Chiefs AP:Huard says losing streak taking toll on KC

**Tribal Warfare** · 09-25-2008, 08:54 PM

Huard says losing streak taking toll on KC

By DOUG TUCKER, AP Sports Writer 4 hours, 43 minutes ago

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP)—Kansas City’s 12-game losing streak “is taking a toll on everybody,” says the weary-looking quarterback who’ll try to end the slide this week.

“It gets old. It’s tough,” said Damon Huard. “All we need is one win. You start with one.”

For the second time in three games, Huard will start at quarterback for the winless Chiefs on Sunday against the high-scoring Denver Broncos (3-0).

A career backup who’s had both good games and bad in a well-traveled 12-year career, Huard was benched last week while Tyler Thigpen got his first NFL start against Atlanta. But after throwing three interceptions in a lopsided loss, Thigpen goes back to the bench and Huard gets elevated once again.

In the meantime, regular starter Brodie Croyle is not expected to return from an opening-day shoulder injury until mid-October and Huard admits he’s never been involved in such an unsettled signal-caller environment.

“But when you’ve lost as many games in a row as we have, you’ve got to do that, you’ve got to make those sort of moves and try to figure a way to win a game,” he said. “I haven’t been on a losing streak like this at any level of sports.

“You’re trying to do whatever you can, turn over every stone to try to win a football game.”

Making prospects even worse for KC, two of the few veterans on the rookie-laden roster will be sidelined with injury. Coach Herm Edwards said linebacker Donnie Edwards would be out with an ankle problem and replaced by Demorrio Williams.

Cornerback Pat Surtain will miss a second straight start with a shoulder injury, meaning the Chiefs will start two rookie cornerbacks against a Denver offense averaging 38 points and more than 430 yards.

The Chiefs, who haven’t won a regular-season game since Oct. 21, 2007, have been scoring only 10.7 points a game.

Huard said the Chiefs will not be “amped-up” because the Broncos are an AFC West division rival.

“It’s amped-up because we’ve lost 12 games in a row. We need to go out and find a way to win this ballgame,” he said. “The working environment would certainly be a lot better.”

After starting on Sept. 14 against Oakland, Huard sustained a neck injury and had to come out. He declined to answer when asked specifically if he was 100 percent healthy.

“Everybody as the season rolls on gets a little nicked up,” he said. “I’ll be all right.”

Thigpen said he’ll be standing by, ready to come in.

“I’m still preparing myself to play because any time you’re the backup, you never know what might happen,” he said. “I definitely feel good about getting some experience out there. There are some things I could have done better. But those are things you learn from and you move on.”

09-25-2008, 08:54 PM	Topic Starter
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-3007187	AP:Huard says losing streak taking toll on KC Huard says losing streak taking toll on KC By DOUG TUCKER, AP Sports Writer 4 hours, 43 minutes ago KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP)—Kansas City’s 12-game losing streak “is taking a toll on everybody,” says the weary-looking quarterback who’ll try to end the slide this week. “It gets old. It’s tough,” said Damon Huard. “All we need is one win. You start with one.” For the second time in three games, Huard will start at quarterback for the winless Chiefs on Sunday against the high-scoring Denver Broncos (3-0). A career backup who’s had both good games and bad in a well-traveled 12-year career, Huard was benched last week while Tyler Thigpen got his first NFL start against Atlanta. But after throwing three interceptions in a lopsided loss, Thigpen goes back to the bench and Huard gets elevated once again. In the meantime, regular starter Brodie Croyle is not expected to return from an opening-day shoulder injury until mid-October and Huard admits he’s never been involved in such an unsettled signal-caller environment. “But when you’ve lost as many games in a row as we have, you’ve got to do that, you’ve got to make those sort of moves and try to figure a way to win a game,” he said. “I haven’t been on a losing streak like this at any level of sports. “You’re trying to do whatever you can, turn over every stone to try to win a football game.” Making prospects even worse for KC, two of the few veterans on the rookie-laden roster will be sidelined with injury. Coach Herm Edwards said linebacker Donnie Edwards would be out with an ankle problem and replaced by Demorrio Williams. Cornerback Pat Surtain will miss a second straight start with a shoulder injury, meaning the Chiefs will start two rookie cornerbacks against a Denver offense averaging 38 points and more than 430 yards. The Chiefs, who haven’t won a regular-season game since Oct. 21, 2007, have been scoring only 10.7 points a game. Huard said the Chiefs will not be “amped-up” because the Broncos are an AFC West division rival. “It’s amped-up because we’ve lost 12 games in a row. We need to go out and find a way to win this ballgame,” he said. “The working environment would certainly be a lot better.” After starting on Sept. 14 against Oakland, Huard sustained a neck injury and had to come out. He declined to answer when asked specifically if he was 100 percent healthy. “Everybody as the season rolls on gets a little nicked up,” he said. “I’ll be all right.” Thigpen said he’ll be standing by, ready to come in. “I’m still preparing myself to play because any time you’re the backup, you never know what might happen,” he said. “I definitely feel good about getting some experience out there. There are some things I could have done better. But those are things you learn from and you move on.”
Posts: 43,454