By Tony Pisano
July 19, 2008 11:01am CDT

Huard got his chance as a full-time NFL starter in 2007 but didn't produce numbers good enough to hold off Brodie Croyle. He started 10 games and passed for 2,257 yards, 11 TDs, and 13 INTs. For the second straight season Huard enters the year fighting for a job. The only difference is this Huard is fighting for a backup role. Croyle has the starting job locked up and Huard is in a battle with Tyler Thigpen for the backup role. It doesn't seem likely that Huard will make a fantasy impact this season, but perhaps an injury to Croyle could change that.

NFL CAREER
1998: Huard entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent signed by Miami. He spent his first season backing up Dan Marino. Huard appeared in two games, passing for no TDs and one INT.

1999: In his second NFL season, Huard managed to start five games when Marino missed time with an injury. He played well, passing for 1,288 yards, eight TDs, and four INTs. There were talks of Huard replacing Marino when he called it quits.

2000: Huard lost a training camp battle to Jay Fiedler as Marino's replacement. He started only one game and played in just three. Huard losing the starting job to Fiedler shaped his career as a backup.

2001: Huard left Miami and signed on as a backup in New England. With basically no experience behind Drew Bledsoe, it looked as though he would be the primary backup. Unfortunately for Huard, Tom Brady came out of nowhere and led the Patriots to a Super Bowl win. Huard didn't attempt a pass.

2002: Huard played in only two games in 2002 and didn't attempt a pass. Rohan Davey beat him out as the primary backup in New England.

2003: Huard attempted his first, last, and only pass as a Patriot in 2003. Huard couldn't find his way up the depth chart and decided to move on from New England.

2004: Huard signed with Chiefs and found himself third on the depth chart behind starter Trent Green and number two Todd Collins. Huard didn't attempt a pass. It would be an uphill battle for Huard to see the field.

2005: For the second consecutive year, Huard didn't see the field. Trent Green took every snap from center for Kansas City in 2005. At this point, Huard has attempted one pass over the last five seasons.

2006: Huard finally wins the backup QB job and gets a chance to play. Trent Green was injured halfway through the season and Huard took over the starting role. He played way above expectations, passing for 1,878 yards, 11 TDs, and one INT in eight starts. Huard's 0.4 INT percentage set an NFL record.

2007: For the first time in his career, Huard entered 2007 as an NFL starter. He was less than impressive, passing for 2,257 yards, 11 TDs, and 13 INTs in 11 appearances. The Chiefs found out the hard way why Huard has been a No. 3 QB most of his career.

TEAM SCENARIO
Brodie Croyle seems to have a firm grasp on the starting gig, but he hasn't shown enough to garner confidence from fantasy owners. Croyle started six games in 2007 and passed for 1,227 yards, six TDs, and six INTs. He hasn't done much to earn the starting gig, but the Chiefs organization believes in him and feels that he gives them the best chance to win. Huard should be able to win the backup job, but there have been reports that he is in a camp battle with Thigpen for that honor. If Huard can't beat out Tyler Thigpen for the number two job, there is a chance he could be released, and that, in turn, could lead to the end of his career.

Regardless of who's under center for the Chiefs, they figure to rely a great deal on their running game. The team is hoping that Larry Johnson can stay healthy and carry the load. Johnson was able to play only eight games last year and rushed for just 559 yards and three TDs. The Chiefs have nice depth behind Johnson this year. Second-year runner Kolby Smith and rookie Jamaal Charles will be in competition to be the backup and third-down back. The Chiefs used a third-round pick on Charles, and he has impressed the staff with his work so far this offseason.

The Chiefs appear to have found a gem in wideout Dwayne Bowe. Bowe stepped in immediately and posted solid numbers as a rookie, catching 70 passes for 995 yards and five TDs. It's a good sign for Bowe fans that he was able to produce with horrid quarterback play. There is an open competition at the WR2 position. Devard Darling, Jeff Webb, William Franklin, and Bobby Sippio are all fighting for playing time opposite Bowe. Darling and Franklin seem to be the favorites for the second and third spots. While Bowe is the up-and-coming talent, he still takes a backseat to tight end Tony Gonzalez. Gonzalez had 99 catches for 1,172 yards and five TDs. Gonzalez has shown no signs of slowing down and at age 32, is still one of the best at his position. Second-year player Michael Allen and rookie Brad Cottam will be the backups to Gonzalez.

2008 UPSIDE
The best thing Damon Huard has going for him is the inconsistency and injury history of Brodie Croyle. Croyle has had about a billion surgeries on 20 different body parts and has yet to prove he can produce in the NFL. If Croyle falters or gets injured (one of the two seem likely), Huard will likely get his chance to see the field. The Chiefs offense should be improved with new additions to the backfield and offensive line. Huard has some value in larger leagues that start two QBs.

2008 DOWNSIDE
What's the downside of Huard? He is currently fighting for a backup job and is at risk to be released before the season. The Chiefs are clearly rebuilding, and that could be bad news for the 35 year-old Huard. The Chiefs have seen what Huard can do and may want to give Thigpen a shot if Croyle misses time. There is also one big hurdle standing in Huard's way... he is Damon Huard. Huard simply isn't a good quarterback and will have little to no value even if he sees the field. Not having enough talent to be successful is a pretty big hurdle to have to jump.

OVERALL FANTASY IMPACT
Damon Huard shouldn't even be drafted in "Damon Huard-only" leagues. He is a backup quarterback with little to no value even if he somehow gets on the field. With his low TD totals and high INT totals, there is a chance that he could get you negative points if you are stuck and have to start him. It might be harsh to think that you would be better off leaving your QB position empty than starting Huard, but that might be the case. Draft a third kicker before you even consider wasting a pick on Huard.