If When Priest Holmes Comes Back for the Kansas City Chiefs...

by Chris Thorman on Jul 25, 2007 3:22 PM CDT

Second to ~~Nun~~ ~~Larry Johnson~~ Michael Bennett (Photo source here)

Where does he fit in?

Warpaint Illustrated is reporting that pending clearance by the Kansas City Chiefs' medical staff, Priest Holmes will "show up sometime in the first three of four days of training camp next week."

Obviously, the Minister of Offense is not going to step in and be the Chiefs no. 1 running back. Also, I imagine that a healthy Michael Bennett would beat him out for the no. 2 spot. That essentially leaves Priest Holmes battling for the no. 3 spot between Kolby Smith and Derrick Ross. At the moment, it would appear that Kolby Smith has the slight edge to beat out Ross for the no. 3 spot. But throw Priest Holmes into the mix and what do we have?

If Holmes does end up reporting to River Falls next week, he'll more than likely, as WPI says, be a third down back type. In other words, a guy who is going to carry the ball less than 10 times a game and maybe have around 30 catches on the season.

As I and others have repeatedly mentioned before on this site, we would most certainly welcome a healthy Priest Holmes back into the Chiefs' fold. The guy is inevitably a ghost of his record breaking 2003 self. But I imagine that if he is healthy, Priest still has a few 40+ yard screen pass TDs and probably a thousand more yards in his system.

For now, we have to label this one as a rumor and wait for news to come.

Note: I attached a poll so click through to vote.

**UPDATE** Priest Holmes will report to River Falls on Saturday for the Kansas City Chiefs training camp. From the official site:

Peterson received a call from Todd France (Holmes’ representative) and indicated that Priest had made a decision that he wants to play for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2007. Peterson then received a phone call from Holmes in which he personally reiterated his intentions for 2007. The Chiefs then coordinated visits with the team’s orthopedic physicians and specialists in Miami. Everyone conferred following the examination and it was the opinion of the doctors that Priest could play NFL football in 2007.

Wow. I have to admit I'm a little surprised by this. Nevertheless, we welcome Priest Holmes back and wish him the best of luck. Pending his playing condition, the Chiefs more than likely just jumped to the no. 1 rushing attack in the NFL.

Herm Edwards seems to be a bit skeptical, at least for right now.

"At this point, we will need to proceed slowly to determine where he is from a health and conditioning standpoint. Hopefully, he’s able to come back and continue his career with the Chiefs. I believe Priest Holmes is a team guy and has indicated to me his desire to help this team. If he’s able to come back, he understands and accepts the fact that he would have a different role than when he was the starter. I look forward to monitoring his progress throughout training camp."

Before we get too excited, lets remember that Priest has yet to play a down in a year and a half, even in training camp. This is still a wait and see situation. Doesn't mean I'm not excited though...

Poll

Will Priest Holmes play for the Chiefs this year?

Yes

109 votes

No

43 votes

152 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

There's just no way to tell.

At this point, I'm willing to bet Kolby Smith could beat him out for #3 RB.

But absolutely no way to tell if he's even remotely in shape, or what.

by Direckshun on Jul 25, 2007 10:03 AM CDT reply actions

Thats the thing

After being out of football for two years, a lot of people seem to think if he's healthy, Priest can just come in and tear it up. I too am skeptical.

by Chris Thorman on Jul 25, 2007 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions

Two backs

I agree, Priest will have a lot of rust he needs to shake off in order to get back into playing shape. However, I would love it if he came back and could give us 10-15 touches a game. Anything to lesson the load on LJ is great and anything on top of that is all gravy.

by Big City on Jul 25, 2007 12:34 PM CDT up reply actions

Tell you what...

..it might not be good business, good football, or even the attitude of a good Christian, but I sure as hell wish he showed up and was cut, late, hindering his ability to sign with someone else.

Thanks for leaving us when we needed you, Priest. Enjoy them nachos... in HELL.

-cw

by webby37 on Jul 25, 2007 10:45 AM CDT reply actions

Leverage

Remember when Priest held out and CP drafted LJ for negotiating leverage? Well, now LJ's holding out and there are noises that Priest is ready to return. Coincidence??? I think if LJ signs for a reasonable amount the Priest story will come to an end.

by dennirhanna58 on Jul 25, 2007 2:06 PM CDT reply actions

I don't have any evidence

about what you just said but I think that is a definite possibility. The timing of LJ holding out and Priest "coming back" is just too coincidental right now for me to fully accept.

by Chris Thorman on Jul 25, 2007 2:20 PM CDT up reply actions

Well

Nevermind what I just said in the above comment.

Welcome back the Minister of Offense!

by Chris Thorman on Jul 25, 2007 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions

That's right

The Minister of Offense is back! I'm excited for this just so he can take a few carries from LJ and keep LJ with us for a while.

by Joel Thorman on Jul 25, 2007 2:48 PM CDT reply actions

Like I just wrote above

Priest still hasn't proved anything other than he is medically cleared to play.

by Chris Thorman on Jul 25, 2007 2:50 PM CDT up reply actions

Hmm

It's fun to dream about Priest Holmes riding in on a white horse to save the Chiefs from an LJ holdout but...that's not going to happen.

Hopefully he can still be an above average #3 or maybe even a decent #2.

by Pauli on Jul 25, 2007 5:16 PM CDT reply actions

glad priest is back

i think he can be a very good back up RB in the league and whiel not anything close to his old self, will still help us win taking around 10 touches a game. nothing special, but still glad he is back...

plus, with us likely using this year to rebuild anyways what about getting priest back and healthy, then trading him at the end of the preseason/after a couple of weeks in the regular season. we could probably get a pretty good draft pick out of the deal, and we already have enough RB depth (for me at least, i am in love with both kolby smith and derrick ross).

by rockchalk on Jul 25, 2007 7:09 PM CDT reply actions

BallHype...

Just over there and I noticed that we used the same image. We used it months ago and I just used it without thinking right after you did. LOL. Didn't even notice.

- Adam

ArrowheadAddict.com

by arrowheadaddict on Jul 26, 2007 1:57 AM CDT reply actions