Tuesday Morning Cup O’Chiefs
The Chiefs made it plain on Monday that the performance by Tyler Thigpen (left) against the Jets on Sunday got their attention.
That’s one of the reasons the club cancelled a planned trip to Kansas City by retired/unretired veteran QB Daunte Culpepper that was scheduled for Tuesday.
A club official said the team was going “in another direction.”
They will move forward with Thigpen, Ingle Martin and Quinn Gray for now, although that’s not set in stone either. What seems definite is that Culpepper is not going to be part of the equation.
The Chiefs contacted Culpepper twice this fall about his interest in returning to action. The first time came after Brodie Croyle was injured in the season opener. At that time, Culpepper said he was only interested in returning if he could start.
The Chiefs talked to him again last week when Croyle suffered the knee injury that ended his season. Culpepper expressed some reluctance to end the retirement that he had announced a few weeks earlier because of family and business issues.
But then Culpepper came out and issued a statement late last week saying that he had been convinced there were opportunities for him in the league and he was now interested in returning. The Chiefs topped that list, which likely also included Denver and Cincinnati.
The Chiefs interest ended on Monday and a part of that decision was the performance of Thigpen in New York. In his second start, Thigpen showed vast improvement from his initial start. That one performance does not a career make, but it certainly has the Chiefs looking at Thigpen from a different perspective. With a young quarterback, that can change in a matter of one week to the next, but Thigpen’s progress will be rewarded.
Another factor was the signing of Culpepper would really go against the direction the team has taken this year by rebuilding with young players. At 31, Culpepper would become one of the oldest players on the Chiefs roster. That’s a powerful leadership position on a young team, even if Culpepper never got on the field. The only way it would make sense is if Culpepper was a factor to be the team’s starting quarterback in 2009.
FROM THE PAGES OF CHIEFS HISTORY
On October 28, 1962 the Dallas Texans beat the Oilers 31-7 at Jeppesen Stadium in Houston. The Texans offense punched out a 21-0 lead in the first half. WR Chris Burford had a pair of TD catches and TE Fred Arbanas caught one as well from QB Len Dawson. RB Abner Haynes had a one-yard scoring run. The Chiefs had six INTs of Houston QBs George Blanda and Jacky Lee, with S Bobby Hunt grabbing three.
On October 28, 1979, the Chiefs lost 20-3 to the Broncos at Mile High Stadium in Denver. The Chiefs managed only a 27-yard FG from Jan Stenerud late in the fourth quarter to break up the Broncos shutout bid. Overall, the Chiefs had just 210 yards behind QBs Mike Livingston and rookie Steve Fuller. Denver’s Rick Upchurch caught a pair of TD passes, one for five yards and the other for 32 yards. Defensively, CB Gary Green had an INT and NT Don Parrish and LB Whitney Paul had sacks.
OPPONENT NEXT/TAMPA BAY
The Bucs are 5-3 at their mid-season point and despite the loss on Sunday in Dallas, they like the direction the team is taking.
Tampa Bay is worried that they may have lost SS Jermaine Phillips with a broken arm.
AROUND THE LEAGUE
Mike Singletary has been head coach of the 49ers for only one game, but he’s already left an impression on everyone in the San Francisco locker room after his team lost on Sunday to Seattle.
The ‘68 Jets who were honored at half-time of Sunday’s Chiefs-Jets game were not very impressed with the new Jets, or at least Joe Namath and Don Maynard were not.
The Browns just keep stepping in it over this situation with TE Kellen Winslow. There was more on Monday.
AROUND THE AFC WEST
The Raiders were licking their wounds after losing to Baltimore, but new head coach Tom Cable saw plenty of good things, or at least he said he did.
Broncos QB Jay Cutler isn’t quite sure what the Denver offense will look like as it comes off its bye weekend.
It must have been a long flight home from London to San Diego for the Chargers after losing to the Saints.
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[...] Earns the Chance to Start at Least a Few Games Jump to Comments According to Bob Gretz: The Chiefs made it plain on Monday that the performance by Tyler Thigpen (left) against the Jets on [...]
according to Glazer, it was Culpepper who canceled his visit with the chiefs (diffrent from what Gretz reported)
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8728262/Sources:-Culpepper-drops-visit-with-Chiefs?CMP=OTC-K9B140813162ATT=5
Lions to Work Out Culpepper Today –
Tue Oct 28, 2008 –from FFMastermind.com
Mlive reports the Detroit Lions will host veteran free agent QB Daunte Culpepper today. It’s not usual for free agents to visit teams on Tuesday, the day that clubs continue to maintain their “short list” in case of injury to other players. Last week, the Lions brought in free agent QB Tim Rattay for a workout. What makes the Culpepper situation more interesting is that Culpepper was scheduled to visit the Kansas City Chiefs today, presumably to sign a contract, but he cancelled that visit, saying that he had a better offer from another club. Culpepper did not identify that team.
Bob,
I respect your oppinion and feel I always get the truth from you when it comes to Chiefs info, but I believe there’s something you’re not letting out of the bag on this, i.e. Culpepper wanting too much $ and Carl balked. This is the first article I’ve read here where it appears you have put your Chiefs employee hat on and are pumping up Thigpin like we didn’t already know who he was. There’s no way the Chiefs saw enough of Thigpin (5 quarters of quality football) to feel they have their man, if so then I’m truly dissapointed in our managemnent and their lack of ability to field a quality QB lineup. In no way am I dissapointed we didn’t get Culpepper, from his most recent comebacks he looked to be finished.
Respectfully,
P Baird
Ya, sometimes Bob has to be a Chief and say what they want him to say and only what they want him to say, but it’s all good.
I sure like it tho when Bob sometimes steps just outside the lines and tells it like he see’s it.
Keep up the good work Bob!
findthedr…
You beat me to the punch on that comment, I also thought it was odd culpepper says that he (culpepper) canceled the visit to explore “better” opportunities. I think it was that we decided we did not want him and he was maybe a little embarassed that the 1-6 chiefs were no longer interested.
I am extremely glad we didnt sign him! Thought it would have been a major step back in the “rebuilding plan” If Thigpen isnt what he showed against the jets then I like Quinn Gray to come in and hold down the fort until we can find a younger QB option to grow in the system.
We’re calling out Bob based on what another reporter wrote? Interesting. I don’t think we really know how things went down. Who knows, Culpepper might just be trying to save face. Since a 1-6 team doesn’t want me, I’ll just say I canceled because I have a better offer somewhere else (even if it’s with an 0-7 team).
P Baird,
I think every one was suprised by Thigpens play, except Herm Edwards who takes credit for anything good and blames everyone else for anything wrong.
—————————————–
from the Chiefs website under comments from the game for Tony Gonzalez:
Tyler played outstanding. He played better than I thought he was going to play. I know he surprised everybody. I don’t care what anybody said, if they thought he was going to go out there and play the way he did then they’re lying.
Herm Edwards on Tyler Thigpen–
On whether he saw Thigpen’s performance coming…
Yeah. I saw it coming
For those who think Culpepper was just trying to ’save face’ he is in Detroit today for a tryout and physical…he was earlier scheduled to be in KC.
I hope we didn’t sign Culpepper because someone woke up and said “what the hell was I thinking?”
Not to fear though, I played golf with Billy Joe Tolliver a couple of years ago and still have his number…
Glazer’s article said that Culpepper “told the Chiefs on Monday that he has a better opportunity with another team and was thus going to cancel his Tuesday visit.”
It then goes on to say that it was “the last straw for the Chiefs as they have now completely moved on.”
So what Glazer said is that Culpepper called off the Tuesday meeting, and what the Chiefs said is good luck negotiating with other teams, we’re pulling he plug on any potential get together and moving on.
I think the whole “who canceled the meeting” argument is just semantics. Culpepper canceled the Tuesday meeting, and the Chiefs pulled the plug on any potential get together altogether.
agree armando…but that is not what Gretz said earlier,” The Chiefs have cancelled a visit by QB Daunte Culpepper to Kansas City on Tuesday and will move on with Tyler Thigpen as their quarterback.”
http://www.bobgretz.com/chiefs-football/chiefs-update-1027-no-daunte-for-chiefs.html
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http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3668988
Culpepper negotiating contract with Lions after morning workout
We might need a veteran quarterback but the answer wasn’t Culpepper. The guy is washed up plain and simple people are calling him because of what he use to be and not what he is now. Which is an old,immobile, no defense reading, fumble machine, and hold on to the ball to long quarterback.
NOw as for our QB situation allow Thigpen to continue to develop he’s showing u good signs for it to be his second start. I would imagine what this guy can play like if he finishes this season as the starter and come into next yr with a better o-line and some more weapons at receiver. Do we need to bring in a veteran guy to replace Huard yes. Huard is on his last leg we do need to bring in another veteran to either be backup or starter depending on Tyler and whoever level of play.
Thats why i’m all for signing JP Losman in the offseason. The guy has had good success in the league and is mobile with a good arm and he can provide veteran leadership in the locker room. And the guy is still fairly young. Besides if Thigpen proves he can be the starter by playing well remainder of the season and through training camp Losman would be a good backup to have if anything happens to Tyler next yr.
And the other plus is we could use the draft to continue to rebuild this offensive line right tackle and guard and even left guard Waters isn’t getting any younger. I think that will help whoever quarterbacks this team next out a whole lot. Like the old saying goes “the game is won or lost in the trenches”.
I am SO HAPPY, that Culpepper isnt coming to KC, I never understood his purpose here in KC, after Gray signed especially, and I feel that next year a guy like Losman can work, but after rewatching the game 4 times, Tyler Thigpen looks like quite a player…I was very impressed…
I must say, the loss of Charles is going to really hurt this team, he looked good to say the least. And, credit the scout team, Bradley is a definite number 2…
ED,
I completely agree with you. If the Chiefs don’t want to be “rebuilding” forever, we need to get the O line taken care of before the first kickoff next year. If that is through the draft, or a free agent pick up(not too old please) I don’t care. We need to get better blockers/protectors for whoever the QB may be.
I think that Thiggy(I’m trying to get it to stick) will get the same opportunity that Croyle got this year. Let’s go with Tyler next year and see what develops.
I believe we already have our veteran QB in Gray. Signing a Losman or similiar talent would be just adding to our mediocre talent level. They would be wise to only sign someone who is a significant upgrade. I just don’t remember Losman as a winner or having much success. Did I miss something? Wasn’t he beat out by Trent Edwards in his first or second year?
We will draft a QB in the next draft so we should really just ride who we have until next season. I think Thigpen has been elevated to “star” status a bit prematurely, but we just as well let him play a few games in a row to see how he does. The Bucs will bring a much better D than the Jets showed. Afraid that perch on Mount Olympia may result in a long fall for poor Thigpen. He will have to have much better OL and RB play to repeat his performance.
B in SC,
Agree completely on the Bucs.
The Jets have so-so pass coverage and rely on getting QB pressure to stop you from throwing (23rd in passing yards allowed per game/5 ints/24 sacks).
The Bucs are happy to let you throw it on them because they’re confident their cover guys will shut you down (7th in passing yards allowed/12 ints/15 sacks).
The Chiefs can’t be afraid to throw on them, but let’s not freak out if Thigpen has a bad game on Sunday.
First of B in SC do your homework. NO way you can compare Gray career with that of Losman. The guy wasn’t beat out by Green. Losman got hurt in the middle of the season and jus never wasn’t given the chance to get his job back. They drafted Green to be the future after they had a chance to let him play and he didn’t turn the ball over they jus stuck with him. Actually the yr before Losman had a break out season and was doing well last yr right up until he got injured and didn’t start again the rest of the season. And actually Losman best yr the Bills were 7 and 9 and threw for over 3000 yards and almost 20 touchdowns.
So to say he’s not and upgrade over Quinn Gray you’re dead wrong.
And last Losman situation was similar to Breeze and Rivers in San Diego about time Breeze career started to show some promise ownership was ready for the Rivers to take over. Kind of like whats happen to Losman in Buffalo with Trent Edwards. Anyone who knows football seen the Bills progressing 2yrs ago in after that 7 and 9 season with Losman at the helm. So get your fact str8 my friend before you make a foolish statment like that. Gray is jus as good as Losman yeah right lol..
ED,
I don’t have a problem with bringing in Losman, but I think he’s going to be looking to go somewhere he can compete to be a starter on a level playing field. If Thigpen finishes out the year as a starter while looking decent (i.e., TD:INT ratio stays at least 1:1, gets close to 60% completion rate, has more than 6 yds/completion), then Losman won’t have a chance her and won’t come here.
Now if Thigpen reverts to his earlier inconsistency, then bringing in Losman as insurance or as interim starter before our newly-drafted QB takes over makes sense.
But if Thigpen shows himself to be a solid starter, our backup vet needs to be someone who can win some games but whose franchise QB days are long gone, someone like Frerotte.
@findthedr
I wasn’t surprised at all with Thigpen’s play. If anything, I was surprised that he got there that soon.
But he showed signs of this ability since before he was drafted, right? Or else he wouldn’t have been drafted out of Coastal Carolina, the Vikes wouldn’t have tried to sneak him onto the practice squad, we wouldn’t have snatched him off of waivers and refused to let him go, and we wouldn’t have kept him after he went on IR.
So both Herm and Gonzo can be telling the truth. Herm (and me, and a few other people) saw this sort of performance would come some day when you look at Thigpen’s Never-Say-Die attitude in sparking scoring drives even after starting so badly against both the Raiders and Falcons. But Gonzo was correct in that no one knew when the light would go on and Thigpen would start using his talents effectively rather than erratically.
Didn’t say Gray was necessarily as good, Losman’s just not a significant upgrade. Don’t recall stating any facts either, just an opinion. Apparently the Bills weren’t that impressed with one year (in which he also threw 14 int’s). You also lost me with Green. Have no idea who you are talking about. Maybe I need to check my “facts”?
Sorry if he is a relative or something, just don’t think we gain much by swapping backups. We have plenty on the roster already.
ILChiefsFan: Agreed, Thigpen will be a long-term evaluation if he is to get fair treatment. We’ve seen the good and the bad from him so far, hopefully he continues on the up trend.
I’m sorry he wasnt beat out by Green i meant Trent Edwards. Don’t get me wrong but we need to keep develping Thigpen but if we can get Losman to come in here to be a good backup they’ll be great. I mean jus if Thigpen doesn’t play well the rest of the season or the start of next yr. If he has a set back kind of like what V. Young is going through we can have a guy that can stabilize the position. Because Herm can’t afford to have another season like this one. Neither can he afford not to have a reliable backup even if Thigpen proves he can be the guy.
Just have to be careful about becoming enamored with someone else’s backup. Happens all time. A team searching for an answer at QB is sure that the number 2 on team “x” just needs a shot and he will take off, just to find out there was a reason he wasn’t the starter. Steve Bono, Elvis Grbac, Matt Schab, Joey Harrington, etc. I just think we would be better off drafting a solid prospect to develop and working him in with our current guys. If Thigpen doesn’t work out, he would be a viable backup most likely.
The Chiefs have ignored this problem for too many years and now the cupboard is bare. I do agree with Herm that they need to develop their own guy.
Well actually Grabac was a pro-bowl quarterback in KC. He just should’ve have played in that 97 playoff game against the Broncos he missed way too many games that yr to have been given his job back so late in the season especially the way Gannon been playing. Hey i’m on your side i want them to give Thigpen a shot i jus think Losman can bring stability if he struggles or doesn’t pan out or God forbid he gets hurt next yr.. And of course we can go back and draft another guy if Thigpen doesn’t but at least Losman can come there and win some games while we are developing another guy if Thigpen doesn’t work out.
agree colby that the OLine needs to be fixed before the start of next season. Herm new the Olie would be an issue at the start of 2006 and we are still being held back by it.
As for possible FA qbs. Here are the stats of the young ones:
Here are the stats of those FA qbs
http://www.nfl.com/players/mattcassel/profile?id=CAS541133
http://www.nfl.com/players/j.p.losman/profile?id=LOS588329
http://www.nfl.com/players/alexsmith/profile?id=SMI031126
http://www.nfl.com/players/patrickramsey/profile?id=RAM596976
http://www.nfl.com/players/kyleboller/profile?id=BOL517890
http://www.nfl.com/players/rexgrossman/profile?id=GRO597298
Only cassel has a decent completion percentage. Thats really important because in the type of offense that Herm would ideally have, the QB wont throw much…and likely when he does throw he will be asked to make a 1st down. Thus the completion percentage must be high.