Back from his second suspension in two years, there is a great deal that Kansas City Chiefs tackle John Welbourn does not want to discuss.
After stiff-arming reporters for a week since he rejoined the Chiefs, the offensive lineman spoke for the first time yesterday.
What he would not talk about, however, was his retirement, unretirement and subsequent six-game suspension. All questions concerning those topics were met with a “no comment.”
Welbourn is now working out daily with the Chiefs, playing mostly as a backup. He is only 30 and could have several years left on what's been a productive career if the Chiefs decide to reinstate him. They have another week to decide.
“This is going to go around and around in circles,” Welbourn said when a throng of media representatives kept peppering him with suspension-related questions and he kept replying with no comment.
“I just don't want to be a distraction to the team,” he said. “I want to come back and be a contributor.”
After being suspended four games at the start of the 2005 season for violation of NFL drug policy, Welbourn started nine games and played well. He was suspended the first six games this year for another league policy violation.
In June, he announced his retirement and plans to attend law school. After he was suspended, he applied for reinstatement.
So why retire in the first place?
“I think sometimes you make decisions you may regret later on,” he said. “But football's always been fun, always been a good time, and you definitely miss playing if you're not playing.”
No one doubted Welbourn's long-range goal of law school. He has a degree in rhetoric from Cal and has a reputation among his teammates for smarts.
Around the league
BEARS: Pro Bowl center Olin Kreutz signed a three-year contract extension that keeps him with the team through 2010. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
BUCCANEERS: Doctors have told quarterback Chris Simms, sidelined since having his spleen removed following a loss to Carolina on Sept. 24, the earliest he likely could return is late December with one or two games remaining.
EAGLES: Defensive tackle Mike Patterson signed a seven-year contract extension worth $32 million that will keep him with the team through 2016.
JAGUARS: David Garrard will make his second consecutive start at quarterback in place of Byron Leftwich (ankle).
RAIDERS: Quarterback Aaron Brooks, out nearly two months with a severely strained right pectoral muscle, returned to full-scale practices this week, but won't be back in the starting lineup, according to ESPN.com. Coach Art Shell said Andrew Walter will start his sixth straight game.
