New Orleans — New Orleans Saints coach Jim Haslett makes no bones about it: When you talk about left tackle in the NFL, Willie Roaf sets the standard.
"Willie is a great football player, and he's playing at a high level right now," Haslett said. "Willie is the best tackle I've ever been associated with."
But when Roaf lines up today in the Superdome, he'll be with the Kansas City Chiefs, not the Saints.
Roaf has gone to the Pro Bowl nine times since the Saints made him their No. 1 pick in 1993. Two of those trips were made after he was traded to Kansas City three years ago amid injuries, personal problems and vicious rumors.
After major knee surgery sidelined him for nine games in 2001, Roaf became the center of rumors that swept New Orleans, including one that his youngest child was fathered by teammate Joe Horn. Horn, a former Chief who said he didn't even know Roaf's ex-wife, even was questioned about the story on national television.
"I was bitter because stuff came out in the media," Roaf said.
Roaf also acknowledged he did not handle the situation well. He and his wife separated, although he said they were on good terms.
"My deal is, for everything I did on the field, I should have been treated with a little more respect than that," Roaf said. "But I have matured a lot from some of the mistakes I've made. I can't be too bitter, because the last three years playing football in Kansas City have been great."
The deal worked out well for Roaf, 34, who thinks he's playing some of the best football of his 12-year career. He anchors the left side of the Chiefs' line, which also includes nine-time Pro Bowl right guard Will Shields.
Since Roaf joined Kansas City, Priest Holmes has rushed for more than 3,900 yards and 63 touchdowns in only 38 games. The Chiefs are ranked third in the NFL in total offense and are second in rushing heading into today's game.
And today the Chiefs (3-5) face a Saints (3-5) defense that ranks last in the NFL.
"We didn't have a lot of outstanding players when I was down there," Roaf said. "Here you have Priest Holmes, Tony Gonzalez, Will Shields, Trent Green, Tony Richardson. You have a lot of weapons on offense. I'm just playing my role and having fun. It's been great for me to come up here and be a part of this team."
Roaf was looking forward to playing in the Superdome again. It may be his last time on that field and he thinks it will help him put any lingering bitterness behind. And he always will have a fondness for New Orleans, the people and the team where he learned to play in the NFL.
Roaf hopes to stretch his career for a few more years, and there's been talk he might make the Pro Football Hall of Fame. If that happens, Roaf said, it would more than likely be in black and gold.
"I earned my stripes and learned how to play football with John Matsko and coach (Jim) Mora and all of them in New Orleans," Roaf said. "That's where I developed into a football player and I grew up down in New Orleans. So I would probably say I'll go into the Hall of Fame as a Saint."
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