Huard’s hot hand hauls Chiefs over hump

By Clayton Wendler  |   Tuesday, October 31, 2006  |  Comments( 2 )

Kansas City Chiefs
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Damon Huard limped onto the Arrowhead Stadium field about 9:30 a.m. on Sunday. After tweaking his groin in practice last Thursday, his status was up in the air.

Gingerly, the 10-year veteran went through his warm-up. It didn't look good. Huard said he felt like garbage, but the Chiefs trotted him out to start the game anyway.

Predictably, Kansas City tried to get the ball into the hands of running back Larry Johnson on the game's first two plays from scrimmage. A first-down run netted three yards, and a short dump pass on second down was dropped.

It was time to test that groin.

Huard lined up under center with three wideouts, took the snap, worked into his seven-step drop, stepped up and rifled a pass downfield to tight end Tony Gonzalez for a 16-yard gain. First down.

Still feeling like garbage, Damon?

As it turned out, the only thing resembling garbage on this day was Seattle's porous secondary. Huard gritted his way to a career-best 312-yard performance, the first 300-yard game of his career. He completed 17 of 25 passes, and would have hit 19 had two of them not been dropped.

All day long, he burned Seattle's linebackers and safeties with passes down the seam to Gonzalez. He dumped the ball off to Johnson and fullback Kris Wilson when the play called for it. He zipped tight throws on the sideline and over the middle of the field to wide receiver Eddie Kennison.

He appeared, for all intents and purposes, someone who really didn't need a healthy groin. He was playing his best game of the season against one of the league's fiercest pass rushes.

And so it was, with a little help from Johnson (OK, a LOT of help, to the tune of 181 total yards), Huard and the Chiefs built a 27-14 lead about three quarters of the way through the game. It was then that disaster struck.

A botched field goal attempt led to a touchdown by Seattle's special teams. Chiefs cornerback Ty Law fell down on a double move by Seahawks wide receiver Darrell Jackson. Suddenly, against all odds, Seattle had the lead.

Fortunately, Huard saved his best for last.

Starting from their own 20 with just over six minutes remaining, the Chiefs' running game stalled at the worst possible moment. Two passes by Huard got the offense to midfield before Johnson was hit for a loss. On second-and-11 from the 42, Huard dropped back and saw pressure flooding right into his face. He also saw Kennison breaking free down the left sideline, not a defender between him and the end zone.

Maybe it wasn't a perfect pass. Kennison fell down trying to catch it. Huard almost fell down trying to throw it, two defensive linemen draped over his body. Regardless, it set up Johnson's winning score, and may have saved Kansas City's season.

So why did Huard play his best game of the season after hobbling around in pre-game warm-ups? Maybe this was one of those wacky deals where the rest of your body compensates, you know? Like a blind man developing superior hearing?

Maybe Huard should try injuring something else in practice this week. The Chiefs might need 400 yards from him against the St. Louis Rams.

Get more Kansas City Chiefs analysis at RealFootball365.com
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