Post by chiefssalinas on May 29, 2003 6:59:23 GMT -5
Holliday makes first on-field appearance
By IVAN CARTER
The Kansas City Star
It was only a short practice and the players weren't even wearing pads. But Wednesday's Chiefs workout was significant because it provided a look at the lineup coach thingy Vermeil will roll out for the Sept. 7 season opener against San Diego.
With the exception of running back Priest Holmes, who is still rehabbing his surgically repaired hip, the Chiefs had all of their starters on the field for the first time this off-season.
Most notably, right defensive end Vonnie Holliday made his first appearance in the red and gold.
Holliday missed the team's minicamp and previous three-day practice session to be with his girlfriend, who was experiencing difficulties with her pregnancy. The couple lost the child.
"I'm happy to see Vonnie," Vermeil said. "He's behind.... He has a lot of catching up to do, but he'll get there. I think he knows that everyone was concerned and everyone cares about what he was going through. He needed to be there. Now, it's time to go to work."
Wearing No. 99 -- the jersey previously assigned to Duane Clemons -- Holliday worked with the first-team defense in 11-on-11 situations. He was joined in the starting lineup by veteran safety Jerome Woods, who practiced but was held out of 11-on-11 work during minicamp.
Holliday, who recorded 32 sacks in five seasons with Green Bay, didn't exactly get a chance to ease into life as a Chief.
You see, the starting right defensive end gets the pleasure of lining up across from Pro Bowl left tackle Willie Roaf, who resembled his normal impossible-to-move self Wednesday.
"Oh yeah, going up against Willie is going to make me better," Holliday said. "It's going to make me really work on my game and hopefully help me take that next step toward becoming a great pass rusher. I'm looking forward to going up against him every day."
The marriage between the Chiefs and Holliday is one of necessity. The Chiefs need more production out of their right defensive end spot -- Clemons recorded 2.5 sacks last season. Holliday, who was allowed to leave Green Bay when the Packers re-signed Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, needs a chance to prove that he can be an every-down, pass-rushing end.
The knock on Holliday has been that he's prone to injuries -- he's missed 14 games in his career. Also, he excels at stopping the run but is not a prime-time pass-rushing threat. His career-high sack total was eight in 1998.
"Hopefully, I can get the naysayers off me about the pass-rushing thing," Holliday. "Unfortunately, I was playing with a lot of different line coaches and playing in a lot of different defenses in Green Bay. They are giving me an opportunity here. That's all you can ask for in life and in this league."
Vermeil has no doubts that Holliday will do what it takes to get ready. Like most players brought in since Vermeil's arrival, Holliday is known for working hard and maintaining a positive attitude.
"I know about Vonnie Holliday," Vermeil said. "I've spoken with the coaches who have coached him and they all respect him. I liked him in college. He has a great work ethic."
For his part, Holliday is simply happy to be established in Kansas City.
"People have been so good to me," Holliday said. "It's been unbelievable the support I've received from my teammates and the organization.
"A lot of people I don't even know yet but they've been calling with their thoughts and prayers and really making feel like I'm a part of this family."
By IVAN CARTER
The Kansas City Star
It was only a short practice and the players weren't even wearing pads. But Wednesday's Chiefs workout was significant because it provided a look at the lineup coach thingy Vermeil will roll out for the Sept. 7 season opener against San Diego.
With the exception of running back Priest Holmes, who is still rehabbing his surgically repaired hip, the Chiefs had all of their starters on the field for the first time this off-season.
Most notably, right defensive end Vonnie Holliday made his first appearance in the red and gold.
Holliday missed the team's minicamp and previous three-day practice session to be with his girlfriend, who was experiencing difficulties with her pregnancy. The couple lost the child.
"I'm happy to see Vonnie," Vermeil said. "He's behind.... He has a lot of catching up to do, but he'll get there. I think he knows that everyone was concerned and everyone cares about what he was going through. He needed to be there. Now, it's time to go to work."
Wearing No. 99 -- the jersey previously assigned to Duane Clemons -- Holliday worked with the first-team defense in 11-on-11 situations. He was joined in the starting lineup by veteran safety Jerome Woods, who practiced but was held out of 11-on-11 work during minicamp.
Holliday, who recorded 32 sacks in five seasons with Green Bay, didn't exactly get a chance to ease into life as a Chief.
You see, the starting right defensive end gets the pleasure of lining up across from Pro Bowl left tackle Willie Roaf, who resembled his normal impossible-to-move self Wednesday.
"Oh yeah, going up against Willie is going to make me better," Holliday said. "It's going to make me really work on my game and hopefully help me take that next step toward becoming a great pass rusher. I'm looking forward to going up against him every day."
The marriage between the Chiefs and Holliday is one of necessity. The Chiefs need more production out of their right defensive end spot -- Clemons recorded 2.5 sacks last season. Holliday, who was allowed to leave Green Bay when the Packers re-signed Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, needs a chance to prove that he can be an every-down, pass-rushing end.
The knock on Holliday has been that he's prone to injuries -- he's missed 14 games in his career. Also, he excels at stopping the run but is not a prime-time pass-rushing threat. His career-high sack total was eight in 1998.
"Hopefully, I can get the naysayers off me about the pass-rushing thing," Holliday. "Unfortunately, I was playing with a lot of different line coaches and playing in a lot of different defenses in Green Bay. They are giving me an opportunity here. That's all you can ask for in life and in this league."
Vermeil has no doubts that Holliday will do what it takes to get ready. Like most players brought in since Vermeil's arrival, Holliday is known for working hard and maintaining a positive attitude.
"I know about Vonnie Holliday," Vermeil said. "I've spoken with the coaches who have coached him and they all respect him. I liked him in college. He has a great work ethic."
For his part, Holliday is simply happy to be established in Kansas City.
"People have been so good to me," Holliday said. "It's been unbelievable the support I've received from my teammates and the organization.
"A lot of people I don't even know yet but they've been calling with their thoughts and prayers and really making feel like I'm a part of this family."
