Tait Departs, Bober Signs, Vincent Close
By Nick Athan
Date: Mar 13, 2004
The Kansas City Chiefs declined to match the offer sheet signed by John Tait on Friday night. When the decision became inevitable that the Chiefs could not re-work a deal wth Tait, they quickly signed former New York Giants tackle Chris Bober to a five-year contract.
The Chiefs also might be close to signing veteran cornerback Troy Vincent. Late Friday night the Chiefs increased their offer to Vincent and it appears that Kansas City has moved to the top of his with list. The Chiefs are battling with the Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills for his services. But unlike Tait, Vincent understands that the Chiefs have a legitimate shot at making the Super Bowl in 2004 and 2005.
As for Tait, his departure actually could be a blessing in disguise. Though Tait was a fine player, he was not a superstar. He had a very workmanlike attitude, played hard but he was not worth the coin the Bears offered him. The Chiefs were wise to pass on matching the offer. If they had, then Kansas City would have been hamstrung in trying to sign any other veterans.
Chiefs President Carl Peterson tried to find a way to match Taits offer but in the end his contract demands would have made Tait the highest paid Chief.
“Through this offer sheet, John and his agent asked for more compensation than our two nine-time Pro Bowl offensive linemen (Will Shields and Willie Roaf), our five-time Pro Bowl tight end (Tony Gonzalez), our three-time Pro Bowl running back (Priest Holmes) and our starting quarterback (Trent Green),” said Peterson. “The cash and salary cap demands for this offer sheet are too prohibitive for the Kansas City Chiefs to retain John's services.''
Bober was a standout center for the Giants until he moved to right tackle in 2003. Based on the contract size, $10 million, it would appear that Bober will be the Chiefs starting right tackle heading into training camp. That means Brett Williams will serve as the back-up and eventually could be groomed to replace Willie Roaf in two or three seasons. Bober is similar to Tait in size and should easily adapt to playing right tackle in the Chiefs offensive system.
The other free agent target on the Chiefs wish list has always been cornerback Troy Vincent. Now that the Chiefs have $6 million in cap room, they moved quickly to increase their offer for Vincent, who is expected to decide shortly and could be signed, sealed and delivered to Kansas City within the next 24 hours. Part of the reason, Vincent, did not sign with the Chiefs on Thursday was because the Chiefs were frantically searching for a way to match the Tait deal.
By Nick Athan
Date: Mar 13, 2004
The Kansas City Chiefs declined to match the offer sheet signed by John Tait on Friday night. When the decision became inevitable that the Chiefs could not re-work a deal wth Tait, they quickly signed former New York Giants tackle Chris Bober to a five-year contract.
The Chiefs also might be close to signing veteran cornerback Troy Vincent. Late Friday night the Chiefs increased their offer to Vincent and it appears that Kansas City has moved to the top of his with list. The Chiefs are battling with the Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills for his services. But unlike Tait, Vincent understands that the Chiefs have a legitimate shot at making the Super Bowl in 2004 and 2005.
As for Tait, his departure actually could be a blessing in disguise. Though Tait was a fine player, he was not a superstar. He had a very workmanlike attitude, played hard but he was not worth the coin the Bears offered him. The Chiefs were wise to pass on matching the offer. If they had, then Kansas City would have been hamstrung in trying to sign any other veterans.
Chiefs President Carl Peterson tried to find a way to match Taits offer but in the end his contract demands would have made Tait the highest paid Chief.
“Through this offer sheet, John and his agent asked for more compensation than our two nine-time Pro Bowl offensive linemen (Will Shields and Willie Roaf), our five-time Pro Bowl tight end (Tony Gonzalez), our three-time Pro Bowl running back (Priest Holmes) and our starting quarterback (Trent Green),” said Peterson. “The cash and salary cap demands for this offer sheet are too prohibitive for the Kansas City Chiefs to retain John's services.''
Bober was a standout center for the Giants until he moved to right tackle in 2003. Based on the contract size, $10 million, it would appear that Bober will be the Chiefs starting right tackle heading into training camp. That means Brett Williams will serve as the back-up and eventually could be groomed to replace Willie Roaf in two or three seasons. Bober is similar to Tait in size and should easily adapt to playing right tackle in the Chiefs offensive system.
The other free agent target on the Chiefs wish list has always been cornerback Troy Vincent. Now that the Chiefs have $6 million in cap room, they moved quickly to increase their offer for Vincent, who is expected to decide shortly and could be signed, sealed and delivered to Kansas City within the next 24 hours. Part of the reason, Vincent, did not sign with the Chiefs on Thursday was because the Chiefs were frantically searching for a way to match the Tait deal.
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