Good morning! We have a decent day of Kansas City Chiefs news for you. You may not be surprised to hear that there are quite a few stories on Vrabel. That and more are ahead. Enjoy.
With the Chiefs, Vrabel played in 30 games, producing 113 tackles, 2 sacks, 14 quarterback pressures, 3 forced fumbles, 1 recovered fumble and a pair of touchdown catches on offense. Those numbers were pedestrian when compared to his production in the previous eight seasons with New England – an average of 80 tackles, 6 sacks and 3.6 takeaways per season.
It was what Vrabel did with his mind, his heart, his gut and his voice that left a mark on the franchise.
The Vrabel Effect... Morning Cup O'Chiefs from Bob Gretz
If Andy Studebaker takes the next step in his career and becomes the Chiefs’ starting weakside linebacker this season, he’ll have one man to thank:Mike Vrabel.
"He took me under his wing, and if I’m able to accomplish some of the things he accomplished, it will because he took the time while I was young to help me out," Studebaker said on Monday after Vrabel, 35, announced his retirement from football and was hired as linebackers coach at his alma mater, Ohio State.
Studebaker Hopes Time Spent With Vrabel Leads to Starting Job With Chiefs from KC Star
As 37 former Chiefs and NFL players teed off at Oakwood Country Club in the annual tournament to benefit The Dream Factory, the ongoing NFL lockout and labor negotiations were on their minds.
They have a stake in the new collective bargaining agreement as well.
Many of those who helped build the game to the $9 billion industry it is today hobbled around the golf course on artificial knees and hips and are still feeling the effects of years of violent collisions, often on unforgiving artificial turf.
Former Chiefs, Other Retired NFL Players Seek Better Health Benefits from KC Star
Attorneys met Monday in New York to clarify language from previous discussions, and will do so again Tuesday. Originally, owners and players were to get together for more negotiations Tuesday, but now won't do so before Wednesday.
Several issues are close to resolution, the most significant being the split of total revenues between owners and players.
Lawyers in NFL Labor Dispute Meet from KC Star
Few veterans can still connect with a locker room dominated by 22-26 year olds the way Vrabel did. Most players Vrabel’s age aren’t willing to spend the final years of their career being pushed by younger players while also serving as a mentor.
Vrabel kept his feet on both sides of the fence – one as locker room Yoda and the other as a starting outside linebacker and occasional Red Zone receiving target.
Vrabel Was At The Heart Of Chiefs Turnaround from The Mothership
The Louisiana State University Athletic Program is highly regarded as one of the most prestigious in the country. Every year, the Tigers seem to contend for championships in at least one sport and its football program has established itself as a breeding ground for future NFL players.
The Chiefs have had players from over 260 different schools appear on the club’s all-time roster, but none can top the 20 that LSU has produced for Kansas City.
Kansas City's LSU Pipeline from The Mothership
On Numbers analyzed all 32 pro football teams, seeking to identify the franchises that have consistently disappointed their fans. (Click here for the study’s methodology.) The results are in the database below.
The Cleveland Brownsare second on the list of NFL teams that are painful to support, followed by the Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs.
Detroit Lions Are Rated As NFL's Most Disappointing Team from The Business Journals
I had the privilege of interviewing Mr. Duranko about a year ago. I was writing about Kansas City Chiefs legend Jim Tyrer in hope of the nine-time Pro Bowler finally getting inducted into Canton.
Tyrer’s exclusion is most likely tied to his tragic death, but he did play in an era where things like concussions and depression caused from them were never even thought of, let alone mentioned.
Not only was he a friend Tyrer, having had dinner with him and their wives, but he faced Tyrer several times on the field.
Here is an excerpt from our interview :
Pete Duranko Was A Brave Leader And Hero For NFL Players from Gear Up For Sports