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.