The Anti-Whitlock Posnanski: Start Croyle Now! - Page 2

Deberg_1990 · 09-16-2007, 11:19 PM

I guess he wants to start a QB controversy...

http://www.kansascity.com/180/story/278351.html

CHICAGO | Chiefs coach Herm Edwards smiled just a little after I asked him the question. “You going to start a quarterback controversy?” he asked.

Sure. Why not? Here it is: It’s time. Bench Damon Huard. Start Brodie Croyle.

A few things became clear Sunday afternoon as the sun set over Soldier Field. One, the Chiefs have absolutely no idea how to tackle Devin Hester. Two, the only way the Chiefs’ offense can score touchdowns these days is to have a receiver run the wrong route. They might want to put that crazy Dwayne-Bowe-takes-the-ball-away-from-Tony-Gonzalez play in the playbook (although in that case Bowe might run a different wrong route). Three, a Bears opponent is never completely out of the game as long as Rex Grossman is the quarterback.

And four, the big one, it’s time for the Chiefs to go with Croyle.

This doesn’t have anything to do with panic. OK, well, yeah, it might have a little something to do with panic. The Chiefs are 0-2. They should feel a little panic. They are the only team in the NFL that hasn’t won a game yet going back to the preseason. They have looked miserable on offense. Hopeless. This is a team heading for a long, dry season unless something drastic happens.

As Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez said, “Something’s gotta be done.”

Well, what can be done? The Chiefs are not exactly a team overflowing with options. They could let “Hard Knocks” star Bobby Sippio play a little receiver. They could have angel of death Ray Farmer walk through the locker room carrying a scythe. They could cut another kicker. Edwards could unleash another classic, “You play to win the game,” rant — those are always entertaining.

None of those things, though, seems likely to make a difference. No, the Chiefs are not stalling. They are freefalling. It’s time to break the emergency glass. It’s time to bring in Brodie Croyle.

But this isn’t just about shaking things up. The Chiefs have lost faith in Huard. There’s no doubt about that. The reason Edwards went with Huard to start the season is because he’s a veteran guy, he’s been there before, he played well much of last year, he supposedly has that mystical ability to, as coaches say, “manage the game.” Edwards had wanted to go with Croyle, but the guy looked dazed and confused all during the preseason. Edwards felt like he had no choice. Croyle was given a chance to win the job. He did not win it. Edwards figured that Huard had been through a few football wars.

“He gives us our best chance to win right now,” Edwards would say.

Well, that quote has been turned inside out. The Chiefs played Sunday as if they believed that Huard had no chance to win the game. You didn’t need Bill Belichick’s secret film crew to predict what that Chiefs’ offense was going to do. The whole offensive game plan was built around draw plays, 3-yard slant passes to Jeff Webb and dump-offs to Kris Wilson. It was surprising that Huard didn’t have training wheels on his shoes.

And for most of the second half it looked as if the Chiefs were simply trying to keep the score respectable. Three times on third and long — when trailing by more than a touchdown — the Chiefs ran the football. That’s high school stuff.

The irony, of course, is that on third and 1 in the fourth quarter, the Chiefs did give Huard a chance to throw. He made a bad decision — he tried to float a fade pattern pass to Samie Parker (generously listed at 5 feet 11 in your Chiefs media guide). The ball was knocked away and then intercepted. That ended things. Privately (and not so privately) Chiefs coaches and players were upset. This is exactly the kind of game-killing decision they were hoping to avoid by starting the veteran Huard.

With about three and a half minutes left in the game, Brodie Croyle came in. Instantly, things were electric, exciting, he hit all five of his passes, he drove the Chiefs down the field, there was energy and hope. Croyle threw a beautiful 34-yard pass to Webb — the longest pass play of the game for either team. Now, nobody is kidding anybody here — it was the end of the game, the Bears were in a prevent defense, the game was more or less over, it was all pretty meaningless. Croyle understood that.

He still looked awfully good.

“Obviously, in that situation, we’re two scores down, they’re going to play a certain kind of defense,” Croyle said. “But it was a step forward for me personally.”

Hey, nobody is saying that Croyle is ready to step in and be a young Joe Namath. He would undoubtedly make mistakes, force bad throws, take bad sacks — there would be some pain. But there’s plenty of pain now. Croyle’s got that great arm, that enthusiasm, that charisma — he might make some plays and change the mood.

One thing is clear: The Chiefs can’t keep going the way they’re going. The defense is getting frustrated with the offense. The offensive stars — Larry Johnson and Gonzalez in particular — are losing patience. The older guys and younger guys on the team are beginning to splinter. This season is dying. Herm Edwards can’t let the season die without at least trying the bold move.

“Are you ready to start Brodie Croyle?” I asked Herm Edwards as he was walking out of the locker room.

“You going to start a quarterback controversy?” he asked back.

“Yes,” I said.

“I have faith in Damon,” he said finally. “But I do believe Brodie is our future.”

Consider the controversy started.

pikesome · 09-17-2007, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirk digler

I agree we should start Croyle. The problem for me in this article is the D is getting pissed at the O. WTF? The O carried this team for the past 6 years and they are already complaining after 2 games?

How much of that D is still here? There's been a lot of turnover.

**Iowanian** · 09-17-2007, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip Towne

If he screws up he'll be booed unmercifully in the "safety of Arrowhead".

That'll be on him.

If everyone were at the mental place I am, this wouldn't be so bad. I KNOW the Chiefs aren't very good this year, they're trying to get younger and I accept what comes with that.

If Croyle starts IN Sandy Eggo.....crowd noise, pressure and the like only make it worse.....At least at home, he's not fighting the crowd too....unless he Rex Grossman's up the field.

I accept that he's going to make mistakes. I assume this season is going nowhere except the top half of the April Draft, and I want to find out if the Chiefs have a QB or not.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 09-17-2007, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip Towne

If he screws up he'll be booed unmercifully in the "safety of Arrowhead".

Hell, Trent Green was booed in the "safety of Arrowhead."

All he did was throw for 4000 yards 3 times.....

I fully expect WHOEVER plays on Sunday to be booed.

I'm calling it now.

First drive, 3-and-out.

BOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

**dirk digler** · 09-17-2007, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pikesome

How much of that D is still here? There's been a lot of turnover.

No more than 1 or 2 but still they have no right to bitch. The majority of the offense that played during those times are still here.

**dirk digler** · 09-17-2007, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Hell, Trent Green was booed in the "safety of Arrowhead."

All he did was throw for 4000 yards 3 times.....

I fully expect WHOEVER plays on Sunday to be booed.

I'm calling it now.

First drive, 3-and-out.

BOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

As well as they should. The O deserves to be booed until the fix the ****ing problem

crazycoffey · 09-17-2007, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPchief

Bold prediction: CROYLE WILL START NEXT WEEK

that's not so bold. I agree, Croyle Vs. the Vikes....

InChiefsHeaven · 09-17-2007, 09:27 AM

I hope it's Croyle vs. the Vikes. This is my annual trip to Arrowhead, I'd like to see Croyle. I mean, I don't really care, I just love going to the games at Arrowhead, but I'd really like to see the kid play. Why not?? What, we're going to lose or something? Shit...

...yeah, I suspect that Huard's "hand injury" will be hard to overcome, and Herm will "have" to start Croyle...

Sure-Oz · 09-17-2007, 10:37 AM

Id like croyle to start at home, im just glad he played some and looked as if he was just playing rather than thinking!

Hootie · 09-17-2007, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

I'm trying to figure out how a team blitzes in a prevent D.

so JoPo and even Croyle himself admit it was a prevent D, but old Hamas doesn't think so...

Hootie · 09-17-2007, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iowanian

I still don't think the Chiefs will start Croyle until week 5.

Huard will dink and dunk enough next week at home vs Minn, and get destroyed at Sandy Eggo...and the Croyle 'hook'd on Footbalix' course starts week 5 in the safety of Arrowhead.

wow, bold prediction

oh wait, I've said that exact same thing for the last four months and have been laughed at the entire time!

I'M SO DUMB

Hootie · 09-17-2007, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip Towne

If he screws up he'll be booed unmercifully in the "safety of Arrowhead".

No...

When we fall to 1-3 and he's named the starter...most Chiefs faithful will have given up on the season and Croyle will have no pressure...because if he does **** up then at least the fans already got to see what our team was like with Huard at QB...there will be no shock factor.

**BigRedChief** · 09-17-2007, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Hell, Trent Green was booed in the "safety of Arrowhead."

All he did was throw for 4000 yards 3 times.....

I fully expect WHOEVER plays on Sunday to be booed.

I'm calling it now.

First drive, 3-and-out.

BOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

Yep, Chiefs nation is not in a good mood. I can already tell the fans will be merciless on Sunday. There will be slack given to a Huard led offense. Unless Croyle starts then there is going to be some major booing this Sunday.

Archie Bunker · 09-17-2007, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Yep, Chiefs nation is not in a good mood. I can already tell the fans will be merciless on Sunday. There will be slack given to a Huard led offense. Unless Croyle starts then there is going to be some major booing this Sunday.

Its gonna get real ugly Sunday. 80,000 people ready to show the world how pissed off they are.

PastorMikH · 09-17-2007, 11:36 AM

Stat-wise, Huard did not appear to have that bad of a game yesterday. He hit 67% of his passes, and had a low 80s QB rating. But if you saw the game, GEEESH!!!! There were times I was working hard to resist the urge to root for chicago's DL to pounce on him, not hurt him bad or anything, just rough him up so he had to come out.

Croyle showed more poise in that one drive that Huard has shown all season. His passes were quick and desicive. He showed he can go through progressions and hit the checkdown guys without dumping off to the RB. He showed the ability to do a three step drop and send the ball flying downfield - most importantly he showed the ability to go downfield and HIT A WR.

How can the Chiefs NOT go with Croyle at this point? I don't think they will, I think Huard will keep getting the nod for a while, but how in the world can they justify NOT playing Croyle at this point?

Sure-Oz · 09-17-2007, 11:37 AM

Huard is pretty awesome completing 2-5 yard routes that are thrown at the snap!

09-16-2007, 11:19 PM
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $364454	The Anti-Whitlock Posnanski: Start Croyle Now! I guess he wants to start a QB controversy... http://www.kansascity.com/180/story/278351.html CHICAGO \| Chiefs coach Herm Edwards smiled just a little after I asked him the question. “You going to start a quarterback controversy?” he asked. Sure. Why not? Here it is: It’s time. Bench Damon Huard. Start Brodie Croyle. A few things became clear Sunday afternoon as the sun set over Soldier Field. One, the Chiefs have absolutely no idea how to tackle Devin Hester. Two, the only way the Chiefs’ offense can score touchdowns these days is to have a receiver run the wrong route. They might want to put that crazy Dwayne-Bowe-takes-the-ball-away-from-Tony-Gonzalez play in the playbook (although in that case Bowe might run a different wrong route). Three, a Bears opponent is never completely out of the game as long as Rex Grossman is the quarterback. And four, the big one, it’s time for the Chiefs to go with Croyle. This doesn’t have anything to do with panic. OK, well, yeah, it might have a little something to do with panic. The Chiefs are 0-2. They should feel a little panic. They are the only team in the NFL that hasn’t won a game yet going back to the preseason. They have looked miserable on offense. Hopeless. This is a team heading for a long, dry season unless something drastic happens. As Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez said, “Something’s gotta be done.” Well, what can be done? The Chiefs are not exactly a team overflowing with options. They could let “Hard Knocks” star Bobby Sippio play a little receiver. They could have angel of death Ray Farmer walk through the locker room carrying a scythe. They could cut another kicker. Edwards could unleash another classic, “You play to win the game,” rant — those are always entertaining. None of those things, though, seems likely to make a difference. No, the Chiefs are not stalling. They are freefalling. It’s time to break the emergency glass. It’s time to bring in Brodie Croyle. But this isn’t just about shaking things up. The Chiefs have lost faith in Huard. There’s no doubt about that. The reason Edwards went with Huard to start the season is because he’s a veteran guy, he’s been there before, he played well much of last year, he supposedly has that mystical ability to, as coaches say, “manage the game.” Edwards had wanted to go with Croyle, but the guy looked dazed and confused all during the preseason. Edwards felt like he had no choice. Croyle was given a chance to win the job. He did not win it. Edwards figured that Huard had been through a few football wars. “He gives us our best chance to win right now,” Edwards would say. Well, that quote has been turned inside out. The Chiefs played Sunday as if they believed that Huard had no chance to win the game. You didn’t need Bill Belichick’s secret film crew to predict what that Chiefs’ offense was going to do. The whole offensive game plan was built around draw plays, 3-yard slant passes to Jeff Webb and dump-offs to Kris Wilson. It was surprising that Huard didn’t have training wheels on his shoes. And for most of the second half it looked as if the Chiefs were simply trying to keep the score respectable. Three times on third and long — when trailing by more than a touchdown — the Chiefs ran the football. That’s high school stuff. The irony, of course, is that on third and 1 in the fourth quarter, the Chiefs did give Huard a chance to throw. He made a bad decision — he tried to float a fade pattern pass to Samie Parker (generously listed at 5 feet 11 in your Chiefs media guide). The ball was knocked away and then intercepted. That ended things. Privately (and not so privately) Chiefs coaches and players were upset. This is exactly the kind of game-killing decision they were hoping to avoid by starting the veteran Huard. With about three and a half minutes left in the game, Brodie Croyle came in. Instantly, things were electric, exciting, he hit all five of his passes, he drove the Chiefs down the field, there was energy and hope. Croyle threw a beautiful 34-yard pass to Webb — the longest pass play of the game for either team. Now, nobody is kidding anybody here — it was the end of the game, the Bears were in a prevent defense, the game was more or less over, it was all pretty meaningless. Croyle understood that. He still looked awfully good. “Obviously, in that situation, we’re two scores down, they’re going to play a certain kind of defense,” Croyle said. “But it was a step forward for me personally.” Hey, nobody is saying that Croyle is ready to step in and be a young Joe Namath. He would undoubtedly make mistakes, force bad throws, take bad sacks — there would be some pain. But there’s plenty of pain now. Croyle’s got that great arm, that enthusiasm, that charisma — he might make some plays and change the mood. One thing is clear: The Chiefs can’t keep going the way they’re going. The defense is getting frustrated with the offense. The offensive stars — Larry Johnson and Gonzalez in particular — are losing patience. The older guys and younger guys on the team are beginning to splinter. This season is dying. Herm Edwards can’t let the season die without at least trying the bold move. “Are you ready to start Brodie Croyle?” I asked Herm Edwards as he was walking out of the locker room. “You going to start a quarterback controversy?” he asked back. “Yes,” I said. “I have faith in Damon,” he said finally. “But I do believe Brodie is our future.” Consider the controversy started.
Posts: 68,383

09-17-2007, 09:27 AM	#22
InChiefsHeaven Rockin' yer FACE OFF! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Casino cash: $805437	I hope it's Croyle vs. the Vikes. This is my annual trip to Arrowhead, I'd like to see Croyle. I mean, I don't really care, I just love going to the games at Arrowhead, but I'd really like to see the kid play. Why not?? What, we're going to lose or something? Shit... ...yeah, I suspect that Huard's "hand injury" will be hard to overcome, and Herm will "have" to start Croyle... __________________ We have a million reasons for failure, but not one excuse... Die Donks, DIE!! Holy Crap fellas!!! We did it!!! THREE TIMES!!!
Posts: 27,167

09-17-2007, 11:36 AM	#29
PastorMikH Will KC ever be better? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Land of Red Dirt & Necks Casino cash: $9905087	Stat-wise, Huard did not appear to have that bad of a game yesterday. He hit 67% of his passes, and had a low 80s QB rating. But if you saw the game, GEEESH!!!! There were times I was working hard to resist the urge to root for chicago's DL to pounce on him, not hurt him bad or anything, just rough him up so he had to come out. Croyle showed more poise in that one drive that Huard has shown all season. His passes were quick and desicive. He showed he can go through progressions and hit the checkdown guys without dumping off to the RB. He showed the ability to do a three step drop and send the ball flying downfield - most importantly he showed the ability to go downfield and HIT A WR. How can the Chiefs NOT go with Croyle at this point? I don't think they will, I think Huard will keep getting the nod for a while, but how in the world can they justify NOT playing Croyle at this point? __________________
Posts: 20,454