Chiefs Teicher: Chiefs QB Thigpen gets the starting nod against Falcons

**Tribal Warfare** · 09-17-2008, 10:08 PM

Chiefs QB Thigpen gets the starting nod against Falcons
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

Tyler Thigpen’s performance at quarterback in the first extended playing time of his NFL career Sunday was less than inspiring. He completed far less than half his passes, was sacked three times, tossed an interception and almost threw several others.

For many teams, that would bury a player deeper on the bench. But for the Chiefs, it earned him a promotion.

Thigpen will make the first start of his NFL career in Sunday’s game against the Falcons in Atlanta, replacing Damon Huard.

“We want to take a look at him,” coach Herm Edwards said. “He’s another young player at quarterback we want to look at and see where he’s at.

“We’re trying to look at young players, and this is part of the process. Is he a (second-string quarterback)? A one? Is he always going to be a three? You don’t know until you have an opportunity to play.”

That sounds like the move is everything about furthering the youth movement by replacing a veteran quarterback with one much younger. But Edwards indicated he believed that playing Thigpen gives the Chiefs their best chance to beat Atlanta.

“We’re not looking at this game as a preseason game,” he said. “We’re trying to win. We’re doing everything we can to do that, and this kid deserves a chance.

“If he struggles, guess what? We’ll do what we always do. We’ll bring Damon Huard off the bench. That’s how Damon Huard really plays the best, in my opinion, when he comes off the bench.”

Edwards said the move had nothing to do with the head or neck injury that knocked Huard out of last week’s game. Huard practiced Wednesday and was not listed on the injury report the Chiefs must file with the league.

“It’s just a decision we made as a staff,” Edwards said. “It’s week to week. Hopefully he can hang in there and play well and get us a win and then he stays in there.

“The thing the guy does is he always seems to move the team. He makes some mistakes … he generally struggles early and then all of a sudden he gets going and he makes some plays. That’s in every game the kid has played in since I’ve been here.

“Remember (last year’s San Diego) game? He drove the team down the field. He threw a pick at the end. This year he’s done the same thing in the preseason. He’s made some errors with the ball. He’s fumbled the ball. He’s thrown the ball to other guys. But guess what? Then he comes back and drives the team down the field. The Chicago (preseason) game, he didn’t play real good right away. Then all of a sudden at the end of the game he takes the team down and scores. He does the same thing last week. He struggles and struggles for a while and all of a sudden at the end, 6 minutes left, he takes the team down on a nice drive and we score.”

Edwards said the Chiefs would use Huard only if Thigpen plays poorly or gets an injury. He wouldn’t rule out the use of wide receiver Marques Hagans, who played quarterback for a handful of snaps against the Raiders.

“What we’ve got to do is try to make some first downs,” Edwards said. “However you can make some first downs and keep on the field, move the chains, that’s probably the most important thing. I’m not saying we won’t use (Hagans).”

Huard sent word through the Chiefs’ public-relations department that he wouldn’t answer questions. Thigpen said he would discuss the move today.

Thigpen quarterbacked the Chiefs on 10 possessions against Oakland. The first seven ended with a punt, four after only three offensive plays.

Thigpen then took the Chiefs on a drive that ended with his 2-yard touchdown pass to Tony Gonzalez. He then threw an interception and the final drive ran out of time.

Many of his passes were off the mark. Thigpen missed a possible touchdown to Devard Darling when his throw went along the sideline instead of down the middle of the field, where it needed to be.

Thigpen also had several passes that were thrown when receivers hadn’t turned around, an indication they have much more work to do before they’re comfortable playing together.

“I’ve been talking to him in-between plays … just letting him know what I’m thinking and he’s letting me know what he’s thinking,” Gonzalez said. “We’ve just got to get on the same page. That’s all it is.

“We’re going to go ahead and try to make that work. If Damon comes in, we know each other well enough that we’re going to make it work.”

Following Brodie Croyle in the season opener and Huard last week, Thigpen will be the third Chiefs starting quarterback in the first three games of the season. That’s happened only three times in a nonstrike NFL season since 1970.

“We’re very comfortable with Tyler in there,” guard Brian Waters said. “It’s really about him getting even more comfortable with his game and doing the things he feels really good about. It’s a week where we can prepare a game plan around his talents.”

Changing of the QB
The Chiefs will use their third starting quarterback in the first three games of the season when Tyler Thigpen starts Sunday’s game against the Falcons. Only three other teams have done that in a nonstrike season since the NFL and AFL merged for the 1970 season.

Team Year Quarterbacks Record
Chiefs 2008 Brodie Croyle, Damon Huard, Tyler Thigpen 0-2
Rams 1976 Pat Haden, Ron Jaworski, James Harris 10-3-1
Browns 1988 Bernie Kosar, Gary Danielson, Mike Pagel 10-6
Jaguars 1997 Mark Brunell, Rob Johnson, Steve Matthews 11-5

**Rausch** · 09-17-2008, 10:10 PM

What could anyone have looked at during the Oakland game and thought "Yeah, THAT GUY should start next week?..."

dj56dt58 · 09-17-2008, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

What could anyone have looked at during the Oakland game and thought "Yeah, THAT GUY should start next week?..."

is there any other option? Croyle is hurt and Huard is old..might as well give the guy a chance and see if he can improve

CHIEF4EVER · 09-17-2008, 10:21 PM

This is going to be TRULY ugly.

xbarretx · 09-17-2008, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

What could anyone have looked at during the Oakland game and thought "Yeah, THAT GUY should start next week?..."

b/c we are NOT in "win now mode" if Thigpen has an upside.. lets find out and if not then lets find out and then replace him. i didnt like last weeks debacle at arrowhead but i gotta .respect herm for sticking to his youth movement. i would rather have a piss poor season than having a 8 - 8 season. lets use who we have and let them have the chance to play. if he sucks.... well were probably going to lose as is so lets at least get the questions we NEED answered ..answered.

yes i know tyler wasnt fantastic last week but... imho its better than seeing damon in there.

trust me atm in NOT a tyler fan but if herms starting him or martin...then i can bite my tongue and support my team as i pray for the exile of CP.

xbarretx · 09-17-2008, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj56dt58

is there any other option? Croyle is hurt and Huard is old..might as well give the guy a chance and see if he can improve

QFT btw

**Rausch** · 09-17-2008, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xbarretx

b/c we are NOT in "win now mode"

In complete agreement there...

BIG K · 09-17-2008, 10:31 PM

I find it interesting that Herm has no problem rotating QB's this year (The year of 16 preseason games) to find out what the Chief's will have for next year but, has thus far, refused to replace the RG and RT to see what the youngsters could do there..

I have no problem with this being an experimental year but honestly, why are there not changes at other positions?

macdawg · 09-17-2008, 10:51 PM

Herm said himself you play to win the game but doesn't want to start the best man.

As if we don't have enough youth projects going on at tons of other positions, we don't need to answer questions about Tyler Thigpen right now, we need to win some damn games.

boogblaster · 09-17-2008, 11:01 PM

Thin-pen is all we have .... Ugly isn't the word ....

BIG K · 09-17-2008, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macdawg

Herm said himself you play to win the game but doesn't want to start the best man.

As if we don't have enough youth projects going on at tons of other positions, we don't need to answer questions about Tyler Thigpen right now, we need to win some damn games.

Win games? According to Herm, they have been 'trying' to win games for quite some time now. That has not worked thus far.

This year is nothing more than an audition for next year. If so, then go ahead and play all the youngsters and see where we stand before draft day...But do not tell me we need to see what Thigpin has, all the while leave old and broke dick o-lineman on the squad. Play the youngsters at every positon if this is truly a rebuilding year...

el borracho · 09-17-2008, 11:14 PM

The right decision... going to be an ugly game to watch but it is the right decision.

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 09-17-2008, 11:18 PM

Gee, I wonder if it will be on TV in Seattle...........

Chiefs Pantalones · 09-18-2008, 12:40 AM

This team has no direction whatsoever and no leadership.

Mecca · 09-18-2008, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vanilla Thunder

This team has no direction whatsoever and no leadership.

I thought we figured that out a long time ago.

09-17-2008, 10:08 PM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-3057187	Teicher: Chiefs QB Thigpen gets the starting nod against Falcons Chiefs QB Thigpen gets the starting nod against Falcons By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star Tyler Thigpen’s performance at quarterback in the first extended playing time of his NFL career Sunday was less than inspiring. He completed far less than half his passes, was sacked three times, tossed an interception and almost threw several others. For many teams, that would bury a player deeper on the bench. But for the Chiefs, it earned him a promotion. Thigpen will make the first start of his NFL career in Sunday’s game against the Falcons in Atlanta, replacing Damon Huard. “We want to take a look at him,” coach Herm Edwards said. “He’s another young player at quarterback we want to look at and see where he’s at. “We’re trying to look at young players, and this is part of the process. Is he a (second-string quarterback)? A one? Is he always going to be a three? You don’t know until you have an opportunity to play.” That sounds like the move is everything about furthering the youth movement by replacing a veteran quarterback with one much younger. But Edwards indicated he believed that playing Thigpen gives the Chiefs their best chance to beat Atlanta. “We’re not looking at this game as a preseason game,” he said. “We’re trying to win. We’re doing everything we can to do that, and this kid deserves a chance. “If he struggles, guess what? We’ll do what we always do. We’ll bring Damon Huard off the bench. That’s how Damon Huard really plays the best, in my opinion, when he comes off the bench.” Edwards said the move had nothing to do with the head or neck injury that knocked Huard out of last week’s game. Huard practiced Wednesday and was not listed on the injury report the Chiefs must file with the league. “It’s just a decision we made as a staff,” Edwards said. “It’s week to week. Hopefully he can hang in there and play well and get us a win and then he stays in there. “The thing the guy does is he always seems to move the team. He makes some mistakes … he generally struggles early and then all of a sudden he gets going and he makes some plays. That’s in every game the kid has played in since I’ve been here. “Remember (last year’s San Diego) game? He drove the team down the field. He threw a pick at the end. This year he’s done the same thing in the preseason. He’s made some errors with the ball. He’s fumbled the ball. He’s thrown the ball to other guys. But guess what? Then he comes back and drives the team down the field. The Chicago (preseason) game, he didn’t play real good right away. Then all of a sudden at the end of the game he takes the team down and scores. He does the same thing last week. He struggles and struggles for a while and all of a sudden at the end, 6 minutes left, he takes the team down on a nice drive and we score.” Edwards said the Chiefs would use Huard only if Thigpen plays poorly or gets an injury. He wouldn’t rule out the use of wide receiver Marques Hagans, who played quarterback for a handful of snaps against the Raiders. “What we’ve got to do is try to make some first downs,” Edwards said. “However you can make some first downs and keep on the field, move the chains, that’s probably the most important thing. I’m not saying we won’t use (Hagans).” Huard sent word through the Chiefs’ public-relations department that he wouldn’t answer questions. Thigpen said he would discuss the move today. Thigpen quarterbacked the Chiefs on 10 possessions against Oakland. The first seven ended with a punt, four after only three offensive plays. Thigpen then took the Chiefs on a drive that ended with his 2-yard touchdown pass to Tony Gonzalez. He then threw an interception and the final drive ran out of time. Many of his passes were off the mark. Thigpen missed a possible touchdown to Devard Darling when his throw went along the sideline instead of down the middle of the field, where it needed to be. Thigpen also had several passes that were thrown when receivers hadn’t turned around, an indication they have much more work to do before they’re comfortable playing together. “I’ve been talking to him in-between plays … just letting him know what I’m thinking and he’s letting me know what he’s thinking,” Gonzalez said. “We’ve just got to get on the same page. That’s all it is. “We’re going to go ahead and try to make that work. If Damon comes in, we know each other well enough that we’re going to make it work.” Following Brodie Croyle in the season opener and Huard last week, Thigpen will be the third Chiefs starting quarterback in the first three games of the season. That’s happened only three times in a nonstrike NFL season since 1970. “We’re very comfortable with Tyler in there,” guard Brian Waters said. “It’s really about him getting even more comfortable with his game and doing the things he feels really good about. It’s a week where we can prepare a game plan around his talents.” Changing of the QB The Chiefs will use their third starting quarterback in the first three games of the season when Tyler Thigpen starts Sunday’s game against the Falcons. Only three other teams have done that in a nonstrike season since the NFL and AFL merged for the 1970 season. Team Year Quarterbacks Record Chiefs 2008 Brodie Croyle, Damon Huard, Tyler Thigpen 0-2 Rams 1976 Pat Haden, Ron Jaworski, James Harris 10-3-1 Browns 1988 Bernie Kosar, Gary Danielson, Mike Pagel 10-6 Jaguars 1997 Mark Brunell, Rob Johnson, Steve Matthews 11-5
Posts: 43,457

09-17-2008, 10:21 PM	#4
CHIEF4EVER Just a man in the 'ghan Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Jalalabad, Afghanistan Casino cash: $10004900	This is going to be TRULY ugly. __________________ "Igitur qui deciderat pacem, praeparatur bellum" -Flavius Vegetius Renatus
Posts: 13,670

09-17-2008, 10:31 PM	#8
BIG K Veteran Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: California Casino cash: $9795230	I find it interesting that Herm has no problem rotating QB's this year (The year of 16 preseason games) to find out what the Chief's will have for next year but, has thus far, refused to replace the RG and RT to see what the youngsters could do there.. I have no problem with this being an experimental year but honestly, why are there not changes at other positions?
Posts: 2,743

09-17-2008, 10:51 PM	#9
macdawg Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Casino cash: $10004900	Herm said himself you play to win the game but doesn't want to start the best man. As if we don't have enough youth projects going on at tons of other positions, we don't need to answer questions about Tyler Thigpen right now, we need to win some damn games.
Posts: 425

09-17-2008, 11:01 PM	#10
boogblaster MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Verdigris Valley Campsite Casino cash: $10004900	Thin-pen is all we have .... Ugly isn't the word .... __________________ WR or S please
Posts: 10,305

09-17-2008, 11:14 PM	#12
el borracho In Pat We Trust Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Albuquerque, NM Casino cash: $2449148	The right decision... going to be an ugly game to watch but it is the right decision.
Posts: 12,283

09-18-2008, 12:40 AM	#14
Chiefs Pantalones GO CHIEFS!!!!!! Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $6868717	This team has no direction whatsoever and no leadership. __________________ Don't be fooled by my username, I'm white.
Posts: 26,653