What Does Lelie Bring To The Chiefs?
From River Falls, Wisconsin
If there were any doubts that the Chiefs have reached a desperate stage in improving their wide receiver group, the signing on Monday of Ashley Lelie should end those.
Pioli/Haley are doing anything and everything they can to increase the talent level, and that includes signing a guy that has played for four different teams in seven seasons. Lelie has been one of the great first-round draft choice under-achievers in this decade. He came out of the University of Hawaii with speed, speed, speed, supposedly running the 40-yard dash in 4.27 seconds.
Seven years later, what does the 29-year old Lelie bring the Chiefs? Does he still have his speed? Why will he succeed in Kansas City when he was inconsistent in Denver and failed in Atlanta, San Francisco and Oakland? Since he was traded away by the Broncos during a pre-season contract holdout, Lelie has played in 43 games and caught a total of 49 passes for 742 yards and three TDs for three different teams. (That’s him getting crunched last year by Brandon Carr and Bernard Pollard in a Chiefs-Raiders game.)
Not exactly the recent resume of a difference maker.
“I think he’s healthy and he’s a little different (style) than anything we have,” said Haley. “He’s a long, lean guy with some speed, with some potential top end speed. I thought it was a chance to get somebody in here that’s a little different than what we had.”
Lelie has been waiting since the end of last season for a new home. That an offer to sign didn’t come until the middle of August does not bother him, even though his chances of making the club could be hurt by his late arrival.
“I don’t think, especially with the coaches bringing me in, they must not think so either,” said Lelie. “They think I have a pretty good shot.”
Does he still pack the same kind of speed he brought out of the college game?
“Oh, definitely,” Lelie said, “especially, because I’m so fresh. I haven’t really had any major injuries. My body still hasn’t been banged up. So I still feel like I’m 23 out there.”
Over his career, Lelie has caught 217 passes for 3,749 yards and 15 TDS. The bulk of that total came in the 2004 season with Denver when he caught 54 balls for 1,084 yards and seven TDs.
He played 10 games against the Chiefs with Denver and Oakland, catching 20 passes for 359 yards and no touchdowns.
Hey Bob, when did you get in bed with Rin?
Ever hear of a guy named “Eddie Kennison”? Yeah, he was a cast-off with a checkered past and a suitcase covered with stickers from his travels-he turned out to be a hell of a receiver and a consistent, productive part of the Vermeil teams.
Sheesh, the next thing you know, Bob’s posts are going to be full of “Herm’s the man!” and “Any 22 will do”, with the little emoticons littering the screen.
If you don’t like the Chiefs anymore, Bob, and are still wanting to spend time with your former mates, maybe King Carl will hire you to do his twitter posts.
Ouch! That was a little harsh Josh.
I do agree with you that I have noticed a change in tone of Bob’s writing as of late. I wonder what happenend?
Yeah, Anony, you’re probably right. I guess no one can say I don’t wear my Chiefs Pride on my sleeve.
And you’re totally right about the change of tone in Bob’s writing. I used to enjoy reading the stories, nowadays it just seems like he’s got some vendetta to settle..whatever happened to unbiased reporting?
Like being Anti Cassel everytime a article shows up on here about the quaterback. I haven’t read anything on the KC Star because I enjoyed his reporting so much. That could change.
Very true. Bob seems pretty bitter lately. What’s the deal?
Bob, bottom line – Lelie has to be better than Webb. Anybody does. Even if he doesn’t do much this isn’t a bad move for the team at all considering Webb contributed absolutely NOTHING over his time here.
Oh and one more useless Herm guy out the door.
Bob G
Another direct hit article that tells it like it is ala Howie Cosell.
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Josh said
“I guess no one can say I don’t wear my Chiefs Pride on my sleeve.”
- that’s not pride…it’s gravy (matches the tomato soup stained tie yours.)
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By the way, Ashley Lelie was a player the Chiefs had SERIOUS interest in drafting when Carl P was here…
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Well he can write how it is, your happy that they are spending 14 million a year on a guy who can’t control a snap, hasn’t thrown a TD, yet a 3rd stringer has already done so. 2 for 5, 15 yds… Hmmm. not a good stat line after all of the practice and time in the playbook that Cassell has had so far. I was at the Eagles vs. Pats game, Brady didn’t look great, but for a guy who didn’t play last year still looked better then the guy who is getting paid more then him and threw 2 tds, plus the backup there didn’t look that bad either, like I said it’s a good SYSTEM to be in…
Also what kind of signing is this, have you not watched any of the chiefs vs denver games or even raiders vs chiefs games when lelie was there?? I dont recall him in any of the games because he isn’t that good and didn’t do much… If Haley/pioli wanted to pick up a receiver thats different than what they have why dont they make another block buster trade and get Marshall from Denver (ugh, not a good thought), but still a better WR then the people they have signed so far.
Also the difference between Lelie and Kennison is Kennison could catch and run good routes, he was also signed by Carl P and Dick V, they obviously could evaluate QB’s (trent green) and Wr’s…
Bob is no longer a Chief employee. He is now objective, and doesn’t defend Carl/Herm at every instance. I find it refreshing.
As for Lelie, I loved him coming out of College. He was good early, then faded. But he’s hopefully better than Toomer or Engram, and certainly better than Jeff Webb, who he was signed to replace, so no downside to taking a quick look. The Pats always did things like this in camp, and most of the time they cut the guy. But it doesn’t hurt to look.
Correct, Baghdad Bob is no longer the chiefs minister of information. For awhile that meant some open and objective reporting.
I agree with the rest that his tone has changed lately. He is starting to sound bitter and resentful like Teicher.
I know the revenue streams have dried up, but please dont start ‘mailing in’ your reports like him too.
glad im not the only one who noticed a change in tone…
we arent saying defend every move, but any mention of cassel he goes negative…there are a few other examples that im sure would be found over the past few weeks…
True being objective is good, and so is being realistic…we all know this is a 6 win team with this schedule, and some of it may be ugly…but we dont have to point it out all the time
“we all know this is a 6 win team”
- OWW! OWWWWW!! My sides!!! hee hee hee-larious…
“with this schedule”
- I thee condemn…
“and some of it may be ugly”
- like Mutt Ca$$el’s horrid debut Saturday night; laugh Kansas City fans thought they’d die!
All except for Jr… he was crying
“but we dont have to point it out all the time”
- no dissenting opinions allowed: all ye who pass this way must wear your ‘oaf’icial KC Chiefs rose colored blinders- er, glasses…
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The only thing that is relevant here is the tradeoff between who we got & who we released. Webb was nothing. Lelie has more athletic talent, speed & productivity than Webb. Its an upgrade of talent. I doubt the receiving corp is done being changed.
Different tone, true. But BOB is honest, and gives his personal feeling and insight to all situations and moves.
If he doesnt like Cassel, thats his opinion. If hes a huge fan of Thiggy, can you blame him?
Everyone thought he kissed Herm the Worm and C.P. ass, now he doesnt, bob gives you strait articles and opinions how HE sees it, and people still complain.
Guess just like in life, you cant please everyone!
BOB, IMO, keep up the good work
I really love what Bob did in building the Chiefs radio network they way he did. It was the best Pre-game show in the NFL. I have always enjoyed reading his viewpoints whether I agreed or not.
That being said, Bob has become bitter lately and disappointing to read. I’m staring to wonder how closely Bob and Rint-toot-turd are?????
I’ll give Bob one more week.
Tired of all the bitching.
1. Did it ever occur to you that Engram and Toomer are gamers, they are staying and playing, no The first preseason game is all about evaluating talent, not about who wins and looses. If winning were the most important thing Engram and Toomer would have played.
On top of that, you don’t want to show to much in the preseason, let others believe that we are weaker than we truely are, let them underestimate us!!!!
Better to bring in a former 1st round pick that might figure out the ways to be professional than stick with the late round pick slugs from another regime. I’m not saying Lelie is all that, but he does bring in those dreaded words: “Unrealized potential”. Webb, in comparison was unrealized period.
As to Bob’s tone, I like it just fine. Again, better to hear the unvarnished views of someone on the ground, seeing the team up close and providing the information without being screened by the Chief’s PC police.
Keep up the good work, Bob.
Hey Josh easy up off Bob. IF don’t like his perspective then stop reading his post go somewhere else. He’s right Lelie has been a failure as wideout and if we’ve signed him we’re in desperation mode for receivers. Hopefully he comes here and prove me wrong but from what i’ve seen from him in ATL and Oak i doubt it.
If Bob keeps this up the only doors that well open at chiefs drive well be the bathroom. I like the honesty………. If it is truly the way he see it . Not prejudged before the trail has even started . Quite ……Quite ………the witness may sit down. PnS
The first thing I thought of today was Eddie Kennison as well. If Lelie could provide that kind of production, that would be quite an aquisition.
And I like Bob’s tone
I think Haeley/Pioli are just trying to do whatever they can to improve wherever they can. If that’s desperation, we needed a lot more of that a long time ago.
I would have preferred they sign Matt Jones, who by reports has started to turn his life around. But, then again, I’m not on the inside and I don’t know the whole story with him. Maybe he’s just not a good fit for this team right now.
Lelie replacing Webb, though, is no loss and everything to gain-no brainer.
Bob does seem a little more skeptical these days, but I’m ok with that. He still provides good reports, and I always balance them with reports from multiple other sources.
We knew what we had with Herm Edwards. A soft coach that made our good player want to leave(TG,JA all most LJ & BW). I agreed with the change. Now we have Todd Haley we will see how he does. I wont judge him at this point.
I dont have a problem that Pioli/Haley are doing anything and everything they can to increase the talent level. Some will work and some will not. It better than doing nothing.
My hopes are that we will be better this year than last. And if we dont improve Jr will get some one else. It pretty simple.
I didn’t think this was a negative article. It was the truth. I like the Lelie deal a LOT. He has potential, hes not on his deathbed like the last two receivers we signed, and bottom line, the Chiefs receivers suck right now. Lelie could also return kicks and make a difference on the special teams. Lelie wouldn’t cost to much either. He definitely can’t hurt and we all know how Haley is feeling about the Chiefs WR’s right now and I tend to agree with him. About damn time we started making receivers hang on to the ball and line up right. Lelie will come out with a chip on his shoulder and everything to prove and I really hope he works out.
Trial should have been the word
I would like to see Marvin Harrison join the team!!
MATT JONES MATT JONES MATT JONES MATT JONES…
…please…?
Not another ancient, done WR in Marvin PLEASE.
Jones has worse hands than Lelie and less speed, and is a headcase.
I heard Matt JOnes was turning his life around. But Jared Allen said the same thing and last season he was found with his buddy Chad Greenway boozingit up in the bar. Matt Jones has been less productive than Lelie anyways. He’s got potential, and there isn’t any downside so to speak….
as for Bob, I think he’s always been way more optimistic when it comes to the chiefs than negative. I like it that he’s becoming more objective now. He’s right, we’re dying for good, young talented recivers(where was your Herm on that?!?!) I hope our final WR roster looks like this:
Bowe
Bradley
Lelie
Engram/Toomer
PS: Lawrence and that other guy from south florida.
Pioli and Haley have no idea what they are doing or talking about.
Bob, I like your tone, keep up the good work.
So has anyone noticed how all you hear about Croyle are major positives! I’ve always like the kid and hope he can prove he is better and not so injury prone this year. I like all 3 QB’s we have, and I am pretty sure we will see all 3 play this year.
“By the way, Ashley Lelie was a player the Chiefs had SERIOUS interest in drafting when Carl P was here…”
Well thank goodness we didn’t pick him up and over pay him back then…now we can get him for cheap.
In my opinion, Croyle and Thigpen are quality back-ups, but that’s it.
I don’t know why so many people expect Haley and Pioli to come in and fix every gaping hole left by the CP era overnight. Yeah, yeah rin, ‘all the hype…’ I get it. I don’t think there’s a GM – Coach combo in the league that could turn this team around overnight. There just wouldn’t be enough draft picks, quality free agents or time to do it immediately.
“Well thank goodness we didn’t pick him up and over pay him back then…now we can get him for cheap.”
- yeah…now we can (over) pay him & (not) play him when now he’s in his prime – a JOURNEYMAN – which is all he’s ever been/will be. Likelihood be, Lelie won’t even make the team.
Chiefs lose & take it in the shorts once more… per the usual courtesy &
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Lelie is a better gamble than Jeff Webb. Lelie has some talent that Haley and Ward may be able to develop like Vermeil did with Kennison.
For the record Pioli was my first choice as GM and Haley was my first choice for HC since Cowher wasn’t available yet. I have a lot of faith that we are headed in the right direction.
I also admire Carl for all he did for the Chiefs. He just made a huge mistake in hiring hermit and it cost him his job.
By the way, Carl did a wonderful job at DT’s HOF induction. It was also fitting that he asked Marty to stand, that brought more tears to our eyes in the stands at Canton. It was great to see Neil wearing DT’s Pro Bowl jersey.
I really think there are some great posters here, but as long as Gretz allows one immature pervert to pollute the comments, this site isn’t worth it.
I won’t be posting here anymore until Gretz cleans the garbage out. I would encourage the rest of you to do the same. Then maybe Bob will get the message. It’s pretty simple to make everyone register to post.
I’m not a pervert CK you are.