I Underestimated Damon Huard

by Ridiculous Matt on Sep 28, 2008 3:21 PM CDT

I'll have the crow, hold the mayo.

I underestimated how much simple confidence counts in this league. He played with competence, which is more than Croyle or Thigpen has shown this season. He made the throws when he needed to and didn't turn the ball over. That's the biggest key for this team. With some teams you can survive turnovers. Not this offense. It's part of the fundamental elements of the Herm philosophy.

He's obviously not a long term answer at 35 and yeah, he can't throw downfield. But I don't know why it matters in this offense. We're never going downfield anyway. So why not let Damon just manage the team.

I was wrong. Damon should start, even when Brodie comes back.

Until next week. :)

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Arrowhead Pride's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Arrowhead Pride writers or editors.

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I agree

Unless Huard really botches it up the next game, he should get the start over brodie croycle. I think that we saw today that the youth movement will improve faster if we have a qb that is “solid”. I’m not saying spetacular, but “solid”. Here is to you Damon. (You should have started our wild card playoff game 2 years ago)

by Prospero15 on Sep 28, 2008 3:31 PM CDT 0 recs

Rec

It’ll be a sweet, sweet reminder when this is sitting up top.

by primetime 07 on Sep 28, 2008 3:31 PM CDT 0 recs

Way to take the high road

I still want to see Brodie a bit more though

I strive to be the person my dog thinks I am.

by KCking on Sep 28, 2008 3:35 PM CDT 0 recs

I'm Fine With Croyle Playing

He needs some playing time. But he shouldn’t start over Huard until Huard shows he doesn’t belong out there.

Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.

by UCrawford on Sep 28, 2008 3:39 PM CDT up 0 recs

I agree

Huard’s performance today earned him one more start

I strive to be the person my dog thinks I am.

by KCking on Sep 28, 2008 3:40 PM CDT up 0 recs

The confidence

gives us time to get that new offensive line settled

Blame my wife!

by sir eccles on Sep 28, 2008 3:37 PM CDT 0 recs

Don't Take It Too Hard

I was completely wrong about the outcome of the game, and the Chiefs overall looked like a decent football team out there today. So there’s plenty of crow to go around :)

Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.

by UCrawford on Sep 28, 2008 3:37 PM CDT 0 recs

I will have mine

With some BBQ sauce please, they played well today. But did they blow their whole wad today?

by Eric Allen on Sep 28, 2008 5:23 PM CDT up 0 recs

Peaks and Valleys

Young teams will have great games and they will have horrible games. I’m guessing we still have more horrible games to come than great ones, but it gives us a taste of what is down the road.

by ChiefDJ on Sep 28, 2008 5:31 PM CDT up 0 recs

Maybe

I am happy they won, but still not sold on Hermball. I remember the SD game in SD last year, a thirty to sixteen win, the offense became invisible again, just sayin.

by Eric Allen on Sep 28, 2008 5:35 PM CDT up 0 recs

How bout we just enjoy the win today?

Some people (not you) seem to be more pissed that we won because they think it hurts their grudge against Herm and Carl.

Let’s just enjoy the first Chiefs victory in a year today and I’m sure there will be plenty more opportunities for Herm/Carl bashing the rest of the season.

by ChiefDJ on Sep 28, 2008 6:13 PM CDT up 0 recs

I'm Still Tempering My Enthusiasm

Until I see another game similar to this during this season. I’m happy about the win, but like Eric said, we’ve been down this road before.

Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.

by UCrawford on Sep 28, 2008 7:05 PM CDT up 0 recs

I completely agree with you

This is just one game and does not mean that all the sudden we’re ready to be playoff contenders. But still, it was a good day.

by ChiefDJ on Sep 28, 2008 7:41 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yes

It was. :)

Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.

by UCrawford on Sep 28, 2008 9:08 PM CDT up 0 recs

well, sorta

Huard also kept throwing to the sideline way too often forcing receivers into bad spots.

this game was won on the backs of LJ (finally stepped up) and the defense.

Still, I am glad to see some units come together. the O line really stepped up the run blocking and could still use some help in pass blocking. overall though, good show of potential.

by bigbearomaha on Sep 28, 2008 3:43 PM CDT 0 recs

Long time no see

LJ definitely changes this offense when he gets going. It’s nice to see that again.

by primetime 07 on Sep 28, 2008 3:46 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yeah...

this game was won on the backs of LJ (finally stepped up) and the defense.

That’s good. That is how it should be because it appears that if this team is going to win games, that is going to be the recipe.

http://www.kcchiefsfootball.com/
Go Chiefs!

by bigknoxy on Sep 29, 2008 1:46 PM CDT up 0 recs

Big Up Matt

For admitting when you’re wrong. I’m just surprised it took you this long over the course of the past seasons to realize Damon’s “solid”. I initially hated Damon more than the next guy because he’s not our answer, but I’ll be damned if he isn’t more consistent than anyyone we got. That’s what veteran leadership gives you and Damon has shown me once again he’s the go to guy. After his performance against NE I can’t help but wonder if we forfeited our last two games simply by not playing Damon. Injury, shminjury..

http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2008/9/23/620511/huard-the-likely-qb-choice Just on the borderline of “I told you so”. I was confident that if Larry got 20+ carries & Damon stayed in that we’d win

It’s not the Damon detractors that make me mad, its the DJ & LJ one’s. Hope their crow tastes good tonight

by KansasCityShuffle on Sep 28, 2008 3:47 PM CDT 0 recs

Team

Don’t you think this is what we should expect? A very young very up and down team had a good game. But we may not win more than two in a row this year. They play like acollege team, emotional, because well they ARE a college team!

by dklogue1 on Sep 28, 2008 4:21 PM CDT 0 recs

Props to Huard

I don’t know about starting him when Croyle comes back, but he definately should be starting over Thigpen.

by ChiefDJ on Sep 28, 2008 4:23 PM CDT 0 recs

I don't know about Huard starting over Croyle just yet.

If he plays well again next week though, then definitely don’t rush Croyle back if he’s not 100%.

by Vince D on Sep 28, 2008 4:44 PM CDT 0 recs

I Concur

Let’s congratulate Damon, maybe get him a pizza, but we’re 1-3 with a bunch of rookies, let’s not fool ourselves into thinking Huard superbowl. We’ve put too much into Croyle not to evaluate him. If he sinks*, bench him, put him on waivers, bring on Damonpalooza, but let’s not get carried away.

*as in sink or swim, not forgetting the “t”

by Official Arrowhead Pride Parade on Sep 28, 2008 5:11 PM CDT 0 recs

Let's avoid calls

for trading LJ and cutting Huard for at least two weeks. Ok?

by NJChiefsFan on Sep 28, 2008 6:30 PM CDT 0 recs

Better yet

For the rest of the season. Why? Because both would be pointless and beyond moot points

by KansasCityShuffle on Sep 28, 2008 7:10 PM CDT up 0 recs

Agreed

I think it’s safe to say that barring complete collapse on the part of Huard for multiple games, nobody wants to see Tyler Thigpen getting more starts this season.

Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.

by UCrawford on Sep 28, 2008 7:11 PM CDT up 0 recs

Defense

It’s the defense that deserves the game ball.

by FanSinceLen on Sep 28, 2008 7:13 PM CDT 0 recs

Sure helps

When you dont have Bones out there turning it over or setting us up for a quick 3-n-out. Our defense was allowed to keep fresh and that was a big difference from today compared to 3 previous weeks

by KansasCityShuffle on Sep 28, 2008 7:28 PM CDT up 0 recs

Props for the O line, too

Both rushing and pass protection. At least for today. And the improvement.

by sunny D on Sep 28, 2008 9:29 PM CDT 0 recs

Speaking of O line

Any news on Albert? I love to see Herb get in there but not at the expense of Albert. I hope Herb played well enough to get a start on the right side.

by Shawn on Sep 28, 2008 9:41 PM CDT 0 recs

how long???

they said it was a dislocated elbow on the tv and I read that he hyperextended it. does anybody here know how seriour an injury like that is and what the time frame for recovery is????

by KCWolfff on Sep 29, 2008 12:39 AM CDT up 0 recs

It depends on how bad it is.

But it looked pretty bad from the look on his face as they carted him out. I’d say that’s probably equivalent to Brodie’s shoulder injury in terms of how long he’d be out. A lineman has gotta use his elbows, and they have to be fully healed for him to get back in there and be effective. Sadly, I think we’re gonna be looking at a month out… luckily, one of those is a bye week.

by Vince D on Sep 29, 2008 3:41 AM CDT up 0 recs

Matt, I dont think you have anything to apologize for as it relates to Huard

your a fan and you expressed your thoughts. Huard did fine today “managing not to lose the game”. I am still concerned on why Huard did not play against the Falcons and whether it was a problem between him and Herm. Not playing him because he was “pissed at him” as I have read is an immature decision on the head coaches part and did not give the team their best chance to win, as it should be every week.
As far as Croyle goes, when he returns it should be the best player available to get the ball.

I have a feeling Taylor make take over in the bye week for Macintosh, if Albert is back, they are just waiting to see how it all plays out. No news flash, just a gut feeling.

by Lanier63 on Sep 28, 2008 9:52 PM CDT 0 recs

It would be a highlight

of the year for me if Taylor and/or Richardson got playing time this year to develop

by KansasCityShuffle on Sep 28, 2008 10:05 PM CDT up 0 recs

Huard No, Brodie Yes

i am still sticking to youth movement, i like to to see whether brodie can be a long term solution at QB…

by ali_djoo on Sep 29, 2008 12:43 AM CDT 0 recs

Absolutely not Huard...

I like Huard but today all he showed is what we have known all along, he is a good BACKUP…He can come in and manage a game when your guy goes down and if you have enough other pieces in place (Like LJ running wild on a Denver D) he can come out with a win. BUT, let’s remember what happens when he is given the starter job…let us not forget last season.

I am excited to see Brodie come back in a few weeks…it should be decent…

gosh, it seems like such a long time ago and a different world when we saw Tyler Thigpen start for the Chiefs…it was like…hell…an entirely different team…

by woodman212 on Sep 29, 2008 1:12 AM CDT 0 recs

The Alcohol felt good today....

Damon gets an ATTABOy from me, but anyone would look good with LJ running like that today. The ’08 Broncos looked like the ’03 Chiefs, all offense until someone showed the rest of the league how to attack the broncos suspect defense.

This felt GOOD to beat the donkeys at home! Especially with Tony surpassing Sharpe for most yards as a TE! Beat the Donkeys and that donkey TE all on the same day.

33 pts. WOW ….what an offensive explosion.

by aPacificChief on Sep 29, 2008 8:05 AM CDT 0 recs

Almost took the record

Two more yards would have done it!

by Eric Allen on Sep 29, 2008 8:19 AM CDT up 0 recs

Per NFL.com

He is 3 yards short of the record.

by primetime 07 on Sep 29, 2008 9:20 AM CDT up 0 recs

Aaawwhh mannn.....That would of been the icing on the cinnabon with the a win and record

by aPacificChief on Sep 29, 2008 3:44 PM CDT 0 recs

Why would we start Huard over Croyle?

Not only are we unable to give croyle a fair analysis (granted he can stay healthy), but even if we do win 6+ games, it’s not like we are going to win the superbowl. All that would do is set us back another year by giving us a mediocre draft pick instead of a top 5.

We can’t stop now, we are already too far into the rebuilding process to get sucked back into trying to win meaningless games. With croyle, evaluation and progression come first, winning is just a bonus. At this point, playing Huard would just be a waste of a season, and for what? Just so that we can go 5-11 instead of 3-13?

We need to put croyle back in as soon as possible so that we can find out if he is the quarterback of the future or not. All huard does is sweep the problems under the rug yet again (much like in the simpsons when Marge goes away, and when she returns the carpet is like an ocean of waves).

We need to stick with croyle whether or not he wins us games so that come draft time, either we are sitting pretty with a good quarterback, or we are in a good position to spend a high draft pick (and unfortunatly a high dollar amount as well) on a quarterback who we can be sure of in the future.

However, just to set the record straight, I am a big fan of huard. The guy is the definition of class, and I hope he stays with the Chiefs until he retires.

by Ben S on Oct 1, 2008 10:31 PM CDT 0 recs

I think the idea is

That Croyle or Thigpen stunts the development of the rest of the offense. Last week we looked great running the ball and didn’t turn it over in the passing game. Why not keep it up?

by primetime 07 on Oct 2, 2008 6:25 PM CDT up 0 recs

HUARD

10-10 as a Chiefs starter, he does his job and if other people did theres he would have more wins (not to say he hasnt lost some of those)

by DuctTapeMessiah on Oct 1, 2008 11:23 PM CDT 0 recs

.500 is good?

He gets way to much credit. Everybody loves the backup.

by cmpotter on Oct 5, 2008 7:12 PM CDT up 0 recs

I wont even say...

“I told you so”, Ridiculous Matt…. But I respect that you were man enough to admit you were wrong.

by ROC 27 on Oct 2, 2008 2:18 PM CDT 0 recs

Changing my Mind

My original thoughs were that I wanted Croyle back in immediately when he is healthy, but I’m having second thoughts.

1. I’ve always respected Huards abilities to manage the game and make things happen. He is good. Not great, but good. He has th eability to provide better development of the receivers and keep the offense on the field, which will also help our defensive confidence in the team as a whole. We probably have more of a chance to win with Daemon right now. All around better for the team.

2. Brodie is still a bit raw and developing. He is young and can still learn the patience and management skills from Huard. It isn’t a bad thing, and is often the case, where solid QBs are bench and clipboard managers for 5 years prior to getting their shot at starting. I don’t think we have to push so hard for him to be “the man” today, or tomorrow. He still could use some time learning prior to taking over completely.

3. This season has significance on so many levels. Rookie development, coaches’ jobs, draft placement, attitudes and contracts for veteran players, and confidence and pride for all. Every win DOES matter in the long run. I don’t expect a lot, but every positive gain will impact the entire team, as will every negative event. If Brodie comes back in and isn’t ready, or loses a game from an inexperienced mistake, then the negative result may be more than just an L in the win/loss column. If we lose a game with Huard, it will most likely be an overall team loss, and not wholely placed on his shoulders.

Again, I like Huard, but knowing he is 35 and not going to be here in one or two more years means we have to have another QB, but I’d be content with him being at #1 for a bit longer. Brodie does need game time to develop, but that doesn’t mean the entire game, nor does that mean he has to develop under the worst possible conditions. Let the line continue to get better, let the receivers improve, let him be 100% healthy, then get him in slowly. It may pay off in the long run.

by TXChiefan on Oct 2, 2008 3:49 PM CDT 0 recs

I've Got No Problem With Croyle Coming Back Next Season As A Reserve

But he’s in a contract year after this season, so we’re going to have to make a decision on him once the season’s done. I don’t think we can re-sign him with the idea of him being a significant part of our future until he proves that he can stay healthy for a full season and proves he’s deserving of the starting job through performance. And if Huard were a couple of years younger, I’d say we have the luxury of time to let Croyle develop for two more years. Problem is, though, that Huard is old and we can’t go into next season with the idea that he’s going to perform at his current level much longer. We need to bring somebody else in (Losman would be my preference) to fill Huard’s role as placeholder and/or long-term starter until either Croyle demonstrates he can lead this team or we find somebody else who can be that franchise guy we want. If Croyle’s willing to come back to this team to be the backup to Losman (or whoever) and he’ll do so fairly cheaply, fine…but if he’s not then he’s simply not worth the investment for the team.

Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.

by UCrawford on Oct 2, 2008 4:55 PM CDT up 0 recs

Herm better have a problem with it...

They can’t waste another year developing Brodie into a franchise QB. If he doesn’t prove this year that he can be the guy, then that sets the Chiefs back a few years while they try to develop somebody else. Herm really can’t afford any major setbacks like that. Another failed season with the future in doubt spells new head coach.

by ChiefsDude on Oct 3, 2008 12:07 PM CDT up 0 recs

Assuming Croyle Plays At About The Same Level He Did Against New England

If he comes back next year I seriously doubt it will be as anything other than a reserve. The Chiefs aren’t going to invest their future in a guy who can’t play better than his backup after three seasons…particularly since Croyle’s contract is up after this year. If Croyle’s a Chief in 2009, it’s unlikely he’ll have the starting job handed to him like he got this year, or that the Chiefs will plan around his development. And if he asks for much more than the minimum for his position, I seriously doubt he’ll be back at all.

Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.

by UCrawford on Oct 3, 2008 12:35 PM CDT up 0 recs

Wow!

It sounds like you are predicting that Herm and Peterson will make the right decision about Croyle. Are you feeling okay? =)

by PVChiefsfan on Oct 3, 2008 1:00 PM CDT up 0 recs

More Like Desperately Hoping That They'll Make A Smart Decision

But they could screw it all up and announce that Croyle is the starter next year too. Our coach and GM suck, so who really knows what the hell they’re thinking?

Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.

by UCrawford on Oct 3, 2008 1:19 PM CDT up 0 recs

Decision Making

I don’t think we’ll have the same decision makers next season. It would be stupid not to at least bring Croyle to training camp next year, but me hopes they find someone better.

And I also hope Chan Gailey sticks around. Not sure about Gun, though. Love the guy, but damn…

by ChiefsDude on Oct 6, 2008 10:36 AM CDT up 0 recs

I'm More And More Convinced

That the reason our coordinators are doing so terribly is that they’re not able to run the gameplans they want. Like I said, I’d rather they fire Herm and elevate either Gunther or Chan (preferably Chan) to the HC position because I’d really like to see what a non-Herm Chiefs team looks like this year.

Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.

by UCrawford on Oct 6, 2008 3:04 PM CDT up 0 recs

Well...

Assuming Croyle Plays At About The Same Level He Did Against New England

Did you actually watch the game?

Croyle threw no interceptions and the main reason for his low completion average was that he kept basically was hitting Bowe to hard in the pads.

I mean, I’m all for finding somebody new if it’s A. true that he’s injury prone, B. that he simply throws too hard (that’s a pathetic statement of an NFL receiving corp if its true), or C. simply can’t win; but to say he didn’t play well against New England up to the injury is just false. Bowe had an epically bad day (too the point Whitlock was calling him fat) and the Chiefs’ play calling was absurdly conservative:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playbyplay?gameId=280907017&period=1

I’ve been impressed by Chan Gailey this season, but go through that play-by-play and I have trouble blaming Croyle for the lack of production in the New England game.

We’ll see how Huard fairs against Carolina, but it seems silly to me to start a 35 year old quarterback who you know for sure won’t survive the season, when you need to evaluate whether a 25 yr. old you groomed for the job can A. stay healthy and B. be a serviceable backup even.

It’s amazing how much week to week sway there is on this issue.

by Official Arrowhead Pride Parade on Oct 4, 2008 4:48 PM CDT up 0 recs

He was bouncing the ball off everyone's chest pads was the point trying to be conveyed there*

by Official Arrowhead Pride Parade on Oct 4, 2008 4:49 PM CDT up 0 recs

Injury-Prone

It’s not a matter of “if” Croyle’s injury-prone…he is injury-prone, going all the way back to high school. This isn’t even a debatable topic unless someone just chooses to ignore the guy’s entire career (pro, college, and high school).

As for the New England game, I’m more than willing to attribute some of Croyle’s struggles to Bowe. The guy had a thoroughly rotten game. But how do you explain the disparity between his and Huard’s performance? Huard was working with the same receivers that Croyle was and Croyle got half the distance on his plays that Huard did. Sure, Croyle didn’t throw any interceptions…he also didn’t throw for any touchdowns. Nor did he put us in a position to win with his passing, as Huard did. He never even got the team into the red zone (Huard did it twice).

There’s no week-to-week sway from me on this topic…Croyle is not good enough to be a starting QB. He’s not better than his backup, and I’ll go on record now and say that he never will be…partly because he can’t stay healthy, partly because he just doesn’t have the skills (he is currently performing at the level we should have expected based on his performance in college).

Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.

by UCrawford on Oct 4, 2008 7:50 PM CDT up 0 recs

Thanks for apologizes Matt. I got plenty of crap for saying Huard would help the offense before the season started.

by rustdog on Oct 3, 2008 4:06 PM CDT 0 recs

Huard is grooming himself for coaching

Watch his latest press conference. He already know how a coach answers questions.

And he’s so likable.

So I expect him to assume a coaching responsibility after spending a couple seasons with his family. With any luck, he may even be a Chief.

But the man’s class. And he deserves respect. The best part is that he HAS a superbowl ring. That commands respect, no matter what capacity he held during said Superbowl season.

Players like the ring.

by AngryJesus on Oct 4, 2008 9:35 PM CDT 0 recs

Prophetic?

Absolutely not Huard… I like Huard but today all he showed is what we have known all along, he is a good BACKUP…He can come in and manage a game when your guy goes down and if you have enough other pieces in place (Like LJ running wild on a Denver D) he can come out with a win. BUT, let’s remember what happens when he is given the starter job…let us not forget last season.

I am excited to see Brodie come back in a few weeks…it should be decent…

gosh, it seems like such a long time ago and a different world when we saw Tyler Thigpen start for the Chiefs…it was like…hell…an entirely different team…

by woodman212 on Sep 28, 2008 11:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes…that was me…last week…

by woodman212 on Oct 5, 2008 10:51 PM CDT 0 recs