Babb: Very little goes right for QB Palko

[Tribal Warfare]

Very little goes right for QB Palko (http://www.kansascity.com/2011/12/11/3314664/very-little-goes-right-for-qb.html)
By KENT BABB
The Kansas City Star

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Tyler Palko stood in the cold as the sun went down in Jersey, trying to find something encouraging from his latest start.

“I feel more comfortable every week,” he said, still some hope in his voice.

The Chiefs’ hope in Palko and this season coming to a successful end took another hit Sunday, as the offense sputtered again and the defense couldn’t bail it out. In the past two contests, the Chiefs’ defense gave the team a chance to win. The offense sure wasn’t going to, and at least against Chicago eight days ago, the Chiefs left town with a victory.

On Sunday, the defense had a bad day. Palko did, too. This time, the Chiefs headed home with a 37-10 loss.

“Nobody’s perfect,” cornerback Travis Daniels said of the defense.

The problem with the Chiefs, at least since Palko took over for the injured Matt Cassel, is that when the defense has a bad day – which isn’t unusual, even for terrific defenses – the offense has little chance of salvaging a victory. The defense has, at times, helped to overshadow just how weak the Chiefs are with Palko as the starting quarterback.

Some offensive players have even begun to feel guilt that they’re not holding up their end of the deal.

“Defense did it again, 7-3, getting the ball back, this game,” fullback Le’Ron McClain said of an early opportunity for the Chiefs. “Three-and-out by the defense and we still boo-booed down our leg.”

Palko has four starts, seven interceptions and two touchdowns to his name. Sunday was bad enough that coach Todd Haley considered sending in Ricky Stanzi, a rookie whom the team hoped to bring along slowly and avoid playing this year, to replace Palko. Haley decided, though, that playing the youngster, facing a huge deficit on the road, was no kind of NFL debut and probably wouldn’t help the Chiefs much anyway.

So Palko stayed in, kept getting hit, kept throwing inaccurate passes, kept showing why so much of his first three NFL seasons was spent on practice squads.

If Kyle Orton, a veteran awarded to the Chiefs nearly three weeks ago in a waiver claim, is still suffering from a finger injury – Orton was inactive against the Jets – then there’s a chance Stanzi could play in the remaining three weeks.

At this point, there’s a question making the rounds in Kansas City and beyond: How much worse could Stanzi be? What could the Chiefs possibly lose by playing a rookie, at least seeing what he’s made of, instead of playing Palko and staring down almost certain disappointment?

Even Sly James, Kansas City’s mayor, tweeted Sunday that it was Stanzi time.

“Would like to see what Stanzi can do,” the mayor wrote. “Nothing to lose really.”

Waiting to board the Chiefs' bus back toward the airport for another gloomy, quiet ride home, Palko stood there and talked about making gradual improvement and feeling more productive each week. In NFL currency, that’s worth something, but late in the season, it doesn’t buy much.

Asked if he would be surprised or disappointed if Stanzi took over at quarterback, Palko didn’t have much to say.

“Cross that bridge when we come to it,” he said.

One reason why the Chiefs have avoided playing Stanzi is that it could shatter Palko’s confidence. Then, if Orton is still injured and Stanzi struggles to grasp the NFL game, then the Chiefs are left with nobody to play quarterback.

Palko said his part in that is unfounded.

“There’s not too many things that can happen in my life,” he said, “that are going to wreck my confidence.”

If Sunday’s performance didn’t, then perhaps nothing can. He completed half of his 32 passes for 195 yards and was sacked five times. It hasn’t been so much that Palko is incapable of succeeding, it’s more that the offense hasn’t played well with him. Against the Jets on Sunday, the Chiefs had one first down in the first half. The Jets had 16.

Practices are often crisp and spirited with Palko, but something changes with the offense when the games begin.

“Man, everything that we run, everything that we do – I know it’s just practice – but just the timing of it, everything is on point,” McClain said. “Then we get out here; I don’t know where it goes.”

Hope has begun to run out with Palko. Perhaps time has, too.

“Once you see the tape,” Haley said, “sometimes it’ll change the way you feel. I don’t think the tape is going to change too much of our feelings right now.”

[jd1020]

“Once you see the tape,” Haley said, “sometimes it’ll change the way you feel. I don’t think the tape is going to change too much of our feelings right now.”

Is that code for "Palko is still my QB?"

[Deberg_1990]

Afraid to shatter Palkos confidence. ROFL. That's rich.

[milkman]

After watching Tyler Palko for four weeks, I'm wondering how the hell he ever made a practice squad?

[Marcellus]

Afraid to shatter Palkos confidence. ROFL. That's rich.

No shit.

[milkman]

One thing I've figured out from this.

Canada and teh UFL does a better job of talent evaluation.

[DeezNutz]

Afraid they'll be left with no one to play at QB? As if that's not the case now?

[jd1020]

Afraid they'll be left with no one to play at QB? As if that's not the case now?

I think you take your chances with Stanzi, a busted up Orton, and Urban.

[cdcox]

I think Palko played up to his potential.

[DeezNutz]

I think you take your chances with Stanzi, a busted up Orton, and Urban.

Yep.

[Okie_Apparition]

Hell
Arenas in the wild cat sounds better

[Hammock Parties]

Bullshit. He is drawing an NFL paycheck.

Living the dream, brah.

[Hammock Parties]

One thing I've figured out from this.

Canada and teh UFL does a better job of talent evaluation.

Do they? Or is it just more likely any swinging dick can play in their league?

[Imon Yourside]

I have to disagree everything is going great for Palko. He has no business on an NFL team and not only is he still on our team but he's our starting QB and is making a nice living to suck badly.

[Lonewolf Ed]

Hmmm, very strange... in practice, the offense just hums and clicks. What could be the difference on game day? Oh, I think I have it! On game day, there is a defense out there that is really trying to stop the offense!

Elementary, dear Watson.

[Hammock Parties]

It sounds like the defense is going easy on Palko to make him look good in practice, then he gets in games and sucks, and we lose.

The defense is rooting for a higher draft pick. Unfortunately last week the hail mary spoiled their plans.

Go defense! Keep making Palko believe he can play!

[Hammock Parties]

Even Sly James, Kansas City’s mayor, tweeted Sunday that it was Stanzi time.

“Would like to see what Stanzi can do,” the mayor wrote. “Nothing to lose really.”

Best argument I have heard for a dictatorship in Kansas City.

Clark will take all orders from King Sly.

[Canofbier]

Palko should go become a therapist after he's cut and nobody else signs him. There's lots of people who justifiably hate themselves who could probably use his help to fool themselves into thinking they're great!

[Hammock Parties]

After watching Tyler Palko for four weeks, I'm wondering how the hell he ever made a practice squad?

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/1017/2m3mdf4.gif

[NJChiefsFan]

Palko should go become a therapist after he's cut and nobody else signs him. There's lots of people who justifiably hate themselves who could probably use his help to fool themselves into thinking they're great!

Can't blame Palko. If I was him I would be saying I believe in myself to. Why not, if somebody is stupid enough to start you, do what you can to stay in there. He may very well look at the tape and say how the hell am I fooling them.

[Bwana]

Gee, perhaps it's because Palko is a starting NFL QB, without starting NFL QB skills?

[Rasputin]

I have to disagree everything is going great for Palko. He has no business on an NFL team and not only is he still on our team but he's our starting QB and is making a nice living to suck badly.

Some how I think they are trying to come up with a Hollywood Rudy Ruettiger esq story to reach the hearts of the fans. Who the fuck cares tho we are getting our asses kicked but as long as they don't hurt Palkos feelings, we don't want that. His feelings might get hurt oh wah. I don't blame Palko for sucking I blame coaches for putting him on the field. Good for Palko too for fooling an idiot coach who believes in him. Just too bad it's at our excpense and the expense of what could be a good football team.

They don't want to shatter Palkos confidence in fear it may ruin him? Ha that is scarry shit that the idea of Haley bringing him back for next year. There is really something wrong with Haley evaluating the QB.

Stanzi not getting the reps in practice is an issue for not bringing him along quicker than what they wanted. Got to give the young guys opportunity to learn to be prepared for the game if you intend to have them apart of the future. So Haley was just counting on Palko to do good enough to get by sneek a few wins in to make the playoffs & not have to work with a rookie QB that's going make mistakes like a rookie. Mind boggling that he has stuck with Palko after the NE game any ways.

['Hamas' Jenkins]

It's another indictment of the stubbornness of this regime. It's funny that there is a narrative out there that Haley is sticking it to Pioli by starting a QB who is clearly inferior. Every QB they've ever run out there for this team during their tenure has been completely inferior.

What is it if not stubbornness that allows for Richardson to continually start, or O'Failaghan before him, Thomas Jones to be the primary ballcarrier, and Lance Long and Bobby Wade as the primary receivers over Dwayne Bowe? What about Mike Vrabel stealing a paycheck like a six-pack of beer from a casino, or Mike Brown? Jake O'Connell is the Tyler Palko of QBs, yet he's still here. The same with the Good Samaritan, Leonard Pope. Mike Goff, Nsuckwe, two years of Rudy Niswanger.

Palko is yet another example in a long, long line of the complete paucity of objective player evaluations done by these clowns.

[FAX]

I'm trying to feel sorry for Palkoh-no. I really am.

But, it's like feeling sorry for the guy who falls off a 4th story balcony onto your gorgeous wife.

FAX

[Okie_Apparition]

It's the GMs responsibility to override his HC on matters as important as QBs, RTs, ect
Even Peterson made his BBF fire Robinson, making DV cry all over himself in public
You can't take Pioli off the hook for any personnel choices, he goes to practices

[FAX]

It's the GMs responsibility to override his HC on matters as important as QBs, RTs, ect
Even Peterson made his BBF fire Robinson, making DV cry all over himself in public
You can't take Pioli off the hook for any personnel choices, he goes to practices

Pioli's ultimate responsibility is for the roster. That was the job he took and the skill-set he, himself, said he was bringing to the table.

That includes quarterback depth and all offensive right tackle needs of the club.

FAX

[Phobia]

I'm trying to feel sorry for Palkoh-no. I really am.

But, it's like feeling sorry for the guy who falls off a 4th story balcony onto your gorgeous wife.

FAX

That's what happened to a guy from this very site... He said an angel caught him.

[ChiefPressure]

If the Chiefs can't get Luck, Barkley, or RG3. Would you guys be in favor of getting Manning assuming him and Luck don't bond together? I can see Manning wanting out of Indy after that tranwreck of a season and him winding down in his carear after an injury.

[jd1020]

If the Chiefs can't get Luck, Barkley, or RG3. Would you guys be in favor of getting Manning assuming him and Luck don't bond together? I can see Manning wanting out of Indy after that tranwreck of a season and him winding down in his carear after an injury.

**** no.

He's had 3 neck surgeries in 19 months. People need to stop kidding themselves into thinking he's going to be healthy.

[Phobia]

Manning would be stellar with a 245 lbs center protecting him and a tackle who decides not to block either guy rushing on his side. I'm not sure Manning would last as long as Orton did.

[ChiefPressure]

**** no.

He's had 3 neck surgeries in 19 months. People need to stop kidding themselves into thinking he's going to be healthy.

IMO we have a small window to be succesful. What do you recommend we do? A different free agent? Draft the 4th5th best QB? Trot out Cassel and Palko again?

[ChiefPressure]

Manning would be stellar with a 245 lbs center protecting him and a tackle who decides not to block either guy rushing on his side. I'm not sure Manning would last as long as Orton did.

:hmmm: I would hope Richardson is replaced in the offseason.

[jd1020]

IMO we have a small window to be succesful. What do you recommend we do? A different free agent? Draft the 4th5th best QB? Trot out Cassel and Palko again?

4th/5th best QB sounds like a winner to me.

Hell... Maybe the Saints let Brees walk.

[007]

I still remember all the idiots that couldn't wait for Palko to take over for Cassel.

[Rasputin]

IMO we have a small window to be succesful. What do you recommend we do? A different free agent? Draft the 4th5th best QB? Trot out Cassel and Palko again?

This is the thinking that get's us stuck with retread QBs for 25 years strait. FUCKING JOE MONTANA FAILED TO ACHIEVE a SUPER BOWL FOR US & we have continued down the same road since.

We have not started a QBotf that we drafted his rookie year since the years of Blackledge, we need to GET OVER IT!

I don't care if you say we tried with Brodie Croyle. His scouting reports were full of red flags of injury prone & if we played him his rookie year we could have found out much quicker what he was made of, glass. We could have been more proactive in finding a QBotf from the draft for the past two decades and we wouldn't be in this mess of a flop franchoking on regurgitated reject QBs.

[Phobia]

I still remember all the idiots that couldn't wait for Palko to take over for Cassel.

Frankly, I don't think Cassel's stat-line would look all that much different than Palko's at this point. Probably 3 or 4 less interceptions and 8 or 9 more sacks.

[mdchiefsfan]

Frankly, I don't think Cassel's stat-line would look all that much different than Palko's at this point. Probably 3 or 4 less interceptions and 8 or 9 more sacks.

and 4-5 more three and outs.

[WhiteWhale]

Cassel > Palko

Every 3rd string QB in the NFL > Palko

Just accept it people. SOMEONE is worse than Matt Cassel.

[farmerchief]

[QUOTE=KC Tattoo;8193196]This is the thinking that get's us stuck with retread QBs for 25 years strait. ****ING JOE MONTANA FAILED TO ACHIEVE a SUPER BOWL FOR US & we have continued down the same road since.

That team with Montana on it, was exciting to watch, and I always felt had a chance to win the game! I didnt mind paying good money to watch that team play, this team, NO, my money is more valuable in my pocket!

[htismaqe]

Do they? Or is it just more likely any swinging dick can play in their league?

Tyler Palko couldn't. So what does that tell ya?

[TEX]

I still remember all the idiots that couldn't wait for Palko to take over for Cassel.

This.

[BoneKrusher]

Frankly, I don't think Cassel's stat-line would look all that much different than Palko's at this point. Probably 3 or 4 less interceptions and 8 or 9 more sacks.

This:

Cassel would look as bad or worse against this competition.
the Chiefs dont have a qb on the roster worth a fuck, well maybe Stanzi.

[Rasputin]

[QUOTE=KC Tattoo;8193196]This is the thinking that get's us stuck with retread QBs for 25 years strait. ****ING JOE MONTANA FAILED TO ACHIEVE a SUPER BOWL FOR US & we have continued down the same road since.

That team with Montana on it, was exciting to watch, and I always felt had a chance to win the game! I didnt mind paying good money to watch that team play, this team, NO, my money is more valuable in my pocket!


Montana was fun to watch, up until he lost in the playoffs & not getting us another chance to win in the playoffs for that Vince Lombardi trophy. Chiefs average new retread QB every two and a half years. It's bogus to think that we got a shot at Super Bowl glory with that kind of turn over ratio for the most important position on the team. Maybe we could find a QB we can call our own that will be fun to watch for 10 sum years and compete for championships on a yearly basis. That imo would be fun to watch.

[BoneKrusher]

did anyone really expect Failko to be better than Cassel?

afterall he is the Backup to Cassel.

put both together and they wouldn't make one decent backup QB in the Arena league.

[Fire Me Boy!]

“Defense did it again, 7-3, getting the ball back, this game,” fullback Le’Ron McClain said of an early opportunity for the Chiefs. “Three-and-out by the defense and we still boo-booed down our leg.”

I like this McClain fellow.

[Reerun_KC]

did anyone really expect Failko to be better than Cassel?

afterall he is the Backup to Cassel.

put both together and they wouldn't make one decent backup QB in the Arena league.

Yes people here really thought they would see improved QB and OLine play once Cassel was removed...

Makes you wonder about the intelligence level we are dealing with around here.

[BoneKrusher]

Yes people here really thought they would see improved QB and OLine play once Cassel was removed...

Makes you wonder about the intelligence level we are dealing with around here.

i never thought Cassel was worth a fuck the day Pioli traded for him and i thought even less of Failco.

in preseason i picked the Chiefs to win three games this season, i wasnt too far off.

[Chief Faithful]

It doesn't matter how comfortable Palko becomes every defensive coordinator knows he cannot complete a pass more than 10 - 15 yards down the field. Until the Chiefs have a QB that can create a real downfield threat this offense will suffer. Right now every down the defense is compressed like they are in the red zone. I have not seen a QB in the NFL that throws a worse deep ball.

[Estron]

Makes you wonder about the intelligence level we are dealing with around here.

I've never wondered about that. It's a board replete with fans, who have the average intelligence and football knowledge of most fans and no more (myself definitely included). And yet we think we can give Pioli instruction, and we know so much better than Hunt how Hunt should spend his own money.

[Coogs]

The problem with the Chiefs, at least since Palko took over for the injured Matt Cassel, is that when the defense has a bad day – which isn’t unusual, even for terrific defenses – the offense has little chance of salvaging a victory.

JFC! This has not changed since Cassel went down. Status quo!

[chop]

I still remember all the idiots that couldn't wait for Palko to take over for Cassel.

I wasn't one of those "idiots" but clearly Cassel was not performing up to the level that everyone had hoped. It's not unreasonable for a fan to want a change at the position when they are spending hours watching and following their favorite team and paying hard earned money to watch. The problem is/was the Chiefs put the wrong backup in for him. Palko is clearly not the answer but most fans want to see what they have in Stanzi before the draft next year.