PDA

View Full Version : Bennett trade official



Guru
10-16-2007, 01:48 AM
[/URL][url]http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chiefs/story/318881.html (http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chiefs/story/318881.html)
Holmes eligible to practice with Chiefs this week
By ADAM TEICHER

Chiefs running back Priest Holmes will finally get a chance to work out with the rest of the team this week at practice.

Facing what soon could be an excess of running backs, the Chiefs traded Michael Bennett to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night.

What the Chiefs received in return was immediately unclear. The Chiefs declined to confirm the deal, but Bennett said he was informed of the trade by officials of both teams.

“It was a shock to me,” Bennett said. “It really caught me off-guard. I heard the speculation for the past few days, but nobody from the Chiefs said anything to me, so I guessed it wasn’t going to happen. I was wrong. It’s a business. It’s just one of those things that happen.”

Although he was the starting halfback during Larry Johnson’s training-camp holdout, Bennett quickly became expendable once Johnson signed his contract extension. Bennett played sparingly in recent games, and rookie Kolby Smith has been getting more snaps in practice recently, an indication he was about to encroach on at least some of Bennett’s playing time.

Priest Holmes is eligible to return to practice this week. Coach Herm Edwards said earlier Monday that Holmes would participate Wednesday when the Chiefs begin preparations for Sunday’s game against the Raiders in Oakland.

Asked when Holmes might be ready to play in a game, Edwards said, “I don’t know. I’d like to see him practice first. I’ll be able to answer that Wednesday after practice or Thursday.”

Since the start of the regular season, Holmes has been on the Chiefs’ non-football injury list. That meant under NFL rules Holmes was ineligible to practice or play until the Chiefs had finished their sixth game.

The Chiefs moved to 3-3 with Sunday’s 27-20 win over Cincinnati at Arrowhead Stadium.

Assuming that Holmes practices Wednesday, the Chiefs would then have three weeks to decide on one of three options: activate him to the 53-player roster, release him or place him back on the non-football injury list, which would in effect end his season.

Holmes, who turned 34 last week, hasn’t played or practiced in two years. He left the field during a game against the Chargers in San Diego after receiving a hit that left him with tingling in his extremities.

Holmes only last summer was cleared to play. His arrival at training camp was greeted with great fanfare, but he reported in something less than optimum physical condition, so his long-anticipated return to the field was delayed.

Although he hasn’t been practicing or playing, Holmes has been at Arrowhead Stadium nearly every day, and he appears in much better physical condition than when he arrived for camp.

“He’s been here,” Edwards said. “I’ve been talking to him, about every other day or so. We talk about where he’s at, how he’s doing, what we’re thinking. We’ve communicated. He knows what I expect and I know where he’s at right now. When I talked to him last week, he wanted to know if this (current week) was the week. I said, ‘Is it?’ He said, ‘Yeah.’ So I said, ‘Let’s go.’ ”

Edwards said Holmes would begin practice not running Chiefs plays, but those of the upcoming opponent. That’s a duty usually reserved for backups and practice-squad players, not a former rushing champion and one-time single-season touchdown record-holder like Holmes.

But Edwards indicated Holmes could work his way up quickly.

“You’ve got to find a way to get him in the game,” Edwards said. “But we haven’t seen him practice yet. You’ll get a sense of that from how he does in practice. That’s all you can go by. It’s no different than anybody else. You get a feel for when it’s time to get him in a game.”

Holmes might have a difficult time returning to the form that made him one of the league’s top running backs early in this decade. But the Chiefs can’t afford not to find out.

Johnson’s miserable season continued against the Bengals. He ran for 119 yards, but it took him 31 carries. He scored his first touchdown of the season, but he lost another one when he fumbled just short of the goal line. He gained just 13 yards in 15 carries in the second half.

Bennett wasn’t any better in limited playing time. It’s little wonder the Chiefs have played along with Holmes’ return or that Edwards indicated Holmes would play if he earned it.

“I always try to tell the players that if you’re a productive guy, we’ll get you the ball,” Edwards said. “If you’re not a productive guy, we’ll give it to somebody else.”

The Bucs were searching for a running back after losing starter Cadillac Williams for the season because of a knee injury and backup Michael Pittman for several weeks because of an ankle injury.

“I’m sure I’ll get to play down in Tampa, but I’m kind of sorry to leave the Chiefs,” said Bennett, acquired by the Chiefs from New Orleans last year for a draft pick. “I felt this was a great place. I got to be like a big brother to a lot of the other players. I’ve spent all night talking to guys on the team and saying good-bye.”

hermhater
10-16-2007, 01:56 AM
That didn't work , but told you so.

Polleo Pit Man
10-16-2007, 02:59 AM
we didnt need bennet anyhow....Go Priest Go

hermhater
10-16-2007, 03:04 AM
I hate to say I told you so, but...

I don't think this is a challlenge to LJ, rather an adjustment in the backfield to the O line.

A rather novel approach but one that may work.

Is this an organizational way to make a statement to the O line?

We don't trust you?

chief31
10-16-2007, 05:22 AM
I pretty much saw this coming. I figured that Bennett maight bring some compensation through a trade, whereas I knew the team was high on Kolby Smith.

I like Bennett and hope he gets alot of opportunities in Tampa, but am also thrilled with the prospect of Priests return. Guru, have you got yourself a crow-drumstick ready?

rbedgood
10-16-2007, 06:12 AM
I'm guessing the compensation is probably a Draft pick, otherwise a player name would've leaked. If it is a player how about Gradowski (good young QB), or just about anyone on the TB O-line would be an improvement (including some of their backups)...

chief31
10-16-2007, 06:40 AM
I'm guessing the compensation is probably a Draft pick, otherwise a player name would've leaked. If it is a player how about Gradowski (good young QB), or just about anyone on the TB O-line would be an improvement (including some of their backups)...

I'd have to hope for the draft pick, unless they wanted to let go of OT Daryn College. Their o-line is improved, but still fsr from good, as a run-blocking unit. JMO.

Guru
10-16-2007, 06:49 AM
At this point, I want the draft picks.

chief31
10-16-2007, 07:08 AM
At this point, I want the draft picks.

I would be surprised if we got anything higher than a fifth-rounder.

swmochiefsfan
10-16-2007, 11:36 AM
They said on FSR it was for an indisclosed draft pick. All I know, for now

Chiefster
10-16-2007, 11:50 AM
I'm glad to see Priest finally get the chance at a come back, as long as he is healthy, but I have a problem with the way the front office conducts it's business. They should not have come out of left field with the news to Bennett regarding the trade.

YZILLA
10-16-2007, 12:00 PM
I agree, Priest coming back will be cool. However he is 34 and hasnt played for two years. I really liked Bennett as the #2 guy . Kolby is the future guy , and he has tons of potential.. If they decide to play priest I hope they dont drag it out anymore . Let him get his hits on the field when larry needs a breather. Rather than dragging this into week 10 before we finally decide we arent going with priest anymore . He knows the offense . Just give him the damn ball and lets see where he stands in real life situations , not practice situations where guys are holding back. GO Priest ! Im rooting for ya ! ( with my fingers crossed ) . If we dont get some Oline draft picks next season , Ill be pissed.

McLovin
10-16-2007, 12:09 PM
http://blogs.tampabay.com/bucs/2007/10/bennett-tampa-b.html

Thats a good start, although I think we should have tried to get someone from Tampa Bays O-Line rather then a second day draft pick that herm and Carl will waste.

GO CHIEFS

swmochiefsfan
10-16-2007, 01:27 PM
I agree, Priest coming back will be cool. However he is 34 and hasnt played for two years. I really liked Bennett as the #2 guy . Kolby is the future guy , and he has tons of potential.. If they decide to play priest I hope they dont drag it out anymore . Let him get his hits on the field when larry needs a breather. Rather than dragging this into week 10 before we finally decide we arent going with priest anymore . He knows the offense . Just give him the damn ball and lets see where he stands in real life situations , not practice situations where guys are holding back. GO Priest ! Im rooting for ya ! ( with my fingers crossed ) . If we dont get some Oline draft picks next season , Ill be pissed.
Agree with everything you say but I dont think we'll see him quite yet though.

Coach
10-16-2007, 09:25 PM
I would be surprised if we got anything higher than a fifth-rounder.

Me too.

I am already counting down the minutes til LJ comes up with some kind of bogus injury because Priest is taking away some of his carries.

sling58
10-17-2007, 09:06 AM
Atleast we got Priest back.

hermhater
10-17-2007, 02:24 PM
Me too.

I am already counting down the minutes til LJ comes up with some kind of bogus injury because Priest is taking away some of his carries.

He has already been on the sidelines too often for my likes.

The coach puts him in just about every time they are gonna run him and it isn't OBVIOUS to the other team what we are gonna do?

Then they expect him to pass block after his has been out of the game!

Chiefster
10-17-2007, 08:39 PM
Atleast we got Priest back.

Reference my avatar. :D

Canada
10-17-2007, 08:41 PM
Reference my avatar. :D

Reference your own friggin avatar....leave me alone in the shout box... i don't like small spaces.

sling58
10-18-2007, 07:53 AM
Reference my avatar. :D

sorry Chiefster, I am not that kind of guy!

:lol: