Damon Huard

The Chiefs have officially handed the reins to Brodie Croyle, meaning Huard may not start a game in 2008. Even if Croyle does get pulled (due to injury or ineffectiveness), Kansas City may turn to Tyler Thigpen to see if the youngster has any long-term potential. Huard should be avoided in nearly all seasonal drafts.

Speaking of first downs, it was Huard, not Peyton Manning, who generated them on the highest percentage of passing attempts. Huard also averaged 7.7 yards per attempt. And he threw just one pick to go along with those 11 TD passes. Plus, he was sacked once every 15 attempts compared to once every eight attempts for Trent Green. So, that’s solid evidence that Huard has plus-pocket awareness even if Green was playing with half a deck after the massive concussion in the season opener. We don’t find any bad 2006 numbers for Huard, and there’s not enough before last year to matter much, either. But don’t think about his ’06 numbers too much, or you’ll be tempted to view Huard as a guy you can rely on as your starter. And maybe everyone was wrong about him all along. But the Chiefs intend to give Brodie Croyle every chance to win the starting job this summer, and even if though Huard is likely to start with the job, he’s not likely to keep it all year. Moreover, the receiving corps is in transition and likely to be a minus, with Tony Gonzalez starting to fade.

With the team likely to take it slow with rookie Brodie Croyle, Huard should open the season as Trent Green's primary backup.

Huard, the Chiefs' No. 3 quarterback, is far from likely to see the field this year. Not only has starter Trent Green not missed a start in four seasons, but backup Todd Collins is a more-than-capable option if Green does go down. Huard could have some fantasy value if somehow he winds up playing, but that scenario is certainly not expected to happen.

Third-stringer who will only see time if the durable Trent Green and backup Todd Collins go down.