SmootSmack
03-07-2005, 12:46 AM
Even more reason to keep Smoot...as if protecting my username were not enought. Since this article requires registration I'm going to post the whole article here:
Spinal concerns could scuttle Rolle move to Chiefs
BY ADAM TEICHER
Knight Ridder Newspapers
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - (KRT) - Lingering concerns about a spinal condition may prevent the Kansas Chiefs from signing free-agent cornerback Samari Rolle.
Rolle came to Kansas City last week to meet with the Chiefs as perhaps the top choice to fill their void at cornerback. He played for Chiefs defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham when Cunningham coached the Tennessee Titans and was a favorite of his.
Had the Chiefs not learned of the condition, which sources indicated was a narrowing of the spinal column, it's possible Rolle would have signed a contract by now. The Chiefs discovered the condition during a routine physical they administered during Rolle's visit.
As it is, they appear hesitant to complete a deal, though coach Dick Vermeil said Sunday that an agreement was still possible and the parties were still negotiating.
The condition is just another thing for the Chiefs to consider as they decide how to acquire a top veteran cornerback. Rolle is the only free-agent cornerback the Chiefs visited with.
They began free-agency with four cornerbacks at the top of their wish list. Beside Rolle, the Chiefs were interested in Miami's Patrick Surtain, Seattle's Ken Lucas and Washington's Fred Smoot.
The Chiefs, at least for the time being, aren't interested in trading their No. 2 draft pick for Surtain as the Dolphins requested. Lucas has since signed with Carolina. The Chiefs have made no apparent move for Smoot, who remains unsigned.
The Chiefs visited with Tampa Bay's Dwight Smith, who can play cornerback. But Vermeil indicated Smith would play safety if he signs with the Chiefs.
Another factor is Rolle's arrest last month in the Nashville area for domestic assault. Police allege he had an altercation with his wife, Danisha. If convicted, Rolle faces a maximum sentence of a year in jail.
Danisha accompanied Rolle on his trip to Kansas City. Vermeil had dinner with the Rolles, said he enjoyed the visit and wasn't concerned about the assault. He also indicated Rolle "fit the profile,'' his term for a player with the qualities he's looking for in a person.
There's no question Rolle is a top player. He made the Pro Bowl in 2000 and has remained one of the game's best in pass coverage_even though he hasn't received the postseason honor since.
Rolle should, the spinal condition aside, have several good seasons left. He will be 29 in August. He's been durable, though he missed five games last season because of a knee injury. He had arthroscopic surgery after the season, but the Chiefs aren't concerned about his knee's ability to hold up.
In an NFL world without a salary cap, Rolle would still be with the Titans. He was one of six prominent players released last month because Tennessee otherwise couldn't have been in compliance with the NFL's salary limit.
Titans coach Jeff Fisher included Rolle in his remarks when he announced the cuts.
"It's not an easy decision because each of these guys can play at a high level,'' Fisher said. "That's the most difficult part about this decision. From a coaching standpoint, the question is, why let go of players who can still play? Probably more important than that is, why allow players who are good people to leave your franchise when they work hard, are established leaders and understand our philosophy?
"It's an emotional day for us because it's never easy to part ways with a group of great people like the ones we lost today.''
It's puzzling why Rolle hasn't attracted more interest in the free-agent market. He has visited only with the Chiefs.
Some teams may be scared off by the cost of signing a top cornerback. Lucas received a reported $13 million signing bonus, so a healthy Rolle could conceivably command more than that.
Spinal concerns could scuttle Rolle move to Chiefs
BY ADAM TEICHER
Knight Ridder Newspapers
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - (KRT) - Lingering concerns about a spinal condition may prevent the Kansas Chiefs from signing free-agent cornerback Samari Rolle.
Rolle came to Kansas City last week to meet with the Chiefs as perhaps the top choice to fill their void at cornerback. He played for Chiefs defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham when Cunningham coached the Tennessee Titans and was a favorite of his.
Had the Chiefs not learned of the condition, which sources indicated was a narrowing of the spinal column, it's possible Rolle would have signed a contract by now. The Chiefs discovered the condition during a routine physical they administered during Rolle's visit.
As it is, they appear hesitant to complete a deal, though coach Dick Vermeil said Sunday that an agreement was still possible and the parties were still negotiating.
The condition is just another thing for the Chiefs to consider as they decide how to acquire a top veteran cornerback. Rolle is the only free-agent cornerback the Chiefs visited with.
They began free-agency with four cornerbacks at the top of their wish list. Beside Rolle, the Chiefs were interested in Miami's Patrick Surtain, Seattle's Ken Lucas and Washington's Fred Smoot.
The Chiefs, at least for the time being, aren't interested in trading their No. 2 draft pick for Surtain as the Dolphins requested. Lucas has since signed with Carolina. The Chiefs have made no apparent move for Smoot, who remains unsigned.
The Chiefs visited with Tampa Bay's Dwight Smith, who can play cornerback. But Vermeil indicated Smith would play safety if he signs with the Chiefs.
Another factor is Rolle's arrest last month in the Nashville area for domestic assault. Police allege he had an altercation with his wife, Danisha. If convicted, Rolle faces a maximum sentence of a year in jail.
Danisha accompanied Rolle on his trip to Kansas City. Vermeil had dinner with the Rolles, said he enjoyed the visit and wasn't concerned about the assault. He also indicated Rolle "fit the profile,'' his term for a player with the qualities he's looking for in a person.
There's no question Rolle is a top player. He made the Pro Bowl in 2000 and has remained one of the game's best in pass coverage_even though he hasn't received the postseason honor since.
Rolle should, the spinal condition aside, have several good seasons left. He will be 29 in August. He's been durable, though he missed five games last season because of a knee injury. He had arthroscopic surgery after the season, but the Chiefs aren't concerned about his knee's ability to hold up.
In an NFL world without a salary cap, Rolle would still be with the Titans. He was one of six prominent players released last month because Tennessee otherwise couldn't have been in compliance with the NFL's salary limit.
Titans coach Jeff Fisher included Rolle in his remarks when he announced the cuts.
"It's not an easy decision because each of these guys can play at a high level,'' Fisher said. "That's the most difficult part about this decision. From a coaching standpoint, the question is, why let go of players who can still play? Probably more important than that is, why allow players who are good people to leave your franchise when they work hard, are established leaders and understand our philosophy?
"It's an emotional day for us because it's never easy to part ways with a group of great people like the ones we lost today.''
It's puzzling why Rolle hasn't attracted more interest in the free-agent market. He has visited only with the Chiefs.
Some teams may be scared off by the cost of signing a top cornerback. Lucas received a reported $13 million signing bonus, so a healthy Rolle could conceivably command more than that.