An Example to Follow

Aug 25, 2008, 8:40:02 AM by Bob Gretz - FAQ

Understand that this is not an indictment of Brodie Croyle and his future as the starting quarterback for the Chiefs. Croyle did not lose the game in Miami this past Saturday. Neither did he win the game.

On a night when the entire roster took a step backwards, Croyle joined them. He did not have a lot of help in getting the offense moving. Pass protection was a problem and the running game did not produce consistent yardage. Receivers could not get open and TE Tony Gonzalez was double teamed most of the night.

In watching the tape from this game, I’m sure there’s plenty Croyle can learn from his mistakes and those of others around him. But if I was Herm Edwards, I’d make sure my starting quarterbacks spent some time looking at the tape of the Miami offense, specifically when Chad Pennington was on the field.

Starting his first game for the Dolphins, Pennington did exactly what he’s done throughout his NFL career when he was with the New York Jets. He played smart football, he threw the passes that were available to him; he didn’t try to force the ball into places where there was danger. Pennington set up the running game and he made time for himself with his feet. What he did best was not make any mistakes.

If you want to know what Edwards wants from Croyle as his starting quarterback, then one need only check out Pennington’s performance on Saturday night against the Chiefs.

Pennington did not re-write the record books or racked up huge passing numbers. In fact, the Miami offense struggled against the Chiefs defense, with the No. 1 unit scoring just one touchdown against Kansas City’s top defensive players. But those struggles did not come because of Pennington. Even though he’s been with the team all of about two weeks, he played well.

It started with the first possession of the game, as Pennington drove the Dolphins for 15 plays, running more than 10 minutes off the first-quarter clock. Miami had to settle for a field goal, but that was because the Chiefs defense rose up, especially against the running game and Ricky Williams to keep them out of the end zone.

Pennington was five-for-five in the drive, while also picking up another 13 yards on a scramble. None of the passes were lengthy, with only one going more than 10 yards down the field. The longest completion was 12 yards.

It was that way all through the first half with Pennington and the Miami offense. He came out and ran one drive in the third quarter, throwing his deepest ball of the night, going downfield against rookie CB Brandon Flowers. The pass fell incomplete but was never in danger of being picked off.

So in a little more than a half, Pennington was 11 of 15 for 94 yards and a 17-yard touchdown pass. He had the one scramble for 13 yards and got himself out of several possible sacks with his legs. It came down to this for the Dolphins passing offense under Pennington: there were 15 passing plays and 11 gained yardage. In contrast, the Chiefs offense with Croyle at the helm had 18 passing plays and 11 of those went for zero or negative yardage.

That’s the difference between a 10-year veteran and a third-year guy in a new offensive scheme, with a new coordinator and a rebuilding offensive line.

Listen, I’m not sure Chad Pennington was or ever will be the type of quarterback that will take his team to a Super Bowl championship. He is not cut from the mold of Peyton Manning or Tom Brady. He’s in his ninth season in the league and coming into the 2008 regular season with his new team, Pennington is 32-29 as a starter. Since becoming a full-time starting quarterback, he played only one full season; the others were dimpled by injuries.

But despite those travails, he has 82 career TD passes to 55 interceptions. That’s a very good ratio for any quarterback, but exceptional for a guy who is right around .500 as a starting quarterback.

Miami will ask Pennington to do just what he’s done over the years: play smart, error-free quarterback, setting up others to provide the big plays and protecting the Dolphins defense.

From that, Brodie Croyle can learn plenty.

The opinions offered in this column do not necessarily reflect those of the Kansas City Chiefs.

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A former beat reporter who covered the Pittsburgh Steelers during their glory years, Gretz covered the Chiefs for the Kansas City Star for nine years. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Board of Selectors. He has been the senior columnist for the Chiefs web site since its inception.