Gunzlingr
05-16-2003, 10:01 AM
William Bartee fixed on his interrogator with a steely gaze and announced firmly he will play better than he did last season, well enough to keep his starting job.
That has to be comforting news for the Chiefs. The last thing they need is a starting cornerback with a confidence crisis in May.
But the truer test for Bartee will come in training camp, when the Chiefs put on the pads, and get into the preseason and regular-season games.
If by then Bartee hasn't improved on his play of last season, his first as a full-time starter, the Chiefs may be quick to make a move to free-agent addition Dexter McCleon.
The Chiefs might have made such a move with Bartee last year if they had a better alternative than aging veteran Ray Crockett, who will be released after June 1.
McCleon's six NFL seasons, all with St. Louis, were uneven. He is a three-year starter, including two Super Bowl seasons. But he lost his starting job last season and even played some at safety.
But he is a favorite of Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil. They won the Super Bowl together with the Rams after the 1999 season.
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/football/nfl/kansas_city_chiefs/5871253.htm
That has to be comforting news for the Chiefs. The last thing they need is a starting cornerback with a confidence crisis in May.
But the truer test for Bartee will come in training camp, when the Chiefs put on the pads, and get into the preseason and regular-season games.
If by then Bartee hasn't improved on his play of last season, his first as a full-time starter, the Chiefs may be quick to make a move to free-agent addition Dexter McCleon.
The Chiefs might have made such a move with Bartee last year if they had a better alternative than aging veteran Ray Crockett, who will be released after June 1.
McCleon's six NFL seasons, all with St. Louis, were uneven. He is a three-year starter, including two Super Bowl seasons. But he lost his starting job last season and even played some at safety.
But he is a favorite of Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil. They won the Super Bowl together with the Rams after the 1999 season.
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/football/nfl/kansas_city_chiefs/5871253.htm