Whitlock: Chiefs must stick with Huard

Hammock Parties · 09-30-2007, 10:25 PM

Whitlock: Chiefs must stick with Huard

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chi...ry/298016.html

SAN DIEGO | Damon Huard reads the newspaper, too. And that very well could explain Kansas City’s bi-polar offense, which goes into mania once it’s behind two scores and has just 30 minutes to play.

The team that desperately wants to bench Huard is stuck with him for at least another week, thanks to a second-half offensive explosion that helped the Chiefs erase a double-digit halftime deficit and beat the free-falling San Diego Chargers 30-16 inside Qualcomm Stadium.

You can’t sit Huard when he’s riding a two-game winning streak and the Chiefs are tied for first in the AFC West at 2-2. You can’t sit Huard after he lit up the Chargers with 188 passing yards and two TDs in the second half. And you can’t sit Huard after he’s started to establish special chemistry with rookie receiver Dwayne Bowe, the big-play, athletic receiver the Chiefs have been hunting throughout the Carl Peterson era.

Yeah, the Bowe Show made an encore. A week after a solid showing against the Vikings, the Bowe Show went Randy Moss on the Chargers, turning eight receptions into a club rookie record of 164 yards and one game-breaking, 51-yard TD catch-‘n’-run.

The Bowe Show should only get better when Eddie Kennison gets back on the field next week. Honestly, I don’t remember Huard ever looking at No. 2 receiver Samie Parker. Huard, smartly, had two targets on Sunday — Bowe and Tony Gonzalez. Kansas City’s offense has an identity and a pecking order, and that’s a good thing.

Gonzalez had five catches for 71 yards. He hauled in the game-tying TD, a 22-yarder caught over two defenders while falling backward. Gonzalez did what he’s supposed to do. And so did Huard.

Yep, the Chiefs are stuck with Huard and his 79.6 QB rating. Kansas City’s coaching staff might want to blame Huard for the team’s slow starts — the Chiefs have trailed by at least two scores in every game this season — but Herm Edwards has to credit Huard for KC’s exciting finishes, too.

“Damon threw the ball in places where last week he wasn’t comfortable throwing,” Edwards said after Sunday’s game.

Hmm, anyone ever think Huard might be more willing to let it rip downfield in the first half if it weren’t so apparent that Edwards would prefer to play Brodie Croyle?

It’s not all that hard to understand. Huard is a reflection of his head coach. He’s told not to lose the game, and he’s aware that the head coach would love to play the kid quarterback, so Huard does whatever he can to avoid mistakes. When the Chiefs fall behind and Huard has no choice but to throw downfield, Huard reverts to the quarterback we saw in 2006, the QB playing with the casino’s money.

Remember, in 2006 there was absolutely no pressure on Damon Huard. He filled in for Trent Green; no one expected much from a career journeyman, and Croyle certainly wasn’t ready to play.

The Chiefs were stuck with Huard then, too.

Obviously, I like Huard. I like Edwards and Croyle, too. I just think this offensive coaching staff needs to be watched and scrutinized very closely because offense is Herm’s weakness, and he doesn’t realize it.

Given the turmoil and chaos within the San Diego organization due to Marty Schottenheimer’s dismissal and Norv Turner’s pathetic coaching, beating the Chargers in San Diego isn’t really all that impressive.

The Chiefs were sloppy and looked horribly coached in the first half. LaDainian Tomlinson ran for more than 100 yards in the opening half (and disappeared in the second half because of Norv’s stupidity). Penalties, poor pass protection and an all-Larry Johnson field-goal drive kept the Chiefs out of the end zone.

The Chiefs won’t get away with sleepwalking offensively through every first half. It’s nice that they’re 2-2 after playing three road games in four weeks, but I’m not sure they’ve faced a 2007-08 playoff team yet.

“We’re not close to where we need to be,” Edwards acknowledged.

Huard, for now, gives the Chiefs their best chance of getting there — whether Herm likes it or not.

FloridaMan88 · 09-30-2007, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOATSE

Huard is a reflection of his head coach. He’s told not to lose the game, and he’s aware that the head coach would love to play the kid quarterback, so Huard does whatever he can to avoid mistakes.

This is what I posted earlier today. When Huard doesn't look downfield and checks down to more conservative plays that is a direct reflection of Herm/Slowlari/Curled Dick's ultra-conservative philosophy.

With Bowe's emergence, the coaching staff needs to give Huard (as long as he's the starting QB) the green light to be aggressive in attacking downfield EARLY in games.

Hootie · 09-30-2007, 10:30 PM

WHAT?! NO! THIS CAN'T BE!!!! MAN, WHAT A HORRIBLE SEASON THIS IS TURNING INTO! I WAS REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT 4 WIN SEASON SO WE COULD GET A REALLY HIGH PICK SO I WOULDN'T FALL ASLEEP AND MISS OUR PICK IN THE EARLY 20'S LIKE USUAL! THIS IS BULLSHIT. I'M EMAILING HERM EDWARS AND TELLING HIM HE IS NOT SMART. I'M OUTRAGED.

Hootie · 09-30-2007, 10:31 PM

What the coaching staff should do is, NOW, TO THE MEDIA, make a Lovie Smith-esque statement...

"Damon is our QB."

TAKE THE PRESSURE OFF

Damon is the man when he heaves it to his playmakers...something TrINT would never do.

**luv** · 09-30-2007, 10:32 PM

Is it possible that Herm allowing us to pass more has more to do with his increasing confidence in our receivers rather than our QB? I'm not mocking. It's a serious question.

I agree that we keep Huard in. He's getting paid to not lose, and, with the help of receivers being able to hang on to the ball, he's doing his job.

Hootie · 09-30-2007, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luv

Is it possible that Herm allowing us to pass more has more to do with his increasing confidence in our receivers rather than our QB? I'm not mocking. It's a serious question.

I agree that we keep Huard in. He's getting paid to not lose, and, with the help of receivers being able to hang on to the ball, he's doing his job.

Can you just stay out of the football threads?

**luv** · 09-30-2007, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hootie

Can you just stay out of the football threads?

No.

FloridaMan88 · 09-30-2007, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hootie

Damon is the man when he heaves it to his playmakers...something TrINT would never do.

Yeah because Trent never got the ball to his playmakers when from 2002-2005 when he orchestrated the most productive offense in franchise history.

And during that time he never had a WR as talented as Bowe.

When Huard throws for 25+ TDs and over 4,000 yards in a season alert us.

**luv** · 09-30-2007, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hootie

What the coaching staff should do is, NOW, TO THE MEDIA, make a Lovie Smith-esque statement...

"Damon is our QB."

TAKE THE PRESSURE OFF

Bingo.

Hootie · 09-30-2007, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCChiefsfan88

Yeah because Trent never got the ball to his playmakers when from 2002-2005 when he orchestrated the most productive offense in franchise history.

And during that time he never had a WR as talented as Bowe.

When Huard throws for 25+ TDs and over 4,000 yards in a season alert us.

When Huard has Roaf at LT, Tait at RT, Richardson at FB, alert us...

I'm talking about when no one is open, or when the blitz is coming, Green would either find an open guy or take a sack (last few years option B was seen quite a bit more than option A) Damon just says **** it and throws it up for Bowe or Tony G to make a play...I like that.

DFB · 09-30-2007, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hootie

What the coaching staff should do is, NOW, TO THE MEDIA, make a Lovie Smith-esque statement...

"Damon is our QB."

TAKE THE PRESSURE OFF

I wish! That would be the best thing for the offense.

DFB · 09-30-2007, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOATSE

Huard, for now, gives the Chiefs their best chance of getting there — whether Herm likes it or not.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 09-30-2007, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hootie

When Huard has Roaf at LT, Tait at RT, Richardson at FB, alert us...

I'm talking about when no one is open, or when the blitz is coming, Green would either find an open guy or take a sack (last few years option B was seen quite a bit more than option A) Damon just says **** it and throws it up for Bowe or Tony G to make a play...I like that.

Does your illiterate ass know how many times Tony went up to catch jump balls from Trent from 2001-05, or are you just talking about of your GOATSE-stretched hole again (not direct at you GC)

ChiefsCountry · 09-30-2007, 10:56 PM

Its GoChiefs, Hootie, and the noob from Memphis in a Huard love fest thread imagine that.

Hootie · 09-30-2007, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Does your illiterate ass know how many times Tony went up to catch jump balls from Trent from 2001-05, or are you just talking about of your GOATSE-stretched hole again (not direct at you GC)

Actually, Trent (when he first was with the Chiefs) struggled to get the ball to Tony Gonzalez...GrBac had much better chemistry with Tony Gonzalez then Trent Green had...

The reason I took Tony Gonzalez in all of my fantasy leagues this year is because Huard throws the ball to him A LOT more than Green ever did...Gonzalez had his best games with Huard in the lineup last year.

09-30-2007, 10:25 PM
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4640478	Whitlock: Chiefs must stick with Huard Whitlock: Chiefs must stick with Huard http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chi...ry/298016.html SAN DIEGO \| Damon Huard reads the newspaper, too. And that very well could explain Kansas City’s bi-polar offense, which goes into mania once it’s behind two scores and has just 30 minutes to play. The team that desperately wants to bench Huard is stuck with him for at least another week, thanks to a second-half offensive explosion that helped the Chiefs erase a double-digit halftime deficit and beat the free-falling San Diego Chargers 30-16 inside Qualcomm Stadium. You can’t sit Huard when he’s riding a two-game winning streak and the Chiefs are tied for first in the AFC West at 2-2. You can’t sit Huard after he lit up the Chargers with 188 passing yards and two TDs in the second half. And you can’t sit Huard after he’s started to establish special chemistry with rookie receiver Dwayne Bowe, the big-play, athletic receiver the Chiefs have been hunting throughout the Carl Peterson era. Yeah, the Bowe Show made an encore. A week after a solid showing against the Vikings, the Bowe Show went Randy Moss on the Chargers, turning eight receptions into a club rookie record of 164 yards and one game-breaking, 51-yard TD catch-‘n’-run. The Bowe Show should only get better when Eddie Kennison gets back on the field next week. Honestly, I don’t remember Huard ever looking at No. 2 receiver Samie Parker. Huard, smartly, had two targets on Sunday — Bowe and Tony Gonzalez. Kansas City’s offense has an identity and a pecking order, and that’s a good thing. Gonzalez had five catches for 71 yards. He hauled in the game-tying TD, a 22-yarder caught over two defenders while falling backward. Gonzalez did what he’s supposed to do. And so did Huard. Yep, the Chiefs are stuck with Huard and his 79.6 QB rating. Kansas City’s coaching staff might want to blame Huard for the team’s slow starts — the Chiefs have trailed by at least two scores in every game this season — but Herm Edwards has to credit Huard for KC’s exciting finishes, too. “Damon threw the ball in places where last week he wasn’t comfortable throwing,” Edwards said after Sunday’s game. Hmm, anyone ever think Huard might be more willing to let it rip downfield in the first half if it weren’t so apparent that Edwards would prefer to play Brodie Croyle? It’s not all that hard to understand. Huard is a reflection of his head coach. He’s told not to lose the game, and he’s aware that the head coach would love to play the kid quarterback, so Huard does whatever he can to avoid mistakes. When the Chiefs fall behind and Huard has no choice but to throw downfield, Huard reverts to the quarterback we saw in 2006, the QB playing with the casino’s money. Remember, in 2006 there was absolutely no pressure on Damon Huard. He filled in for Trent Green; no one expected much from a career journeyman, and Croyle certainly wasn’t ready to play. The Chiefs were stuck with Huard then, too. Obviously, I like Huard. I like Edwards and Croyle, too. I just think this offensive coaching staff needs to be watched and scrutinized very closely because offense is Herm’s weakness, and he doesn’t realize it. Given the turmoil and chaos within the San Diego organization due to Marty Schottenheimer’s dismissal and Norv Turner’s pathetic coaching, beating the Chargers in San Diego isn’t really all that impressive. The Chiefs were sloppy and looked horribly coached in the first half. LaDainian Tomlinson ran for more than 100 yards in the opening half (and disappeared in the second half because of Norv’s stupidity). Penalties, poor pass protection and an all-Larry Johnson field-goal drive kept the Chiefs out of the end zone. The Chiefs won’t get away with sleepwalking offensively through every first half. It’s nice that they’re 2-2 after playing three road games in four weeks, but I’m not sure they’ve faced a 2007-08 playoff team yet. “We’re not close to where we need to be,” Edwards acknowledged. Huard, for now, gives the Chiefs their best chance of getting there — whether Herm likes it or not.
Posts: 278,091

09-30-2007, 10:30 PM	#3
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	WHAT?! NO! THIS CAN'T BE!!!! MAN, WHAT A HORRIBLE SEASON THIS IS TURNING INTO! I WAS REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT 4 WIN SEASON SO WE COULD GET A REALLY HIGH PICK SO I WOULDN'T FALL ASLEEP AND MISS OUR PICK IN THE EARLY 20'S LIKE USUAL! THIS IS BULLSHIT. I'M EMAILING HERM EDWARS AND TELLING HIM HE IS NOT SMART. I'M OUTRAGED.
Posts: 56,356

09-30-2007, 10:31 PM	#4
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	What the coaching staff should do is, NOW, TO THE MEDIA, make a Lovie Smith-esque statement... "Damon is our QB." TAKE THE PRESSURE OFF Damon is the man when he heaves it to his playmakers...something TrINT would never do.
Posts: 56,356

09-30-2007, 10:32 PM	#5
luv MY LITTLE #15 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Springfield, MO Casino cash: $6199600	Is it possible that Herm allowing us to pass more has more to do with his increasing confidence in our receivers rather than our QB? I'm not mocking. It's a serious question. I agree that we keep Huard in. He's getting paid to not lose, and, with the help of receivers being able to hang on to the ball, he's doing his job.
Posts: 63,432

09-30-2007, 10:56 PM	#14
ChiefsCountry The Insider Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake of the Ozarks Casino cash: $2248752	Its GoChiefs, Hootie, and the noob from Memphis in a Huard love fest thread imagine that.
Posts: 49,649