Chiefs missing Green as Huard falters in Miami

By Clayton Wendler  |   Monday, November 13, 2006  |  Comments( 5 )

Kansas City Chiefs
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Three AFC West quarterbacks found themselves staring down second-half deficits yesterday. Only two brought their teams back to claim victory.

In Cincinnati, young Philip Rivers led his San Diego Chargers back from a 21-point deficit, beating the Bengals 49-41. Rivers' third-down touchdown pass to backup tight end Brandon Manumaleuna provided the winning score.

In Oakland, Jake Plummer, despite three awful interceptions, led his Broncos back from a six-point deficit that seemed insurmountable for the better part of the second half. The Broncos defeated the Raiders, 17-13, with Plummer's fourth-down touchdown pass to fullback Kyle Johnson providing the winning score.

In Miami, Kansas City Chiefs backup quarterback Damon Huard had his chance. The Chiefs fought their way back from a 13-0 deficit and had the ball with just over three minutes left. Huard had already led the Chiefs to three game-winning drives this year.

But this time, there would be no fourth-quarter heroics. No fanfare for the backup quarterback. This time there was only disappointment as Huard's fourth-down pass to wide receiver Samie Parker, thrown high, fell incomplete.

Rivers. Plummer. Huard.

One of these things is not like the other.

Did Huard's improbable season-off-the-bench come crashing to an end in Miami, the place where his NFL career started? It was easily his worst game of the season, as he completed just 15 of 38 passes for 201 yards. There were no interceptions to be found, but that was merely due to the providence of Miami's defensive backs (and defensive end Jason Taylor), who dropped several.

Chiefs fans may have found themselves missing the man Huard replaced: Trent Green. They may have found themselves wondering if Huard's errant passes (low, behind, above, late, take your pick) might have been a little more on target had Green been the man throwing them.

They might have found themselves wondering if Green would have seen an open Kris Wilson in the end zone late in the third quarter. Huard didn't, and the Chiefs had to settle for a field goal.

And yes, they may have found themselves wondering if, on that last drive of the game, had Green been under center, would the Chiefs have found a way to win the game?

Perhaps Green would have thrown Huard's pass to Tony Gonzalez on second-and-16 with 1:40 remaining just a little higher. Perhaps Gonzalez would have caught it. Perhaps Gonzalez would not be hurting today from a nasty shoulder injury that threatens to sideline him for the better part of a month.

So, does Huard go back to the bench? Green has been practicing with the team for over a week now. Chiefs head coach Herm Edwards said after the game that he wasn't going to rush Green back just because Huard had a bad game.

But like those Chiefs fans, you had to wonder if maybe in the back of Edwards' mind, he too was thinking that this Chiefs team needs Trent Green. Just like those other AFC West teams needed their quarterbacks. You know, the guys that got the job done in crunch time?

Will it be Green or Huard this Sunday for the Kansas City Chiefs? Find out at RealFootball365.com
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