Kansas City Chiefs Sign Ashley Lelie, Release Jeff Webb
by Joel Thorman on Aug 17, 2009 9:14 AM CDT
in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp
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PrintThe Ashley Lelie era begins in Kansas City as Jeff Webb's time with the Chiefs comes to an end.
The Chiefs signed WR Lelie and released WR Webb. Josh Looney first reported the move at the Mothership. Here is the official release on the acquisition of Lelie.
Lelie was in for a workout after last Thursday's afternoon practice. Chris Hamblin of 610 Sports first reported the workout.
Lelie has been underwhelming* throughout the majority of his career save a 1,084 yard season in 2004, three years after being drafted in the first round by the Denver Broncos.
*Underwhelming may not be the best word. He had a solid season in year three with Denver then a contract dispute shipped him off to Atlanta following year four so he wasn't necessarily given a full opportunity to grow with the Broncos. This is coming from an outsiders' perspective. Insiders, fill us in in the comments.
In the last three years, he's had stops in Atlanta, San Francisco and Oakland. A skeptic would point out that all of those teams were in desperate need of wide receivers at the time and Lelie didn't last more than a season, which doesn't bode well for his chances in Kansas City. A more optimistic outlook of Lelie's last three years would point out that the quarterbacks in those three stops were sub-par, at best.
Jeff Webb was a sixth round pick Herm Edwards' first year with the Chiefs. Both he and Edwards are San Diego State alums which led some to believe that was a reason Webb stuck around. Being a late round pick, the expectations weren't high from the get-go. His best season came in year two when he caught 28 balls for 313 yards.
When the reports first surfaced that the Chiefs worked out Lelie, I asked the guys over at Mile High Report for their impression of Lelie. Click here to take a look.
The Chiefs search for wide receivers continues.
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No Kidding
They had me worried when they re-signed him.
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.
well...
I still don’t like Lelie, but we’ll see what happens
I won’t miss Webb, that’s for sure
"I doubt anyone will miss Connor Barth except UCrawford"
Exactly
Swapping Webb for Lelie can’t hurt. At worst he’s got Webb’s hands with much better speed and that’s fine by me.
Bask in the glory that is Kwame Harris. Poor Alex...
You never know. All I can remember he always had good games against us.
He might be a poor’s man version of Randy Moss (career wise) which is still not bad.
Not real wild about Lele
But how many years did it take to turn Webb loose? IMO this isn’t realy a loss, nor is it much of again. Kind of a non-issue really.
Braccae illae virides cum subucula rosea et tunica Caledonia-quam elenganter concinnatur!
Jeez
sorry fellas. new browser:inferior spell-check. that should have been:
But how many years did it take to turn Webb loose? IMO this isn’t really a loss, nor is it much of a gain. Kind of a non-issue really.
Braccae illae virides cum subucula rosea et tunica Caledonia-quam elenganter concinnatur!
new name for the Chiefs WR corps
“the Castoffs” ?
“one man’s trash” ?
“leftovers” ?
"I doubt anyone will miss Connor Barth except UCrawford"
Well at least Lelie is under 40
If they cut him the Cheifs should be called the “Denny’s Senior Special Social club”
So long, Webb...
…from what I gathered he always seemed like he was probably a real nice guy. It’s a shame he couldn’t cut it…and purely from a coach’s standpoint, those are some key dropped passes that I will definitely not be missing.
Upgrade at the very least.
Now hopefully this team is fun to watch again! Thanks Scott, Clark!!
I agree
Comparing apples to apples, here are the career numbers for each player over the past three years:
Webb – 36 recs, 382 yds, 1 TD
Lelie – 49 recs, 742 yds, 3 TDs
I think what sets Lelie apart from Webb is that he has more potential to be a threat when compared to Webb. Here’s hoping that Haley can turn him back into the player he was during the 2004 season when he had 54 recs for 1,084 yds and 7 TDs.
I like the signing.
by Scott Phillips on Aug 17, 2009 9:43 AM CDT up reply actions
cant be any worse then webb. I remember him having some good games against us when he was with denver
by PantsPirate on Aug 17, 2009 9:37 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
Does anybody know where the turtle is on the depth chart?
Don is the Setup Man, Haley is the Enforcer, Cassel is the Finsher... See you at the AFC Championship Game
I don't think he got any reps Saturday
Not looking good for him.
by LTownChiefsFan on Aug 17, 2009 9:43 AM CDT up reply actions
OK, sorry for being lame...
…I’ve been reading “Turtle” on here for quite a while, and I have no idea who anyone is talking about. Can someone fill me in, please? All I know is “Turtle” from Entourage. :p
The joke was
That a Turtle would beat out Jeff Webb for a roster spot. Search Turtle in the upper right, then click on FanPosts and you’ll see what we’re talking about.
by Joel Thorman on Aug 17, 2009 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions
I think Turtle screwed himself bad
When he attacked the little girl over in Asia….just not the type of guy we want around. Too bad.
Chiefs go 9-7. LJ makes 1400 yards. DBowe makes 1200 yards. Defense #18.
He claimed she held a knife on him.
When told it was just a butter knife, he said “Yeah, but she might’ve thrown it!”
No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.
Good signing
He’s a stopgap solution to a problem in the receiver corps. The new regime couldn’t draft all of “their guys” in one draft, so they have to plug the holes with what’s available. Very low risk move with some upside…at least there’s now a speed guy with some experience on the roster.
I agree
It’s really the best thing they could have done with whats on the market right now in mid August. He’s 29 and maybe he’s due for a big season. I see more upside than downside. Regardless its a major upgrade over Webb so I see it as an improvement all things considered.
Anything is an upgrade over Webb...
But who knows…the guy has speed it’s his inconsistancy and diva attitude that keeps him bogged down. Make no mistake, I don’t like this signing…but what do I know. Maybe Haley can work him into something viable…
Virtus In Arduo
Maybe his position will force maturity on him
This is probably his last chance to play in the NFL after bouncing around so much over the past few years. The prospects of losing that NFL paycheck just might rid him of the diva attitude… I’m probably being overly optimistic, but that’s what it means to be a fan
Well, now Bowe can have number 80.
Now hopefully this team is fun to watch again! Thanks Scott, Clark!!
More Pioli signings low risk with some up side
Herm is gone things are better with that one move!!
by bringbacktheglory on Aug 17, 2009 9:58 AM CDT reply actions
Webb couldn't catch the ball
This makes me think of guys like Jabarr Gafney and all the other plug in scrubs they used at WR in NE. A lot of these guys were there for a short period of time, did really well and then went to other teams to resume being average.
Perhaps Lelie can flourish in Kansas City.
D-Bowe, Mark Bradley, Bobby Engram and Turtle. Four Chiefs WRers. 4 Pro Bowlers.
Only a long-ball threat?
Things could be worse. The closest thing to a long-ball threat in recent memory was Kennsion, and Rison before him. Both were BARELY long threats, by the time they came to KC.
WR sitch isn’t solved, but this is a significant athlete, a significant threat. Maybe he’ll respond to the football atmosphere at 1 Arrowhead.
No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.
Move number 4
Six more to go to make the 10 moves after training camp started. Can’t wait to see what will happen next.
Chiefs go 9-7. LJ makes 1400 yards. DBowe makes 1200 yards. Defense #18.
it's a wash..
..cutting webb and signing lelie is a one for one move. there’s still decent wr’s out there, granted character issue. but i’d rather have matt jones or reggie williams than lelie.
by 8k1c6 on Aug 17, 2009 10:45 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
I was wondering...
if the Chiefs would consider Reggie Williams or Drew Bennett? Personally, I don’t see why Reggie Williams is still available. Does he have character issues? His production has been relatively stable over his career and is only one year removed from a 10 TD season. Just a thought.
by Scott Phillips on Aug 17, 2009 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions
williams got caught with blow @ a night club..
..after the cops were already called on his drunk ass. you have to wonder why jacksonville made zero attempts to resign him. i thought his production on the field was adequate, #2 worthy. i think a strong head coach/front office could help. matt jones showed he can be a #1, after missing games, he still almost had a 1000yd year.
by 8k1c6 on Aug 17, 2009 2:20 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
which, lets be honest
is probably a GOOD sign.
D-Bowe, Mark Bradley, Bobby Engram and Turtle. Four Chiefs WRers. 4 Pro Bowlers.
by Patrick Allen on Aug 17, 2009 10:49 AM CDT up reply actions
This might turn out to be a real good move. Either way, no downside since it's
for Webb. Our guess is that Haley’s speciality is developing WR’s. Here is some speed, a long range threat, former #1, 6’3"………good project for Haley. Hopefully we’ll look back and see this move as great.
I agree
Wer’e not losing anything in Jeff Webb but, Lelie has a lot of potential. He used to burn us bad when he had Plummer throwing the ball to him. Maybe Cassel can do the same thing. His QB situation has been shaky at best since he left the Donks. Maybe he is better than advertised?
by Chiefsfan1970 on Aug 17, 2009 10:54 AM CDT up reply actions
Potential KR?
Has he ever done any work as a kick returner?
by DontHassleTheCassel on Aug 17, 2009 11:05 AM CDT reply actions
Another thought, he can stretch the field and that will help open things up for Bowe...
…AND, as Haley keep’s saying, create competition at the position (and that in itself will help to motivate Bowe). This just might be an excellent move.
Engram, Toomer, and Lelie
are all upgrades over what we had in the depth chart. Will they be stellar? Doubtful. But they will be better than what we had. Bowe will start and Bradley has a chance of being the #2. When we do line up in a spread formation, Engram, Toomer, and/or Lelie will demand some respect and not allow defenses to blanket Bowe. This was a good move.
Extra WR sets got more potent.
More legit threats. Now for Haley to work some consistency magic on Lelie. Most of these young WRs have big egos. Lelie’s no exception. Sometimes they struggle just because they don’t buy into the program. Let’s hope he buys in.
No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.
Either way, our receiving corps is WAAAAY better than it has been for a long time.
Lelie may turn out to be a decent signing.
Hoping it to be like Kennison
If he thinks he is at his last chance in the NFL, it could be a real good thing. It could be almost exactly like the Kennison deal. Ex-Bronco comes to KC and tears it up. I just remember hating him a few years back when we were getting toasted play after play when he was with Denver. I say go for it. How much worse can it get? Who do we have now that is truly a solid “go-to-guy”?
I agree with jcox31mc
Haley should know how to evaluate WR talent.
by NorthwestChief on Aug 17, 2009 11:33 AM CDT reply actions
+1
Exactly what I was thinking. Kennison if I recall quit football and came back. We all knew he had deep speed and questionable hands – sounds like Lelie. Hopefully with Haley’s pass happy offense and ability to work with WRs, he can unearth a gem.
this is true
he is an upgrade over Webb..but not over Turtle…
Engram Bowe Toomer Lelie Darling Bradley Copper Lawrence Turtle…
Since Bowe is a lock, and they are keeping 5 WR’s(i assume, even if you count lawrence as a specialist only…thats cutting a few guys of similar ability…
Would be a shame is turtle is nudged out by a haIR
Big tings a gwaan
Big Up
Thank You Carl Peterson for drafting Dustin Colquitt
by KansasCityShuffle on Aug 17, 2009 11:59 AM CDT reply actions
I havent been a supporter of bringing in Matt Jones but...
We’re looking desperate at WR. We looked desperate for a guy who could make plays in the game and the front offices actions with the WR makes us look like we’re desperately looking for an answer. I’m starting to not understand why they won’t bring in this guy to take a look at him.
Character issues aside he’s by far better then at least 4-5 guys we’re looking at right now. I get it that the character issues matter to a degree but where do you draw the line between having crummy football players with good character and great football players with crummy character.
I dont think Lelie is the answer because he’s no better then the three guys we have on the bubble already.
"Success is never ending, failure is never final."
Philly is a prime example of this....
They have a solid organization, a solid respected owner and GM and one of the most solid headcoaches in the league. Because of that they can absorb and deal with the Vick situation better then most teams would be able to. I’d like to think we have at least 2/3 of that equation(jury still out on haley) and it would be worth seeing if this kid would buy into what Hunt/Pioli/Haley are trying ot do.
"Success is never ending, failure is never final."
by GenericBrand on Aug 17, 2009 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions
wait for it...wait for it...
championship!
by MountainManMike on Aug 17, 2009 2:13 PM CDT reply actions
Stop the dick’in around
get Otis Taylor.
Oh wait, wrong era. but there is a point here. When did this organization stop seeking and getting the over achievers but instead is settling for under achievers?
by BCRavenJHawkfan on Aug 17, 2009 7:35 PM CDT reply actions
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