[Murrell2878]

Priest Holmes is coming back!
Priest Holmes, RB KC

News: Chiefs RB Priest Holmes, who missed much of the last two seasons with a major spinal injury, will report to the Chiefs' training camp and attempt to resume his playing career, the club announced. Holmes has been given medical clearance and never did fill out his retirement papers, so he may return like any player can at training camp on July 27. "Herm (Edwards) and I sat down with Priest here in Kansas City and discussed his decision and our thoughts on his return," GM Carl Peterson said. "We may put him on active PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) initially to gauge his football conditioning and to see how he feels after non-contact drills. But he indicated very strongly to me that he wanted to play and his motivation was to help the Kansas City Chiefs win a championship. ... Without question by what Priest Holmes has contributed to this franchise, he deserves the right and opportunity to play again for the Chiefs."

Analysis: Chiefs coach Herm Edwards added that, "if he's able to come back, he understands and accepts the fact that he would have a different role than when he was the starter." While this is very exciting news, Fantasy owners need to take a step back. For one, Holmes is 33 years old and hasn't played organized professional football in 21 months. The Chiefs essentially are already preparing for Holmes to be put on the PUP list in camp, which means he needs to get into some serious shape. But there's no denying that with Larry Johnson threatening a holdout and the Chiefs offense in dire need of some help that Holmes could end up being a key member of the club in 2007. Could he get 2,000 total yards and 25-plus touchdowns? No way. But 500-to-750 total yards and six touchdowns? Definitely possible if he demonstrates he is in football shape. Keep an eye on Holmes, who is worth a late-round flier in all Fantasy leagues for now.

[phubbadaman]

He's the equivalent of Curtis Martin coming back. The team has already replaced him with someone younger.

[thegoldengod]

with lj as a likely holdout.......holmes could actually get some time if he is healthy enough
he wont be the same or what lj is, but he could help the team...he may still be a better option than bennett
and as a possible spell could help lj from another overload season
the fact that he helps the team makes it a respectable comeback attempt...bc martin and faulk wouldnt be additions to their franchises at this point

[xjets2002x]

This reeks of Holmes doing the franchise a favor to give them some leverage in the upcoming holdout of LJ.

-X-

[GreenMachine]

Herm now has a reason in his feeble mind to let LJ go

[FITM]

Negotiating Ploy for Larry Johnson.

[rillo]

Originally Posted by FITM

Negotiating Ploy for Larry Johnson.

Thats the way i see it....

[Murrell2878]

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August 8, 2007

RIVER FALLS, Wis. (AP) -- Kansas City running back Priest Holmes has a message for holdout All-Pro Larry Johnson: If you don't want the job, I'll take it.

Holmes, a three-time Pro Bowler, turns 34 in October and has been out of football since 2005 after suffering what many figured was a career-ending injury. The Chiefs are not planning on him being anything more than a situational back, if he returns to the field at all.

But he created a stir in July with his surprise return, and said this week his comeback attempt is going well as he works himself back into game shape.

He's still on the physically unable-to-perform list while veteran Michael Bennett and rookie Kolby Smith take most of the snaps at running back. But on Tuesday, he was on the practice field in pads, taking handoffs and absorbing hits from assistant coaches using blocking pads.

Afterward, he said he's ready to fill the 27-year-old Johnson's shoes -- at least financially.

"Somebody has to get the money," he said. "Hey, if L.J. wants to leave the money out there, guess I'm going to take it. If he wants to come get it, it's rightfully his to take. He's earned it. But if he chooses not to come back, well, somebody has to take it. Why won't it be me?"

Johnson has been a no-show at camp as he seeks an extension to the seven-year contract he inked in 2003, which he can void down to a five-year deal after the final game of the 2007 season because of playing time incentives.

Both head coach Herm Edwards and Chiefs president Carl Peterson have said Holmes will not be their feature back.

"If he's able to come back, he understands and accepts the fact that he would have a different role than when he was the starter," Edwards said.

Johnson is demanding compensation in the range of $28 million guaranteed, insisting he be paid as much as league MVP LaDainian Tomlinson. Johnson is scheduled to earn $1.7 million this season, and is being fined more than $14,000 for every day he misses.

One of the NFL's top runners until his injury, Holmes rushed for a team-record 5,933 yards after signing as an unrestricted free agent in 2001. He scored 27 touchdowns in 2003, then an NFL record.

He's been on the physically unable-to-perform list since a devastating tackle by San Diego's Shawne Merriman on Oct. 30, 2005, left him with head and neck trauma. After extensive tests, doctors warned of a possibility of further injury, perhaps even paralysis -- a danger that may still lurk.

"This is about perseverance and having a great story to tell," Holmes said. "I think that all the valuable years I've put into my tank, there's a lot in me still."

Some were dubious about Holmes' motives for returning, especially in light of Johnson's holdout.

"'Dubious' is a great word," Holmes said. "But dedication is a little bit more defined in concrete. I mean, we have what's called 'making it rain.' We have the dog fighting, we have so many things that have cast a negative light on the NFL. This is just a great story to show guys that regardless of what situation you're in, you can persevere."

Holmes, who received a clean bill of health from Kansas City's doctors before reporting to camp, last played a full season in 2003. He played in eight games in 2004 before a hip injury, then played in seven games in 2005 before the helmet-to-helmet hit from Merriman.

Holmes said seeing highlights of himself this summer during a football camp made him start thinking about returning to the Chiefs.

"Once I saw myself, the first thing I looked at it was as if I was a fan," he said. "I said, 'Man, I did that? Oh, that's a nice run. Oh, I love that touchdown move right there. I got to do that again.'

"I haven't had any setbacks so far. The biggest thing with football is taking all the contact and then continuing to run."

Chiefs guard Brian Waters, an eight-year veteran and a good friend of Holmes, said players are keeping an eye on the running back's progress.

"We know just by watching him run, he's still got a lot of his abilities," Waters said. "His quickness is strong. It's going to be a mental thing, for sure, but we'll see. I've seen him come back from serious injuries before and have a great season, so nothing would surprise me coming from that man."

[Namath2Kolber]

Surely I'm not the only one who would love to see Priest come back full form and steal the job from LJ.

[Murrell2878]

Originally Posted by Namath2Kolber

Surely I'm not the only one who would love to see Priest come back full form and steal the job from LJ.

It would be such a delight for those of us that don't have LJ on our keeper teams!!

[statjeff22]

Does Priest Holmes hate Larry Johnson? Because this seems to be a direct shot by Holmes right at LJ.

[rillo]

Originally Posted by statjeff22

Does Priest Holmes hate Larry Johnson? Because this seems to be a direct shot by Holmes right at LJ.

Well when LJ was he's backup....LJ took some shots @ Holmes in the media....dont remember the quote........so i guess payback is a bitch....lol