Sad End To Croyle’s Season
From Arrowhead Stadium
It was without a doubt, the saddest sight of a very sad day of football for the Chiefs.
Just outside the team’s locker room are double-doors that lead down the tunnel at the 50-yard line and out to the field. Just before half-time, those double doors opened and Brodie Croyle limped through with a doctor and a trainer at his side.
Tears were streaming down his face.
That’s when he saw his wife Kelli waiting for him. Together they embraced and he sobbed on her shoulder for several minutes.
All the hard work, all the rehabbing, all the blood, sweat and tears that have been so much a part of Croyle’s life for the last year ended in an athlete’s greatest disappointment on Sunday. Damage suffered to the medial-collateral ligament (MCL) in his left knee is so severe that his season is finished.
And quite possibly, so is his career with the Kansas City Chiefs. Coming off his shoulder injury from the season opener, Croyle had 11 games to show his stuff, to prove he was the quarterback the Chiefs could build their offense around.
Unfortunately for him, he didn’t even last one half of one game in that 11-game run to his future.
“This is a tough one now, tough for him, tough for the football team,” said Herm Edwards, who has believed so much in Croyle’s ability to be the man at quarterback. “I thought he did some things halfway decent at the beginning of the game.
“I feel bad for the kid because he did everything in his power to come back. He had a good week of practice and now his season is over.”
There is no question that now the Chiefs must re-think their entire quarterback situation. Their quarterback of the future doesn’t appear to be in house right now. It’s certainly not a 35-year old Damon Huard, who left the game with his own injury, to his right thumb. It’s hard to see any chance that it’s Tyler Thigpen, although he does seem to be the only Chiefs quarterback that can get the offense into the end zone. After the game, someone even asked Edwards about Ingle Martin, an untested youngster on the active roster since Croyle’s injury. The coach said he’s not ready to play.
But there’s plenty of time to discuss and calculate the Chiefs quarterback future. For the rest of 2008 it won’t be Brodie Croyle and that’s heartbreaking for the teammates who have watched him work so hard.
“I think every person in this locker room is heartbroken over what happened with Brodie,” said his center and close friend Rudy Niswanger. “That guy has worked so hard, so long, just to get back on the field for this game, let alone all the other stuff he did in the off-season, training camp and pre-season.
“He worked seven days a week, eight or nine hours a day just on rehab, just to get back. He’s been a leader around here, worked as hard as he could, day in and day out. He gets hurt in the first game, but that’s OK, he can come back from that. There’s still more season to play. Now, it’s for the rest of the season. You hate it for him. It’s something that even though it didn’t happen to us, it’s something everyone on this team feels.
“There are some dark days around here right now.”
Nobody knows how hard Croyle worked than Huard. Players spend a lot of time together during a season, but few spend more time meeting, huddling, working together than quarterbacks. They have extra meetings, extra skull sessions, extra throwing, always more and more effort and time.
“I really feel bad for the guy,” Huard said of Croyle. “That’s the toughest thing for me walking away from today. He’s a kid who put a lot of time and energy into this season. My heart goes out to him.”
Croyle was on crutches after the game and in no mood to share his frustrations and tears. He may not have had many tears left by that point.
Unfortunately for him, it looks like he doesn’t have any chances left to be the Chiefs quarterback of the present, or the future.
You have to blame Herm and Dick Curl. I know you cant predict these injuries, but with the wealth of draft picks last year to hold pat at the QB postion was a joke. Everyone knew Brodie was fragile, (in high school, in college, in the NFL) if this was a corporation (it is) that mistake would cost the CEO thier job.
Great last line BOB! Not only is it uncertain that Croyls career is over with the Chiefs but it’s certainly not going to be his last opportunity in the NFL.
IN SPITE OF WHAT HERM THE WORM and all YOU PUNDITS SAY.
Found the next excuse he was looking for.
Man, talk about snake bit. I feel for the kid, it’s hard to see how he can find his way back to being a starter. Jeeze.
I hate to say it cause I really like Brodie, but I think if he’s gonna stay in the NFL it’ll be as a back up. like its been said a hundred times he just can’t stay healthy. I feel for the kid cause I like him but its time to start over
The hit Croyle took was much more violent than the one Pollard put on Brady.
Croyle was hit high and low, way low,below the waist with each defender going in opposite directions.
Not many would have stood up to that.
It’s strange to me that no one is discussing weather the guy should be fined or that he is a dirty player.
Croyle is done. he cant even be a backup. Might as well see what martin has. Herm and Carl are safe for this year. No way Clark makes a move on carl with one year on the contract an the renovations to Arrowhead…..which pretty much means Herm is back also. Hate to see a top QB drafted and forced to be coached by Dick curl and Herm for a year, hopefully they cant do much damage.
It isnt effort this team lacks. Good coaching should be able to make this team competitive.
Bob, I know you cant bite the hand that feeds you, but, its not talent this team lacks.. They are out coached, and make no adjustments. Surely the fans arent the only ones to see this… or wait, since the Chiefs company line is the fans are idiots… anything to keep them paying …
I agree with everyone else Croyle career is over. Unless he packs on about 10 to 15 pounds in the offseason he won’t survive in the NFL. We need to definately look to next yrs 2009 draft for a quarterback. We missed out on Quinn and Edwards in the 2007 draft and Flaco in the 2008 draft. That is what happen though when you annoint someone the franchise quarterback instead of allowing them to earn it. We should have drafted someone else in here to compete with this guy for the position. I can remember when Herm was even asked if he will take Ryan out of BC and he said no. Then Peterson had to come out and say we would look into it. Then Herm back tracked on his original comment about take him. Obviously Herm was just blind by thinking this guy was going to pan out. My thing about the quarterback position is until a guy earns the job by going out there winnning games then you shouldn’t just be sold on one guy. Have competition for the job and whoever is left standing that is the guy you go with. So until Croyle showed us he was the real deal by winning games and staying healthy we should have brought in as many guys to compete for the job as possible
John, I somehow thought you where above name calling.
If your reffering to my herm the worm comment gump, not always. sorry.
The Chiefs have found their 2nd string QB Croyle & their 3rd string QB in Thigpen. Now, they need to find their starter for 2009. Baby steps…
Contd. Either way we better be calling the Browns about Quinn at the end of the yr if Anderson continues to play better and cement his starting job. If that doesn’t work out we need to look at Stafford, Reesing, or Chase Daniel. Besides solving the issue of stopping the run a problem I’ve seen with the team the last 6 yrs, Herm needs to solve the quarterback issue if he wants to remain the head coach of this team beyond the 2009 season.
John:
No problem. It just reminds me of Whitlock’s columns or the idiots we have here in Wichita that fake thier way on to T.V. sportscasts who seem to think they’re comedians.
It’s the easiest thing to do in life: Kick someone when they’re down. That said, I’ve never been a drinker of the Brodie Croyle Kool-aid. I won’t site the reasons again for this mindset as it would serve no useful purpose.
Right now, though, I’m in a ‘go nuclear’ frame of mind. How much more evidence do we need to see to know this ain’t working? It’s not working on the execution of fundamentals (tackling jumps out), the coaching, player’s pride, front office types and yes, it’s not working with this OWNER!
That’s right, THIS owner. I’m calling out Clark Hunt for overseeing a train wreck disaster of a team and not being as remotely upset as the majority of the fan base! Well, Hunt can rest easy because he can’t be fired but if he could, I’d be in favor of him taking the next thing smoking out of town as well.
OK, OK, OK. Vent almost over. I just took the bait of kicking someone when they’re down but something has to be done or said to breathle life into this once proud franchise. Something has to be done, you know?
I’ll have plenty of time to complain this week, and I have LOTS to complain about, but I feel so bad for Croyle. That was a violent hit he took. Problem is, he’s been snakebit his whole career with injuries. QBs are going to take nasty hits most every game. We just need to find one now who can take those hits. Huard just doesn’t look like he has any gas left in the tank and Thigpen is erratic. Maybe Thigpen will learn with more playing time but he is SO inaccurate as a passer and I don’t think Dick Curl is a coach who can coach up a player like Thigpen. Herm himself said Ingle isn’t ready so where does that leave us?
PS – Before someone brings it up, Culpepper ain’t coming here. We asked him once and he said no, he’s not going to say yes now.
October 19, 2008 – ED says:
“Contd. Either way we better be calling the Browns about Quinn at the end of the yr if Anderson continues to play better and cement his starting job. If that doesn’t work out we need to look at Stafford, Reesing, or Chase Daniel. Besides solving the issue of stopping the run a problem I’ve seen with the team the last 6 yrs, Herm needs to solve the quarterback issue if he wants to remain the head coach of this team beyond the 2009 season.”
Sorry Ed, but Reesing has a pop gun arm and Chase is a midget. Neither are NFL calibre QB’s.
Croyle cant be a backup QB.. There are 2 reasons a backup plays… the starter is hurt or he isnt playing well…. Croyle comes in because the starter is hurt…… Croyle gets injured… the 3rd QB is now the starter…… Croyle comes in because the starter isnt playing well…..Croyle gets hurt, starter has to go back in. Croyle’s career is over, he could be the next Montana, but he cant stay healthy, its time to move on. unfortunately, Herm and Co. will be in charge of grooming the next QB, and Herm has proven he cant do that, besides building a winner.
Guys this mess could get much worse, much worse. The organization is falling apart, no names please. Other than the Punter and maybe Tony G there is not much left. Why I do not know. This rebuild was needed but clark and herm chose weapons of their demise. There is really no answer other than maybe look to the future. Someday they will put together a decent team but not right now. Good Luck to all KC fans. You will need a lot of patience.
It’s so sad to see all this happening, 2 weeks before I make my much awaited1st visit to Arrowhead finally all the way from Canada! Right now it would just be nice for the boys to play another team with a losing record!
So what QB does everyone think the Chiefs should draft next year?
Forget about drafting a QB in the draft. We can’t afford a college wonder who can’t make it in the NFL-especially with Dick Curl to coach him. We must look for the VERY BEST YOUNG let proven QB in the league now that is neck and neck with the starter. (And I don’t mean UNPROVEN Quinn) Who says you have to draft a QB as your QBOTF. We need to trade for a young QB Of The Present or this team will implode. (P.S. Bring Brodie back as a back up)
Who Hank? You dismiss Quinn, then fail to mention anyone else. I have some ideas that I’ve mentioned here (Quinn is one) but can you think of a guy who has played alot and been halfway decent that a team would be willing to give up?
Stafford or painter are the only QB’s that will be available for us to draft.
Dick Curl will have o be gone in order for either to be productive. Staford could start from day 1 but there are a lot of growing pains to this. He will throw alot of INT’s because he is a gunslinger…. think Cutler/Favre. But is that really the type of QB herm would want? Painter would require you o sit him for a couple of years… ala Rodgers…… You could sign JP Losman for a couple of years, then Painter would be ready. Bradford from OU would be a better option but he most likely isnt coming out this year.
I dont see herm drafting Stafford because he isnt a Herm type of guy.
Herm’s type of playing will hopefully die when he gets fired. Even Tony Dungy learned a good offense wins you championships. Something Tony Dungy’s Tampa teams didnt learn until Gruden gave them a good offense.
Such a disappointing day. I’m a big Croyle supporter.. because outside of the injury bug I think the kid can play. He just cant stay healthy and today I have to let go of my hopes for Croyle to lead the Chiefs.
I think the hit would have been fine were it just Haynesworth dragging him down.. the problem in my view came from the guy coming from croyles right that dropped a shoulder into Croyle and causing the twisting. Haynesworth is a big guy and Croyle’s legs were held low.. only thing left to give.. the knee.
I think that part of the hit was dirty. The ball was away.. and Brodie was in the grasp and going down. Doesn’t change the outcome though and hearing how upset Brodie was reminds me why I dug the kid so much. No doubt he was a hard worker and had the will to win.. his body just cant match his heart.
All you bashers in here today about Chiefs mistakes in the draft or missing out on guys we could have had.. try and save it will ya? There’s 10 more games to rip the front office and such. For now.. a moment.. or rather.. night.. of silence for the QB that could have been.
I like Brodie….I’m very sorry for Brodie….but the Chiefs can’t afford to spend any more time on him. Whatever we end up doing….trading for a QB or drafting a QB….the time is now…before the start of next season the Chiefs must obtain a quality QB. Whoever it is must be able to take the hits and more importantly…avoid the hits….especially with this line. If they draft then they are staring over and it will take time to groom the new QB into something special. Now is the time to start the process. Brodie is, or at least should be, finished here….if ever there was a sign that that is true then today was it. The poor guy couldn’t even play half a game in his comeback. I don’t know what is in store for Brodie but I wish him good luck….somewhere else.
Agree Hank, Croyle as the backup. Thigpen as 3rd string & a starter needs to be found between now and opening day 2009.
too bad for brodie 9 out of 10 and showed a little promise but still we went 3 and out we need a QB badly and brodie would be an ideal backup still beating up on the system is not the answer. these young guys can really play the team needs to get used to chans system and the defense needs to mature and quit being pushed around play on there side not ours the outcome will change the o line what can you say about such good talent going to waste they are young i can wait
tmessina says:
Good Luck to all KC fans. You will need a lot of patience.
tmess, what team are you a fan of and why are you on this blog?
I know a lot of you are jumping ship but like it or not all of us Chiefs fans are in this one together.
As bad as this day was, we can still look on the positive side. Players grew up a little more today and the foundation is being laid. Losing will not become a habit but it will become hated and dreaded!
Also, you guys could try to be a little more creative with your posts. You are so sounding like typical blue collar workers, your giving us such a bad name!
I hate to say it but I called Croyle”s injury. He needs an O-Line and he couldve been great. Poor kid got hammered and I predicted the injury. It isn’t safe behind the Chiefs O-Line
WOW! I didn’t know every one here was a member of the social elite, Damn, I always considered myself a blue collar guy.
But this is the same guy that said…..
True Red and Gold says:
Merwin, I am not sure I agree. Shouldn’t your second best Tackle be a backup LT?
True Red & Gold is Clark Hunt! I finally solved this riddle! I kept thinking through the weeks, “how can this guy be so dense when it comes to this team/coach/GM/organization?” Then the Clark Hunt interview in the Star this week comes up and Clark says he thinks Herm and Carl are doing a good job. I think, “how can this guy be so dense when it comes to this team/coach/GM/organization?” The cheap shot to the proletariot seals the deal.
We all know True etc consistently posts some of the most assinine stuff on this blog. Posts so blindly loyal, doglike really, that they tend to make a person even more upset about another humiliating defeat. I’ll beat findthedr to the punch on this one: True Red is a homer AND has established himself and a snob and is quite possibly Clark Hunt.
Culpepper said he didn’t want to come to the Chiefs as a short-term fill in. If they told him he would have the rest of the year to make a case for being the long-term starter, he may be interested.
If we keep Brodie as a backup then we better have 4 QB’s on our roster because the 3rd stringer would be in the game pretty quick. What does a typical blue collar Chiefs fan sound like? So…..typical blue collar workers are uncreative….is that what you are saying True Red & Gold? I’ve wondered about tmess myself.
Oops….I claim responsibility for the above post.
Colby, I would rather be the loyal dog than the ass that kicks him!
I feel badly for Brodie, I liked him this year when he was able to play. I just feel getting a new QB will not solve the problems we have. This offensive line can not protect the QB no matter who it is. No QB will be able to take any of these hits that have put our QB’s on the disabled list. I fully believe Herm is snake bit in NY and now in KC as far as having a healthy QB is concerned. I would like to see a better QB come in here, but first and foremost we need good OL play, it’s the only way this thing will get turned around. On a positive note at least things are changing along the offensive line, finally!
Years from now, if. And I mean IF, the Chiefs become a contender again (provided the organization as a whole is purged), we will look back on this season, and should be used as an example for future NFL teams.
1) Balance developing new talent, while maintaining veteran experience.
2) Great coaching can cover up lack of talent, and lack of experience.
3) Hire people who want to win, and are willing to follow the rules.
This organization has failed to do that for the past 20+ years. Should we (and we will) become contenders for the Super Bowl, we’ll look back and never take for granted a sucessful Chiefs team. But more importantly, out of all those who put their time, money, heart, and soul into this team, the greatest victim of these 20 horrible years walked off the field at the end of the first quarter on Sunday. Brodie Croyle in my mind is the biggest victim of this organization’s ineptiude to run a football organization. Brodie Croyle could have been the next Joe Montana had he been drafted by a team that had a solid offensive line, and good coaches. Not to mention a conditioning coach who could have helped him bulk up, and become more resistant to injuries. But because of the Chiefs’ ineptitude, Brodie Croyle’s dream of playing in the NFL as a Quarterback, a dream he poured his heart, sweat, blood, tears, and soul into. That dream has been shattered.
When the Chiefs win another Super Bowl, the NEW organization should send Brodie a ring, because he earned it, and it was wrenched away from him. My prayers go out to you Brodie. Good luck.
There have been plenty of QB’s come into this league smaller and more slight than Croyle. The difference? They get out of the way!!!
I believe part of being a good QB is knowing how to take a hit or avoid getting hit a certain way. That one in NE, for instance. He just cowered like someone just about to get hit by a large object when you know there is no where to go. Croyle could have least taken a step to the side to lessen that blow. He could have contorted his body somehow to avoid landing RIGHT ON HIS SHOULDER!!
No he just wasn’t/isn’t very football savvy enough for this game, apparently. Look at Thigpen. I bet you he’ll make it through an entire game if he’s given the chance. He doesn’t just stand there and get WHALLOPPED!!! He freakin’ runs, man. HEY!! The Chiefs score when he’s in there. Hand the keys to Thigpen. What else you got to lose?
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