We Must Ask the Question
Is Damon Huard a starting NFL quarterback?
I have to tell you, I really like the man Damon Huard. A fiery competitor who understands the weight of the opportunity that he has been given, he seems to have true leadership ability and a firm grasp of Mike Solari’s offense. He understands his responsibility, he understands his team and he understands what he needs to do to help this team to win.
But right now I’m somewhat skeptical if he can actually do what it is he understands he needs to do.
During the first half of the game against Minnesota last week I was becoming more and more emotional as I saw passes sail over a wide open Tony Gonzalez, happy feet in the pocket and a clear reluctance (it is hard not to use the word “fear” there) to throw the ball down the field.
All successful NFL quarterbacks throw the ball down the field sooner or later. To Damon’s credit, in the second half he settled down and on basically two drives brought our offense from a ranking of thirty-second in the league to twenty-ninth by throwing the ball down the field.
It doesn’t hurt to have number 82 on the field, literally taking the game over at the same time. Everyone talks about the touchdown pass, but I’m with Mitch Holthus on this one: it was his third down reception late in the fourth quarter that may have been bigger in securing the win. But, I digress.
Is Damon Huard a starting NFL quarterback?
It occurred to me that Damon might have been a bit on the reactionary side of things during the first half of Sunday’s game against Minnesota. Just one week prior, in Chicago, it was Damon’s decision (not Mike Solari’s as many fans have erroneously concluded) to throw into the endzone on a third-and-short play late in the game. Coach Herm Edwards said that throwing to Samie Parker “was really the third option. The two options were to try and throw to Tony Gonzalez on a rub-off coming across [the middle]. We knew they would be in man-to-man; that’s what they play in third-and-two or less. He threw the fade. He’s the quarterback.”
Did Damon overreact then in the Minnesota game, presumably after getting chewed up and spit out for “losing” the Chicago game?
This is why I pose the question, is Damon Huard a starting NFL quarterback? Put your favorite quarterback in his place and ask yourself what they would have done and then do a comparison. Would our old starting quarterback have sat back and thrown three yard passes to Kris Wilson on multiple three and outs? We all know the answer to that and that is the real reason he has gone to play with the fishies. While we are throwing 3 yard passes, Trent Green is getting to live out the remainder of his Air Coryell dreams by literally throwing the ball all over the field.
Oops, I’m digressing again.
I’m convinced that Damon Huard will rarely lose a game for us, but I question if he can win games for us. I’m not saying he cannot, I’m saying that I’m questioning it right now. The late comeback against Minnesota stands as evidence in his favor. However, If San Diego chooses to take Dwayne Bowe out of the equation, how will Damon react? At some point, a starting NFL quarterback needs to make plays regardless of what the defense gives him. Last week, Damon Huard did that, but just barely and only with the help of his remarkably talented wide receiver.
I’ll be watching closely to see how he plays against the Chargers. And I’ll be asking: “Is this really cool guy that I really like, a starting NFL quarterback?” I hope he forces me to conclude in the affirmative.
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I think you said it best when you wrote "Damon Huard will rarley lose a game for us, but I question if he can win games for us?" And to answer your question, he's proven that he can win 1 game every 3 games played.
September 27th, 2007 at 11:48 amThere is no other quarterback I would rather see coming off the bench as a backup than Damon Huard, but I think we see why he has been a backup all these years.He's great at maintaining the status quo and not turning the ball over, which is what you want out of a backup, but its not what you want out of your starter.The Chiefs have a problem on the line and a problem with an inexperienced / inept offensive coordinator to be sure. But the line doesn't leak every guy through and Solari doesn't always call a bad play.Below average arm, safe passing… little production. These are what you get from a backup. But your starter should be more dynamic and respected.
September 27th, 2007 at 6:36 pmAmen brother. I've been saying this all along.
September 28th, 2007 at 9:18 am