Chiefs Teicher: Chiefs encouraged by Thigpen; cancel meeting with Culpepper - Page 4

**Tribal Warfare** · 10-27-2008, 11:36 PM

Chiefs encouraged by Thigpen; cancel meeting with Culpepper
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

Tyler Thigpen didn’t realize just how much things had changed, how much he had changed, until he reviewed the video Monday.

He saw himself throwing darts in the previous day’s 28-24 Chiefs loss to the Jets at the Meadowlands. Absent were the balls sent zipping off to nowhere. In their place were on-target throws that frequently beat good coverage.

One of the more vivid examples of Thigpen’s dramatic improvement came on his 19-yard touchdown pass to Tony Gonzalez in the first quarter. Gonzalez was covered by both cornerback Dwight Lowery and linebacker Calvin Pace, but Thigpen’s throw went where only Gonzalez could get it.

That’s the type of play, Thigpen only now realized, he couldn’t have made before.

“A couple of weeks ago, I wouldn’t have even tried to throw that one to Tony,” Thigpen said Monday. “I wouldn’t have had the confidence. That play was a big difference for me.

“I know I’m here for a reason. If I wasn’t good enough to play or didn’t have the talent, I wouldn’t be in the National Football League. So it was just time to trust my instincts and just go out and play just like it was backyard ball.”

Suddenly, the Chiefs’ need to sign Daunte Culpepper to stabilize their quarterback play doesn’t seem as urgent. The Chiefs were planning to meet this week with Culpepper, a three-time Pro Bowler, but the visit was abruptly canceled, a move that could end the talks between the quarterback and the team.

It’s coincidence, probably, that the conversation between Culpepper and the Chiefs was scrapped in the hours after Thigpen delivered the team’s best-quarterbacked game of the season.

There’s real danger in making a judgment based on one game, good or bad. Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay at Arrowhead Stadium will be a better test for Thigpen. The Bucs, second in the NFL in scoring defense and fifth in yardage, are much stronger defensively than the Jets.

“It gives you some hope that the guy can continue to play like that, that he’s going to get better,” coach Herm Edwards said. “And you’ve got a guy who’s consistent at the quarterback position. I don’t think we’ve started two games with the same guy starting at quarterback yet. So that gives you that stability. Now hopefully he can go out there this week. The problem this week again is he’s playing one of the better defenses in football.

“I think that helps you when you get a guy who plays the way he played. You go, ‘Wait, wait, this guy did pretty good.’ I think he gave everybody some confidence, not only himself but also the team.”

Even when Culpepper’s signing with the Chiefs looked probable, he would have needed at least a week or two before he was ready to play. Thigpen could have made the Chiefs’ eventual decision to bench him a difficult one.

“He did a good job, he really did for his second start and playing against a pretty good defense on the road,” Edwards said. “He didn’t do everything right. But for his second time starting, I think he did a pretty good job. He moved the team, he moved the ball. That’s progress. From his last game, he got better.”

Thigpen said he only realized the Chiefs were talking with Culpepper on Monday after reading something about it on the Internet.

“I’m going to worry about the things I can control,” he said.

The way he plays falls under that category. Thigpen entered the Jets game having completed 42 percent of his passes with two touchdowns and four interceptions.

His passer rating, a complicated statistical measure of a quarterback’s efficiency, of 44.3 was the lowest among the 34 NFL quarterbacks with enough pass attempts to be ranked.

Against the Jets, Thigpen was 25 of 36 (69 percent) with two touchdowns and no interceptions. His passer rating was 110.9, which is higher than that of the NFL’s season leader, Philip Rivers of San Diego.

Thigpen searched for an explanation for this startling transformation but didn’t hit on one he liked until he stumbled on this one.

“Something,” he said, “just clicked.”

The Chiefs can only hope.

“I knew what to expect and was more comfortable in the situation,” he said. “It was my second start and really like my third start because the Oakland game was pretty much a whole game.

“The biggest thing is that I didn’t turn the ball over. I was really just trying to keep the chains moving. It’s better to hit the 5-yard pass than throw a 50-yard go-route that’s out of the guy’s reach. It’s so much better seeing the ball complete and knowing you’ve given the receiver a chance to do something with it.”

Mr. Arrowhead · 10-28-2008, 08:27 AM

I hope he goes to the lions, he might be able to lead them to a few wins

Brock · 10-28-2008, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King_Chief_Fan

Let's get this straight. ESPN reported that Culpeppeer canceled the meeting to pursue better opportunities. Culpepper dissed the Chiefs.

Do you really think that's the truth?

smittysbar · 10-28-2008, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

Do you really think that's the truth?

Seems to be what all the media outlets are reporting, besides KC.

whoman69 · 10-28-2008, 08:44 AM

Culpepper is looking for a multi-year deal. If the Chiefs are going to be going QB in the draft, that would mean his is not a serious candidate to start any games beyond this season unless our new QB is a holdout.

To me Culpepper is in the cards only for this season. He does not want anymore one year tryouts that have no future for him.

**Lzen** · 10-28-2008, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigChiefDave

According to ESPN, Culpepper cancelled the visit.

I didn't have a problem with signing Culpepper when I first heard about this last week. I would expect him to have to earn the job, though. If Thigpen can continue to perform like he did Sunday (and I know that is a very tall order), it would be tough to pull him for Culpepper. If DC thinks he can just come in and start without first earning it, I don't want him.

KCJohnny · 10-28-2008, 08:55 AM

Let me spell it out for all:
Culpepper is looking for a garaunteed starting job somewhere. That is not KC. Thiggy's stellar performance on the road put the whole crisis in temporary doubt. Thiggy will eventually succumb the the Chiefs conservatism (unless Herm allows Chan to keep the spread system) and the Chiefs will be in the hunt for a QB. However, Daunte will not receive a blank check for the starting job in KC or any other franchise in 2008.

boogblaster · 10-28-2008, 09:00 AM

Thiggy at his worse isn't any worse than Culsucker ... Culsucker is nothing without his younger WR Moss .. Moss now wouldn't make Culsucker look any better ... Stay with Thiggy and sign a decent QB in the draft ...

Gravedigger · 10-28-2008, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

Geez. Let's not start sucking each other's dicks just yet.

Whoa... keep the E tablets in your fanny pack for a bit longer there stud.

Brock · 10-28-2008, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smittysbar

Seems to be what all the media outlets are reporting, besides KC.

which do you think is more likely? That Culpepper has "better opportunities" or that the Chiefs are encouraged by Thigpen's progress? I think Culpepper is going to finish the season exactly where he is right now, at home.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 10-28-2008, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

which do you think is more likely? That Culpepper has "better opportunities" or that the Chiefs are encouraged by Thigpen's progress? I think Culpepper is going to finish the season exactly where he is right now, at home.

This.

As much as I hate to give Carl credit, I think he's calling Culpepper's bluff on this one.

Which is fine by me, I'd rather not have that overrated POS anywhere near this team.

Inspector · 10-28-2008, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donkhater

First off, saying that we absolutely need to draft a QB with our #1 pick is asinine. When the front offices start thinking like that, they end up with a QB like Alex Smith, OK?

This team has holes. Lots and lots of holes. If Thigpen shows decent play the rest of the year, going into next season with him as the starter is not the end of the world. Continually drafting young talent on the O-line, LB, WR would not set this team back one bit.

Fans of this team has lost sight of how long it can take a QB to get it. Look at Kyle Orton. He is playing pretty damn well for Chicago right now, but he is only started about 20 games for them in his career. It took Drew Brees almost three full seasons in San Diego with a team that was as bad as these current Chiefs before he turned in around and started putting up good numbers

As long as Thigpen isn't making the same stupid mistakes in game 16 that he made in game 2 and shows improvement the Chiefs shouldn't be giving up on the kid. He's got good size, mobility and a strong enough arm. I watch him play and he reminds me of Rich Gannon, who BTW, took a few years to blossom as well.

Um...yeah. This is the way I see it too. I was telling my son last night about how Thigpen reminded me of Gannon in some ways. As far as I'm concerned, the starting job is Thigpen's to lose. Plus it is making the season a little more fun now. At least for a Sunday or two.

Sure-Oz · 10-28-2008, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

This.

As much as I hate to give Carl credit, I think he's calling Culpepper's bluff on this one.

Which is fine by me, I'd rather not have that overrated POS anywhere near this team.

Esp. since Culpepper wants $10 million and to start, the guy should feel lucky to get a minimum salary at this point

L.A. Chieffan · 10-28-2008, 09:53 AM

Who gives a **** about Culpepper. Hes a ****ing waste as much as Huard. Finish this abomination of a season with whatever bullshit we have left and draft 2 Qbs.

**ChiefGator** · 10-28-2008, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Arrowhead

I hope he goes to the lions, he might be able to lead them to a few wins

Exactly!

Brock · 10-28-2008, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donkhater

First off, saying that we absolutely need to draft a QB with our #1 pick is asinine. When the front offices start thinking like that, they end up with a QB like Alex Smith, OK?

Looking at mistakes other teams have made drafting quarterbacks isn't any reason not to draft one. Stafford is nothing at all like Alex Smith, who most people had pegged as a bust to begin with.

10-27-2008, 11:36 PM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-3057187	Teicher: Chiefs encouraged by Thigpen; cancel meeting with Culpepper Chiefs encouraged by Thigpen; cancel meeting with Culpepper By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star Tyler Thigpen didn’t realize just how much things had changed, how much he had changed, until he reviewed the video Monday. He saw himself throwing darts in the previous day’s 28-24 Chiefs loss to the Jets at the Meadowlands. Absent were the balls sent zipping off to nowhere. In their place were on-target throws that frequently beat good coverage. One of the more vivid examples of Thigpen’s dramatic improvement came on his 19-yard touchdown pass to Tony Gonzalez in the first quarter. Gonzalez was covered by both cornerback Dwight Lowery and linebacker Calvin Pace, but Thigpen’s throw went where only Gonzalez could get it. That’s the type of play, Thigpen only now realized, he couldn’t have made before. “A couple of weeks ago, I wouldn’t have even tried to throw that one to Tony,” Thigpen said Monday. “I wouldn’t have had the confidence. That play was a big difference for me. “I know I’m here for a reason. If I wasn’t good enough to play or didn’t have the talent, I wouldn’t be in the National Football League. So it was just time to trust my instincts and just go out and play just like it was backyard ball.” Suddenly, the Chiefs’ need to sign Daunte Culpepper to stabilize their quarterback play doesn’t seem as urgent. The Chiefs were planning to meet this week with Culpepper, a three-time Pro Bowler, but the visit was abruptly canceled, a move that could end the talks between the quarterback and the team. It’s coincidence, probably, that the conversation between Culpepper and the Chiefs was scrapped in the hours after Thigpen delivered the team’s best-quarterbacked game of the season. There’s real danger in making a judgment based on one game, good or bad. Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay at Arrowhead Stadium will be a better test for Thigpen. The Bucs, second in the NFL in scoring defense and fifth in yardage, are much stronger defensively than the Jets. “It gives you some hope that the guy can continue to play like that, that he’s going to get better,” coach Herm Edwards said. “And you’ve got a guy who’s consistent at the quarterback position. I don’t think we’ve started two games with the same guy starting at quarterback yet. So that gives you that stability. Now hopefully he can go out there this week. The problem this week again is he’s playing one of the better defenses in football. “I think that helps you when you get a guy who plays the way he played. You go, ‘Wait, wait, this guy did pretty good.’ I think he gave everybody some confidence, not only himself but also the team.” Even when Culpepper’s signing with the Chiefs looked probable, he would have needed at least a week or two before he was ready to play. Thigpen could have made the Chiefs’ eventual decision to bench him a difficult one. “He did a good job, he really did for his second start and playing against a pretty good defense on the road,” Edwards said. “He didn’t do everything right. But for his second time starting, I think he did a pretty good job. He moved the team, he moved the ball. That’s progress. From his last game, he got better.” Thigpen said he only realized the Chiefs were talking with Culpepper on Monday after reading something about it on the Internet. “I’m going to worry about the things I can control,” he said. The way he plays falls under that category. Thigpen entered the Jets game having completed 42 percent of his passes with two touchdowns and four interceptions. His passer rating, a complicated statistical measure of a quarterback’s efficiency, of 44.3 was the lowest among the 34 NFL quarterbacks with enough pass attempts to be ranked. Against the Jets, Thigpen was 25 of 36 (69 percent) with two touchdowns and no interceptions. His passer rating was 110.9, which is higher than that of the NFL’s season leader, Philip Rivers of San Diego. Thigpen searched for an explanation for this startling transformation but didn’t hit on one he liked until he stumbled on this one. “Something,” he said, “just clicked.” The Chiefs can only hope. “I knew what to expect and was more comfortable in the situation,” he said. “It was my second start and really like my third start because the Oakland game was pretty much a whole game. “The biggest thing is that I didn’t turn the ball over. I was really just trying to keep the chains moving. It’s better to hit the 5-yard pass than throw a 50-yard go-route that’s out of the guy’s reach. It’s so much better seeing the ball complete and knowing you’ve given the receiver a chance to do something with it.”
Posts: 43,460

10-28-2008, 08:27 AM	#46
Mr. Arrowhead MVP Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Wichita Casino cash: $10015708	I hope he goes to the lions, he might be able to lead them to a few wins
Posts: 7,763

10-28-2008, 08:55 AM	#51
KCJohnny Blind, deceived homer Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Maryland, USA Casino cash: $10004900	Let me spell it out for all: Culpepper is looking for a garaunteed starting job somewhere. That is not KC. Thiggy's stellar performance on the road put the whole crisis in temporary doubt. Thiggy will eventually succumb the the Chiefs conservatism (unless Herm allows Chan to keep the spread system) and the Chiefs will be in the hunt for a QB. However, Daunte will not receive a blank check for the starting job in KC or any other franchise in 2008. __________________
Posts: 6,347

10-28-2008, 09:00 AM	#52
boogblaster MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Verdigris Valley Campsite Casino cash: $10004900	Thiggy at his worse isn't any worse than Culsucker ... Culsucker is nothing without his younger WR Moss .. Moss now wouldn't make Culsucker look any better ... Stay with Thiggy and sign a decent QB in the draft ... __________________ WR or S please
Posts: 10,305

10-28-2008, 09:53 AM	#58
L.A. Chieffan PLAY GOOD FOOTBALL Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: American Gardens Building Casino cash: $2688654	Who gives a ** about Culpepper. Hes a **ing waste as much as Huard. Finish this abomination of a season with whatever bullshit we have left and draft 2 Qbs.
Posts: 17,400