Chiefs Babb: Chiefs can’t get going no matter who is at QB

**Tribal Warfare** · 10-06-2008, 12:37 AM

Chiefs can’t get going no matter who is at QB
By KENT BABB
The Kansas City Star

CHARLOTTE, N.C. | Damon Huard and Tyler Thigpen took turns playing quarterback Sunday for the Chiefs — and then they took turns in the locker room, explaining why neither had a grip on Kansas City’s offense.

“Today,” Huard said after the Chiefs’ 34-0 loss, “we just couldn’t do anything right. Couldn’t get anything going. Couldn’t run it, couldn’t throw it, couldn’t block it. Everything.”

The Chiefs are idle next weekend, and by the time they play again on Oct. 19, Brodie Croyle is expected to return after missing the last four games because of a separated right shoulder. But after five games, it appears the Chiefs’ offense has problems too severe for one player to solve them.

The Chiefs have an unreliable rushing game that hasn’t scared any defense. They have an offensive line that can’t protect the quarterback or open rushing lanes. They have one wide receiver and one tight end whom the quarterbacks trust.

With those concerns, does it really matter who plays quarterback?

“No,” center Rudy Niswanger said. “Once they have a bead on exactly what you’re doing, it doesn’t matter who’s back there.”

Which is a far more alarming problem for the Chiefs. They’ve been looking forward to Croyle’s return. But Niswanger said the quarterback can do only so much. Croyle can’t block or run or catch, and worse, he can’t pass when those other assignments aren’t taken care of.

Huard and Thigpen offered more evidence of that Sunday. Huard completed 10 of 21 passes for 86 yards. He threw two interceptions, lost a fumble and led an offense that had one first down before halftime.

By the time coach Herm Edwards turned to Thigpen in the fourth quarter, the Chiefs had long since been in panic mode.

“When you get behind early,” Huard said, “you become one-dimensional.”

It didn’t take long for that to happen Sunday. The Chiefs attempted six rushing plays in the first half and had 3 yards to show for them. Huard, a 12-year veteran, kept being asked to pass, and he hasn’t proved in three starts this season that he’s the heroic type. The Chiefs prefer their quarterbacks to pass only when necessary and to back defenses up enough that the running backs have a chance.

But Sunday, Huard had to pass because the Chiefs were trailing after about 10 minutes. Then Kansas City moved to a no-huddle offense in the second half.

Niswanger said that was when he knew Carolina’s defense had the Chiefs figured out — and that Kansas City was desperate.

“That’s kind of a pretty good indication of what your offense will be the rest of the game,” he said. “Maybe earlier than that. The defense knew it was something we were going to have to do. Once we start going to our purely 2-minute, no-huddle, pass offense, it’s kind of obvious what we’re doing.

“We had to go to the passing game, and game over.”

Niswanger said the Chiefs will hope during the next two weeks that Croyle is the spark they need. He hopes Croyle’s return motivates the offense to play hard and not with complacency, which Niswanger said happened Sunday.

But Niswanger said he also thought last week’s 33-19 win against Denver would have been that spark, but that was snuffed out after a week.

Niswanger said the team will keep hoping. But after five games and four losses, one of the NFL’s least productive offenses isn’t certain one player is capable of reviving this team.

“We’d like to hope so,” he said. “But I don’t know.”

2bikemike · 10-06-2008, 01:40 AM

How long before Herm loses the locker room? The stubborn bastard just never learns you can't keep doing the same thing over and over and expect a different result.

FAX · 10-06-2008, 04:55 AM

"Niswanger said the Chiefs will hope during the next two weeks that Croyle is the spark they need. He hopes Croyle’s return motivates the offense to play hard and not with complacency, which Niswanger said happened Sunday."

Just a question, but why in the name of Mr. DaneMcCloud's Bette Midler ass tatoo are we doing playing with "complacency" in the first place?

FAX

InChiefsHeaven · 10-06-2008, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

"Niswanger said the Chiefs will hope during the next two weeks that Croyle is the spark they need. He hopes Croyle’s return motivates the offense to play hard and not with complacency, which Niswanger said happened Sunday."

Just a question, but why in the name of Mr. DaneMcCloud's Bette Midler ass tatoo are we doing playing with "complacency" in the first place?

FAX

Coaching?

Reerun_KC · 10-06-2008, 08:55 AM

Where are all the Huard supporters today?

ChiefsCountry · 10-06-2008, 09:15 AM

Basically this team's offense will go only if LJ is on. Panthers shut down LJ, team had to pass and the offense went to shit. Its not rocket science.

2bikemike · 10-06-2008, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

Basically this team's offense will go only if LJ is on. Panthers shut down LJ, team had to pass and the offense went to shit. Its not rocket science.

Exactly, any half ass competent DC could game plan the Chiefs. Oh crap what does that say about Denver?

**Dave Lane** · 10-06-2008, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

"Niswanger said the Chiefs will hope during the next two weeks that Croyle is the spark they need. He hopes Croyle’s return motivates the offense to play hard and not with complacency, which Niswanger said happened Sunday."

Just a question, but why in the name of Mr. DaneMcCloud's Bette Midler ass tatoo are we doing playing with "complacency" in the first place?

FAX

Herm Edwards...

Join Germ Warfare soon least you lose your soul!!

Chiefnj2 · 10-06-2008, 11:27 AM

“We’d like to hope so,” he said. “But I don’t know.”

Doubt and ambivalence has creeped into just about every player. Good.

10-06-2008, 12:37 AM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-2787187	Babb: Chiefs can’t get going no matter who is at QB Chiefs can’t get going no matter who is at QB By KENT BABB The Kansas City Star CHARLOTTE, N.C. \| Damon Huard and Tyler Thigpen took turns playing quarterback Sunday for the Chiefs — and then they took turns in the locker room, explaining why neither had a grip on Kansas City’s offense. “Today,” Huard said after the Chiefs’ 34-0 loss, “we just couldn’t do anything right. Couldn’t get anything going. Couldn’t run it, couldn’t throw it, couldn’t block it. Everything.” The Chiefs are idle next weekend, and by the time they play again on Oct. 19, Brodie Croyle is expected to return after missing the last four games because of a separated right shoulder. But after five games, it appears the Chiefs’ offense has problems too severe for one player to solve them. The Chiefs have an unreliable rushing game that hasn’t scared any defense. They have an offensive line that can’t protect the quarterback or open rushing lanes. They have one wide receiver and one tight end whom the quarterbacks trust. With those concerns, does it really matter who plays quarterback? “No,” center Rudy Niswanger said. “Once they have a bead on exactly what you’re doing, it doesn’t matter who’s back there.” Which is a far more alarming problem for the Chiefs. They’ve been looking forward to Croyle’s return. But Niswanger said the quarterback can do only so much. Croyle can’t block or run or catch, and worse, he can’t pass when those other assignments aren’t taken care of. Huard and Thigpen offered more evidence of that Sunday. Huard completed 10 of 21 passes for 86 yards. He threw two interceptions, lost a fumble and led an offense that had one first down before halftime. By the time coach Herm Edwards turned to Thigpen in the fourth quarter, the Chiefs had long since been in panic mode. “When you get behind early,” Huard said, “you become one-dimensional.” It didn’t take long for that to happen Sunday. The Chiefs attempted six rushing plays in the first half and had 3 yards to show for them. Huard, a 12-year veteran, kept being asked to pass, and he hasn’t proved in three starts this season that he’s the heroic type. The Chiefs prefer their quarterbacks to pass only when necessary and to back defenses up enough that the running backs have a chance. But Sunday, Huard had to pass because the Chiefs were trailing after about 10 minutes. Then Kansas City moved to a no-huddle offense in the second half. Niswanger said that was when he knew Carolina’s defense had the Chiefs figured out — and that Kansas City was desperate. “That’s kind of a pretty good indication of what your offense will be the rest of the game,” he said. “Maybe earlier than that. The defense knew it was something we were going to have to do. Once we start going to our purely 2-minute, no-huddle, pass offense, it’s kind of obvious what we’re doing. “We had to go to the passing game, and game over.” Niswanger said the Chiefs will hope during the next two weeks that Croyle is the spark they need. He hopes Croyle’s return motivates the offense to play hard and not with complacency, which Niswanger said happened Sunday. But Niswanger said he also thought last week’s 33-19 win against Denver would have been that spark, but that was snuffed out after a week. Niswanger said the team will keep hoping. But after five games and four losses, one of the NFL’s least productive offenses isn’t certain one player is capable of reviving this team. “We’d like to hope so,” he said. “But I don’t know.”
Posts: 43,422

10-06-2008, 01:40 AM	#2
2bikemike Born to Ride Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NWA Casino cash: $-984623	How long before Herm loses the locker room? The stubborn bastard just never learns you can't keep doing the same thing over and over and expect a different result.
Posts: 16,421

10-06-2008, 04:55 AM	#3
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	"Niswanger said the Chiefs will hope during the next two weeks that Croyle is the spark they need. He hopes Croyle’s return motivates the offense to play hard and not with complacency, which Niswanger said happened Sunday." Just a question, but why in the name of Mr. DaneMcCloud's Bette Midler ass tatoo are we doing playing with "complacency" in the first place? FAX
Posts: 44,492

10-06-2008, 08:55 AM	#5
Reerun_KC Banned Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $7231160	Where are all the Huard supporters today?
Posts: 1,529

10-06-2008, 09:15 AM	#6
ChiefsCountry The Insider Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake of the Ozarks Casino cash: $-1381248	Basically this team's offense will go only if LJ is on. Panthers shut down LJ, team had to pass and the offense went to shit. Its not rocket science.
Posts: 51,999

10-06-2008, 11:27 AM	#9
Chiefnj2 In Search of a Life Join Date: Mar 2007 Casino cash: $6674388	“We’d like to hope so,” he said. “But I don’t know.” Doubt and ambivalence has creeped into just about every player. Good. __________________ Mismanaging the clock.
Posts: 22,540