why isnt this talked about?

[Wolverine]

"However, one area of concern for Holmes crops up due to the departure of RT John Tait to Chicago. While Kansas City spin-doctors have called Tait the fifth-best OL on the 2003 team, don't believe the party line. The Chiefs franchised him, but couldn't afford to match the 6 year, $33.65 million contract with a $6.5 million signing bonus the Bears offered (5th-best linemen don't command $6.5 million signing bonuses and 6 year deals worth ~$33 million in the NFL, folks). The Chiefs averaged 5.8 yards per carry running to the right in 2003; 4.5 running to the left; and 3.9 going up the middle of the field. John Tait was a big part of that 5.8 yards per carry average on the right side of the field - Chris Bober is a major downgrade at RT, most observers agree."

I came across this piece and thought I would add it here. I'm not sure if there is a downgrade b/w Tait and Welbourne. Notice they reference Bober above.

[cooleyhigh]

Welbourne was a steal. Priest haters are reaching.

[CC]

The reason Tait got overpaid is b/c teams are always willing to spend big money on solid tackles. It is one the the hardest positions to fill in the NFL. If Priest's production dips, its not b/c he lost Tait.

[kvnhbbrd]

Priest is a good runner regardless of one offensive lineman. If you are trying to tell me that 1 person on that line made that much of a difference, then why is Priest being drafted #1 in most leagues.

[Bears_Fan]

I got news for you folks, John Tait was thought of as both old and very weak, especailly compared to other KC o-linemen. Priest should be fine as the rest of the unit is back and and gonzo is great blocking te too. Green's #s last year will keep the box from being stacked too.

[Sixxgunn]

Could it be that bringing up the line is just a ploy to get Priest to drop a spot or two in the draft?I know I use this tactic with my friends all the time,and it occasionally works!

[TheHeat24]

I got news for you folks, John Tait was thought of as both old and very weak, especailly compared to other KC o-linemen. Priest should be fine as the rest of the unit is back and and gonzo is great blocking te too. Green's #s last year will keep the box from being stacked too.

Old... Are you kidding me, Hes 29 years old thats an olineman's prime... Old compared to who

Willie Roaf- 34 years old
Will Shields- 32 (33 in september)
Casey Wiegmann- 31 years old

Every member of the KC oline except for Brian Waters is older than him.... I dont know what rock youve been under....

[moochman]

I think that GP is right on here. It's not that if Wellborn is better than Tait, but will he be able to gel with the rest of the line. Cohesiveness in an O-line is the single most important factor in how well it performs. I trust in Vermiel & Co. to get the O-line in sync and for Priest to continue to put together un-Godly numbers.

[StickaforkinRogers]

After reading more posts by some of the "smarter veterans" around here I have to say that this is probably the worst collection of FFers on the web. Most of you guys are morons. I would wipe the floor with all of you. Continue............with the bs

[MadScott]

To me it's irrelevant because the guy they lost (Tait) graded out as their 5th best O-Lineman while the guy they brought in (John Welbourn) isn't exactly shoddy. Now if they had lost Willie Roaf or Will Shields I'd be a bit concerned but no worries here.

Ditto to what you said there. At the worst it was a vertical move but more likely, Welbourn will only be an upgrade.