Colts Cut Former Chief Ryan Lilja

by Joel Thorman on Mar 8, 2010 4:38 PM CST in 2010 Kansas City Chiefs Season

Way back in 2004, the Kansas City Chiefs signed G Ryan Lilja as an undrafted free agent. Lilja had played high school in Kansas City (Shawnee Mission Northwest) and college ball at Kansas State so there were quite a few folks in Kansas City who wanted to see him succeed.

During the cutdowns after training camp, the Chiefs tried pass him through waivers and sign him to the practice squad.

The Indianapolis Colts saw what was going on and snagged Lilja. Since then he's excelled protecting Peyton Manning in Indianapolis. He missed the 2008 campaign with injury but came back and started every game for the Colts in their Super Bowl run last season.

Chiefs fans still cringe when they hear his name so here's a chance to fix it.

The Colts released Lilja today, according to FOXSports.com, reportedly because he was due a $1.73 million roster bonus soon. Some teams are cutting players with higher salaries because there's no salary cap hit.

The move is a little surprising because he was just signed to a five year contract in 2008.

He's played left guard -- and so does Brian Waters -- but the Chiefs brass has said the bottomline is that they need good football players.

Ryan Lilja is a good football player.

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Comments

Would love him back but he will be in high demand.

by jrpjr421 on Mar 8, 2010 4:39 PM CST reply actions

If he’s good, and fits, bring him in!

by Larryemcdaniel on Mar 8, 2010 4:39 PM CST reply actions

I'd love to have him, and many other people we've passed up at signing... :p

not holding my breath. :)

My long, drawn-out predictions that no one cares about, nor will bother to remember:

1. Todd Haley will still be the Chiefs Head Coach up to the 2011 season.
2. Clancy Pendergast won't make it to the 2010 season and was never intended to. Last-minute hire for a position that needed to be filled.
3. Todd Haley will not be the OC at the start of the 2010 season.

by jbj8609 on Mar 8, 2010 4:40 PM CST reply actions

ok why cant we do a fanshot via mobile

…purely selfish here…i was lookin for a h/t..lol…i posted in the comments….gotta talk to somebody bout postin via mobile devices..

BTW..think we should sign him
LOL…

WE lost to WHO?

by Cowboynchrist on Mar 8, 2010 4:41 PM CST via mobile reply actions

now THIS is the type of guy you want to go sign.

starting guard, but I doubt it happens.

Scott Pioli will find a way to make NT the biggest offseason priority.
KC Will Trade Derrick Johnson

by SDChief on Mar 8, 2010 4:42 PM CST reply actions

I think he'd want to play here

And we should have as good a shot as anyone.

I don’t think he’s going to command too much $, he was cut to avoid a sub $2 mil bonus.

Let’s grab him.

by kcsno56 on Mar 8, 2010 4:42 PM CST reply actions

dropping him for 1.73 million roster bonus?

come on Pioli pull the trigger on this one, he’s probably in KC right now at home, just drive over there. Make sure you bring the trench coats and tinted out SUV’s and he will be sign in no time!

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 Mar 8, 2010 4:42 PM CST reply actions

by the way, this came from adam schefter on twitter...amazing

“Julius Peppers’ contract: 2010 — $20m; 2011 — $11.5m; 2012 — $9m; 2013 — $13m; 2014 — $14m; 2015 — $16.5m. First 3 yrs guaranteed. "

that…is….ridiculous

Scott Pioli will find a way to make NT the biggest offseason priority.
KC Will Trade Derrick Johnson

by SDChief on Mar 8, 2010 4:42 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

retarded

will never see half that money. Lovie is breaking the bank since it is his last yr as head coach in chicago.

Mr J
KC Chiefs Fan

by Mr J on Mar 8, 2010 4:47 PM CST up reply actions

Well

The total is $91 million and $42 million is guaranteed so he may very well see half.

Arrowhead Pride

by Joel Thorman on Mar 8, 2010 4:48 PM CST up reply actions

def. will

Co-Leader of yearly 7 round live mock draft at MtD

by TheAngelsColts on Mar 8, 2010 4:51 PM CST up reply actions

with taxes he'll only really see about a quarter of it.

Don't Fuccop Succop

by chicks_love_chiefs on Mar 8, 2010 5:13 PM CST up reply actions

Of the max contract that is.

Don't Fuccop Succop

by chicks_love_chiefs on Mar 8, 2010 5:14 PM CST up reply actions

think he meant half that money's worth for the bears

by E.C. on Mar 8, 2010 7:45 PM CST up reply actions

Basically Peppers got a 3yr contract!

by jrpjr421 on Mar 8, 2010 4:44 PM CST reply actions

We tried to get him 2 years ago and he went back to Indy

I would be interested to see what he has left

by TonyG88 on Mar 8, 2010 4:48 PM CST reply actions

Maybe it was 3 years ago -

all the below .500 seasons are running together.

by TonyG88 on Mar 8, 2010 4:48 PM CST up reply actions

Get him! I remember hearing about him a couple years ago!

King Carl was trying to slide him by when we had the best O-Line then in Football.. Man what a difference in just 6 years. Move Waters to right guard and get Lilja on the left side. Waters needs a challenge and he has only 1-2 years left in the tank. We need this guy!

by tbowyer24 on Mar 8, 2010 4:48 PM CST reply actions

sounds like a decent possibility

bring him home…

essentially, we would be trading Alleman for him

I’m ok with that!

* 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
* keep Albert at LT, upgrade the positions that NEED upgrading.C, RG, NT, S, LB

by stagdsp on Mar 8, 2010 4:48 PM CST reply actions

no kidding

I would take Lilja over Alleman most days

by TonyG88 on Mar 8, 2010 4:49 PM CST up reply actions

any day of the week and twice on Sundays!

Tweet me @GiftNate
N. Gift

by giftedchiefsfan on Mar 8, 2010 5:36 PM CST up reply actions

Hmm

I wonder if Joel likes him

KRRRAKATAWAA

by 808NaNz808 on Mar 8, 2010 4:49 PM CST reply actions

nah ... Lilja sent Joel a check to get the post published

wouldn’t be shicked if Pioli’s already got an offer to him

"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
Whitlock Rocks!
hi, Mo!
5 minutes!!!

by upamtn on Mar 8, 2010 7:19 PM CST up reply actions

Grab Him!

Move Waters to Center, or try Lilja at LG. We can’t have too much talent on the O-line, and he isn’t that old. If we lose Wade Smith, we really could use him. If we can get the O-line fairly solid through FA, we can focus on our front 7 on defense, and Eric Berry in the draft! We could pick up an O-lineman or 2 in the later rounds , to start developing, and Waters won’t be here too much longer.

Ray Ward

by Racyman on Mar 8, 2010 4:49 PM CST reply actions

It's not about being too old or whatever

His versatility will be something they look at, but at the end of the day we’re looking at a well developed OLineman who is in the prime of his career. This is a guy we need in KC to help solidify our Line.

I like the Black SUV and trenchcoat idea jrnc.

Tweet me @GiftNate
N. Gift

by giftedchiefsfan on Mar 8, 2010 4:52 PM CST up reply actions

This is a very real possibility

If we’re just looking for good football players, there’s no way Pioli doesn’t give him a look.

by Vince D on Mar 8, 2010 4:49 PM CST reply actions

damn i don't understand this move. Especially seeing that we don't have a great replacment for him and we need work mostly on our right side. LT

Co-Leader of yearly 7 round live mock draft at MtD

by TheAngelsColts on Mar 8, 2010 4:50 PM CST reply actions

you have Andy Alleman now !

by stagdsp on Mar 8, 2010 4:50 PM CST up reply actions

forgot about that but still I wouldn't cut him that fast

Co-Leader of yearly 7 round live mock draft at MtD

by TheAngelsColts on Mar 8, 2010 4:52 PM CST up reply actions

fyi

Lilja > Alleman

:-)

by stagdsp on Mar 8, 2010 5:28 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Co-Leader of yearly 7 round live mock draft at MtD

by TheAngelsColts on Mar 8, 2010 5:30 PM CST up reply actions

Did Lilja lose it that quick?

by TonyG88 on Mar 8, 2010 4:50 PM CST up reply actions

he struggled this last year but def. wasn't our weak link on the line and I think is still a solid gaurd.

Co-Leader of yearly 7 round live mock draft at MtD

by TheAngelsColts on Mar 8, 2010 4:52 PM CST up reply actions

We're hoping he's homesick right now

Either way the Colts have to share the wealth of talent on their team.. It’s just not fair that you have that many good players.. Consider this Polian giving the rest of the league hope

KRRRAKATAWAA

by 808NaNz808 on Mar 8, 2010 4:52 PM CST up reply actions

yea we need work on the line. why don't you go grab our DT we released if you want our players :)

Co-Leader of yearly 7 round live mock draft at MtD

by TheAngelsColts on Mar 8, 2010 4:53 PM CST up reply actions

lol

KRRRAKATAWAA

by 808NaNz808 on Mar 8, 2010 4:56 PM CST up reply actions

you could go get Jim Sorgi as he may be able to help you as well :)

Co-Leader of yearly 7 round live mock draft at MtD

by TheAngelsColts on Mar 8, 2010 4:59 PM CST up reply actions

Matt Cassel man, Matt Cassel

KRRRAKATAWAA

by 808NaNz808 on Mar 8, 2010 5:00 PM CST up reply actions

oh sorry forgot he is going to be great :)

actually i thought he would do well for you guys but no luck so far.

Co-Leader of yearly 7 round live mock draft at MtD

by TheAngelsColts on Mar 8, 2010 5:01 PM CST up reply actions

I wouldn't mind a Lilja signing at all

he’s suited to play in the ZB better too.. It couldn’t hurt to try Waters at C, if anything we could shoot Lilja out to RG

KRRRAKATAWAA

by 808NaNz808 on Mar 8, 2010 4:53 PM CST reply actions

and he lettered in golf in high school

He and Haley can discuss a contract over a round

KRRRAKATAWAA

by 808NaNz808 on Mar 8, 2010 4:58 PM CST up reply actions

lol nice connection!

Tweet me @GiftNate
N. Gift

by giftedchiefsfan on Mar 8, 2010 5:34 PM CST up reply actions

Colts Fans Are Pissed

Over on Stampede Blue fans are furious wondering why this happened. That’s a great sign for us if we can get him. They say he is still playing at a really high level.

Matt Verderame

by Flowers24 on Mar 8, 2010 5:03 PM CST reply actions

He's at the top of his game

Tweet me @GiftNate
N. Gift

by giftedchiefsfan on Mar 8, 2010 5:35 PM CST up reply actions

no he isn't

however he is still going to be hard to replace. We will def. draft a T now in the first or second round (hopefully first)

Co-Leader of yearly 7 round live mock draft at MtD

by TheAngelsColts on Mar 8, 2010 5:36 PM CST up reply actions

Polian said the offensive line failed in the playoffs – maybe Lilja is one he meant

He’s always open. He catches a lot of balls. He’s un-guardable, no matter how old he is

by WarWolf on Mar 8, 2010 5:40 PM CST reply actions

can he play RG or C?

we really dont need another LG. Waters is here and if we move/trade/release him then Albert needs to be the replacement and we draft an LT for his old spot.

by SillyHatDay on Mar 9, 2010 10:39 AM CST reply actions