Chiefs AP: Chiefs QB Thigpen facing crucial test in Oakland

**Tribal Warfare** · 11-28-2008, 04:53 PM

Chiefs QB Thigpen facing crucial test in Oakland

By DOUG TUCKER, AP Sports Writer 14 hours, 2 minutes ago

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP)—The 10-week tryout that dropped into Tyler Thigpen’s lap like a blessing from heaven is heading into the home stretch, and the results for the first player ever drafted out of Coastal Carolina have been mixed.

Sometimes Kansas City’s first-year quarterback has looked good. In a trip to the Meadowlands against the New York Jets, his numbers actually were better than Brett Favre’s. Sometimes he’s looked awful, such as the three interceptions he threw at Carolina and the three turnovers he committed last week in a blowout loss to Buffalo.

Most of all, if Thigpen is going to go into spring drills next year as Kansas City’s starting quarterback, he needs to win.

For the Chiefs (1-10), this is threatening to turn into the sorriest season in team history. Without at least a couple of wins these next five weeks, they might be hard-pressed to use what’s sure to be a choice first-round draft choice next April on anything but a quarterback.

“When you go to do all these contract things, a lot of people look at statistics,” Thigpen said. “It doesn’t matter if he plays good. Did he win? That’s the biggest thing.”

Since taking over when season-ending injuries knocked out the two top quarterbacks on Oct. 19 and thrust the former seventh-round pick from the bench to the playing field, Thigpen has done just about everything except win. But so have the Chiefs, who have lost 19 of their last 20 counting last year’s season-ending nine-game losing streak.

“In this business, it’s all about statistics and win-loss records,” Thigpen said. “That’s huge when it comes to it. If I can get that first win out of the way, it’ll help out a lot for myself and also for this team.”

A first-year starter coming off a terrible game could pick an easier place than Oakland’s Black Hole to try to get his first NFL victory. The Chiefs lost at home to the Raiders on Sept. 14, 23-8, when the defense gave up 300 yards rushing.

This time, the Raiders are 3-point favorites and fresh off a 31-10 victory at Denver, their most impressive showing since beating KC.

“It will be interesting how he handles it now, going out to Oakland after not playing like he’d like to play,” said coach Herm Edwards. “That’s another thing about this thing football team, and him personally, how we grow from that experience. How we deal with it. We’ve dealt with adversity pretty well at times, this young football team. This will be another step in what we’re going through. How we deal with it will be very, very important.”

Thigpen’s come close to getting that elusive first win. Working mostly out of the shotgun and flourishing in the spread offense that offensive coordinator Chan Gailey constructed on the fly for him, Thigpen threw eight touchdown passes and only one interception in close losses to the Jets, Chargers, Saints and Buccaneers.

Then came last week’s debacle against Buffalo.

Growing pains? The sort that might be expected from a seventh-round pick making just his fifth NFL start? Or was this the real Tyler Thigpen, the one who threw three picks in a lopsided loss in his first start at Carolina?

Growing pains, says nine-time Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez.

“He played pretty well as far as I’m concerned,” said Gonzalez. “He is still a great young quarterback.”

Along with his mistakes, Thigpen also threw three more TD passes against the Bills.

“He’s got a bright future if he keeps his head on right and he learns from this,” said Gonzalez.

Thigpen’s teammates are gaining confidence in their young quarterback even though they keep losing.

“He’s very poised in the huddle,” said right tackle Damion McIntosh. “I don’t think he gets rattled by negative plays. He had a few mistakes last week, but the games prior to that he was managing very well, making good decisions, getting rid of the ball and throwing it in the right spots.

“He’s growing. He’s confident in himself. That’s where I thought he needed work, and I see him gaining that now.”

11-28-2008, 04:53 PM	Topic Starter
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $742813	AP: Chiefs QB Thigpen facing crucial test in Oakland Chiefs QB Thigpen facing crucial test in Oakland By DOUG TUCKER, AP Sports Writer 14 hours, 2 minutes ago KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP)—The 10-week tryout that dropped into Tyler Thigpen’s lap like a blessing from heaven is heading into the home stretch, and the results for the first player ever drafted out of Coastal Carolina have been mixed. Sometimes Kansas City’s first-year quarterback has looked good. In a trip to the Meadowlands against the New York Jets, his numbers actually were better than Brett Favre’s. Sometimes he’s looked awful, such as the three interceptions he threw at Carolina and the three turnovers he committed last week in a blowout loss to Buffalo. Most of all, if Thigpen is going to go into spring drills next year as Kansas City’s starting quarterback, he needs to win. For the Chiefs (1-10), this is threatening to turn into the sorriest season in team history. Without at least a couple of wins these next five weeks, they might be hard-pressed to use what’s sure to be a choice first-round draft choice next April on anything but a quarterback. “When you go to do all these contract things, a lot of people look at statistics,” Thigpen said. “It doesn’t matter if he plays good. Did he win? That’s the biggest thing.” Since taking over when season-ending injuries knocked out the two top quarterbacks on Oct. 19 and thrust the former seventh-round pick from the bench to the playing field, Thigpen has done just about everything except win. But so have the Chiefs, who have lost 19 of their last 20 counting last year’s season-ending nine-game losing streak. “In this business, it’s all about statistics and win-loss records,” Thigpen said. “That’s huge when it comes to it. If I can get that first win out of the way, it’ll help out a lot for myself and also for this team.” A first-year starter coming off a terrible game could pick an easier place than Oakland’s Black Hole to try to get his first NFL victory. The Chiefs lost at home to the Raiders on Sept. 14, 23-8, when the defense gave up 300 yards rushing. This time, the Raiders are 3-point favorites and fresh off a 31-10 victory at Denver, their most impressive showing since beating KC. “It will be interesting how he handles it now, going out to Oakland after not playing like he’d like to play,” said coach Herm Edwards. “That’s another thing about this thing football team, and him personally, how we grow from that experience. How we deal with it. We’ve dealt with adversity pretty well at times, this young football team. This will be another step in what we’re going through. How we deal with it will be very, very important.” Thigpen’s come close to getting that elusive first win. Working mostly out of the shotgun and flourishing in the spread offense that offensive coordinator Chan Gailey constructed on the fly for him, Thigpen threw eight touchdown passes and only one interception in close losses to the Jets, Chargers, Saints and Buccaneers. Then came last week’s debacle against Buffalo. Growing pains? The sort that might be expected from a seventh-round pick making just his fifth NFL start? Or was this the real Tyler Thigpen, the one who threw three picks in a lopsided loss in his first start at Carolina? Growing pains, says nine-time Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez. “He played pretty well as far as I’m concerned,” said Gonzalez. “He is still a great young quarterback.” Along with his mistakes, Thigpen also threw three more TD passes against the Bills. “He’s got a bright future if he keeps his head on right and he learns from this,” said Gonzalez. Thigpen’s teammates are gaining confidence in their young quarterback even though they keep losing. “He’s very poised in the huddle,” said right tackle Damion McIntosh. “I don’t think he gets rattled by negative plays. He had a few mistakes last week, but the games prior to that he was managing very well, making good decisions, getting rid of the ball and throwing it in the right spots. “He’s growing. He’s confident in himself. That’s where I thought he needed work, and I see him gaining that now.”
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