Analyzing the Kansas City Chiefs' QB Situation: Anybody Remember This Guy?

Boy, what a difference a year makes!

Twelve months ago Brodie Croyle was declared the Chiefs' starting quarterback. The team was so high on him they stated just before the 2008 draft that they had "no interest" in drafting Matt Ryan of Boston College had he been available to them.

There was a lot to like about Croyle. He was a proven winner, he started for a respected college team, and he won without any talent around him. He had a great arm and great leadership ability. He also picked up the Chiefs' offense pretty fast

Now, here we are one year later, and Croyle will be fighting hard just to make the roster—and if he does, he'll be holding a clipboard. Not exactly where he imagined he would be.

The starting job now belongs to Matt Cassel. Of course, we should wait because Mr. Haley just declared that he must "fight" for that starting position.

Yeah, right.

Does this team think fans are so stupid they'll buy that Cassel, with his $14 million salary, has to fight to be the starter?

I hate to bash management, but let's cut through this BS. Cassel is the guy.

An interesting game is going on here, though. Why hasn't he signed a long-term deal? Is management waiting to see how well he does this year before giving him a huge contract? That's not a bad idea except for one thing: Denver is still very much interested in Cassel, and if there is a bidding war after this season, I bet Cassel goes to whoever offers him the most cash. I would.

There is another issue with Cassel. Scott Pioli brought him over with the intentions of adopting a spread offense like New England's. Todd Haley wants a vertical offense. Haley will win out here. Cassel will now be playing in a scheme he's not proven in with a below-average offensive line and dime-a-dozen wide receivers (except for Dwayne Bowe).

As bad as I feel about Tony Gonzalez leaving, it will be interesting seeing this offense without him. Gonzalez can make any quarterback look good, and that's a problem if you really want to determine whether a QB is a franchise QB or not.

Regardless of the scheme and personnel, Cassel is "THE GUY."

Then there is poor backup Tyler Thigpen. Many people didn't know who this kid was. Even after he was claimed by Kansas City before Minnesota could slip him onto the practice squad, he was still an unknown except for a handful of scouts.

What he did last year was amazing. Both Huard and Croyle suffered injuries and were lost for the season. Gailey scapped the Offense and modified it to make Thigpen effective. He showed tremendous poise and leadership skills and was rarely rattled. 

Both were 7th round picks and thrust into action with no starting experience. Its the poise that Cassel and Thigpen displayed that turned out to be their greatest asset. Thigpen was always a threat to run as well and considering how far he came in such a short period of time with a poor Offensive Line and an average Running Game, he deserved a shot as the starter this year.

Imagine, though, if there really is an "open competition" as Haley says, and Cassel loses. Or what if Thigpen is needed by midseason because Cassel struggles? If I'm Thigpen, boy would I be angry.

Matt Cassel will be making almost $15 million. Thigpen will make about $400,000. If you do the math, Cassel will make over 30 times more than Thigpen this year. If you were Thigpen, how would you feel?

Which brings us back to Brodie. How much of a shot will he have?

Is it possible he could leapfrog the other two and return to being the main guy?

If what Haley says is true, then there is that chance. However, I won't hold my breath.

 This "battle" has already been won, and every Chiefs fan out there knows it.