Bob Gretz's take on the Chiefs new addition

[cmh6476 778]

GRETZ: Turley's Back

Jun 12, 2006, 8:05:41 AM by Bob Gretz - FAQ

 

 

I know there are more than a few Chiefs fans scratching their heads this morning about the coming addition of Kyle Turley to the active roster.

 

 

The former All-Pro tackle has agreed to contract terms with the team. Pending his passage of a physical, he will attempt to make a comeback to the NFL after missing the last two seasons. When Turley was last seen in the league, reportedly he was being escorted out of the St. Louis Rams offices by security guards after a heated argument with then head coach Mike Martz.

 

The last time he was on the field was the double-overtime loss in the playoffs by the Rams against Carolina in January of 2004. That’s two full seasons on the sidelines due to his bad back.

 

So why are the Chiefs signing Turley?

 

First, it’s a roll of the personnel dice that won’t cost them much of anything if it doesn’t work out and Turley’s unable to complete his comeback. If he can return to play anywhere near the level he performed during his previous six seasons in the NFL, then the Chiefs have found a glittering jewel in the garbage can.

 

There’s no getting around the fact that Turley comes with baggage from his time in New Orleans and St. Louis. But the Chiefs have people in place that can provide insight to pretty much everything that happened with him. V.P. of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich selected Turley in the first-round of the 1998 NFL Draft while he was the GM of the Saints with head coach Mike Ditka. And, his offensive line coach with the Rams during his one full-season in St. Louis was John Matsko, who is the Chiefs new offensive line coach. Obviously, both of them provided input in the decision to sign him.

 

And, Turley’s presence adds an interesting dimension to the Chiefs offensive line situation for the 2006 season. Yes, he’s an offensive lineman. Last month, Turley spent three days in a mini-camp with the Miami Dolphins playing tight end. That’s not why the Chiefs are interested in him at this point.

 

Turley will compete for the starting right tackle job that currently belongs to John Welbourn and once belonged to Jordan Black and Kevin Sampson at various times last season. Welbourn was not part of last week’s OTAs. According to head coach Herman Edwards he was absent because of personal reasons. Also missing, and for the same reasons, was left tackle Willie Roaf.

 

Should we read something into Welbourn’s future with the Chiefs? At this point, no. After the Chiefs went through mini-camp, offensive coordinator Mike Solari had nothing but good things to say about Welbourn and how he’s performed at right tackle in this off-season. Is there a problem with Roaf at left tackle? He did miss the mini-camp and these recent OTAs. He’s also battling a hamstring pull that the Chiefs say is not anything as severe as what cost him six games last year. Remember, Turley played left tackle with the Saints when Roaf left New Orleans. Right now, there’s no evidence to count Roaf out of the picture.

 

And don’t pencil Turley immediately onto the roster either. There’s a lot of work that needs to be done. Turley’s weight is considerably down from his 309 pounds when he was playing full-time. The Chiefs would like to see him around 280-plus pounds, so he’ll need to add weight. He will be 31 years old in September, so he’s no spring chicken. Plus, he hasn’t played in two years. The Chiefs obviously liked what they saw in his workout several weeks ago, or they would not have signed him. But a workout in shorts isn’t bumping heads with a 280-pound defensive end. His back might feel better now; let’s see how it feels after three weeks in River Falls.

 

But consider this: let’s say everyone else is back and Turley is added to the mix. The Chiefs’ first seven offensive linemen would have a combined 777 starts in the NFL: Roaf (189), Brian Waters (72), Casey Wiegmann (104), Will Shields (207), Welbourn (75), Chris Bober (35) and Turley (95.) No other NFL team could match that type of experience.

 

Turley obviously wants to play. That’s a good sign. If his play can equal his desire, the Chiefs have scored a coup. If not, they’ve not risked anything other than a roster spot.

[GhostofMeanMachine99 1]

This would be a relevant story if Turley played defense (which is something the Chiefs do not).

[onejayhawk 3]

This would be a relevant story if Turley played defense (which is something the Chiefs do not).

Ye of little faith.

 

The Chiefs were top half of the league defensively last year, in case you were not paying attention. The change at Head Coach should favor the D, and a stellar running game will as well. Look for a top 10 defensive unit, or close to it (its a tough division).

 

J

[GhostofMeanMachine99 1]

Ye of little faith.

 

The Chiefs were top half of the league defensively last year, in case you were not paying attention. The change at Head Coach should favor the D, and a stellar running game will as well. Look for a top 10 defensive unit, or close to it (its a tough division).

 

J

 

Riiiiight.

[xenophobe 1]

Ye of little faith.

 

The Chiefs were top half of the league defensively last year, in case you were not paying attention. The change at Head Coach should favor the D, and a stellar running game will as well. Look for a top 10 defensive unit, or close to it (its a tough division).

 

J

 

By top half, you mean 16th is scoring D? They were the 25th ranked defense last season, 16th in scoring.