Why Is Damon Huard the Third-String Quarterback?

Because of this, Huard was constantly passing on 3rd-and-long situations. In Week Three against the Vikings, the Chiefs ran it 24 times for 42 yards. Now, what head coach would allow their team to continue running it over and over again, knowing that nothing was being gained from it?  

Larry Johnson and the running game did not help Huard last season. L.J. ran for 55 yards or less in four of his eight starts. The Chiefs led the NFL in sacks allowed in 2007 with 55.

However, even with an incapable offensive line, Huard miraculously managed to go 4-3 in his first seven starts. He almost went 5-3, but with the Packers trailing 22-16 with less than four minutes left, Brett Favre threw a 60-yard bomb to Greg Jennings.

Then, during the next week against Denver, Huard had that game I talked about earlier that would get him benched. Huard was constantly pressured and went 6-15 with two first-half interceptions. Huard was benched for Croyle in the third quarter. The Brodie Croyle era had officially begun.

After Croyle became the starter, the offense suddenly starting opening up more. The Chiefs finally started throwing on first downs and started mixing up their predictable offense. This was proof to me that the Chiefs’ management never trusted Huard and never really wanted him to succeed.  

Croyle went on to win zero games last season and the Chiefs finished 4-12. Now, Huard statistically did not have a great season, but he did the best with what he had. With that atrocious offensive line, I don’t know if there are any quarterbacks that could have succeeded.

I believe Huard is a very good quarterback and if given a somewhat capable offensive line, he could do very well. Although I think Huard should be the starter this season, I know Brodie Croyle is going to be the starter, no matter what happens this preseason.

But if I had to guess, I would say that the injury-prone Brodie Croyle is not going to last the whole season. When he does get injured, the Chiefs better show Huard some respect and put him in the game.

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