Chiefs Flanagan: Chiefs wide receiver didn’t think, he just threw it

**Tribal Warfare** · 11-04-2008, 02:31 AM

Chiefs wide receiver didn’t think, he just threw it
By JEFFREY FLANAGAN
The Kansas City Star

First, Chiefs wide receiver Mark Bradley had to snare a difficult pitch from running back Jamaal Charles. Once he secured the ball, Bradley looked up and saw a wide open Tyler Thigpen running toward the end zone.

Quarterbacks often tell themselves in that split second of decision making to put a little extra air under the ball so they don’t overthrow the open man.

Apparently, wide receivers don’t have those mental checkdowns.

“Actually, I didn’t think about nothing,” Bradley said. “I just went back and threw it. It just happened to drop in his arms.”

When it was over, the razzle-dazzle play went for a 37-yard touchdown Sunday that stunned everyone at Arrowhead, most notably the Tampa Bay Bucs.

It was a play the Chiefs had just put into the offense last week.

“We didn’t work on it that much,” Bradley said. “We worked on it the past week, ran it a few times. (Offensive coordinator) Chan (Gailey) called it, and we executed it.”

Bradley said he didn’t get especially excited when the play was called in the huddle.

“Not really. We ran it in practice, and what we do in practice is what we should do in the game,” he said.

Bradley, who played in college at Oklahoma, said he last threw a touchdown pass in a game against Oklahoma State on a similar play. Another time, he said he completed a pass in college that was stopped just short of the goal line.

Was it Bradley’s passing skills in college that led the Chiefs to design the play?

“Well, nobody said anything to me about it last week,” Bradley said. “It just came up in practice.”

Maybe the Chiefs remembered that Bradley’s father, Danny, was an option quarterback at Oklahoma and figured he was a genetic fit to make such a play.

“Well, (my dad) taught me a few things,” Bradley said. “He ran the option there. He taught me some things.”

Getting better

Chiefs rookie tackle Branden Albert was asked Monday if he could see beyond the last two stinging losses and see improvement in the team.

“Definitely. We’ve been improving each week since the Carolina game,” he said. “It’s difficult to recognize when you’re losing, but we’re making progress.”

That progress includes Thigpen.

“It’s not surprising to me that he’s getting better,” Albert said. “We see it in practice. We see how mobile he is, and we knew once he got comfortable with the offense, he’d be OK.”

Gailey’s tricks

The Bucs apparently had a notion that the Chiefs might try some trickery on Sunday, yet they couldn’t stop it.

“We expected some of that from Chan Gailey,” Bucs coach Jon Gruden said after the game. “He’s got a history of being very creative.

“They mixed it up quite well. They had a unique package.”

11-04-2008, 02:31 AM	Topic Starter
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-3057187	Flanagan: Chiefs wide receiver didn’t think, he just threw it Chiefs wide receiver didn’t think, he just threw it By JEFFREY FLANAGAN The Kansas City Star First, Chiefs wide receiver Mark Bradley had to snare a difficult pitch from running back Jamaal Charles. Once he secured the ball, Bradley looked up and saw a wide open Tyler Thigpen running toward the end zone. Quarterbacks often tell themselves in that split second of decision making to put a little extra air under the ball so they don’t overthrow the open man. Apparently, wide receivers don’t have those mental checkdowns. “Actually, I didn’t think about nothing,” Bradley said. “I just went back and threw it. It just happened to drop in his arms.” When it was over, the razzle-dazzle play went for a 37-yard touchdown Sunday that stunned everyone at Arrowhead, most notably the Tampa Bay Bucs. It was a play the Chiefs had just put into the offense last week. “We didn’t work on it that much,” Bradley said. “We worked on it the past week, ran it a few times. (Offensive coordinator) Chan (Gailey) called it, and we executed it.” Bradley said he didn’t get especially excited when the play was called in the huddle. “Not really. We ran it in practice, and what we do in practice is what we should do in the game,” he said. Bradley, who played in college at Oklahoma, said he last threw a touchdown pass in a game against Oklahoma State on a similar play. Another time, he said he completed a pass in college that was stopped just short of the goal line. Was it Bradley’s passing skills in college that led the Chiefs to design the play? “Well, nobody said anything to me about it last week,” Bradley said. “It just came up in practice.” Maybe the Chiefs remembered that Bradley’s father, Danny, was an option quarterback at Oklahoma and figured he was a genetic fit to make such a play. “Well, (my dad) taught me a few things,” Bradley said. “He ran the option there. He taught me some things.” Getting better Chiefs rookie tackle Branden Albert was asked Monday if he could see beyond the last two stinging losses and see improvement in the team. “Definitely. We’ve been improving each week since the Carolina game,” he said. “It’s difficult to recognize when you’re losing, but we’re making progress.” That progress includes Thigpen. “It’s not surprising to me that he’s getting better,” Albert said. “We see it in practice. We see how mobile he is, and we knew once he got comfortable with the offense, he’d be OK.” Gailey’s tricks The Bucs apparently had a notion that the Chiefs might try some trickery on Sunday, yet they couldn’t stop it. “We expected some of that from Chan Gailey,” Bucs coach Jon Gruden said after the game. “He’s got a history of being very creative. “They mixed it up quite well. They had a unique package.”
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