Chiefs Teicher: QB issues haven’t helped the rebuilding Chiefs

**Tribal Warfare** · 09-22-2008, 11:06 PM

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.”

09-22-2008, 11:06 PM	Topic Starter
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-2997187	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.”
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