Spinal concerns could scuttle Rolle move to Chiefs

SoCalRaider · 03-06-2005, 07:37 PM

Spinal concerns could scuttle Rolle move to Chiefs
BY ADAM TEICHER

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - (KRT) - Lingering concerns about a spinal condition may prevent the Kansas Chiefs from signing free-agent cornerback Samari Rolle.

Rolle came to Kansas City last week to meet with the Chiefs as perhaps the top choice to fill their void at cornerback. He played for Chiefs defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham when Cunningham coached the Tennessee Titans and was a favorite of his.

Had the Chiefs not learned of the condition, which sources indicated was a narrowing of the spinal column, it's possible Rolle would have signed a contract by now. The Chiefs discovered the condition during a routine physical they administered during Rolle's visit.

As it is, they appear hesitant to complete a deal, though coach Dick Vermeil said Sunday that an agreement was still possible and the parties were still negotiating.

The condition is just another thing for the Chiefs to consider as they decide how to acquire a top veteran cornerback. Rolle is the only free-agent cornerback the Chiefs visited with.

They began free-agency with four cornerbacks at the top of their wish list. Beside Rolle, the Chiefs were interested in Miami's Patrick Surtain, Seattle's Ken Lucas and Washington's Fred Smoot.

The Chiefs, at least for the time being, aren't interested in trading their No. 2 draft pick for Surtain as the Dolphins requested. Lucas has since signed with Carolina. The Chiefs have made no apparent move for Smoot, who remains unsigned.

The Chiefs visited with Tampa Bay's Dwight Smith, who can play cornerback. But Vermeil indicated Smith would play safety if he signs with the Chiefs.

Another factor is Rolle's arrest last month in the Nashville area for domestic assault. Police allege he had an altercation with his wife, Danisha. If convicted, Rolle faces a maximum sentence of a year in jail.

Danisha accompanied Rolle on his trip to Kansas City. Vermeil had dinner with the Rolles, said he enjoyed the visit and wasn't concerned about the assault. He also indicated Rolle "fit the profile,'' his term for a player with the qualities he's looking for in a person.

There's no question Rolle is a top player. He made the Pro Bowl in 2000 and has remained one of the game's best in pass coverage_even though he hasn't received the postseason honor since.

Rolle should, the spinal condition aside, have several good seasons left. He will be 29 in August. He's been durable, though he missed five games last season because of a knee injury. He had arthroscopic surgery after the season, but the Chiefs aren't concerned about his knee's ability to hold up.

In an NFL world without a salary cap, Rolle would still be with the Titans. He was one of six prominent players released last month because Tennessee otherwise couldn't have been in compliance with the NFL's salary limit.

Titans coach Jeff Fisher included Rolle in his remarks when he announced the cuts.

"It's not an easy decision because each of these guys can play at a high level,'' Fisher said. "That's the most difficult part about this decision. From a coaching standpoint, the question is, why let go of players who can still play? Probably more important than that is, why allow players who are good people to leave your franchise when they work hard, are established leaders and understand our philosophy?

"It's an emotional day for us because it's never easy to part ways with a group of great people like the ones we lost today.''

It's puzzling why Rolle hasn't attracted more interest in the free-agent market. He has visited only with the Chiefs.

Some teams may be scared off by the cost of signing a top cornerback. Lucas received a reported $13 million signing bonus, so a healthy Rolle could conceivably command more than that.

beer bacon · 03-06-2005, 07:40 PM

Just sign him Carl.

brent102fire · 03-06-2005, 07:42 PM

Danisha accompanied Rolle on his trip to Kansas City. Vermeil had dinner with the Rolles, said he enjoyed the visit and wasn't concerned about the assault. He also indicated Rolle "fit the profile,'' his term for a player with the qualities he's looking for in a person.

It's a done deal then...DV said he "fits the profile

Pants · 03-06-2005, 07:42 PM

Sounds like more BS from the Chiefs organization. Rolle is a baller, ballers cost money.

**Bowser** · 03-06-2005, 07:42 PM

Surely Teicher didn't write that. It's more than two paragraphs long.

"Narrowing of the spinal cord"? How in the world does one get a condition like that?

nychief · 03-06-2005, 07:44 PM

I would take Rolle in a ****ing wheel chair over Barteen or McCleon.

Dr. Johnny Fever · 03-06-2005, 07:44 PM

Interesting. Maybe the guys spine is something to stay away from.

I can't believe Smoot isn't even talking to anyone. What's up with that?

**Bowser** · 03-06-2005, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nychief

I would take Rolle in a ****ing wheel chair over Barteen or McCleon.

How about Ty Law?

Mr. Laz · 03-06-2005, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowser

"Narrowing of the spinal cord"? How in the world does one get a condition like that?

genetic, i believe

htismaqe · 03-06-2005, 07:49 PM

If he has a narrowing in the cervical vertebrae (like Michael Irvin) I can understand their hesitance. His career could end instantly at any time.

mikey23545 · 03-06-2005, 07:49 PM

Narrowing of the spine is called stenosis, and it is something you are born with as far as I know....

And several football players have retired after it was discovered they had the condition....

**Bowser** · 03-06-2005, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikey23545

Narrowing of the spine is called stenosis, and it is something you are born with as far as I know....

And several football players have retired after it was discovered they had the condition....

That's too bad. Being forced to possibly retire at 29 and in your prime. I hope for his sake it's not that serious.

Deberg_1990 · 03-06-2005, 07:51 PM

If this is true i hope we dont sign him. hes a good player but not that great. The negatives outweigh the upside in this case.

keg in kc · 03-06-2005, 07:52 PM

Still not clear if this is a real concern or posturing, however. They know the condition exists, but they're still negotiating...

Chiefs Pantalones · 03-06-2005, 07:53 PM

This is just the Chiefs luck.

Will they ever get a fu#kin' break? Will we ever get a fu#kin' break?

03-06-2005, 07:37 PM
SoCalRaider Starter Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Huntington Beach Casino cash: $10004900	Spinal concerns could scuttle Rolle move to Chiefs Spinal concerns could scuttle Rolle move to Chiefs BY ADAM TEICHER KANSAS CITY, Mo. - (KRT) - Lingering concerns about a spinal condition may prevent the Kansas Chiefs from signing free-agent cornerback Samari Rolle. Rolle came to Kansas City last week to meet with the Chiefs as perhaps the top choice to fill their void at cornerback. He played for Chiefs defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham when Cunningham coached the Tennessee Titans and was a favorite of his. Had the Chiefs not learned of the condition, which sources indicated was a narrowing of the spinal column, it's possible Rolle would have signed a contract by now. The Chiefs discovered the condition during a routine physical they administered during Rolle's visit. As it is, they appear hesitant to complete a deal, though coach Dick Vermeil said Sunday that an agreement was still possible and the parties were still negotiating. The condition is just another thing for the Chiefs to consider as they decide how to acquire a top veteran cornerback. Rolle is the only free-agent cornerback the Chiefs visited with. They began free-agency with four cornerbacks at the top of their wish list. Beside Rolle, the Chiefs were interested in Miami's Patrick Surtain, Seattle's Ken Lucas and Washington's Fred Smoot. The Chiefs, at least for the time being, aren't interested in trading their No. 2 draft pick for Surtain as the Dolphins requested. Lucas has since signed with Carolina. The Chiefs have made no apparent move for Smoot, who remains unsigned. The Chiefs visited with Tampa Bay's Dwight Smith, who can play cornerback. But Vermeil indicated Smith would play safety if he signs with the Chiefs. Another factor is Rolle's arrest last month in the Nashville area for domestic assault. Police allege he had an altercation with his wife, Danisha. If convicted, Rolle faces a maximum sentence of a year in jail. Danisha accompanied Rolle on his trip to Kansas City. Vermeil had dinner with the Rolles, said he enjoyed the visit and wasn't concerned about the assault. He also indicated Rolle "fit the profile,'' his term for a player with the qualities he's looking for in a person. There's no question Rolle is a top player. He made the Pro Bowl in 2000 and has remained one of the game's best in pass coverage_even though he hasn't received the postseason honor since. Rolle should, the spinal condition aside, have several good seasons left. He will be 29 in August. He's been durable, though he missed five games last season because of a knee injury. He had arthroscopic surgery after the season, but the Chiefs aren't concerned about his knee's ability to hold up. In an NFL world without a salary cap, Rolle would still be with the Titans. He was one of six prominent players released last month because Tennessee otherwise couldn't have been in compliance with the NFL's salary limit. Titans coach Jeff Fisher included Rolle in his remarks when he announced the cuts. "It's not an easy decision because each of these guys can play at a high level,'' Fisher said. "That's the most difficult part about this decision. From a coaching standpoint, the question is, why let go of players who can still play? Probably more important than that is, why allow players who are good people to leave your franchise when they work hard, are established leaders and understand our philosophy? "It's an emotional day for us because it's never easy to part ways with a group of great people like the ones we lost today.'' It's puzzling why Rolle hasn't attracted more interest in the free-agent market. He has visited only with the Chiefs. Some teams may be scared off by the cost of signing a top cornerback. Lucas received a reported $13 million signing bonus, so a healthy Rolle could conceivably command more than that.
Posts: 661

03-06-2005, 07:40 PM	#2
beer bacon WHAT Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Casino cash: $10019545	Just sign him Carl.
Posts: 9,301

03-06-2005, 07:42 PM	#3
brent102fire Perfection Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Ladera Ranch, CA Casino cash: $10004900	Danisha accompanied Rolle on his trip to Kansas City. Vermeil had dinner with the Rolles, said he enjoyed the visit and wasn't concerned about the assault. He also indicated Rolle "fit the profile,'' his term for a player with the qualities he's looking for in a person. It's a done deal then...DV said he "fits the profile __________________ "Ladies and Gentlemen of the supposed jury, Charlie Sheen is innocent because Chewbacca is from Kishic."-Johnny Cochran
Posts: 3,905

03-06-2005, 07:42 PM	#4
Pants Time Keeps On Slipping Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Overland Park Casino cash: $5589900	Sounds like more BS from the Chiefs organization. Rolle is a baller, ballers cost money. __________________ "Turn the channel to 26!"
Posts: 27,294

03-06-2005, 07:42 PM	#5
Bowser sorta mod-ish Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: KC North Casino cash: $3251616	Surely Teicher didn't write that. It's more than two paragraphs long. "Narrowing of the spinal cord"? How in the world does one get a condition like that?
Posts: 100,949

03-06-2005, 07:44 PM	#6
nychief MVP Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: NYC Casino cash: $6949466	I would take Rolle in a ****ing wheel chair over Barteen or McCleon. __________________ Good Time Charlie, Uncle Doobie and the Great Frisco Freakout.
Posts: 7,883

03-06-2005, 07:44 PM	#7
Dr. Johnny Fever stax of wax Join Date: Feb 2004 Casino cash: $10004900	Interesting. Maybe the guys spine is something to stay away from. I can't believe Smoot isn't even talking to anyone. What's up with that? __________________ courtesy of BoneKrusher "Baseball? It's just a game. As simple as a ball and bat, yet as complex as the American spirit it symbolizes. It's a sport, a business and sometimes a religion." Ernie Harwell
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03-06-2005, 07:49 PM	#10
htismaqe 'Tis my eye! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Chiefsplanet Casino cash: $10269900	If he has a narrowing in the cervical vertebrae (like Michael Irvin) I can understand their hesitance. His career could end instantly at any time.
Posts: 100,022

03-06-2005, 07:49 PM	#11
mikey23545 MVP Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $10015321	Narrowing of the spine is called stenosis, and it is something you are born with as far as I know.... And several football players have retired after it was discovered they had the condition....
Posts: 12,314

03-06-2005, 07:51 PM	#13
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3794454	If this is true i hope we dont sign him. hes a good player but not that great. The negatives outweigh the upside in this case. __________________ Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning: Matt once made a very nice play in Seattle where he spun away from a pass rusher and hit Bowe off his back foot for a first down. One of the best plays Matt has ever made.
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03-06-2005, 07:52 PM	#14
keg in kc oxymoron Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: OP/KC/Whatever Casino cash: $9556299	Still not clear if this is a real concern or posturing, however. They know the condition exists, but they're still negotiating...
Posts: 58,682

03-06-2005, 07:53 PM	#15
Chiefs Pantalones GO CHIEFS!!!!!! Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $7888717	This is just the Chiefs luck. Will they ever get a fu#kin' break? Will we ever get a fu#kin' break? __________________ Don't be fooled by my username, I'm white.
Posts: 26,630