Chiefs Dear, Vikings: Thanks for our quarterback; Sincerely, Chiefs - Page 8

**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

Mr. Plow · 12-04-2008, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hootie

Darth CarlSatan is a moron...

LJ has looked really good running the football the last three weeks...he looks like the LJ of old...

Even the few 2 yard runs he had were impressive...he ran hard and finished every run.

I am willing to bet LJ will be a monster down the stretch...he's going to average 100 yards per game to finish out the season...and he'll be a 1000 yard back. I'd bet on it.

Exactly. LJ has looked so much better the last 3 weeks in this offense than he ever did running his head into the centers ass.

Reerun_KC · 12-04-2008, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hootie

Meh.

It just doesn't bother me...one more incident and he's done, that's for sure...but until then as long as he produces he's ok in my book. Lets face it, 50% of professional athletes are scum these days.

Fair Enough... Cant argue that...

Sure-Oz · 12-04-2008, 12:51 PM

LJ actually has had space to run, he's had some good hard nosed runs and is actually part of the offense again

Hootie · 12-04-2008, 12:51 PM

Here's why I wouldn't mind having a great offense and a horrible defense next season...

During the DV years, we knew with the age of our OL and skill players, there was a small window for our defense to come around and get us that trophy.

Now, we're so young it wouldn't be such a big deal because we'd have a much larger window.

That being said, even a vast improvement to the defense next year could still mean it would be shitty as hell...because right now our defense has been a complete abortion. You have to be able to pressure the QB...and no one on our defense is remotely capable.

Mr. Plow · 12-04-2008, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaKCMan AP

As stated on page 1 of this thread, our run offense is ranked #12 in the NFL. Since we've gone spread we've rushed the ball more, gained more yards and have a higher yards per carry average.

But but but.....we can't run out of this offense.

Reerun_KC · 12-04-2008, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hootie

I agree, it's about balance.

Right now I'm just happy that this season wasn't a total waste, and perhaps we might have found an offense.

Next year we better have a vastly improved defense or it's bye bye to Herm...anything less than 8-8 and a revamped defensive line in 2009 equals failure in my mind.

We were suppose to be bad this year...I figured we'd be better on defense than we would be on offense...the fact that we have 6 sacks on the year means Herm isn't doing his job, plain and simple. I'm willing to waste one more year on Herm because the players continue to play hard for him...which isn't the case for the other teams that have similar records to Kansas City. We are a pretty competitive 2-10 team.

Its going to be hard to get 8 wins next year. The coaches Herm has to go up against are far head and shoulders above Herm...

So with Herms usual 2 game collaspe with his spineless approach to coaching and probably 2-3 games where Herm will just be out coached, I can see this team going between 4-12 and 6-10, and give just a maricle of a season and coaching job from Herm 7-9 at best...

Sweet Daddy Hate · 12-04-2008, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Plow

Exactly. LJ has looked so much better the last 3 weeks in this offense than he ever did running his head into the centers ass.

Okay, so let's call it "The Missouri Compromise" then; as long as we run to the outside, we're fine.

And that's cool with me, because in those instances I watched LJ trying to get up the middle, instances where his OWN LINEMEN were causing him to stop and stutter; it looked like total shit and achieved the yardage equivalent of said shit.

Hootie · 12-04-2008, 12:55 PM

here's my take on LJ...

I think he's a smart guy. I really think this latest incident and the negative media he has received nationally and from Goodell has humbled him. He realizes that he's not untouchable and that Herm and the Chiefs won't take his shit anymore.

This is his last shot to create a legacy for himself after his time in the NFL is over...and I think he's willing to be a better teammate now. I have seen a huge difference out of LJ since his return from suspension/deactivation. I think he wants to win badly, and that the R2P2 is a big reason for the way he conducted himself the past two years.

I'm willing to give him ONE more chance.

R&GHomer · 12-04-2008, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth CarlSatan

Oh baby; that is one laundry list full of Wrong.

You can't handicap the running game by working out of the shotgun all day. I'm a fan of Thigpen, but this is just scary stupid.

For now, I'm going to trust that Gaily will be able to adapt the offense into something a tad more conventional.

Hootie · 12-04-2008, 12:56 PM

the spread has allowed LJ to get a little space...and that's when he's at his best...give him a crease and he's one cut and in the open field...where he's REALLY dangerous.

He's had SEVERAL long runs this year...something he didn't see last season before his injury. The explosion is still there...he's still in his prime...it was just hidden behind the R2P2.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 12-04-2008, 12:57 PM

I hope so too. It's a shame to see a player with that much talent make such horrid personal decisions, decisions that could lead not just to the end of his career, but possibly even worse.

I hope you're right; I really do.

Hootie · 12-04-2008, 12:58 PM

defenses can't really even prepare because every week we do something a lot different...we ran the spread 90% of the game against the Jets...something we've never done...so obviously they were off balance...

Then, against Tampa, Thigpen operated under center for the majority of the 1st half...where we scored 24 points and had 3 straight TD drives...

Then, when LJ returned we started running out of the pistol...

At least the offensive creativity displayed saved the season from being a total disaster and made some games entertaining...which is something I didn't see possible two months ago.

Reerun_KC · 12-04-2008, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth CarlSatan

I hope so too. It's a shame to see a player with that much talent make such horrid personal decisions, decisions that could lead not just to the end of his career, but possibly even worse.

I hope you're right; I really do.

See Plexiglass Burress!

Sure-Oz · 12-04-2008, 01:00 PM

I love how Plax may lose his career and freedom but pacman has had a million chances, that dude deserves to be in jail more than plax's dumbass

Sweet Daddy Hate · 12-04-2008, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R&GHomer

For now, I'm going to trust that Gaily will be able to adapt the offense into something a tad more conventional.

I hope so, because we've all seen it; running that scheme against anyone other than Oakland may put us in a dog fight or even keep it close, but it's success at "closing the deal" hasn't been what I would call stellar.

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
Posts: 35,696

12-04-2008, 12:51 PM	#109
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	Here's why I wouldn't mind having a great offense and a horrible defense next season... During the DV years, we knew with the age of our OL and skill players, there was a small window for our defense to come around and get us that trophy. Now, we're so young it wouldn't be such a big deal because we'd have a much larger window. That being said, even a vast improvement to the defense next year could still mean it would be shitty as hell...because right now our defense has been a complete abortion. You have to be able to pressure the QB...and no one on our defense is remotely capable.
Posts: 56,356

12-04-2008, 12:55 PM	#113
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	here's my take on LJ... I think he's a smart guy. I really think this latest incident and the negative media he has received nationally and from Goodell has humbled him. He realizes that he's not untouchable and that Herm and the Chiefs won't take his shit anymore. This is his last shot to create a legacy for himself after his time in the NFL is over...and I think he's willing to be a better teammate now. I have seen a huge difference out of LJ since his return from suspension/deactivation. I think he wants to win badly, and that the R2P2 is a big reason for the way he conducted himself the past two years. I'm willing to give him ONE more chance.
Posts: 56,356

12-04-2008, 12:56 PM	#115
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	the spread has allowed LJ to get a little space...and that's when he's at his best...give him a crease and he's one cut and in the open field...where he's REALLY dangerous. He's had SEVERAL long runs this year...something he didn't see last season before his injury. The explosion is still there...he's still in his prime...it was just hidden behind the R2P2.
Posts: 56,356

12-04-2008, 12:57 PM	#116
Sweet Daddy Hate Unsparing Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	I hope so too. It's a shame to see a player with that much talent make such horrid personal decisions, decisions that could lead not just to the end of his career, but possibly even worse. I hope you're right; I really do. __________________ 1. Merciless, severe. 2. Given freely and generously. 100% refusal to overrate 20 year Head Coaches with ZERO **ing rings as a Head Coach. CP's Official Professor of 'Dem Blues for 2019/2020!**
Posts: 77,135

12-04-2008, 12:58 PM	#117
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	defenses can't really even prepare because every week we do something a lot different...we ran the spread 90% of the game against the Jets...something we've never done...so obviously they were off balance... Then, against Tampa, Thigpen operated under center for the majority of the 1st half...where we scored 24 points and had 3 straight TD drives... Then, when LJ returned we started running out of the pistol... At least the offensive creativity displayed saved the season from being a total disaster and made some games entertaining...which is something I didn't see possible two months ago.
Posts: 56,356