Chiefs Chiefs buzz: Croyle lacking game action

**Tribal Warfare** · 12-10-2010, 02:02 AM

Chiefs buzz: Croyle lacking game action

Practice isn’t like a game

Quarterback Brodie Croyle hasn’t played in a game since the preseason and now will probably start Sunday’s game against the Chargers in place of Matt Cassel. As much practice as the Chiefs give Croyle — it’s a considerable amount this week, but normally not much — practice isn’t the same as a game because it’s conducted at a much slower speed.

The Chiefs in recent weeks had several chances to get Croyle playing time. They fell hopelessly behind the Broncos in Denver a month ago and since then held sizable leads against the Cardinals and Seahawks in the fourth quarter.

In each case, coach Todd Haley kept Cassel in the game.

“With where you are in some of those games, you’re not going to be throwing the football,” Haley said. “I don’t know that you’re not getting some of the same things in practice.”

Cassel didn’t practice again Thursday after having an appendectomy a day earlier. Unless the Chiefs break one of Haley’s rules, Cassel would have to practice today to play in San Diego.

“The policy is you have to have some semblance of practice,” Haley said. “We’ll see as the week plays out exactly where we are. Right now we’ve got two days under our belt, and we’ve got two more left.”

Getting the ball to Bowe

The Chiefs failed to get the ball to wide receiver Dwayne Bowe in last week’s game against Denver, and it’s probably no coincidence they scored only 10 points in beating the Broncos. The Chargers undoubtedly took note of the connection and will probably make a similar effort to take Bowe out of the game.

“That can’t be something that we allow to happen one way or another,” Haley said. “It’s our job as coaches to find ways to help the receivers. It’s the receiver’s duty to continue to step his game up against the competition and make plays. That’s what I fully expect from Dwayne. He’s trying to continue to make steps to being a really good player in the league, and this is the next step for him, going against really good competition that knows he’s one of the guys that gets the football a bunch.”

Wiegmann can relate

Center Casey Wiegmann missed the final exhibition game and the regular-season opener in 2001 after having an appendectomy in a procedure similar to Cassel’s.

“It took me a couple of weeks,” Wiegmann said. “They didn’t want to rush me back too fast. I could have played in one week, but they just didn’t want to risk it for the rest of the year.”

Injury report

The Chiefs made one change to their practice report. They said reserve defensive back Donald Washington (ankle) was limited in practice. He didn’t practice the day before.

Safety Kendrick Lewis (ankle) was also limited. Cassel was the only other player listed, and he didn’t practice because of what the Chiefs continued to call an illness.

12-10-2010, 02:02 AM	Topic Starter
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-3007187	Chiefs buzz: Croyle lacking game action Chiefs buzz: Croyle lacking game action Practice isn’t like a game Quarterback Brodie Croyle hasn’t played in a game since the preseason and now will probably start Sunday’s game against the Chargers in place of Matt Cassel. As much practice as the Chiefs give Croyle — it’s a considerable amount this week, but normally not much — practice isn’t the same as a game because it’s conducted at a much slower speed. The Chiefs in recent weeks had several chances to get Croyle playing time. They fell hopelessly behind the Broncos in Denver a month ago and since then held sizable leads against the Cardinals and Seahawks in the fourth quarter. In each case, coach Todd Haley kept Cassel in the game. “With where you are in some of those games, you’re not going to be throwing the football,” Haley said. “I don’t know that you’re not getting some of the same things in practice.” Cassel didn’t practice again Thursday after having an appendectomy a day earlier. Unless the Chiefs break one of Haley’s rules, Cassel would have to practice today to play in San Diego. “The policy is you have to have some semblance of practice,” Haley said. “We’ll see as the week plays out exactly where we are. Right now we’ve got two days under our belt, and we’ve got two more left.” Getting the ball to Bowe The Chiefs failed to get the ball to wide receiver Dwayne Bowe in last week’s game against Denver, and it’s probably no coincidence they scored only 10 points in beating the Broncos. The Chargers undoubtedly took note of the connection and will probably make a similar effort to take Bowe out of the game. “That can’t be something that we allow to happen one way or another,” Haley said. “It’s our job as coaches to find ways to help the receivers. It’s the receiver’s duty to continue to step his game up against the competition and make plays. That’s what I fully expect from Dwayne. He’s trying to continue to make steps to being a really good player in the league, and this is the next step for him, going against really good competition that knows he’s one of the guys that gets the football a bunch.” Wiegmann can relate Center Casey Wiegmann missed the final exhibition game and the regular-season opener in 2001 after having an appendectomy in a procedure similar to Cassel’s. “It took me a couple of weeks,” Wiegmann said. “They didn’t want to rush me back too fast. I could have played in one week, but they just didn’t want to risk it for the rest of the year.” Injury report The Chiefs made one change to their practice report. They said reserve defensive back Donald Washington (ankle) was limited in practice. He didn’t practice the day before. Safety Kendrick Lewis (ankle) was also limited. Cassel was the only other player listed, and he didn’t practice because of what the Chiefs continued to call an illness.
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