Chiefs Teicher: Chiefs add former K-State player Lilja to offensive line

**Tribal Warfare** · 01:55 AM

Chiefs add former K-State player Lilja to offensive line
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

The Chiefs have made plenty of mistakes on players in recent seasons, and one of the biggest came six years ago when they let offensive lineman Ryan Lilja out of their grasp.

When they finally got another chance to acquire Lilja this week, they didn’t let history repeat itself. Lilja paid a visit to the Chiefs, and before it was over on Tuesday, he had put his name on a three-year contract worth $7.5 million.

Lilja, who played in high school at Shawnee Mission Northwest and in college at Kansas State, spent the last six seasons with the Colts. He started in all of those seasons except 2008, when he missed the entire year because of a knee injury.

The Colts recently released Lilja. Sources around the league said the move was less a reflection on Lilja and more on the fact the Colts wish to get bigger in the middle of their offensive line. Lilja, listed at 290 pounds, is on the small side for an NFL offensive lineman.

The Chiefs obviously weren’t concerned about that. They jumped in first to get Lilja, who never had a chance to make his tentative visit to the Seahawks in Seattle.

Lilja, who will be 29 in October, declined an interview request.

Coach Todd Haley was unavailable to speak on his plans for Lilja. But Haley figures to plug in Lilja as the starting right guard.

That gives the Chiefs an offensive line that includes — for now — Lilja and Brian Waters at guard, Branden Albert and Ryan O’Callaghan at tackle and either the recently signed Casey Wiegmann or incumbent Rudy Niswanger at center.

The Chiefs aren’t necessarily finished adding to their offensive line. They may have other free agents in mind, and the draft is a little more than a month away. The Chiefs have three picks in the first two rounds.

Lilja’s first NFL stop was with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent out of Kansas State in 2004. Despite such meager beginnings, he distinguished himself almost immediately and made a strong claim for a roster spot.

But the Chiefs then had a strong offensive line that featured Waters, Wiegmann, Willie Roaf and Will Shields. They felt they could take the risk and try to get the rookie free agent through waivers and onto their practice squad.

The move failed when the Colts claimed Lilja. He wound up starting six games as a rookie and became a regular the following season. He was a starter in both of Indianapolis’ Super Bowl appearances, including the one last season.

All along, Lilja maintained his ties to the Kansas City area. His mother Linda lives at Lake Quivira. Lilja is getting married this summer and is building a house, also at Lake Quivira.

03-17-2010, 01:40 AM	Topic Starter
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-2987187	Teicher: Chiefs add former K-State player Lilja to offensive line Chiefs add former K-State player Lilja to offensive line By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star The Chiefs have made plenty of mistakes on players in recent seasons, and one of the biggest came six years ago when they let offensive lineman Ryan Lilja out of their grasp. When they finally got another chance to acquire Lilja this week, they didn’t let history repeat itself. Lilja paid a visit to the Chiefs, and before it was over on Tuesday, he had put his name on a three-year contract worth $7.5 million. Lilja, who played in high school at Shawnee Mission Northwest and in college at Kansas State, spent the last six seasons with the Colts. He started in all of those seasons except 2008, when he missed the entire year because of a knee injury. The Colts recently released Lilja. Sources around the league said the move was less a reflection on Lilja and more on the fact the Colts wish to get bigger in the middle of their offensive line. Lilja, listed at 290 pounds, is on the small side for an NFL offensive lineman. The Chiefs obviously weren’t concerned about that. They jumped in first to get Lilja, who never had a chance to make his tentative visit to the Seahawks in Seattle. Lilja, who will be 29 in October, declined an interview request. Coach Todd Haley was unavailable to speak on his plans for Lilja. But Haley figures to plug in Lilja as the starting right guard. That gives the Chiefs an offensive line that includes — for now — Lilja and Brian Waters at guard, Branden Albert and Ryan O’Callaghan at tackle and either the recently signed Casey Wiegmann or incumbent Rudy Niswanger at center. The Chiefs aren’t necessarily finished adding to their offensive line. They may have other free agents in mind, and the draft is a little more than a month away. The Chiefs have three picks in the first two rounds. Lilja’s first NFL stop was with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent out of Kansas State in 2004. Despite such meager beginnings, he distinguished himself almost immediately and made a strong claim for a roster spot. But the Chiefs then had a strong offensive line that featured Waters, Wiegmann, Willie Roaf and Will Shields. They felt they could take the risk and try to get the rookie free agent through waivers and onto their practice squad. The move failed when the Colts claimed Lilja. He wound up starting six games as a rookie and became a regular the following season. He was a starter in both of Indianapolis’ Super Bowl appearances, including the one last season. All along, Lilja maintained his ties to the Kansas City area. His mother Linda lives at Lake Quivira. Lilja is getting married this summer and is building a house, also at Lake Quivira. Last edited by Tribal Warfare; 03-17-2010 at 01:55 AM..
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