Thursday, August 1st / 2002


RB Priest Holmes, Kansas City Chiefs

Height: 5-9
Weight: 213
Born: October 7th, 1973, Fort Smith, AR

College: University of Texas

 

 


Career Statistics:

YEAR

TEAM

G

GS

REC

YDS

AVG

LNG

TD

ATT

YDS

AVG

LNG

TD

FUM

LST

1997

BAL

16

13

43

260

6.0

25

0

233

1008

4.3

56

7

3

3

1999

BAL

8

4

13

104

8.0

34

1

89

506

5.7

72

1

0

0

2000

BAL

16

2

32

221

6.9

27

0

137

588

4.3

21

2

2

1

2001

KC

16

16

62

614

9.9

67

2

327

1555

4.8

41

8

4

3

Total

56

35

150

1199

8.0

67

3

786

3657

4.7

72

18

9

7

 

Jason Wood’s (aka Woodrow) Thoughts:

 

In my mind, after Faulk is off the board, Priest Holmes should easily be right at the top of people’s RB rankings this year. What’s interesting is that, Priest seems to be viewed by a decent proportion of the world as over-rated; which I have a hard time understanding. The numbers last year simply don’t lie. He had OPPORTUNITY (389 “touches”), ABILITY (led the league in rushing yards AND yards from scrimmage), and CONSISTENCY (5th most consistent according to FBG).

 

In basically 14 games last season, Holmes amassed:

 

·          1,555 rushing yards (1st in NFL)

·          2,169 yards from scrimmage (1st in NFL)

·          327 rushes (5th in NFL)

·          10 Touchdowns (10th in NFL)

·          277 Fantasy Points

 

This year, he enters the season as the focal point (yet last year it wasn’t until Week 3 that he got the rock with abandon). It now appears that Tony Gonzo will be in camp and ready to excel (he’s playing for a big payday). Trent Green has a year under his belt, as do the young receivers. Finally, the Chiefs have brought in a very capable receiver in Johnnie Morton (yet someone who’s not likely to vulture scoring chances).

 

While I’m loathe to predict another 2,000+ yard season for Priest because it is rare for ANY back to achieve that goal (unless your name is Marshall Faulk); I see no reason to downgrade my expectations too significantly. Furthermore, I believe he’ll easily reward those owners prescient enough to select him after Faulk and Warner are off the board. Look for at least 1,300 yards rushing and 500 yards receiving to go along with 10 to 12 scores.

 

Positives on Holmes:

1. Showed resiliency despite being the focal point of opposing defenses.
2. Vermeil clearly favors Holmes as “Faulk Lite” and will rely on him accordingly.
3. Few backs that have 2,000+ yard seasons and STAY HEALTHY fail to produce the following season.

 

Negatives on Holmes:

1. Holmes only scored in six games; the least of any top 10 fantasy RB last year.
2. History of injuries coupled with his age are risk factors for repeat of last season.
3. Potential Gonzo holdout would throw a wrench into all KC offensive expectations.

 

The Bottom Line:

Priest Holmes proved himself worthy of all the accolades last season. He put up some of the best all around fantasy numbers in the league last year DESPITE being THE focal point of the offense for the last 14 games of the season. To expect a repeat of last season is unrealistic, but I don’t see why he shouldn’t make anyone with a mid first round pick thrilled to see him on the board.

 

 


Quotes from the P.O.D. Thread in the forum: (make sure you click on the link that takes you to the thread. There are many fantastic thoughts that I wasn't able to fit into this article).

 

Link to the thread: Click Here

 

Sharks Comments:

 

Gargoyles:

In the offseason you look for things that would make a player better or worse. There is nothing telling anyone that things will be worse for Priest this year.

 

Gravedigger:

I was a staunch disbeliever in Mr. Holmes last year and I'm man enough to say I was wrong on that one. While I'm still not completely sold on Holmes, the mistake I made was not in evaluating KC; it was in evaluating Holmes himself. If you assume Holmes is talented rather than mediocre, several of the strikes I had against him no longer count.

 

ZADOK:

There is no rational reason in the world why he will not repeat his accomplishments, remember he had 1,550 yards rushing (which led the NFL!) last year in basically 14 games.

 

Cocky Crow:

If Holmes repeats last year, you would be ecstatic. But I say he could even do better, which would be reflective of, and expected of, an improved team. KC coaches would have to be brain dead not to realize how good Holmes preformed for them last year, and should try to further exploit those talents this year, meaning he should be, AND will be showcased.

 

Gman 8343:

I actually have Priest Holmes ranked ahead of Ricky Williams as the 4th best RB.

 

 

 


Footballguy Projections:

Priest Holmes: 1,350 Rush Yards – 8 Rush TDs – 60 Recs – 510 RecY – 2 Rec TD = 246 FP

 

 


Jason Wood’s (aka Woodrow) Projections:

Priest Holmes: 1,260 Rush Yards – 9 Rush TDs – 58 Recs – 525 RecY – 3 Rec TD = 251 FP

 

 


P.O.D. average projections:

Priest Holmes: 1,405 Rush Yards – 9 Rush TDs – 582 RecY – 4 Rec TD = 274 FP