Scoff if you want, but, remember, Brodie Croyle failed to beat out Damon Huard when the job was all but handed to him by the Chiefs last preseason. This year, the Chiefs are in full-on rebuilding mode, and will give Croyle the first opportunity to be the starting quarterback. If he fails, however, don’t necessarily expect the Chiefs to turn to Huard. They might turn to second-year QB Tyler Thigpen.
The Chiefs obviously like Thigpen. After he was realeased by the Vikings last year, the Chiefs signed the Coastal Carolina University single-season and career passing leader (in basically every category, folks) the next day. They also didn’t draft a quarterback back in April. To me, that is just as big of an endorsement of Thigpen as it is of Croyle. Clark Hunt is going to be somewhat patient with this rebuilding effort. At the same time, I think the entire front office would like to know if they have a quarterback on the roster they can move forward with by season’s end. That being said, they will want to take a look at Thigpen should Croyle get hurt again or flop.
From ESPN:
Some observers believe Tyler Thigpen will push Croyle. The quarterback job will be Croyle’s if he performs well, but it is surely the biggest unknown heading into training camp and it will be one of the most closely watched stories in the AFC West in the preseason.
Personally, I don’t think Brodie played well enough last year to walk in on day one of the preseason and be handed the job. He should be first in line, but I think Thigpen or someone not presently on the roster (like Byron Leftwich or Chris Simms) should be in the running for the job. I think competition breeds success, especially at that position.
What does everybody else think about Thigpen and a potential quarterback position battle?
