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Q&A with PRIEST HOLMES - 11/7

Nov 07, 2007, 4:54:04 PM

Q: When did you first think about making a comeback?

HOLMES: “The first inkling as far as having any type of desire didn’t arise until this past July. It was around the 29th of June, actually. We had an annual two-day camp in San Antonio called “Camp with the Pros.” After being out there with the young people, helping them out, doing drills, signing autographs and taking pictures, on the second day we did an interview and on the following Sunday one of the news stations had basically aired ‘what will I do for the upcoming season?’ They actually had a number of runs from previous years that they used as a clip before they went into the story. It actually kind of caught me off guard because I was sitting at the house with some family and friends when I happened to see that. I couldn’t even believe that I had made certain touchdowns the way that I did. It really just brought back that feeling and desire to want to do that type of stuff again. That’s basically what happened on that day and then about a month later I ended up talking with Chiefs COO/Executive Vice President Denny Thum and President Carl Peterson, and they one thing they asked me was, ‘are you ready to retire? We might be able to put you in the retirement ceremony with G Will Shields in the Green Bay game.’

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“I looked at them and said, ‘no, I don’t think I’m ready to retire. I think I’m going to come back and play.’ They looked at me and they said, ‘are you sure?’ Because I hadn’t worked out in those 22 months just because of what doctors had prescribed. It really caught some people off guard because of the absence, but I think at the same time I put a lot of work into being a professional and it has afforded me the opportunity to come back and return.”

Q: What kind of workload do you think you are ready for on Sunday?

HOLMES: “I think it is just a progression of the game and depending on how the game goes is how much they will run me. If we can get some things done in the first eight-to-10 plays and score some touchdowns that would be a good thing. At the same time, it is one of the games where we know it will be a tough game that will go down to the wire if you look at the history. We will be prepared for that. There are so many athletes and stars on this team that it affords us the opportunity that when I am inserted into the game we won’t miss a beat.”

Q: But when it comes to that you can handle the load?

HOLMES: “Absolutely. I’m a professional and I pride myself on being a professional, not so much a football player first, but one that’s been introduced into the league and shown how to be a professional and how to accept a role at different times. Then, when you get a chance to have some stardom I can excel in that. So I’m definitely ready, I’m prepared and most of all I’m having fun. I think that the two years off gave me a chance to grow personally. I learned a lot. I experienced a lot, especially with family and things of that nature and I’m just excited. I think that the element I bring to the team is one that is going to keep you guessing. If you have the element, it is definitely a good thing.”

Q: Are you surprised how quickly this has turned around for you?

HOLMES: “No, not at all. For me, I’m one that believes in vision and looking towards the future and pretty much mapping out what you want to do in life. I believe in that and part of that was coming back to help this team win and here it is.”

Q: RB Larry Johnson struggled running the ball. What do you do differently?

HOLMES: “I don’t think it is so much that the offensive line is not being effective, I just think that at the same time with two seasons of 1,700 yards, any defensive coordinator who is earning their pay is going to find some way to stop them. I think that is what we’ve seen. Defenses have keyed on what his running style really is and it’s one that I think he now has an opportunity to sit back and evaluate and it’s only going to make him a better player.”

Q: So you don’t think that they are going to stack the box when you are in the game?

HOLMES: “Well they could, but I can guarantee you that they have no idea what kind of running style I’m coming with. It’s not going to even surprise me that they are going to be unsure about what I’m going to do.”

Q: That’s an advantage for you then.

HOLMES: “All my life that has been an advantage. I don’t see why it would stop today.”

Q: You don’t want to see a player get hurt, but this is a big opportunity for you.

HOLMES: “As far as being injured, that is really a part of football and that is something that I’ve never really shied away from. When I go out and play, whether it is QB Damon Huard or QB Trent Green taking the snaps, it is just a matter of knowing what you want to do and get done. I am one that really gets in tune with my offensive linemen. I let them know exactly where I’m going to put the ball and they get paid too. I’m excited about being here and the opportunity that I have today. It’s not so much to take over the position and say that here I am. Larry has earned it and he will be back and we will definitely see him improve. But during the time of his absence I definitely will do everything that I can to keep the running game going.”

Q: Have you had a chance to talk to Larry about how he is feeling?

HOLMES: “One thing that you can do is you can ask a player not so much in detail what really is going on because you know it’s an injury and that is what it is. The body is amazing and it always comes back from any injury. I’m living proof of that. At the same time, you just let them know that you’re there for them and that you can wait for their return.”

Q: What kind of attitude do you bring to pass blocking?

HOLMES: “It’s not so much an attitude, it’s just a matter of does it align with the goals that you have? With me, I’m always one that when I get the chance to run the ball the more in tune and comfortable I get. Going from three-to-five carries, you can’t really get 100 yards doing that. You can’t really have the success that you get when you run the ball 15 times, so we’ll see what happens.”

Q: Is your running style different then it was a couple of years ago?

HOLMES: “I don’t know if I have necessarily changed to anyone who is watching the game, but to anyone who is actually inside of the chalk it will be different. That is the one thing that no one player can look at you and pinpoint exactly what you are if they haven’t seen you in two years. That’s really difficult.”

Q: Do you think that this blocking unit can work as well with you as the last one did?

HOLMES: “I’d have to say this and they only way that I can answer this question is this: much like any situation I’ve been in, I make people look good. I really do. It goes back to Baltimore when they brought me in as a rookie free agent where there was no investment; it was just an opportunity, all the way back to the University of Texas when I was getting that opportunity to play. The linemen that were here before, with the success they have given me, at the same time I was giving it back. My job has always been being the type of individual to make people look good, whoever it may be.”

Q: What do you mean when you say that you are always talking to the line?

HOLMES: “It’s a natural progression. It’s nothing that is etched in stone or cut and dry. It’s nothing set like after practice, it would be after this interview when we are walking in the hallway. It’s something that comes to mind and we will just start talking about it. Guaranteed that I will tell them exactly where I’m putting the ball and all I need them to do is give me one yard from the line of scrimmage.”

Q: So your line is capable of doing what they did three or four years ago?

HOLMES: “I don’t see why not.”

Kansas City Chiefs

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Q&A with PRIEST HOLMES - 11/7

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