Chiefs Dear, Vikings: Thanks for our quarterback; Sincerely, Chiefs - Page 10

**DaKCMan AP** · 12-04-2008, 10:35 AM

Dear, Vikings: Thanks for our quarterback; Sincerely, Chiefs

By Clark Judge
CBSSports.com Senior Writer

I heard someone last week ask if there were any way the Minnesota Vikings could repay Kansas City for dropping star defensive end Jared Allen on their doorstep, and, yes, I said, there is. In fact, they've already done it.

Meet Tyler Thigpen.

He's the Chiefs' quarterback for now and maybe the future, but he wouldn't be in Kansas City if the Vikings hadn't cut him loose a year ago to make room for a reserve tight end.

The move was a gamble, and Minnesota knew it, but it figured it could re-sign Thigpen -- chosen by the Vikings in the seventh round of the 2007 draft -- to its practice squad after he cleared waivers.

Only he didn't clear. Kansas City claimed him.

Now he's playing so well that Chiefs coach Herman Edwards confessed he's considering scrapping the Chiefs' run-heavy offense next season and going with what works for Tyler Thigpen -- a more spread-out, wide-open, two-minute approach that usually has Thigpen operating out of the shotgun.

That can't be good news for someone like running back Larry Johnson, but it is for Thigpen. It means someone has a conviction about the guy, and that someone is Edwards -- with the coach considering a change next season from his offenses of the past just to suit his young quarterback.

If that happens, it means Edwards believes in Thigpen as his future starter. But he isn't there yet, and he emphasized that when I reached him Wednesday.

"We've got four games left," he said. "Let's see what he does. But one thing I do know: He's a No. 2. There is no doubt about that. That we know."

Others within the Kansas City hierarchy admit "cautious optimism" about Thigpen, who produced his first victory last weekend and who has played well for one of the league's bottom feeders. In fact, in a recent four-game stretch, he threw eight touchdown passes and one interception and took, in order, the Jets, Tampa Bay and San Diego to the mat, with all three games decided in the closing seconds.

Now, let's make something clear: Tyler Thigpen is not the next Eli or Peyton Manning. But he is a pleasant discovery in a not-so-pleasant season in Kansas City, and the Chiefs can address those "thank you" notes to 9520 Viking Drive, Eden Prairie, Minn. They wouldn't have Thigpen were it not for the Vikings' gamble.

The common perception is that Kansas City discovered Thigpen when the Chiefs and Vikings held a preseason scrimmage, but Edwards shot down that idea, saying Thigpen didn't play "that much" when the two teams practiced against each other. Instead, he said, Thigpen appeared on the Kansas City radar when he was a star quarterback at Coastal Carolina, with the Chiefs rating him a low fifth- or high sixth-round choice.

He could run. He had a strong arm. He was accurate. He was durable. And he won. Basically, he was everything you wanted from a quarterback, with a couple of drawbacks: 1) He didn't operate in a pro offense, working instead out of the shotgun, and 2) he played at a small school against lesser competition.

Nevertheless, when the team's vice president of player personnel, Bill Kuharich, watched him that summer in the fourth quarter of an exhibition game, he noticed something he liked.

"It was just the way he handled himself and the pressure," said Kuharich. "It reinforced what I had seen on tape. (Team president) Carl (Peterson), Herm and I decided if he ever became available we would claim him."

Which, of course, they did when Minnesota stuck with Tarvaris Jackson and acquired veteran backup Kelly Holcomb. Now, Holcomb is gone, Jackson is benched and Thigpen is playing for Kansas City. Hindsight is 20-20, but it doesn't take a genius to figure out the Vikings erred when they let Thigpen go.

I came to that conclusion last weekend when Thigpen led Kansas City on a 16-play, 91-yard drive that broke a 10-10 deadlock against Oakland. He completed three of four passes and ran for two first downs on that series.

I came to that conclusion again that afternoon when, on third-and-3 with just over two minutes to play, he iced the game by hitting Dwayne Bowe with a 12-yard completion.

"We've got ourselves a pretty good quarterback," said Edwards.

That's as strong a statement as you get from the head coach, but it tells you what he will not: That Tyler Thigpen could be the quarterback the Chiefs envisioned when they drafted Brodie Croyle in 2006. Croyle was supposed to be the Chiefs' quarterback of the future, but those plans have been scrapped because he can't stay healthy.

Thigpen can. He can also win, with last weekend's defeat of Oakland a breakthrough. After close calls against four opponents -- including New Orleans -- he finally demonstrated that he can close a deal, and that's what the Chiefs have been missing the past year and a half.

But that's just the beginning. They rave about Thigpen's mobility. In fact, it was the first quality Edwards ticked off when he listed his quarterback's strengths. Thigpen can throw with accuracy, too, with a string of 161 passes without an interception and a third-down passer-rating higher than those of Brett Favre and Jay Cutler. Plus, he's an outstanding athlete -- the only quarterback in Kansas City history to score a touchdown by running, passing and receiving.

"The question now," said Edwards, "is how will he continue to play and do we want to change the offense? I have to talk to (offensive coordinator) Chan Gailey, but right now I'm thinking we would.

"We changed everything to build the offense around him. It's like we're operating with a three-page notebook, adding a little with each week. Now the question is: Do we stay with this? Because it means you would have to do some things differently, like look at a little different offensive linemen."

The Chiefs have four games to produce an answer, but that they are even considering a change in their offense tells me one thing: They may have found themselves a quarterback.

http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/11149961

Sweet Daddy Hate · 12-04-2008, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chieftain58

I think you have said it perfectly... can he play under center?

Motion seconded, and that's all I've been trying to say here.

**BigMeatballDave** · 12-04-2008, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth CarlSatan

I never said that. What I said, is that the running game in this scheme will fail miserably against an Elite Defense.

Most running games will fail against an elite D.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 12-04-2008, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigChiefDave

Most running games will fail against an elite D.

Ohhhhhhh.......

NO MAS! NO MAS!

You and everybody else WINS!
I cede all points, due to the fact that I can NOT endure one more minute of this debate.

Congratulations; you win! Please take this case of Turtle Wax and copy of the Home Edition as an extra bonus!

Reerun_KC · 12-04-2008, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

If the Chiefs go 7-9 next year with another batch of successful draft choices added to the current youngest team in the NFL, he'll get at least a three year extension.

Yep your right, and the true fans will rejoice, as we are setup to wallow in mediocrity for years to come....

I never thought a coach that is this porous on gamedays, draft picks and development of players could continue to flounder in ass, would still get the approval of the ownership..

Only in KC where mediocrity is supreme and moral victories are as important as superbowls....

**DaneMcCloud** · 12-04-2008, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

Yep your right, and the true fans will rejoice, as we are setup to wallow in mediocrity for years to come....

I never thought a coach that is this porous on gamedays, draft picks and development of players could continue to flounder in ass, would still get the approval of the ownership..

Only in KC where mediocrity is supreme and moral victories are as important as superbowls....

I'd like you to explain to us how a coach with the youngest team in the league, dominated by first and second year players, would suck if his team went 7-9.

Reerun_KC · 12-04-2008, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

I'd like you to explain to us how a coach with the youngest team in the league, dominated by first and second year players, would suck if his team went 7-9.

You mean to you and not "us" Most of the planet think Herm is a lame duck coach. There are only a select few, that are rallying behind...

It wouldnt suck homie, if you had a coach that has proven over the course of his tenure he knew what the hell he was doing in developing that said team with the "youngest players" in the league.

We could sit here for the next 10 minutes and debate Herms accomplishments and then spend the rest of the day discussing his failures and shortcomings as a coach...

But over all, I would be thrilled "monkey freaking a football" thrilled if this was a team being developed by a coach that has a NFL mindset and a coaching philosophy that isnt dated pre WWII....

I am thrilled at the prospect of this rebuilding excuse! I love the youth, but I am not going to support the clown in charge... Never have and sure the freak never will....

**DaneMcCloud** · 12-04-2008, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

I am thrilled at the prospect of this rebuilding excuse! I love the youth, but I am not going to support the clown in charge... Never have and sure the freak never will....

If that's the way you feel, why even bother posting?

If they do improve to 7-9 or better next year, you're going to be stuck with him for a long, long time.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 12-04-2008, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

If that's the way you feel, why even bother posting?

If they do improve to 7-9 or better next year, you're going to be stuck with him for a long, long time.

Yep.

Reerun_KC · 12-04-2008, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

If that's the way you feel, why even bother posting?

Because I have been a Chiefs fan before and will be after Herm is long gone...

And it gives you something to reply to!

Reerun_KC · 12-04-2008, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

If that's the way you feel, why even bother posting?

If they do improve to 7-9 or better next year, you're going to be stuck with him for a long, long time.

Fine, if that is what the Chiefs ownership wants, I just know that I wont have to worry about the playoffs, AFC Championships or Superbowls...

It just makes the fan investment that much less... No skin off my back, I get to save money and travel less to games... There are plenty of "true fans" that will swing from the sack and keep Herms balls warm...

talastan · 12-04-2008, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

I'd like you to explain to us how a coach with the youngest team in the league, dominated by first and second year players, would suck if his team went 7-9.

This will be good.....

Reerun_KC · 12-04-2008, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth CarlSatan

Yep.

Better Keep Carl as well...

**DaneMcCloud** · 12-04-2008, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

Fine, if that is what the Chiefs ownership wants, I just know that I wont have to worry about the playoffs, AFC Championships or Superbowls...

It just makes the fan investment that much less... No skin off my back, I get to save money and travel less to games... There are plenty of "true fans" that will swing from the sack and keep Herms balls warm...

You don't get it, do you?

If the Chiefs improve to 7-9 next year with more than 75% of the team still in their first contract (and the majority in the first and second years), what makes you think this team won't make a huge leap forward in 2010?

Like a playoff win and maybe beyond?

**DaneMcCloud** · 12-04-2008, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by talastan

This will be good.....

Why?

He just avoids this question when confronted.

"Herm sucks".

Right.

Chiefnj2 · 12-04-2008, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

You don't get it, do you?

If the Chiefs improve to 7-9 next year with more than 75% of the team still in their first contract (and the majority in the first and second years), what makes you think this team won't make a huge leap forward in 2010?

Like a playoff win and maybe beyond?

7 wins would be tough next year playing the NFC East. Plus the 4th place Bills and Jags would be tough games as well (for playing last place teams).

12-04-2008, 10:35 AM
DaKCMan AP Beloved & Awesome CP Celebrity Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Florida Casino cash: $6714952	Dear, Vikings: Thanks for our quarterback; Sincerely, Chiefs Dear, Vikings: Thanks for our quarterback; Sincerely, Chiefs By Clark Judge CBSSports.com Senior Writer I heard someone last week ask if there were any way the Minnesota Vikings could repay Kansas City for dropping star defensive end Jared Allen on their doorstep, and, yes, I said, there is. In fact, they've already done it. Meet Tyler Thigpen. He's the Chiefs' quarterback for now and maybe the future, but he wouldn't be in Kansas City if the Vikings hadn't cut him loose a year ago to make room for a reserve tight end. The move was a gamble, and Minnesota knew it, but it figured it could re-sign Thigpen -- chosen by the Vikings in the seventh round of the 2007 draft -- to its practice squad after he cleared waivers. Only he didn't clear. Kansas City claimed him. Now he's playing so well that Chiefs coach Herman Edwards confessed he's considering scrapping the Chiefs' run-heavy offense next season and going with what works for Tyler Thigpen -- a more spread-out, wide-open, two-minute approach that usually has Thigpen operating out of the shotgun. That can't be good news for someone like running back Larry Johnson, but it is for Thigpen. It means someone has a conviction about the guy, and that someone is Edwards -- with the coach considering a change next season from his offenses of the past just to suit his young quarterback. If that happens, it means Edwards believes in Thigpen as his future starter. But he isn't there yet, and he emphasized that when I reached him Wednesday. "We've got four games left," he said. "Let's see what he does. But one thing I do know: He's a No. 2. There is no doubt about that. That we know." Others within the Kansas City hierarchy admit "cautious optimism" about Thigpen, who produced his first victory last weekend and who has played well for one of the league's bottom feeders. In fact, in a recent four-game stretch, he threw eight touchdown passes and one interception and took, in order, the Jets, Tampa Bay and San Diego to the mat, with all three games decided in the closing seconds. Now, let's make something clear: Tyler Thigpen is not the next Eli or Peyton Manning. But he is a pleasant discovery in a not-so-pleasant season in Kansas City, and the Chiefs can address those "thank you" notes to 9520 Viking Drive, Eden Prairie, Minn. They wouldn't have Thigpen were it not for the Vikings' gamble. The common perception is that Kansas City discovered Thigpen when the Chiefs and Vikings held a preseason scrimmage, but Edwards shot down that idea, saying Thigpen didn't play "that much" when the two teams practiced against each other. Instead, he said, Thigpen appeared on the Kansas City radar when he was a star quarterback at Coastal Carolina, with the Chiefs rating him a low fifth- or high sixth-round choice. He could run. He had a strong arm. He was accurate. He was durable. And he won. Basically, he was everything you wanted from a quarterback, with a couple of drawbacks: 1) He didn't operate in a pro offense, working instead out of the shotgun, and 2) he played at a small school against lesser competition. Nevertheless, when the team's vice president of player personnel, Bill Kuharich, watched him that summer in the fourth quarter of an exhibition game, he noticed something he liked. "It was just the way he handled himself and the pressure," said Kuharich. "It reinforced what I had seen on tape. (Team president) Carl (Peterson), Herm and I decided if he ever became available we would claim him." Which, of course, they did when Minnesota stuck with Tarvaris Jackson and acquired veteran backup Kelly Holcomb. Now, Holcomb is gone, Jackson is benched and Thigpen is playing for Kansas City. Hindsight is 20-20, but it doesn't take a genius to figure out the Vikings erred when they let Thigpen go. I came to that conclusion last weekend when Thigpen led Kansas City on a 16-play, 91-yard drive that broke a 10-10 deadlock against Oakland. He completed three of four passes and ran for two first downs on that series. I came to that conclusion again that afternoon when, on third-and-3 with just over two minutes to play, he iced the game by hitting Dwayne Bowe with a 12-yard completion. "We've got ourselves a pretty good quarterback," said Edwards. That's as strong a statement as you get from the head coach, but it tells you what he will not: That Tyler Thigpen could be the quarterback the Chiefs envisioned when they drafted Brodie Croyle in 2006. Croyle was supposed to be the Chiefs' quarterback of the future, but those plans have been scrapped because he can't stay healthy. Thigpen can. He can also win, with last weekend's defeat of Oakland a breakthrough. After close calls against four opponents -- including New Orleans -- he finally demonstrated that he can close a deal, and that's what the Chiefs have been missing the past year and a half. But that's just the beginning. They rave about Thigpen's mobility. In fact, it was the first quality Edwards ticked off when he listed his quarterback's strengths. Thigpen can throw with accuracy, too, with a string of 161 passes without an interception and a third-down passer-rating higher than those of Brett Favre and Jay Cutler. Plus, he's an outstanding athlete -- the only quarterback in Kansas City history to score a touchdown by running, passing and receiving. "The question now," said Edwards, "is how will he continue to play and do we want to change the offense? I have to talk to (offensive coordinator) Chan Gailey, but right now I'm thinking we would. "We changed everything to build the offense around him. It's like we're operating with a three-page notebook, adding a little with each week. Now the question is: Do we stay with this? Because it means you would have to do some things differently, like look at a little different offensive linemen." The Chiefs have four games to produce an answer, but that they are even considering a change in their offense tells me one thing: They may have found themselves a quarterback. http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/11149961
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