Agent Says Chiefs' Vrabel Has A "Number Of Productive Seasons Left"

by Joel Thorman on Feb 18, 2010 9:00 AM CST in 2010 Kansas City Chiefs Season

~~Ralph~~ Neil Cornrich, agent for Kansas City Chiefs LB Mike Vrabel, is making it clear his client still has time left in the NFL.

"He feels he has a number of productive seasons left, he loves playing in the NFL, he loves the game," Cornrich told Albert Breer of the Boston Globe. "He'll probably continue with it in another capacity after he's done playing, but he wants to continue as a player, as long as he can a team win games."

Emphasis mine (and I think a typo on the part of the Globe), but I think that's a key part. If Vrabel learned anything with the Chiefs last season, it's that winning doesn't come easy (at least with a team other than the Patriots).

Agent's words are fairly calculated so I wouldn't be surprised if that was a subtle hint that his chances with the Chiefs aren't strong -- but that's just speculation on my part.

That could be the case unless Vrabel firmly believes the Chiefs have an opportunity to win games next season, and who knows, maybe he does.

"He had a productive year, who wouldn't want him?"

In a watered down version of free agency, Vrabel should draw interest by other teams on the open market. My best guess is that he'll be an unrestricted free agent on March 5th and allow the market to determine his worth.

He has expressed on several occasions that there is a desire by both sides to get a deal done in Kansas City.

(H/T tomahawk44)

Tweet Comment 28 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Beat you :)

I really hope we bring him back for atleast another season and would love to have him as a LB coach

by tomahawk44 on Feb 18, 2010 9:03 AM CST reply actions

Got your H/T

Although technically I won since I wrote this earlier this morning and scheduled it for 9:00 AM to spread things out a little :)

And, yes, I agree Vrabel coming back…especially with our current state of OLBs.

Arrowhead Pride

by Joel Thorman on Feb 18, 2010 9:05 AM CST up reply actions

lol ok ok you got me.. :(

by tomahawk44 on Feb 18, 2010 9:10 AM CST up reply actions

Now ladies no fighting.

My bold prediction and I think our best chance at moving down in the 1st. Bret Favre retires, Tavarris Jackson is not retained or leaves and the Vikings trade up, with our beloved Chiefs, for Jimmy Claussen.

WRITE IT DOWN!

by BigRedChief on Feb 18, 2010 9:10 AM CST up reply actions

Tomahawk usually beats me

So I gotta fight for my victories!

Arrowhead Pride

by Joel Thorman on Feb 18, 2010 9:15 AM CST up reply actions

well...

you got to go to the Super Bowl which is the ultimate victory sir :)

by tomahawk44 on Feb 18, 2010 8:04 PM CST up reply actions

i would love Vrabel to come back

next year we may win as many if not more games than the Patriots so why wouldnt he want to stick around?

Regardless of who the Chiefs pick at #5 overall, Whitlock will call it the worst pick in the history of the Chiefs. Heres to hoping that #5 pick runs Whitlock out of town.....

by jrcnc on Feb 18, 2010 9:07 AM CST reply actions

How it reads:

as long as he can a team win games."

What I think it should have read:

as long as he can help a team win games."

The Chiefs need all the help they can get so I think our chances are still good but sounds like Vrable wants a multi-year contract. I don’t blame him, it may be his last chance at one.

WRITE IT DOWN!

by BigRedChief on Feb 18, 2010 9:09 AM CST reply actions

not "as long as he can FIND a team THAT wins games"?

Air Cassel - approved for takeoff

Always in motion is the future.
-- Yoda

by kabrink on Feb 18, 2010 1:51 PM CST up reply actions

If he has some productive years left, I guess last year wasn’t one of tem becauise he was horrible. I hope he goes somewhere else and has those “productve” seasons. Good riddance.

by dablueguy on Feb 18, 2010 9:45 AM CST reply actions

Well..

I don’t have any animosity toward Vrabel, but I’m with you. I’m not losing a night of sleep if Vrabel retires or goes to say even the Broncos.

by I_Bleed_Red. on Feb 18, 2010 11:08 AM CST up reply actions

Vrabel= washed up

I'd rather be a free man in my grave than living as a puppet or a slave

by ArrowDread on Feb 18, 2010 9:47 AM CST reply actions

You're washed up

While I’m that new hotness.

"The first step to penetration... must not be lateral"
-Confucius

by ArrowSpread on Feb 18, 2010 10:23 AM CST up reply actions

Have mad respect for the guys but after this year its time to cut him loose. He’s had a great career but let’s face it, he’s 35 by the time pre-season hits.

by chiefnyc on Feb 18, 2010 10:25 AM CST reply actions

okay cut him loose

but who do you want to replace is leadership with? Mays, Studebaker, or Belcher? The currently in limbo DJ?

Regardless of who the Chiefs pick at #5 overall, Whitlock will call it the worst pick in the history of the Chiefs. Heres to hoping that #5 pick runs Whitlock out of town.....

by jrcnc on Feb 18, 2010 10:29 AM CST up reply actions

2 sacks on a team starved for sacks/QB pressure isn’t going to cut it..

by Warpaint69 on Feb 18, 2010 10:42 AM CST reply actions

Haha - yep. Got to look at the numbers folks. After this year him loose....unless you really think a 36 yr old LB will offer much more than "leadership"

by chiefnyc on Feb 18, 2010 10:56 AM CST up reply actions

btw Ray Lewis is obviously the 1 in 1000 exception. If Vrabel can put up 134 tackles like RL did in 2009 I may feel different. I like Vrabel here this year. But 2011 is more than pushing it. 2010 may be pushing it realistically..we’ll see

by chiefnyc on Feb 18, 2010 11:03 AM CST up reply actions

Wasn't Vrabel in coverage and spying the run most of the time?

It didn’t seem like he was trying to rush the passer all that much. Am I wrong on that?

by Chiefsfan1970 on Feb 18, 2010 1:25 PM CST up reply actions

I wonder if he's 100% set on starting...

Because depending on how Studebaker progresses, it might be nice to have Vrabel start at the beginning on the year and then (ideally) ease Studebaker into that role, while keeping Vrabel on in a continued role as a teacher/quality backup. Assuming he continues to progress, that is.

by MtHammer on Feb 18, 2010 10:54 AM CST reply actions

I like Studebaker but I just don't see him as more than a capable backup.....

WRITE IT DOWN!

by BigRedChief on Feb 18, 2010 10:58 AM CST up reply actions

The draft is littered...

with potential 3-4 rush linebackers and most if not all will fall to the 2nd or later. Kindle, Hughes, Sapp, Norwood, Selvie, and maybe Schofield could be a steal. He tore his ACL so he will probably go undrafted, but we can put him on the practice squad and when he recovers he might be a great addition.

by I_Bleed_Red. on Feb 18, 2010 11:22 AM CST reply actions

you guys are funny

Vrabel was one of the most solid, consistent defenders on the field for KC in 2009.

His role as a leader on defeense, and help w the 3-4 transition cannot be underestimated.

He didn’t get to the qb much, but he was always pushing the pocket, and always in position to make stops in the run game.

He IS still playing at a high level, and we should all hope he comes back, the defense will be better with him here.

I would look for his successor in the draft, but bringing Vrabel back, along w Chambers, HAS to be a priority, IMHO

* KC now has the best coaching staff in the league
* Pioli will make at least one trade in the offseason, and 2 trades during the draft
* I'd prefer "lightning and lightning" as opposed to "lightning and thunder" when it comes to RBs
* 9-7 is a real possibility in 2010 IF the Chiefs get 4 new starters

by stagdsp on Feb 18, 2010 2:39 PM CST via mobile reply actions

Exactly what I said

Bring him back for 2010. But anything beyond him hitting 36 y/o is a push.

Chambers is a different story. There is NO reason why they shouldn’t sign him to a 3 year contract. He put up over 600 yds in NINE games with us. Would have went well over 1000 yds if we had him all season. Hands down our 2nd best WR. Hopefully the draft begs to differ.

by chiefnyc on Feb 18, 2010 3:37 PM CST reply actions

exactly what you said?

Have mad respect for the guys but after this year its time to cut him loose. He’s had a great career but let’s face it, he’s 35 by the time pre-season hits.

by chiefnyc on Feb 18, 2010 10:25 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

by stagdsp on Feb 18, 2010 3:49 PM CST up reply actions