Diner Morning News: Can Tyler Thigpen Fit with Jacksonville Jags?

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QUOTE: “And surely we can begin to work a little harder to bind up the wounds among us and to become in our own hearts brothers and countrymen once again.

"The answer is to rely on youth—not a time of life but a state of mind, a temper of the will, a quality of imagination, a predominance of courage over timidity, of the appetite for adventure over the love of ease.”

—Edward M. Kennedy, quoting a speech by his brother Robert F. Kennedy at Robert’s public memorial service, New York, 1968

Random Thoughts on the NFL

Thigpen and the Jags

Jason La Canfora of NFL.com reports that the Kansas City Chiefs have been talking to the Jacksonville Jaguars about quarterback Tyler Thigpen, according to a league source, but have been unable to come to an agreement to this point.

Last Sunday, I wrote, “If I were the Jaguars, or any team in need of a backup quarterback, I might call the Chiefs and check the availability of quarterback Tyler Thigpen. I think Thigpen is a very good player, might even be a good starter in the NFL.”

Thigpen would be an excellent addition to the Jaguars’ roster. He’s just 24 years old and has more starts than current Jags backup Todd Bouman. Thigpen has excellent size, can make all the throws to any part of the field and was just coming into his own in terms of knowing how to play the game.

Before the massive changes in the front office and coaching in Kansas City, there was talk the Chiefs would not select a quarterback with their high draft pick because, in large part, of the potential Thigpen showed.

The Jaguars have to think long term about this move, and acquiring Thigpen would give them a short -term backup and possibly a long-term answer. This is why I thought Michael Vick would be a good fit in Jacksonville, but that’s another story.

Michael Vick

Speaking of Vick and the Jags, Eagles-on-Thursday.html" target="_blank">tonight he finally takes the field, and we can all judge for ourselves where he is in terms of his athleticism and his knowledge of the Eagles’ offense.

I don’t expect the Birds to run too many trick plays, saving them for after Vick is re-instated, but I fully expect Vick to display the speed and running skill he showed in his last game, which ironically was at the Linc.

Vick will feel pressure to make something happen, and I’m sure the Eagles will give him plays that will allow him to be successful—quick throws, play-action passes (which by the way, force the defense to separate, making the reads much easier for the quarterback) and, of course, plenty of roll outs, right or left, to allow Vick the run/pass option.

One thing I know for sure, the Eagles will run the ball inside well when Vick is in the game as the Jaguars’ defensive ends will be thinking boot leg all the way.

More Jacksonville

This preseason, the Jags have not demonstrated that they’ve improved their weaknesses to challenge in the very tough AFC South. Still no pass rush, still not sure who the backup runner to Maurice Jones-Drew will be, still not sold that David Garrard will be the Garrard of 2007, still not sold they have enough skill players to allow their offense to challenge, and finally, still not sold that their offensive line has come together.

Tonight’s game will be a good test for the Jaguars because the Eagles need to become organized quickly, both offensively and defensively.

The speed of the Eagles’ offense will be a good evaluation for the Jags to see if they’ve improved their team speed on defense. The Eagles’ offensive line has been very inconsistent this summer, so this will be another good test for the Jags to determine if they can generate a pass rush with their defensive line.

I like this game for many reasons, but the main one is because it will have a regular season feel to it for at least two quarters.

Tampa Quarterbacks

If you’re a Tampa Bay Bucs fan, what does it tell you that your team is offering any quarterback on the roster (with the exception of the first-round pick) for trade? It supports the John Madden theory, “When you have a lot of something, you have nothing.”

The Bucs have money in both Bryon Leftwich and Luke McCown, clearly looking to dump salary and gain something—anything—for their investment. There are several teams waiting to see what happens in terms of backups—Chicago, St. Louis, maybe Denver (with Chris Simms out with a high ankle sprain), Pittsburgh, and others. Team will usually play the wait-and-see game rather than trade a draft pick and absorb the salary.

Whatever happens in Tampa, the Josh Freeman era is going to start sooner rather than later.

NFL Quarterbacks

I notice the Jets-starter.html" target="_blank">Jets have named Mark Sanchez as their starting quarterback. As I wrote on my Twitter account last week, that decision was quicker than the Tyson-Spinks fight. The Jets had no choice, and it would not surprise me if Erik Ainge ended up as the No. 2.

Had Brett Ratliff not been traded to the Browns, he would have been the only formidable challenge to Sanchez. Kellen Clemens may have been a second-round pick, but he’s not an NFL starter.

Speaking of the Browns, this game against the Titans will decide who becomes the starter. From watching the two preseason games, I’m not sure which quarterback is in the lead, but that only makes me wonder how either Derek Anderson or Brady Quinn will really secure the job. One bad outing and a change of quarterbacks will have to occur. Again, Madden is right.

Follow me on Twitter: michaelombardi

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