Vermeil comments on Priest Holmes

[9er Fan]

Vermeil made some comments on Priest Holmes yesterday. Somewhat encouraging, but it also sounds a lot like coach-speak.

The strongest verbal statement yet that Holmes will be ready came Tuesday from Vermeil.

"He will line up and play the league opener like he was never injured. I would bet on that," Vermeil said. "I trust our doctors. They've told us he'll be ready to run and go full bore in June. That leads me to believe our worries are behind us. There are a lot of things that as a head coach, I'm worried about. That's not one of them."

[fntsyrookie]

Sounds like good news to me.

[Dazedncnfz]

Sounds like good news to me.

and u need to hear it!

[Indy Dragons]

Something he isn't worried about? Then why draft such a highly valued RB in the draft? I think they are worried somewhat!

Does sound like coach-speak to me also.

[DUKE]

Something he isn't worried about? Then why draft such a highly valued RB in the draft? I think they are worried somewhat!

Does sound like coach-speak to me also.

I agree. And also, You know they'll be giving LJ a few carries here and there to see what they've got, like possibly around the goaline or third down. His fantasy status has dropped no matter what they say.

[Homeless]

This is just coach blurb, I doubt there is very much hard evidence supporting it.

When I see him running like MCGAHEE did the other week, then i'll start believing it.

[fntsyrookie]

I really don't see the coach-speak here. All he is saying is that he's going to be good to go by June. Why would the doctors lie to everybody about it? What do they have to gain?

Also they drafted a highly valued RB in the draft to back Priest up. In case you forgot about last year, when Priest went down they didn't have anybody worth 2 cents backing him up. It only makes sense that they draft a RB to back him up. Why not take the best one in the draft (excluding McGahee for obvious reasons).

[Slingblade]

bull...preist will never be the same

[Homeless]

I really don't see the coach-speak here. All he is saying is that he's going to be good to go by June. Why would the doctors lie to everybody about it? What do they have to gain?

Rook, I heard they have been getting a 100 calls a day looking for news/updates on Holmes (which makes sense). I see no logical reason at this point to say anything about him, except if youre just trying to placate the crowd.

I agree with your RB back up analysis, they needed a decent back up for him.

[kashikis]

i agree that taking johnson had several motives.

1. holmes is hurt plain and simple - even though he might return and be the star again

2. they had no backup as before mentioned

3. priest was pissed about his contract last year. he is under contract until 2005. but with johnson there it leaves them room to talk trades with other teams if priest complains too much. or secures their future RB situation when he leaves in 2005

4. if they renegotiate his contract they now have leverage if he tries to get too greedy

all these reasons help to bolster the johnson pick and give the chiefs a lot of play when dealing with the ailing holmes.