Friday Morning Cup O’Chiefs
Michael Vick knows when he’s getting out of Leavenworth, Tom Brady got married and Los Angeles is a step closer to a new football stadium.
But all anybody around the NFL wants to talk about on this Friday is the start of the new league year and free agency. Gisele and Tom? Forget it. They want to talk about Albert Haynesworth (below) and Dan Snyder.
So that’s where we’ll start this morning. I promise we will catch up with Vick, Brady and stadium news a bit later.
At 11:01 p.m. CST Thursday, it was time for the NFL to begin what amounts to its football fiscal year. All teams had to be under the salary cap of $127 million with their top salaries and bonuses for the 2009 season.
Early Thursday afternoon, every team in the league had a cushion under the cap. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Chiefs had the biggest margins. The Bucs were $61 million under the cap, with the Chiefs at $57 million.
I know Chiefs fans see all that cap space available and believe that Scott Pioli is going to be one busy guy in the free agency world this weekend.
They are going to be disappointed. I think Pioli will be active in the second wave of free agency, but in this first week where the contracts get blown all out of proportion and teams badly overpay for players, I believe the Chiefs will sit on the sidelines and plan their strategy for when players and agents become more realistic.
That doesn’t mean the Chiefs won’t sign free agents. In fact, I would project they could easily sign as many this year as they have in the past two seasons combined. That number was six unrestricted free agents. Pioli and Todd Haley will identify plenty of free agents to sprinkle into their roster. I wouldn’t be surprised if by training camp they had signed a UFA for every position group.
But it won’t be the big names, like Haynesworth, linebacker Ray Lewis, quarterback Kurt Warner or wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh. It will be role players, spot starters, solid but little known veterans who fit the new Chiefs profile. And, the Chiefs won’t be dancing to any out of whack financial demands; those are always part of the picture in free agency, especially in the first days.
Don’t think Haynesworth. Think Monty Beisel.
Yes, that Beisel. Drafted by the Chiefs in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft, Pioli signed Beisel as an unrestricted free agent in New England in 2005. He played there one year, was released in 2006 at the end of training camp and landed in Arizona. He was a big part of the Cardinals special teams and also played in the goal-line/short-yardage defense. Haley obviously knows something about him. Beisel could provide help to the Chiefs special teams units, and we certainly know they need a lot of help.
Don’t think Lewis. Think Mike Vrabel.
In 2001, he was one of the 17 free agents signed by the Patriots. A defensive end at Ohio State, Vrabel was a third-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1997 NFL Draft. In four seasons with the Steelers, he was moved to outside linebacker, never started a game and contributed 43 total tackles on defense and another 23 on special teams.
He joined the Patriots as a starter at outside linebacker and has been there for eight years now. Vrabel earned a trip to the Pro Bowl in 2007. He ranks among the top free agent signings in the history of the business.
The Chiefs will end up spending a lot of money in free agency this year, but it won’t be on one player and it won’t be strung out for years to come.
L.T.’S SITUATION IN SAN DIEGO
The battle between LaDainian Tomlinson and the Chargers remains ongoing out in San Diego.
In meeting with the media on Thursday, Chargers G.M. A.J. Smith talked about a number of subjects, including attempts to re-negotiate L.T.’s contract
“All I can tell you is everything is ongoing (with Tomlinson),” Smith said. “I’ve got nothing more to add at this time. But I will add this: we would love to have him. We hope he returns.”
Because of the money they’ve committed to Darren Sproles as a franchise player, and with deals they would like to do with quarterback Philip Rivers and tight end Antonio Gates, Smith needs to shrink not only Tomlinson’s cap number, but his actual salary.
Smith also talked about his disappointment with the team’s 8-8 record last year.
“We’ve got some guys who need to step up,” Smith said. “You give people opportunities, but a lot of our guys are on notice. They know who they are.
“I think there’s quite a few guys that felt pretty good about themselves and about the team. They bought all the magazine covers, probably have them all hanging in their room somewhere. They heard all the accolades. That’s part of the growing-up, maturity process. I don’t think we’ll be on too many magazine covers this year.”
VICK GETS RELEASE DATE FROM LEAVENWORTH
Michael Vick will be released from the Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary on or about May 21.
The imprisoned NFL star will be allowed to finish his 23-month sentence under home confinement because there is no room at a halfway house for him. That’s what a government official told Associated Press on Thursday.
Vick pleaded guilty to bankrolling a dog fighting operation at a home he owned in eastern Virginia. He also admitted to participating in the killing of underperforming dogs.
Because of a lack of space, Vick will be released to his home in Hampton, Virginia. He will be on electronic monitoring and allowed to leave home only for activities pre-approved by his probation officer.
His scheduled release date is July 20.
LOS ANGELES AREA ONE STEP CLOSER TO A NEW FOOTBALL STADIUM
On Thursday, the city of Industry City Council unanimously approved a proposal for a pro football stadium intended to lure an NFL team back to the Los Angeles area.
The vote cleared the way for developers of the $800 million stadium to begin the process of finding a team to move into the stadium, which is about 15 miles east of Los Angeles. A developing company spokesman said his company would begin shopping for a team on April 1, which is the deadline for opponents of the project to file a lawsuit.
Majestic Real Estate Co. managing partner John Semcken said at least eight NFL teams have been identified as targets for relocation. He believes the NFL will give quick approval to any change.
“They understand the stadium, they understand the economic opportunity,” Semcken said of the NFL. “All they want is certainty. They want to make sure our stadium is getting built.”
Majestic intends to pay for the stadium with private funds and start construction as soon as a team has committed to playing there.
The neighboring cities of Walnut and Diamond Bar, fearing traffic-clogged streets and rowdy fan behavior, have threatened lawsuits to stop the project.
TOM BRADY NO LONGER A FREE AGENT OFF THE FIELD
Gisele Bundchen and Tom Brady were married Thursday evening during a Catholic ceremony in Los Angeles, according to Us Weekly magazine.
The ceremony began at dusk and according to a source was “very small and intimate.” The guest list was mostly immediate family members. The bride, 28, wore an ivory lace strapless gown with a trumpet skirt, scalloped edges, long train and a floor-length veil with attached handmade satin roses and attached satin headband. Hey, this is important stuff.
It was all from Dolce & Gabbana. Weren’t they the guards on the ’56 New York Giants offensive line. Bundchen’s three dogs wore matching Dolce & Gabbana floral lace collars. Really … I can’t make up stuff this good.
The couple recently purchased an $11.7 million home in a gated community in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles.
SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY …
Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez
(left) was born on February 27, 1976 in Torrance, California. Selected in the first round of the 1997 NFL Draft by the Chiefs, Gonzalez has played 12 seasons and established himself as the leading tight end receiver in pro football history. He earned a tenth trip to the Pro Bowl after the 2008 season.
Quarterback Jonathan Quinn was born on February 27, 1975 in Turlock, California. He spent the 2002-03 seasons with the Chiefs, appearing in one game.
Born on February 27, 1955 in Santa Monica, California was center Bob Rush, who joined the Chiefs in a 1983 trade from the San Diego Chargers to replace the retired Jack Rudnay. Rush played three seasons with the Chiefs (193-85), starting 47 games at center.
Born on February 27, 1954 in Lansing, Michigan was guard-tackle Rod Walters, the Chiefs first-round choice in the 1976 NFL Draft. Walters played four seasons with the Chiefs (1976, 1978-80), appearing in 52 games with just seven starts. He ended up playing several games with both Detroit and Miami before the end of his career.
Pro Football Hall of famer Raymond Emmett Berry was born on February 27, 1933 in Corpus Christi, Texas. Berry played 13 seasons with the Baltimore Colts and was the favorite target for another Hall of Famer, quarterback Johnny Unitas. Over his career, Berry caught a then record 631 passes for 9,275 yards and 68 touchdowns. He was elected to six Pro Bowls and was part of the Hall’s class of 1973.
I see Stir it up Sh*tlock got an early start on free agency. He’s the first out of the gate to try to gain attention for himself and blow up the new organization before we’ve even begun a reshaping of the team. It seems Brian Waters met with Haley and got his feelings hurt and Pioli refused to see him prompting a trade request. That may be fact but the rest of his post is centered on rumors of Haley’s unpopularity with “veteran” players on the Cardinals roster. I didn’t see a lot of facts in the story. What is completely lacking is what prompted the exchange and Haley to say 22 players off the street could win 2 games. That may be the only true statement in the article and one has to ask what Waters half of the conversation looked like. Couple that with the fact he’s another well compensated 30 something on a 2-14 team and I say let the rebuilding begin.
I see Stir it up Sh*tlock got an early start on free agency. He’s the first out of the gate to try to gain attention for himself and blow up the new organization before we’ve even begun a reshaping of the team. It seems Brian Waters met with Haley and got his feelings hurt and Pioli refused to see him prompting a trade request. That may be fact but the rest of his post is centered on rumors of Haley’s unpopularity with “veteran” players on the Cardinals roster. I didn’t see a lot of facts in the story. What is completely lacking is what prompted the exchange and Haley to say 22 players off the street could win 2 games. That may be the only true statement in the article and one has to ask what Waters half of the conversation looked like. Couple that with the fact he’s another well compensated 30 something on a 2-14 team and I say let the rebuilding begin.
I expect you are right Bob, I also doubt we will see a lot of over priced free agents. Just look at the Pats as an example. Mostly young hungry talent and older vets looking to finish their career on a well managed team. I think we will sign some good young players to fill in the holes this year and then look to the draft to get the really good players. Happy B’day Tony!
Here one from Sporting news, the Redskins are to sign Haynesworth today. Paying too much for another problem player yet again. Better the Skins then the Chiefs. We should be able to sign several players for that amount of money.
http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/real_scouts/entry/view/17521/reports_skins_land_haynesworth_with_$100_million_deal
Yea, I saw the Whitlock article too. It WOULD be interesting to know what Waters was saying. Brian is a great & giving person, but Pioli is letting everybody know that HE’S in charge. Waters needs to act more like the man he’s demonstrated he is & PERFORM under the terms of his contract in a manner that will best help his entire team – regardless of what he thinks of the coach or the front office. THAT is a true professional. These athletes need to get it into their head that they want money. They’re given money. They’re OBLIGATED to perform. If he tries to cause trouble, like LJ. I’d do the same with them both…keep them & use every tool in the contract they signed to enforce it.
Tim
How can the great and giving person BW then be listed in the same sentance as LJman?? We have no idea what BW is concerned about. I am quite sure that he does conduct himself profesionally. I am not too sure why you would even read what JW has to write it is usually not worthy of the bottom of the bird cage.
To all
Sorry I forgot to write this after my last post.
GO GHIEFS !!! THE RIGHT 53 2009
Not sure whats up with the Waters/Haley deal but Waters is a good man (Very well could be Sh#tlock starting something he don’t get much attention with all the quietness of the new administration) I say keep Waters he will chill out. As far as LJ I’d trade that #$%$^%#! as soon as I could.
I know it would be nice to have Haynesworth on the team he’s a beast but man 100 mil. 7 yrs he will actually have 32 mil. in the next 13 months thats insane. I think I’d be alright with Warner coming in though even at 14 mil a year if we could protect him. He would be a great mentor to any QB just the way he never gave up even when people told him to give up. In other words if we can get the right kind of player at a reasonable cost do it. But I also think the Chiefs shouldn’t get rid of everybody either some of these kids have a lot of talent.
Hey Devildawg where can I get my T-shirt?
GO GHIEFS !!! THE RIGHT 53 2009
I don’t know about you guys, but…
I couldn’t “demand” to see the President (GM in Waters’ case) of the company I work for, and expect him to open up his door and say “Sure…let me stop what I’m doing, and you come right on in”.
And I don’t recall Warner and Fitz having anything but good things to say about Haley. At least publicly. Maybe they were afraid he might be coming back as their OC. Who knows.
I always respected Waters…as I did Tony G. But this “do this or do that, and if you don’t I want to be traded” BS is just that. BS. Do what you’re paid to do, and quit crying.
As previously stated, though…I’ll consider the source (Whitlock) and see what a more reliable source has to say.
Well I hope for one that they make Brian Waters happy since he does help make the left side of the O-line the strongest on the team… Not unless the chiefs can find another guard in FA that would play like he did on a 2-14 team…
I think we can safely say, Jason Whitlock just lost a pretty good source.
Change sucks. I wish Brian Waters would’be buttoned his lip and shown up for conditioning programs/OTA’s.
Chris
“Sir the pvt. does not know but will find out Sir”!
If we had a team of players like Brian Waters we would NOT have won only 2 games.
GO CHIEFS !!! THE RIGHT 53 2009
Brain Waters was one of the few effective players we had last season. That being said, BW and every other player needs to realize that they aren’t going to be coddled anymore. Herm praised them last year when all they did was blow leads and lose games. Haley is more like Parcells. If you’re a loser then that’s what he’s going to call you. If it smells like sh*t…..then it IS sh*t and two wins is sh*t.
That being said, I doubt Waters is going to cause any trouble. He’s just adjusting to a dramatically different coach than the one he’s had the last three seasons. He’ll get over it. As for Whitlock, I think he’s just bored.
Damn, looks like we will loseout on Bart Scott to the freaking Jets for only about 8-mil a year, thats not bad for top talent.
Our #3 pick will cost us more than that and I had hoped we could land a TOP Free Agent LB to add with a Top Drafted LB. Stay Tuned.
Don’t EVER take anything old Jason WhitSUCK say’s to heart!
“The Right 53″
GO CHIEFS!
Ya know, speaking of “The Right 53″ as apposed to “Herm DeadWords” quote of always saying “The Best 53″ is that we all didn’t know what Herm meant when he said it. He meant he had the Best 53 Fieldgoal HOLDERS he could find.
lol sorry for that. Not all of our players are bad.
“The Right 53″
!GO CHIEFS!
I agree, BW has been a very good & giving person – no question. Let’s hope he just got angry because “things aren’t the same around here anymore” & that he adjusts. If he doesn’t, and chooses to have a bad attitude, etc., I stand by my previous statements. He should be aware those people’s time is VERY precious right now. They got a late start. Free Agency is on them. They haven’t even announced the final coaching staff & he wants them to drop everything & talk to him? Gimme a break. Best thing BW could do is speak for himself at this point – and quickly. Too bad there are some “snitches” still left in the building.
Am I the only person that thinks that Tom Brady is gay? Not that there’s anything wrong with it… but he just does’nt seem to be enjoying Gisele like any normal man would….
LMAO eyePod!!
Tim, you stated it very well. Anytime there is new management, things are going to be different. You may not like them but you have to adjust or leave. I think Brian Waters will come around. You are also correct if he came unannounced and wanted to talk to Peoli. I’m sure Peoli is very busy now and will talk to him in time. However, it appears, at least this time, there was no snitch. The statements seem to have come directly from BW to Whitlock.
I wrongly concluded Chief’s fans posting to blogs were either on drugs or morons… the problem was I only looked at a few of the Stars blogs… my bad… great article on BW Bob & great to read some input by fans a little closer to home!!