Kansas City Chiefs head coach Todd Haley was asked in his press conference yesterday what core players the Chiefs currently have. As many of you know, the cupboard was pretty bare when Haley arrived in Kansas City less than a year ago so it's understandable, in my mind, if he doesn't see many core players on the team.
That's not the case, though. Haley listed off some of the regulars that we expected to hear - Jamaal Charles, Tamba Hali and Brandon Flowers, to name a few.
Haley prefaced his comments by saying that he can't go down the entire roster and list every player he thinks is or could be a "core player" but he did have a surprising name on the list.
Brodie Croyle.
How can a backup quarterback be a "core player"?
"Brodie Croyle you can’t overlook," Haley said of his second string quarterback.
"I perceive him playing a critical role for us as we go forward. That’s a critical spot and he developed as the year went on and gained confidence in what we were doing. That role is pretty critical that there is a cohesiveness in that [quarterback meeting] room and it’s not always the case. Everybody wants to play and everybody can’t play."
Interesting comments, particularly when you consider Croyle is one of six Chiefs who would be affected by the lack of a new collective bargaining agreement. If a new CBA isn't done in time, Croyle will become a restricted free agent and the Chiefs can retain his rights.
Judging by Haley's comments, he wants Croyle to stay. I've heard rumors (but certainly nothing confirmed) that Croyle isn't happy in Kansas City. Of course, a lot changes over the course of the season so we'll have to wait and see.