The Greatest Kansas City Chiefs, By the Numbers: #31
by Chris Thorman on Aug 10, 2009 7:05 AM CDT
in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Offseason
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As much as I love current #31 for the Kansas City Chiefs Maurice Leggett, he's just not ever going to surpass Priest Holmes as the greatest Chief to wear #31.
- RB Priest Holmes (2001-2007)
- RB Jeff Kinney (1972-76)
- S Jerry Reese (1979-80)
- CB Kevin Ross (1984-93, 1997)
- RB Jewerl Thomas (1983)
- CB Jim Marsalis (1969-75)
- S Bracy Walker (1994, 1998-2000)
- WR Lawrence Williams (1976-77)
- CB Robert Williams (1993)
Holmes has no competition in this poll. Jump over for more info...
RB Priest Holmes (2001-2007)
via www.everyjoe.com
Priest spent six amazing seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, absolutely dominating the league in the first three of those.
From 2001-2003, Holmes had 4,570 yards rushing and 56 touchdowns. In three seasons. If you quickly do the math, that's a hair over 1,500 yards rushing and over 18 touchdowns per season.
Wow. Just wow. Of course, Holmes was a Pro Bowl and an All-Pro selection during each of those three seasons.
He finished his career in Kansas City with these stat totals of his time as a Chief:
- Six seasons
- 63 games started; Played in 65
- 6,070 yards rushing
- 2,377 yards receiving
- 76 rushing TDs; 7 receiving TDs
Truly, Priest is one of the greatest Kansas City Chiefs of all time.
RB Jeff Kinney (1972-76)
A fullback/running back, Kinney was the Chiefs first round draft pick in 1972. Hailing from the National Champions at the University of Nebraska, Kinney had underwhelming success as part of the Chiefs rushing attack in the mid-1970s.
Ed Podolak and Wendell Hayes took a lot of the team's carries in this era, living little room for Kinney to become a full time back. In five seasons with the Chiefs, Kinney had 237 rushing attempts for 810 yards and four TDs.
S Jerry Reese (1979-80)
Reese was an undrafted free agent who the Chiefs picked up out of Oklahoma. He played in 21 games, registering very few stats.
CB Kevin Ross (1984-93, 1997)
via www.kcchiefs.com
Long time Chief Kevin Ross was a 7th round draft pick out of Temple in 1984. He played eleven years in Kansas City, split over two tenures. Ross returned to KC in 1997 for five games after spending three seasons with the Falcons and Chargers.
Ross made an immediate impact during his rookie season. He started all sixteen games in 1984 while snagging six INTs and scoring one TD. He hit his stride in 1989 and 1990, the two years he made the Pro Bowl.
Ross had 30 INTs for the Chiefs and started 144 of the 156 games he was a Chief.
RB Jewerl Thomas (1983)
A third round pick by the Rams in the 1980 NFL draft, Thomas played one season with the Chiefs. He had 44 rushing attempts; 10 receptions; and 156 total yards in the '83 season.
CB Jim Marsalis (1969-75)
Marsalis was the Chiefs first round draft pick in 1969 and he made an immediate impact, making the Pro Bowl and starting in the Super Bowl for the team in his first season. He made the Pro Bowl again in his second season, as well as making the 1st team All-Pro team.
In 7 seasons as a Chief, Marsalis had 14 INTs. He started across from NFL and Chiefs Hall of Famer, Emmitt Thomas.
S Bracy Walker (1994, 1998-2000)
Walker was a fourth round pick by the Chiefs in 1994 but he didn't finished the '94 season with the Chiefs. He left for Cincinnati where he played for three seasons before heading to Miami and then back to Kansas City in 1998.
Walker was mainly a reserve safety and special teams star. He registered very few stats as a Chief.
WR Lawrence Williams (1976-77)
Not a whole lot out there on Williams who was a return man for the Chiefs in the late 70s. He had 25 return attempts for 688 yards in 1976 before splitting time between Cleveland and KC in 1977,
CB Robert Williams (1993)
One of two Robert Williams to play DB for the Chiefs, this Robert was a long time Cowboy before quietly capping off his career in KC in 1993. He came to KC for some late season injury help at the position.
***
Let the debate begin. Who is the greatest Chief to wear #31?
Read more about the Greatest Chiefs:
#1 - QB Warren Moon
#2 - P Dustin Colquitt
#3 - K Jan Stenerud
#4 - P Nick Murphy
#5 - P Louie Aguiar
#6 - RB Warren McVea
#7 - QB Ron Jaworski
#8 - K Nick Lowery
#9 - QB Bill Kenney
#10 - QB Trent Green
#11 - QB Elvis Grbac
#12 - QB Rich Gannon
#13 - QB Steve Bono
#14 - RB Ed Podolak
#16 - QB Len Dawson
#17 - QB Steve Deberg
#18 - CB Emmitt Thomas
#19 - QB Joe Montana
#20 - S Deron Cherry
#21 - S Jerome Woods
#22 - DB Willie Mitchell
#23 - RB Barry Word
#24 - CB Jayice Pearson
#25 - S Greg Wesley
#26 - S Gary Barbaro
#27 - RB Larry Johnson
#28 - RB Abner Haynes
#29 - CB Albert Lewis
#31 - RB Donnell Bennett
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If Priest Holmes
didn’t wear 31 Kevin Ross would have won this IMO. Also Donnell Bennett was #30 sorry to be a McDouche.
Agreed
Ross was a hell of a hitter. Althought Priest should win this poll, I’m actually surprised Ross hasn’t received a single vote so far.
That's Only Because
Chris forgot to add him to the poll initially when he did it up. :)
Predictions for 2009
1. Todd Haley's going to struggle with managing his staff in his rookie year as head coach.
2. The Lions will draft Matt Stafford, the Rams will draft Jason Smith, and the Chiefs will draft either Aaron Curry or Eugene Monroe.
3. Maurice Carthon will be the most hated man on the Chiefs' coaching staff within two years.
4. Larry Johnson has already played his last meaningful game for the Kansas City Chiefs. He's gone before the 2009 season starts.
5. Larry Johnson will gain 0 yards rushing for the 2009 Kansas City Chiefs.
6. The Chiefs will go 7-9 in 2009, good for 2nd in the AFC West.
7. Ryan Succop will not perform better in 2009 than Connor Barth did in 2008.
Ross was a damn good player,
But Priest took our whole offense to another level. Winner: Priest.
Virtus En Arduo
Leggett
I am still really excited about Leggett. The guy just seems like a playmaker. I think he could be a big surprise player for us this year.
D-Bowe, Mark Bradley, Bobby Engram and Turtle. Four Chiefs WRers. 4 Pro Bowlers.
+1
I think so too…hasn’t he already got a few INT’s in camp?
Virtus En Arduo
by carthagechief on Aug 10, 2009 9:00 AM CDT up reply actions
Who?
Who did Chris forget to put on here that is better than Priest Holmes?
The Don's gonna make you and offer you can't refuse.
I think
there are a few guys who will vote for that no matter what just to drive Chris crazy. ha
D-Bowe, Mark Bradley, Bobby Engram and Turtle. Four Chiefs WRers. 4 Pro Bowlers.
by Patrick Allen on Aug 10, 2009 8:08 AM CDT up reply actions
Ok cause its driving me crazy wondering
The Don's gonna make you and offer you can't refuse.
by Haleystheman on Aug 10, 2009 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions
You Forgot To List Kevin Ross In Your Poll
You put in him in the article. He would probably get quite a few votes too. I think it’s Holmes, but not by a very large margin because Ross was an excellent CB/S.
Predictions for 2009
1. Todd Haley's going to struggle with managing his staff in his rookie year as head coach.
2. The Lions will draft Matt Stafford, the Rams will draft Jason Smith, and the Chiefs will draft either Aaron Curry or Eugene Monroe.
3. Maurice Carthon will be the most hated man on the Chiefs' coaching staff within two years.
4. Larry Johnson has already played his last meaningful game for the Kansas City Chiefs. He's gone before the 2009 season starts.
5. Larry Johnson will gain 0 yards rushing for the 2009 Kansas City Chiefs.
6. The Chiefs will go 7-9 in 2009, good for 2nd in the AFC West.
7. Ryan Succop will not perform better in 2009 than Connor Barth did in 2008.
by UCrawford on Aug 10, 2009 8:14 AM CDT reply actions 3 recs
Rec'd
While I agree that Holmes was better overall, it was a bit too dismissive to include the sentence:
Holmes has no competition in this poll.
by chiefstatnut on Aug 10, 2009 10:54 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Rigging the vote?
I would vote for Kevin Ross except you left him out of pole.
Even if the Rock (for you youngsters that's Kevin Ross)
was included, I still would have voted for Priest, but the Rock is clearly #2 and would have won if he had nearly any of the other #s, IMO.
The Rock was part of one of the best secondarys ever, with Deron Cherry and Albert Lewis.
Priest is clearly the best running back I remember seeing in a Chiefs uniform, as much as I loved Marcus Allen, I think you have to go back to Ed Podolak to find any real competition.
Negative Ghost Rider the pattern is full...
Big Time hitter
I can’t remember who it was but Ross lit some reciever up in or around the end zone one time, shattered the guy’s face mask, I think the guy bit a hole in his tongue or something too. Broke up a lot of pass plays with his hits.
He Was A Killer Out There
I remember watching him absolutely destroy John L. Williams (Seattle running back) on one tackle. Williams came around the outside of the left tackle, as I recall where Ross was waiting and Ross just put a shoulder into his chest and flipped him. Williams was walking around dazed for awhile after that one.
Predictions for 2009
1. Todd Haley's going to struggle with managing his staff in his rookie year as head coach.
2. The Lions will draft Matt Stafford, the Rams will draft Jason Smith, and the Chiefs will draft either Aaron Curry or Eugene Monroe.
3. Maurice Carthon will be the most hated man on the Chiefs' coaching staff within two years.
4. Larry Johnson has already played his last meaningful game for the Kansas City Chiefs. He's gone before the 2009 season starts.
5. Larry Johnson will gain 0 yards rushing for the 2009 Kansas City Chiefs.
6. The Chiefs will go 7-9 in 2009, good for 2nd in the AFC West.
7. Ryan Succop will not perform better in 2009 than Connor Barth did in 2008.
I don't think anyone should be able to wear #31
They need to retire that number. Priest is one of the greatest players the Chiefs have ever had. I know he didn’t play here for a long time but, when he was here, he was one of the most exciting players I have ever seen on a football field.
Leggett needs to change jersey #s
Yup
+1 for sure. Wonder if 16 is available…
nfl is looking for that yao ming money
by chiefsinchina on Aug 10, 2009 10:44 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Jimmy Marsalis was my favorite Chief player when I was a kid, but he was #40, not #31, to the best of my senile recollection.
Wow
One of the toughest one’s yet. Ross at least deserves to be in the conversation. One of the few bright spots in the awful 80’s.
David Logue
So co-holders of best # 31 for Chiefs
another NEW Poll addition? Co-holders?
Love Preist but the Rock deserves Chiefs and AP love tooooo
Let's Kick some ASS in 09 or Die trying
I like Priest but ...
he was a little to much of a Duane Thomas for me. I still can’t get past him sitting in the stands eating Nacho’s when he was injured instead of on the sidelines with the team. He never struck me as much of a team player. He was a key part of a great offense, but I don’t think he did as much for KC in total as Kevin Ross. Ross was a very good cover guy and a brutal hitter. Jim Marsalis also deserves some recognition, another great CB for the Chiefs, but maybe he’ll get his at 40 (good call dablueguy). But when Jayice Pearson is listed ahead of Green on this list, I should be prepared to see Bracy Walker take this one, or be relieved that it’s Priest.
You sure about Marsalis?
I remember seeing Jim Marsalis play wearing No. 40. Photos of him in a Chiefs uniform also have him in 40, not 31.
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