Cougar Notes: Halliday tries out with Chiefs

PULLMAN - Even when the football world at large seemed to believe that Connor Halliday had renounced the game, the quarterback himself never uttered a public word to that effect.

Maybe this is why. He wasn't sure.

The former Washington State star, who supposedly abandoned his quest for a pro career last spring, pulled another surprise Tuesday and began a tryout with the Kansas City Chiefs, probably for their practice squad.

"He is working out with them today and tomorrow," the quarterback's father, Duane Halliday, acknowledged Tuesday, confirming a report earlier in the day on Cougfan.com.

The NCAA record-holder for single-game passing yardage has kept a low public profile since apparently relinquishing a tryout with the Washington Redskins in May. The Washington Post cited an unnamed source in reporting that he had retired from football, and WSU coach Mike Leach said in July, "He just decided he didn't want that journey."

But Halliday never made an announcement either way. And he has apparently changed his mind.

"I just heard about it when I came out here - don't know any details," Leach said Tuesday after a WSU preseason practice at Rogers Field. "He throws the ball better than nearly anybody, including the guys in that league. Then of course, playing quarterback anywhere is a skill you've got to learn around the package and the team you've got. Hopefully he'll get himself a chance."

Chiefs coach Andy Reid, renowned for his work with quarterbacks, appears to have no pressing need for another signal-caller for his active roster, where third-year starter Alex Smith is backed up by veteran Chase Daniel and second-year pro Aaron Murray. But a berth on the Chiefs practice squad could provide valuable experience to Halliday, who went unselected in the NFL draft in April.

"Andy Reid's a great offensive guy - brilliant," Leach said. "So's his staff."

Halliday's pro prospects took a hit when he sustained two leg fractures in the Cougars' fourth-to-last game in 2014, preventing him from participating actively in the NFL scouting combine and hampering his efforts to beef up his 6-foot-3, 204-pound frame.

He recovered in time to work out for scouts in Pullman last spring, and he signed a free-agent contract with Redskins shortly after the draft. He was issued a uniform number that matched the No. 12 he wore in college, and the Redskins seemed to like his chances of bucking the odds and wrangling a spot on their roster.

But when the club opened a three-day minicamp in May, Halliday's name had been removed from the roster.

"The decision surprised me," Leach said during Pac-12 media days last month. "... He decided he didn't want the National Football League, to be a part of that, and just kind of wanted to move on. My biggest hope is that he doesn't regret it, because he certainly has the ability to play and things like that."

CONTINGENCY PLANS - Washington State administrators have looked into the possibility of moving or rescheduling their season opener in Pullman on Sept. 5 against Portland State if smoky air from regional wildfires creates hazardous conditions for players or fans.

Among the ideas being discussed is moving the nonleague game to the Kibbie Dome in Moscow.

But it's too early to speculate on the likelihood of such measures. Air quality in Pullman has improved significantly since Sunday, when the smoky conditions prompted the Cougars to move practice to their indoor facility.

"We're just doing our due diligence," WSU sports information director Bill Stevens said Tuesday of the contingency discussions.

The Cougars are scheduled to play Portland State at 11 a.m. in that Saturday game next week, with television coverage by the Pac-12 Networks.

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Grummert may be contacted at daleg@lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2290.