Art Hains
Friday, October 17, 2008
An eventful week
For not having played in two weeks, the Chiefs have made their share of news. Last weekend, Fox Sports reported that Tony Gonzalez had asked management for a trade. As we know now, the trading deadline came and went, and Tony is still a Chief. Then on Thursday, the team announced that Larry Johnson would not play in this week's game against Tennessee because of violating team rules.
On the first point, I think most Chiefs fans can appreciate Tony's desire to take a run at a Super Bowl before his playing days end. He is still at the top of his game, and has given the Chiefs 12 years of good service. But apparently, with the gun to their heads of the Tuesday 3 pm trading deadline, the best offer was a third-round draft pick from Green Bay. The most-productive pass receiving TE in NFL history is worth more than a third-round pick, even at age 32. Given more time in the off-season, surely a more reasonable return can come the Chiefs way, and Tony's wishes can be accommodated. In the meantime, being the professional that he is, expect him to continue giving 100% the rest of the season.
In the case of LJ, it appears that Herm Edwards had finally had enough. This isn't an on-field production deal, though Johnson's ups and downs have been well-documented. In his defense, much of those problems stem from no longer having Willie Roaf and Will Shields opening up gaping holes in opposing defenses. It has to do with apparently persistent lateness to team functions, including flights to out of town games. I strongly supported Johnson's contract re-negotiations in the summer of '07, given the short shelf life of a heavily-used NFL running back. But since then, Johnson seems to have been a front-runner, who shuts it down when things aren't going well. As they haven't been for the Chiefs since last November. It'll be interesting to see what Jamal Charles and Kolby Smith...younger, shiftier runners, can do against a tough Tennessee defense.
Somewhat lost in all of this is the return of Brodie Croyle at QB this week. Many Chiefs fans have already written Croyle off and are calling for a new "QB of the future." I say, in fairness to him, we still don't know what he can do. He started at the end of last year behind a banged-up O-line, then got hurt in the first half of the first game this year. The Chiefs must find out about Croyle, and they hopefully have 11 healthy games remaining this year to get some better answers, so as to make an intelligent long-term decision. I agree, all the rebuilding in the world won't get you to your ultimate goal without a dynamic QB. Croyle's tendencies are to be a bit of a gunslinger. He should settle for moving the chains for awhile, then gradually taking his shots downfield. But his arm and personality are well-suited to being a difference maker at the position. His decision-making and ability to stay healthy are the key factors for which to watch the rest of the season.
On the first point, I think most Chiefs fans can appreciate Tony's desire to take a run at a Super Bowl before his playing days end. He is still at the top of his game, and has given the Chiefs 12 years of good service. But apparently, with the gun to their heads of the Tuesday 3 pm trading deadline, the best offer was a third-round draft pick from Green Bay. The most-productive pass receiving TE in NFL history is worth more than a third-round pick, even at age 32. Given more time in the off-season, surely a more reasonable return can come the Chiefs way, and Tony's wishes can be accommodated. In the meantime, being the professional that he is, expect him to continue giving 100% the rest of the season.
In the case of LJ, it appears that Herm Edwards had finally had enough. This isn't an on-field production deal, though Johnson's ups and downs have been well-documented. In his defense, much of those problems stem from no longer having Willie Roaf and Will Shields opening up gaping holes in opposing defenses. It has to do with apparently persistent lateness to team functions, including flights to out of town games. I strongly supported Johnson's contract re-negotiations in the summer of '07, given the short shelf life of a heavily-used NFL running back. But since then, Johnson seems to have been a front-runner, who shuts it down when things aren't going well. As they haven't been for the Chiefs since last November. It'll be interesting to see what Jamal Charles and Kolby Smith...younger, shiftier runners, can do against a tough Tennessee defense.
Somewhat lost in all of this is the return of Brodie Croyle at QB this week. Many Chiefs fans have already written Croyle off and are calling for a new "QB of the future." I say, in fairness to him, we still don't know what he can do. He started at the end of last year behind a banged-up O-line, then got hurt in the first half of the first game this year. The Chiefs must find out about Croyle, and they hopefully have 11 healthy games remaining this year to get some better answers, so as to make an intelligent long-term decision. I agree, all the rebuilding in the world won't get you to your ultimate goal without a dynamic QB. Croyle's tendencies are to be a bit of a gunslinger. He should settle for moving the chains for awhile, then gradually taking his shots downfield. But his arm and personality are well-suited to being a difference maker at the position. His decision-making and ability to stay healthy are the key factors for which to watch the rest of the season.
posted by Chiefs Radio # 1:40 PM 