Tribal Warfare
08-30-2010, 11:15 PM
Chiefs notebook: Injured QB Croyle tests arm (http://www.kansascity.com/2010/08/30/2188789/chiefs-notebook-injured-qb-croyle.html)
Croyle tests his arm
Chiefs backup quarterback Brodie Croyle returned to practice last week, but he threw his first passes Monday after missing most of the last two weeks because of a right arm injury.
In a team drill Monday, Croyle handed off on his first two snaps and then threw toward tight end Leonard Pope, who dropped Croyle’s pass. Croyle completed two passes to Pope before the end of the session, and one of those was in the end zone.
“It was good to see him out there,” coach Todd Haley said of Croyle. “He’s one of the guys that has to get better to help us become a good team. To see him out there and get through, with no issues, I thought it was a good sign.
“He didn’t look overly rusty, although we all had cans of Rust-Oleum in our pockets.”
After Croyle was injured, the Chiefs signed Bill Stull to be the third quarterback during Croyle’s absence. Stull was released Sunday, along with three others, as the team began roster trims.
Haley encouraged by linebacker tandem
Haley said he likes the dynamic that has developed between outside linebackers Mike Vrabel and Andy Studebaker. Vrabel, 35, has acted as a mentor to Studebaker, who will turn 25 on Sept. 16. Haley said that’s encouraging, even as Studebaker begins to take playing time away from Vrabel – and, if Studebaker continues to improve, he might eventually take his mentor’s starting job.
“The relationship between Mike and Andy is what we’re trying to establish across the board, at all positions,” Haley said. “You have a veteran player that is teaching, coaching, schooling, working with the guy that could take his job or take reps from him. You see Mike, it doesn’t matter to him.”
Studebaker had two of the Chiefs’ five sacks in Friday’s preseason loss to Philadelphia. Haley said Vrabel’s influence on Studebaker helped lead to that performance and might lead to a larger role in the future.
“When more of your team is worried about one thing,” Haley said, “and that’s winning the game, championships, you’ll have a pretty good team.”
Injury report
Linebackers Tamba Hali and Cameron Sheffield, cornerback Maurice Leggett, guard Darryl Harris and right tackle Ryan O’Callaghan spent Monday’s practice session in the conditioning area. Safety Jarrad Page remains unsigned.
Croyle tests his arm
Chiefs backup quarterback Brodie Croyle returned to practice last week, but he threw his first passes Monday after missing most of the last two weeks because of a right arm injury.
In a team drill Monday, Croyle handed off on his first two snaps and then threw toward tight end Leonard Pope, who dropped Croyle’s pass. Croyle completed two passes to Pope before the end of the session, and one of those was in the end zone.
“It was good to see him out there,” coach Todd Haley said of Croyle. “He’s one of the guys that has to get better to help us become a good team. To see him out there and get through, with no issues, I thought it was a good sign.
“He didn’t look overly rusty, although we all had cans of Rust-Oleum in our pockets.”
After Croyle was injured, the Chiefs signed Bill Stull to be the third quarterback during Croyle’s absence. Stull was released Sunday, along with three others, as the team began roster trims.
Haley encouraged by linebacker tandem
Haley said he likes the dynamic that has developed between outside linebackers Mike Vrabel and Andy Studebaker. Vrabel, 35, has acted as a mentor to Studebaker, who will turn 25 on Sept. 16. Haley said that’s encouraging, even as Studebaker begins to take playing time away from Vrabel – and, if Studebaker continues to improve, he might eventually take his mentor’s starting job.
“The relationship between Mike and Andy is what we’re trying to establish across the board, at all positions,” Haley said. “You have a veteran player that is teaching, coaching, schooling, working with the guy that could take his job or take reps from him. You see Mike, it doesn’t matter to him.”
Studebaker had two of the Chiefs’ five sacks in Friday’s preseason loss to Philadelphia. Haley said Vrabel’s influence on Studebaker helped lead to that performance and might lead to a larger role in the future.
“When more of your team is worried about one thing,” Haley said, “and that’s winning the game, championships, you’ll have a pretty good team.”
Injury report
Linebackers Tamba Hali and Cameron Sheffield, cornerback Maurice Leggett, guard Darryl Harris and right tackle Ryan O’Callaghan spent Monday’s practice session in the conditioning area. Safety Jarrad Page remains unsigned.