RAND: Huard's waited a decade for this chance

C-Mac · 06-04-2007, 08:31 AM

RAND: Huard's waited a decade for this chance
Jun 04, 2007, 8:59:56 AM by Jonathan Rand - FAQ

Damon Huard doesn’t try to be a mystery man. Everything about him, in fact, seems so straightforward.

But his outstanding performance at quarterback for the Chiefs last season seems so out of context with five seasons he spent in mothballs. He totaled one pass from 2001-2005 as a Patriot for three seasons and as a Chief for two. Then he popped up as one of the NFL’s most effective passers.

How can this be?

It’s possible that Huard’s 2006 performance was just a flash in the pan. It’s also possible that in his 10th NFL season, the light came on for Huard. His 98.0 passer rating was bettered only by Peyton Manning, who led the Colts to the Super Bowl championship.

It’s also possible that Huard was merely unlucky enough to get stuck behind Dan Marino, Drew Bledsoe, Tom Brady and Trent Green, though it’s hard to understand why Huard couldn’t beat out Jay Fiedler for the starting job at Miami in 2000. Whatever has been holding Huard back, he’s struggled mightily for the opportunity he has now.

Huard, who turns 34 next month, appears the favorite right now to be an opening-day starter for the first time in his career. Incumbent Trent Green has one foot out the door unless the Chiefs’ trade talks with the Dolphins collapse, and Huard outplayed him last year, anyway. And it’s hard to envision second-year passer Brodie Croyle being ready to start by opening day with only seven NFL passes, including two interceptions, under his belt.

Huard spent last season making big plays – 11 touchdown passes; minimizing mistakes – just one interception; and winning – a 5-3 record as a starter. Despite not being especially nimble, he got rid of the ball quickly enough to avoid constant scrambling.

And while the perception of Huard might’ve been a defensive driver being kept under wraps by coach Herm Edwards and his staff, his 7.70 yards per attempt hardly reflected the average of a dink passer. Huard also has displayed a veteran’s poise on and off the field. As he stood on the practice field Sunday, fielding reporters’ questions at the end of the weekend mini-camp, he amiably and deftly handled questions about Green’s awkward status and Croyle’s chances to win the job.

“At my age, I’ve been down the road, I’ve been through it all,” Huard said. “You always want the young guy to beat the old guy, but we’ll see what happens come the first week.”

Huard knows that if Green is gone and his competition with Croyle is a dead heat, Edwards will pick the player with the bigger upside. Huard, a free agent after last season, said that before he signed a new contract, the Chiefs assured him the chance to compete for the starting job. That seemed a better offer than he would get anywhere else.

A quarterback with Huard’s 2006 statistics could be excused if he publicly stated the case that the job should be his to lose. By now, however, Huard knows better than to take anything for granted. He’ll have to reassure Edwards that he’s the same quarterback he was last season.

What made Huard’s performance all the more impressive was that he was leading a declining cast. Tackle Willie Roaf’s retirement triggered a drop-off in line play. Green’s protection was so weak in the opening game that after he suffered a concussion, Huard figured to become no more than a sacrificial lamb. Instead, after a rusty performance at Denver in his first start, he led the Chiefs into playoff contention before Green returned in mid-November.

Huard was a poor man’s “The Natural,” a thirty-something athlete who emerges from obscurity and helps rescue a team going nowhere. If an established starter had a season like Huard’s, he’d have the starting job locked up by now. Instead, Huard will have to film a sequel.

Likely Hall of Fame guard Will Shields will be missed but Huard should have better weapons for a possession passing game. First-round pick Dwayne Bowe is a rugged receiver able to make tough catches over the middle, and the running backs will be asked to make more catches.

According to conventional wisdom, quarterback is the biggest question facing the Chiefs. By picking up where he left off, Huard could answer that in a heartbeat.

htismaqe · 06-04-2007, 08:37 AM

Damon Huard WAITED 10 years for his shot.

Most QB's WITH TALENT actually EARN their shot much sooner than TEN YEARS.

Reerun_KC · 06-04-2007, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Damon Huard WAITED 10 years for his shot.

Most QB's WITH TALENT actually EARN their shot much sooner than TEN YEARS.

Queue up Hootie and the Huard Love Fest in 3....2....1....

RedThat · 06-04-2007, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Damon Huard WAITED 10 years for his shot.

Most QB's WITH TALENT actually EARN their shot much sooner than TEN YEARS.

I think that was just Rand speaking there.

But, I don't think it's a matter of him waiting, it's just a matter of who he played behind?

Marino, Bledsoe, Brady, Green. When you're playing behind those kinda QB's, you know those guys are your starters. So, his hands were kinda tied.

htismaqe · 06-04-2007, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedBull

I think that was just Rand speaking there.

But, I don't think it's a matter of him waiting, it's just a matter of who he played behind?

Marino, Bledsoe, Brady, Green. When you're playing behind those kinda QB's, you know those guys are your starters. So, his hands were kinda tied.

There's a reason Huard played behind those guys.

He's a BACKUP.

If he had the ability to be a full-time starter in this league, he would have been one somewhere. At any given time, there's at least a dozen teams in the NFL looking for a starting QB.

RedThat · 06-04-2007, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

There's a reason Huard played behind those guys.

He's a BACKUP.

If he had the ability to be a full-time starter in this league, he would have been one somewhere. At any given time, there's at least a dozen teams in the NFL looking for a starting QB.

Yeah, and those are some great QB's he played behind. No one would think of him as a starter because it's clear and safe to say at the time those guys were penciled in as starters. Heck one of them is in the Hall of Fame. We'll possibly see a couple of more go to the Hall as well.

I just think he was a bit of an understudy.

His situation could very similiar to Steve Young. And we all know he was a backup for years.

htismaqe · 06-04-2007, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedBull

Yeah, and those are some great QB's he played behind. No one would think of him as a starter because it's clear and safe to say at the time those guys were penciled in as starters. Heck one of them is in the Hall of Fame. We'll possibly see a couple of more go to the Hall as well.

I just think he was a bit of an understudy.

His situation could very similiar to Steve Young. And we all know he was a backup for years.

Steve Young played the better part of his career before there were 32 teams and free agency.

This is a watered-down league when it comes to QB's, yet Damon Huard is a career backup.

It's not because he's never got the chance, it's because he's best-suited to be a backup.

06-04-2007, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

At any given time, there's at least a dozen teams in the NFL looking for a starting QB.

Which is why the Chiefs are furiously fielding phone calls and trade offers for Trent Green.

htismaqe · 06-04-2007, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phobia

Which is why the Chiefs are furiously fielding phone calls and trade offers for Trent Green.

At this particular point in time, Trent Green is 37-years old and coming off a severe injury.

Surely you can do better than that.

Chiefnj · 06-04-2007, 08:56 AM

"Huard, who turns 34 next month, appears the favorite right now to be an opening-day starter for the first time in his career."

I hope Rand was smoking crack when he wrote that.

InChiefsHeaven · 06-04-2007, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefnj

"Huard, who turns 34 next month, appears the favorite right now to be an opening-day starter for the first time in his career."

I hope Rand was smoking crack when he wrote that.

My thoughts exactly...WTF is he basing THAT off of??

Reerun_KC · 06-04-2007, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefnj

"Huard, who turns 34 next month, appears the favorite right now to be an opening-day starter for the first time in his career."

I hope Rand was smoking crack when he wrote that.

No freaking way! How in the Hell could Herm promise to get younger than start Huard on opening day?

Mr. Laz · 06-04-2007, 09:03 AM

i thought Huard already had "this chance" once before in Miami.

jidar · 06-04-2007, 09:09 AM

I don't know why you guys all think Croyle was god's gift to the Chiefs this weekend.

I guess when a guy throws a beautiful 40 yarder like Croyle did at mini-camp then we remember that, but we forget the handful of poor decisions and then off target throws he made there. You see what you want to see I suppose.

Huard was unspectacular also though so I don't know.

Reerun_KC · 06-04-2007, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jidar

I don't know why you guys all think Croyle was god's gift to the Chiefs this weekend.

I guess when a guy throws a beautiful 40 yarder like Croyle did at mini-camp then we remember that, but we forget the handful of poor decisions and then off target throws he made there. You see what you want to see I suppose.

Huard was unspectacular also though so I don't know.

Croyle has potential, growth and many years ahead of him.

Starting Huard is another wasted season with some washed up vet and in this case a washed up never has been... It is time to see if Croyle has what it takes to lead this team and grow as a QB for the long haul...

Good thing the rest of the AFC west teams dont want younger QBs to grow and build with....

06-04-2007, 08:31 AM	Topic Starter
C-Mac Lurker Extraordinaire Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Wally World Casino cash: $1893699	RAND: Huard's waited a decade for this chance RAND: Huard's waited a decade for this chance Jun 04, 2007, 8:59:56 AM by Jonathan Rand - FAQ Damon Huard doesn’t try to be a mystery man. Everything about him, in fact, seems so straightforward. But his outstanding performance at quarterback for the Chiefs last season seems so out of context with five seasons he spent in mothballs. He totaled one pass from 2001-2005 as a Patriot for three seasons and as a Chief for two. Then he popped up as one of the NFL’s most effective passers. How can this be? It’s possible that Huard’s 2006 performance was just a flash in the pan. It’s also possible that in his 10th NFL season, the light came on for Huard. His 98.0 passer rating was bettered only by Peyton Manning, who led the Colts to the Super Bowl championship. It’s also possible that Huard was merely unlucky enough to get stuck behind Dan Marino, Drew Bledsoe, Tom Brady and Trent Green, though it’s hard to understand why Huard couldn’t beat out Jay Fiedler for the starting job at Miami in 2000. Whatever has been holding Huard back, he’s struggled mightily for the opportunity he has now. Huard, who turns 34 next month, appears the favorite right now to be an opening-day starter for the first time in his career. Incumbent Trent Green has one foot out the door unless the Chiefs’ trade talks with the Dolphins collapse, and Huard outplayed him last year, anyway. And it’s hard to envision second-year passer Brodie Croyle being ready to start by opening day with only seven NFL passes, including two interceptions, under his belt. Huard spent last season making big plays – 11 touchdown passes; minimizing mistakes – just one interception; and winning – a 5-3 record as a starter. Despite not being especially nimble, he got rid of the ball quickly enough to avoid constant scrambling. And while the perception of Huard might’ve been a defensive driver being kept under wraps by coach Herm Edwards and his staff, his 7.70 yards per attempt hardly reflected the average of a dink passer. Huard also has displayed a veteran’s poise on and off the field. As he stood on the practice field Sunday, fielding reporters’ questions at the end of the weekend mini-camp, he amiably and deftly handled questions about Green’s awkward status and Croyle’s chances to win the job. “At my age, I’ve been down the road, I’ve been through it all,” Huard said. “You always want the young guy to beat the old guy, but we’ll see what happens come the first week.” Huard knows that if Green is gone and his competition with Croyle is a dead heat, Edwards will pick the player with the bigger upside. Huard, a free agent after last season, said that before he signed a new contract, the Chiefs assured him the chance to compete for the starting job. That seemed a better offer than he would get anywhere else. A quarterback with Huard’s 2006 statistics could be excused if he publicly stated the case that the job should be his to lose. By now, however, Huard knows better than to take anything for granted. He’ll have to reassure Edwards that he’s the same quarterback he was last season. What made Huard’s performance all the more impressive was that he was leading a declining cast. Tackle Willie Roaf’s retirement triggered a drop-off in line play. Green’s protection was so weak in the opening game that after he suffered a concussion, Huard figured to become no more than a sacrificial lamb. Instead, after a rusty performance at Denver in his first start, he led the Chiefs into playoff contention before Green returned in mid-November. Huard was a poor man’s “The Natural,” a thirty-something athlete who emerges from obscurity and helps rescue a team going nowhere. If an established starter had a season like Huard’s, he’d have the starting job locked up by now. Instead, Huard will have to film a sequel. Likely Hall of Fame guard Will Shields will be missed but Huard should have better weapons for a possession passing game. First-round pick Dwayne Bowe is a rugged receiver able to make tough catches over the middle, and the running backs will be asked to make more catches. According to conventional wisdom, quarterback is the biggest question facing the Chiefs. By picking up where he left off, Huard could answer that in a heartbeat.
Posts: 5,637

06-04-2007, 08:37 AM	#2
htismaqe 'Tis my eye! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Chiefsplanet Casino cash: $10269900	Damon Huard WAITED 10 years for his shot. Most QB's WITH TALENT actually EARN their shot much sooner than TEN YEARS.
Posts: 100,022

06-04-2007, 08:56 AM	#10
Chiefnj MVP Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Willis, Harris and Davis. Casino cash: $10004900	"Huard, who turns 34 next month, appears the favorite right now to be an opening-day starter for the first time in his career." I hope Rand was smoking crack when he wrote that. __________________ "I always tell (the assistant coaches), 'Make it simple, 'cause I'm stupid,'" Edwards said. "This ain't computer football." Herm Edwards, 3-20-07 Q: Herm, back on December 25th you were asked if Trent Green was your starter going into next season and you said, ‘yeah, why wouldn’t he be?’ Have you changed your mind on that? EDWARDS: No, I have not.” (1-11-07)
Posts: 6,811

06-04-2007, 09:03 AM	#13
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	i thought Huard already had "this chance" once before in Miami. __________________
Posts: 95,626

06-04-2007, 09:09 AM	#14
jidar MVP Join Date: May 2005 Location: a Casino cash: $10004900	I don't know why you guys all think Croyle was god's gift to the Chiefs this weekend. I guess when a guy throws a beautiful 40 yarder like Croyle did at mini-camp then we remember that, but we forget the handful of poor decisions and then off target throws he made there. You see what you want to see I suppose. Huard was unspectacular also though so I don't know.
Posts: 5,502