Chan Gailey Still Seeking Better Play From Tyler Thigpen
by Brian Galliford on Sep 2, 2011 9:45 AM EDT
in Buffalo Bills News
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PrintRyan Fitzpatrick is the unquestioned starting quarterback for the Buffalo Bills - and fans of the team had better hope it stays that way for the foreseeable future, given the way backup quarterback Tyler Thigpen played in four pre-season games.
True, Thigpen was playing with second- and third-team players all summer. That's especially concerning when discussing the offensive linemen blocking for him, as Thigpen was consistently harassed and sacked six times - including five times in last night's pre-season finale.
The most concerning stat line for Thigpen, however, is the fact that he completed 36 of 75 pre-season passes. Chan Gailey's offense calls for a high degree of efficiency from its quarterbacks, and excuses or not, a 48 percent completion rate obviously isn't going to cut it.
Gailey has gone on record multiple times this pre-season stating that he expects better play from Thigpen. He said it again last night, but also expressed confidence in his backup quarterback.
"We need for Tyler to play better," Gailey said Thursday night. "We do."
Thigpen threw for 316 yards and two touchdowns (with two interceptions, including one that was returned for a score) this pre-season, and added 28 rushing yards on seven carries. Gailey, like everyone else, is concerned with Thigpen's accuracy.
"He was not accurate with some of his throws early in that ballgame when he went in," Gailey continued. "He was leaving the ball too far inside, and we talked to him in the second half about getting the ball outside, and he did a lot better throwing the ball in the second half."
Thigpen was not able to participate in team practices until August 4, when the new league year began. Ergo, he's still getting acclimated to Buffalo's personnel and re-acclimated with Gailey's offense, and trying to do it all in a very short period of time. Gailey is convinced that with time, Thigpen will settle down - if he needs to play, of course.
"He just needs time to throw with these guys and understand exactly where they're going to break their routes, and things like that," Gailey concluded. "It's just a feel for the game."
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Not that I read too much into it, but Levi’s had a better preseason — especially the past two games.
Really? He looked awful in game 1, and didn’t play in game 2. Game 3 was his best game, but he only played in overtime, where he was the only fresh player on the field. So that leaves the last half-quarter of last night’s game, where he was probably playing against a prevent defense – and, of course, the Lions third string. Any QB can look good against a tired defense…
Even when he's playing behind a tired Offensive Line?
You might be right that the Lions’ 3rd stringers were out there, and that they may have been tired, but the Bills had their tired 3rd stringers in too. The O-line was no better for Brown than it was for Thigpen. Neither were the receivers. Brown played better. And the most stark contrast between the two was accuracy. Levi had it. Tyler did not.
by BuffaloOwdaTwnr on Sep 2, 2011 10:44 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I Hate Letting Brown Go for Thigpen
1. If it were me, Brad Smith would be first QB in after Fitz
2. Thigpen has not played well, has no upside
3. I still think Levi has upside and would rather keep him as a 3rd QB versus Thigpen
I know Bills aren’t thinking of Brad Smith as the 2nd full time QB, but there’s no doubt in my mind he would make more happen than Thigpen.
This! I saw levi have a much better preseason. And he is still young, he can learn some more and assuming we draft a qb in the first next year, compete next year against him for the number 2. I see levi as having way more upside than thigpen. We know exactly what he is and he isn’t getting any better…
by polar2292 on Sep 2, 2011 10:12 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I agree w/u
angry guy
"Alright Men, lets go out there, bust um in the chops & get somebody bloody. Keep working till you get it right. Take the W in battle & make the Bills Nation Proud."
by Blood, sweat & Win on Sep 2, 2011 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Bad acquisition
It must be near-impossible to find a good QB in the NFL. Fitzpatrick looks like Jim Kelly out there compared to Thigpen and Brown. Not sure if Brad Smith can throw or not, but he does seem to have a fearless quality you need to play QB.
The only upside...
to Thigpen seems to be his similar skill set to Fitzy. Having Smith as backup means changing the game plan mid-game in the event of an injury. Levi was darn good but I still wonder about his ability to read defenses. On a sidenote….Thigpen showed some guts making in the pocket this preseason making a couple throws while being hit.
“He just needs time to throw with these guys
Hmmm…does he mean time as in “getting used to these guys” or time as in “if he can stop running for his life”? Both fit, both are true. Except, if called upon, Thigpen will be throwing to the “1” receivers…more “getting used to” needed? Oh, and do you think “telling” a QB to be more accurate in the second half will solve the problem? Did he not know he needed to be accurate before being told? Thigpen: “Doh, why didn’t I think of that!”
Besides, his proven lack of talent, Thigpen is a victim of pehaps the worst bunch of OL backups ever assembled. If any starting OL men (whoever they are) go down, Fitz (a backup in his own right) will face a similar fate.
Y'all- There's a "D" in rebuild, but no "O"- The gospel according to Buddy Nix 4:12
Throwing to "1" Receivers???
We one “1” receiver. The other one is in Baltimore and since he left I’ve seen a lot of draft passes from our quality depth.
If you mean ‘dropped’ passes. I think Lee did that too. I also think lots of other solid "1"’s have had high drop percentages. Not everything that happens is proof of Lee Evan’s value.
I have low expectations. But high hopes.
by greysquirrel on Sep 2, 2011 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions
Thigpen has shown in his career that he can be a decent enough backup QB, particularly when working with Chan. He’s just in need of some reps with his receivers and some better blocking. He is never gonna be ‘accurate’ (hey, he is a backup). He’s just not that. But he got by in KC despite that.
I have low expectations. But high hopes.
Is he really ever going to get reps with Stevie, Roscoe, and whomever is #2 when he’s on the 2nd team in practice? I suppose getting in a groove with the 2nd team receivers will put him in a groove in general, but otherwise I don’t think he’ll have the opportunity to build timing with the players he’d actually be playing with if he gets in a game.
I agree that the preseason was not completely indicative of his play, and that overall I think he’d be serviceable if forced into the starting role. I just really hope people aren’t calling his name the first time Fitz starts to struggle (which you know he will at some point).
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
Yeesh. We’ve been sitting in the outhouse so long we don’t even notice the stench.
Thigpen has not proven anything. Have you actually looked at Thigpen’s stats with the Chiefs under Chan? He won ONE game he started in. Fine he put up some stats, but I’ve argued before and I will argue again – those are the stats you expect from a losing QB with a modicum of talent. Fitz has yet to prove that he is NOT in this category as far as I’m concerned.
The one thing I learned from Thigpen and Fitz is valid in Fantasy only. If in mid-season you need to pick up a QB who has a chance to give you decent stats, look at the losing teams that are at least making it exciting, and there you will likely find a QB who is getting a lot of chances to throw and quite often in situations that range from pressing, to desperate, to go down swinging. These are NOT guys who take you to the promised land deep in January.
I had a drink the other day
Opinions were like kittens
I was giving them away
-Modest Mouse
Well
hopefully the Bills (or any NFL team for that matter) are not looking for their #2 QB to take them to the promised land in January. Thigpen is a backup QB, a career backup that is it, no more no less. As you pointed out he has the ability to put up some stats, throw often and go down swinging if need be. Of course his win/loss column will leave something to be desired but this guy is our backup not our starter.
Give me a backup who has the ability to give me decent stats, take control of a losing team (when the starter is out) and make them exciting any day of the week. He’s not franchise, he’s not the future, but he gives you a chance to win that’s all you can ask for from a backup.
"I promise you, ... When I come back, I'm going to be like a mad dog in a meat house." -Takeo Spikes
we should have signed jared gaither
he played last nite and did pretty good Tyler Pigpen stinks this is going to be a long ride for us Bills fans
Maybe, of course he has already shown a penchant for not being healthy. So this is still TBD.
I have low expectations. But high hopes.
by greysquirrel on Sep 2, 2011 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions
Thigpen reminds me of Edwards
when it comes to practice and games.
Thigy looked good all camp and has looked horrible in the pre season games.
Still, i think he is better than Levi and will benifit from being on the team for a year.
"The Buffalo Bills have just exploded all over the Cincinnati Bangles"
-Steve Tasker-
unfortunately
and will benifit from being on the team for a year
He was on the Dolphins for 2+ and they made no move to keep him, in spite of the lack of development from Henne. Matt Moore knows nothing of the Fins situation and they chose looking for a “stranger” over keeping Thigpen.
Thigpen is what he is and that’s not good. Given the gamble the Bills are taking with the OL, a case could be made to gamble and take Levi over Thigpen. Once Fitz is outta there, I don’t think it matters,either from the quality of play, or the overall “philosophy” of CHIX, which one would be in there. Levi has shown the better arm and accuracy thus far. Then, there’s the $$$ issue. Thigpen gets paid much, much more than Levi. Important, if you subscribe to the “bean-counters- run the show” theory.
Y'all- There's a "D" in rebuild, but no "O"- The gospel according to Buddy Nix 4:12
Thigpen left the Dolphins, the Dolphins didn't let him go
What would you do as a backup? Be the #3 QB for the Dolphins and continue to get buried on a depth chart after having to sit behind Henne and Pennington and now Henne and Moore, or come to Buffalo where there is no established backup and a coach who made you look somewhat successful? Smart decision for Thigpen, but what we will find out this season is was it a smart move for Buffalo?
"I promise you, ... When I come back, I'm going to be like a mad dog in a meat house." -Takeo Spikes
There are no excuses
Tyler “shoelaces” Thigpen just stunk up the place every chance he got – period. I don’t want to hear the crap about being with 2-3 stringers or make-shift Oline because he simply was no good. He consistently threw passes into the shoes of his receivers, which tells me that he footwork is awful.
Brown was only marginally better. Clearly, Chix did not want to bring in someone that would create a controversy over the #1 spot. They definitely wanted to give Fitz his chance to lead this team without having to look over his shoulder. They also are realists and know that we might only improve marginally in y2 of their rebuilding regime. The way I view it, this year will determine if we are in the Luck market next draft. The advantage to giving Fitz the opportunity is that if he does not succeed and we end up drafting another QB, we’ll still be able to keep him around and he’ll mentor the new kid and eventually back him up. I’d love for Fitz to take it and run with it and be the guy that we’ve been looking for for so long. In the meantime, having crap backups indicate to me that the next step is drafting our savior.
Rebuilding a team properly takes time and patience
Clearly, Chix did not want to bring in someone that would create a controversy over the #1 spot.
Well if that was their goal, they failed. They went out and signed the one guy that had a history with Gailey – and that history led to some misguided rhetoric that Thigpen might actually start over Fitzpatrick. If avoiding controversy was their goal, they signed the one guy that would make them fail meeting said goal.
Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford
by Brian Galliford on Sep 2, 2011 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions
Who’s made the case for Thigpen starting? I’ve only seen those ‘Pay Fitz because Thigpen got a decent contract’ articles. And that’s not really controversy, especially in the way bringing in a vet who’s had some success would be.
Check out buddynixon.com for more of my work.
No one’s really made the case. A bunch of different people have mentioned the possibility, in passing almost every time.
Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford
by Brian Galliford on Sep 2, 2011 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
there wasn’t a case the day Thigpen signed. there is less of a case now. that should pretty much spell the end of that.
Ryan FitZpatrick - The Inconvenient Truth.
I've heard it
and seen it in plenty of fantasy magazines, but after this pre season I agree that should pretty much spell the end of that.
"I promise you, ... When I come back, I'm going to be like a mad dog in a meat house." -Takeo Spikes
I don’t disagree that they brought him in because he is familiar with the system. I guess what I was trying to say was that they knew that there was no way that TT would outplay RF so Fitzy would remain the clear starter going into Week 1.
I think they honestly want Fitz to take control of this team and blossom with it. If it doesn’t work out, we ain’t going to do much better with our backup, which is fine because it means we should be in a great position to get one of the top 2 guys next year in Luck or Barkley. I’m just saying that when you have a philosophy of building through the draft it applies to every single position especially the QB position. The advantage that Thigpen has over other candidates is that he has had some success in a Gailey run offense. So if we were to draft a QB next year, we should be in a good position to also have a steady veteran to mentor him and then back him up.
Rebuilding a team properly takes time and patience
I hope they brought in Thigpen because they believe he can play. I am really tired of the rhetoric being to aim for a guy who won’t cause a controversy behind Buffalo’s shaky starter. That’s not the way to build a roster and let’s hope that wasn’t the case this time.
"There's only one C.J. Spiller." -Buddy Nix
i might be wrong
but i don’t think they operate that way. gailey believes he can win with Thigpen if they had to play him. i don’t think they feel the same way about Brown, and so I’m expecting Brown to be cut.
Does Brown still have PS availability?
Ryan FitZpatrick - The Inconvenient Truth.
having crap backups indicate to me that the next step is drafting our savior.
Agreed! They will be in the running in 2012 to draft a top QB coming out of college, Fitz may play his ass off but the O-line will be his down fall. if they have the opportunity to draft a top QB they need to-no matter how good Fitz plays.
"Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat."
Alex Levine
if they have the opportunity to draft a top QB they need to-no matter how good Insert mediocre starter’s name here plays.
This is a true statement no matter which team you are.
Rebuilding a team properly takes time and patience
maybe
He can do better with some time I don’t no I was getting mad seeing him get sacked over and over
by justin1 on Sep 2, 2011 10:36 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
The second string offense is no excuse. Backup QBs all over the league play with inadequate personnel every preseason and the counterbalance is they go against inferior defenses running vanilla schemes. Thigpen has been putrid on his own merit and Gailey is right to call a spade, a spade. He had better get his act together or he won’t be long for the NFL. Ask Craig Nall how much security you get in the NFL on a multi-year contract when you can’t play a lick.
"There's only one C.J. Spiller." -Buddy Nix
by Port Royal on Sep 2, 2011 11:05 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Thigpen couldn't start for Miami last year
And Henne was awful.
I agree
Thigpen’s shelf life has expired, it’s time to cut him and admit the mistake. Levi looks so much more poised. I think Levi has higher upside going forward.
Girls use hair spray, Men don't.
DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND GROW UP BY NOT USING HAIRSPRAY MALES!
Don't be a Paully!
by The Buffalo Kid on Sep 2, 2011 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions
He'll be fine.
I think that hes more of a “gamer.” Take that for what you want considering he played poorly in these pre-season games… but I think that called upon in a pinch, he’ll do fine.
Fitz = M(C)²
"Lets Go Buff! a! lo!"
I was hoping and expecting better of Thigpen.
It scares me that he is just one play away from starting…..ughhhh!
Thigpen needs to be prepared though. He had better be up to date w/ the Offense and in sync w/ the receivers come Week 1.
By far the most questionable FA signing based on his performance.
Its going to suck cutting Brown for this clown
because he’s going to see action this year.
I think Brad Smith really covers up his deficiencies when he is used as the 3rd down wildcat qb. But then, I was never one who was enamored with a Thigpen/Gailey reunion.
Thigpen is not the answer.
Thigpen is the result of a nix-gailey love affair with players who once fit their perspective of good. Idk thigpens history of play from college to miami or really what he brings to the table that levi doesnt. The reality is that we have invested in him ..millions to be a back up for three years. Lets face it.. If thigpen is put in the position to be the starter for whatever reason..i doubt we are playoff bound. So keep levi ..save some cash and develope his talent.
Then next years draft address the qb situation. But I for one want our picks to focus on top OL players. Until the OL is solid..its a little harder to assess qb ability.
by Feedjasper on Sep 2, 2011 6:02 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Oh and merriman.. If u read this.. Take hairstons big doughboy butt and get him in nfl shape mma style.. or P90x him or something .. Hes got the frame just needs to stack muscle
by Feedjasper on Sep 2, 2011 6:24 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Someone please convince me...
That it makes sense for Thigpen to make more than Fitzpatrick. He looks Claussen-esque out there.
In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!
by TheAfghanTwilight on Sep 2, 2011 9:45 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Little bit of an overreaction in my opinion
This is a team’s backup QB we’re talking about here, not the starter, not the answer or savior just a backup. A backup who was buried on the depth chart in Miami and suffered from not being able to have much time to practice or gel with his new team during OTA’s and mini camps. Thigpen, although looking extremely poor, I believe will be fine if called upon.
The Bills currently field one of the worst offensive lines in the league, and consequently have one of the most atrocious backup offensive lines I have ever seen in my life. Quite frankly I am surprised that Thigpen has made it through the preseason uninjured after playing behind that poor group.
I acknowledge that Levi has played better behind the same line to this point, however in real life game situations last year Levi has looked lost and just could not command the offense in any way shape or form. I’m sure Levi will be stashed on the P.S. and will be called upon if need be. Keep in mind however this is a backup QB not the starter he will be lucky if he even gets 10 or more snaps on the year.
"I promise you, ... When I come back, I'm going to be like a mad dog in a meat house." -Takeo Spikes
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