I am very pleased to have our first interview with an NFL affiliate of the season, coming from Chris Thorman over at Arrowhead Pride. The Browns play the Chiefs tomorrow, and I wanted to know what the team has done to improve since the Browns defeated them last season:
1. Last year, the Browns offense was not good at all. The only bright spot for our quarterbacks, Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson, came against the Kansas City Chiefs. Both men were able to completely take apart the Chiefs' pass defense. Has the Chiefs defense improved in the offseason to take care of this weakness?
Thorman: The Kansas City Chiefs pass defense has certainly improved and that is most evident through our two young safeties, Bernard Pollard and Jarrad Page. Both were rookies last year and both started a handful of games. Despite only being second year guys, both Pollard and Page have distinguished themselves enough to call them starters. Along with the secondary, the Chiefs defense in general and especially the defensive line have improved remarkably. Jared Allen and Tamba Hali are both potential Pro Bowlers as they anchoring each side of the defensive line.
2. How has Priest Holmes been doing in training camp so far? Will he be playing this Saturday, and if so, how much action should he see?
Thorman: Priest Holmes has seen limited action in camp this year. He isn't participating in team drills yet. Instead, he's been doing a few sideline sprints and some general conditioning. The closest he's been to playing in almost two years was when he put on his shoulder pads this past week. Holmes is currently on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list and will not be playing in this weekend's game. Its up in the air at this point when Holmes will step onto a football field.
3. The Chiefs are possibly in a worse quarterback situation than the Browns, since Brodie Croyle has not started any games in the NFL yet. Is Croyle going to start this Saturday, or is Damon Huard still filling that role?
Thorman: Brodie Croyle will start this Saturday with Damon Huard starting next week against the
Miami Dolphins. With Brodie Croyle, the Chiefs are trying to do something they've never really done before- Draft and develop their own starting QB. Damon Huard could easily step in and be a nearly mistake free QB. He plays at an acceptable but not exceptional level. Should be an interesting story to watch in the NFL this year.
I would like to thank Chris for taking the time to answer these questions. Gameday is tomorrow, and I'm looking forward to see how a guy like Brodie Croyle will do against our starting secondary.
