Chiefs move forward

[C-Mac]

Chiefs move forward
While sad to see Green traded to Miami, his former team is optimistic about future.
By JASON KING
The Kansas City Star

Miami Herald: Dolphins introduce Green, signaling end for Culpepper
A four-year plan at Miami
His red-and-white nameplate is gone now, right along with the helmet, practice jersey and playbook.

Inside Trent Green’s former locker, nine empty hangers dangle from a silver rod. An unclasped padlock rests atop a shelf, and the chair Green occupied for seven years is turned toward a naked wall.

One stall away, Brodie Croyle is bombarded with questions about his former Chiefs teammate.

“Things finally worked out the way everybody wanted them to,” Croyle said. “It’s good to move on.”

That’s exactly what the Chiefs did Wednesday. Less than 24 hours after Green and his Pro Bowl resume were shipped in a trade to Miami, the buzz in the Chiefs’ locker room was more about the future than the past.

As much as they hate to lose Green, Kansas City’s players expressed optimism about the direction of their franchise. Much of their enthusiasm centers on Croyle, who will try to fend off Damon Huard in the battle to become the Chiefs’ starter.

“Obviously Damon has proven that he can play and that he belongs in this league,” tight end Tony Gonzalez said. “The big question is whether or not Brodie can handle this. I think he will. Right now it’s a lot easier for him because the bullets aren’t live. But once they start flying around, I think you’re going to see that he’s going to be a good quarterback.”

Chiefs coach Herm Edwards agrees. Otherwise the Chiefs probably wouldn’t have traded Green to the Dolphins for a conditional fifth-round pick.

Edwards has hinted for months now that he prefers to play a younger quarterback. Croyle, a second-year pro from Alabama, appears to be the guy. Even if Croyle fails to beat out Huard for the job, it’s obvious that Croyle will see significant action in 2007.

“I like his demeanor,” Edwards said. “He comes across laid-back, like he’s a Southern guy that’s been fishing all day. But he’s a competitor, a competitor. This guy has dealt with a lot of adversity. He had some knocks (in college) that a lot of guys wouldn’t have come back from.”

Although Wednesday’s practice was closed, players said Huard and Croyle took an equal amount of reps along with third-stringer Casey Printers. After the workout Croyle said he felt prepared to take over the starting job.

“I’m still not where I need to be,” Croyle said, “but if I keep working hard and have a good training camp, then I think I’ve got a good shot.”

Whoever gets the nod will face the tall task of improving a Kansas City passing game that was stagnant at times in 2006. In a 23-8 playoff loss to the Colts, the Chiefs didn’t record a first down until late in the third quarter.

Gonzalez said he expects the Chiefs to simplify their passing game by cutting down on shifts and movements.

“We’ve got to get better,” Gonzalez said. “Everybody knows Larry Johnson can run the football. That’s no secret. He’s one of the best running backs in the league — if not the best — and our offensive line is going to be better. Everyone knows we’re going to be able to pound the rock.

“But you have to be able to pass to offset that defense putting eight or nine guys in the box like they did in the playoffs, when we couldn’t move the ball. That was ridiculous as far as I’m concerned. We need to correct it.”

Kansas City’s starter since 2001, Green would’ve been more than happy to do just that in 2007. Instead, he began seeking a trade after he was asked in March to accept a lesser role and restructure his contract.