Chiefs lose starting cb for year - The Orange Mane

KansasBronco · 06-20-2005, 01:31 PM

Losing Battle leaves Chiefs short at corner

Injury sidelines new starter for season

By ELIZABETH MERRILL

The Kansas City Star

Suitcases rolled out of Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, veterans said their goodbyes, and coach Dick Vermeil gave his speech about how nobody wants to be the guy who loses his job because he spent a month on the couch with a bag of chips.

Summer vacation officially started late Sunday with the end of minicamp, but the mood wasn’t exactly festive. The Chiefs are now looking for a starting cornerback.

Vermeil said cornerback Julian Battle is out for the season because of a torn Achilles’ tendon. Battle, who had been elevated to the first team earlier this month, suffered the injury in Saturday’s workout and will undergo surgery on his left heel.

Battle’s injury leaves a big hole, which deepens with the uncertainty of Eric Warfield’s status. Warfield, the Chiefs’ best cornerback in 2004, was demoted to the second team in anticipation of a suspension from the NFL for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy.

He could miss as many as four games, and it could come at the start of the season, when the Chiefs open with the New York Jets, Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos.

“We’re not going to panic,” Vermeil said. “I’m more concerned about (Battle) because he’s been here for two years, and he was just starting to find out what it takes to be a professional football player. It’s part of the game. It’s the rotten part of the game.”

Just a few days ago, Vermeil raved about the progress of the defense, which was overhauled with some key offseason acquisitions. One free agent the Chiefs took a pass on last spring was cornerback Ty Law.

Law is still on the market, but Vermeil said it was unclear whether the Chiefs would do any more defensive shopping. Money, undoubtedly, is the biggest issue. Both Vermeil and president/general manager Carl Peterson have said that the Chiefs used up most of their cap space on free agents and trades. On Saturday, they added veteran wide receiver Freddie Mitchell with a one-year contract that was believed to be at the league minimum.

“We’ll look,” Vermeil said. “But I don’t know what’s out there — and then we’ll also more deeply evaluate those young people we have. But we have time.”

If Warfield is suspended, Vermeil said veteran cornerback Dexter McCleon would likely be the starter who would pair with Pro Bowler Patrick Surtain. But McCleon hasn’t participated in offseason workouts because of injury, and the Chiefs had hoped to leave him at nickel back.

The backups have little or no experience. Second-year cornerback Benny Sapp played in 15 games last year, but the Chiefs’ two other possibilities – Justin Perkins and Alphonso Hodge – are rookies.

William Bartee, who moved from cornerback to safety, apparently isn’t an option, either. Vermeil said Bartee is doing such a good job at safety that he’d “hate to screw him up.”

“Dexter McCleon will be healthy and ready to go,” Vermeil said. “And we’ve got some other kids who are doing a good job. But all of that will be better evaluated and determined once we get to camp.”

Training camp starts July 28 in River Falls, Wis. Before Battle’s injury — and the uncertainty surrounding Warfield — Vermeil said he was confident the Chiefs filled all of their defensive needs in the offseason. Now he’ll wait until River Falls to see.

Rausch · 06-20-2005, 01:34 PM

Uh, Battle isn't a starter, he's filling in because the NFL still hasn't gotten back with the team on how long a suspension Warfield will get (expected to be 4 weeks.)

Bob's your Information Minister · 06-20-2005, 01:34 PM

Battle is not a starter. This is a minor loss.

bendog · 06-20-2005, 01:36 PM

sorry for the guy.

Florida_Bronco · 06-20-2005, 05:11 PM

I wish him well, hate seeing anyone get injured like that.

Garcia Bronco · 06-20-2005, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob's your Information Minister

Battle is not a starter. This is a minor loss.

Yeah but...the sorry secondary that you had last year...he couldn't beat them out and was elevated to the "first" team...LMAO!

Bob's your Information Minister · 06-20-2005, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garcia Bronco

Yeah but...the sorry secondary that you had last year...he couldn't beat them out and was elevated to the "first" team...LMAO!

No, he wasn't.

Garcia Bronco · 06-20-2005, 05:29 PM

"Vermeil said cornerback Julian Battle is out for the season because of a torn Achilles’ tendon. Battle, who had been elevated to the first team earlier this month, suffered the injury in Saturday’s workout and will undergo surgery on his left heel."

Beth disagrees with you.

Bob's your Information Minister · 06-20-2005, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garcia Bronco

"Vermeil said cornerback Julian Battle is out for the season because of a torn Achilles’ tendon. Battle, who had been elevated to the first team earlier this month, suffered the injury in Saturday’s workout and will undergo surgery on his left heel."

Beth disagrees with you.

Beth is a ****ty reporter.

Sir Mawn · 06-20-2005, 05:31 PM

Bob, you're infamous around these parts.

Garcia Bronco · 06-20-2005, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob's your Information Minister

Beth is a ****ty reporter.

And you're a ****ty...whatever you are....but that still doesn't change the fact that the guy....that was second string on the 30 something pass defense...was going to start this year.

Bob's your Information Minister · 06-20-2005, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garcia Bronco

And you're a ****ty...whatever you are....but that still doesn't change the fact that the guy....that was second string on the 30 something pass defense...was going to start this year.

You're wrong.

Garcia Bronco · 06-20-2005, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob's your Information Minister

You're wrong.

Don't be that way, baby...you need a hug? hehe...

Dude...beth says he was put on the first team...I believe her....I don't believe you...you see bob...you suffer from a credibility problem...most notably...your lack of it.

Mr. Trout · 06-20-2005, 07:06 PM

Leave it to Bob to get Jar Jar Binks as his avatar. Cobra Commander does not appreciate. I have some trivia. When was the last time the Chiefs won a playoff game?

Garcia Bronco · 06-20-2005, 07:18 PM

Let's see Nixon was...wait...ahh...ahh...I can't remember...didn't lin elliot kick a game winning field goal in the 90's?

Kaylore · 06-20-2005, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

Uh, Battle isn't a starter, he's filling in because the NFL still hasn't gotten back with the team on how long a suspension Warfield will get (expected to be 4 weeks.)

I hope it is at least 3 weeks.

Rausch · 06-20-2005, 09:59 PM

Battle was TEMPORARILY promoted to first string in drills to prepare him for the season (he would be starting while Warfield was suspended.)

He was third string. IMHO it is a loss, because that pushes one of our complete POS reserve CB's back into duty, likely for a quarter of the season...

Kaylore · 06-20-2005, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

Battle was TEMPORARILY promoted to first string in drills to prepare him for the season (he would be starting while Warfield was suspended.)

He was third string. IMHO it is a loss, because that pushes one of our complete POS reserve CB's back into duty, likely for a quarter of the season...

Exactly. What are you going to do with three wide receiver sets?

06-20-2005, 01:31 PM	#1
KansasBronco Pro Bowler Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 622	Chiefs lose starting cb for year Losing Battle leaves Chiefs short at corner Injury sidelines new starter for season By ELIZABETH MERRILL The Kansas City Star Suitcases rolled out of Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, veterans said their goodbyes, and coach Dick Vermeil gave his speech about how nobody wants to be the guy who loses his job because he spent a month on the couch with a bag of chips. Summer vacation officially started late Sunday with the end of minicamp, but the mood wasn’t exactly festive. The Chiefs are now looking for a starting cornerback. Vermeil said cornerback Julian Battle is out for the season because of a torn Achilles’ tendon. Battle, who had been elevated to the first team earlier this month, suffered the injury in Saturday’s workout and will undergo surgery on his left heel. Battle’s injury leaves a big hole, which deepens with the uncertainty of Eric Warfield’s status. Warfield, the Chiefs’ best cornerback in 2004, was demoted to the second team in anticipation of a suspension from the NFL for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. He could miss as many as four games, and it could come at the start of the season, when the Chiefs open with the New York Jets, Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos. “We’re not going to panic,” Vermeil said. “I’m more concerned about (Battle) because he’s been here for two years, and he was just starting to find out what it takes to be a professional football player. It’s part of the game. It’s the rotten part of the game.” Just a few days ago, Vermeil raved about the progress of the defense, which was overhauled with some key offseason acquisitions. One free agent the Chiefs took a pass on last spring was cornerback Ty Law. Law is still on the market, but Vermeil said it was unclear whether the Chiefs would do any more defensive shopping. Money, undoubtedly, is the biggest issue. Both Vermeil and president/general manager Carl Peterson have said that the Chiefs used up most of their cap space on free agents and trades. On Saturday, they added veteran wide receiver Freddie Mitchell with a one-year contract that was believed to be at the league minimum. “We’ll look,” Vermeil said. “But I don’t know what’s out there — and then we’ll also more deeply evaluate those young people we have. But we have time.” If Warfield is suspended, Vermeil said veteran cornerback Dexter McCleon would likely be the starter who would pair with Pro Bowler Patrick Surtain. But McCleon hasn’t participated in offseason workouts because of injury, and the Chiefs had hoped to leave him at nickel back. The backups have little or no experience. Second-year cornerback Benny Sapp played in 15 games last year, but the Chiefs’ two other possibilities – Justin Perkins and Alphonso Hodge – are rookies. William Bartee, who moved from cornerback to safety, apparently isn’t an option, either. Vermeil said Bartee is doing such a good job at safety that he’d “hate to screw him up.” “Dexter McCleon will be healthy and ready to go,” Vermeil said. “And we’ve got some other kids who are doing a good job. But all of that will be better evaluated and determined once we get to camp.” Training camp starts July 28 in River Falls, Wis. Before Battle’s injury — and the uncertainty surrounding Warfield — Vermeil said he was confident the Chiefs filled all of their defensive needs in the offseason. Now he’ll wait until River Falls to see.

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06-20-2005, 01:34 PM	#2
Rausch Ring of Famer Angry Drunken German... Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Jefferson City, Missouri Posts: 2,354	Uh, Battle isn't a starter, he's filling in because the NFL still hasn't gotten back with the team on how long a suspension Warfield will get (expected to be 4 weeks.)

06-20-2005, 01:34 PM	#3
Bob's your Information Minister Chiefs > Broncos Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 25,915 Adopt-a-Bronco: CHRIS KUPER!!!	Battle is not a starter. This is a minor loss.

06-20-2005, 01:36 PM	#4
bendog Marginally Continent David Bowens, he'd be an upgrade Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Folsom Prison Posts: 19,935 Adopt-a-Bronco: David Bowens	sorry for the guy.

06-20-2005, 05:11 PM	#5
Florida_Bronco Got trolls? Welcome to Mile High, Brady! Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 13,810 Adopt-a-Bronco: Brady Quinn	I wish him well, hate seeing anyone get injured like that.

06-20-2005, 05:29 PM	#8
Garcia Bronco Hokie since 1993 Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 45,987 Adopt-a-Bronco: Tom Jackson	"Vermeil said cornerback Julian Battle is out for the season because of a torn Achilles’ tendon. Battle, who had been elevated to the first team earlier this month, suffered the injury in Saturday’s workout and will undergo surgery on his left heel." Beth disagrees with you.

06-20-2005, 05:31 PM	#10
Sir Mawn Ring of Famer Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mexico City Posts: 1,926	Bob, you're infamous around these parts.

06-20-2005, 07:06 PM	#14
Mr. Trout World Champion Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Topeka, Kansas Posts: 1,453	Leave it to Bob to get Jar Jar Binks as his avatar. Cobra Commander does not appreciate. I have some trivia. When was the last time the Chiefs won a playoff game?

06-20-2005, 07:18 PM	#15
Garcia Bronco Hokie since 1993 Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 45,987 Adopt-a-Bronco: Tom Jackson	Let's see Nixon was...wait...ahh...ahh...I can't remember...didn't lin elliot kick a game winning field goal in the 90's?

06-20-2005, 09:59 PM	#17
Rausch Ring of Famer Angry Drunken German... Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Jefferson City, Missouri Posts: 2,354	Battle was TEMPORARILY promoted to first string in drills to prepare him for the season (he would be starting while Warfield was suspended.) He was third string. IMHO it is a loss, because that pushes one of our complete POS reserve CB's back into duty, likely for a quarter of the season...