Chiefs Gretz: Thigpen Takes A Step Backwards

**Tribal Warfare** · 08-30-2009, 10:32 AM

Thigpen Takes A Step Backwards
August 29, 2009 - Bob Gretz |

From Arrowhead Stadium

If Tyler Thigpen is truly on the trading block, what happened Saturday night at Arrowhead Stadium is not going to convince any team to up its offer for him.

With Matt Cassel bounced from the game with a left leg injury just one minute, 59 seconds into the action, Thigpen was thrust into the game far earlier than he or anyone on the Chiefs sideline expected. And much as he has during practice sessions in this pre-season, Thigpen struggled to get anything going. Thus, the Chiefs offense struggled as well.

By the time he was lifted near the end of the third quarter, Thigpen had directed the Chiefs for eight possessions that produced no points. Three times the Kansas City offense reached Seattle territory, just once inside the 20-yard line. Half of those possessions saw the Chiefs go three plays and punt.

“I don’t think I played up to my ability,” Thigpen said. “I feel like I did some good things and some bad things and those bad things I have to correct.”

No offense to the Seattle defense, but the Seahawks are not among the NFL’s better defenses. Last year, they ranked at the bottom of the league – down there with the Chiefs defense – and their only major addition to the defensive lineup is No. 1 pick LB Aaron Curry.

But Thigpen could get nothing going against this group, not in the first half against the starters or even in the second half against the backups. He finished the game hitting eight of 15 passes for just 56 yards, a measly 62.1 passer rating on the night. Even his running game was off, as he went three times for a total of 10 yards.

“As a backup quarterback you have to be ready,” Thigpen said. “I witnessed that last year. Offensively, we did some good things. We moved the ball at times, but then we did some things badly, things we have to work on. We have to correct those.”

Thigpen was sacked once for three yards and the Chiefs were able to run the ball, so the quarterback says the focus shouldn’t be on the offensive line.

“I think they did a good job of protecting,” said Thigpen. “I give the offensive line a lot of credit. We had some receivers one-on-one and as the quarterback, I have to get them the ball … I had time.”

The last two possessions for Thigpen in the third quarter were bad. He was one of two passing on the first one, gaining just five yards. On the next possession, he was sacked, threw short to WR Bobby Engram and then scrambled away from pressures and gained seven yards. That was six yards short of a first down.

Questions now hover over the quarterback position. There’s Cassel’s injury and how long it might keep him off the field. It may take a possible trade of Thigpen off the table as well for the Chiefs.

He’s trying not to think about any of that.

“That’s something I can’t control,” Thigpen said. “Right now I’m a Kansas City Chief and I’m happy to be one. If something happens, it happens. But right now I have to prepare myself as a quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs.”

What everyone in that locker room is thinking about is trying to find a way to win a game.

“We just have to get over that hump,” Thigpen said. “That’s the biggest thing. We’ve had three close games that we could have won in the fourth quarter. That was a hump we couldn’t get over last year and it kind of carried over to this year.”

**Tribal Warfare** · 08-30-2009, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyler Thigpen

I don’t think I played up to my ability

Thigpen is delusional, or he's too dumb to realize he sucks hence the "I don't think" statement

LaChapelle · 08-30-2009, 10:43 AM

How does Pioli make that call to the Jaguars now? Awkward

allday28 · 08-30-2009, 11:14 AM

he makes the call and tells them hey we have a qb who cant takes snaps from under center without fumbling and runs and has no arm so just give us a $5 bill and well be even

**the Talking Can** · 08-30-2009, 11:16 AM

if pioli is the gm i think he is, he had all tv signals to the eastern seaboard scrambled during the game.....

Hammock Parties · 08-30-2009, 11:18 AM

Just a few more steps back, Thigpen...closer...closer...just a little farther...

08-30-2009, 10:32 AM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-3057187	Gretz: Thigpen Takes A Step Backwards Thigpen Takes A Step Backwards August 29, 2009 - Bob Gretz \| *From Arrowhead Stadium* If Tyler Thigpen is truly on the trading block, what happened Saturday night at Arrowhead Stadium is not going to convince any team to up its offer for him. With Matt Cassel bounced from the game with a left leg injury just one minute, 59 seconds into the action, Thigpen was thrust into the game far earlier than he or anyone on the Chiefs sideline expected. And much as he has during practice sessions in this pre-season, Thigpen struggled to get anything going. Thus, the Chiefs offense struggled as well. By the time he was lifted near the end of the third quarter, Thigpen had directed the Chiefs for eight possessions that produced no points. Three times the Kansas City offense reached Seattle territory, just once inside the 20-yard line. Half of those possessions saw the Chiefs go three plays and punt. “I don’t think I played up to my ability,” Thigpen said. “I feel like I did some good things and some bad things and those bad things I have to correct.” No offense to the Seattle defense, but the Seahawks are not among the NFL’s better defenses. Last year, they ranked at the bottom of the league – down there with the Chiefs defense – and their only major addition to the defensive lineup is No. 1 pick LB Aaron Curry. But Thigpen could get nothing going against this group, not in the first half against the starters or even in the second half against the backups. He finished the game hitting eight of 15 passes for just 56 yards, a measly 62.1 passer rating on the night. Even his running game was off, as he went three times for a total of 10 yards. “As a backup quarterback you have to be ready,” Thigpen said. “I witnessed that last year. Offensively, we did some good things. We moved the ball at times, but then we did some things badly, things we have to work on. We have to correct those.” Thigpen was sacked once for three yards and the Chiefs were able to run the ball, so the quarterback says the focus shouldn’t be on the offensive line. “I think they did a good job of protecting,” said Thigpen. “I give the offensive line a lot of credit. We had some receivers one-on-one and as the quarterback, I have to get them the ball … I had time.” The last two possessions for Thigpen in the third quarter were bad. He was one of two passing on the first one, gaining just five yards. On the next possession, he was sacked, threw short to WR Bobby Engram and then scrambled away from pressures and gained seven yards. That was six yards short of a first down. Questions now hover over the quarterback position. There’s Cassel’s injury and how long it might keep him off the field. It may take a possible trade of Thigpen off the table as well for the Chiefs. He’s trying not to think about any of that. “That’s something I can’t control,” Thigpen said. “Right now I’m a Kansas City Chief and I’m happy to be one. If something happens, it happens. But right now I have to prepare myself as a quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs.” What everyone in that locker room is thinking about is trying to find a way to win a game. “We just have to get over that hump,” Thigpen said. “That’s the biggest thing. We’ve had three close games that we could have won in the fourth quarter. That was a hump we couldn’t get over last year and it kind of carried over to this year.”
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08-30-2009, 10:43 AM	#3
LaChapelle Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Casino cash: $10004900	How does Pioli make that call to the Jaguars now? Awkward
Posts: 8,588

08-30-2009, 11:14 AM	#4
allday28 Rookie Join Date: Aug 2009 Casino cash: $10004900	he makes the call and tells them hey we have a qb who cant takes snaps from under center without fumbling and runs and has no arm so just give us a $5 bill and well be even
Posts: 13

08-30-2009, 11:16 AM	#5
the Talking Can Supporter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: street Casino cash: $9112208	if pioli is the gm i think he is, he had all tv signals to the eastern seaboard scrambled during the game..... __________________ Clark Hunt: "Thank god for the Dominican pool boy"
Posts: 51,585

08-30-2009, 11:18 AM	#6
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $740478	Just a few more steps back, Thigpen...closer...closer...just a little farther... __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 297,587