Yes! CC beans are so overrated. I didn't believe people when they told me and learned the hard way. That afghani of his really dicks up the hybrid genetics. Great parent(s?), mediocre offspring. My CC phenos ran all across the board as well. Almost seemed like a mixed 'party pack'.
Immature thrips. Once they are adults, they are black and may have white spots. Fairly easy to kill those suckers. I never use pesticides. wipe them out by hand. (smear across the leaf)