Priest Holmes to Begin Practicing with the Team

by Chris Thorman on Oct 16, 2007 7:36 AM CDT in 2007 Kansas City Chiefs Campaign

Hat tip to Arrowhead Addict for the story.

As the week 6 non-football injury list deadline passes, Priest Holmes will begin practicing this week, according to SI.com. I don't think this will happen but Herm Edwards says not to rule out Priest for this weekend's game against Oakland.

"We talk about where he's at, how he's doing, what we're thinking. We've communicated. He knows what I expect and I know where he's at right now. When I talked to him last week, he wanted to know if this (current week) was the week. I said, 'Is it?' He said, 'Yeah.' So I said, 'Let's go."'

With Michael Bennett being traded to the Bucs late last night, many are speculating that this means that a healthy Priest Holmes return is inevitable. I don't necessarily believe that. Holmes has not practiced with the team yet so, as far as hard facts go, we don't know what he's going to look like. And frankly, Michael Bennett was not cutting it for the Chiefs. He's gotten relatively few carries this year and didn't show much when he was given the ball. The Chiefs made a great deal with a desperate football team in the Bucs and I don't think that Priest Holmes tied into that decision much at all. If anything, the Bennett trade is indication that the Chiefs are satisfied with first year running back Kolby Smith.

I know I'm hard on Priest Holmes around here and most of you seem to be in agreement with me (those of you that don't make up five user names and talk to yourself anyway). But, as I've said before, I would welcome a healthy Priest Holmes back into the fold at anytime. Until he plays a down of NFL football, I can't help but think his comeback motivations are monetarily based. It seems that a comeback may actually happen though over the next four weeks, which is the window that the Chiefs have to either activate Holmes or have him sit the rest of the year.

Priest, please prove me wrong. We could use a veteran running back presence after Larry Johnson's seemingly uncontrollable outburts this season. Even if Priest has gone a little nutty, the Chiefs have to make some type of move to inject life into a listless running game. Since we can't sign four new offensive linemen this week, Priest may have to do.

The controversy surrounding Priest Holmes' comeback has centered around whether or not he's actually healthy enough to play professional football. We'll find out tomorrow when he takes the practice field.

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Comments

Wohoo

I, for one, am totally game. You just never know what might happen - any given Sunday & all that.

Priest was in the background when somebody was interviewed on Sunday & he looked CUT.

Whatever is said about Priest (nachos, plane to San Antonio, MIA), he was never one to back down from a challenge. Played behind Ricky Williams at Texas. Played behind Jamal Lewis at Baltimore. Traded here & brought much glory & FUN to the KC Chiefs.

Something has to bring this running game around, and I would be pleased as punch if it was Priest Holmes.

You play to win the game!

by tailgateandwin on Oct 16, 2007 8:44 AM CDT reply actions

Priest has always been pretty cut

And although I'm skeptical to Priest's motivations for coming back, that quote from Herm is a little reassuring that Priest is in it not just for money.

I'm excited to see him play, but then again I've been excited to see Sippio play this whole season, and that hasn't really happened either.

Any speculation as to who the Chiefs will move to make room for Priest if he starts practicing?

by Chiefs n Chopper on Oct 16, 2007 9:10 AM CDT up reply actions

Not totally sure

but Michael Bennett was just traded, that opens a spot.

by Joel Thorman on Oct 16, 2007 9:16 AM CDT up reply actions

That makes total sense

didn't really think that one out before i posted. thanks.

by Chiefs n Chopper on Oct 16, 2007 9:33 AM CDT up reply actions

With Bennett gone

I would imagine Priest would just take his spot on the active roster

by PVChiefsfan on Oct 16, 2007 9:17 AM CDT up reply actions

Yep

I agree.

by Chris Thorman on Oct 16, 2007 9:19 AM CDT up reply actions

Anybody else worried

That this could end really, really badly? Maybe that video of Trent getting knocked out is still fresh in my mind, but Priest had a pretty serious spinal injury. 3rd string RBs are usually on special teams- do you want Priest trying to make tackles? I'm not sure I'm 100%comfortable with this...

by KennyGregoryRockThaCradle on Oct 16, 2007 9:55 AM CDT reply actions

If he says he's ready to go

and Herm thinks he's ready to go, I'm fine with it. We don't need Priest in the lineup that bad if he's still hurt.

by Chris Thorman on Oct 16, 2007 9:58 AM CDT up reply actions

Trent Green

still wants to play!?!? ...apparently, even though he got knocked silly, he had no lasting problems from this most recent clobbering.

by PVChiefsfan on Oct 16, 2007 10:03 AM CDT up reply actions

PFT rumor mill

says Trent will retire maybe in the next couple of weeks. Then again, it is the PFT rumor mill. They get it right sometimes but not enough to have full credibility.

by Chris Thorman on Oct 16, 2007 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions

It will be great

To see Priest Holmes play ball.

I thought LJ was more the type of RB that KC really needed, but things Priest did very well was move fast and blocked well.

I have a lot of respect for Trent Green. I have always thought he was one of the most underrated QB's around and I didn't really like how he was handled and letting him go.

Big Bear

by bigbearomaha on Oct 16, 2007 12:06 PM CDT reply actions

By the way

We're famous kids. SI.com linked that dirty video I posted after this and the site is blowing up.

by Chris Thorman on Oct 16, 2007 1:21 PM CDT reply actions

8000 visitors and counting

Check out the stats here.

by Chris Thorman on Oct 16, 2007 1:23 PM CDT reply actions

That's me

I refresh 7400 times a day!!

Cheers!

You play to win the game!

by tailgateandwin on Oct 17, 2007 10:16 PM CDT up reply actions

michael bennet

im glad to see m bennet go, he only ad one good run since he was with kc and that didnt go for a touch down. we need to run the ball outside a little more because up the middle is not working. and that fumble larry had wouldnt have happend with priest.he wanted it way too bad!

go chiefs

by D Thomas on Oct 16, 2007 2:55 PM CDT reply actions

I thought we were better up the middle

than the outside. Someone posted a link that says we have a better average up the middle than anywhere else. Chris, do you have that link still?

by Joel Thorman on Oct 16, 2007 3:12 PM CDT up reply actions

Its right

here. The updated stats now say that LJ has a the highest YPC to the right side of the line. But its very close to the same YPC as the middle. Very interesting stuff.

by Chris Thorman on Oct 16, 2007 3:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Very cool site.

It's worth a look.

by Joel Thorman on Oct 16, 2007 4:48 PM CDT up reply actions

It

will be interesting to see Priest run behind this line. I can't take anything away from how good he was in his heyday...but he was running behind Roaf, Shields, Wiegman/Grunhard, Waters, Tait, etc. In other words, Pro-bowlers or near pro-bowlers.

Not that Priest's former ability is in doubt, but if he comes back and is successful behind our current line, he deserves a ton of credit. I hope it happens.

by smg49 on Oct 16, 2007 3:19 PM CDT reply actions

Hmm.

Don't think he'll be successful for a couple of reasons. 1. He's getting old and hasn't played in two years. 2. Anything short of a pro bowl caliber performance and we will get the typical Chiefs fans saying he's not as good as he was.

I'm hoping he will be though. Even if he gets a few carries a game to spell LJ that will be enough in my book.

by Joel Thorman on Oct 16, 2007 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions

I got next

[IMG]http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f302/Manny_816/5_holmes_liftoff.jpg[/IMG]

by gr8priest31 on Oct 16, 2007 9:57 PM CDT reply actions

Same picture, different angle

Look how high he gets! That's insane!

by Joel Thorman on Oct 16, 2007 11:37 PM CDT up reply actions

Priest

After that press conf. i get the impression that priest wants the starting job. I dought that will happen because Larry is about to raise the bar to another level.Just remember how Larry reacts to competion,1700 yds! If anything this is the fuel Larry needs to get back to kicking ass! He should have had at least 150 yds last Sunday.

Derrick Thomas- G.O.A.T

by D Thomas on Oct 18, 2007 9:15 AM CDT reply actions