Teicher: QB issues haven’t helped the rebuilding Chiefs
 

QB issues haven’t helped the rebuilding Chiefs
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

The tentative date for Brodie Croyle’s return as Chiefs quarterback is Oct. 19 when they play against Tennessee, so he won’t be available to rescue them in Sunday’s game against Denver at Arrowhead Stadium.

Neither will Brady Quinn. The Chiefs put in a brief call to the Cleveland Browns asking about Quinn as part of their routine, leaguewide sweep when Croyle first left their lineup and were promptly told Quinn wasn’t available.

The Chiefs will have to play against the 3-0 Broncos with the same group that couldn’t hang with either Oakland or Atlanta in losses that extended their league-longest losing streak to 12 games.

That’s a daunting task for coach Herm Edwards, who early in the Chiefs’ rebuilding movement is having to battle more issues than he ever imagined.

“We don’t have a strength right now on either side of the ball,” Edwards said Monday. “You can’t combat (problems) with something if you’re doing something well. Generally you can lean on your strength, but right now we don’t have a strength.”

The Chiefs might have that strength if they hadn’t dived into their youth movement headfirst. But they’re using mostly young players, including Tyler Thigpen as their interim quarterback.

Thigpen has most notably looked overwhelmed by NFL competition.

Edwards said the Chiefs would decide today whether Thigpen or veteran Damon Huard will start against Denver. The Broncos are the NFL’s highest-scoring team, so the Chiefs figure to need to score more than their average of around 11 points if they are to compete on Sunday.

Edwards’ comments suggested the Chiefs were leaning toward playing Huard.

“You weigh a lot of factors into this,” Edwards said. “You don’t want to put Tyler in a bad position to where you crush him. That’s not good. You wrestle with that. We also need some calming on our team right now. We’re looking for a spark.”

Even if the Chiefs go with Huard, 35, Edwards said the Chiefs don’t regret their decision to otherwise sell out to using younger players.

“It’s the course we wanted and it’s the right one for the future of this organization,” Edwards said. “Where we were at, we had to go this way. We’re going to stick with the plan. It’s not fun right now for anybody. It’s not fun for the players, the coaches, the fans. But it’s the road we’re traveling, and now it’s our job to try to get better every week.”

An imposing task, to be sure. The Chiefs haven’t had a lead all season, even against Oakland and Atlanta. Now they enter a stretch where they’re playing against eight straight opponents who, unlike the Raiders and Falcons, figure to be playoff contenders.

“I think we will get better,” Edwards said. “There are things we’ve done in games that make you say, ‘OK, there’s a sign.’ But we all measure progress in wins, and we haven’t won a game.

“Defensively, we play in spurts very well. (Atlanta) went three series of three-and-out to start the game. They can’t run the ball. They can’t do anything. They’re just punting. Then all of a sudden we break down.”

On offense, though, Edwards had less evidence to offer. The Chiefs lost 38-14 Sunday in Atlanta but easily could have scored more. Nick Novak missed a short field-goal attempt, and Larry Johnson failed to score what should have been a touchdown on a fourth-and-goal play.

Still, everything the Chiefs might have accomplished on offense against the Falcons was overshadowed by six possessions to start the game of three plays and out.

Lasting offensive improvement probably will have to wait until the Chiefs have some stability at quarterback, whenever that is.

“That’s the key,” Edwards said. “You’ve got to have the same guy every week. We haven’t had that luxury as of yet. We’re waiting for Brodie to get back. When he gets back, we’re anticipating him staying healthy and helping us win some games.”

Thin-pen hasn't got enough game time to see if he can cut-it in the NFL .. Huard is washed he's old and gun-shy .. The Chiefs are in a real pickle with no help anywhere ...

“Defensively, we play in spurts very well. (Atlanta) went three series of three-and-out to start the game. They can’t run the ball. They can’t do anything. They’re just punting. Then all of a sudden we break down.”


It's called coaching....adjustments.

You wouldn't understand, Herm.

This is hilarious, there is nothing positive about getting ass raped by Atlanta.

I have a question on this quarterback issue.

Let's say that Downfield did, in fact, take himself out of the Raider game and refused to go back in. What can the Chiefs do about that? Besides putting him in the doghouse or Herm's sock drawer or something, I mean. They could cut him, I suppose. But, can they get their money back from the guy? If there's no performance clause in his contract, no recourse could be found there. Does the league's agreement with the player's union have any kind of provision for such a circumstance? Where a guy just refuses to play?

FAX

We're anticipating him staying healthy!!!!! Seems Herm isn't just bad at evaluating talent... ugh

I'm pretty sure any person that has observed anything about Brodie Croyle could tell you he won't stay healthy.

This is one of the most infuriating quotes I've read. Of course we played well in "spurts." Every team plays well in spurts. Even the 2002-2005 Chiefs defense played well in spurts. This team has been playing well on defense in "spurts" for 10 stinkin' years.

Effing moron.

Cant afford to have him throw away games before the first half is even over if we're wanting to rebuild this team.

How are we gonna get better if Thigpen doesn't put us in a position to do better? Just for the record when Thigpen was in it took us 8 drives to score. ****ING 8!!!!!!! Pretty much anyone is better at QB at that point. How do you expect this team to get any better when they can't stay on the field?

Anyone hear how Ingle Martin is coming along? I think he has a little experience and would at least provide maybe some sort of accuracy in the passing game. That is Thiggy's biggest weakness. He can run like hell, but can't hit the broad side of a barn!:cuss:

and we they won't win games with him as QB

This is why Herm is a total moron. He thinks the D "broke down"???? It's shocking that he doesn't realise that Atlanta's coaching staff simply ADJUSTED to what the Chiefs were doing. And Herm and Gun simply had no alternatives to try.

I don't know if I'm more insulted or embarassed that he is KC's coach.