Well, Ben did start 3 years in College.

Sanchez reminds me of Fez, lookswise that is.

zing!

It isn't a matter of coming out early. The issue is starting only one year.

Sanchez only started for 1 complete season. However, he also started 3 games in 2007.

I just hope we have a rookie 1st round QB on our roster with the initials M.S.

In recent history have there been any successful QB's taken in the first two rounds of the draft with less than 20 collegiate starts?

Here's that under 30 (not even 20) starts list again: Ryan Leaf, Tim Couch, Akili Smith, Michael Vick, David Carr, Joey Harrington, Alex Smith.

This decade there hasn't been a QB taken in the first 2 rounds of the draft with less than 20 collegiate starts. Therefore, there aren't any that have been successful or unsuccessful.

Matt Cassel didn't start any college games to my recollection...

Not saying he's a great QB or anything...but I believe the system in place and the people around you, as well as talent and mindset has more to do with success than the # of college starts.

If Sanchez is who Pioli takes at #3, keep Thigpen as the starter and give Sanchez a year to learn the ropes with a clipboard in his hand...

If Thigpen shits the bed turn over the reigns to Sanchez mid-season.

If Thigpen lights it up, well then, that's a problem I'm willing to experience.

# of starts becomes less important with QB's taken in later rounds because they aren't expected to come in and play right away and can sit on the bench for 3 years to get caught up. You can't take a QB in the top 5 and sit him 2-3 years.

No, but you also don't have to start them right away. Of the 30 & under guys you mentioned all except Vick were rushed into a starting spot as rookies.

Why not?

The only way Sanchez sits for 2 years is if Thigpen becomes a quality QB and leads us to playoff victories...and if that's the case, I'm ok with Sanchez being on the bench...

If we draft a QB #3 and one of our QB's steps up and becomes a franchise quality QB I'm totally ok with the #3 pick on the bench...

It's a moot point though. I doubt Thigpen, Gray or Croyle are going to be THAT guy...so Sanchez sits a year, or half of a year, and then takes over.

You can't tell me another year at USC would have done some sort of miracle work on the guy...he either has it, or he doesn't...and if we draft him, we'll get to find out.

Teams try to start rookies. Especially ones that were just handed 40 mil guaranteed. Especially on teams where there is no current viable QB.

Like Cincy did with Carson Palmer?

they had jon kitna who took them to the playoffs IIRC

I don't see a scenario in which Thigpen doesn't open up the 2009 season as starter, other than injury.

I don't see how you think there is no current viable QB...Thigpen weathered the storm last year...stayed healthy and played decent football for a horrible team.

You can point to Ryan (rare, rare, rare case) and Flacco (wouldn't have been the starter if Troy Smith didn't suffer that fluke pre-season tonsil issue)...but the Chiefs aren't in a hurry, especially if they draft Sanchez...

And if they don't draft Sanchez or Stafford and take someone in round 2, 3 or 4...then you can bet 100% Thigpen will be opening day starter.

I mean the guy had a decent season, at least statistically, I'm pretty sure the coaching staff is going to give him first chance to **** up before they turn over the reigns to the rookie.