Whitlock: Some thoughts on Gonzalez, Huard and other Chiefs

[Tribal Warfare]

Some thoughts on Gonzalez, Huard and other Chiefs

Here are a few thoughts on the Chiefs as I sit here passing the time waiting on the biggest television event of my lifetime, Palin vs. Biden, The Thrilla with No Vanilla.”

•Tony Gonzalez’s immature reaction to not breaking the tight-end receiving record after Sunday’s victory over the Broncos was disappointing.

The Chiefs broke a 12-game losing streak, lifted themselves from being leaguewide laughingstocks, and Gonzalez thinks it’s appropriate to pout because he won’t break the yardage record at Arrowhead Stadium and have a brief on-field ceremony.

Wow. I’m “highly disappointed,” too.

Let’s say the Chiefs were getting plastered last week and Gonzalez broke the record late in the fourth quarter, would he have met with reporters after the game and talked about breaking the record?

Would he have said, “Yeah, the record doesn’t mean anything since we lost”? Or would he have dressed quickly and left the locker room, embarrassed by another defeat?

Not a good look, Tony. Not a good look at all.

•As long as Damon Huard is able to stand, put his hands under center and bark signals, he should remain Kansas City’s starting quarterback this season.

Even if he throws four interceptions against Carolina, he should remain KC’s starter when Brodie Croyle returns. Huard is a journeyman quarterback. He will not play lights out week to week. He will always be inconsistent.

But he clearly gives the Chiefs their best chance at winning this season. When Croyle returns, he should play from off the bench when Huard struggles or gets momentarily banged up.

Playing off the bench gives Croyle a better shot at developing confidence and handling the mental pressure of being an NFL QB. The Chiefs will learn more about Croyle with him subbing. They should already know he’s not their QB of the future (too injury prone). The question now is Croyle KC’s No. 2 quarterback of the future?

•Glenn Dorsey has not been effective through four NFL games.

I’m nowhere near ready to label him a bust. I am willing to admit concern. He seems to lack explosion in his lower and upper body. His punch seems ineffective, and his feet don’t appear to be all that quick. That’s not a good combination. Right now, he plays like a guy who needs to spend a solid year in the weight room.

That’s not all that unusual for rookie defensive tackles. Many of them come out of college with no real understanding of how to prepare physically for NFL success. You can get away with being out of shape in college. You get exposed in the NFL.

•Branden Albert dislocated his elbow moments after I commented about how well he was playing against the Broncos.

I like Albert. He has a bright future. He had good technique on his pass sets, and he tried to deliver a blow in the run game.

Herb Taylor shocked the heck out of me with his solid performance in relief of Albert. When Albert returns, Taylor might warrant a look at replacing Damion McIntosh on the right side.

•Larry Johnson did a great job last week when he interacted with Jim Brown during our town-hall discussion at the Gem Theater.

Larry offered some thoughtful commentary about current players providing support to retired NFL veterans, was very respectful in his comments toward Brown and played along and laughed when I asked him some tough questions about the then-winless Chiefs.

It was good to see the nonangry side of Larry.

After the Denver game, Kolby Smith asked me whether Jim Brown would be willing to come in every week to motivate Larry.

I’m working on it.

•No one is talking about it, but I thought Bernard Pollard played one of his better games against the Broncos.

Other than Derrick Johnson, who was marvelous, I thought Pollard was KC’s best defender on Sunday. He was a physical, sure tackler, and I thought he displayed a quickness that he didn’t have last season when he was 20 pounds heavier.

[Buehler445]

One of Whitlocks more disappointing articles

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

Some thoughts on Gonzalez, Huard and other Chiefs

Here are a few thoughts on the Chiefs as I sit here passing the time waiting on the biggest television event of my lifetime, Palin vs. Biden, The Thrilla with No Vanilla.”

•Tony Gonzalez’s immature reaction to not breaking the tight-end receiving record after Sunday’s victory over the Broncos was disappointing.

The Chiefs broke a 12-game losing streak, lifted themselves from being leaguewide laughingstocks, and Gonzalez thinks it’s appropriate to pout because he won’t break the yardage record at Arrowhead Stadium and have a brief on-field ceremony.

Wow. I’m “highly disappointed,” too.

Let’s say the Chiefs were getting plastered last week and Gonzalez broke the record late in the fourth quarter, would he have met with reporters after the game and talked about breaking the record?

Would he have said, “Yeah, the record doesn’t mean anything since we lost”? Or would he have dressed quickly and left the locker room, embarrassed by another defeat?

Not a good look, Tony. Not a good look at all.

Eh Whatever.

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

•As long as Damon Huard is able to stand, put his hands under center and bark signals, he should remain Kansas City’s starting quarterback this season.

Even if he throws four interceptions against Carolina, he should remain KC’s starter when Brodie Croyle returns. Huard is a journeyman quarterback. He will not play lights out week to week. He will always be inconsistent.

But he clearly gives the Chiefs their best chance at winning this season. When Croyle returns, he should play from off the bench when Huard struggles or gets momentarily banged up.

Playing off the bench gives Croyle a better shot at developing confidence and handling the mental pressure of being an NFL QB. The Chiefs will learn more about Croyle with him subbing. They should already know he’s not their QB of the future (too injury prone). The question now is Croyle KC’s No. 2 quarterback of the future?

Not only is this stupid, but he contradicts himself. Huard should start every game even if he throws four INTs. BUT Croyle should play if Huard struggles....hmmmm...

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

•Glenn Dorsey has not been effective through four NFL games.

I’m nowhere near ready to label him a bust. I am willing to admit concern. He seems to lack explosion in his lower and upper body. His punch seems ineffective, and his feet don’t appear to be all that quick. That’s not a good combination. Right now, he plays like a guy who needs to spend a solid year in the weight room.

That’s not all that unusual for rookie defensive tackles. Many of them come out of college with no real understanding of how to prepare physically for NFL success. You can get away with being out of shape in college. You get exposed in the NFL.

Maybe, but there aren't a lot of DTs that tear it up the first year.

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

•Branden Albert dislocated his elbow moments after I commented about how well he was playing against the Broncos.

I like Albert. He has a bright future. He had good technique on his pass sets, and he tried to deliver a blow in the run game.

Herb Taylor shocked the heck out of me with his solid performance in relief of Albert. When Albert returns, Taylor might warrant a look at replacing Damion McIntosh on the right side.

McIntosh should have been the backup LT or just damn released and Herbie should be on the right side from the start. Not exactly groundbreaking Whitlock.

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

•Larry Johnson did a great job last week when he interacted with Jim Brown during our town-hall discussion at the Gem Theater.

Larry offered some thoughtful commentary about current players providing support to retired NFL veterans, was very respectful in his comments toward Brown and played along and laughed when I asked him some tough questions about the then-winless Chiefs.

It was good to see the nonangry side of Larry.

After the Denver game, Kolby Smith asked me whether Jim Brown would be willing to come in every week to motivate Larry.

I’m working on it.

OK...

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

•No one is talking about it, but I thought Bernard Pollard played one of his better games against the Broncos.

Other than Derrick Johnson, who was marvelous, I thought Pollard was KC’s best defender on Sunday. He was a physical, sure tackler, and I thought he displayed a quickness that he didn’t have last season when he was 20 pounds heavier.

I thought Pollard's play had improved this year also, but Williams or Carr stole the show on Defense on Sunday. Not Pollard. But Pollard has been playing better.

[Sure-Oz]

I heard Sedrick Ellis has been pretty solid for NO, but he may have an injured knee now

[Tribal Warfare]

http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorysta...true&Submit=Go


Dorsey's not doing too bad amongst other rookie D-linemen

[KcMizzou]

•Tony Gonzalez’s immature reaction to not breaking the tight-end receiving record after Sunday’s victory over the Broncos was disappointing.

The Chiefs broke a 12-game losing streak, lifted themselves from being leaguewide laughingstocks, and Gonzalez thinks it’s appropriate to pout because he won’t break the yardage record at Arrowhead Stadium and have a brief on-field ceremony.

Wow. I’m “highly disappointed,” too.

Let’s say the Chiefs were getting plastered last week and Gonzalez broke the record late in the fourth quarter, would he have met with reporters after the game and talked about breaking the record?

Would he have said, “Yeah, the record doesn’t mean anything since we lost”? Or would he have dressed quickly and left the locker room, embarrassed by another defeat?

Not a good look, Tony. Not a good look at all.

I completely agree with this. (And I'm a huge Tony G. fan.)

If one of his teammates had said it, fine...

Coming from him... it's a little disappointing.

[Deberg_1990]

My thoughts on all this:

JWhit is 100% correct.

[HypnotizedMonkey]

I still refuse to see any point in leaving Croyle on the bench. This season was (and still is IMO) about seeing if this guy has what it takes. People get hurt in this game. Huard should remain #2 with a medium to short leash on Croyle. So Croyle fails... 1. We get a high draft spot... 2. We are SURE where he stands as a QB, and 3. It's not like we'll MAKE the playoffs anyway, and even if by some miracle we DO... what can you expect then?? not much. If Croyle doesn't fail, by which I mean he shows that he has the fortitude to stick it out and makes plays four quarters at a time and doesn't give the game away (a la Huard), then we can use a high draft pick on another position that needs bolstering. The guy hasn't played behind a solid O-line yet. KC has what looks to be an O-line coming together...FINALLY. Plus, the D is playing inspired ball.. which makes life a lot easier on a QB. I won't go out on a limb and say he's GOING to fail, or WILL succeed... but I just don't think he's had his fair shot yet.

[Mecca]

He's basically saying Croyle is not the Chiefs future starting QB, let Huard start and see how Croyle does in a backup role whether that be in relief of an ineffective starter or injury, he doesn't contradict himself either.

Most people think Croyle has already failed because he has answered a big question, he can't stay healthy.

[bkkcoh]

Originally Posted by Mecca

He's basically saying Croyle is not the Chiefs future starting QB, let Huard start and see how Croyle does in a backup role whether that be in relief of an ineffective starter or injury, he doesn't contradict himself either.

Most people think Croyle has already failed because he has answered a big question, he can't stay healthy.

Should the health of a QB be that heavily scrutinized when the offensive line is so offensive? Granted he is in his 3rd year and by now a QB should be making great strides if he has the ability to. What would he have been like if he would have had Roaf and Co in front of him?

[Mecca]

Originally Posted by bkkcoh

Should the health of a QB be that heavily scrutinized when the offensive line is so offensive? Granted he is in his 3rd year and by now a QB should be making great strides if he has the ability to. What would he have been like if he would have had Roaf and Co in front of him?

I believe it should because it was his #1 knock in the draft....if he had never been injured before I'd be more lax with it but he's never been able to stay healthy at any level and it was a huge question.

[Deberg_1990]

Sure, lets play Croyle when he returns...

Chances are, he gets hurt within two games and Huard will be right back out there again to close the season.

[triple]

Dorsey looked better last week, maybe he's turned the corner.

He's right that Pollard played one of his better games. He usually makes a lot of mistakes in the secondary but I can't remember any.

[King_Chief_Fan]

Originally Posted by HypnotizedMonkey

I still refuse to see any point in leaving Croyle on the bench. This season was (and still is IMO) about seeing if this guy has what it takes. People get hurt in this game. Huard should remain #2 with a medium to short leash on Croyle. So Croyle fails... 1. We get a high draft spot... 2. We are SURE where he stands as a QB, and 3. It's not like we'll MAKE the playoffs anyway, and even if by some miracle we DO... what can you expect then?? not much. If Croyle doesn't fail, by which I mean he shows that he has the fortitude to stick it out and makes plays four quarters at a time and doesn't give the game away (a la Huard), then we can use a high draft pick on another position that needs bolstering. The guy hasn't played behind a solid O-line yet. KC has what looks to be an O-line coming together...FINALLY. Plus, the D is playing inspired ball.. which makes life a lot easier on a QB. I won't go out on a limb and say he's GOING to fail, or WILL succeed... but I just don't think he's had his fair shot yet.

Croyle has already failed. Injured 3 times in 7 games. Look at his stats.What is there to prove? He is a bust. Time to win a few games with Huard and build confidence with the rest of the team. We will still have a high enough draft pick to get a QB. It will be a couple of more years before there is an oline good enough to hide Croyle behind. At that point just about any QB could play then.

[morphius]

Originally Posted by triple

Dorsey looked better last week, maybe he's turned the corner.

He's right that Pollard played one of his better games. He usually makes a lot of mistakes in the secondary but I can't remember any.

I actually think Pollard has played a lot better this year, Page it the one that one who has been really off of his game.

[HypnotizedMonkey]

Originally Posted by King_Chief_Fan

Croyle has already failed. Injured 3 times in 7 games. Look at his stats.What is there to prove? He is a bust. Time to win a few games with Huard and build confidence with the rest of the team. We will still have a high enough draft pick to get a QB. It will be a couple of more years before there is an oline good enough to hide Croyle behind. At that point just about any QB could play then.

I understand where you're coming from... believe me. I'm not a fan of Croyle. He is seemingly injury prone AND inaccurate. I know Huard can probably win a couple more games... Sure, what little confidence Huard can rise out of the team would be OK..but if He wins 3 or 4 games, it's really pointless because Huard won't be the QB when the O-line solidifies, so it really doesn't matter WHO is taking the snaps. We all know who Huard is as a player. Croyle at least has a chance to mature and learn... I say let Croyle play... let him get hurt if that's his destiny. At the end of this season, judge Croyle on how he handled the adversity when they put him back in.. not on crappy playing while surrounded by a crappy team to this point. From where I stand, this team had resigned to failure before the season even started, so what's a couple more wins? It will translate to less heat on the coaching staff and front office who, from a fan's standpoint, NEED that pressure on them... and they will sell a few more tickets. I'm not interested in that.