Posted on
8/16/2007 6:11:29 PM
Football Betting - Croyle Hopes Future Is Now In K.C.
By Charles Jay
Trent Green's injury, suffered in the first game of the Kansas City Chiefs' 2006 season, eventually led to his departure, even though Green did reclaim his starting position and led the team in its playoff game at Indianapolis against the Colts. When Green was out of action, in stepped Damon Huard, who had briefly started at one time for the Miami Dolphins but was essentially an NFL backup. Huard's stats were nothing short of outstanding, as he completed 61% of his passes for eleven touchdowns, just one interceptions, and 7.7 yards per attempt. Under Huard's leadership, the Chiefs were 5-3.
Coach Herman Edwards was left with tough decisions in the off season. he felt that he was well-equipped with Huard as someone who could step in and be the starter, but he also did not want to stunt the growth of a young quarterback he felt strongly about - former Alabama helmsman Brodie Croyle. Either way, it was determined that Green, at age 37, was not an integral part of the Chiefs' future, so when Miami, which was unhappy with Daunte Culpepper, made an offer, Kansas City management accepted, and off went Green.
At this point, logic might dictate that Huard would be an ideal "transition" quarterback, in that he could keep the seat warm until Croyle eased his way into the starting position. Croyle played in only one game last season, and will be starting basically from scratch. Huard has a decade of NFL experience, and proved himself under fire when called upon.
But Edwards wants to get young right away at QB. That may require that Croyle be more or less force-fed into the fray. Interestingly enough, although this may not go into Edwards' thought process, Huard would seem to be comfortable in a relief role, in that he has been a career backup. In ten years, he's started only 14 games, including his eight starts in '06. You can't blame him too much, because he's sat behind two of the best - Dan Marino and Tom Brady - but he's a valuable guy to have around because he knows what this role is like.
This competition is going to play itself out, before our eyes, and "up close and personal," as the Chiefs are this year's subject of the HBO reality series "Hard Knocks." If anything is relatively certain, it's that we'll know exactly what Edwards was thinking, whichever guy he picks.
THE CHARLES JAY LINE
Who will start at QB for the Chiefs in Game 1?
* Brodie Croyle -160
* Damon Huard +120
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Charles Jay of TotalAction.com is a freelance writer and oddsmaker who contributes with gusto to the BetUS.com LockerRoom