Breaking down Brodie

The Star’s Adam Teicher makes a strong case for Brodie Croyle in his new vlog. While I like Croyle and think that he could possibly be the Chiefs quarterback of the future, I have a few problems with Croyle starting the season as our quarterback.

First off, considering the current state of our O-line and Croyle’s durability issues, could he even make it through the entire season? Would Will Shields and Casey Wiegmann even agree to comeback and block for Croyle — who, for all intents and purposes, is a rookie QB? If not, how could Larry Johnson possibly be expected to carry the ball 400 times behind a patchwork offensive line? The potential corresponding moves worry me as much as the move to Croyle itself.

Second, the Chiefs made the playoffs last year and played excellent under Damon Huard. Picking Croyle over Huard sends the wrong message to the team. If Croyle “wins” the job, Herm Edwards will say that Croyle gives the team its best chance to win football games. However, the message Edwards will really send is that the Chiefs aren’t good enough to truly compete this year. This is why I believe that several crucial players, specifically Shields, would consider hanging up the pads if Croyle is named the starter.

Additionally, the maturation process of an NFL QB takes time. Just look at Michael Vick and Eli Manning. Both players were picked first overall in their respective draft classes and have been starting for years, yet neither has reached their full potential. It takes time, sometimes years. If the process has taken that long for Vick and Manning, how long will it take for Croyle, a third-round pick. Yes, the Broncos, Chargers and Raiders will all have young QBs starting next season. Why is that a disadvantage? With Huard starting, that could give the Chiefs an advantage. With his poise, knowledge and experience, I’d trust Huard in a late game situation over Jay Cutler, Philip Rivers or JaMarcus Russell.

Also, the current status of our wide receiver corps doesn’t make me feel better about the prospect of starting a green (no pun intended) QB. This situation could change after this month’s draft, but right now we have Eddie Kennison and… not much else. Sammie Parker isn’t the answer, neither is Dante Hall and I haven’t seen enough of Jeff Webb to pass judgment. Surrounding Croyle with this group of wideouts is setting him up for failure.

Why doesn’t Herm start the season off with Huard and set his team up for success? If the plan backfires you can always go to Croyle once the season is lost. That way there would be less pressure on Croyle while he gets some much-needed experience under his belt. If it works out, which I think it could, the Chiefs would likely make a return trip to the playoffs.

Starting off the 2007 NFL season with Huard is a win-win situation for the Chiefs and the right move for Herm. It just might not be the move he makes.