Wiegmann Returns to Chiefs
Free agency can make for sometimes strange circumstances like two years after he left, C Casey Wiegmann returns to the Chiefs.
His signing was announced on Friday by the team. Wiegmann was released before the start of free agency by Denver; he played the last two seasons with the Broncos. The Iowa native signed in the Rockies as an unrestricted free agent in 2008, after playing seven seasons with the Chiefs.
Wiegmann has played 14 seasons with the Colts, Jets, Bears, Chiefs and Broncos, appearing in 195 games with 168 starts. Right now, he has a streak of 143 consecutive starts at center and has taken 9,078 consecutive snaps at the position.
He will turn 37 in July.
Whaaat?! I’m not sure what to make of this. I guess all I can say is welcome back Casey! Thanks for bringing your hot wife back to town too! Hope you still have something left in the tank cuz’ god knows we need O line help.
I always liked Casey…and I hope there’s some gas in the tank. I think he can beat out Niswanger for the starting position…not that that’s saying a whole lot. But still, nothing wrong with depth and competition at a position. One year contract. Can’t hurt.
Lilja is visiting the Chiefs Monday, btw.
I’m not liking this one too much. I think its more for insurance in case some things don’t pan out. We don’t need 37 year old legs tryin’ to move what he has to face. We need to be younger & stronger on the O-line. I believe he’s a longshot to make the final roster.
Yeah,kind of mixed feelings about Casey coming back. I really missed hearing Mitch say, “the pride of Parkersburg, Iowa..” and we certainly missed his speed and pulling ability. But, how much can he really bring to the table at this point? Oh well, you can’t have too many experienced vets mentoring our young guys. I would just die if we could sign Lilja, and then get Okung or one of the other top OL’s in the draft! Here’s hoping!!!!
I like Lilja if he’s healthy, or can get healthy soon. He’s had a lot of injury issues in the last couple of years, but if he’s good to go he could help.
I also like Hank Fraley, who they are bringing in on Monday also. He can play center and guard, and he’s a veteran tough-guy and a good technician.
Wiegmann is a veteran mentor, and insurance. Another top-notch technician, I think even at his age could be solid through sheer know-how.
Ok, if Lilja is decent we need to at least try to be competitive for him. Say we move Albert to right tackle, Bulaga as left tackle, Waters inside, Weigmann as center, and Lilja on the right guard….Maybe Cassel won’t get the stuffing ripped out of him this year…Although I am kind of suspect of Weigmann. I love the guy and he gave a lot of good years to KC, but 37? seriously. The Chiefs landed Lilja in Kc. With the problems we have, and if Lilja is decent we would be morons not to pay him….
Nevermind about Lilja
https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2010/3/12/1370423/chiefs-visiting-with-ryan-lilja-on
He is visiting but the Chiefs already announced they don’t want to pay him….
funny we lost both right guards, we have what appears to be a solid right guard visiting, be we already told the guy we don’t want to pay???
That is like if I am stranded in the desert with no water, and my car doesn’t have a right tire. And someone after days of waiting, when I am near death from dehydration, rides by and offers a tire for 200 bucks. Even though I have 4,000 dollars, I decide to let him drive away… I would have to be a the cheapest schmuck on earth to not be willing to part with the money.
I just can’t see, why if the chiefs was going old centers. They didn’t call in Kevin Mawae titans free agent center . To me he is a lot bigger/badder/when it comes to playing strait up.If you are pulling or going outside then Casey can do that, but if off tackle ( Thomas ) then Mawae is hands down better. Draft a tackle move Alberts & put Waters where he should be playing at this time ( age ) center. Waters if moved , would have a lot more playing time left . Just 1 draft pick cures most of our O-Line problems.
Kevin B,
You should re-read the link that you yourself provided. The Chiefs told Lilja earlier in the week that they were interested in him, but didn’t want to pay HIGH DOLLAR. Now late in the week, a visit was planned for Monday. So, I would say that the Lilja is interested….otherwise, why would he waste his time by coming here?
My guess is, with all the outrageous money being throw at some of these FA’s by some teams…that Pioli made it known that he wasn’t going to throw a ton of money at somebody that isn’t worth it.
But ……hey what do I know I,am just a fan. Just like all the others on here, even if some are not aware of it yet!!!!!!!
gosh you are SO right kevin, those chiefs really screwed up with lilja…wait…isnt he visiting us? oh right he is…and where did the info come about not wanting to pay him? oh, right…a fan, same info base we got the shanny to kc rumor from basically…I trust AP, but it wasnt an official statement …(i know warpaint was the shanny rumor just saying this was equal to a fanshot)
sigh…no one is happy, complain complain about no OL signings…we go sign an OL and its complain complain…
ZONE BLOCKING SCHEME REQUIRES PLAYERS WHO CAN….PLAY IN A ZB SCHEME…so tell me exactly why this is a bad move? so if he doesnt make it hes cut and retires a chief…GREAT.
Good to have Casey back anything better than Niswanger that guy suck.
Niswanker sukks … period! Casey came to Denver as a back-up and played every game while he was here. He’s still has speed, is great on sweeps and pass protection. Where he’s weak is short yardage and goal line situations. He’s a short-term solution but it’s still great to see him back in a Chief’s uniform.
Just want to clarify my earlier comment on Rudy…and distance myself from the “Niswanger sucks” crowd.
I like Rudy. He’s a good guy…and by all accounts, his work ethic is outstanding. But right now, he’s a below average starting Center in the NFL. No shame in that…I mean, seriously. He’s still young, and could improve with more experience. There are those who think he would be better at other positions along the line. I won’t speculate on that…but you never know until you try, right? The guy plays with a lot of passion, but just seems to be a little short in the skills department at the moment. So, you can count me out on the “Rudy sucks” club membership.
All that being said, I’ll still stand by my original comment…if it comes down to Rudy and Casey (with no other C’s on the roster) next season, I think Casey will win the job.
I am hearing a lot of how Casey and Lilja would be good “for our zone blocking scheme”. Also, Adam S. reports that Thomas Jones is a great back, especially in a zone blocking scheme. Are we already running a zone scheme, and if not, is that what Wies is bringing in?????
Meant to add…
No matter what…I’d like to see us draft a Center next month. And not some late round “project”, either. I mean a player with a real shot at being good (first three rounds).
Just because we go out a sign someone doesn’t mean they ( chiefs ) have silents the complaints. Unless the guy they signed was/is all world hands down the best at that position . Cheap suits off the rack/mark down isle doesn’t make you look like Donald Trump.You may look better than a homeless guy but you won’t win the best dress award ether.So the same line for over 40yrs now has been……. have faith………yes let’s have another 40yrs of Faith. Pleasessssssss we live in the Show me state.
Good to have Casey back, but he won’t beat out Rudy. Either way, improve the RG position and you’ll improve the C with whoever is there. Lilja might be a good option, or draft a franchise LT and move Albert to guard where he should have been all along.
Albert is a franchise LT, and is playing exactly where he should be.
“I love the guy and he gave a lot of good years to KC, but 37? seriously”
Umm Mr. Mawae was approx. 38 if my math is right when he was Pro Bowl starter and Wiegmann played in the game as his alternate replacement. Either way, should we have ever let Wiegmann go? (here’s a hint…he went to the Pro Bowl while imprisoned wearing a Donks uni and we had well…another guy).
Casey is a good pick-up. Joining up again with old team mate Brian Waters will be a good tandem. They know what the other one is doing & capable of.
I don’t see much downside on this choice. 1 yr. contract, good stop gap depth & not alot of money for his services. Casey’s family still lives in KC, even when he was in Denver.
Go Chiefs.
Yea I actually am excited about this pick up!! Wiegman was the most underrated lineman on this team when Vermiel had the best O-line in the NFL. I dont know if he has lost something for the Donk’s to let him go, but he still can play im sure.
Don’t move Alberts from the LT position, he finally picked the new scheme up near the end of the year last year and he started to look a lot better…
I agree that Rudy plays with heart but he made way too many mistakes at center. Maybe he’ll stick at another position on the O-line, special teams or as a back-up lineman but he simply cannot be the starting center. Casey is a stop gap measure but he’ll do a good job and won’t get our QB killed.
I don’t expect the Chief’s to spend money just to spend money or to do a Bear’s trick and spend a boat load of money on second tier players. They’ve been smart with their money (I think Pioli brag about this when he was hired)and have brought in quality guys that fit their needs.