Chiefs Quarterback Situation for 2009: Is Tyler Thigpen the Answer? Do They Draft a QB?

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January 11, 2009

Chiefs Quarterback Situation for 2009: Is Tyler Thigpen the Answer? Do They Draft a QB?

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By Jon Yoon

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers v Kansas City Chiefs

No doubt the quarterback position is important for the Chiefs or any team, but I'm torn as to how important it really is. A part of me wants to point to the playoffs, where game managers like Joe Flacco and Kerry Collins seem to be enjoying just as much success as elite QBs like Peyton Manning and Kurt Warner. A part of me wants to point to the overwhelming trend that 9 of the 12 QBs in the playoffs were drafted in the first round thus showing the importance of having a first round QB on the roster; another part of me wants to say that first round QBs tend to be more successful because they get more opportunities to succeed (whereas 6th round QBs usually don't get an opportunity to start, first round QBs are almost always given an opportunity to start and are usually given at least two seasons to fully develop).

There is no doubt, however, that you need at least strong play from your quarterback to be a Super Bowl contender. Let's evaluate the Chiefs' QB situation a little more fully and then consider their offseason options.

Is Tyler Thigpen the Answer?

To answer this question vaguely and completely, Thigpen hasn't proven that he can be the QB of the Future (QBOTF), but he also hasn't proven otherwise. There's a lot to like about Thigpen. He seems to be a natural leader that his players respond to--a very underrated quality of a leader. I also like that he is a good runner, but is always looking to pass first--too often, I think athletic quarterbacks fizzle because they are too anxious to run if their primary receiver isn't open. Something in me believes that if he can improve as a passer, his dual ability as a runner and passer could amount to something special.

But much as I like Thigpen's upside, he has a long way to go before proving he's any kind of a long-term answer. His accuracy is below average, he disappears in the second halves of games, and he must, must, must learn to operate in a pro-style offense rather than the shotgun spread offense--it's okay to have a spread offense as your base look as the Cardinals do, but those teams also mix in a lot of looks under center. This is the part where I make some excuses for the kid. Thigpen was always second-fiddle to Croyle in the development pool--he deserves a full offseason to work with receivers (to develop timing), work on his mechanics (see if that improves his accuracy), work with good coaches (not Dick Curl), and THEN we can see if he's the answer. His accuracy would improve a lot if he could develop timing with his receivers and I'm not completely convinced that his deep ball couldn't improve if he started to step into his throws. If he puts in the time this offseason, he has the potential to improve dramatically.

So yeah, Thigpen has upside, but he's definitely not the bulletproof superhero people thought he was a few months ago. I do know this: the Chiefs can't wait too long for him and they can't settle for "good enough." The Chiefs need to give Thigpen every right to win the starting job in 2009, but also be very swift to replace him if he isn't anything short of spectacular.

The 2009 Draft Class

Color me unimpressed. I am not a big fan of the QBs in the draft this season (Matt Stafford, Sam Bradford, and Matt Sanchez seem to be the three names that come up most often). First, I don't understand the obsession with big school quarterbacks. What have they done to deserve that reputation?

Second, why is the top QB in the class almost always taken in the top 5? There are consensus top 5 pick QBs like Eli Manning and Carson Palmer, and then there are QBs who are forced into the top 5 because of the hype surrounding the top QB on the board like Alex Smith and Jamarcus Russell.

My fear is that Matt Stafford, seemingly the consensus top QB in the draft, falls into the latter category. He is not a can't-miss prospect. I have had many people try to convince me that Matt Stafford is a clear QBOTF; Sorry that I'm not doing cartwheels. I know people "ooh" and "ahh" over the pretty ball he throws and his impeccable fundamentals, but we should know by now that decision making is by far the most important criteria when evaluating a quarterback and I am not sold on Stafford's at this point. QBs like Warner, Brees, Rivers and even to some extent Brady and Manning excel because of their brains moreso than their arm strength. Note: I am not saying Stafford will be a bad NFL quarterback; I'm merely saying that in order for him to be taken in the top 5, he must prove to Chiefs' scouts that he has the superior mental makeup to become an outstanding NFL quarterback.

I am not a big fan of taking Sam Bradford at a high pick because I think he has benefited off of outstanding pass protection and a college-style offense. Mark Sanchez is a player that intrigues me--he does hold on to the ball too long, but I really like how impressive he is at throwing a sharp, accurate ball on the run. While I know he's a much more flawed quarterback than Stafford, there's something about his fire and energy that leads me to believe he could be a great team leader. I don't know entirely where I stand on Sanchez.

Free Agency

One option is to use the #3 pick and trade it to the Patriots for Matt Cassel. Not a bad option, though I wonder how much of Cassel's success can be attributed to the insane amount of talent he has surrounding him. There are also interesting players on the scrap heap like JP Losman and Alex Smith. These are not guys that you want to bring in as your starting quarterback, but maybe they fit in as veteran #3 quarterbacks. Or who knows, maybe these guys are actually decent but were never given a full opportunity to develop and grow.

So... you blabbered on again, but what should the Chiefs do at quarterback?

The Chiefs need to hedge their bets. They need to commit to fully developing and coaching Tyler Thigpen in the offseason, but they also need to bring in a top-flight quarterback to compete. That probably means using their top pick in the draft.

Here is a warning: the Chiefs must, must, MUST not guarantee the future QB job to a first round quarterback. I hate it when teams do that. The Lions committed to Joey Harrington for years not because he was good, but because they couldn't justify spending that much money on a quarterback who was riding the pine. If the Chiefs bring in a QB like Stafford, they need to make the competition fair. Thigpen should not lose his job to Stafford unless it becomes clear that Thigpen is not a long-term, Super Bowl answer or unless Stafford clearly outperforms Stafford in practices and/or the preseason.

That's a safe strategy, I know, but I have always believed that the best solution for most personnel problems is to open up competition for everybody and letting the best man win, even if that is a guy who gets paid significantly less or was drafted significantly lower.

Tags: Chiefs, Kansas City Chiefs, Matt Stafford, NFL, NFL Draft, Sam Bradford, Tyler Thigpen

Discussion

18 Comments on "Chiefs Quarterback Situation for 2009: Is Tyler Thigpen the Answer? Do They Draft a QB?"

Posted by Yoon sucks, January 11, 2009 7:42 PM

This is simple. If Herm and Dickie Curl are still here then no freaking way u take a QB. Get a Mcdaniels or Shanahan then game on. Still I love the idea of a smith or oher on the Oline.

Posted by Yoon sucks, January 11, 2009 7:45 PM

Plus, Herm has ZERO idea of how to protect a QB. There is a reason that his QBs always get hurt. Predictable gameplans plus lack of attention to the line is a recipe for disaster.

Posted by Jon Yoon, January 11, 2009 10:59 PM

Good points, but with Oher and Smith, my big reservation is that we already have a really good left tackle in Branden Albert. That would mean you'd probably have to either start Oher or Smith at right tackle, or move Albert to RT or RG.

While Oher and Smith are a little bit better than Albert, they're not by a whole lot. So really, you'd be spending a #3 pick on a Right Tackle or a Right Guard. Using a #3 pick on either of those two positions is a pretty major reach.

Posted by Brandt, January 12, 2009 1:39 AM

I wouldn't mind spending the top pick on a QB but believe we should spend it on Curry or a defensive end instead. I think we could get a qb in the second round who could push Thigpen. The Chiefs need a DE or LB ahead of anything in my book. I also think the Chiefs should try to make a trade for Derek Anderson or pick up Matt Cassell. We have trading pieces in LJ and TG or could trade later picks. I think LJ for Derek Anderson would be a decent deal. Then again, I just want to get rid of LJ.

Posted by Ian, January 12, 2009 2:57 AM

Jon
All the Nfl experts said that Albert was a good pick and would be a good to great LT but they believed he would be a Pro Bowl guard. If we drafted Oher or Smith, there are numerous options that we could do but the smartest to me is to move Albert To LG and put Smith or Oher in his place (not because he is bad but because they are more natural LT) Once you have done that you have set up two young and super talented players to grow with each other and develop a hell of a left side. I than would move Waters to RG, to fill a spot that was sorely lacking last year. Than the chiefs would have to see if they feel comfortable with Niswanger or if they need to draft a center, and Rt is still open but with one draft pick you have helped and made three spots on the line better for now and the future, thats just my idea, what do you think

Posted by Jon Yoon, January 12, 2009 4:03 AM

Ian, I am confident that Branden Albert would make an outstanding Guard. The reason you don't want to draft Oher and move Albert to Guard is that, when you think about it, you are essentially using a #3 pick so that you could upgrade at Guard. And I can't remember the last time any team spent a top 10 pick on a guard. I'm not sure if it's ever happened, in fact. Most guards are taken at the late first, early second.

Albert has actually exceeded expectations as a left tackle and looks like he's on the fast track to becoming closer to "great" than to "good," so I don't think it's a position where you need to mess with.

To put it simply, rather than use a first round pick to upgrade at Guard, you could use a second round pick and potentially take a pro bowl calibre guard like a Duke Robinson.

Posted by Stir Crazy, January 12, 2009 5:15 AM

just tweak the offense..trade surtain lj and gonzo...there are some good takles coming out in the 3rd rd..and no sleepers either..trade dj to they already ruin him..he will be just average now....get peppers.. dansby free agent 1st pick curry and defense is cool...stack that ol..and get a qb rd and takles down the road..the offense will at some point get on the same page

Posted by Dave, January 12, 2009 5:29 AM

I totally agree with you! I love Stafford's arm strength, but he seems to struggle in big games. That worries me. At #3, we can't afford to miss.
What do you think about making a deal with Green Bay for their 3rd stringer Brian Brohm? He had similar stats to that of Brady or Manning in college. At the very least, we'd have 2 young qbs to develop with a vet or so waiting at 3rd string or better.

Posted by Yoon sucks, January 12, 2009 5:47 AM

As of right now no defensive player is worth the #3 pick. QB or Oline. How bout Crabtree or Maclin? With fitzgeralds success with zona a case could be made for one of those. And with Maclin u get an instant pro bowl returned IMO.

#10

Posted by Jon Yoon, January 12, 2009 6:11 AM

Dave, the problem with Brohm is that he's a lesser version of Sam Bradford. He's another guy that benefited from a college-friendly, spread offense. If I'm not mistaken, he's not even #2 on Green Bay's depth chart right now. I think most people agree that the Chiefs' current spread offense is a nice look, but it needs to include a lot more pro sets that are run under center instead of out of the shotgun.

The good thing about Stafford and Sanchez is that they run more pro-style offenses and can operate well under center.

#11

Posted by L.D. Morgan, January 12, 2009 5:42 PM

It comes down to a few simple facts
1. Herm and his week staff have no idea how to train or help young players. They have'nt made one of our draft picks into what they should be.
2. Herm has not once taken the blame for a loss,but instead makes some stupid statement like "you play to win".Hell,that is a given.
3. Herm started something in rebuilding and doesn't have a clue in how to do it,and in fact has never rebuilt anything little lone a pro football team.
You don't start a rebuild by getting rid of your best pass rusher and keeping a high dollar cry bady runner who falls down or runs out of bounds at the first sign of a tackle. You don't make a quarter back your starter unless he has proven he is the best one on your team and then find out your third stringer is your best quarter back even with out any rep's. GOOD BY HERM!!!!!

#12

Posted by Ian, January 12, 2009 9:37 PM

Jon

i actually agree with you i just think that Smith or Oher is the safest pick and we could afford to have the problem of having Albert and Smith or Oher, but i do agree with you, Robinson would be a great pick. I must add I really believe that we need to draft or pick up a C RG and RT, but i believe that we need to start grooming somebody to take over for Brian Waters when he is done in 2-3 maybe 4 years, Our line problems started with Will Shields and Willie Roafs retirement because we hadn't drafted a true replacement, and we need to plan for waters retirement before it happens, just another thought i had, thanks for reading

#13

Posted by today, January 13, 2009 7:13 AM

if crabtree is available it would be the biggist mistake you ever maid not to get him. with that being said.first you dump all the qb's but tyler, then if the chiefs go young its sanchez but i think a 5 to 7 year guy to compete with and help tyler adjust would be a better deal for the chiefs all around. i like david carr and joey harrington. resign all the deffense buy a big time d-lineman like hainseworth, draft brian orakpo he can play de or mlb. trade lj for 2nd &5th and pick up your offense line also find another charles to run and catch hopefully tony gonzoles will stay. herm is herm but peterson is gone so does young mister hunt want to win badly enough to find someone as gm willing to spend the money to build the team or will they just play the way peterson did for years. oh well just another arm chair fans opion

#14

Posted by Brandt, January 13, 2009 1:11 PM

Why is no one but me bringing up Derek Anderson lol? He will not be on the Browns next year. If we worked out a deal for him without losing a draft pick we would be set. We could then focus on defense in the first round filling the need for a LB or DE. We can also add a few picks by trading LJ, TG, and Surtain.

#15

Posted by Yoon sucks, January 14, 2009 7:14 AM

Thigpen>Anderson

#16

Posted by James, January 14, 2009 12:06 PM

I like the idea of LJ for Derek Anderson. Cleveland could use another power back too, so it would make sense for them.

#17

Posted by Brandt, January 14, 2009 8:19 PM

I think LJ and Surtain for Derek Anderson would be a great deal. I included Surtain because LJ is older than Derek and having legal issues. LJ would give Cleveland a bruiser back they could use with Lewis wearin down and a veteran corner their defense could use.. The trade would allow us to shed a little salary and give us another big option at QB. Going to camp with Anderson, Thigpen, Croyle, and a later round QB draft pick would make us set at QB in my book. Pioli, lets make it happen!

#18

Posted by Mike, January 15, 2009 7:50 PM

I think we should try for Derek Anderson as long as its not to costly, I also think picking up Crabtree in the first round. I know we need work in our o line and in our defensive front as well, and I know that that that is an importt improvement we could make, but I just don't want to waste a third pick on something like that. Crabtree seems like he could be a playmaker, and even though we already have Dwayn Bowe, it still wouldn't hurt for Thickpen (or whomever), our offense as a whole and the momentum of the team to have another big playmaker.

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