Holmes (1 Viewer)

[Rounders]

I didn't get a chance to catch the game, how did he look? I know that he had 20 carries for 65 yards, but I'm curious to hear about how he was running? Was his vision there? How about his cutback ability? Did he limit himself or did the DEN defense bottle him up pretty well?

 

[Banger]

He surprised me. Not great but not too bad. Had some nice cuts and was somewhat productive although it was against the Bronco's rush defense.

 

[Syx]

Would've been 19-80 yards if not for an ill advised change of direction run at the 5.

He lost about 15 on that play.

He looked quicker than I expected, but there were some holes that the old Priest would have turned into huge gainers that instead ended up as 5-6 yard runs.

Overall I'd say pretty good, but not great

 

[FantasyTrader]

Pretty pedestrian. I'm certainly no scout so take this with a grain of salt. It's interesting you mentioned vision and cutback because I didn't see much of either. He wasn't working well in tight quarters and just kind of smash-mouthing it, think Jamal Lewis right now. His line wasn't doing him many favors. All in all, about what you'd expect from a 34 y.o. back seeing his first action in 2 years. Bottom Line: I saw a servicable #3 fantasy back. Was good to see him out there running again though, I'm happy for the guy.

 

[Jackal King]

I had him in my starting lineup so I watched that game pretty close. I think I'd have been much more enthused had his performance been against a more representative run defense. But, I was certainly expecting worse. I'm hoping that with a game under his belt, he improves a bit.

I continue to scratch my head over what feels like a league wide tendancy to ignore RB's in the passing game. I was hoping that the Padre would be a strong RB2 in PPR formats. I'm not sure how many targets he had...but fewer than I hoped for.

 

[Alex96]

He ran better than I expected. But, I wasn't really expecting a whole lot.

There were several runs were he used nifty jump-cuts to change direction and avoid defenders. He found a lot of gaps in the defense, but there are always a lot of gaps in that defense.

He's a starting RB on a conservative team, so he'll have his value. But I wouldn't expect a big difference more or less from what he gave you today. I'm sure they'll be more than comfortable using him in the red zone, too. Too bad the Chiefs aren't in the red zone too often. Although, maybe Croyle can find a spark and open some things up. He certainly can't be worse than Huard.

 

[ffldrew]

I echo most of the thoughts above. I also felt he ran out of steam later in the game, where before injury he always looked stronger. Certainly not back to the old Priest.

 

[TommyGilmore]

I was pleasantly surprised during the 1st half. But the 15 yard loss was a downer and then the Chiefs abandoned the run.

But still -- just the fact that he was out there AT ALL was impressive.

 

[taylorj99]

I thought he was good for his first game in 2 years. Really, I'm not sure how much better LJ would have fared. Priest had nice vision and patience. During some inside runs, where there was clearly nowhere to go, with the defense in the backfield, he at least got back to the line. I do agree that he looked tired later in the game.

I don't know what it is but sometimes you watch him run and everything seems to slow down. You can see the defenders coming, he slows a little, a blocker comes in, and he accelerates. That's the one thing that separates him from the rest, even at 34.

 

[-jb-]

I watched a good amount of the game, and thought he was serviceable...but I don't think we're seeing a totally different Priest. He's lost a step, I'm sure, but the difference in O-line talent is what really makes him look like less of a back. Holmes always had the advantage of running a good 3 yards before even being touched. Those days are gone, and I (like previous posters) thought he did fine with what he was given. He'll get better over the coming weeks, too.

While I was never really a fan of it back in the day, I have to admit that it will be tough not to smile when he does his first sidestep across the goal line.

 

[Carr 2 Smith]

I watched a good amount of the game, and thought he was serviceable...but I don't think we're seeing a totally different Priest. He's lost a step, I'm sure, but the difference in O-line talent is what really makes him look like less of a back. Holmes always had the advantage of running a good 3 yards before even being touched. Those days are gone, and I (like previous posters) thought he did fine with what he was given. He'll get better over the coming weeks, too.

While I was never really a fan of it back in the day, I have to admit that it will be tough not to smile when he does his first sidestep across the goal line.

Exactly what I was thinking.

 

[Sputnikv8]

I can't imagine the soreness NFL players feel the day after the game. 10x that for a 34 year old that has been out of the full time starting job for a couple seasons.

:OUCH:

 

[TommyGilmore]

I can't imagine the soreness NFL players feel the day after the game. 10x that for a 34 year old that has been out of the full time starting job for a couple seasons. :OUCH:

I guarantee you that he is all smiles today.

 

[bjabrad]

Either the Broncos have finally gotten their defense back on track, or the Chiefs have one of the worst offenses in the NFL. Denver defensive coordinator Jim Bates crowded the line of scrimmage with multiple eight-man fronts, which restricted running space for Kansas City running back Priest Holmes and forced the Chiefs to become one-dimensional. It also put the Chiefs in a lot of second- and third-and-long situations that allowed Bates to attack the pocket with multiple pressures, which forced both Chiefs quarterbacks Damon Huard and Brodie Croyle into game-changing mistakes. Broncos MLB D.J. Williams and the rest of the linebacker corps finally did a nice job of maintaining their gap responsibilities and lane integrity when attacking inside-out to the ball, something that had been missing this season.

-- Keith Kidd, Scouts Inc.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=271111012

 

[Da Guru]

Holmes looked decent, but nothing like the old Holmes.

With KC offensive woes 50-60 yards is about what to expect. Maybe less if Kolby Smith starts getting some carries.

 

[BusterTBronco]

FBG has Holmes at RB18 in their latest "Top 250 Forward" rankings.

Seems a bit high to me.

 

[xenith]

Echoing others, he was decent, not great. I'll give him this (I was at the game), the ole man really worked his ### off!! Even the big loss play, he was workin his ### off, cause he had no choice.

With the horrible performance of this OLine in KC, the RB is forced to create 90% of touches, something LJ just couldn't get done. Priest did better, but just doesn't have it anymore. He can fill as a RB3/FLEX type, but no more than that. If they'd throw some screens to him he might be borderline RB2 in PPR leagues, but for some reason they just won't. Oh, and Kolby will not be successful behind that OLine. Deer in headlights cliche comes to mind.

 

[brindrod]

With KC offensive woes 50-60 yards is about what to expect. Maybe less if Kolby Smith starts getting some carries.

It's safe to say that with Herm Edwards, Kolby Smith will be a non-factor. Priest was supposed to share carries with him. Didn't happen. Until LJ returns, Priest makes a decent FLEX in deep leagues.

 

[bjabrad]

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/363505.html

Chiefs like what they've seen in Priest Holmes since his return

By ADAM TEICHER

The Kansas City Star

Time seemed to pass quickly for Priest Holmes in his two years away from football and the Chiefs. He disappeared once he was knocked from the starting lineup, he was quickly replaced by Larry Johnson and was rapidly becoming a footnote in history.

The funny thing is that once he made it back to the starting lineup for last week’s game against Denver, that time seemed to stop all together. If you looked closely, Holmes wasn’t quite the same player he was when he left the lineup on Oct. 30, 2005 after taking a hit from San Diego’s Shawne Merriman.

He was close enough to suit the Chiefs, particularly considering it was an opening act.

“We could see in the weeks of practice he was coming on and getting closer to what he was before,” president/general manager Carl Peterson said. “I don’t think anybody could fairly expect him to be 100 percent of what he was in 2005, but he ran the ball with good authority. He showed some moves that he had had two years ago in making people miss in the hole. He showed a burst getting to the outside and around the corner.

“There was certainly some rust there. There were a couple of times he hesitated when he was going into a hole. In years past, there would be no hesitation. We’ve seen that in practice. That’s something that will get better over time. It’s a matter of him getting comfortable.”

Holmes didn’t have great statistics, rushing 20 times for 65 yards. That was more a reflection on the blocking than on Holmes, who earned most if not all of what he got.

In any case, he was better than he was on that fateful day in San Diego in 2005 when he gained 38 yards in 14 carries.

Holmes was pleased with what he saw as he reviewed the video.

“I definitely got a good feel,” he said. “That game … really gave me an opportunity to see what it feels like to have eight (defenders at the line of scrimmage) every play. It seemed like once I made one guy miss there were another two guys right there making the tackle.”

The Chiefs also were pleasantly surprised, perhaps more with his ability to handle a full workload than anything else. Peterson had said when Holmes returned last summer that the Chiefs no longer considered Holmes a full-time player.

Coach Herm Edwards said last week the Chiefs would limit Holmes to 15 carries but, after seeing how he responded, expanded that limit to 25 for Sunday’s game against the Colts in Indianapolis.

“No one knew exactly what we were going to get,” Edwards said. “After the game, you wonder how a guy is going to feel. He’s feeling OK.

“What he did Sunday was good for him and this football team. Now, we’ve got to continue to give him the ball. But he’s not going to carry the ball 30 times. That’s not going to happen. That’s too much for him. …

“Then you’ve got to get Kolby (Smith) in there and play.”

Smith ran the ball just twice against the Broncos but didn’t look like much of an alternative to Holmes by gaining just 2 yards. So, as he did with Holmes against Denver, Edwards might bust his limit with Holmes this week, particularly if the game is close or the Chiefs are trying to protect a lead.

“He made some runs when it looked like there was nothing there,” Edwards said. “He went into the hole and kept his feet going. He still has excellent ability to dodge in a little window. He’s still quick. He still moves well.”

The Colts watched Holmes on video with great interest. They, like almost everyone else, had no idea of what to expect from a back who had disappeared for a couple of seasons.

“He’s still able to do some of the things he (was) doing,” Colts safety Bob Sanders said. “I don’t think he’s actually that same guy from a few years ago when we’ve seen him play, but he’s a veteran back and he knows where to run and he knows how to make you miss. People aren’t respecting his speed. I still think he still has good speed and he can get the ball outside and also run between the tackles.

“He’s an 11-year vet and you have to say he’s not going to be that same guy he was in year six or year seven or year eight.”

 

[Calvitron Johnson]

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/363505.html

“He’s an 11-year vet and you have to say he’s not going to be that same guy he was in year six or year seven or year eight.”

With 400 less carries on his body than Fred Taylor. That mistake of running backwards from the 5 turned what would have possibly been a stellar performance (possibly incl a TD run) for a 34 yr old to a not so good performance. He just kept digging himself a bigger hole on that play and it cost them. Not that this means anything but he has the same amount of carries as Ricky Williams.

 

[bjabrad]

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/363505.html

“He’s an 11-year vet and you have to say he’s not going to be that same guy he was in year six or year seven or year eight.”

With 400 less carries on his body than Fred Taylor. That mistake of running backwards from the 5 turned what would have possibly been a stellar performance (possibly incl a TD run) for a 34 yr old to a not so good performance. He just kept digging himself a bigger hole on that play and it cost them. Not that this means anything but he has the same amount of carries as Ricky Williams.

No it actually didn't cost them. I saw the play. It was third and goal and Holmes knew he had to sell out to get a TD and if he didn't that they would have to settle for a FG which is exactly what they did (36 yd FG). Would it have been better for him to have given up and had 4th down on the 5 yd line with not chance for a TD or to "go for it" and have the opportunity for a TD with a 36 yd FG as the backup plan?I like the fact that Edwards is talking about giving Holmes 25 carries this week vs IND but KC will be playing from behind and Holmes won't get 25 carries. What I do like is that the following week, KC plays OAK and I DO think Holmes will do well with his 25 carries in week 12.

 

[Calvitron Johnson]

No it actually didn't cost them. I saw the play. It was third and goal and Holmes knew he had to sell out to get a TD and if he didn't that they would have to settle for a FG which is exactly what they did (36 yd FG). Would it have been better for him to have given up and had 4th down on the 5 yd line with not chance for a TD or to "go for it" and have the opportunity for a TD with a 36 yd FG as the backup plan?I like the fact that Edwards is talking about giving Holmes 25 carries this week vs IND but KC will be playing from behind and Holmes won't get 25 carries. What I do like is that the following week, KC plays OAK and I DO think Holmes will do well with his 25 carries in week 12.

Ok. I wasn't sure if it was 3rd down. I saw the play and switched channels right after it.Does the loss of Freeney help Holmes this week?

 

[The Hank]

No it actually didn't cost them. I saw the play. It was third and goal and Holmes knew he had to sell out to get a TD and if he didn't that they would have to settle for a FG which is exactly what they did (36 yd FG). Would it have been better for him to have given up and had 4th down on the 5 yd line with not chance for a TD or to "go for it" and have the opportunity for a TD with a 36 yd FG as the backup plan?I like the fact that Edwards is talking about giving Holmes 25 carries this week vs IND but KC will be playing from behind and Holmes won't get 25 carries. What I do like is that the following week, KC plays OAK and I DO think Holmes will do well with his 25 carries in week 12.

Ok. I wasn't sure if it was 3rd down. I saw the play and switched channels right after it.Does the loss of Freeney help Holmes this week?

I think it definitely gives them a boost. Anytime you take a perrenial pro bowler off of the edges, who may not have the #'s this year but warrants heavy attention all the time, I think that it allows the COLTS D to be very vulnerable vs. the run. They had to pick up Simeon Rice off of the FA's!Granted its the same system whenever Rice was in TB, but still, he is a couple years past his prime and should be a little rusty if they do choose to use him.I am starting Holmes this week most definitely

 

[Banger]

LOL @ Herm. Last week he was going to limit Priest to 15 touches yet he got 22. Bottomline...anyone hoping for any K. Smith action ain't gonna get any. It's Priest's show until LJ returns.

 

[MDSkinner]

No it actually didn't cost them. I saw the play. It was third and goal and Holmes knew he had to sell out to get a TD and if he didn't that they would have to settle for a FG which is exactly what they did (36 yd FG). Would it have been better for him to have given up and had 4th down on the 5 yd line with not chance for a TD or to "go for it" and have the opportunity for a TD with a 36 yd FG as the backup plan?

I like the fact that Edwards is talking about giving Holmes 25 carries this week vs IND but KC will be playing from behind and Holmes won't get 25 carries. What I do like is that the following week, KC plays OAK and I DO think Holmes will do well with his 25 carries in week 12.

Ok. I wasn't sure if it was 3rd down. I saw the play and switched channels right after it.Does the loss of Freeney help Holmes this week?

I think it definitely gives them a boost. Anytime you take a perrenial pro bowler off of the edges, who may not have the #'s this year but warrants heavy attention all the time, I think that it allows the COLTS D to be very vulnerable vs. the run. They had to pick up Simeon Rice off of the FA's!Granted its the same system whenever Rice was in TB, but still, he is a couple years past his prime and should be a little rusty if they do choose to use him.

I am starting Holmes this week most definitely

It is funny you talk about Rice being past his prime and a little rusty...that is exactly how Holmes looked last week and that was against what at the time was the worst rush defense in the league. Priest may get better this week, but I would not be banking on a huge game from him looking at what he did last week. That line is abysmal (as is well documented this year) and Priest just does not look the same without Willie Roaf and Will Sheilds blocking for him.