First Priest, Now Turley...Who's next, Roaf?

kcwild · 07-25-2007, 07:12 PM

Chiefs sign Turley to contract ahead of training camp
By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
(Archive)
Updated: July 25, 2007, 8:50 PM ET

Veteran offensive tackle Kyle Turley, who only a few years ago was rated among the NFL's top right tackles, will get another opportunity to resurrect his career.

The Kansas City Chiefs, who are to report Friday to training camp, have signed Turley to a contract, the details of which were not immediately available. While the return of Turley to the league and to the Chiefs, who released him earlier this spring, probably isn't as big a headline item as the comeback of Kansas City tailback Priest Holmes, it is still a significant development.

ESPN.com first reported June 22 that Turley, 31, hoped to give football another try and had auditioned earlier that week for Chiefs coaches and personnel officials.

Turley missed the entire 2004 and 2005 seasons because of a herniated disc and related back woes, then signed with Kansas City and actually opened the 2006 campaign as the starting left tackle. He was released, however, early in the offseason.

A few other teams were intrigued by Turley, but the Chiefs demonstrated the most interest and the veteran linemen felt he had unfinished business with the franchise.

A onetime iron man, Turley appeared in seven games for the Chiefs in 2006 after signing a two-year contract with Kansas City. He was the No. 1 left tackle for the first two games last season and then lost the starting job and suffered through a stretch of injuries, but he had a five-game stretch beginning in early November in which he started at right tackle.

Clearly, the eight-year veteran had plenty of rust in 2006 and it didn't help that he attempted to play with his weight in the 280s. There are tight ends in the NFL bigger than that, and the tough-guy Turley was tossed around at times by defensive linemen he would have handled easily in the prime of his career.

But Turley has built his weight back up and was 302 pounds and is said to be motivated to make up for lost time.

Turley wanted to sign with a team that will provide him an opportunity to play right tackle, the spot at which he starred for New Orleans (1998-2002) and St. Louis (2003-04). The former San Diego State star, a first-round pick of the Saints and the seventh overall player selected in the '98 draft, was always a natural right tackle because of his blend of power, nastiness and drive-blocking skills.

The Chiefs, whose once-stable offensive line is suddenly in a state of flux with the retirements of tackle Willie Roaf and guard Will Shields over the past two offseasons, are inclined to give Turley a shot at the right tackle spot. The current projected starter at right tackle is veteran Chris Terry, who played well after assuming the starting job last season but has suffered some off-field problems in the past.

Whether Turley can return to the former of his early career, when he was among the NFL's most feared and notorious blockers, remains to be seen. But the fact his weight has returned near his previous levels, when he typically played at 309 pounds and was able to maul defensive linemen, is certainly a plus.

Having been released by two franchises in two years -- the Rams jettisoned him in June 2005 after two years of inactivity and then the Chiefs dispatched him this March -- has provided Turley a source for rededicating himself.

He has played in 102 career games, all as a starter. During the six-season stretch from 1998-2003, Turley missed just one of a possible 96 games.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.

Hydrae · 07-25-2007, 07:17 PM

How well does he pull? That is the biggest question I have about this o-line and the return of Priest, it was with a very active, pulling line that Priest got his records. Last year we went more away from all of that movement by the linemen and went to more of just a push straight ahead attack that worked decently with LJ. I think we need a certain amount of athletecism and movement again if we think Priest can have much success even in a limited role.

**Rain Man** · 07-25-2007, 07:18 PM

What? Willie Roaf is coming back? Great news!

**TinyEvel** · 07-25-2007, 07:19 PM

Okay, fock it. I'm back into competitive cycling.

I will win begin training August 2nd and I plan to win the Masters category of the Conquer the Canyons Stage Race in Spring 08.

Hydrae · 07-25-2007, 07:21 PM

Go TinyEvel, go!

tk13 · 07-25-2007, 07:26 PM

If Mooo, Rausch, and Mr. Blond show up and start posting on the board tonight, I'm gonna go start preparing for the apocalypse.

kcwild · 07-25-2007, 08:04 PM

The Chiefs are starting to feel "old" again contrary to their proclaimed youth movement. Maybe it's just me.

07-25-2007, 07:12 PM
kcwild Arrowhead-Trail of tears Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Houston Casino cash: $10004975	First Priest, Now Turley...Who's next, Roaf? Chiefs sign Turley to contract ahead of training camp By Len Pasquarelli ESPN.com (Archive) Updated: July 25, 2007, 8:50 PM ET Veteran offensive tackle Kyle Turley, who only a few years ago was rated among the NFL's top right tackles, will get another opportunity to resurrect his career. The Kansas City Chiefs, who are to report Friday to training camp, have signed Turley to a contract, the details of which were not immediately available. While the return of Turley to the league and to the Chiefs, who released him earlier this spring, probably isn't as big a headline item as the comeback of Kansas City tailback Priest Holmes, it is still a significant development. ESPN.com first reported June 22 that Turley, 31, hoped to give football another try and had auditioned earlier that week for Chiefs coaches and personnel officials. Turley missed the entire 2004 and 2005 seasons because of a herniated disc and related back woes, then signed with Kansas City and actually opened the 2006 campaign as the starting left tackle. He was released, however, early in the offseason. A few other teams were intrigued by Turley, but the Chiefs demonstrated the most interest and the veteran linemen felt he had unfinished business with the franchise. A onetime iron man, Turley appeared in seven games for the Chiefs in 2006 after signing a two-year contract with Kansas City. He was the No. 1 left tackle for the first two games last season and then lost the starting job and suffered through a stretch of injuries, but he had a five-game stretch beginning in early November in which he started at right tackle. Clearly, the eight-year veteran had plenty of rust in 2006 and it didn't help that he attempted to play with his weight in the 280s. There are tight ends in the NFL bigger than that, and the tough-guy Turley was tossed around at times by defensive linemen he would have handled easily in the prime of his career. But Turley has built his weight back up and was 302 pounds and is said to be motivated to make up for lost time. Turley wanted to sign with a team that will provide him an opportunity to play right tackle, the spot at which he starred for New Orleans (1998-2002) and St. Louis (2003-04). The former San Diego State star, a first-round pick of the Saints and the seventh overall player selected in the '98 draft, was always a natural right tackle because of his blend of power, nastiness and drive-blocking skills. The Chiefs, whose once-stable offensive line is suddenly in a state of flux with the retirements of tackle Willie Roaf and guard Will Shields over the past two offseasons, are inclined to give Turley a shot at the right tackle spot. The current projected starter at right tackle is veteran Chris Terry, who played well after assuming the starting job last season but has suffered some off-field problems in the past. Whether Turley can return to the former of his early career, when he was among the NFL's most feared and notorious blockers, remains to be seen. But the fact his weight has returned near his previous levels, when he typically played at 309 pounds and was able to maul defensive linemen, is certainly a plus. Having been released by two franchises in two years -- the Rams jettisoned him in June 2005 after two years of inactivity and then the Chiefs dispatched him this March -- has provided Turley a source for rededicating himself. He has played in 102 career games, all as a starter. During the six-season stretch from 1998-2003, Turley missed just one of a possible 96 games. Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.
Posts: 83

07-25-2007, 07:17 PM	#2
Hydrae Sandbox: Leander Lasercats Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Austin, Tx Casino cash: $2037000	How well does he pull? That is the biggest question I have about this o-line and the return of Priest, it was with a very active, pulling line that Priest got his records. Last year we went more away from all of that movement by the linemen and went to more of just a push straight ahead attack that worked decently with LJ. I think we need a certain amount of athletecism and movement again if we think Priest can have much success even in a limited role.
Posts: 14,698

07-25-2007, 07:18 PM	#3
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $3028491 VARSITY	What? Willie Roaf is coming back? Great news! __________________ I'm putting random letters here as a celebration of free speech: xigrakgrah misorojeq rkemeseit.
Posts: 141,670

07-25-2007, 07:19 PM	#4
TinyEvel Just a li'l Evel Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Bald. Goatee. Jorts. Casino cash: $5277131	Okay, fock it. I'm back into competitive cycling. I will win begin training August 2nd and I plan to win the Masters category of the Conquer the Canyons Stage Race in Spring 08.
Posts: 11,815

07-25-2007, 07:21 PM	#5
Hydrae Sandbox: Leander Lasercats Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Austin, Tx Casino cash: $2037000	Go TinyEvel, go!
Posts: 14,698

07-25-2007, 07:26 PM	#6
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1712500	If Mooo, Rausch, and Mr. Blond show up and start posting on the board tonight, I'm gonna go start preparing for the apocalypse.
Posts: 54,995

07-25-2007, 08:04 PM	#7
kcwild Arrowhead-Trail of tears Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Houston Casino cash: $10004975	The Chiefs are starting to feel "old" again contrary to their proclaimed youth movement. Maybe it's just me.
Posts: 83