Holmes doesn’t practice with Chiefs - Star

C-Mac · 08-20-2007, 06:53 AM

Holmes doesn’t practice with Chiefs
By JASON KING
The Kansas City Star

Holmes One day after announcing he was returning to the Chiefs’ practice field, Priest Holmes never even put on a helmet.

Instead, the team’s all-time leading rusher worked out alone Sunday, running short routes and sprints while his teammates squared off nearby.

Why didn’t Holmes practice?

Depends on who you ask.

Holmes said his return was delayed because Chiefs president/general manager Carl Peterson was out of town. He said team physician Jon Browne wanted to make sure everyone was “on the same page” before clearing the way for Holmes’ return.

Chiefs coach Herm Edwards told a different story. He said doctors gave Holmes the OK and cleared him to participate in contact drills. Edwards, though, said he had a long talk with Holmes prior to Sunday’s workout, and Holmes hinted that he wasn’t in good enough physical condition to return.

At that point, Edwards said it became a “collective decision” to leave Holmes on the physically unable to perform list.

“He’s not ready,” Edwards said. “In his mind and our mind, we just felt that … he’s not 100 percent. He’s been laid off for a long time.”

Twenty-two months, to be exact. Holmes hasn’t played — or practiced — since injuring his neck in an October 2005 game against San Diego.

Claiming he had a dream in which he envisioned himself playing football again, Holmes showed up three weeks ago at Chiefs training camp in River Falls, Wis., confident in his chances of earning a roster spot and vowing to become a leader on a team full of young faces.

Considering he’s not working out with his teammates, Holmes hasn’t had many opportunities to be a vocal presence. He also didn’t help his cause when he skipped Thursday’s preseason game against Miami to return to his native San Antonio.

Holmes said Sunday that the Chiefs gave him permission to leave.

“Everything we do here with the Chiefs is excused,” he said.

Edwards, however, said he didn’t know Holmes had left town.

“I didn’t anticipate he was going home,” Edwards said. “I thought he was coming to the game. He went home to see his family. I told him when he came back to just tell me (next time) so I know where you’re at.”

Asked Sunday if he felt like a part of the team, Holmes said: “Absolutely. The last time I checked, I’m still on the roster. So I guess that means I’m a part of the team.

“The biggest thing was the last three weeks, as far as me getting out of bed and coming to camp every day and not missing any of those days. I made all my workouts. I made all my running workouts. There was not a day missed.”

Still, to truly feel like one of the guys, Holmes will eventually have to participate in practice and games. Although there’s virtually no chance of him playing in Thursday’s preseason game against New Orleans, Edwards said Holmes is still a candidate to play against the Rams on Aug. 30 in St. Louis.

If Holmes is activated, he’ll count against the Chiefs’ roster limit, and they must make a decision by the start of the regular season whether to keep Holmes or release him.

There’s also the possibility that Holmes, if the Chiefs don’t cut him, could start the season on the physically unable to perform list. In that scenario, Holmes would have to sit out at least the first six regular-season games.

“I told him today that I’m not going to rush him,” Edwards said. “I said, ‘Take your time.’ We don’t want to be put in a situation where we take him off the PUP list and he starts practicing, but then two days from now he says he’s not ready yet. That’s OK for him, but it’s not OK for our football team.”

08-20-2007, 06:53 AM	Topic Starter
C-Mac Lurker Extraordinaire Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Wally World Casino cash: $1833699	Holmes doesn’t practice with Chiefs - Star Holmes doesn’t practice with Chiefs By JASON KING The Kansas City Star Holmes One day after announcing he was returning to the Chiefs’ practice field, Priest Holmes never even put on a helmet. Instead, the team’s all-time leading rusher worked out alone Sunday, running short routes and sprints while his teammates squared off nearby. Why didn’t Holmes practice? Depends on who you ask. Holmes said his return was delayed because Chiefs president/general manager Carl Peterson was out of town. He said team physician Jon Browne wanted to make sure everyone was “on the same page” before clearing the way for Holmes’ return. Chiefs coach Herm Edwards told a different story. He said doctors gave Holmes the OK and cleared him to participate in contact drills. Edwards, though, said he had a long talk with Holmes prior to Sunday’s workout, and Holmes hinted that he wasn’t in good enough physical condition to return. At that point, Edwards said it became a “collective decision” to leave Holmes on the physically unable to perform list. “He’s not ready,” Edwards said. “In his mind and our mind, we just felt that … he’s not 100 percent. He’s been laid off for a long time.” Twenty-two months, to be exact. Holmes hasn’t played — or practiced — since injuring his neck in an October 2005 game against San Diego. Claiming he had a dream in which he envisioned himself playing football again, Holmes showed up three weeks ago at Chiefs training camp in River Falls, Wis., confident in his chances of earning a roster spot and vowing to become a leader on a team full of young faces. Considering he’s not working out with his teammates, Holmes hasn’t had many opportunities to be a vocal presence. He also didn’t help his cause when he skipped Thursday’s preseason game against Miami to return to his native San Antonio. Holmes said Sunday that the Chiefs gave him permission to leave. “Everything we do here with the Chiefs is excused,” he said. Edwards, however, said he didn’t know Holmes had left town. “I didn’t anticipate he was going home,” Edwards said. “I thought he was coming to the game. He went home to see his family. I told him when he came back to just tell me (next time) so I know where you’re at.” Asked Sunday if he felt like a part of the team, Holmes said: “Absolutely. The last time I checked, I’m still on the roster. So I guess that means I’m a part of the team. “The biggest thing was the last three weeks, as far as me getting out of bed and coming to camp every day and not missing any of those days. I made all my workouts. I made all my running workouts. There was not a day missed.” Still, to truly feel like one of the guys, Holmes will eventually have to participate in practice and games. Although there’s virtually no chance of him playing in Thursday’s preseason game against New Orleans, Edwards said Holmes is still a candidate to play against the Rams on Aug. 30 in St. Louis. If Holmes is activated, he’ll count against the Chiefs’ roster limit, and they must make a decision by the start of the regular season whether to keep Holmes or release him. There’s also the possibility that Holmes, if the Chiefs don’t cut him, could start the season on the physically unable to perform list. In that scenario, Holmes would have to sit out at least the first six regular-season games. “I told him today that I’m not going to rush him,” Edwards said. “I said, ‘Take your time.’ We don’t want to be put in a situation where we take him off the PUP list and he starts practicing, but then two days from now he says he’s not ready yet. That’s OK for him, but it’s not OK for our football team.”
Posts: 5,637