Chiefs Teicher: Chiefs QB Thigpen gets the starting nod against Falcons - Page 2

**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

Chiefs Pantalones · 09-18-2008, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

I thought we figured that out a long time ago.

Oh I know, it's just mind numbing. There is no plan by Herm. He doesn't know what the hell he's doing. Any team he's had that has been good is because of the previous coach's hand-me-down players and schemes. While trying to build his own team in NY, the same thing happened there, as it is here right now.

Mecca · 09-18-2008, 12:52 AM

I don't think anyone told Herm that in rebuilding you are expected to atleast be competent if you are 0-16 or 1-15 bad you are still subject to getting fired even in a rebuild.

Chiefs Pantalones · 09-18-2008, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

I don't think anyone told Herm that in rebuilding you are expected to atleast be competent if you are 0-16 or 1-15 bad you are still subject to getting fired even in a rebuild.

When he does get fired, he will be up there with Gun and Frank Ganz as one of the worst coaches to lead this team.

Mecca · 09-18-2008, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vanilla Thunder

When he does get fired, he will be up there with Gun and Frank Ganz as one of the worst coaches to lead this team.

Here's the real question, some people think he's in no danger of getting fired...if that actually happens we'll know all we need to know about Clark.

Chiefs Pantalones · 09-18-2008, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

Here's the real question, some people think he's in no danger of getting fired...if that actually happens we'll know all we need to know about Clark.

I agree. I will still be a fan of this team, but I will have no faith in the direction of it.

Mecca · 09-18-2008, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vanilla Thunder

I agree. I will still be a fan of this team, but I will have no faith in the direction of it.

When we are actually having a convo about if 0-16 will get a coach fired or not that's pretty bad.

Chiefs Pantalones · 09-18-2008, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

When we are actually having a convo about if 0-16 will get a coach fired or not that's pretty bad.

REAL bad and REAL sad.

**jjchieffan** · 09-18-2008, 01:18 AM

If Herm gets fired, can it be after next Aprils draft? He is a great drafter, and we need that more than anything else at this point.

Mecca · 09-18-2008, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjchieffan

If Herm gets fired, can it be after next Aprils draft? He is a great drafter, and we need that more than anything else at this point.

Explain to me how he's great, I'm not trying to be an asshole here I'm just saying I don't think he's great, he's better than Vermiel but a reeruned monkey could accomplish that.

**jjchieffan** · 09-18-2008, 01:25 AM

I believe you were ecstatic on draft day with how he drafted. The young guys are almost all looking to be major contributors to this team. The last draft went pretty well too. This is the best drafting of Carl's tenure since his first couple with Marty. I think that is pretty good basis for my opinion.

Mecca · 09-18-2008, 01:32 AM

This past draft was good but it should have been, 2 first round picks, picks at the top of each round....and we'll really see how good it was in 2 years.

Right now we can start to judge the 2006 class and as of now it looks like a stinky pile of shit.

The 2007 class right now will get a slightly above average grade, that is subject to change.

chiefs1111 · 09-18-2008, 01:42 AM

The way things are going,I really think we will end up seeing Ingle Martin starting a game for us this year

Mecca · 09-18-2008, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefs1111

The way things are going,I really think we will end up seeing Ingle Martin starting a game for us this year

Hairy Ingle Martin.....Hairy Ingle sounds like a medical condition.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 09-18-2008, 02:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

This past draft was good but it should have been, 2 first round picks, picks at the top of each round....and we'll really see how good it was in 2 years.

Right now we can start to judge the 2006 class and as of now it looks like a stinky pile of shit.

The 2007 class right now will get a slightly above average grade, that is subject to change.

2006 Picks

Tamba Hali: C-
Bernard Pollard: C-
Brodie Croyle: C-
Herm Edwards: F-
Marcus Maxey: F
Tre' Stallings: D-
Jeff Webb: C-
Jarrad Page: B+

2007 Picks

Dwayne Bowe: A-
Turk McBride: C-
Tank Tyler: C
Kolby Smith: B+
Justin Medlock: F-
Herb Taylor: B
Michael Allan: C

Mecca · 09-18-2008, 02:07 AM

I can't give Taylor a grade till he plays in a real game.

For the most part we agree on those grades though.

09-17-2008, 10:08 PM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-3077187	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: 43,463

09-18-2008, 12:52 AM	#17
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $-782950	I don't think anyone told Herm that in rebuilding you are expected to atleast be competent if you are 0-16 or 1-15 bad you are still subject to getting fired even in a rebuild.
Posts: 115,406

09-18-2008, 01:18 AM	#23
jjchieffan Supporter Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Highlandville, MO Casino cash: $-177752	If Herm gets fired, can it be after next Aprils draft? He is a great drafter, and we need that more than anything else at this point. __________________ Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth. Following the historical accounts and the genealogy from that point on, the age of the Earth is approximately 6000-7000 years old. The Big Bullshit Theory is a lie. It and the evolution theory go against real science. Satan has used our public school system to brainwash everyone into believing these lies. Be not decieved.
Posts: 13,355

09-18-2008, 01:25 AM	#25
jjchieffan Supporter Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Highlandville, MO Casino cash: $-177752	I believe you were ecstatic on draft day with how he drafted. The young guys are almost all looking to be major contributors to this team. The last draft went pretty well too. This is the best drafting of Carl's tenure since his first couple with Marty. I think that is pretty good basis for my opinion. __________________ Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth. Following the historical accounts and the genealogy from that point on, the age of the Earth is approximately 6000-7000 years old. The Big Bullshit Theory is a lie. It and the evolution theory go against real science. Satan has used our public school system to brainwash everyone into believing these lies. Be not decieved.
Posts: 13,355

09-18-2008, 01:32 AM	#26
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $-782950	This past draft was good but it should have been, 2 first round picks, picks at the top of each round....and we'll really see how good it was in 2 years. Right now we can start to judge the 2006 class and as of now it looks like a stinky pile of shit. The 2007 class right now will get a slightly above average grade, that is subject to change.
Posts: 115,406

09-18-2008, 01:42 AM	#27
chiefs1111 In Search of a Life Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $-2426834	The way things are going,I really think we will end up seeing Ingle Martin starting a game for us this year
Posts: 21,100

09-18-2008, 02:07 AM	#30
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $-782950	I can't give Taylor a grade till he plays in a real game. For the most part we agree on those grades though.
Posts: 115,406