Chiefs want to follow Shanahan's QB plan

Gerry Fraley, Special to the Rocky

Published September 25, 2008 at 9:54 p.m.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Broncos coach Mike Shanahan did one important thing to help quarterback Jay Cutler.

"Mike's been very patient with his guy," Kansas City coach Herm Edwards said. "He stuck with the guy, and he's gotten better.

"They developed a quarterback. How about that?"

Edwards had longing in his voice. The Chiefs have a chaotic situation at quarterback, with no resolution in sight. Brodie Croyle, like Cutler, a member of the 2006 draft class, remains a mystery to the Chiefs.

Croyle will miss his third consecutive start Sunday because of a separated right shoulder.

It marked the third time in seven career starts Croyle has been injured. The Chiefs are winless in his starts.

Until Croyle returns, the Chiefs scramble.

Journeyman Damon Huard will start against the Broncos after missing one game because of a neck injury.

In Huard's absence, against Atlanta, the Chiefs started inexperienced Tyler Thigpen, formerly of Coastal Carolina. He threw three interceptions in the loss.

The Chiefs also have used receiver Marques Hagans at quarterback to run the option. The four quarterbacks have combined for six interceptions with a league-low passer rating of 47.6.

"We need stability," Edwards said. "We can't turn the ball over. We're too fragile right now."

Edwards insisted the Chiefs still believe in Croyle as the answer at quarterback. Croyle will return as the starter, and Edwards promised to show the same patience in him that Shanahan had with Cutler.

"The situation we're in now is a process," Edwards said. "If you don't realize that, you won't be patient. You'll panic, and when you panic, you make wrong decisions. You never find out what the plan is going to be unless you go forth with it."

• September 26, 2008

  4:34 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  nmbronco1 writes:

  The thing is, Brodie Coyle is no Jay Cutler. Doesn't have half the skill or smarts let alone the confidence and arm of Jay Cutler. So the comparison is apples to oranges. KC is a mess right now, and I don't see Herm Edwards as head coach of this team after this season.

• September 26, 2008

  6:43 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Rutabaga writes:

  If I was the Chiefs I would start to panic and run around like I lost my last pair of socks. If I was Herm Edwards I would change my name and move to some place where thet don't play football.

• September 26, 2008

  7:48 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  DavusX writes:

  Herm is not going to be fired after this season... in fact he'll not lose his job for a while. The Chief's rebuilding was not his decision alone, but the decision of upper management as well.

  I would be willing to bet that KC gives Herm a pass through the 2010 season. If they are still in the cellar, then he gets his walking papers. Until then, he'll have every chance to succeed with a young team.

  Although I'm a diehard Broncos fan, I hope Herm does well. I'd like to see the AFC West become competitive again. There's no satisfaction in winning a division that's one of the weakest in the league.

• September 26, 2008

  12:17 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Meter6 writes:

  DavusX- Yes there is. Taking the division from the Chargers would be awesome. Although I do agree that it is more fun when all four teams in the division are tough.

• September 26, 2008

  12:44 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  SLoganSt writes:

  I don't mind if KC and the Chargers are tough (worthy opponents and all that), but I'm perfectly happy with the Raiders being terrible FOREVER!

• September 26, 2008

  2:47 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  SLoganSt, agreed. I always said, Denver can lose every game of the season. Just beat the Raiders twice and Dallas, anytime we have to play them. But to sweep our division every year would be soooo sweet. As far as Herman, he will be around for at least 1 more year. Give the kids a chance to gel. If after next year, they still are stinking up the place, he will be unemployed. He's a nice guy, but that doesn't mean squat when it comes to winning Superbowl's.

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