Alabama QB shined at Senior Bowl

Hammock Parties · 04-29-2006, 09:30 PM

There was little doubt the Kansas City Chiefs would select a quarterback in this year’s NFL draft. When talks broke down between the Chiefs and Lions on the availability of Joey Harrington and the San Diego Chargers took Charlie Whitehurst four picks in front of Kansas City, the Chiefs had to get the best arm on the board. They succeeded when they drafted Alabama quarterback Brodie Croyle.

Now the Chiefs have a logjam at quarterback. With Trent Green in place as the 2006 starter, the Chiefs future quarterback will be CFL import Casey Printers or Croyle. Damon Huard and James Kilian further cloud the picture.

The Chiefs made a wise choice in drafting the Crimson Tide quarterback. In January at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, Croyle was the most impressive quarterback among a group that also included Jay Cutler and Charlie Whitehurst.

He has touch, accuracy and understands how to move in the pocket. In 2005, he completed 202 of 339 passes and threw 14 touchdowns. Remarkably, he threw for 2,499 yards despite the fact his top wide receiver Tyrone Prothro broke two bones in his leg in a game against Florida and missed part of the season.

Even with Croyle and Printers on the roster, the Chiefs will go into the 2006 NFL season with veteran Damon Huard as the top back-up. Head coach Herman Edwards made it clear that the veteran quarterback will have some competition, but it’s unlikely he’ll be supplanted by one of the young guns.

Printers, who has been working out with the Chiefs the last two months, has a leg up on Croyle. They’ll compete against each other in the team’s rookie camp.

Croyle is unfazed by the competition ahead. When asked about the Chiefs back-up quarterbacks, Croyle offered an honest answer.

“I really don’t know anything about them,” he said. “All you hear about is Trent Green.”

Scouting Report:

Croyle, a three-year starter at Alabama, completed 59.6 percent of his passes for 2,499 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior. He threw just four interceptions. He played in three games as a junior before tearing a ligament in his right knee. Croyle moved into the starting lineup as a sophomore and passed for 2,303 yards.

Croyle is a solid intermediate passer with a terrific sense of timing. He stands strong in the pocket, buys time for receivers and displays excellent awareness. He displays good speed on short and intermediate passes. Croyle will look off covered receivers, does not make poor decisions and is always in control of the offense.

He has a long throwing motion which slows his release. He cannot drive passes down field and is rarely on the mark with long throws. His durability is an issue.

Croyle is a quarterback with outstanding intangibles and a player who led Alabama to several game-winning drives last season. Croyle lacks top upside but could be a very effective backup quarterback at the next level.

04-29-2006, 09:30 PM	Topic Starter
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4360478	Alabama QB shined at Senior Bowl There was little doubt the Kansas City Chiefs would select a quarterback in this year’s NFL draft. When talks broke down between the Chiefs and Lions on the availability of Joey Harrington and the San Diego Chargers took Charlie Whitehurst four picks in front of Kansas City, the Chiefs had to get the best arm on the board. They succeeded when they drafted Alabama quarterback Brodie Croyle. Now the Chiefs have a logjam at quarterback. With Trent Green in place as the 2006 starter, the Chiefs future quarterback will be CFL import Casey Printers or Croyle. Damon Huard and James Kilian further cloud the picture. The Chiefs made a wise choice in drafting the Crimson Tide quarterback. In January at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, Croyle was the most impressive quarterback among a group that also included Jay Cutler and Charlie Whitehurst. He has touch, accuracy and understands how to move in the pocket. In 2005, he completed 202 of 339 passes and threw 14 touchdowns. Remarkably, he threw for 2,499 yards despite the fact his top wide receiver Tyrone Prothro broke two bones in his leg in a game against Florida and missed part of the season. Even with Croyle and Printers on the roster, the Chiefs will go into the 2006 NFL season with veteran Damon Huard as the top back-up. Head coach Herman Edwards made it clear that the veteran quarterback will have some competition, but it’s unlikely he’ll be supplanted by one of the young guns. Printers, who has been working out with the Chiefs the last two months, has a leg up on Croyle. They’ll compete against each other in the team’s rookie camp. Croyle is unfazed by the competition ahead. When asked about the Chiefs back-up quarterbacks, Croyle offered an honest answer. “I really don’t know anything about them,” he said. “All you hear about is Trent Green.” Scouting Report: Croyle, a three-year starter at Alabama, completed 59.6 percent of his passes for 2,499 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior. He threw just four interceptions. He played in three games as a junior before tearing a ligament in his right knee. Croyle moved into the starting lineup as a sophomore and passed for 2,303 yards. Croyle is a solid intermediate passer with a terrific sense of timing. He stands strong in the pocket, buys time for receivers and displays excellent awareness. He displays good speed on short and intermediate passes. Croyle will look off covered receivers, does not make poor decisions and is always in control of the offense. He has a long throwing motion which slows his release. He cannot drive passes down field and is rarely on the mark with long throws. His durability is an issue. Croyle is a quarterback with outstanding intangibles and a player who led Alabama to several game-winning drives last season. Croyle lacks top upside but could be a very effective backup quarterback at the next level.
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