Truth & Rumors > NFL

Chief mum on trade demand

Views
10385
Comments
27

They had their reasons for missing the Chiefs' previous practices, but Brian Waters and Mike Vrabel were there Friday. And if you ask them, that's all that matters. Waters and Vrabel attended both of Kansas City's mandatory practices Friday, and in between the sessions, they addressed why they hadn't been with the Chiefs during organized team activities. Waters said it was nothing out of the ordinary; Vrabel said it was about making a point. "Just trying to exercise my rights within the CBA," Vrabel said, referring to the league's collective bargaining agreement and that it defines most offseason practices as optional. "We bargain for rights to make these workouts voluntary, and that's all I was trying to do." Waters said he wouldn't discuss his conversations with Haley and whether he was holding to a reported desire to be released or traded, saying he wouldn't answer questions about "anything that happened in the past or anything that will happen in the future."

Kansas City Star

Todd Haley, AP Todd Haley, AP
June 6, 2009  08:22 AM ET

"We bargain for rights to make these workouts voluntary, and that's all I was trying to do." Waters ..

He is absolutely right. A deal is a deal and that was the bargained deal that everyone agreed to. If the owners want it changed, then the new contract is the place to do it.

June 6, 2009  08:30 AM ET
QUOTE(#1):

"We bargain for rights to make these workouts voluntary, and that's all I was trying to do." Waters ..He is absolutely right. A deal is a deal and that was the bargained deal that everyone agreed to. If the owners want it changed, then the new contract is the place to do it.

Yep.

June 6, 2009  08:57 AM ET

The Chiefs are in no position to trade Waters. They won't be able to find any value in exchange for a guy that has been the glue on their offensive line and a frequent all-pro. The real issue here is the "Patriot Way". Brian is a very vocal guy and likes to say whatever he feels. The media and fans love him for that. Unfortunately, Pioli runs his team a little differently, depending upon a message that is delivered by the Head Coach and supported by the players' efforts on the field.

Brian has asked for a trade, but probably will not be granted the deal unless something spectacular changes. Could the Chiefs get by without Waters??? Probably. They just signed Mike Goff from the Chargers and have other reserves they could plug in. However, why would you want to weaken a group that was considered the league's worst offensive line just last year? Scott knows that everything starts up front and he'll need Waters to be a leader for the young guys before the season starts. Some concessions may be made, but when push comes to shove, Brian Waters will be wearing red and gold next season. That's just a hunch.

June 6, 2009  09:05 AM ET

It is through fear of being cut and intimidation by the organization that these OTAs get nearly 100% participation. If they are that important to the success of the team, then do something about it.
The 0-16 Lions had nearly full participation in last years OTAs no doubt. So much for OTAs.
Apply the practice to your own job. " You don't have to be here to work that week, but if you are not, well? and by the way, we are really not paying you one more dime for being here.
Any Court in the Land would rule against the League. These players , even the rookies, have played the game for most of their lives. Maybe, just maybe, if they kept the four pre season games they could get in all the instruction they need. IF they go to a two game pre-season, then everything changes..
The American worker ( that is what these guys are no matter how much they get paid are) has taken the short side of the stick for too long....In every job..

June 6, 2009  09:07 AM ET
QUOTE(#4):

It is through fear of being cut and intimidation by the organization that these OTAs get nearly 100% participation. If they are that important to the success of the team, then do something about it. The 0-16 Lions had nearly full participation in last years OTAs no doubt. So much for OTAs. Apply the practice to your own job. " You don't have to be here to work that week, but if you are not, well? and by the way, we are really not paying you one more dime for being here. Any Court in the Land would rule against the League. These players , even the rookies, have played the game for most of their lives. Maybe, just maybe, if they kept the four pre season games they could get in all the instruction they need. IF they go to a two game pre-season, then everything changes.. The American worker ( that is what these guys are no matter how much they get paid are) has taken the short side of the stick for too long....In every job..

Nicely stated.

June 6, 2009  09:07 AM ET
QUOTE(#3):

The Chiefs are in no position to trade Waters. They won't be able to find any value in exchange for a guy that has been the glue on their offensive line and a frequent all-pro. The real issue here is the "Patriot Way". Brian is a very vocal guy and likes to say whatever he feels. The media and fans love him for that. Unfortunately, Pioli runs his team a little differently, depending upon a message that is delivered by the Head Coach and supported by the players' efforts on the field.Brian has asked for a trade, but probably will not be granted the deal unless something spectacular changes. Could the Chiefs get by without Waters??? Probably. They just signed Mike Goff from the Chargers and have other reserves they could plug in. However, why would you want to weaken a group that was considered the league's worst offensive line just last year? Scott knows that everything starts up front and he'll need Waters to be a leader for the young guys before the season starts. Some concessions may be made, but when push comes to shove, Brian Waters will be wearing red and gold next season. That's just a hunch.

All true. Good Post. Waters can pull it off because he is good. The next guy, not so much.

June 6, 2009  09:24 AM ET

and I expect KC will still suck.

June 6, 2009  09:41 AM ET
QUOTE(#4):

The American worker ( that is what these guys are no matter how much they get paid are) has taken the short side of the stick for too long....In every job..

And there is why the Japanese work ethic has eaten us alive.

June 6, 2009  09:45 AM ET

and the Chinese,,,, moving now to Viet Nam,,,, overpaying for labor caused this collapse. I blame the unions

June 6, 2009  10:08 AM ET
QUOTE(#9):

and the Chinese,,,, moving now to Viet Nam,,,, overpaying for labor caused this collapse. I blame the unions

There is plenty of blame to go around. CEOs that make 350 times the hourly worker and gets bonus money even when the company loses money? Focus on the stockholder and short term gain at the expense of long term stability for a company? A bloated and overpaid Management in too many Companies?

June 6, 2009  10:12 AM ET
QUOTE(#10):

There is plenty of blame to go around. CEOs that make 350 times the hourly worker and gets bonus money even when the company loses money? Focus on the stockholder and short term gain at the expense of long term stability for a company? A bloated and overpaid Management in too many Companies?

Yes Sir, I agree. My goal was to retire at 52,,,, took till 56, but I got it done with long term stock. The fast money guys are part of the problem.

June 6, 2009  11:27 AM ET
QUOTE(#9):

and the Chinese,,,, moving now to Viet Nam,,,, overpaying for labor caused this collapse. I blame the unions

As long as you've got a scapegoat. Wouldn't want to actually try to think through MULTIPLE FACTORS, that get's confusing. You might encounter facts that don't mesh with your worldview.

June 6, 2009  11:36 AM ET
QUOTE(#12):

As long as you've got a scapegoat. Wouldn't want to actually try to think through MULTIPLE FACTORS, that get's confusing. You might encounter facts that don't mesh with your worldview.

all inclusive, I agree... greed, corruption on many levels. ---- I think the pirates of industry have a new tune now.
Perhaps the crooks in Washington have a new respect for eyes on them also.

June 6, 2009  12:34 PM ET
QUOTE(#4):

It is through fear of being cut and intimidation by the organization that these OTAs get nearly 100% participation. If they are that important to the success of the team, then do something about it. The 0-16 Lions had nearly full participation in last years OTAs no doubt. So much for OTAs. Apply the practice to your own job. " You don't have to be here to work that week, but if you are not, well? and by the way, we are really not paying you one more dime for being here. Any Court in the Land would rule against the League. These players , even the rookies, have played the game for most of their lives. Maybe, just maybe, if they kept the four pre season games they could get in all the instruction they need. IF they go to a two game pre-season, then everything changes.. The American worker ( that is what these guys are no matter how much they get paid are) has taken the short side of the stick for too long....In every job..

I agree. Although they practice in shorts, there is still the possibility of wrecking a knee. That has happened in games where the player wasn't touched. The rookies and perhaps the second year players need the instruction, but veterans......

June 6, 2009  12:48 PM ET

Does any one realy care about the Chiefs? The Steelers will roll through the AFC west.

June 6, 2009  01:12 PM ET
QUOTE(#15):

Does any one realy care about the Chiefs? The Steelers will roll through the AFC west.

Big deal. Who won't.

June 6, 2009  07:10 PM ET

"Read MY Lips" !!!

June 6, 2009  07:26 PM ET
QUOTE(#15):

Does any one realy care about the Chiefs? The Steelers will roll through the AFC west.

Sort of like what the Red Wings are doing to the Penguins.lol

Comment #19 has been removed
 
Comment #20 has been removed

Comment

Remember to keep your posts clean. Profanity will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed.


The Si.com Cover Hub Go to the Cover Hub

Stub Hub

The 2009 schedule has been released. Search for tickets!

Truth & Rumors

MOST POPULAR

  1. 1
    Red Sox-Jays deal-killer?
    Views
    46905
    Comments
    1200
  2. 2
    Martz to jump-start Bears offense?
    Views
    17845
    Comments
    1045
  3. 3
    Notre Dame cancels Weis' recruiting trip
    Views
    55347
    Comments
    341
  4. 4
    Miami: Less Gators, more Bulls
    Views
    10211
    Comments
    272
  5. 5
    Artest: Free agents 'scared' to play in NY
    Views
    58259
    Comments
    197

Throwdowns

Most Active Users

Comments + Blog Posts + Throwdowns

  1. 1
    Chico 2.0
  2. 2
    BBK - Now it's all football
  3. 3
    rstowe
  4. 4
    gigi_iv
  5. 5
    Never NDing Struggle

Message Boards

  1. NCAAF > General NCAAF

    No More 'Canes and Gators
    Views
    463
    Replies
    69
  2. NCAAF > General NCAAF

    Week 13 Predictions (Rivalry…
    Views
    352
    Replies
    18
  3. NBA > General NBA

    WHAT TEAMS SHOULD PICK UP…
    Views
    244
    Replies
    1

Blogs

SI.com

Swimsuit

SI Photos