POSNANSKI: Edwards has to go with Huard to save team

**dirk digler** · 08-28-2007, 06:36 AM

There should be no doubt that Chiefs coach Herm Edwards wanted Brodie Croyle to win the starting quarterback job this preseason. The Chiefs spent one uncomfortable offseason dangling longtime starter Trent Green. Why? One reason.

Herm Edwards had seen the future, and its name was Croyle.

It wasn’t just that Edwards had fallen in love with Croyle’s arm, his enthusiasm, his energy, his charisma. No, Edwards wants to jolt the Chiefs out of their stupor. For 12 seasons now, the Chiefs have not won a playoff game, even though at different times over that span they’ve had the league’s best offense, they’ve had the league’s best defense and they’ve had the league’s best special teams. So what was missing?

Edwards says two things:

1. Balance.

2. A quarterback to call their own.

Edwards, as you no doubt know, has harped constantly about balance ever since he arrived in town. He is always telling his players that the offense needs to help the defense (longer drives, more first downs, play the field-position game) and the defense needs to help the offense (force more turnovers, play big on third downs, create field position). He thinks that in the past, Chiefs offenses and defenses were too much about themselves and their stats and not enough about winning championships.

The second part, the quarterback, is touchier. It is possible (not likely, but possible) to win with someone else’s discarded quarterback. Baltimore and Tampa Bay won Super Bowls with Trent Dilfer and Brad Johnson, respectively. Oakland went to the Super Bowl with Rich Gannon. But those teams tend to collapse quickly. Your consistent winners, generally speaking, are teams with their own quarterbacks. Indianapolis has Peyton Manning. New England has Tom Brady. Philadelphia has Donovan McNabb. Edwards wants the Chiefs to be one of those teams.

So, yes, Edwards is ready for the Chiefs to make that quarterback jump. He’s more than ready. One of the consistent themes of the Carl Peterson era has been to go into the season with a veteran quarterback bought, borrowed or stolen from other teams. That strategy took the Chiefs so far. But it never took them all the way.

So you better believe Edwards wanted Croyle to win the job. He wasn’t alone. Lots of Chiefs fans wanted Croyle to win the job. Heck, I wanted Croyle to win the job. Why not? He represented something new, something potentially exciting. Damon Huard, the likeable and sturdy veteran quarterback, seemed like more of the same.

Here’s the trouble, though: Croyle did not win the job. And this past weekend, Herm Edwards did exactly what he had to do. He named Huard the starter. I know there are people out there who were upset by his move, people who thought Edwards wimped out and went with the safe and uninspired choice. I disagree. I think naming Huard now wasn’t just the right choice, it was the only choice.

The most important thing about coaching or managing a team — something that matters more than strategy, philosophy and inspiration — is keeping your players’ respect. When you lose their respect, you lose everything. You can be the most brilliant X’s and O’s coach who ever lived, you can know exactly how to prepare a team, you can be Knute Rockne, Vince Lombardi and George Patton all rolled up into one at halftime. But if you lose the players, you lose the fight, end of story.

Here’s one sure way to lose players: Give someone a job he doesn’t deserve. I am convinced that former Royals general manager Allard Baird lost the team the day he inexplicably brought up a non-prospect named Eduardo Villacis to pitch against the New York Yankees in 2004. Villacis got rocked, of course, and every player on the team had unshakable doubts about Allard Baird and the direction of the Royals from that day on.

Same thing here. Croyle has been brutal in the preseason games. Yes, he has had a moment or two — the guy has talent — but all in all, he has looked confused and raw. This hasn’t been entirely his fault. He has been getting crushed. If the Chiefs’ offensive line doesn’t shore up, this will be a disastrous season no matter who is playing quarterback. But that does not take away from the simple fact that Croyle, so far anyway, has looked overmatched.

And there’s only so much a coach can do. This isn’t fantasy football, where you can start whoever you want anytime you have a hunch. No, here, the choice has been made already. You cannot start Brodie Croyle. The quarterback is, by far, the most important position on the football team. You send a few dozen messages to your players, none of them good, if you start Croyle now. You are telling them you play favorites — he clearly has not won the job. You are telling them that this is a rebuilding season (i.e. “a season to develop a quarterback”). You are telling them that all that talk about how “the best players play,” was just that: Talk.

No, Edwards has no choice at all. He wanted Croyle to win the job, he really did, but at some point there’s only so much a coach can do. The kid didn’t win it. He wasn’t ready. For now, Edwards’ choice is to go with Huard, who played so well last year when given the chance. With him, the Chiefs can try to win games the old-fashioned way: Run the ball, play defense, punt well, don’t turn the thing over. That gives something for everybody on the team to rally around.

Edwards still believes in Croyle. He should. The kid does have talent. Croyle still looks like a good bet to be the Chiefs’ quarterback of the future. It’s just that the future isn’t here yet.

KC Jones · 08-28-2007, 06:41 AM

bingo

TEX · 08-28-2007, 06:49 AM

Here’s one sure way to lose players: Give someone a job he doesn’t deserve.

Justin Medlock?

**DaKCMan AP** · 08-28-2007, 06:52 AM

Spot on.

**DaKCMan AP** · 08-28-2007, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEX

Here’s one sure way to lose players: Give someone a job he doesn’t deserve.

Justin Medlock?

Who deserves the job? The guy who missed a 30yd fg in the playoffs? The guy who shanked extra points? The guy who missed both his kicks in the last preseason game? (Hint: the guy who accomplished all of these amazing feats has the initials LT and he's not a RB or a LB).

Dr. Johnny Fever · 08-28-2007, 06:53 AM

JoPo nails it.

TEX · 08-28-2007, 06:56 AM

Croyle still looks like a good bet to be the Chiefs’ quarterback of the future. It’s just that the future isn’t here yet.

Possible. But I've said many times that IMO Croyle's the type of QB that in 3 years people will still be saying the same thing. He has the tools, but...

Regardless, Herm needs to pull his head out - let Dick Curl manage the clock (something that he's known for) and hire a REAL QB COACH to work with Croyle.

**Bwana** · 08-28-2007, 06:58 AM

Good read

StcChief · 08-28-2007, 07:00 AM

JoPo's conclusion is correct. Croyle's job to lose and he did. truely isn't quite there yet.

Huard get's his chance to really shine.... Let's hope he does. 12 years in the league, ball is in his court.

C-Mac · 08-28-2007, 07:00 AM

Nice work JoPo

**dirk digler** · 08-28-2007, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEX

[B]

Regardless, Herm needs to pull his head out - let Dick Curl manage the clock (something that he's known for) and hire a REAL QB COACH to work with Croyle.

I totally agree Tex.

This was a fantastic column by JoPo.

TEX · 08-28-2007, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaKCMan AP

Who deserves the job? The guy who missed a 30yd fg in the playoffs? The guy who shanked extra points? The guy who missed both his kicks in the last preseason game? (Hint: the guy who accomplished all of these amazing feats has the initials LT and he's not a RB or a LB).

Um...it's called COMPETITION! There is NONE at that position. There is everywhere else. Pretty simple concept. And since you're speaking of Tynes, I'll play along - please look up what he did a few preseasons ago when the Chiefs kept Morton Anderson. They cut his a$$ for kicking exactly like Medlock is now! (Actually he kicked slightly better). I'm not saying they should have kept Tynes, I agree that he was too inconsistent. I'm saying they probably could have gotten Medlock without drafting him and invited him and other kickers (competition) to camp. As it stands, Herm's giving him the job and he doesn't deserve it.

Braincase · 08-28-2007, 07:08 AM

Who is this Joe Posnanski guy? He ought to write more stuff. Maybe he can get a gig with WPI or something.

TEX · 08-28-2007, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirk digler

I totally agree Tex.

This was a fantastic column by JoPo.

Sure was. The deal is everyone can say the same thing and some were. But when those that weren't see it spelled out like this - they realize that it was the best thing at this time.

GoHuge · 08-28-2007, 07:09 AM

Yeah JoPo was spot on. He gave Croyle every chance and then some. He just didn't get it done. Does this mean we won't get to see Kelli as much anymore on Hard Knocks? She needs to be there with those knockers to cheer him up.

08-28-2007, 06:36 AM
dirk digler Please squeeze Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Clinton, MO Casino cash: $3004644	POSNANSKI: Edwards has to go with Huard to save team There should be no doubt that Chiefs coach Herm Edwards wanted Brodie Croyle to win the starting quarterback job this preseason. The Chiefs spent one uncomfortable offseason dangling longtime starter Trent Green. Why? One reason. Herm Edwards had seen the future, and its name was Croyle. It wasn’t just that Edwards had fallen in love with Croyle’s arm, his enthusiasm, his energy, his charisma. No, Edwards wants to jolt the Chiefs out of their stupor. For 12 seasons now, the Chiefs have not won a playoff game, even though at different times over that span they’ve had the league’s best offense, they’ve had the league’s best defense and they’ve had the league’s best special teams. So what was missing? Edwards says two things: 1. Balance. 2. A quarterback to call their own. Edwards, as you no doubt know, has harped constantly about balance ever since he arrived in town. He is always telling his players that the offense needs to help the defense (longer drives, more first downs, play the field-position game) and the defense needs to help the offense (force more turnovers, play big on third downs, create field position). He thinks that in the past, Chiefs offenses and defenses were too much about themselves and their stats and not enough about winning championships. The second part, the quarterback, is touchier. It is possible (not likely, but possible) to win with someone else’s discarded quarterback. Baltimore and Tampa Bay won Super Bowls with Trent Dilfer and Brad Johnson, respectively. Oakland went to the Super Bowl with Rich Gannon. But those teams tend to collapse quickly. Your consistent winners, generally speaking, are teams with their own quarterbacks. Indianapolis has Peyton Manning. New England has Tom Brady. Philadelphia has Donovan McNabb. Edwards wants the Chiefs to be one of those teams. So, yes, Edwards is ready for the Chiefs to make that quarterback jump. He’s more than ready. One of the consistent themes of the Carl Peterson era has been to go into the season with a veteran quarterback bought, borrowed or stolen from other teams. That strategy took the Chiefs so far. But it never took them all the way. So you better believe Edwards wanted Croyle to win the job. He wasn’t alone. Lots of Chiefs fans wanted Croyle to win the job. Heck, I wanted Croyle to win the job. Why not? He represented something new, something potentially exciting. Damon Huard, the likeable and sturdy veteran quarterback, seemed like more of the same. Here’s the trouble, though: Croyle did not win the job. And this past weekend, Herm Edwards did exactly what he had to do. He named Huard the starter. I know there are people out there who were upset by his move, people who thought Edwards wimped out and went with the safe and uninspired choice. I disagree. I think naming Huard now wasn’t just the right choice, it was the only choice. The most important thing about coaching or managing a team — something that matters more than strategy, philosophy and inspiration — is keeping your players’ respect. When you lose their respect, you lose everything. You can be the most brilliant X’s and O’s coach who ever lived, you can know exactly how to prepare a team, you can be Knute Rockne, Vince Lombardi and George Patton all rolled up into one at halftime. But if you lose the players, you lose the fight, end of story. Here’s one sure way to lose players: Give someone a job he doesn’t deserve. I am convinced that former Royals general manager Allard Baird lost the team the day he inexplicably brought up a non-prospect named Eduardo Villacis to pitch against the New York Yankees in 2004. Villacis got rocked, of course, and every player on the team had unshakable doubts about Allard Baird and the direction of the Royals from that day on. Same thing here. Croyle has been brutal in the preseason games. Yes, he has had a moment or two — the guy has talent — but all in all, he has looked confused and raw. This hasn’t been entirely his fault. He has been getting crushed. If the Chiefs’ offensive line doesn’t shore up, this will be a disastrous season no matter who is playing quarterback. But that does not take away from the simple fact that Croyle, so far anyway, has looked overmatched. And there’s only so much a coach can do. This isn’t fantasy football, where you can start whoever you want anytime you have a hunch. No, here, the choice has been made already. You cannot start Brodie Croyle. The quarterback is, by far, the most important position on the football team. You send a few dozen messages to your players, none of them good, if you start Croyle now. You are telling them you play favorites — he clearly has not won the job. You are telling them that this is a rebuilding season (i.e. “a season to develop a quarterback”). You are telling them that all that talk about how “the best players play,” was just that: Talk. No, Edwards has no choice at all. He wanted Croyle to win the job, he really did, but at some point there’s only so much a coach can do. The kid didn’t win it. He wasn’t ready. For now, Edwards’ choice is to go with Huard, who played so well last year when given the chance. With him, the Chiefs can try to win games the old-fashioned way: Run the ball, play defense, punt well, don’t turn the thing over. That gives something for everybody on the team to rally around. Edwards still believes in Croyle. He should. The kid does have talent. Croyle still looks like a good bet to be the Chiefs’ quarterback of the future. It’s just that the future isn’t here yet.
Posts: 66,396

08-28-2007, 06:41 AM	#2
KC Jones Genious Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Colorado Casino cash: $10012761	bingo __________________ re-sign: to sign again resign: to withdraw from employment
Posts: 5,366

08-28-2007, 06:49 AM	#3
TEX Out Gunning CP's Fandom Police Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Laguna Beach, CA Casino cash: $2083127	Here’s one sure way to lose players: Give someone a job he doesn’t deserve. Justin Medlock? __________________ "The CHIEFS, HAVE THEIR DYNASTY!"
Posts: 34,761

08-28-2007, 06:52 AM	#4
DaKCMan AP Beloved & Awesome CP Celebrity Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Florida Casino cash: $6714952	Spot on. __________________
Posts: 35,696

08-28-2007, 06:53 AM	#6
Dr. Johnny Fever stax of wax Join Date: Feb 2004 Casino cash: $10004900	JoPo nails it. __________________ courtesy of BoneKrusher "Baseball? It's just a game. As simple as a ball and bat, yet as complex as the American spirit it symbolizes. It's a sport, a business and sometimes a religion." Ernie Harwell
Posts: 34,865

08-28-2007, 06:56 AM	#7
TEX Out Gunning CP's Fandom Police Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Laguna Beach, CA Casino cash: $2083127	Croyle still looks like a good bet to be the Chiefs’ quarterback of the future. It’s just that the future isn’t here yet. Possible. But I've said many times that IMO Croyle's the type of QB that in 3 years people will still be saying the same thing. He has the tools, but... Regardless, Herm needs to pull his head out - let Dick Curl manage the clock (something that he's known for) and hire a REAL QB COACH to work with Croyle. __________________ "The CHIEFS, HAVE THEIR DYNASTY!"
Posts: 34,761

08-28-2007, 06:58 AM	#8
Bwana It's Five O'Clock Somewhere Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Billings, Montana Casino cash: $2139273647	Good read
Posts: 69,786

08-28-2007, 07:00 AM	#9
StcChief Playing for #1 Draft Pick Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Just West of Lambs land Casino cash: $10004900	JoPo's conclusion is correct. Croyle's job to lose and he did. truely isn't quite there yet. Huard get's his chance to really shine.... Let's hope he does. 12 years in the league, ball is in his court.
Posts: 25,901

08-28-2007, 07:00 AM	#10
C-Mac Lurker Extraordinaire Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Wally World Casino cash: $2073699	Nice work JoPo
Posts: 5,636

08-28-2007, 07:08 AM	#13
Braincase Banned Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Pond> Me <Barn Casino cash: $11298284	Who is this Joe Posnanski guy? He ought to write more stuff. Maybe he can get a gig with WPI or something. __________________ BrainCase
Posts: 15,429

08-28-2007, 07:09 AM	#15
GoHuge The Truth Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Overland Park Casino cash: $10006072	Yeah JoPo was spot on. He gave Croyle every chance and then some. He just didn't get it done. Does this mean we won't get to see Kelli as much anymore on Hard Knocks? She needs to be there with those knockers to cheer him up.
Posts: 3,991