The winters loudest crash in Kansas City was not last months 30-car pileup on I-435.
It was the Chiefs career of Trent Green. Carl Petersons signing of quarterback Damon Huard to a three-year deal, worth $7.5 million is still reverbing up to Arrowheads 300-Level.
Huard would have been an unrestricted free agent this weekend, meaning the Chiefs did not want to engage in a bidding competition for Huards services (bidding war seems a little melodramatic for a 33-year-old career backup). However, with the money already allocated for the 2007 payroll, the signing comes with a clear cut message.
Trent Green is done as a Chief.
The Chiefs have already doled out free-agent money to retain All-World tight end Tony Gonzalez. King Carl has stated he plans on paying Jared Allen as a restricted free agent. The Chiefs are looking to lock up linebacker Kawika Mitchell and potentially give Larry Johnson an extension. With glaring needs at left tackle (one of the most expensive positions in football) and defensive line, it seems unlikely Kansas City would throw money at a quarterback for mere insurance.
The signing underscores the Chiefs lack of confidence in Trent. And how could you blame them. After returning from the brutal hit on Opening Day, Trent played tentatively, indecisively and erratically. In the playoff loss to the Colts, the lack of confidence and leadership Trent displayed was alarming. This was no longer the proven veteran with an intuitive knowledge of the offense and Pro Bowl honors under his belt. Trent played like a rookie, thrown into the fire without answers or experience.
But Herm Edwards wants to make this football team younger. He has no interest in patchworking a veteran group to go 9-7 and sneak into the playoffs. He wants to build a nucleus of a winner with young players, his players, through the draft. So why lock up a 33-year old back up signal-caller? As a bridge to Brodie Croyle or whoever emerges at the quarterback of the future. This is not an insurance signing to safeguard against another injury to Trent. Carls penny-pinching reputation would not suggest spending $2.5M per season for a guy that might not see the field.
Signs point to Trent announcing his retirement anyway. His family was already concerned (rightfully so) of him coming back after the injury last season. It would be even tougher for a 37-year-old Trent (yes, 37) to come back for another grueling season of weight-training, classroom study, training camp and 265-pound blitzing linebackers who might not mind ending his career for good.
If this is indeed Trents last weeks as a Chief, it would be appropriate to salute his efforts. Two Pro Bowls. Three consecutive four-thousand-yard passing campaigns. One-hundred-and-eleven touchdown passes as a Chief. Innumerable community contributions to Kansas City. Bravo, Trent. Unfortunately, the Chiefs have to be getting on their way.
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The Crypt Keeper's Holiday Crazy
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Idol? Oklahoma
takes it on the chin with this famous call from R.B. Missed
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D.A. Show tribute to Alan Thicke.
Is
Crazy Ray really crazy? Take a listen to find out.
A
D.A. Show Investigation reveals color commentators handing out the pink slip
to local college coaches.
Quinner's
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staple of any good office party. It's the Dick Vermeil montage XP: final edition.
Duh, ok.
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callers finally had their own chance to put their stamp on the Vermeil montage Why
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