall (not close to deserving IMO), so it has become my go-to move whenever anyone complains about why donkey X isn't in the HOF.

Few with Gradishar's pro bowl and all conference accolades have been kept out of the HOF. He should get in eventually.

How long did Randall McDaniel wait? Him and Shields were very similar type players.

2 years. Bruce Matthews went in McDaniel's first year of eligibility and Gary Zimmerman went in his second. I think it'll depend on who else is in Shields class.

My boss is friends with Wistrom and he went with him Saturday night to this. He said it was a cool experience and Shields was his favorite, genuinely a great guy.