Chiefs Gretz: Why Thigpen Is Starting - Page 4

**Tribal Warfare** · 09-18-2008, 04:42 AM

Why Thigpen Is Starting
September 17, 2008 - Bob Gretz |

The whole quarterback situation around the Chiefs has been pretty wacky and hard to understand.

And that’s if you are Herm Edwards.

His decision to start his third different quarterback in the season’s first three games speaks to more wackiness in the eyes of some fans and I’m sure the pundits.

Tyler Thigpen will replace Damon Huard who replaced Brodie Croyle as the starter against Atlanta. Huard’s start came because of Croyle’s injury. Thigpen’s start came because … it’s the right thing for Edwards and his coaching staff to do at this time.

Let’s break this down three ways and with three different views of the decision: this Sunday, short-term (the rest of the ‘08 season) and long-term (the future).

THIS SUNDAY

Doesn’t Huard give the Chiefs a better chance of winning in Atlanta than Thigpen? Maybe yes. Maybe no. Certainly his experience is a factor that can’t be ignored and he’s got that all over Thigpen.

But take a look at the Falcons and their defense. Atlanta has the NFL’s leading sacker after two games: defensive end John Abraham, who has four and now has 71.5 career sacks. That ranks him among the top seven sacks over the last eight seasons and two games. Plus, he’s playing at home and indoors on artificial turf. It’s a pass rusher’s dream situation.

Let’s be honest, if they move Abraham over to the left side and have him rush against RT Damion McIntosh, then whoever is playing quarterback for the Chiefs is in trouble. Better to have somebody with some mobility, who can get away from that kind of pressure. Huard can’t do that. Thigpen can.

Plus, that mobility allows the Chiefs to do more with their offensive game plan, especially with the bootlegs and nakeds that they’ve worked on all through the off-season and in training camp. Those are not things that Huard can do very well. Thigpen has a better chance to make them work.

THIS SEASON

In what Edwards hopes is the best case scenario, Croyle will return in two weeks, maybe three, and then start the remaining games in the ‘08 season.

The odds of that happening aren’t very good based on history, but a coach can dream, can’t he?

So this might be the only time Thigpen gets the chance to start and play. Edwards is determined to allow every player to get on the field and show what he has, so the coaching and personnel staffs can fairly evaluate what talent is in house.

If all goes well, this will be Thigpen’s only shot. Everyone knows what Huard can do. Some outside the team’s offices may have already made their decisions on Thigpen, but the decision makers want to see more. This is his chance.

THE FUTURE

The Chiefs will face a big decision, maybe the most important of this rebuilding project, when the ‘08 season is completed. That revolves around quarterback.

The team must make decisions at the end of this season on whether their quarterback is in house, or they need to go find him. When Croyle comes back, he’ll have 11 or 12 games to prove himself. To be fair, he probably needs more, but right now, that’s what he’s going to get. If he’s injured again, then his chances of sticking are pretty much gone.

If Thigpen can be any kind of factor or competition, he must play and show those skills.

His time is now.

Based on the track record of starting quarterbacks for Herm Edwards, Ingle Martin better make sure he’s ready to go.

triple · 09-18-2008, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

I think we would have beaten the Raiders with Croyle.

My ass.

Was Croyle going to stop them from getting 5 or 6 yards per carry?

BigChiefFan · 09-18-2008, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

I think we would have beaten the Raiders with Croyle.

All of Croyle's victories are quite impressive. All NONE of them.

triple · 09-18-2008, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigChiefFan

All of Croyle's victories are quite impressive.

Nevermind my post, here's the coup de grace!

Hammock Parties · 09-18-2008, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by triple

My ass.

Was Croyle going to stop them from getting 5 or 6 yards per carry?

Yes, by sustaining drives on offense, and keeping our defense off the field.

Thigpen was ****ing disgusting. We had 80 yards of offense through three quarters. Brodie isn't near that bad. We would have had a healthy 200 yards with Brodie in there!

BigChiefFan · 09-18-2008, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

Yes, by sustaining drives on offense, and keeping our defense off the field.

Thigpen was ****ing disgusting. We had 80 yards of offense through three quarters. Brodie isn't near that bad. We would have had a healthy 200 yards with Brodie in there!

Of course Thigpen's play was awful. He was a practice squad player who became our no. 3 guy, who has played a total of 3/4th of a football game. WTF did you expect...Joe Montana? Get a grip.

Hammock Parties · 09-18-2008, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigChiefFan

Of course Thigpen's play was awful. He was a practice squad player who became our no. 3 guy, who has played a total of 3/4th of a football game. WTF did you expect...Joe Montana? Get a grip.

No, I expected him to suck. Because he sucks. All he has done as a Chief is suck. Training camp, preseason, now regular season.

Tyler suckpen.

BigChiefFan · 09-18-2008, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

No, I expected him to suck. Because he sucks. All he has done as a Chief is suck. Training camp, preseason, now regular season.

Tyler suckpen.

Same with Croyle. BFD. It's life as a Chief fan.

Hammock Parties · 09-18-2008, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigChiefFan

Same with Croyle. BFD. It's life as a Chief fan.

You can't possibly compare Croyle to Thigpen with a straight face. Croyle is a vastly superior player. There's a huge difference. Huge.

triple · 09-18-2008, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

You can't possibly compare Croyle to Thigpen with a straight face. Croyle is a vastly superior player. There's a huge difference. Huge.

No difference except Thigpen can stay healthy so far. Zero wins for the chiefs with either under center. The difference is that Croyle has had what, 9 chances?

BigChiefFan · 09-18-2008, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

You can't possibly compare Croyle to Thigpen with a straight face. Croyle is a vastly superior player. There's a huge difference. Huge.

They both suck, however, one has had way more time, was given the job and still can't hang on to it. The other is just now getting a chance. Surely, anybody that has knowledge of the rebuild, would know we aren't doing shit this year, with this cast of QBs. Croyle has been utter dog shit for 10 games now, Thigpen for less than a game, besides that the other two QBs are INJURED, making your entire contention irrelevant.

Hammock Parties · 09-18-2008, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigChiefFan

Croyle has been utter dog shit for 10 games now

He's much better than Thigpen.

KCJohnny · 09-18-2008, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

Yes, by sustaining drives on offense, and keeping our defense off the field.

Thigpen was ****ing disgusting. We had 80 yards of offense through three quarters. Brodie isn't near that bad. We would have had a healthy 200 yards with Brodie in there!

And another loss.

Thigpen at least has that certain something that makes you stop short of writing him off. When he's in the 2 minute drill he's highly effective for a young QB with a very young roster.

Hammock Parties · 09-18-2008, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCJohnny

And another loss.

Thigpen at least has that certain something that makes you stop short of writing him off. When he's in the 2 minute drill he's highly effective for a young QB with a very young roster.

If Thigpen had generated more than 80 stinking yards of offense IN THREE QUARTERS, he wouldn't have had to run around like a chicken with his head cut off in the 2-minute drill.

There's no question Croyle gives the Chiefs the best chance to win. None whatsoever.

BigChiefFan · 09-18-2008, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

He's much better than Thigpen.

Yep, all those victories prove your right. Stellar Brodie, the vastly superior QB with ZERO WINS.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 09-18-2008, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

If Thigpen had generated more than 80 stinking yards of offense IN THREE QUARTERS, he wouldn't have had to run around like a chicken with his head cut off in the 2-minute drill.

There's no question Croyle gives the Chiefs the best chance to win. None whatsoever.

But Croyle isn't available, so you're arguing over nothing.

09-18-2008, 04:42 AM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-2877187	Gretz: Why Thigpen Is Starting Why Thigpen Is Starting September 17, 2008 - Bob Gretz \| The whole quarterback situation around the Chiefs has been pretty wacky and hard to understand. And that’s if you are Herm Edwards. His decision to start his third different quarterback in the season’s first three games speaks to more wackiness in the eyes of some fans and I’m sure the pundits. Tyler Thigpen will replace Damon Huard who replaced Brodie Croyle as the starter against Atlanta. Huard’s start came because of Croyle’s injury. Thigpen’s start came because … it’s the right thing for Edwards and his coaching staff to do at this time. Let’s break this down three ways and with three different views of the decision: this Sunday, short-term (the rest of the ‘08 season) and long-term (the future). THIS SUNDAY Doesn’t Huard give the Chiefs a better chance of winning in Atlanta than Thigpen? Maybe yes. Maybe no. Certainly his experience is a factor that can’t be ignored and he’s got that all over Thigpen. But take a look at the Falcons and their defense. Atlanta has the NFL’s leading sacker after two games: defensive end John Abraham, who has four and now has 71.5 career sacks. That ranks him among the top seven sacks over the last eight seasons and two games. Plus, he’s playing at home and indoors on artificial turf. It’s a pass rusher’s dream situation. Let’s be honest, if they move Abraham over to the left side and have him rush against RT Damion McIntosh, then whoever is playing quarterback for the Chiefs is in trouble. Better to have somebody with some mobility, who can get away from that kind of pressure. Huard can’t do that. Thigpen can. Plus, that mobility allows the Chiefs to do more with their offensive game plan, especially with the bootlegs and nakeds that they’ve worked on all through the off-season and in training camp. Those are not things that Huard can do very well. Thigpen has a better chance to make them work. THIS SEASON In what Edwards hopes is the best case scenario, Croyle will return in two weeks, maybe three, and then start the remaining games in the ‘08 season. The odds of that happening aren’t very good based on history, but a coach can dream, can’t he? So this might be the only time Thigpen gets the chance to start and play. Edwards is determined to allow every player to get on the field and show what he has, so the coaching and personnel staffs can fairly evaluate what talent is in house. If all goes well, this will be Thigpen’s only shot. Everyone knows what Huard can do. Some outside the team’s offices may have already made their decisions on Thigpen, but the decision makers want to see more. This is his chance. THE FUTURE The Chiefs will face a big decision, maybe the most important of this rebuilding project, when the ‘08 season is completed. That revolves around quarterback. The team must make decisions at the end of this season on whether their quarterback is in house, or they need to go find him. When Croyle comes back, he’ll have 11 or 12 games to prove himself. To be fair, he probably needs more, but right now, that’s what he’s going to get. If he’s injured again, then his chances of sticking are pretty much gone. If Thigpen can be any kind of factor or competition, he must play and show those skills. His time is now. Based on the track record of starting quarterbacks for Herm Edwards, Ingle Martin better make sure he’s ready to go.
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