"Experts" say and think the same as Mecca...

[missinDThomas]

about Sanchez.

Every Monday, Arrowhead Addict editor/lead writer Adam Best will kick off the week with his AA Greeting — his one-of-a-kind POV on all things Chiefs.

What is this gibberish I’m reading around Chiefs Nation that Mark Sanchez didn’t fare well at the combine. Really? What are my fellow Red-and-Golders smoking?

Today, Scout Inc.’s Todd McShay — who’s Gus Johnson to Mel Kiper’s Dick Vitale — raved about Sanchez, especially his confidence, ability to break down film and intangibles. In fact, McShay talked about the “it” factor. You know, the one I’ve been saying that Sanchez has and Matt Stafford doesn’t for weeks now. Well, apparently quite a few of the personnel folks he talked to agree with me. He even said that there is some movement from Stafford to Sanchez as to who the No. 1 quarterback is.

SportingNews.com’s Russ Lande said:

Southern Cal’s Mark Sanchez helped himself in passing drills and tests. He showed a quick, compact delivery and release. He drove into his passes and the ball exploded out of his hand. His throws had good velocity and a tight, clean spiral. With Georgia’s Matthew Stafford choosing not to throw, Sanchez proved their competition to be the draft’s top quarterback is far from over. Teams were impressed that Sanchez decided to throw and did not look nervous or anxious.

ESPN’s John Clayton:

A ball of nervous energy, USC QB Mark Sanchez had a good throwing performance Sunday at the combine.

After scouring the Interwebs and watching the combine since it kicked off, it seems like most, if not everyone, has been pretty damn impressed by the kid I’ve taken to calling Dirty. So, Don Banks wasn’t impressed. No offense, Don, but after reading your stuff over the years, I’m not so sure Tyra Banks doesn’t know more about the NFL than you do.

Then there’s the fervor behind the Tyler Thigpen movement. Dammit! I just wish Chiefs fans didn’t let their wishful thinking cloud their judgment so much. That’s called being a homer.

But call me Brian Wilson, because for a while there even I was singing “Wouldn’t It Be Nice.” You know, as in wouldn’t it be nice if some seventh-round, third-string quarterback who once got cut by the effin’ Vikings miraculously became our franchise quarterback? But as the season progressed and Thigpen lost game after game, almost never playing well during crunch time, I soured on him. Hey, Tony Gonzalez has carried the jocks of a lot of pedestrian quarterbacks during his tight end reign of terror. This is just another one for us to add to the list.

I also have seen numerous Chiefs fans — not just on this site either — trying to sell that Thigpen’s as good as Matt Cassel. Keep telling yourself that and maybe, just maybe, one day you’ll really believe it.

The reasoning behind this is always that Randy Moss and Wes Welker blow away what we have. Really? I mean, Dwayne Bowe and Tony Gonzalez, the best tight end of all time, aren’t a couple of scrubs. Oh, and only one of these guys made the Pro Bowl this year — Tony G. Sure, Cassel’s offensive line was better, but what about his backs? Kevin Faulk and a bunch of punks and nobodies? BenJarvus Green-Ellis? That sounds like a disease, man. Meanwhile, we had Jamal Charles and Larry Johnson for most of the season. I really don’t think Cassel was at that much of an advantage, especially when you consider that he had to deal with things like actual expectations and pressure, not to mention playing in a much, much better division.The AFC West was garbage last year, especially defensively.

Sorry, but Thigpen is just not in Cassel’s league.

Just read what Peter King had to say about Cassel today, from SI.com:

I’m surprised that a quarterback who played as well as Cassel did for the last 10 weeks of the season is being viewed by most people in the league as too risky to chart a long-term course with. It’s not often in free agency or in trade that a young quarterback with promise is available. And while I understand it’s a millstone around Cassel that he’d require probably two fairly high picks plus an average of $14 million-ish a year in a contract, I still think I’d rather have Cassel as my quarterback of the future than, say, Matthew Stafford. And the money’s not that much different.

Cassel is the real deal, folks. I don’t think anybody would be writing that about Thigpen if he was franchised or even a free agent right now. Then again, I can’t ever see a QB of his caliber being franchised.

Another thing I keep reading over and over and over again is shock that anybody at all is discussing the Chiefs picking or trading for a quarterback with Thigpen in the fold. Wake up, people! If you don’t have a very good quarterback, then you don’t have a quarterback at all. Period. Considering that quarterback is the single most important position in the NFL and we don’t have a good one, yeah, it’s going to be a top priority. Probably the priority. You can have all the Aaron Currys in the world running amok, but if you have a hack quarterback it won’t make any difference.

Am I being hard on Thigpen? No. Not at all. He had a prolonged audition that he never really earned before being thrust into the starting line-up. Our offense was 26th in the league in scoring. Our defense was 29th in points allowed, which means that we had to be aggressive on offense to try and keep pace. Suddenly, the ArrowSpread and Thiggy don’t look so hot any longer. Then you throw in his completion percentage, and it’s not looking good for Thigpen.

It’s never personal. I was hard on Brodie Croyle because I didn’t see him ever being a winning quarterback. He had a lot of starts, and could never win a game. Meanwhile, Thigpen has now had a good chunk of starts, too, and the only game he has won was that freebie up in Oakland. And that game was definitely a freebie. I know — I was there!

I really don’t care if all of Chiefs Nation agrees with me on this one. When it comes to quarterbacks, my track record — Brodie Croyle, Matt Ryan, etc… — speaks for itself. I am confident that Thigpen will not be our quarterback of the future. Very confident.

I also don’t think that there is any way men like Todd Haley and Scott Pioli are going to hedge their careers on Thiggy Smalls. Just writing that makes me feel a little ridiculous, actually. In case you forgot, the Herm Edwards era is over. The Pioli Trinity will bring someone in to at least compete with him. I guaran-damn-tee you that. If he wins the job, hey, more power to him. That would be a dream come true for me, as I’ve been waiting my whole life for the Chiefs to find a young franchise QB. I just can’t see it. Sorry.

The other thing I keep reading that irks me is this Aaron Curry is the “safe” pick, the “safest pick in the draft.” Makes me want to puke. Hey, the kid has a great story and is a phenomenal athlete. But he’s a middle freakin’ linebacker in a year when linebackers seem to be miraculously raining from the sky like frogs or something! Let’s get serious here. Is Chiefs Nation still so haunted by the ghost of Todd Blackhedge that we remain scared you-know-what-less when it comes to drafting or trading for a promising young quarterback.

What was that expression? Scared money don’t make money. I’m confident that The Pioli Trilogy realizes that. They aren’t going to allow the ghosts of Chiefs’ past or any wishful thinking to lead them down the wrong path.

Me? I don’t call the shots, but I’m liking Cassel and Sanchez more and more every single day (I still like Michael Crabtree as well, by the way). Hopefully, the Chiefs are, too, because these kids have the chops to become star quarterbacks in this league under the right guidance (ahem, Todd Haley).

P.S. - With free agency around the corner, and us almost certainly moving to a 3-4, I’m thinking these will be my top candidates when I drop my free agency post later this week, which will probably be another Blueprint…

ILB Bart Scott
DE Chris Canty
OT Khalif Barnes
Lance Moore is also a guy who’s very, very intriguing to me. I think he could become a star in Haley’s system.

[Reerun_KC]

Originally Posted by smittysbar

Sorry I won't be educated by someone who thought Herm was a great coach and rode his cock right up until the end of the Bengals game.

Ouch! that is going to sting a little....

[DeezNutz]

Originally Posted by smittysbar

Sorry I won't be educated by someone who thought Herm was a great coach and rode his cock right up until the end of the Bengals game.

Why am I (thankfully) not remembering this?

Sensible was a Herm supporter? If so, it's amazing that the mods haven't had a bit of fun with his username.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

You forgot to add that Sanchez has been letting the better prospects dictate his choices. Bradford announced his press conference that he is returning to school and then after Sanchez immediately hold his to say he will enter the draft.

Are you shitting me? Of COURSE you're going to declare if it comes down to you and one other legitimate prospect.

And as far as Bradford goes, to call him "better" than Mark is just ****ing laughable.
There is NO QB in the 12 South that is worth a flying **** as an NFL prospect.

Sorry, but them's the breaks!

[SenselessChiefsFan]

Originally Posted by smittysbar

Sorry I won't be educated by someone who thought Herm was a great coach and rode his cock right up until the end of the Bengals game.

Not surprising, but your reading comprehension was a bit off there. I never said that Herm was a 'great' coach. Not surprised that you don't pick up the nuances of an argument.

[Titty Meat]

Don't argue with Mecca about Sanchez he knows everything so much so he declined on being a scout so he could share his knowledge on Chiefsplanet. He's also said USC has no talent.

[boogblaster]

We need so much its hard to not look at all the top picks ...

[Mark M]

Two things on this.

First up is this:

SportingNews.com’s Russ Lande said:

[...] Teams were impressed that Sanchez decided to throw and did not look nervous or anxious.

ESPN’s John Clayton:

A ball of nervous energy, USC QB Mark Sanchez had a good throwing performance Sunday at the combine.

How can he not look nervous or anxious to one person, yet be described as "a ball of nervous energy" to someone else? That doesn't mesh, and someone has to be off base on their analysis, don't they?

My second point:

Can anyone name me another college QB with just 16 starts (or even fewer) who was drafted in the top 5? And if so, how did they do in the NFL?

Honestly -- I'm not saying Sanchez isn't worth the pick, and realize there have been successful QBs who weren't four-year starters. Just wondering if anyone with such little experience was ever drafted that high, and if someone like Mecca (or another draftnik) has already done the research on this.

Thanks in advance for anyone who can answer that one.

MM
~~

[smittysbar]

Originally Posted by SensibleChiefsfan

Not surprising, but your reading comprehension was a bit off there. I never said that Herm was a 'great' coach. Not surprised that you don't pick up the nuances of an argument.

Not if Herm sticks around. Chiefs will be in the playoffs next year.

The more a person knows about football and the the NFL, the less they call for firing Herm Edwards.

Herm was the perfect coach to rebuild this team.

That is a GREAT point. Here is the thing. Herm Edwards is actually doing things the RIGHT way.

He is building a team to be great over a long period of time. He is building with youth. It is a little harder, and more patience is required, but once it is done.... you have the ability to compete for a championship for several years, not one or two.

Let me recap. Hunt is firmly behind Herm Edwards, and he has already said it will be 'his' decision. The GM will have 'input'.

To say there is no chance of Herm coming back is wishful thinking not based in reality.

I don't even have a problem with Herm coming back. The reality is that the biggest factor in a head coach is not x's and o's. It is motivation and team building. Herm has done a very good job of that.

I value a person with a vision and the patience to execute it. He has not lost the team. The team still believes, and the team is going in the right direction.

I think you underestimate how much people who know Edwards like and believe in him.

Had to throw this Dick Curl jewel in here also

I know that many would like to bash anything Herm Edwards related, but why are we bashing Dick Curl?

I have always said that fans really don't have enough intimate knowlege of the team to be for or against any position coach. The reality is that coaching a position happens during the week, not so much on Sundays. We can't honestly asses the coaching if we don't ever even see it.

Head coaches and coordinators are much more visible, but position coaches? Give me a break.

Now, the one thing that we can do is look at the players they have developed.

Who here can look at how far Thigpen has come and STILL bash Dick Curl? Seriously.

Even Brodie Croyle was playing well under Dick Curl's coaching when he was healthy.

Tyler Thigpen was a sixth round pick that was on the waiver wire and Dick Curl has coached him into a poor man's Rich Gannon. Moreover, Thigpen has improved as the season has progressed.

I am not saying that Dick Curl is a 'great' coach. Although, he has been a head coach and won championships in the world league, I believe. (on any level, that is an accomplishment)

All I am saying is that I don't understand how he can be criticized when Tyler Thigpen has been the biggest surprise and bright spot on this season.

I have heard many talk about how great Terry Shea was. The funny thing is that until he got to KC, he had a less impressive resume than Dick Curl. And, even after he got here, his claim to fame is coaching an already developed QB in Trent Green. Seriously. Trent Green was a starter in the NFL before he got to KC and was one of the highest rated passers in the year before he got to KC. So, how much credit does Shea actually get for that?

Mike Martz had worked with Trent Green for five years, I believe before he got to KC. Mike Martz was the QB coach in Washington and was hired to be the OC in ST. Louis and insisted that they bring Trent Green in. Al Saunders had been with Trent Green for two years prior to them both coming to KC.

Anyways, the next time you go to bash Dick Curl.... just look at Thigpen.

Because I don't see how anyone can look at how well Thigpen, a sixth round pick from Coastal Carolina, is playing and still think Dick Curl is cluless.

This isn't to say he is a great coach, but the evidence is starting to look favorable that he is certainly isn't a 'horrible' one.

[Chiefnj2]

Originally Posted by Mark M

My second point:

Can anyone name me another college QB with just 16 starts (or even fewer) who was drafted in the top 5? And if so, how did they do in the NFL?

Honestly -- I'm not saying Sanchez isn't worth the pick, and realize there have been successful QBs who weren't four-year starters. Just wondering if anyone with such little experience was ever drafted that high, and if someone like Mecca (or another draftnik) has already done the research on this.

Thanks in advance for anyone who can answer that one.

MM
~~

Akili Smith.

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

Akili Smith.

Who played in a spread offense and was dumber than a box of hammers.

[missinDThomas]

Originally Posted by arc

Who played in a spread offense and was dumber than a box of hammers.

[DeezNutz]

Originally Posted by arc

Who played in a spread offense and was dumber than a box of hammers.

Is this the only example? Are there others?

How the **** are people freaking out about what appears to be an unbelievably small sample size?

[Inspector]

"Experts" say and think the same as Mecca...

Well, they better by golly!!

You know what happens if they don't.......

[Tiger's Fan]

Originally Posted by smittysbar

Had to throw this Dick Curl jewel in here also

Dude, great finds. It goes without saying that he was a Herm homer, and to deny it now makes him look weak as hell.

Me personally, I want Stafford. He's clearly the better pick, and I hope he falls into our lap. If he's not there, I don't know what the hell to think.

[kcxiv]

I dont believe we will be taking Sanchez at 3 no matter what. I trust Pioli knows what he's doing. After all he helped build 3 super bowl winning teams this decade.

Whoever it is they pick, i hope they nail it.