Chan Gailey Sees Advantages For Both Vince Young, Tyler Thigpen

One of the biggest impending battles at 2012 Buffalo Bills training camp will be the competition between veterans Tyler Thigpen and Vince Young for the backup quarterback job. While it's obvious who the current fan favorite for the post is, Bills head coach Chan Gailey clearly sees advantages for both players at this point.

"(Vince) has more experience than Tyler. Tyler has more experience in this offense than Vince. There is probably a tradeoff there in some degree," Gailey said on Thursday at the close of minicamp.

Reporters that have taken in spring drills have overwhelmingly favored Young to Thigpen in terms of how the two quarterbacks have performed in the practice setting, noting Young's athleticism and strong arm as well as Thigpen's erratic accuracy. But Young's Achilles heel in this race could be the speed with which he picks up Gailey's offense.

"He has done a very good job considering the circumstances," Gailey said of Young last week. "He had to come in and try to learn all of that stuff. It is very difficult. It would not have been as hard two years ago, but we are in so much more of an advanced stage now than we were two years ago. He is trying to learn what the base concepts are and how we have advanced to where we are today without the benefit of going through the baby steps. It has been tough on him, but he has got a natural feel for playing the position."

I don't think there's any point in beating around the bush: at this point, Young is the overwhelming favorite to win the backup quarterback job in Buffalo for the 2012 season. But don't call the race just yet; if Young struggles to nail down the intricacies of this offense, Thigpen could come roaring back in this race based on that fact alone.

Serious question for everybody: is there anyone out there that still believes Thigpen has any sort of legitimate chance at sticking with the team this season?