Quarterbacks

by J2 on Nov 17, 2009 10:06 AM EST Comment 31 comments

I wanted to run this in parallel to Brians article - With season in tailspin, Bills have QB controversy. I've seen some comments plastered throughout the community about the Bills getting certain QB's and I wanted to give my 2 cents on the whole issue.

First it should be known that I'm of the philosophy that you should build your team through the draft and sprinkle in free agents here and there in order to compliment the players you draft. Bring in a player or two during the offseason that is either a wiley veteran that can get the job done while bringing NFL experience and a veteran presence and/or a young prospect that might not fit a scheme during a rebuilding project on another team. I think building a team via free agency is costly an ineffective.

I've seen names like Brooks Bollinger, Brady Quinn and Sage Rosenfels thrown around like they could help bring this team back into contention.

Here's the deal folks:

First - no one will be saving the season this year. Not Hamdan or Fitzpatrick - Edwards should start for the rest of the season and i'm going to leave it at that.

Second - No QB that another NFL team is willing to part ways with is going to be the Bills franchise QB. It's really that simple. Make no mistake - we need an franchise QB. Not someone who can get us through next season - we already have that on the roster.

Franchise NFL QBs do not grow on trees and I can tell you with 100% certainty that no front office will trade away or cut a player that they feel could be the guy (Don't say Brees - because they had Rivers waiting in the wings). There are no NFL QBs out there that their teams are willing to part ways with that will be the Bills QB of the future - I think that's a pretty safe bet.

So we have to DRAFT our QB - that's where our focus should be. If we don't draft "the guy" then we can stick with Edwards or Fitzy next year in order to get us through the year while developing younger players in a new system.

There are a few good prospects this year and i'm sure that Brian and the staff will be putting out good articles from time to time. Let's put our efforts and energy into thinking of players that are currently playing in college - because QBs that NFL franchises are willing to part ways with are not the answer to our problem.

Poll

Where should the next Bills QB come from?

The Draft

65 votes

Free Agency

3 votes

Trade (if you select trade, please provide player/team)

3 votes

71 votes | Poll has closed

Just another great fan opinion shared on the pages of BuffaloRumblings.com.

0 recs | Comment 31 comments

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Comments

I completely and totally agree. I’d be down with getting a QB via FA or trade, but I’d say that option only presents a good candidate every five years or so. It certainly doesn’t look like anybody will be available in a trade this offseason. Even the potential coaching changes look like they are coming for teams that don’t have a QB worth trading for (which says a lot).

As the draft approaches, Clauson, Bradford and Locker will get picked apart heading into the draft and I’d bet that at least one of them is available for us. I’m not ready to say that any of them would be a lock to be the pick I’d want Buffalo to make, but they are all ahead of the pack right now.

I signed up for Second Life about a year ago. Back then my life was so great that I literally wanted a second one. In my Second Life I was also a paper salesman and I was also named Dwight. Absolutely everything was the same. Except I could fly. - Dwight Schrute

by kaisertown on Nov 17, 2009 10:21 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I picked trade

From what ive heard and read around the nfl, there are no good quarter backs in this upcoming draft, I hate to say it but Mike Vick should be in are radar, he may not be the best but I think he will sell tickets and put on a good show UNTILL we find the ONE.

by JP74 on Nov 17, 2009 11:04 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

He definitely isn't the best

and will not sell tickets or put on a good show, unless it’s one of those illegal ones.

All your tshirt needs.

by twoeightnine on Nov 17, 2009 1:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I like Pike

he has huge size and is accurate, and may fall to the second leaving us with an oppertunity to get a stud DL or OL

"Hold ya chin up...nuh nuh nuh...gone" -Marshawn Lynch-

by billsoferie on Nov 17, 2009 11:22 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

i like what i’ve seen of pike as well, but im withholding judgement until i see some combine/senior bowl work. or maybe if he has a great bowl game.

hope the injury means we can pick him later and shore up our run defense with the first pick or so.

by dav630 on Nov 17, 2009 12:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeap, I mentioned Pike a few days ago as my early pick at QB for the Bills in the second round

"Are the Bills better than we think, or do they just suck the life out of most teams they play and drag them down to their level? - oompaloompa

by Joe P. on Nov 17, 2009 10:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, can we sign a veteran for cheap (say, Bulger?) for a rent-a-QB for a year, while the new guy studies up?

I certainly endorse drafting a new QB in this draft – past evidence has shown that signing a vet as a franchise-saver is a short-term solution at best – but I’m not sure I’d like to throw a guy into the fire with our OL and have his career unnaturally shortened.

I’d also like to keep AVP as QB coach/O-coordinator, or something, b/c I think he’s a victim of the Jauron offense as much as he is his own inadequacies.

First, however, I think the BIlls need an identity, and they need to put a roster together that reflects that identity. Have a plan, and go with it. I think a team like KC – who scrapped its team, and started over last year – will be compettive in 2-3 years again, and I think that’s because they have a plan. Oakland, on the other hand, (looking more like the Bills)…no plan.

by T McGee on Nov 17, 2009 11:32 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Well, can we sign a veteran for cheap (say, Bulger?) for a rent-a-QB for a year, while the new guy studies up?

sure can – help the rookie QB grow and learn how to read NFL defenses

I think the BIlls need an identity,

amen to that – I’d like to see strong defense and a strong running game

Never put salt in your eyes

by J2 on Nov 17, 2009 11:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Just don’t forget that things like the Cutler debacle can happen. I think we have to keep all options open. Probably rookie + aging vet is the best option. If there are no franchise QBs available, make do with older players like Pennington or whoever loses the McNabb/Vick/Kolb showdown. Bulger at least has experience running for his life, so that would be good.

Official ledge-talker-offer of the Buffalo Bills.

by WhyBillsWhy on Nov 17, 2009 12:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

My vote would be for both, FA and late round draft.

Two many other holes to fill on O-Line and DL/LB. Of course we can use FA to fill these needs as well, but our depth seems to be the bigger concern in these areas, so drafting hot and heavy in the early rounds for the above make more sense. Personally, I like the Tyler Thigpen pick up by the dolphins.

I just wouldn’t give up a draft pick for the next guy.

Excuses are a sign of weakness!!!!!!

by VanScottM on Nov 17, 2009 12:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Bulger at least has experience running for his life, so that would be good.

Precisely my point! I wouldn’t mind trading down for a late 1st and another 2 or 3, which should let us grab a QB, LB, DE/DL and OL in the top 3 rounds.

by T McGee on Nov 17, 2009 12:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Bradford

the only guy im really sold on.

i confess to a man-crush on case keenum and i do like pike as my second favorite for now.

by dav630 on Nov 17, 2009 12:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

well J2

here is my concern, the QBs in this years draft class are slim pickings at the top.

I agree with your post wholeheartedly though except for one statement :

Not someone who can get us through next season – we already have that on the roster.

Do we? I don’t think we do. Trent has yet to stay healthy for a season and I won’t rely again on a guy who has two concussios in two seasons to go 16 games. Even if he does he’s 1-5 this year – I wouldn’t call that getting us through the season. I’d call it giving it away. So I disagree that we have someone here.

Because of those two points I think we have to do a mix and match approach. If I’m in charge next year I think I’m drafting Jimmy Clausen with the 8th pick or so which we should have and signing Chris Simms away from the Broncos to start for a year. Simms hasn’t gotten a fair shake, has the pedigree, and has exhibited flashes. Let him start for a year and let Clausen sit. That would be my ideal scenario.

"you just have to know there's always going to be adversity. None of these games are going to be easy. Nothing will be given to us" - Paul Posluszny

by poz on Nov 17, 2009 1:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I’m glad you mentioned that – because it is the one comment I expected to have to explain.

What I meant, essentially, was that I don’t beleive there is anyone out there that is clearly better than Trent (if he stays healthy). One I might consider is Chad Pennington – but I think if we invested the monies we would spend on a QB in FA into some line help then we could help ourselves out more.

I’m not one for FA castoffs or QBs that were cut because these guys are gone for a reason – NFL depts while not always successful – at least know if a guy is good enough to keep around.

I’m not sure there is a QB in this draft that we can get sans a trade up that would be our franchise guy.

it’s rough sledding regardless – and it sucks big time that we’re still looking. this is just the way I would handle it

Never put salt in your eyes

by J2 on Nov 17, 2009 1:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Did Chicago know that Orton was good enough to keep around?

Official ledge-talker-offer of the Buffalo Bills.

by WhyBillsWhy on Nov 17, 2009 2:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

well I think they went after a competitive advantage. read Kaisers post above – only once in a great while do chances like that happen.

They upgraded – Orton has been a successful QB in this league and at Chicago as well. He was somehitng like 22-12 as a starter for them – they saw Cutler as an upgrade. Time will tell if they are right or not – but can’t disagree with the move until it has more time to pan out.

Never put salt in your eyes

by J2 on Nov 17, 2009 2:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I actually think that Kyle Orton is not the future for the Broncos. His record as a starter is great, but how many of those games were won with defense? This season, Denver has won four games in which the opposition didn’t score more than 10 points. In 2005, when the Bears went 12-4, Kyle Orton had the worst QB rating in the league. How hard is for the QB to win games when the defense is giving up 12 points per game? (that D gave up 12.6 points per game in 2005) That defense had 41 sacks, a bunch of defensive and special teams TDs, and were near the very top of the league in turnovers.

Orton is incapable of going down the field and a couple defenses have exposed him recently. I’ll bet that Denver is looking for a new QB during the 2010 offseason.

by kaisertown on Nov 18, 2009 2:59 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

but I think if we invested the monies we would spend on a QB in FA into some line help then we could help ourselves out more.

That makes sense. I guess it all depends on just how mentally broken Edwards is. Personally, I’m fine with bringing Edwards back, but I’d be OK with any number of kinda decent, kinda crappy FA options like Poz’s mention of Chris Simms. I don’t really have a strong opinion on QB outisde of Buffalo’s need to bring in a rookie.

by kaisertown on Nov 18, 2009 2:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Clausen and Locker will not make it out of the top 5

"Are the Bills better than we think, or do they just suck the life out of most teams they play and drag them down to their level? - oompaloompa

by Joe P. on Nov 17, 2009 10:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

trade up?

"you just have to know there's always going to be adversity. None of these games are going to be easy. Nothing will be given to us" - Paul Posluszny

by poz on Nov 18, 2009 5:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

possibly if someone wants to trade down, but you would have to be sure one of those guys is the next Matt Ryan

I will be listening to Mike Mayock very closely. He put his credibility on the line with Ryan, almost guaranteeing Ryan would be a great QB. If he comes even close to that with ones of these guys, then yes, trade up if you can and the cost of doing so is not to high.

"Are the Bills better than we think, or do they just suck the life out of most teams they play and drag them down to their level? - oompaloompa

by Joe P. on Nov 18, 2009 9:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

broncos have line.....

orton is good because they win the battles where it matters…. in the trenchs. trentative’s decision making is usually fairly accurate if cautious, and so i believe if not for having a d lineman or his own lineman in his face on many of his interceptions, they might not occur as frequently… seems logical. and as far as the curl route, that seems to be kinda his achilles heal, so, well, run more. use play action. matt ryan enjoyed stepping into a run heavy system. why can’t we utilize our strength of game, like J2 said, with strong defense and strong time clock chewing run game? because our coaches suck. stop scape goating the guy who has to do with what he has and beat up on the guy(s) who determines what we have.

by Ren Diggity on Nov 17, 2009 2:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

you see the front page?

DJ’s an idiot – Fitzpatrick? lol

Never put salt in your eyes

by J2 on Nov 17, 2009 2:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

un bill ievable.

what a douche. that guy is lost. he doesn’t seem to grasp the levity of the situation. did you see game last night? look at jaworski and the comments made to him by vermeil…. you give the guy and opportunity, don’t yank them around, and offer a little continuity, and maybe you have success. i don’t care who takes the snaps tho, as long as they are handing it to lynch or Freddy. and as far as that debate….. jackson is more experienced a back so of course he takes better angles, but there are few backs with as much fight and effort as lynch. far more upside.

by Ren Diggity on Nov 17, 2009 2:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

well doesn’t matter. DJ gone!

hit reply

Never put salt in your eyes

by J2 on Nov 17, 2009 3:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i know.

he should have understood that there is no way you are going to tell him for 3 years that Trent is the guy, and then yank him for a second QB controversy in his very short tenure. What a douche, i have nothing more i can say. I like that the players respect him without leading them to victories, because imagine what they could play like for a coach that teaches them how to stay healthy and manage games properly.

by Ren Diggity on Nov 17, 2009 4:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

why not Hamden?

The one thing we all agree on is that the Bills are not going to storm back and make the playoffs. With that in mind why not give our esteemed third stringer a shot. What harm can it do that the first two have not done. It can be said that we can not move forward till we replace the HC(done) the GM and the QB. we made a start today , but buffalo’s problems are looong term. I hope I live long enough to see it happen. Happy Thanksgiving to all

by crazyoldman on Nov 17, 2009 11:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Two QB's in draft

I think the Blls need to pick up two QB’s on draft day. One in round 1-2 and a project / small school QB on the second day or as an undrafted free agent.

by syrbillsfan on Nov 18, 2009 8:45 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

That is unlikely

with Edwards and Fitz on the roster next season, but I wouldn’t be against it. We have two backups. I would hope they do draft a developmental QB in 2010.

Draft plan for 2009

1 – LT or QB
2 – QB or LT
3 – RG
4 – LB or DE
5 – DE or LB
6 – DT
7 – DT or LB

"Are the Bills better than we think, or do they just suck the life out of most teams they play and drag them down to their level? - oompaloompa

by Joe P. on Nov 18, 2009 10:06 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs