Brodie Prepping To Play … Tuesday Cup O’Chiefs
He can’t help it.
Whether he’s riding the stationary bike, or pushing a weighted sled up and down the field, or walking around carrying barbells, Brodie Croyle has to peek. He looks over at the field where the Chiefs are working against each other and tries to get a brief glimpse of what’s happening there.
“You’ve got to try and find your release somewhere, and mine is actually trying to watch the fun part of it, the practice,” Croyle said with a smile.
That’s the tortuous part of rehabbing his injury; the being on the outside looking in feeling when everybody is over there taking part in practice and he’s on the rehab team.
Croyle is sick of it. But the chance to get back into the action keeps him pushing through the sweat and toil of getting his injured left knee into shape and ready again for football.
“It’s just the opportunity to play again, that’s all you want,” Croyle said Monday after spending another morning rehabbing while the Chiefs went through their 11th OTA session of the off-season.
“You just want that one more opportunity to get back out there and see what you can do. That’s what pushes you. If you don’t love the game, I can see where it (rehab) would be really hard to do over and over again. This is a game I’ve grown up playing and it’s something I’m not ready to give up yet.”
The only luck that Croyle had in 2008 was bad. He was named the starting quarterback by Herm Edwards and it was going to be his opportunity to validate his selection in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft. First there was the right shoulder injury he suffered in the season opener against New England that knocked him out for four weeks.
Back on the field against Tennessee in mid-October, he suffered a torn MCL ligament in his left knee on a hit from Titans defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth. That ended his season.
In the aftermath, Tyler Thigpen got a chance to play and showed some of the same abilities that Croyle hoped to bring to the Chiefs offense: strong arm and mobility. Then in the off-season came the Arrowhead regime change and the trade that brought Matt Cassel to town.
A year later, Croyle is the forgotten man in the Chiefs Nation. He’s been unable to practice during the off-season program and mini-camps, as all the snaps have gone to Cassel, Thigpen and Ingle Martin.
Next up will be training camp, and Croyle says he’ll be ready.
“I’m 100 percent cleared right now,” said Croyle. “By training camp I will be 100 percent full go, nothing holding me back. From there it’s just going out and play football. It’s the same thing that I’ve always done. Just go out there and play and whatever happens, happens.”
A year later, Croyle’s future in Kansas City doesn’t look good. He’s 26 years old and bracketed by Cassel who is 27 and Thigpen who is 25. Plus, Croyle is in the final year of his rookie contract. Combined Croyle and Thigpen will make $990,000 this year, compared to the $14.65 million that Cassel will get thanks to New England making him their franchise player before the trade.
In three seasons, he’s played in just 13 of 48 regular season Chiefs games with eight starts.
A year later, there are two quarterbacks ahead of him on the depth chart.
“Just go and compete and let the chips fall where they may,” is what Croyle said his goal was for training camp. “Everybody wants to be out there playing … there are a bunch of roles on this team, I just have to figure out which one is mine.”
He’s going to head south after this week and rehab for a time down in Alabama with Dr. James Andrews, the man who performed the surgery on his knee ligament. That also gives him a chance to go back home and visit friends and family.
Brodie Croyle is well aware how important the month of August will be to his future.
“It’s a big training camp, no doubt,” he said. “I need to have a good showing and see where it puts us.”
But at least then, he’ll be part of the practice.
“I’m ready to get out there and get this thing rolling,” Croyle said.
SIGNINGS & MOVEMENT AROUND THE LEAGUE
BRONCOS – signed WR Brandon Lloyd (Bears).
CARDINALS – tight end Ben Patrick suspended by the NFL for four games for taking a banned substance.
FALCONS – signed fifth-round draft choice OT Garrett Reynolds; signed C Jeremy Newberry.
JETS – signed third-round draft choice RB Shonn Greene; signed LB Brock Christopher.
RAIDERS – signed DE/OLB Greg Ellis (Cowboys).
SAINTS – placed OL Alex Fletcher on reserve/retired list; signed C Digger Bujnoch.
SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY …
Born on June 16, 1965 in Portland, Oregon was WR J.J. Birden
(right). He spent five seasons with the Chiefs (1990-94) after breaking into the NFL with the Cleveland Browns. Birden played in 77 games and made 42 starts in Kansas City and then wrapped up his career with two seasons in Atlanta with the Falcons. He finished his KC career with 183 catches for 2,819 yards and 14 TD catches.
Born on June 16, 1969 in Washington D.C. was LB Santo Stephens. He played his rookie season with the Chiefs in 1993, appearing in 16 games that season. Stephens finished up his career playing one season for both Cincinnati and Jacksonville.
Born on June 16, 1980 in El Paso was K Michael Husted. He joined the Chiefs during the 2002 season after Morten Andersen was injured. Husted spent six games on the roster, making his only FG attempt from 38 yards. It was the last of nine NFL seasons with three different teams for him.
Well…at least on paper Brodie sounds like he has a great attitude about all of this….but you have to feel for the guy. I will be surprised if he is on the Chiefs roster when the pre-season games begin.
Brodie is the first half of the punchline that was the Herm Edwards regime. Somebody needs to tell that guy to hang it up and go back to work on his father’s “troubled boys” ranch. When you have been injured during your collegiate and pro career more than you’ve seen the field under center, maybe your body is trying to tell you something.
Go home, Brodie. I, for one am tired of you wasting my time.
Injuries and contract considerations aside, if Brodie has a spot on the Chiefs roster, the offense is in a bad way. He cannot stay healthy and had his shot at the NFL, move on.
Pioli/Haley cannot waste roster spots on this type of player. Does anyone doubt that with all his skills and intangibles, he will have a future in the NFL??
I can see him on the roster when pre-season games begin, but I can’t see him on the roster after the final cut. Given his injury history, the Chiefs will probably keep a #3 who can stay healthy for more than a quarter or so!
A logical possible landing spot for Croyle if he shows some ability might be a reunion with his former college coach, David Shula, now on the staff of Jax. The QB situation with the Jags isn’t as stable as it could be coming off their disappointing 2008 season and Del Rio is under the gun to get new momentum rolling.
Anyway, something to keep in mind should the Chiefs be looking for some compensation for Croyle if he’s still the odd man out come training camp season.
I dont know, you dont think that Brodie could beat out Ingle Martin for the 3rd spot?
Slight correction in the interest of being accurate. Make that MIKE Shula on the Jax staff who happens to be their QB coach and yes, he was Brodie’s head coach at the U of Alabama.
I agree with gorillafan. I think Brodie would be a better #3 than Martin. And it’s not like he has a huge contract to dump or anything.
And Rip ‘em…as far as compensation goes, what do you think anyone would give for a fragile #3 QB?
I want the best 3 possible qbs on the chiefs roster, and if croyle is one of them…than so be it.
I think people forget that Martin and Croyle were in the same Elite 11 class and both signed at major SEC programs. Croyle is certainly more well known having had more media exposure in college. I don’t think anyone can argue that Martin’s journey to the NFL was a more roundabout path but at the same time, had he been at UF when Urban Meyer got there who knows what would have happened.
I think Martin is the better athlete of the two. He’s probably considered more durable but honestly who would not be considered more durable than Brodie? I guess it depends on who has the longest term upside for a trade down the road. The reality of the 3rd team QB playing a down with two QBs under 30 on the roster is probably pretty slim
You would think Brodie is probably better than anyone else they could sign as a #3, and since they aren’t paying him much this year, why not keep him if he can stay healthy through pre-season? At least he has taken a few snaps in a game unlike Martin. Besides, Herm isn’t here so the chances of the 2 QB’s in front of him going down is slim.
Maybe if Haley can get him in better shape…Brodie might be a little more durable. Just a thought.
Scott,
I was thinking the same thing. Haley is, and will, get Brodie bigger and stronger, just like the rest of the team. When that happens, the possibility of injury is greatly reduced.
“Maybe if Haley can get him in better shape…”
Maybe if Haley can get his offensive line to block decently…(remember Brodie wasn’t the only offensive backfield player to go on IR last year)
SG,
True. Can we even count Huard, though? Seems like he just gave up, more than anything. He didn’t act like he wanted to play anymore.
Although I don’t think Croyal will be on the 53 man roster, I’m sure pulling for him.
Here’s some of the reasons.
He’s one tenacious S.O.B. Think about how many days he’s spent rehabbing, not just with this most recent injury, but total, college and Pro. If you’ve ever done any rehab, you should certainly appreciate that. He is committed! He had plenty of reasons to quit, but he hasn’t!
He’s got some skills!
He’s tough as nails! Yes! In spite of the injuries.
He’s proven that he can deal with adversity.
He’s an underdog. I tend to pull for people who have a disadvantage but don’t know it, or won’t believe it.
Showed some leadership.
And
He seems like a hell of a good guy!
Those are things that can’t be taught. He’d make my 53.
GO For It Brody!
Good Luck!
Josh-Croyle has all the intangibles you want from your QB. Sorry he’ “wasting your time.” Must be pretty valuable.
TM-Intangibles are pretty important at QB. I’m sure all Croyle wants is the chance to compete, and the line he has played behind was brutal. Croyle does hold the ball too long, but he is worthy of a job holding a clipboard. Bet he’s a good teammate, too. Why cut him out of spite? Let him compete.
“Can we even count Huard, though?”
I half-wonder if “Search” and “Check” as Rin refers to them have been watching tape to see which players quit on Herm last year to determine who’s on the “short leash” this off-season.
Croyle would be a fine 3rd QB; in that role durability would be less important than pure skill and knowledge of the offense. My guess, though, is that he’d rather find another team where he could compete for #1 or #2 than be 3rd QB on this one.
Excellent point, SG. And I bet they have. Even though I always liked Huard…I did feel like he quit on us last year.
I think Brodie will beat out Ingle Martin for the #3 spot this year. That is, if he’s really as close to being healthy as he says he is. Next year, he’ll still just be a restricted free agent because there won’t be a cap and he hasn’t put in six years yet! He could get a one year deal worth slightly more than he gets this year and be our #3 again in 2010. Heck if Cassel or Thigpen don’t pan out, he could be in the mix for more than that in 2010. It’s hard not to like the guy. So long as he’s not crowned QBOTF again, I think he’s a great guy to have on the roster.
Too bad the Raiders signed Greg Ellis. Makes sense though. He wanted to play DE in a 4-3. He wouldn’t have gotten many chances to do that here. I just hope our division rivals didn’t just pick up 8-10 sacks on the cheap late in the offseason! The guys running the show must feel confident in the pass rushing talent we already have. I’m not sold on this aspect just yet but we’ll see……
Brodie is the best pure passer onn the team, and I hope he is kept around at 3rd string at least.
Yeah, like his arm. Just glad we are not depending on him to be availible week in and week out.
Big believer in matt cassel, however, I also like Croyle, he just doesnt have the body for a starting QB….its too bad, he has EVERYTHING else.
You know….Croyle is a hard one to figure out. I mean look, for me the situation is pretty obvious. Thigpen can run the offense better than Cassel and Croyle due to the fact that he has played more with the team, knows the players, and knows that the line is dogsh!t. But he is still not a starting QB. Thigpen doesn’t act like one, look like one…in fact, Thigpen is good substitute, and that’s all he’ll be.
Croyle is just too injury prone. I like his arm, I believe it’s better than Thigpens, but still every snap for me is a nervous one knowing that Croyle is like glass. You can see his determination and his talent but it might be too little too late for him. He reminds me of a kid who constantly says he’s sorry, with time it just gets old and that’s exactly what you end up becoming…sorry.
Cassel, may not know the offense, he definitely does not know that line and he will need this season to pick up the feel for this team. Needless to say, he will be baptized in Red and Gold this season. He will hurt, he will be confused at times, and he will fail at times. But he does look like a QB and acts like one. Remember how many games Thigpen won for us??? But who Cassel will be next season for the chiefs should make us feel willing to go through the fire with him this season.
Brodie Croyle has an arm - a man’s - better than Thigpen’s good arm, and far better than Cassel’s sissy wing.
Croyle will make the team & dependent on his injury status could be the starter, the main backup or the third stringer.
As has been stated he is the best pure passer on the team, just as Ty Thigpen is the best runner among the QBs. Cassel? Ah…um…gesundheit yea- he’s the tallest…yay.
All of KC is behind you a& rooting for you Brodie!
I believe Brodie is better than Martin as #3 QB. But consider this, IF repeat IF the Chiefs HAVE to play their #3 QB, can Brodie take the beating that “apparently” sidelined the 1 and 2 QB. His history says no. Then what do they do. run a safety out for the rest of the game.
I’m still contemplating Brodie Coyle’s future here in KC. Many of you have made excellent points.
I agree he has plenty of talent. Great arm & accuracy. Knows the offense well enough to be competitive for the #3 role.
Boy, if he could just stay healthy long enough to prove himself. No doubt in my mind that Herm Edwards picked a talented player. His durability has been his downfall & all this re-habbing up to this point has been futile.
If he can stay healthy through training camp & the preseason & plays well. I would certainly like him to be our #3. Remember last year, we got to our #3 QB in a hurry. I know he wants to play & prove to himself & the NFL that he is the high caliber QB that was drafted a few years ago.
If he stays injury free for the next 5 years, I have no doubts he will be a great QB for the team he’s playing for.
Unfortunately, the odds of that are slim to none.
“Then what do they do. run a safety out for the rest of the game.”
Doesn’t really matter at that point. Anybody that goes on the field will be handing it to LJ and not much more. Hoepfully, the OL will give the QB enough time to do that.
its true, backup QB’s need to have zero injuries, however if he gets behind a cassel, who can be a 7 year guy in KC, he turns into Doug Peterson, or Todd Collins, both players were never put in harms way. Maybe Croyle has a longer career because of that however
if someone were to get hurt, can brodie take 1…2…3 sacks? Im not sure, I agree he has bad luck, but hes frail, there is a reason why being a QB in the NFL according to…Gannon is 1 in 206 Million(Said it on pros vs joes)..one has to believe its mostly due to the toll it takes on the body.
Guys like Roaf were able to be hurt, play hurt and hardly walk around, yet dominate in games, that cant happen at QB, Croyle, I hope, embraces that doug peterson role.
I think you all make great points about Brodie. He has a great arm, attitude, and the ability to be a drop back passer. However, he doesn’t have the ability to stay on the field. All of the other things don’t matter. Availabilty, in my opinion, is the most important attribute in a player. I hope he continues to play…on another team.
“I hope he continues to play…on another team.”
It seems a given that he will be on the roster for 2009. However, if his deal runs out and he comes back wanting more money, one would assume he’ll land elsewhere.
“Big” Lee-
Intangibles? Really? Are we talking about his “rocket” arm? That arm has thrown what-SIX whole touchdowns? You can have a cannon for an arm, but if you’re throwing more picks (EIGHT) than scores, what’s the point? Mike Vick can scramble and has a powerful arm, but I’ll take the accuracy of a Brady or Manning over the arm strength of Vick any day of the week.
Are we talking about the intangible of toughness? Roethlisberger had a similar arm injury at the same time as Croyle last season…and played through the pain. Croyle is not tough…if anything, he’s merely a glutton for punishment. His body lacks the stamina to stand up to the wear and tear of professional (or college for that matter) football.
JP, you hit it right on the head. If he can’t stay on the field, all the “intangibles” don’t amount to a hill of beans (or in Herm’s case, fig newtons).
And yes, my time is valuable, Lee. Feel lucky that I’m wasting it replying to your nonsense.
Like I have said many times. Croyle will be our starter by the first game of the season. Health aside, he is the best QB on our roster.
“Croyle will be our starter by the first game of the season.”
Okay, we’re not doing flashbacks from blog-posts from the 2008 pre-season…j/k.
Croyle will be our starter this season???
Your talking like RinTard.
If Croyle is our starting QB, it will mean one of two things:
Thiggy and Cassel are both injured and Martin is like the rest of the cast-offs that Herm brought in last year.
The end of the world is nigh, and we should all be sure our souls are right with God.
That has to be the smile for the day maybe the decade. “(Croyle)…..Health aside, he is the best QB on our roster.” Goodness why would anyone actually print that kind of comment. HS, college, and the Chiefs found out that “health issues” are his problems. How would he play in the NFL if he gets hurt every other game?? I know, let us get the NFL to forbid any player from touching Brodie during any given football game. I do not want to comment on certain writers because it only causes them to write more bilge, but this is priceless.
Does anyone recall the hit that put croyle out for the season. I think andre the Giant would have been injured. Croyle played behind the proven worst line in football
Thats why Huard gave up. Huard was awesome when he stepped in a couple of years ago when trent got hurt. He had the second highest passer rating in the league. He did’t however want to die which he knew would happen behind our line. Huard did give up. It was hilarious, he would hobble three steps back and side arm the ball into the turf. He didn’t care, he just didn’t want to get smeared. The guy is old enough, he oculd have simply exploded if he took a hit like croyle did
Trent Green experienced alot injuries early in his career. Hopefully Brodie can turn his career around like Trent . Brodie jus needs to gain weight plain and simple. He may get another opportuntity to start or be a backup but not here in KC. Good luck Brodie.
go brodie i hope you comeback with a vengeance, we never really got a chance to see you shine im pullin for you more than anybody else. good luck buddy.
Head cheif…learn how to spell…It’s C-H-I-E-F. “I before E, except after T.”
((Cue yet another Elton John paraphrase ^ fake Rin blog above))
“Green eyes, fake Rin’s got…green eyes.”
heh heh heh
“Green eyes, I’ve got…green eyes…for trees!”
heh heh heh
((Cue yet another Elton John paraphrase ^ fake Rin blog above))
“Green eyes, fake Rin’s got…green eyes.”
heh heh heh
Is anyone else tired of Rin talking to himself?
Josh, dude, if you have time to comment on Rin then your time isn’t that important. It’s not even pre-season. After all, this discussion is about who the 3rd-string QB will be. This isn’t nearly as important as the election in Iran, health care in the US, etc. Spend your precious time on something of value.
“Big” Lee,
That’s all you have? Can’t refute any of my points? Survey says: XXX. Sorry, we can’t send you home with the grand prize, but we have some lovely parting gifts for you, like this pack of disposable ladies’ razors.
And just FYI, there’s more than one Josh that posts on this site semi-regularly, and the one above your latest comment wasn’t me. Epic Fail. Try again.
at the least, croyle could be a great scout team QB for our D to go up against in practice. then, he could avoid the big hits of the game.
i think a lot of his frailness though came from herm’s lack of conditioning for his players. get brodie behind a line that can keep D players actually away from him and get some more muscle on brodie with better conditioning, and croyle might make something of himself in the NFL.
“his frailness though came from herm’s lack of conditioning…”
You didn’t watch him much at Alabama did you…