Tyler

Thigpen

Thigpen’s tryout comes ahead of Seneca Wallace’s, who will work out on Wednesday. The Raiders are intent on adding a veteran “mentor” for Matt Flynn and Terrelle Pryor, but would be better off giving the roster spot to someone who might actually play, or remain in Oakland beyond 2013.

Culpepper was still officially retired when the sides talked earlier in the week, so perhaps the Chiefs have renewed interest. It certainly beats an extended window on the Tyler Thigpen era.

Young outperformed Thigpen in the second preseason game and has essentially locked up the No. 2 job, which may cost Thigpen his roster spot. “So you’d have to say Vince came out a little bit ahead tonight,” Gailey said. Through two preseason contests, Young is 13-of-26 (50 percent) for 173 yards (6.7 YPA), and 37 yards on five runs. Thigpen is 11-of-23 (47.8 percent) for 94 yards (4.1 YPA) and two interceptions. So neither is setting the world on fire.

Thigpen is locked in a battle with Vince Young for the backup job behind Vince Young. He completed 3-of-8 passes for 38 yards and an interception while Young went 5-of-12 for 50 yards and took three sacks. Neither player looks ready to run this offense if called upon.

He’d be beating out Tyler Thigpen for the backup job behind Ryan Fitzpatrick. Young isn’t going to start games unless Fitzpatrick gets injured or bombs, but he’ll be on the radar in two-quarterback leagues. The Bills’ five-wide Pistol Spread could create rushing-yardage opportunities for the mobile Young.

It makes sense for both sides. Thigpen was previously due $2.5 million -- a sum he couldn’t have come close to elsewhere -- while the Bills saved some salary cap space on a player still highly regarded by Chan Gailey. Thigpen will open the season behind Ryan Fitzpatrick and newly acquired Tarvaris Jackson.

Young is favored to beat out Tyler Thigpen for the No. 2 job, but it’s not pretty out there. After last season’s faceplant with the Eagles, Young won’t have anything handed to him. “They both have not done anything to distance themselves from the other,” coach Chan Gailey said Tuesday.

Thigpen described the tear as “small” and about “a centimeter” in size. While the injury clearly isn’t significant, it has allowed Vince Young to take all of the second-team quarterback reps during OTAs. The Bills have an upcoming round of practices this week, and it doesn’t sound like Thigpen will participate.

Young has shown gradual improvement over the past three weeks, including a touchdown drive highlighted by a beautiful 64-yard pass play to rookie speedster T.J. Graham. Tyler Thigpen, who took home Buscaglia’s “least valuable player” award for a disappointing training camp, has gone just 11-of-23 (47.8%) for 94 yards (4.1 YPA) and a pair of picks in two preseason games.

“He has done a very good job, considering the circumstances,” Gailey said. “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 is very difficult.” Gailey expects Young and Tyler Thigpen to stage a “good battle” in camp. We’ve seen Young criticized elsewhere for not knowing the offense yet, but he just signed with the Bills over a month ago.