ChiefsPlanet - Q&A with HERM EDWARDS

Q: How’s Brodie Croyle today?

HERM EDWARDS: “Did not practice. Still sore. He threw the ball a little bit but it was in the walk through period.”

Q: Are you ready to make a decision on his availability this Sunday?

EDWARDS: “I’ll decide tomorrow after the practice to see where he’s at.”

Q: Do you expect him to practice tomorrow?

EDWARDS: “I doubt it. We’ll see. He’s feeling a lot better and that’s a good sign.”

Q: If he still doesn’t practice tomorrow could he still start?

EDWARDS: “It would be tough.”

Q: In your mind are you moving in the direction that it’s going to be Damon Huard then?

EDWARDS: “Probably but we’ll see where he’s at tomorrow and if he can throw it.”

Q: How much of this is he’s your guy of the future and you want him to play and how much is we just don’t want to put him out there to get injured?

EDWARDS: “Well, if he’s not as equipped to protect himself and get away there’s no need to put the guy out there. That’s not going to do us any good, him any good or the team any good. I just think if he can’t go the good thing about it is Damon’s the starter and he’s been in this position before.”

Q: Is this related to anything he’s had before?

EDWARDS: “No, no, it’s just a freak deal. He rolled out and a guy kneed him in the back. He said he had pads everywhere but that one spot.”

Q: If he plays will he have to wear something to protect him?

EDWARDS: “He’s already wearing everything.”

Q: It goes without saying that in these next two games the season is riding. But with two wins you can be right back in this. Does that give you extra motivation?

EDWARDS: “It’s more than that for us. We’ve been through a period now where we’ve lost and been basically in every game when you think about it. We’ve lost a couple of them in the fourth quarter either not having the ability to make a play offensively or defensively, or special teams-wise to get some momentum going.

“We need to win a game. We can’t get caught up in if this happens or that happens. We just have to go try to win a football game at the end. The good thing about it is we’ve been in every game; it’s not like we’re going out there and after the first quarter the game is over. We’ve been in every game but we’ve got to find a way to make a play and finish it off.”

Q: But even after saying that these guys still have to have in the back of their minds it’s something they can still grab at?

EDWARDS: “More than that. It’s just being a professional: football player, coach, whoever you may be. You put in all these hours every day to prepare yourself to win a game. That’s the great thing about our profession. You can look at your record and the teams that are winning feel really good about themselves and aspirations of going somewhere. We’re sort of sitting there waiting on things to happen, but the competition every week and the joy of winning a game is something you can’t lose sight of. When you win you accomplished something.”

Q: You can’t seem to close the deal, can’t finish. They can start strong but either offensively or defensively you have trouble closing. Why?

EDWARDS: “Yeah, we do and we have trouble making a play down the stretch. You’re exactly right. In the games we’ve won – and you think about the four we won – we were in similar situations in every one and found a way to make a play.

“The last time we played they had the ball and we intercepted the ball. Minnesota we made a couple of plays at the end and win the game. San Diego was tied 16-16 in the fourth quarter and a fumble here and boom-boom, we win the game. They’ve all kind of been that way and the ones’ we lost with the exception of Denver. Denver was a third quarter deal where we were up by two and ended up down by 12 in a minute and 32 seconds. We never came back. Green Bay was a fourth quarter game. Indianapolis was a fourth quarter game. This last one was a fourth quarter game. You’re right. We have to go make a play.”

Q: When you look at tape why are they doing it in the first half and not in the second?

EDWARDS: “That’s where we at right now.”

Q: Surtain’s status?

EDWARDS: “He practiced. He’s good to go. Terry is not back.”

Q: Do you know when he’s coming back [death of his mother] He’s excused right?

EDWARDS: “Oh yeah, he’s got way more important things than coming to practice. At this point it would be very difficult for him to play.”

Q: What about Jarred Page and Greg Wesley?

EDWARDS: “Fine, they practiced today.”

Q: Two weeks ago you were touting the division games you still had at home and no one had run away with the division. This is your last division game. Have your guys been responding since every week seems to be a must win?

EDWARDS: “Yeah, there is anxiety, pressure especially at home. All of a sudden we’ve lost a bunch of home games which is really characteristic of this organization. But that’s what happened. I don’t know that alarms you but we’ve got to find a way to win and we haven’t done that.”

Q: As a former player what do you think of what Kyle Turley has done [donated a game check to aide retired NFL players with health issues]. What are your thoughts on this?

EDWARDS: “When you look back you always remember when you were a player and what transpired through the years. I think what he’s done is a noble act. I think the league is doing something and hasn’t turned its back either. A lot of players have a lot of paperwork that’s a bit stringent and difficult and that probably needs to be cleaned up. If they do that I think it’ll work out.”

Q: There are a lot of sad stories about retired players. Have you heard from any of your teammates who have fell on hard time?

EDWARDS: “I’ve dealt with some of those guys. I’m not going to mention their names. They called me at times when I was somewhere else working and they were down on their luck. I’ve given them a helping hand. It’s tough but some guys didn’t handle their affairs real well.”

Q: Turley’s is a grass root effort and it must be tough dealing with young guys with a lot of money. How would you react?

EDWARDS: “I learned it from my parents: you don’t live a life to live; you live a life to make a difference. Sometimes that money you make you want to give it back to people you know or you want notoriety and cameras around you. Sometimes it’s better to give to people you don’t know and you’re not going to know. That’s the best gift of all.”

Q: Larry Johnson was on the radio last night and said he thought he could play this Sunday and if not next Sunday.

EDWARDS: “This Sunday: no. Next Sunday we’ll see. He’s excited, ran around yesterday and feels a lot better. We’ll see where he’s at next week and if he starts participating he might have a chance. But right now, he’s not going to play. He’s a mentally tough guy. We’ll see where he’s at.”

Q: Your sense in training camp was that this would be a development year for Brodie Croyle. If he doesn’t play this week or more will this be a lost year for him. Are you concerned about that?

EDWARDS: “No, whenever he has the ability to come back and participate it’s going to help him and help us. That’s the whole key.”

Q: But so much of this year is going to be lost.

EDWARDS: “If he wasn’t going to play any more you’re right. But there’s next week, the following week. Anytime he plays in a game is good. He’s started two. Once he plays it’s going to help him going into next year.”