Breakout Player?

And when I think of gunslinger, I think of a tough guy who is going to stay on the field and sling it no matter what. That doesn't seem like Croyle. But his arm and decision making, sure, yeah.

I think either Anderson or Quinn will be gone after this season. I think the Green Bay situation will take a few years to sort out. But I do think we could make a deal with the Browns next year. They have a lot of money tied up in those two guys and one of them will end up being unhappy for sure. Personally, I'd like for us to go out and try to get Quinn.

2009 is definitely an option.

Brohm was a third-rounder, I believe.

AS for Croyle, Master, it is good to see that King Carl didn't get to everyone with his brainwashing equipment.

I dont know much about Troy Smith. I also dont know much about next years rookie QBs other than Tebow. But, by what your saying, I should probably get to know them better haha.

Quinn was drafted to be the Browns Quarterback of the future. Although Derek Anderson is doing a great job right now, don't look for the Browns to trade their first round pick anytime in the next few years.

I don't know about Brohm, but he was also a first rounder wasn't he? I'd expect him to at least back Aaron Rodgers up for while.

I'd actually like it if we could somehow pick up Troy Smith (if Croyle were to fail).

Yah, BC sucks. You guys know where I stand.

What also sucks, is that when BC flops, we will need another year to grom a new QB. So, 08 flop, 09 grom, 2010 new QB. I just dont have that kind of patiences.

On that note, got a question for you guys. If I remeber right Favre was tranded from another team. What are a few stars that would have to align for the Browns to trade Quinn and the Packers to trade Brohm? I dunno if I should look at them as future possibilities if Rodgers and Anderson work out. Or, if I should just completely write them off and focus on the 09 draft?

One thing I do like about Brodie Croyle, no matter what:

He's a gunslinger. No one can argue that. I LOVE gunslingers at QB. Brett Favre was a gunslinger. Yeah, they may throw a few interceptions when they get too bold, but compare these types of QBs to Babe Ruth -- lots of homeruns, lots of strikeouts.

The difference between Brett Favre and Brodie Croyle is that Brett Favre just goes out there and plays his game. Brodie thinks too much, which is the same thing Eli Manning was criticized for up until last season. Maybe this new simplified offense will help him be able to just go out there and play.

Double D, you're a funny guy!

CSMQ, you will get your wish, but remember to be careful what you wish for.

i dont really know what to think, i just know we should give him a chance to play behind a line that can actually block and have a run option

You refer to it as a "dead horse" Adam?

It's just that Croyle has done nothing to support the claim that he will be a good NFL QB. Sure, he was drafted on that promise, but later than JaMarcus after a college career that wasn't nearly as successful. I mean, Russell won it all, man. Plus, there's the whole health thing. People are gulping down second servings of that Brodie Kool-Aid. Damn.

And I am literally beating a dead horse right now in my apartment. Just kidding.

I think Tank will be the "breakout" player. With people double teaming Dorsey, Tyler, with a year under his belt, will terrorize the opposing backfield..

As far as "overrated, unproven, unimpressive" I would like to take a gander at Turk McBride, what has that guy done? I don't know why he was taken so high. I hope the fact that he played two positions inhibited him and with him focusing on DE he will become the guy people hoped he would be.

Also, I like to think Croyle has it all when it comes to an NFL QB. Give him an offensive line and a running back...and he will prove you guys wrong. and if not...at least his wife is hot.

Nobody has any more evidence that Croyle can't get it done than they do that he can.

The thing about not being able to beat Huard out last preseason was totally exposed when we got into the season and discovered our offensive line was absolute crap. We didn't know it during the preseason, people just assumed it was Croyle. So the same reason the Chiefs crapped out during the regular season was there in the preseason as well, we just didnt know how bad it was at the time.

Yeah, Croyle didn't win a game. But neither did he have an Offensive Coordinator, offensive line, Running back or Field Goal kicker to help him out. Nobodies saying Croyle is John Elway or Brett Favre and he's not going to be able to get it done alone.

So the only thing you have to go by in your conclusion that Croyle is not a good QB is not what you see with your own eyes but MUST be based on what the media is saying since you say the exact same thing they do while ignoring the same circumstances they do.

His injury history is a concern, but hell, nobody knows when an injuries going to happen. Trent Green was an injury prone QB and started 70 consecutive games for us. So you can't say "He has no talent" and then whe you are proven he does, go back to saying "well he has an injury history". Big deal. If he does stay healthy and has talent, he can get it done.

Yeah I can definitely see how bad that came out looking..

But no, I don't think Brodie is a sure thing. I think he's a strong possibility to be able to lead our team this year. But that's all.

Oh shit. No. Zach. That was supposed to read "I'm not saying he's a sure thing."

My bad lol.

Nice DD
I like Tank Tyler as the Breakout player on D. He impressed me last year. He bowls over people.

I like Sams over Robinson mostly on experience...

On defense, I can see as many as 4 players with the potential for phenomenal seasons this year: Tamba Hali, Bernard Pollard, Derrick Johnson, & Glenn Dorsey. As far as "break-out" seasons go, I'm looking for either Tyler or McBride to rise to that level, maybe both? It would be fantastic if Williams emerges.

Guys like Johnston, Morgan, & Flowers might start making names for themselves with a few big plays on D and ST but I think it's a bit unrealistic and premature to expect huge seasons out any of them.

On offense, I look for MacIntosh to emerge as a dominant RT. Then, assuming if he has better overall protection & a solid #2 receiver, Brodie should have a fair opportunity to prove himself and I believe he will do just that. I'll be very interested to see how he performs under Chan Gailey. Plus, two new dimensions are reportedly being implemented, audibles and bootlegs - both of which should make him more effective if not more dangerous.

Again, if Brodie has decent protection, then whoever wins the #2 WR job would seemingly be well-positioned for a break-out season as well - that is, assuming they can consistently go up and hang onto the ball. I like Jamaal Charles as the guy who takes it to the house on 2nd and short.

Last but not least, the one unit that desperately needs and is long overdue for break-out players more than any other is ST. I'll go with Kevin Robinson beating out BJ Sams at RS and then going on to be one of the top 10 RS in the league - might also catch a big pass or two along the way.

The reason to be such a pessimist is that you are either pleasantly surprised or right. It's a win-win situation. And I honestly just have a bad gut feeling about Croyle.

Finally we agree on something, TLH. Croyle is not going to get it done. I just can't believe that he will, despite trying to stay positive and optimistic. Hope I'm wrong.

Croyle is a joke. The fact Sean is so high on him says a lot about SeanBGay.

Why the Chiefs ignored addressing this position is beyond me. Expect more losing seasons until the Chiefs find a new QB to take over because this Alabaman is a wussy.

With that out of the way, I have to say that I think Darling could be something special. I went to school at WSU during his big junior year, and he outperformed all the guys older than him that were more highly touted. He was a monster that year, and he left before his senior year. I think he needed one more year to polish up, he made a few too many mental mistakes, and he went to a bad situation in Baltimore. I don't know how many people know his story, but he played one year at FSU with his brother, his brother died of a possible sickle cell trait, and FSU released him because they were afraid he would die also. So he transferred, missed his sophomore year at WSU, so he basically only played his junior year in college, and in that one year did enough to be a third round pick. He was hurt to start his pro career, and he didn't catch on for awhile. Last year was his best year yet. This is getting long, so in summary, I'm a huge believer in this guy, that said, I hope Brackenridge, my other fellow Coug, makes some progress.

SEANBCOOL is a complete homer for Croyle. What has he done to give you so much faith? Just because Herm and Carl say they see something doesn't mean anything to me, and it shouldn't mean anything to you. Just because a coach or GM is in love with someone doesn't mean you have to be too. I drank the Kool Aid last year, I thought he could be special, and he looked bad. I'm not gonna make any excuses for him. All the experts following the league, and really doing their homework, have serious doubt about Croyle. I hope he makes me look foolish and at least becomes a solid pro. I'd happily be wrong on this one. Until then, many people, myself included, are going to be highly skeptical.

Isn't saying he is a sure thing pretty much anointing him? I mean that is like saying Ryan Simms was a sure thing back when we drafted him.

The point is no one knows either way until they prove someone wrong. So even calling any player from this years draft class a sure thing is pure speculation. Too many things can happen in the NFL for anyone to be a sure thing.

Ryan Leaf, Rick Mirer, Akali Smith, Tim Couch, and the list could go on forever had the tools too.

Adam, Brodie hasn't won a game in six starts on a horrid team. Eli didn't win his first six starts on a better team and what do you know.. he just won a Super Bowl.

I'll repeat myself again:

I'm not anointing Brodie. I'm saying he's a sure thing. I'm not saying he will ever be successful. What I am saying is that he has all the tools to get the job done, and we simply don't know what he'll do this year.

There's no reason to be such a pessimist about it. :-D

Ah hah! So that's the deal. Damn sober people making the rest of us look bad...

Too bad Adam doesn't drink. So he actually might be less delusional than most of us :)

Now, now, calm down Adam. I don't agree with your pessimism of Croyle, but it's totally justified.

Here's one thing I do agree with - "Fuck the national media." Exactly. Those rat bastards never have anything good to say about us. If we get a win ESPN (and every other non-local outlet) focuses on the mistakes of the other team, rather than our talent. It's sickening.

As far as your being a follower? I call bullshit. From what I've seen, you always dish it out straight up. Your position on Croyle has been consistent since at least the end of the season, if not longer.

You have your opinion and you back it up with relevant facts. This place wouldn't be any fun if we all agreed all the time.

So just keep doin what you do, take a deep breath, and go down a cold one real quick. Here, I'll join you.

The thing is- Croyle really doesn't need to impress us. He can throw for 1900 yards and 4 touchdowns with zero picks if that's what it takes. We're a run-powered offense now that also relies on our defense for support/field position. Remember the Bears a few years ago with with Kyle Orton? I remember everyone bashed him because he threw for well under 200 yards in at least 2-3 games. But what was the Bears' record with him under center? 9-0. However; I don't think Croyle fits in with that 'ball control' offensive style. He's a gunslinger, a la Brett Favre, only not nearly as good. All I've heard so far about Thigpen though are good things, so hopefully if Croyle doesn't live up to snuff, then Thigpen can step up. There will be growing pains with both of them, granted... But I just don't know if Croyle can handle it.

Fuck the national media.

I listen to myself and a brain and set of eyes that have been analyzing football my whole life. Brodie hasn't won a game, he hasn't stayed healthy, he couldn't beat out Damon Huard when the job was handed to him, and he's inaccurate, at least thus far.

This is the first time in my life I think I've been called a follower. Lmfao...it would be easier for me to come on here and praise him with all the homers singing his praises...I just don't see it.

Sue me--I just don't see Brodie Croyle ever taking the next step. Sorry, folks. I guess when you are honest around here nowadays you get crapped on. Oh well, I call it like I see it...

I'm picking Croyle.

You guys listen to the national media too much. Don't you realize the Chiefs will NEVER get national media respect because we are in fly-over country? Trent Green led the NFLs top offense for several years and got no respect. You can bet that if Brodie Croyle were contending for the starting job on the Cowboys he would be getting all kinds of positive comments.

In fact, he was considered a top 5 QB prospect the year he was drafted and the only thing keeping him out of the 1st round was his injury history. But as soon as he becomes a Chief, he's a nobody and you guys lap up every bit of it.

Can we at least convince one of you to sign up at the forums?

http://fansided.com/forums

I mean the Dolphins fans are beating us over there. We cant have that!

All I'm saying about Johnston is that sometimes Chiefs fans are extremely optimistic, and it seems like there is three or four "ifs" in every season. Tampering expectations and looking at things through a lens of realism isn't necessarily a bad thing. Hard to get disappointed that way, and, personally, I'm sick of the Chiefs disappointing me.

As potentially unpopular as my next stament may be... and I'm not a homer Huard fan... I think -IF- Brodie Croyle can't hack it... Huard (who is a classic drop back passer) now has some talent to block for him, may shock everyone at how well he plays with protection. *Is he going to the HOF absolutley not... he may have the break out season no one expected he had in him.

i do gotta say with that draft you boys had down there, you'll be a force in a few years. the tide is turnin in the afc. you can feel it.

croyle will be ok; if your line comes thru this year and keeps johnson in the top 5 running backs. some one will need to step up and take the double off bowe. gonzo needs one more productive year, and ya'll gotta play some D. if the stars all line up like that, in your division, you might make some noise. just my opinion

This is off topic, but speaking of young kickers.. I'd love to see Jamie Christensen from Bama on the Chiefs. Has anyone ever watched this guy? Best college clutch kicker I've ever seen. Talk about the Adam Vinatieri of the NCAA.

MasterBlaster:

Totally agree about Johnston. I'm not saying he WILL be an Allen replacement, but I get this feeling that he COULD be. No one knows at this point.

If Glenn Dorsey, Branden Albert, Brandon Flowers, and Jamaal Charles perform as expected.. if Brandon Carr, Dajuan Morgan, Brad Cottam, Will Franklin, and Brian Johnston perform the way people believe they have the potential to.. then this could go down as one of the best drafts of all time by any team.

Pure speculation, of course.

I disagree Adam, If Allen is Joe Montana, Johnston could be Steve Young.

Johnston is my pick for breakout player. He has Allens build, a high motor, and coaches say they see a lot of Allen in Johnston. Johnston was a steal in the 7th and projected as a 4th. And we all know about 4th round DE's. If Johnston is a breakout DE, like Allen was, the Allen trade was the greatest trade in chiefs history. Basicly, it would be like geting Allen, all over again, and puting 4 years back on his motor, which is perfect, cause its gona take a year or two for us to compete. I know it's a long shot, but fingers crossed.

Oh, and I like Connor Barth. I think he is gona be an awesome kicker. With hair like that, how can you not be? Guy reminds me of Yahoo Serious, haha. I don't think the guy knows how to shank a kick. One of those strange birds that doesnt feel the preasure in the clinch.

The rest of the league hardly even knows who he is. If Tamba has a big-time year he will be a breakout player.

I'm thinking we're hoping that Johnston becomes the second coming of Allen a little too much. Lightening seldom strikes twice in the same spot.

Honestly, a lot of you will hate this, but there is about as much reason to believe in Thigpen as there is Croyle at this point. Neither player has won a game or proven anything at this point, but for some reason the Chiefs have kept Thigpen around. You yourself said us not drafting a QB was an endorsement of Croyle, but what about for Thigpen?

-Brian Johnston (Come on, you know everyone is thinking it).

-Jamaal Charles.

-Brodie Croyle (again, MIGHT. That's the question. I'm not saying he WILL, so arguing with me about this is about as pointless as tits on a boarhog).

And by the way, Minnesota can have Tyler Thigpen back for all I care. I doubt he'll ever be a starter for the Chiefs, and probably not for any other team either.

Also, if Tamba Hali has a good year I wouldn't really consider it "breakout". We already know he's a good defensive end at the pro level. OK I take that back.. if he gets over 15 sacks I'll call it a breakout year.