Rookie QB Edwards Efficient in Bills Win

by Brian Galliford on Sep 30, 2007 6:57 PM EDT in Buffalo Bills Opinion

Edwards' efficient day brings Bills W (Courtesy: Getty Images)

So that's what an NFL offense is supposed to look like. Making his first professional start, Bills rookie quarterback Trent Edwards played like a season veteran, marching the Bills down the field routinely in a 17-14 win over the New York Jets. While it isn't likely that Edwards' performance will create a QB controversy in Buffalo, his steadying hand appears to have the Bills' offense back on track.

Going Blow-for-Blow with Penny
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Edwards' debut performance was the fact that he out-dueled Chad Pennington, the heady veteran QB of the Jets who plays the perfect style to defeat the Bills' defense. The stat lines:

Edwards: 22/28, 234 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 98.5 rating
Pennington: 32/39, 290 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT, 84.8 rating

Pennington was efficient, but two interceptions hurt his team. Edwards, on the other hand, didn't hurt the Bills a bit - his one interception came toward the end of the first half, and while it certainly wasn't a bright spot, the fact that the Jets couldn't capitalize on the play saved face on Edwards' lone mistake of the day. The best part: the Bills didn't beat the Jets in spite of Edwards; Edwards beat the New York Jets.

Third Down the Key
We harped on it all week - in fact, we've been harping on it all season - the Bills would not be successful offensively until they became efficient on third down. Edwards was able to deliver in this situation as well; Buffalo converted 5 of 10 third downs and scored a touchdown on a fourth down; compare this to the Jets' 54% (6/11) rate and you see how important this stat was. Pennington and the Jets are masters at sustaining drives, but Edwards showed equal proficiency in this department. We were certainly helped out by the Jets in this department, however - curiously, the Jets insisted on playing man coverage on most third downs, making the job a bit easier for Trent and offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild.

Reality Check
While it was certainly refreshing to see the Bills' offense succeed - especially behind a rookie quarterback - there are still improvements to be made, especially on Edwards' part. He still has a few problems reading defenses - an early sack on a delayed blitz and the interception were the two main blemishes in this department. He also has some accuracy issues on screen passes - twice, Bills running backs barely had time to get their hands up because the ball was thrown too hard, resulting in tipped passes that could have easily been intercepted by the Jets had they been in position. Also, take Edwards' early success with a grain of salt - by no means is this Jets defense good; in fact, they've got one of the lowest ranked statistical defenses in the league.

But yes - you're allowed to be excited. At this point, there is not a quarterback controversy in Buffalo. This is still J.P. Losman's team. But boy, do we have a heck of a backup with a bright future. Hats off to you, Trent Edwards - you're officially undefeated as an NFL starting quarterback.

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Don't blame Edwards for the INT

Lee Evans did nothing to go after that pass. That one is all on him.

by Kurupt on Sep 30, 2007 9:50 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah

Evans surely did blow that one. Trent probably should not have made the throw in the first place, but Lee could have done a lot more to keep that from getting picked. Like, for instance, jump - he'd already done it once in the first half on an incredible leaping grab over the middle.

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by Brian Galliford on Oct 1, 2007 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Agree with Brian.

I definitely do not think there is any QB controversy at all. However, I feel the need to add the word "yet" to the end of that sentence.

If Dallas marches in here showing off their 4-0 start and Trent Edwards leads this team in collectively telling the Cowboys to "shove it", then there might be something to think about over the bye week.

But, I'm getting ahead of myself a bit, here.

http://ifitsfairitsgone.blogspot.com

by nickfeely8 on Sep 30, 2007 11:10 PM EDT reply actions

QB Controversy

Brian, you are out of your mind if you think there is no QB controversy right now (although in your article, you said both yes and no to a controversy). I have always been a devoted fan of JP. But, boy, Edwards looked really good. Yes, the OL played very well, and yes, the Jets are not the same as NE, Pitts, Denver, but what I also saw was that Edwards and the Bills could have done even better, if not for some silly mistakes (did Royal really fumble -- no replay!). I hate to say it (before the game, I half-wished that Edwards would do poorly, so we would avoid a QB controversy), but I think the Bills really have to give Edwards a long look. I actually think that even if Edwards plays mediocre against Dallas, he should be given a few more starts. The pattern really reminds me of Romo for Dallas (he played poorly the second start, but Parcells decided to stick with him).

by labill on Oct 1, 2007 12:10 AM EDT reply actions

Have to agree

there is full-blown QB controversy. If a rookie this green can be this steady, it can only get better from here. Droping Nall was an indication of how highly the staff thought about Edwards and word's been that the staff was never fully sold on JP.

This season's a wash and so we should go with the future now. JP is good and may very well have success elsewhere, but give the kid some reps and confidence and lets go into next year smokin'. It's a bold move, but bold moves inspire.

I recall the Flutie/Johnson thing. I was a Rob Johnson man all the way. But I respected Wade Phillips when he stuck with Flutie for the success he was having. Levy and Jauron need to make a bold step and create some momentum for this team.

by Onoekeh on Oct 1, 2007 1:03 AM EDT up reply actions

keep in mind

The last 2 games were away against undefeated teams with the top 1 and 2 defenses respectively; not to mention the Broncos have a top 10 defense themselves. The Jets on the other hand came into this game with a defense ranked 28th. These are apples and oranges games to compare. Lets wait to see if Edwards falls back to earth against Dallas.

by Zumone on Oct 1, 2007 5:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Haha

Glad you think me insane. :) Maybe I am a little bit.

Just wanted to point out one thing: yes, Edwards looked good, but it will take some creative game-planning from Steve Fairchild to keep it that way. Edwards had it easy today on third down - the Jets played man coverage all day; all Josh Reed or Roscoe Parrish had to do was run a pivot route and the defender was in chase mode, making it a simple throw for Trent. Dallas isn't going to play man on third down. Plus, they're going to get heat on Trent. It will be up to Fairchild to find holes in Dallas' defense and exploit them... so much of Edwards' performance right now depends on game-planning. At this point, I still believe - and I think Jauron still believes - that Losman gives the team the best chance to win.

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by Brian Galliford on Oct 1, 2007 7:14 AM EDT up reply actions

My point

Yes, there's quarterback controversy - from the fan perspective. Fans see Edwards doing well and want him in full-time; that's understandable. My point is that from the team perspective, there's no controversy. Losman is a captain of this team. He was handed the reigns this off-season. It's his team. Simple as that.

Look at it this way: we know we have a pretty good young prospect in Edwards. We don't know what we have in Losman - could he have pulled off a similar outing against the Jets? My guess is yes, but that's moot. It would be criminally insane if when Losman gets healthy the Bills don't put him back in for as long as possible to figure out exactly what they've got with him. You cannot make the hasty generalization that because Edwards had one good game, he's better than Losman - if you're wrong, you keep the franchise in defunct mode for another five years.

The point is this: don't jump the gun. Fans love Edwards, and because we're sick of seeing the Bills lose, they'll call for Trent as soon as Losman makes one mistake. Keeping Losman in once he returns is the safe play - you HAVE to figure out if he's the guy. If he's not, and you figure that out by season's end, then YES, put Trent in. But now is not the time.

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by Brian Galliford on Oct 1, 2007 7:07 AM EDT reply actions

For what its worth

Here is ESPN's Jeffri Chadiha take:

...do I think this is the start of a quarterback controversy in Buffalo? No.

Most coaches and scouts will say it's hard to evaluate a new quarterback off a debut. That's because facing a quarterback for the first time is comparable to a batter facing a pitcher in baseball for the first time. The advantage usually goes to the signal-caller until defenses learn his tendencies, something that usually takes about four or five weeks. So although Edwards certainly proved he has a shot at a bright future, he'll see his share of challenges in the near future.

In fact, all he has to do is ask the man he replaced -- injured quarterback J.P. Losman -- how quickly things can change after a strong start. Losman excited fans while leading the Bills to a season-opening win in his first start back in 2005. Three weeks later, he was benched.

by Zumone on Oct 1, 2007 7:28 AM EDT reply actions

That

is the best point I've heard about this situation thus far.

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by Brian Galliford on Oct 1, 2007 8:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Call it decision to make if you like

When your HC, asked about the QB position handed back to JPL after he will be fully recovered, speaks like this:

"We'll see how it goes as it comes along," said Jauron. "I've always said nobody's job is secure on the football team from week to week. We'll play whoever we think is the best guy. We'll see where it goes in terms of everybody's health and make our decisions on Wednesday and Thursday."

Maybe controversy sounds too rude, let's call it a decision. I suspect there will be time for both Losman adn Edwards to show what they have. I also suspect that if Losman does not show real, immediate and huge improvement, his contractual situation may lead the Bills to go fo the cheaper, younger solution: Edwards.

by patamunzo on Oct 1, 2007 9:15 AM EDT reply actions