Brian Waters: 'As of Today, I'm a Kansas City Chief'

by Joel Thorman on Jun 5, 2009 1:22 PM CDT in 2009 Offseason Comment 29 comments

Kansas City Chiefs guard Brian Waters did show up to mini-camp today after a flurry of questions over the last few months regarding his desire to be with the Chiefs. Waters spoke to reporters following the morning practice. Bob Gretz has the scoop.

"When it’s time for business, I try to take care of it at that time and when it’s time for football, I try to take care of it at that time," Waters said. "This weekend is about football."

"I’m glad to be here with my teammates. I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future. Whatever happens in the future is going to be between me and the organization. As of today, I"m a Kansas City Chief."

He said he would not answer any questions regarding his reported meeting with head coach Todd Haley in February. He was asked if he wanted to be a Chief and said, "Today I do, that's why I'm here." He wasn't definitive in his answers when asked if he wanted to be part of team long-term.

Click through to catch the rest of his session with reporters where he reveals more.

He also tried to clear up a lot of questions regarding his absence during the team's previous voluntary mini-camps. Multiple media outlets reported that his absence was due to his reported tiff with Chiefs management. Not so, says Waters.

"I’m never here in the off-season," Waters said. "This idea of me skipping OTAs, skipping workouts because of some other thing is not true. I"m rarely here in the off-season. I’m always here for mandatory things. I’m almost never here for the OTAs or off-season program. I wanted to make sure to clear that up."

As far as the charity event that he reportedly skipped on Wednesday night, he said he had no idea he had missed the event.

"I had no idea that the charity (event) was going on at that particular date and time," Waters said. "I hadn’t communicated with anybody and nobody had communicated with me. To think that I would skip out of a charity event that I was involved in for any reason is really not my style, it’s really not my character."

Sorry. Not buying that last one. He's an honorary co-chair. He can't act like he had no idea what was going on.

Whatever the issue is, Waters appears to be playing nice. He wasn't definitive in his desire to stay in Kansas City but reiterated that this is all about football at this point. It doesn't hurt that the Chiefs could fine him over $9,000 for missing this weekend's practice.

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This part is interesting

“Whatever happens in the future is going to be between me and the organization.”

If the JW story is true and came from Waters then maybe Waters is rethinking making his feelings known publicly in the future.

by markc on Jun 5, 2009 1:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

yes it is interesting...

Waters has never been shy about whining to the media during contract negotiations – but neither was King Carl afraid of using the media in an effort to put pressure on players during contract talks. With what’s good for the goose being good for the gander, it was no biggie to hear Waters and others whine in the media.

The new brain-trust has had multiple opportunities to slam Waters during the past two months, and have steadfastly refused to talk about him or anyone else’s situation; i.e. LJ, Gonzo, etc. Maybe in the process they earned some measure of respect from Brian – albeit grudgingly. This is a very welcome change to me!

Maybe they can find a way to make nice and work together after all. It could all be simply a matter or leverage too. Waters is signed (for at least 2 more years I think) and is a 10 year vet. As good as he is… he ain’t Gonzo either – there’s nobody out there waving a 2nd round pick for Waters in Pioli’s face.

Waters has to know no other team is going to pay him what the Chiefs have agreed to pay him for the balance of his contract. So maybe he’s just decided to lump it rather than leave all that cash on the table?

by CurtMerzFan on Jun 5, 2009 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I kinda suspect it was a difference of opinion about OTAs.

Waters may’ve thought they were tryin’ to punk him. I get the sense that both sides are straight shooters, and straight-shooters don’t always make the best first impressions. I think both will eventually end up respecting the other, especially in light of the fact that, as you say, CMF, Waters has 2 years to go on an existing deal.

by hmills110 on Jun 5, 2009 1:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't like JW. Never caught JW in an outright lie.

But I’m not exactly trackin’ it, either. Usually ignore JW and go thru his stuff out every month or three or four, usually after he makes a splash with something controversial.

by hmills110 on Jun 5, 2009 1:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

H/T to markc for getting both the Waters and Vrabel links

Thank you sir.

by Joel Thorman on Jun 5, 2009 1:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Thank you

Just happy to be able to contribute a little :)

by markc on Jun 5, 2009 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good to see.

I’m not so sure about this, though, Prime:

Sorry. Not buying that last one. He’s an honorary co-chair. He can’t act like he had no idea what was going on.

If Waters is anything like I am, and he sure sounds like it, one of the first things he did at the end of the season was map out everything on his calendar that was mandatory, and then got busy relaxing. And that may be the reason for the reported tiff. Haley may’ve tried pressuring Waters to attend OTAs, or taken it for granted that he’d be there, when he had no intention of doing so.

Anyway, if I knew June 5th was THE day, and let it be known, it’d be easy to miss something like the charity event, and folks might not waste time trying to track me down, if they knew how I operated and had any sense.

But I’ll listen to his comments, here in a bit, to get more of a feel.

I personally don’t think Haley needs to say much of anything. Just work him out with the #2s or #3s, and let him earn his way to the #1s, same as anybody who’d missed all the OTAs.

Note how the arrival of Waters and Vrabel gave everyone a lift? Makes it clear that things are notching up, without really having to say anything? A smart guy might manage the psychology this way, without having to do anything overt, himself.

by hmills110 on Jun 5, 2009 1:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Also

The rest of his comments were consistent with what Ms. Scott of the foundation and the Chiefs said the other day in the star in that neither had contacted or heard from him prior to the event.

by GenericBrand on Jun 5, 2009 1:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Waters didn't respond to questions about the event from the Chiefs

He knew.

by Joel Thorman on Jun 5, 2009 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The interview sounded

a bit on the bitter side but alot of positives there. Especially taking the high road when being asked to practice with the third line. For a guy who supposedly got his feelings hurt over a comment he didnt take this “demotion” as a slap in the face and realizes he has to work hard and is looking forward towards what he has to do before training camp.

by GenericBrand on Jun 5, 2009 1:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Be interested to hear what kind of shape Waters is in.

Can he hang with the guys who’ve been doing the strength and conditioning program?

by hmills110 on Jun 5, 2009 1:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

They said he wasn't in great playing shape right now

by Joel Thorman on Jun 5, 2009 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Which sadly enough means he's still better than most of our offensive linemen =)

Marley will be walking soon...she could probably play Linebacker better than some of the guys we had.

by PVChiefsfan on Jun 5, 2009 2:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Does anyone know if Waters has

or, correction, had any horses?

by Sudden on Jun 5, 2009 2:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I would not be surprised to see the starting lineup get shaken up a bit.

The first team O-line may be much different from what we are expecting. With Better strength and Conditioning some of the guys who didn’t cut it last year may make it to the first team. I am going to predict a starting O-line right now.
LT=Albert
LG=Waters
C=Goff
RG=Niswanger
RT=Richardson/Taylor

It’s probably bullshit but, I thought it would be fun.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Jun 5, 2009 2:14 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Shot in the dark...

“When it’s time for business, I try to take care of it at that time and when it’s time for football, I try to take care of it at that time,” Waters said. “This weekend is about football.”

Could it be that maybe he approached the new regime asking for an extension or a new deal? Just the phrasing he used is typically from guys in contract talks.

I don’t know much about the business side of football, so maybe it’s not the case. Just a thought.

by LTownChiefsFan on Jun 5, 2009 2:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

He's due nearly $11 million over the final three years

by Joel Thorman on Jun 5, 2009 2:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And is his own agent

Which might not be a good thing.

by Joel Thorman on Jun 5, 2009 3:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He never needed one in KC

Papa Peterson treated his Pro-Bowlers like they were his own blood and spending his whole career in KC he probably never needed a middle man between him and ‘Pops’

by KansasCityShuffle on Jun 5, 2009 3:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Brian will get a contract fair to him done if needed

He drafted the last one and Brian is no Idiot.

Let's Kick some ASS in 09 or Die trying

by Steve_Chiefs on Jun 5, 2009 5:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's halfway through a six year deal

With three years remaining, I don’t see the new regime caring two you-know-whats if he wants a new deal.

by Joel Thorman on Jun 5, 2009 6:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Waters is the anti-TO

No matter what is going on behind the scenes, Waters has shown that he is a consummate professional. If his time is up, then it’s up. But no matter what happens, it’s refreshing to see a football player just grab his lunch pail and go to work.

by mushin on Jun 5, 2009 7:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

How is Waters the anti-TO?

Although he is better than TO. A consummate professional would not have went to the media with his personal problems with the Chief’s management. This should have just all stayed on the down-low and within the organization. My opinion of Brian Waters has dropped significantly since he threw a tantrum when denied an immediate interview by the new management.

by whakkers on Jun 6, 2009 12:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

STILL just Whitlocks word

We still have zero confirmation except for whitlocks “unnamed source”. Maybe it was Waters and maybe not. Maybe it was just some BS that Whitlock threw out there. I have doubts about the whole thing. After listening to Pioli interviewed on RedZone he sounds like a very respectful kind of guy, and I have real doubts about the validity of the story. I’ll reserve judgement until I see how things play out a little more.

by Zodeman on Jun 6, 2009 12:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Worst kept secret

Waters was Whitlock’s source.

by Joel Thorman on Jun 6, 2009 7:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I realize that

My point is NO ONE ELSE has gotten a sliver of info from the “source”. If Waters was truly pissed and wanted out, I just can’t believe there wouldn’t have been anything else said.

by Zodeman on Jun 6, 2009 9:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can

Waters and Whitlock are reportedly friends, so he probably wouldn’t talk to anyone else. Waters has declined comment every time he’s been asked about it which probably means it’s true. Just my opinion.

by Joel Thorman on Jun 6, 2009 9:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I live in Philly

Have you heard Sheldon Brown, Lito Sheppard? How bout Brandon Marshall? I have no doubt that Waters is upset. He may even have a right to be. But he hasn’t whined to the media. Anquin Boldin and Roesndouche put themselves all over the place to force the Cards hand. Waters has not done that. We know something is wrong from a fat man that likens tattoos to being a devil worshipper.

I’m not happy with my manager at work. I let my boss know. I let my manager know. Then I go to work. I don’t go out and invite the entire office over while I do sit-ups on my lawn.

by mushin on Jun 6, 2009 10:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs