Chiefs Whitlock - lol @ Thigpen

Hammock Parties · 08-29-2009, 11:18 PM

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chi...y/1413054.html

The upside to Matt Cassel’s leg injury is that we’ll never again hear Tyler Thigpen supporters compare the Coastal Carolina grad to Rich Gannon.

The Thigpen fantasy evaporated Saturday night inside Arrowhead Stadium.

In Kansas City’s third and most important exhibition, Cassel limped off the field after KC’s third offensive play. The Seattle Seahawks slammed Cassel to the turf, and The Sixty Million Dollar Man struggled to his feet, dragged his left leg back to the huddle and then called a timeout with his teammates at the line of scrimmage prepared for the next play.

Cassel exited directly to the locker room. Of course, given general manager Scott Pioli’s affinity for the Patriots Way, we’ll never learn the extent or true nature of Cassel’s injury.

What we do know is that Cassel’s injury opened the door for 2-14 legend Tyler Thigpen, KC’s QB of the future, according to a vocal minority of fans who see the next Rich Gannon every time a Chiefs quarterback scrambles for more than 5 yards.

A year ago, Thigpen put up mediocre stats during Kansas City’s horrific season. With offensive coordinator Chan Gailey forced to institute the spread, Thigpen tossed 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while completing 55 percent of his passes.

Rational people with a modicum of football intellect realized Thigpen’s arm strength and accuracy limited him to operating in the spread. He can’t excel in a traditional NFL offense.

He’s Vince Young Lite. Thigpen is a decent athlete with a suspect arm. He’s a backup, a nice change of pace, a stopgap.

You could see that Saturday night against the Seahawks.

Seattle is a rebuilding team similar to the Chiefs. The Seattle defense is average. With Thigpen under center for a half, the Chiefs managed to botch a couple of field-goal attempts and punt the ball four times.

Thigpen connected on seven of 12 passes for 51 yards. He tossed a couple of ducks. On a simple boot, he overthrew fullback Jed Collins. Thigpen underthrew a deep ball to Devard Darling when Darling had a step and a half on a defender. On a screen pass, Thigpen dumped the ball at the running back’s feet.

Should Thigpen be released? No. There’s a role for him in the NFL. There’s a role for him on the Chiefs’ roster. Thigpen is durable. He’s available.

Remember Marty Schottenheimer’s saying about “availability being as important as ability?”

We know Brokie Croyle can’t survive behind Kansas City’s line. And we know Kansas City’s line is going to get much better this season. The Miami Castaways — Andy Alleman and Ikechuku Ndukwe — are signs of trouble, not solutions.

And now there are concerns about Cassel’s durability. Heck, there are concerns about Cassel’s availability. His injury didn’t look all that serious. But, as far as I could tell, Cassel never rejoined his teammates on the sideline.

Offensively, the Chiefs don’t appear to have a purpose. Todd Haley and playcall-suggester Chan Gailey cannot focus on developing Cassel when their top priority is keeping him healthy.

Mentally, Larry Johnson, Dwayne Bowe and Brian Waters will not survive this season. One of those three will erupt before Halloween.

Pioli might as well unload Johnson now for a double cheeseburger and bag of fries. Jamaal Charles is more explosive. He was the lone offensive bright spot Saturday night, running for 54 yards on six carries.

Seriously, Kansas City’s offense is so bad that Haley should treat the entire season like it’s an exhibition. I’d play all three quarterbacks. I’d play Cassel when the game is close and turn it over to Croyle and Thigpen when the opposition stretches the lead.

Haley and Pioli have the luxury of blaming this entire season on Herm Edwards and Carl Peterson. Haley and Pioli would be wise to make good use of this luxury.

It won’t be until next year that fans start wondering what role Clark Hunt played in this fiasco. He obviously held on to Peterson for two years too long. But did he also instruct Pioli to avoid spending legitimate dollars in free agency to improve the team?

Zach Thomas, Mike Vrabel, Monty Beisel, Mike Goff, Amani Toomer, Bobby Engram and Ashley Lelie were not that expensive.

The Chiefs got what they paid for. Chiefs fans are going to get it, too.

08-29-2009, 11:18 PM	Topic Starter
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4500478	Whitlock - lol @ Thigpen http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chi...y/1413054.html The upside to Matt Cassel’s leg injury is that we’ll never again hear Tyler Thigpen supporters compare the Coastal Carolina grad to Rich Gannon. The Thigpen fantasy evaporated Saturday night inside Arrowhead Stadium. In Kansas City’s third and most important exhibition, Cassel limped off the field after KC’s third offensive play. The Seattle Seahawks slammed Cassel to the turf, and The Sixty Million Dollar Man struggled to his feet, dragged his left leg back to the huddle and then called a timeout with his teammates at the line of scrimmage prepared for the next play. Cassel exited directly to the locker room. Of course, given general manager Scott Pioli’s affinity for the Patriots Way, we’ll never learn the extent or true nature of Cassel’s injury. What we do know is that Cassel’s injury opened the door for 2-14 legend Tyler Thigpen, KC’s QB of the future, according to a vocal minority of fans who see the next Rich Gannon every time a Chiefs quarterback scrambles for more than 5 yards. A year ago, Thigpen put up mediocre stats during Kansas City’s horrific season. With offensive coordinator Chan Gailey forced to institute the spread, Thigpen tossed 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while completing 55 percent of his passes. Rational people with a modicum of football intellect realized Thigpen’s arm strength and accuracy limited him to operating in the spread. He can’t excel in a traditional NFL offense. He’s Vince Young Lite. Thigpen is a decent athlete with a suspect arm. He’s a backup, a nice change of pace, a stopgap. You could see that Saturday night against the Seahawks. Seattle is a rebuilding team similar to the Chiefs. The Seattle defense is average. With Thigpen under center for a half, the Chiefs managed to botch a couple of field-goal attempts and punt the ball four times. Thigpen connected on seven of 12 passes for 51 yards. He tossed a couple of ducks. On a simple boot, he overthrew fullback Jed Collins. Thigpen underthrew a deep ball to Devard Darling when Darling had a step and a half on a defender. On a screen pass, Thigpen dumped the ball at the running back’s feet. Should Thigpen be released? No. There’s a role for him in the NFL. There’s a role for him on the Chiefs’ roster. Thigpen is durable. He’s available. Remember Marty Schottenheimer’s saying about “availability being as important as ability?” We know Brokie Croyle can’t survive behind Kansas City’s line. And we know Kansas City’s line is going to get much better this season. The Miami Castaways — Andy Alleman and Ikechuku Ndukwe — are signs of trouble, not solutions. And now there are concerns about Cassel’s durability. Heck, there are concerns about Cassel’s availability. His injury didn’t look all that serious. But, as far as I could tell, Cassel never rejoined his teammates on the sideline. Offensively, the Chiefs don’t appear to have a purpose. Todd Haley and playcall-suggester Chan Gailey cannot focus on developing Cassel when their top priority is keeping him healthy. Mentally, Larry Johnson, Dwayne Bowe and Brian Waters will not survive this season. One of those three will erupt before Halloween. Pioli might as well unload Johnson now for a double cheeseburger and bag of fries. Jamaal Charles is more explosive. He was the lone offensive bright spot Saturday night, running for 54 yards on six carries. Seriously, Kansas City’s offense is so bad that Haley should treat the entire season like it’s an exhibition. I’d play all three quarterbacks. I’d play Cassel when the game is close and turn it over to Croyle and Thigpen when the opposition stretches the lead. Haley and Pioli have the luxury of blaming this entire season on Herm Edwards and Carl Peterson. Haley and Pioli would be wise to make good use of this luxury. It won’t be until next year that fans start wondering what role Clark Hunt played in this fiasco. He obviously held on to Peterson for two years too long. But did he also instruct Pioli to avoid spending legitimate dollars in free agency to improve the team? Zach Thomas, Mike Vrabel, Monty Beisel, Mike Goff, Amani Toomer, Bobby Engram and Ashley Lelie were not that expensive. The Chiefs got what they paid for. Chiefs fans are going to get it, too.
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