Chiefs Gretz: Why Thigpen Is Starting - Page 5

**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, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

He's much better than Thigpen.

I don't know if you heard, reerun, but Croyle is hurt. (as usual). That means he can't play this week. It's either Thigpen or Hutard. Hutard does nothing for this team. The only reason he should be on this roster is to come in and finish out a game if Thigpen gets hurt.

Then again since you didn't know Kyle Boller was on IR and wanted us to trade for him, maybe you don't know Croyle's been injured for 2 weeks either

Hammock Parties · 09-18-2008, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

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

I merely stated we wouldn't win a game without Croyle. Then some idiots decided to come in and defend Tyler "27 yards of offense per quarter" Thigpen.

KCJohnny · 09-18-2008, 10:13 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.

Uh, that stellar Chiefs running game was no help to Thigpen. He came in relief of 2 other QBs. The Chiefs failed to answer the 8-9 men in the box strategy of Oakland. That is not primarily Thigpen's fault. If this team was any serious threat to run the ball effectively, we win that game by 2 TDs.

triple · 09-18-2008, 10:14 AM

yeah... maybe we should talk to our genius head coach and our elite running back about the 2.0 yards per carry or whatever it is we're piling up on the ground these days.

chiefsngop · 09-18-2008, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by triple

My ass.

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

Chiefs D held the Raiders under 100 yards in the first half and forced turnovers.

You will see teams rack up rushing yards on almost any defense that has to stay on the field to the point of exhaustion.

BigChiefFan · 09-18-2008, 10:16 AM

How about some playaction, Gailey?

beach tribe · 09-18-2008, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCJohnny

Uh, that stellar Chiefs running game was no help to Thigpen. He came in relief of 2 other QBs. The Chiefs failed to answer the 8-9 men in the box strategy of Oakland. That is not primarily Thigpen's fault. If this team was any serious threat to run the ball effectively, we win that game by 2 TDs.

Sorry, but the Raiders could not be stopped on the ground.

They were ripping 10 yrds a pop with 8 men in the box. How in the world do you figure we would have won by 2 TDs?

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by beach tribe

Sorry, but the Raiders could not be stopped on the ground.

They were ripping 10 yrds a pop with 8 men in the box. How in the world do you figure we would have won by 2 TDs?

Because John is the ultimate Chiefs homer, and is in complete and utter denial.

triple · 09-18-2008, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefsngop

Chiefs D held the Raiders under 100 yards in the first half and forced turnovers.

You will see teams rack up rushing yards on almost any defense that has to stay on the field to the point of exhaustion.

like when mcfadden ran through a hole you could pilot an airliner through on that 50 yard run... and that 20 yard run later in the drive to score... doesn't seem like the defense should be too tired, they dont stay out there very long

KCJohnny · 09-18-2008, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beach tribe

Sorry, but the Raiders could not be stopped on the ground.

They were ripping 10 yrds a pop with 8 men in the box. How in the world do you figure we would have won by 2 TDs?

If we could have gained some rushing yards, it would have kept them off the field a bit and given us some points. For heaven's sake, we only lost 23-8, it wasn't like Oakland score 40 or something.

I am one of the loudest voices decrying that pathetic run defense. Check my posts after the game.

beach tribe · 09-18-2008, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefsngop

Chiefs D held the Raiders under 100 yards in the first half and forced turnovers.

You will see teams rack up rushing yards on almost any defense that has to stay on the field to the point of exhaustion.

They hade the ball 2:31 seconds longer than we did.

My god that two, and a half minutes must really take the juice out of conditioned athletes.

BTW thay were ripping us all day. Not just in the 4th.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 09-18-2008, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCJohnny

If we could have gained some rushing yards, it would have kept them off the field a bit and given us some points. For heaven's sake, we only lost 23-8, it wasn't like Oakland score 40 or something.

I am one of the loudest voices decrying that pathetic run defense. Check my posts after the game.

Yeah, John. We saw your posts.

McFADDEN > DORSEY

beach tribe · 09-18-2008, 10:26 AM

Under 100 yrds offense yeah, but they had like 80 rushing yrds, and 20 pass yrds, because JR sucks ass.

Hammock Parties · 09-18-2008, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beach tribe

Under 100 yrds offense yeah, but they had like 80 rushing yrds, and 20 pass yrds, because JR sucks ass.

So?

Our defense was so AWFUL in the first half we gave up six points, after drives of 22 and TWO yards.

Wake up. The defense is going to be fine if the offense can be even AVERAGE. Unfortunately right now we're stuck starting a practice-squad caliber quarterback.

chiefsngop · 09-18-2008, 10:32 AM

Also, I don't feel Croyle is the Chiefs answer, but I'd like to see him play in a game with the type of playcalling we saw in PS vs. the Bears, before I'd say he isn't any better than crappy Pigpen.

09-18-2008, 04:42 AM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-2867187	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.
Posts: 43,439

09-18-2008, 10:14 AM	#64
triple Stop saying &quot;This.&quot; Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	yeah... maybe we should talk to our genius head coach and our elite running back about the 2.0 yards per carry or whatever it is we're piling up on the ground these days.
Posts: 2,110

09-18-2008, 10:16 AM	#66
BigChiefFan MVP Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: In the Top 10 Casino cash: $9924205	How about some playaction, Gailey? __________________ A 35 year drought can make you thirsty.
Posts: 15,777

09-18-2008, 10:26 AM	#73
beach tribe Keep doubting J MFing Houston Join Date: May 2007 Location: ft.lauderdale Casino cash: $3958036	Under 100 yrds offense yeah, but they had like 80 rushing yrds, and 20 pass yrds, because JR sucks ass.
Posts: 21,429

09-18-2008, 10:32 AM	#75
chiefsngop Starter Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	Also, I don't feel Croyle is the Chiefs answer, but I'd like to see him play in a game with the type of playcalling we saw in PS vs. the Bears, before I'd say he isn't any better than crappy Pigpen.
Posts: 494