Post by MizzouTiger on Dec 18, 2007 12:05:41 GMT -5
www.kansascity.com/sports/chiefs/story/406887.html
Croyle's latest start ends in defeat
By KENT BABB
The Kansas City Star
Brodie Croyle faced the questions, his body intact but his ego and his outlook bruised.
What are the Chiefs’ problems? Why have they lost seven consecutive games? How can the team make it right?
And is Croyle the quarterback to do it?
Croyle, the Chiefs’ second-year quarterback, lost again Sunday. This time it was a 26-17 defeat against the Tennessee Titans at Arrowhead Stadium.
He is 0-4 since replacing Damon Huard in the starting lineup Nov. 18. It is a worst-case scenario for Croyle, a quiet youngster charged with leading the Chiefs out of their worst funk in 22 years.
“I thought we would win by now, but we haven’t,” said Croyle, a third-round pick in the 2006 NFL draft. “It’s reality. You deal with it.
“This is extremely frustrating.”
Ask around. This season is lost. The Chiefs clung this past week to bright spots anywhere they could find them. Encouraging practices. Offseason changes. Next year.
Another of those bright spots appears to be Croyle. He is one of the few remaining investments the Chiefs have this season, one of the few things to play for.
Coach Herm Edwards said after Sunday’s game that the staff will spend the offseason building the team around Croyle. In Kansas City’s final two games, road contests against Detroit and the New York Jets, the staff will continue identifying Croyle’s talents, his shortcomings and what the former Alabama standout needs to be successful. It is in those games that Croyle will be tested and questioned and forced to grow, even as the Chiefs collapse.
But as questions continue to plague the Chiefs, Croyle’s teammates say the quarterback’s job security is not among them.
“I think he’s growing,” wide receiver Eddie Kennison said. “That’s what the organization wants to see. That’s why they drafted him. Every young guy has to progress in some way. He’s definitely showing them. They said they want him to be the future of this organization, and I think he will be.”
Croyle took his longest steps yet toward the future Sunday. He was 25 of 43 for 217 yards and two touchdowns. All of those statistics were career highs. He also avoided a sack for the first time in his four starts.
Still, Croyle found little to be encouraged about.
“I took some steps forward,” Croyle said, “but I took some steps backward.”
Croyle’s steps in reverse Sunday came in two second-half interceptions — the second of which he admitted not seeing linebacker David Thornton. But the misfires came after Croyle led scoring drives on consecutive possessions in which he was nine of 16. He showed patience and poise against a Titans pass rush that hurried him twice and knocked him down once.
It was his mistakes, though, that will raise questions about Croyle’s stock. The Chiefs’ seven consecutive losses are the most since 1985. They are 4-10 and are in prime position to possess a top-10 draft pick in April’s draft. With star quarterbacks such as Boston College’s Matt Ryan and Louisville’s Brian Brohm expected to be top-10 picks, Edwards and Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson might be tempted to spend the team’s first pick to silence the questions surrounding Croyle.
At least two of Croyle’s favorite targets, Kennison and tight end Tony Gonzalez, said such a move would be a mistake.
“Brodie, he is the quarterback,” Gonzalez said. “A lot of people are saying, ‘This draft, go out there and get a quarterback.’ Nah. Brodie is the guy.”
Croyle’s performance Sunday was the first example that he is ready for the responsibility. He made mistakes, sure, but Edwards said none of them was beyond the coach’s expectations for a young quarterback.
Edwards said one of the team’s top priorities is to protect Croyle. Another draft possibility is a solid left tackle. But the team’s more immediate priority is to protect Croyle’s confidence. Kennison said he is close with Croyle and already has begun studying the 24-year-old quarterback for signs his poise has been shaken. So far, Kennison said, he hasn’t detected any signs.
“Brodie’s a tough kid, man,” Kennison said. “This won’t make him or break him.”
Still, Croyle faced the questions after the Chiefs’ most recent loss. More are certain to follow if the Chiefs lose one or both of their final games.
But the losses and the questions and how he answers it all will define Croyle’s career, Gonzalez said. That Croyle’s ego and outlook are bruised might not be all bad, Gonzalez said.
“It’s good for him to go through this. Honestly. It is,” Gonzalez said. “Anything in life — you’ll never know how sweet the mountaintop is unless you go through some valleys. And right now, he’s going through a little valley. All of us are. I do hope that next year is going to be better.
“He’s going to come around. He’s got a great arm. He’s got a good future. He’s definitely the guy for this job.”
Croyle's latest start ends in defeat
By KENT BABB
The Kansas City Star
Brodie Croyle faced the questions, his body intact but his ego and his outlook bruised.
What are the Chiefs’ problems? Why have they lost seven consecutive games? How can the team make it right?
And is Croyle the quarterback to do it?
Croyle, the Chiefs’ second-year quarterback, lost again Sunday. This time it was a 26-17 defeat against the Tennessee Titans at Arrowhead Stadium.
He is 0-4 since replacing Damon Huard in the starting lineup Nov. 18. It is a worst-case scenario for Croyle, a quiet youngster charged with leading the Chiefs out of their worst funk in 22 years.
“I thought we would win by now, but we haven’t,” said Croyle, a third-round pick in the 2006 NFL draft. “It’s reality. You deal with it.
“This is extremely frustrating.”
Ask around. This season is lost. The Chiefs clung this past week to bright spots anywhere they could find them. Encouraging practices. Offseason changes. Next year.
Another of those bright spots appears to be Croyle. He is one of the few remaining investments the Chiefs have this season, one of the few things to play for.
Coach Herm Edwards said after Sunday’s game that the staff will spend the offseason building the team around Croyle. In Kansas City’s final two games, road contests against Detroit and the New York Jets, the staff will continue identifying Croyle’s talents, his shortcomings and what the former Alabama standout needs to be successful. It is in those games that Croyle will be tested and questioned and forced to grow, even as the Chiefs collapse.
But as questions continue to plague the Chiefs, Croyle’s teammates say the quarterback’s job security is not among them.
“I think he’s growing,” wide receiver Eddie Kennison said. “That’s what the organization wants to see. That’s why they drafted him. Every young guy has to progress in some way. He’s definitely showing them. They said they want him to be the future of this organization, and I think he will be.”
Croyle took his longest steps yet toward the future Sunday. He was 25 of 43 for 217 yards and two touchdowns. All of those statistics were career highs. He also avoided a sack for the first time in his four starts.
Still, Croyle found little to be encouraged about.
“I took some steps forward,” Croyle said, “but I took some steps backward.”
Croyle’s steps in reverse Sunday came in two second-half interceptions — the second of which he admitted not seeing linebacker David Thornton. But the misfires came after Croyle led scoring drives on consecutive possessions in which he was nine of 16. He showed patience and poise against a Titans pass rush that hurried him twice and knocked him down once.
It was his mistakes, though, that will raise questions about Croyle’s stock. The Chiefs’ seven consecutive losses are the most since 1985. They are 4-10 and are in prime position to possess a top-10 draft pick in April’s draft. With star quarterbacks such as Boston College’s Matt Ryan and Louisville’s Brian Brohm expected to be top-10 picks, Edwards and Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson might be tempted to spend the team’s first pick to silence the questions surrounding Croyle.
At least two of Croyle’s favorite targets, Kennison and tight end Tony Gonzalez, said such a move would be a mistake.
“Brodie, he is the quarterback,” Gonzalez said. “A lot of people are saying, ‘This draft, go out there and get a quarterback.’ Nah. Brodie is the guy.”
Croyle’s performance Sunday was the first example that he is ready for the responsibility. He made mistakes, sure, but Edwards said none of them was beyond the coach’s expectations for a young quarterback.
Edwards said one of the team’s top priorities is to protect Croyle. Another draft possibility is a solid left tackle. But the team’s more immediate priority is to protect Croyle’s confidence. Kennison said he is close with Croyle and already has begun studying the 24-year-old quarterback for signs his poise has been shaken. So far, Kennison said, he hasn’t detected any signs.
“Brodie’s a tough kid, man,” Kennison said. “This won’t make him or break him.”
Still, Croyle faced the questions after the Chiefs’ most recent loss. More are certain to follow if the Chiefs lose one or both of their final games.
But the losses and the questions and how he answers it all will define Croyle’s career, Gonzalez said. That Croyle’s ego and outlook are bruised might not be all bad, Gonzalez said.
“It’s good for him to go through this. Honestly. It is,” Gonzalez said. “Anything in life — you’ll never know how sweet the mountaintop is unless you go through some valleys. And right now, he’s going through a little valley. All of us are. I do hope that next year is going to be better.
“He’s going to come around. He’s got a great arm. He’s got a good future. He’s definitely the guy for this job.”