Still Waiting To Hear About Future Of Chiefs' Casey Wiegmann, Mike Vrabel

by Joel Thorman on Apr 14, 2011 9:05 AM CDT

The Kansas City Chiefs could be missing two key veteran presences in the locker room next season -- or they could have them back. We don't know yet.

I'm talking about C Casey Wiegmann and LB Mike Vrabel.

Wiegmann was reportedly considering retirement, according to a report last February from Bill Williamson of ESPN.com. The report states he was planning to tell the Chiefs of his intent to return or retire before the NFL draft, which is two weeks away. With the NFL lockout, they can't have that conversation so we're left wondering what Wiegmann will do. Assuming they don't talk privately, I wonder if Wiegmann makes his decision known through the media. We shall wait and see.

Vrabel recently told Adam Teicher of the Kansas City Star that he wants to return to the Chiefs next year though we don't know how the Chiefs feel about that. I would doubt the arrest has any bearing on their decision. Instead, I'd argue the NFL draft matters a whole lot here. If the Chiefs pick up an outside linebacker, and with LB Andy Studebaker already in the fold, I wonder if they would take him back.

Center and outside linebacker are two positions which bring a lot of questions and it's hard to answer any of them without knowing the future of these two.

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Just playing

The waiting game

by Supersexy on Apr 14, 2011 9:08 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

I think you plan for the worst.

Draft and FA accordingly.

by chiefdan on Apr 14, 2011 9:10 AM CDT reply actions

Vrabel on the field is a liabilty

by FrankPitts on Apr 14, 2011 9:12 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

Agreed. He is washed up.

by chiefdan on Apr 14, 2011 9:13 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

I do not necessarily think that Vrabel is washed up, but rather

I think he is better suited as a situational player at this stage of his career. Sort of like a fading QB who is best suited as a role model/team player while riding #2 on the roster behind the younger starter.

by ChiefsNfl on Apr 14, 2011 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions

Agreed

He provides a lot to the team off the field, and his wealth of on field awareness is great in certain situations.

by KillaCity107 on Apr 14, 2011 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions

Off the field?

His awareness of cameras in Casinos is not very great. And he was too slow to allude the security officers in the parking lot.

by chiefdan on Apr 14, 2011 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Rec'd again. I don't think Pioli is prone to making bad judgements.

and when you add three things together, it spells: T I M E T O M O V E O N.

1) He’s become too slow and lacks the production we need from his position.
2) Opposition to ownership interests due to his NFLPA rep status.
3) His recently revealed risk for future alcohol related problems.

Pioli will do the right thing.

1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.

My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.

"Here's to feeling good all the time". ~Cosmo Kramer

by TheK-man on Apr 14, 2011 12:00 PM CDT up reply actions

Rec'd.

1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.

My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.

"Here's to feeling good all the time". ~Cosmo Kramer

by TheK-man on Apr 14, 2011 11:52 AM CDT up reply actions

I'd love to see both vrabel and weigman back

But not in regular starting roles. This draft probably will address the future for both C and SOLB so it would be great to have them around for grooming purposes.

Gimme the Chiefs and a 40 all day.

by SacramentoDrew on Apr 14, 2011 9:16 AM CDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs

I was wanting to see Vrabel as an ILB last season.

C. Sheffield going on IR might have had something to do with this, but the only reason I would have Vrable this year would be to play ILB in a backup role.

Go Chiefs!!!!

by ravenhawk on Apr 14, 2011 9:18 AM CDT up reply actions

disagree

vrabel might not be the starter, but casey will without a doubt. we don’t have any other option at this moment and a there isn’t a rookie in the first round worth our pick. so casey will be the starter, plus he’s still darn good for his age.

Winner of the 2010 Arrowhead Pride, "Beat The Insiders"

by KC Nate on Apr 14, 2011 9:22 AM CDT up reply actions

Looks like I'll be missing this draft.

I believe that I’ll be without internet starting the 28th and this will last until May 5th. So I guess that I’ll be ‘opening’ a nice ‘Christmas present’ when I get a chance to get to the hotel in Aqaba.

Go Chiefs!!!!

by ravenhawk on Apr 14, 2011 9:16 AM CDT reply actions

Fortunately

With center we can probably find a day one starter pretty deep in the draft. SOLB, maybe not.

Formerly: FalconMF27

Thanks for the inspiration, Bajah!

by RememberDelaney37 on Apr 14, 2011 9:24 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

that's probably the opposite of what I'd say

you can find a future starter at Center deep in the draft, or even UDFA… but a “day one” starter… that’s going to have to be in the first 3 rounds.

SOLB, it’s hard to tell… my guess is still that they go with Stude and draft his backup in the mid rounds… but I think it’s possible to find a starter at that position

Prediction: KC will not draft a LB before the 3rd round

by stagdsp on Apr 14, 2011 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions

respect your opinion stags, but

I think OLB will be higher priority than middle rounds and they will hope to bring instant puss rush into the mix. Last years plan of mid rounds was perfect, but sheff got hurt. A year later and Vrabel a year older means higher prioirty in my opinion.

The Chiefs will finish .500 or better in 2010. *done deal
2nd prediction - The "Chiefs Will" make the playoffs. *done deal
Pre-Playoff prediction - The "Chiefs Will" surprise everyone and beat Baltimore. *fail

by Tony Perkins on Apr 14, 2011 3:39 PM CDT up reply actions

I was impressed with Vrabel's interview.

Instead of talking himself up, he said the Chiefs have a lot of young talent that needs to play. He came off as very understanding if the Chiefs don’t want him back or significantly reduce his role.

Resign ≠ Re-sign

by Tarkus on Apr 14, 2011 9:29 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

I was too..........

class act.

Providing COLOR commentary for Arrowhead Pride!

by LadyChief on Apr 14, 2011 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions 3 recs

Love the new avatar! :)

Resign ≠ Re-sign

by Tarkus on Apr 14, 2011 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions

thought you might!

Providing COLOR commentary for Arrowhead Pride!

by LadyChief on Apr 14, 2011 1:13 PM CDT up reply actions

That is very nice!

by chiefdan on Apr 14, 2011 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions

Both of these guys have made HUGE contributions to this team

so, even if their “best days are behind them” they deserve a lot of credit for getting this rebuild on track, and for turning this group into a playoff team in 2010.

That being said, I hope Casey is back to groom a newly drafted Center. As for Vrabel, I would bring him in as a backup IF they don’t draft anyone at SOLB… if they do, I think Stude is the starter and the rookie is the backup, at least going into camp.

Prediction: KC will not draft a LB before the 3rd round

by stagdsp on Apr 14, 2011 9:31 AM CDT reply actions

I think

the Chiefs are hurt the worst by this lockout. Obviously, I don’t know a whole lot about other teams but we could be filling some holes through free agency right now that would make the draft process easier. So I believe the lockout is hurting the Chiefs more than others. I disagree that there is not a center worth drafting in the first. I think Pouncey would be an incredible steal @ 21. Like the commercial of Charles Barkley says: “I may be wrong, but I doubt it.” Lol

Yesterday is a cancelled check. Today is cash on the line. Tomorrow is a promissory note. - Hank Stram

by 65.Toss.Power.Trap on Apr 14, 2011 10:05 AM CDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs

Teams with new staffs and/or QBs are hurt far more by the lockout.

Resign ≠ Re-sign

by Tarkus on Apr 14, 2011 10:12 AM CDT up reply actions

I don’t know a whole lot about other teams but we could be filling some holes through free agency right now that would make the draft process easier.

I can definitely assure you that there are 31 teams other than KC would have an easier time on draft day if they knew where they stood in free agency.

I mean, what about teams with holes at QB? Should they draft one or just roll the dice on being able to sign or acquire a Vince Young, Donovan McNabb, or Kyle Orton? I’d argue that uncertainty at quarterback is a much bigger inconvenience than uncertainty at center.

Not to mention what Tarkus said. Team with new coaching staffs are being especially hurt by the lockout. All of the Chiefs’ returning players will come in with some familiarity with the offensive and defensive scheme’s they’ll be running, making it easier to play catch-up in August or September if need be. But what about the players for the Panthers or Broncos? What about the Texans’ defenders, who will be switching to a 3-4 on the fly?

Trust me, when it comes to being inconvenienced by the lockout, the Chiefs are somewhere in the middle of the road. In fact, they may be even a little less inconvenienced than the average team. After all, we promoted our new offensive coordinator from within and will be retaining the same basic schemes we ran last year. We’re returning most of the nucleus of last year’s team, including our pro-bowl quarterback, halfback, wide receiver, and safety (in addition to our two pro-bowl caliber linebackers and corners). We’re so young that we’re not likely to lose a ton of players to unrestricted free agency. There are definitely teams in a lot worse shape than the Chiefs right now.

As for Pouncey, his brother’s a stud center but his issues snapping the ball give me pause. I think he’d be a great guard but I don’t want him playing center. And I’m not sure that guard is a bigger need that OLB, WR, or NT at 21.

by MtHammer on Apr 14, 2011 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

rec and agreed

"We feel very strongly that our best policy is to draft the best player. This isn't fantasy football." - Ted Thompson

by Steve_Chiefs on Apr 14, 2011 9:24 PM CDT up reply actions

Weigmann can stay Vrabel should never see the field on defense again...

if he wants to play TE for another year, thats cool

I don’t comment on this site for the people that are against me and think that I can’t do it. I comment for the people that have always believed in me. I comment for my family, for my wife, for my mother so it really comes down to that.

by HIV 2 Elway on Apr 14, 2011 10:07 AM CDT reply actions

Agreed.

by chiefdan on Apr 14, 2011 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions

Put a visor on Vrabel and let him coach up the guys.

Do we have a linebackers coach?
Hell, there is so many coaches in the league, there is probably an OLB and ILB coach.

by craig in calgary on Apr 14, 2011 10:15 AM CDT reply actions

That position probably wouldn't pay enough for him to cover his bar tabs

Oh wait…

by KillaCity107 on Apr 14, 2011 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions

keep them both as backups

Vrabel did nothing as far as playing. They paid Studabacker big bucks, lets see what he has. Draft a center,3rd rnd,and let Weigmann teach and compete for starter.

by wolfpack0735 on Apr 14, 2011 11:24 AM CDT reply actions

please retire gentlemen!

Thanks & see ya! Pouncey time!

Pro Bowlers2010- J Charles, D Johnson, B Flowers & B. Waters = 10-6

by 25 in Charge on Apr 14, 2011 12:01 PM CDT reply actions

I wonder if anyone else has though of it this way, especially in the case of Vrabel.

Few would argue against cutting a player despite their stellar on field performance for being a locker room cancer (i.e. T.O. and Pacman). However what if the opposite were true and a team kept a player despite average on field performance simply because they were such a positive locker room presence? We are certainly looking at the same game film as the Chiefs brass to judge Vrabel’s performance on game day but have virtually no way to quantify his effect on locker room chemistry. If we agree that this matters, I think we should trust Pioli and Co. to make the best decision about whether to retain Vrabel.

OU SUCKS!!!!!!

by TexasFight83 on Apr 14, 2011 12:54 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs