Chiefs Nicholas Athan hits the big time - Page 2

Hammock Parties · 07-30-2010, 10:14 PM

This is awesome.

Lilja glad to be back home

http://www.foxsportskansascity.com/0...70&feedID=5112

By Nicholas Athan
FOXSportsKansasCity.com and WarpaintIllustrated.com
July 30, 2010

One of the Kansas City Chiefs biggest offseason moves was the addition of Guard Ryan Lilja. On Friday afternoon, after his workout in Kansas City, there was no doubt that he was glad to be back home and in a Chiefs uniform.

Back in 2004 it was a dream come true for the Kansas State product to become a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. After a solid four-year stint for the Wildcats, the local boy signed an undrafted free agent contract to play for the team he watched growing up in Kansas City.

But then head coach Dick Vermeil felt that even though Lilja was solid in the pre-season, he needed to keep another defensive player. The hope was that Lilja would clear waivers and then could be assigned to the practice squad.

Well, that didn’t happen. The Indianapolis Colts snatched him up and for the next five seasons he was their starting guard, playing in front All-World quarterback Peyton Manning. It’s still unknown why the Colts cut their starting guard of five seasons, but some indicate that the team wasn’t happy with his performance in last season’s Super Bowl loss to the New Orleans Saints.

In league circles it was a big surprise that he was dumped. But the Chiefs acted fast and locked him down for three years.

This time, the man who played high school ball at Shawnee Mission Northwest in Kansas, plans on staying around a bit longer.

“I’m fifty minutes from my home town,” Lilja said to reporters on Friday. “It’s a special thing for me.”

In fact his addition could be very special for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2010. Last year the offensive line had their struggles trying to find five guys that could protect battered quarterback Matt Cassel.

Though they played well down the stretch, especially in the running game, they never really were able to give Cassel enough times to make multiple reads in passing plays. When they were able to protect him, his completion percentage was off the charts.

Still, this is a change from his Colts days, and he admits this offense isn’t yet on cruise control like it was under Manning.

“There was a lot of continuity up there,” Lilja said of the Colts’ offense. “That’s obviously a positive. But this is a talented team and I’m excited to see how good we can be.”

And so are the Chiefs, who may have finally added the one piece of the puzzle along the offensive line that could give Cassel more time to throw the ball.

Consistent1 · 07-31-2010, 08:30 AM

He will be on ESPN soon.

**gblowfish** · 07-31-2010, 08:40 AM

Well, I guess you have to admire the guy's perseverance. Showing if you work hard, you can get paid by a quality organization like Fox.

boogblaster · 07-31-2010, 08:46 AM

Web gona sumwheres ...

**Gonzo** · 07-31-2010, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Consistent1

He will be on ESPN soon.

Yep, I just heard they saw a private jet land in Bristol with "The deal is done" written on the tail.
Posted via Mobile Device

milkman · 07-31-2010, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gonzo

Yep, I just heard they saw a private jet land in Bristol with "The deal is done" written on the tail.
Posted via Mobile Device

Well, actually you knew it was Athan's jet, cause it was "The deel is dun".

**Gonzo** · 07-31-2010, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

Well, actually you knew it was Athan's jet, cause it was "The deel is dun".

Bravo, sir.
Posted via Mobile Device

07-31-2010, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gblowfish

Well, I guess you have to admire the guy's perseverance. Showing if you work hard, you can get paid by a quality organization like Fox.

I definitely do. That dude will not quit. It's his best character trait by far.

BigRock · 07-31-2010, 09:56 AM

Quote:

After his teams first practice Friday, Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Todd Haley, played the media denial game when asked by reporters if the rumors swirling that top pick Eric Berry was signed, sealed and delivered.

Does Fox not have an editor either? WTF is this?

Demonpenz · 07-31-2010, 11:52 AM

Haters goin hate. I for one am brightened by his very living!

07-30-2010, 10:14 PM
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $810478	Nicholas Athan hits the big time This is awesome. Lilja glad to be back home http://www.foxsportskansascity.com/0...70&feedID=5112 By Nicholas Athan FOXSportsKansasCity.com and WarpaintIllustrated.com July 30, 2010 One of the Kansas City Chiefs biggest offseason moves was the addition of Guard Ryan Lilja. On Friday afternoon, after his workout in Kansas City, there was no doubt that he was glad to be back home and in a Chiefs uniform. Back in 2004 it was a dream come true for the Kansas State product to become a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. After a solid four-year stint for the Wildcats, the local boy signed an undrafted free agent contract to play for the team he watched growing up in Kansas City. But then head coach Dick Vermeil felt that even though Lilja was solid in the pre-season, he needed to keep another defensive player. The hope was that Lilja would clear waivers and then could be assigned to the practice squad. Well, that didn’t happen. The Indianapolis Colts snatched him up and for the next five seasons he was their starting guard, playing in front All-World quarterback Peyton Manning. It’s still unknown why the Colts cut their starting guard of five seasons, but some indicate that the team wasn’t happy with his performance in last season’s Super Bowl loss to the New Orleans Saints. In league circles it was a big surprise that he was dumped. But the Chiefs acted fast and locked him down for three years. This time, the man who played high school ball at Shawnee Mission Northwest in Kansas, plans on staying around a bit longer. “I’m fifty minutes from my home town,” Lilja said to reporters on Friday. “It’s a special thing for me.” In fact his addition could be very special for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2010. Last year the offensive line had their struggles trying to find five guys that could protect battered quarterback Matt Cassel. Though they played well down the stretch, especially in the running game, they never really were able to give Cassel enough times to make multiple reads in passing plays. When they were able to protect him, his completion percentage was off the charts. Still, this is a change from his Colts days, and he admits this offense isn’t yet on cruise control like it was under Manning. “There was a lot of continuity up there,” Lilja said of the Colts’ offense. “That’s obviously a positive. But this is a talented team and I’m excited to see how good we can be.” And so are the Chiefs, who may have finally added the one piece of the puzzle along the offensive line that could give Cassel more time to throw the ball.
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07-31-2010, 08:30 AM	#16
Consistent1 _____________ Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $10004900	He will be on ESPN soon.
Posts: 3,096

07-31-2010, 08:40 AM	#17
gblowfish Be Kind To Your Pets Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Glorious Independence, MO Casino cash: $16886178 VARSITY	Well, I guess you have to admire the guy's perseverance. Showing if you work hard, you can get paid by a quality organization like Fox.
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07-31-2010, 08:46 AM	#18
boogblaster MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Verdigris Valley Campsite Casino cash: $10004900	Web gona sumwheres ... __________________ WR or S please
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07-31-2010, 11:52 AM	#24
Demonpenz Woman should only make babies Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $-393864	Haters goin hate. I for one am brightened by his very living! __________________
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