Chiefs Teicher: Chiefs center Casey Wiegmann doesn't want to see his streak snapped

**Tribal Warfare** · 08-07-2011, 11:54 PM

Chiefs center Casey Wiegmann doesn't want to see his streak snapped
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

ST. JOSEPH | By the time Ryan Lilja first joined the Chiefs in 2004, Casey Wiegmann’s NFL career was already something for a rookie offensive lineman to view with wonder.

Wiegmann had already put together an impressive career for an undrafted and undersized center out of Iowa. So imagine Lilja’s awe now. Wiegmann is 38 and still going strong, about to begin his 16th NFL season with a consecutive offensive-play streak of 10,141 dating to early 2001.

“He was an old-timer when I was a rookie,” Lilja said. “He’s one of the wonders of the world.”

Wiegmann may be one of the wonders of the football world, but he’s no museum piece. One of the first moves made by the Chiefs once the free-agent signing period began was to sign Wiegmann to a new contract.

He will, assuming he makes it through the preseason unharmed, start at center for the Chiefs on Sept. 11, when they open the regular season against Buffalo at Arrowhead Stadium. Coach Todd Haley wouldn’t have it any other way.

“There’s nobody more excited about Casey’s decision to come back and continue being a part of what he was such a big part of last year,” Haley said. “You don’t do what he’s done for as long as he’s done it by accident. He knows how to do it, he knows what to do.”

For that reason, Haley will use Wiegmann as a museum piece, or at least a teaching tool for his younger teammates.

“This group of (players) we have, you make sure occasionally that you say, ‘Take a look at (Wiegmann).’ ” Haley said. “He wrote the book on how to have a great career, so I’d be trying to do most of the things he’s doing.

“I think he’s the epitome of what I’ve coached for many, many years: being the same guy every day. He’ll be in the same seat (in meetings), he’ll be out on the field at the same time and not a lot changes. He’s just managed to get a little better each and every day in a lot of different areas.”

Wiegmann, 6 feet 2 and 285 pounds, acknowledged the decision to return for another season was more difficult than ever. But now that he’s made it, he said, he’s all in.

That means his snap streak will inevitably grow. The Chiefs may like to give Wiegmann some rest this season and give some playing time to Rodney Hudson, their second-round draft pick and Wiegmann’s eventual successor.

But they may have a battle getting Wiegmann out of the lineup. He refused to come out of games before, and now the streak is a prideful thing for a player told early in his NFL career that he would never make it.

“It first started just because I played with two (future) Hall of Famers (Will Shields and Willie Roaf),” Wiegmann said, recalling a couple of his teammates from his early seasons with the Chiefs.

“We only dressed seven guys, and those two were the guys that got to sit out when the game was out of control. As soon as those guys got done playing, I had the streak going, and I just kept going and going and going.

“I don’t know if it was a year or two ago, but the offensive-line coach said, ‘We’re going to take you out.’ I was like, ‘I’m not coming out, sorry.’ ”

He didn’t, not then or any other time since the streak started in 2001, his first season in Kansas City.

Haley and Chiefs offensive coordinator Bill Muir coached Wiegmann with the New York Jets early in his NFL career. His success was difficult to predict then, but Muir said that looking back, it makes sense.

“You just know when you see the right stuff,” Muir said. “He’s got over (10,000) straight snaps in the National Football League. That speaks volumes about the man and the football player.”

Asked Wiegmann’s secret, Muir said, “Genes. He has two kids. If I was a college coach, I’d give them scholarships right now.”

Haley said: “You knew he was a tough guy. I think early in ’97 or ’98, he was on a kickoff return, was in the wedge and went up in there and knocked himself out basically. You knew this guy was tough, (but) you know he’s probably too little . . .

“We formed a little connection, I would say in my opinion, and through the years every time we crossed paths it was one of those where when the game ended or before the game, you go catch up and say how are you doing, and you follow those types of guys that you’re rooting for, that maybe a lot of people are saying he doesn’t have a chance. Then as you see them have success, you enjoy following those kinds of guys.

“That’s the way it’s been with Casey, and I’m just grateful that he chose to come back to Kansas City with us and believed enough in what we were doing to be a part of it again this year.”

Wiegmann is in his second time around with the Chiefs. After playing for the Jets, Indianapolis and Chicago early in his career, Wiegmann was with the Chiefs during 2001-07. He then left for two seasons with Denver before returning last year.

He won’t be leaving again. Both sides want it that way.

“Kansas City has been good to me,” he said. “I’ve always said that. To finish my career here is the ultimate goal. I had the chance to go elsewhere, but like I said, this place has been good, and winning is happening here again, so it’s positive.”

TODAY’S PRACTICE
•WHEN/WHERE: 3 p.m. at Missouri Western in St. Joseph

•ADMISSION: Free. Parking $5.

Hammock Parties · 08-08-2011, 12:09 AM

So all this bullshit about Hudson going in later on this year...how the **** are we going to get Wiegmann out of the game?

**TimeForWasp** · 08-08-2011, 12:14 AM

He will be the first cyborg football player.

**BossChief** · 08-08-2011, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red 5

So all this bullshit about Hudson going in later on this year...how the **** are we going to get Wiegmann out of the game?

Like I said when I made that prediction.

They will put Casey on the injury report for a hamstring or some sort of sprain once his weight drops to a certain point that I see as around week 9 or 10...or thereabouts.

Everybody knows about the issue and how it effects his play late in the year.

It will be an "honorary way" of him passing the torch due to lowered effectiveness, but it will be painted as something else to keep Caseys reputation in tact.

Hell, it may not even play out that way...but IMO for us to get through that final stretch of games, we are gonna need a center that weighs more than 270-275.

time will tell

suzzer99 · 08-08-2011, 12:30 AM

Can I donate a tiny bit of my incredible genetic weight-gaining abilities to Casey? Maybe some kind of bone marrow transplant?

ReynardMuldrake · 08-08-2011, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

Wiegmann may be one of the wonders of the football world, but he’s no museum piece. One of the first moves made by the Chiefs once the free-agent signing period began was to sign Wiegmann to a new contract.

He will, assuming he makes it through the preseason unharmed, start at center for the Chiefs on Sept. 11, when they open the regular season against Buffalo at Arrowhead Stadium. Coach Todd Haley wouldn’t have it any other way.

“There’s nobody more excited about Casey’s decision to come back and continue being a part of what he was such a big part of last year,” Haley said. “You don’t do what he’s done for as long as he’s done it by accident. He knows how to do it, he knows what to do.”

For that reason, Haley will use Wiegmann as a museum piece, or at least a teaching tool for his younger teammates.

Nice work, Teicher.

Blick · 08-08-2011, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

Like I said when I made that prediction.

They will put Casey on the injury report for a hamstring or some sort of sprain once his weight drops to a certain point that I see as around week 9 or 10...or thereabouts.

Everybody knows about the issue and how it effects his play late in the year.

It will be an "honorary way" of him passing the torch due to lowered effectiveness, but it will be painted as something else to keep Caseys reputation in tact.

Hell, it may not even play out that way...but IMO for us to get through that final stretch of games, we are gonna need a center that weighs more than 270-275.

time will tell

Don't see this happening. They won't take him out unless he's actually banged up. Coaches love smart, overachieving veteran types like Casey even if their play is slipping.

If they were actually going to do something like this, they would have given Studebaker some starts over Vrabel.

But, they didn't...so I don't see them benching Casey, either...even though I hope it happens.

Mr. Laz · 08-08-2011, 11:26 AM

his streak will be fine until week 10-ish ....

Mr. Laz · 08-08-2011, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blick

Don't see this happening. They won't take him out unless he's actually banged up. Coaches love smart, overachieving veteran types like Casey even if their play is slipping.

If they were actually going to do something like this, they would have given Studebaker some starts over Vrabel.

But, they didn't...so I don't see them benching Casey, either...even though I hope it happens.

The problem that Wiegmann loses weight throughout the season and probably even gets worn down now because of age. Towards the end of last year he starts needing more and more help against big DT's because he just doesn't have the mass needed to move them.

Blick · 08-08-2011, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

The problem that Wiegmann loses weight throughout the season and probably even gets worn down now because of age. Towards the end of last year he starts needing more and more help against big DT's because he just doesn't have the mass needed to move them.

I'm well aware of this.

It doesn't matter how much we as fans want him to be replaced after he starts wearing down. They won't want to make a change like that mid-season if they don't have to.

Vrabel didn't get replaced even though he sucked balls.
Waters didn't get replaced even though his play fell off.

I just find it hard to believe that the coaching staff will replace a highly regarded veteran (from a coach's perspective) with a rookie in the middle of the season and mess with the continuity along the line. Little details like that are extremely important to coaches. Plus, the running game is going to look great, and with more weapons, Cassel might look better, so I think they're going to have a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" attitude towards the O-line.

I can't think of a recent situation on the Chiefs where a veteran leader type guy was replaced with a rookie in the middle of the year.

I think they'll have Hudson learn from Casey for the whole year and he will take over next season.

boogblaster · 08-08-2011, 12:35 PM

good ole-veteran .. glad he's gona finish his carrer here ....

lcarus · 08-08-2011, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suzzer99

Can I donate a tiny bit of my incredible genetic weight-gaining abilities to Casey? Maybe some kind of bone marrow transplant?

Yes, McDonald's will do the procedure.

08-07-2011, 11:54 PM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $922813	Teicher: Chiefs center Casey Wiegmann doesn't want to see his streak snapped Chiefs center Casey Wiegmann doesn't want to see his streak snapped By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star ST. JOSEPH \| By the time Ryan Lilja first joined the Chiefs in 2004, Casey Wiegmann’s NFL career was already something for a rookie offensive lineman to view with wonder. Wiegmann had already put together an impressive career for an undrafted and undersized center out of Iowa. So imagine Lilja’s awe now. Wiegmann is 38 and still going strong, about to begin his 16th NFL season with a consecutive offensive-play streak of 10,141 dating to early 2001. “He was an old-timer when I was a rookie,” Lilja said. “He’s one of the wonders of the world.” Wiegmann may be one of the wonders of the football world, but he’s no museum piece. One of the first moves made by the Chiefs once the free-agent signing period began was to sign Wiegmann to a new contract. He will, assuming he makes it through the preseason unharmed, start at center for the Chiefs on Sept. 11, when they open the regular season against Buffalo at Arrowhead Stadium. Coach Todd Haley wouldn’t have it any other way. “There’s nobody more excited about Casey’s decision to come back and continue being a part of what he was such a big part of last year,” Haley said. “You don’t do what he’s done for as long as he’s done it by accident. He knows how to do it, he knows what to do.” For that reason, Haley will use Wiegmann as a museum piece, or at least a teaching tool for his younger teammates. “This group of (players) we have, you make sure occasionally that you say, ‘Take a look at (Wiegmann).’ ” Haley said. “He wrote the book on how to have a great career, so I’d be trying to do most of the things he’s doing. “I think he’s the epitome of what I’ve coached for many, many years: being the same guy every day. He’ll be in the same seat (in meetings), he’ll be out on the field at the same time and not a lot changes. He’s just managed to get a little better each and every day in a lot of different areas.” Wiegmann, 6 feet 2 and 285 pounds, acknowledged the decision to return for another season was more difficult than ever. But now that he’s made it, he said, he’s all in. That means his snap streak will inevitably grow. The Chiefs may like to give Wiegmann some rest this season and give some playing time to Rodney Hudson, their second-round draft pick and Wiegmann’s eventual successor. But they may have a battle getting Wiegmann out of the lineup. He refused to come out of games before, and now the streak is a prideful thing for a player told early in his NFL career that he would never make it. “It first started just because I played with two (future) Hall of Famers (Will Shields and Willie Roaf),” Wiegmann said, recalling a couple of his teammates from his early seasons with the Chiefs. “We only dressed seven guys, and those two were the guys that got to sit out when the game was out of control. As soon as those guys got done playing, I had the streak going, and I just kept going and going and going. “I don’t know if it was a year or two ago, but the offensive-line coach said, ‘We’re going to take you out.’ I was like, ‘I’m not coming out, sorry.’ ” He didn’t, not then or any other time since the streak started in 2001, his first season in Kansas City. Haley and Chiefs offensive coordinator Bill Muir coached Wiegmann with the New York Jets early in his NFL career. His success was difficult to predict then, but Muir said that looking back, it makes sense. “You just know when you see the right stuff,” Muir said. “He’s got over (10,000) straight snaps in the National Football League. That speaks volumes about the man and the football player.” Asked Wiegmann’s secret, Muir said, “Genes. He has two kids. If I was a college coach, I’d give them scholarships right now.” Haley said: “You knew he was a tough guy. I think early in ’97 or ’98, he was on a kickoff return, was in the wedge and went up in there and knocked himself out basically. You knew this guy was tough, (but) you know he’s probably too little . . . “We formed a little connection, I would say in my opinion, and through the years every time we crossed paths it was one of those where when the game ended or before the game, you go catch up and say how are you doing, and you follow those types of guys that you’re rooting for, that maybe a lot of people are saying he doesn’t have a chance. Then as you see them have success, you enjoy following those kinds of guys. “That’s the way it’s been with Casey, and I’m just grateful that he chose to come back to Kansas City with us and believed enough in what we were doing to be a part of it again this year.” Wiegmann is in his second time around with the Chiefs. After playing for the Jets, Indianapolis and Chicago early in his career, Wiegmann was with the Chiefs during 2001-07. He then left for two seasons with Denver before returning last year. He won’t be leaving again. Both sides want it that way. “Kansas City has been good to me,” he said. “I’ve always said that. To finish my career here is the ultimate goal. I had the chance to go elsewhere, but like I said, this place has been good, and winning is happening here again, so it’s positive.” TODAY’S PRACTICE •WHEN/WHERE: 3 p.m. at Missouri Western in St. Joseph •ADMISSION: Free. Parking $5.
Posts: 42,061

08-08-2011, 12:09 AM	#2
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4720478	So all this bullshit about Hudson going in later on this year...how the **** are we going to get Wiegmann out of the game? __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 277,840

08-08-2011, 12:14 AM	#3
TimeForWasp Sprinkle in some Mahomes Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Butte Montana Casino cash: $7678507	He will be the first cyborg football player.
Posts: 8,270

08-08-2011, 12:30 AM	#5
suzzer99 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: L.A. Casino cash: $2974284	Can I donate a tiny bit of my incredible genetic weight-gaining abilities to Casey? Maybe some kind of bone marrow transplant?
Posts: 27,266

08-08-2011, 11:26 AM	#8
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	his streak will be fine until week 10-ish .... __________________
Posts: 95,626

08-08-2011, 12:35 PM	#11
boogblaster MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Verdigris Valley Campsite Casino cash: $10004900	good ole-veteran .. glad he's gona finish his carrer here .... __________________ WR or S please
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