Chiefs Teicher: Chiefs QB Thigpen gets the starting nod against Falcons - Page 5

**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

CoMoChief · 09-18-2008, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

That's not true CoMo.
Thigpen threw a garbage TD against a soft Raider defense.

Oh sorry I almost forgot...........let alone they were playing the softest prevent defense since the 2002 Chiefs.

Micjones · 09-18-2008, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

Oh sorry I almost forgot...........let alone they were playing the softest prevent defense since the 2002 Chiefs.

That score a scant 56 minutes into the game is meaningful.
Please don't insult Tyler Thigpen.

The six interceptions he could've thrown aside.

**DaneMcCloud** · 09-18-2008, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Then he goes on to mock Coastal Carolina. Is it impossible for a guy to be serviceable if he comes from a small school?

Please don't make me spend the time it would take to list all of the serviceable players that came from small schools. I'm positive you're with me on this...

I am with you on this: I really don't care about the fan's negativity surrounding Thigpen. The guy deserves the start. He played at a small school and didn't see the highest level of competition in college yet he drove the Chiefs down for a touchdown score last Sunday and he improved during the game. He may not win games for the Chiefs this year but any experience he gets this year will help him out in the future. And regardless of what some people think, it's way, way, way early to just "Cut him" after one game.

JFC.

This is going to be an incredibly difficult season as it is without the constant "Fire Herm, Fire Carl, Cut Croyle, Cut Thigpen, Cut Huard" crap for the next 15 weeks.

Play you who've got and head into the offseason with a better understanding of where help is required.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 09-18-2008, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

Really, because in the whole scheme of things the ONLY times we've been remotely successful on offense is when Huard has been in the game.

And thats a FACT.

Really?

http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...&postcount=224

http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...&postcount=228

http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...&postcount=244

**OnTheWarpath15** · 09-18-2008, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

That score a scant 56 minutes into the game is meaningful.
Please don't insult Tyler Thigpen.

The six interceptions he could've thrown aside.

The game is still 60 minutes long, correct? Or did I miss a rule change?

Didn't know that points scored in the last 4 minutes don't count. That's going to change the recordbook quite a bit...

**OnTheWarpath15** · 09-18-2008, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

I am with you on this: I really don't care about the fan's negativity surrounding Thigpen. The guy deserves the start. He played at a small school and didn't see the highest level of competition in college yet he drove the Chiefs down for a touchdown score last Sunday and he improved during the game. He may not win games for the Chiefs this year but any experience he gets this year will help him out in the future. And regardless of what some people think, it's way, way, way early to just "Cut him" after one game.

JFC.

This is going to be an incredibly difficult season as it is without the constant "Fire Herm, Fire Carl, Cut Croyle, Cut Thigpen, Cut Huard" crap for the next 15 weeks.

Play you who've got and head into the offseason with a better understanding of where help is required.

QTF.

Chiefnj2 · 09-18-2008, 01:06 PM

[QUOTE=OnTheWarpath58;5031832]Who said that?

Our offense is DESIGNED to get the QB out of the pocket.

DESIGNED.

The difference between Huard and Thigpen is that Huard cannot do what the offense is DESIGNED to do.

QUOTE]

Where was that DESIGN in week one when Croyle was getting clobbered behind center?

Micjones · 09-18-2008, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

The game is still 60 minutes long, correct? Or did I miss a rule change?

Didn't know that points scored in the last 4 minutes don't count. That's going to change the recordbook quite a bit...

Cute.

Doesn't change my point. That was a garbage TD thrown against a defense that had softened.

Sure the points count. But if I'm not mistaken... We still lost.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 09-18-2008, 01:10 PM

[QUOTE=Chiefnj2;5031870]

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Who said that?

Our offense is DESIGNED to get the QB out of the pocket.

DESIGNED.

The difference between Huard and Thigpen is that Huard cannot do what the offense is DESIGNED to do.

QUOTE]

Where was that DESIGN in week one when Croyle was getting clobbered behind center?

Cool.

You've not only shown your ignorance, you've shown you don't bother to read posts.

I've only mentioned, oh, say 10 times, that the bootleg is mostly ineffective against a 3-4 defense.

It would be even MORE ineffective when your QB rolls to the right, and meets Mike Vrabel in the backfield before your RT is even out of his stance.

Micjones · 09-18-2008, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Cool.

You've not only shown your ignorance, you've shown you don't bother to read posts.

I've only mentioned, oh, say 10 times, that the bootleg is mostly ineffective against a 3-4 defense.

It would be even MORE ineffective when your QB rolls to the right, and meets Mike Vrabel in the backfield before your RT is even out of his stance.

That only means the offense can be adjusted.
Which is the point we were trying to make.
Huard doesn't have to run bootlegs to help this offense produce.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 09-18-2008, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

Cute.

Doesn't change my point. That was a garbage TD thrown against a defense that had softened.

Sure the points count. But if I'm not mistaken... We still lost.

You never had a point. It was just more Clayton-like windbagging.

Refresh my memory, did Huard score late against a defense playing prevent?

Or did we "still lose?"

I look forward to your excuses.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 09-18-2008, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

That only means the offense can be adjusted.
Which is the point we were trying to make.
Huard doesn't have to run bootlegs to help this offense produce.

Let's see...

Adjust the gameplan for your STARTING QB against a bad matchup...

Or give up the advantage rollouts and bootlegs give you against a 4-3 defense, just to play a statue at QB.

Spoken like a true fan...

stumppy · 09-18-2008, 01:29 PM

Isn't it great being a Chiefs fan right now ?

Let's face it. No matter who anyone of us thinks should be the starting QB the common demoninator being used as support by any of us is 'My guy doesn't suck as bad as your guy'.

Hammock Parties · 09-18-2008, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Let's see...

Adjust the gameplan for your STARTING QB against a bad matchup...

Or give up the advantage rollouts and bootlegs give you against a 4-3 defense, just to play a statue at QB.

Spoken like a true fan...

I look forward to seeing Thigpen roll out and horribly miss Devard Darling again.

triple · 09-18-2008, 01:49 PM

whatever tools. thigpen will win us a game before croyle will.

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, 01:06 PM	#67
Chiefnj2 In Search of a Life Join Date: Mar 2007 Casino cash: $6654388	[QUOTE=OnTheWarpath58;5031832]Who said that? Our offense is DESIGNED to get the QB out of the pocket. DESIGNED. The difference between Huard and Thigpen is that Huard cannot do what the offense is DESIGNED to do. QUOTE] Where was that DESIGN in week one when Croyle was getting clobbered behind center? __________________ Mismanaging the clock.
Posts: 22,541

09-18-2008, 01:29 PM	#73
stumppy New and Improved Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, Mo. Casino cash: $-2471410	Isn't it great being a Chiefs fan right now ? Let's face it. No matter who anyone of us thinks should be the starting QB the common demoninator being used as support by any of us is 'My guy doesn't suck as bad as your guy'. __________________ “As a nation, we can endure damaging policies for a four-year term. But we cannot survive a president willing to terminate our Constitution”
Posts: 22,368

09-18-2008, 01:49 PM	#75
triple Stop saying &quot;This.&quot; Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	whatever tools. thigpen will win us a game before croyle will.
Posts: 2,110