POSNANSKI: Edwards has to go with Huard to save team - Page 2

**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.

**DaKCMan AP** · 08-28-2007, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEX

I'm saying they probably could have gotten Medlock without drafting him

BS. Medlock was one of the highest rated kickers who had great workouts and outshined the other top kickers at competitions.

And you want competition? He's competing against every FA kicker.

I know this kid's going to be a VERY good kicker, and with a new LS, holder (Colquitt didn't hold for a lefty kicker before) I'd rather Medlock get all of the reps.

**the Talking Can** · 08-28-2007, 07:15 AM

and yet another poem to 9-7

"win now"

"window of opportunity"

patteeu · 08-28-2007, 07:17 AM

It bugs me for some reason when people call professional athletes "kid". Almost all of these guys, including Brodie Croyle are full grown men. If you're not going to pat him on the head and pinch his cheek when you see him, you shouldn't call him a kid no matter how old you are, IMO.

In all other aspects, I agree with JoPo's article.

patteeu · 08-28-2007, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

and yet another poem to 9-7

"win now"

"window of opportunity"

Yeah, sorry. You're going to have to either wait for another year or pick another team to get that 3-13 season your jones'n for. I'm sad for you. Really.

**the Talking Can** · 08-28-2007, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patteeu

Yeah, sorry. You're going to have to either wait for another year or pick another team to get that 3-13 season your jones'n for. I'm sad for you. Really.

True Fan!

look everyone! a TRUE FAN

**Mr. Kotter** · 08-28-2007, 07:23 AM

As much as I wanted to see Croyle win the job....I agree with Joe.

As someone who's coached some youth and HS football....I can tell you, that Joe is absolutely right about this.

Croyle simply didn't win the job. Period.

Any other decision by Herm, would have been the beginning of the end for him in KC. As Joe said, he'd have lost the respect of any self-respecting player. And he'd then be dead-in-the-water as a coach.

trndobrd · 08-28-2007, 07:45 AM

Huard will not start 16 games this season. Period.

The reality of our O-line and QB injuries in the NFL dictates that Croyle will be starting at some point this season.

Herm is not wrong for starting Huard opening day on the road. Croyle didn't win it, and will benefit from some time as THE backup QB.

Letting Croyle hold the clipboard for a while instead of getting beat to death while McIntosh, LJ, J Dunn, and Turley's back get things worked out is the right call. Nobody wants to see the "future" crumpled up on the turf because Svitek whiffed another block.

Otter · 08-28-2007, 07:50 AM

Who gives a flying **** anymore

**Donger** · 08-28-2007, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirk digler

If the Chiefs’ offensive line doesn’t shore up, this will be a disastrous season no matter who is playing quarterback.

Is this an accurate statement, and if so, can it be 'shored up' in time?

Sure-Oz · 08-28-2007, 08:02 AM

I was unhappy with croyle not starting out but this may be the best decision in the long run. If we do well, people dont bitch, if he sucks then croyle comes in, win win!

**Tribal Warfare** · 08-28-2007, 08:12 AM

I don't believe placing Huard as the starter was a King Carl move and not Herms. If you saw hardknocks on HBO you would know what I'm talking about

Eleazar · 08-28-2007, 08:13 AM

I guess I'm ok with starting Huard right now, but only because of the fact that (a) Croyle, by any objective measure, has looked awful this preseason and has no business taking a snap as an NFL quarterback, and (b) Croyle would be out there getting murdered behind the worst offensive line in the NFL.

But if we go this whole season without giving Croyle playing time in the name of trying to make some fruitless playoff push, that's insane. Our objective needs to be to shore up the protection and get Croyle in there. I don't really approve of naming Huard the starter, but I guess I can see some universe where you are committed to the future but still do that.

I don't want to see a 4-6 team in November though with Huard at QB, and Herm Edwards about how "every game is a playoff game".

That will make me head down there with the torches and pitchforks.

Eleazar · 08-28-2007, 08:14 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).

I see our future... it's October... Carl is blowing up Jose Cortez's cellphone...

Deberg_1990 · 08-28-2007, 08:16 AM

Better it be Huard out there getting beat up every Sunday behind that line than Croyle.

Huard = Sacrificial lamb. Especially with that slow as molasses release of his.

oldandslow · 08-28-2007, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sure-Oz

I was unhappy with croyle not starting out but this may be the best decision in the long run. If we do well, people dont bitch, if he sucks then croyle comes in, win win!

Nope...

Croyle loses 5,7, or 9 games of experience.

We are not going to the SB with Damon Huard at QB.

This entire "win now" philosophy is silly. We aren't going to win now. Honestly, if any of you were gamblers, would you bet on the Chiefs, this year, to win 10? to go to the Playoffs? to go to the SB?

This article is PR, plain and simple.

We are beginning to look like the Az Cardinals of the 80's and 90's with the decisions we are making. It's stupid.

08-28-2007, 06:36 AM
dirk digler Please squeeze Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Clinton, MO Casino cash: $2004644	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.
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08-28-2007, 07:15 AM	#17
the Talking Can Supporter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: street Casino cash: $10022208	and yet another poem to 9-7 "win now" "window of opportunity" __________________ Clark Hunt: "Thank god for the Dominican pool boy"
Posts: 51,585

08-28-2007, 07:17 AM	#18
patteeu The 23rd Pillar Join Date: Sep 2002 Casino cash: $10019237	It bugs me for some reason when people call professional athletes "kid". Almost all of these guys, including Brodie Croyle are full grown men. If you're not going to pat him on the head and pinch his cheek when you see him, you shouldn't call him a kid no matter how old you are, IMO. In all other aspects, I agree with JoPo's article. __________________ “Boy, you all want power. God, I hope you never get it.” - Lindsay Graham
Posts: 110,871

08-28-2007, 07:23 AM	#21
Mr. Kotter The Dude Abides Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Dakota Country Casino cash: $4474285	As much as I wanted to see Croyle win the job....I agree with Joe. As someone who's coached some youth and HS football....I can tell you, that Joe is absolutely right about this. Croyle simply didn't win the job. Period. Any other decision by Herm, would have been the beginning of the end for him in KC. As Joe said, he'd have lost the respect of any self-respecting player. And he'd then be dead-in-the-water as a coach. __________________ "I've always said I worry about legacy and winning rings more than making money at this moment...We see what's going on around the league, but at the same time, I'll never do anything that's going to hurt us from keeping the great players around me.”
Posts: 46,714

08-28-2007, 07:45 AM	#22
trndobrd 'Stachecicle Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: The Tolerance Box Casino cash: $3685087	Huard will not start 16 games this season. Period. The reality of our O-line and QB injuries in the NFL dictates that Croyle will be starting at some point this season. Herm is not wrong for starting Huard opening day on the road. Croyle didn't win it, and will benefit from some time as THE backup QB. Letting Croyle hold the clipboard for a while instead of getting beat to death while McIntosh, LJ, J Dunn, and Turley's back get things worked out is the right call. Nobody wants to see the "future" crumpled up on the turf because Svitek whiffed another block. __________________ "I don't really think there is a need to raise or debate this point." -jAZ
Posts: 7,133

08-28-2007, 08:12 AM	#26
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-597187	I don't believe placing Huard as the starter was a King Carl move and not Herms. If you saw hardknocks on HBO you would know what I'm talking about __________________
Posts: 42,525

08-28-2007, 08:13 AM	#27
Eleazar Beyond the Rapids Join Date: May 2003 Location: Langley, VA Casino cash: $-370000	I guess I'm ok with starting Huard right now, but only because of the fact that (a) Croyle, by any objective measure, has looked awful this preseason and has no business taking a snap as an NFL quarterback, and (b) Croyle would be out there getting murdered behind the worst offensive line in the NFL. But if we go this whole season without giving Croyle playing time in the name of trying to make some fruitless playoff push, that's insane. Our objective needs to be to shore up the protection and get Croyle in there. I don't really approve of naming Huard the starter, but I guess I can see some universe where you are committed to the future but still do that. I don't want to see a 4-6 team in November though with Huard at QB, and Herm Edwards about how "every game is a playoff game". That will make me head down there with the torches and pitchforks.
Posts: 80,659

08-28-2007, 08:16 AM	#29
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $2504454	Better it be Huard out there getting beat up every Sunday behind that line than Croyle. Huard = Sacrificial lamb. Especially with that slow as molasses release of his. __________________ Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning: Matt once made a very nice play in Seattle where he spun away from a pass rusher and hit Bowe off his back foot for a first down. One of the best plays Matt has ever made.
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