It's highly doubtful that Phil Simms, the analyst for CBS' lead broadcasting team, will get to see Brodie Croyle and the Chiefs this season.
Sunday's crew of Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf and next week's team of Kevin Harlan and Rich Gannon will be as good as it gets for the low-profile Chiefs.
But Simms did watch a little tape of Croyle this pre-season, and had these comments for us this week:
"I've got to get a life because I did watch a lot of pre-season football," said Simms, who will work Sunday's Miami-NY Jets game and saw Croyle on tape in the Chiefs' pre-season game against the Dolphins.
"You could see the improvement in natural body strength and everything else that comes with age in a young quarterback," Simms said of Croyle.
"He does have a good arm. I would say if I picked him apart, he's got to be a more consistent thrower. To have success in the NFL, it's wonderful to have a strong arm, but you have to throw it where you're aiming it to go. He didn't do that last year. It did look better in pre-season, but how are they going to package him?
"It's not going to be about Brodie Croyle, it's going to be about managing the game, and it really will with Chan Gailey and Herm Edwards as the head coach, it's going to be a different style of play.
"I would be shocked if he put up great numbers or you see a game where he throws for 350 yards, and they win handily right from the start."
We're looking at a Trent Dilfer scenario at best with Brodie. If he can manage games in that manner then we'll be ok but we'll never win the big game with him.
We're looking for a strong swimmer - not someone who can barely manage to keep his head above the water. Not trying to be overly critical - just being honest.
GO CHIEFS!
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