Fewell has not yet ruled out Ryan Fitzpatrick

by Brian Galliford on Dec 23, 2009 3:00 PM EST in Buffalo Bills News

Multiple sources have reported over the last 24 hours that the Buffalo Bills are expected to start Brian Brohm at quarterback for the team's Week 16 game in Atlanta. With the team's top two quarterbacks sidelined in practice on Wednesday with ankle injuries, Brohm took first-team reps, throwing to Terrell Owens and Lee Evans.

Interim head coach Perry Fewell, however, has not yet ruled out his starter, Ryan Fitzpatrick, telling reporters Wednesday afternoon that Brohm would start only if Fitzpatrick could not go. Fitzpatrick is considered day to day. The Buffalo News reported on Monday that crutches were spotted in Fitzpatrick's locker, but unlike backup Trent Edwards, Fitzpatrick was on hand at practice Wednesday, taking "mental reps," as Fewell termed it.

Gibran Hamdan, who was re-signed on Tuesday to boost Buffalo's depth at the QB position, is not considered a starting option. Fewell said Edwards has been ruled out this week, but will be re-evaluated next week, likely postponing reports that he was heading to Buffalo's extensive Injured Reserve list.

Buffalo won't play Fitzpatrick if he doesn't take any first-team reps in practice this week. If Fitzpatrick can't suit up on Thursday or Friday, look for Brohm to get the nod. But it's quite clear at this point that Brohm is not Fewell's first choice - nor should he be.

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Tell me Brohm wasn’t grinning from ear to ear when he heard he’d get to throw the ball to T.O.

"Play like hell and win." - Perry Fewell
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by MattRichWarren on Dec 23, 2009 3:08 PM EST reply actions

and possibly his 1000th catch of his career...

"I don't know how to explain it but we seem to find eachother on the ice and make things happen... Yeah. Pass, shoot, score... Yeah. Pass.. Shoot.. And score."

by bflo on Dec 23, 2009 3:39 PM EST up reply actions

Excellent point. Someone, not me, should put together a list of the QBs that have completed a pass to T.O.

"Play like hell and win." - Perry Fewell
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by MattRichWarren on Dec 23, 2009 5:31 PM EST up reply actions

I hope he catches a TD from Brohm

So he’ll have one each from Jeff Brohm (his second career TD) and Brian Brohm.

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Dec 24, 2009 2:16 AM EST up reply actions

But it’s quite clear at this point that Brohm is not Fewell’s first choice – nor should he be.

I think for the past few weeks I have agreed with this sentiment, and more than understand that it’s completely idiotic when people say “just throw in all the backups, who cares”, because no NFL coach can seriously do that and expect to grab a job at any point in the future, but…(run-on)

Fitzpatrick is one garbage drive away last week (maybe not complete garbage, but we’re splitting hairs here) from three consecutive weeks of sub 100 yard passing games!!! Good Lord, put in Brohm. I thought it would be a disaster because he would know nothing of the playbook, but it’s obvious Fitzpatrick has not exactly aced it yet either. I’m beginning to think (swallows vomit) that Brohm might actually give us a better chance to win.

"Who is Beethoven?" - Marshawn Lynch

by Brainwave on Dec 23, 2009 3:20 PM EST reply actions

I agree here

Just let the kid start. Maybe there is a fire there to be good, perhaps he has something the other guys don’t. We have to know and at least it will be entertaining to see the new guy.

It's not all that bad.... Go Bills 2010 !!!!

by killascript on Dec 23, 2009 4:05 PM EST up reply actions

We have to know

Serious question, and I’m going to be extremely transparent with my own answer to said question in even asking it.

Do you REALLY think that we will know ANYTHING about Brohm if he played in Atlanta? Anything worth knowing? Hey, he sucks behind the league’s worst O-Line, but hey, he might be good otherwise. Oh wait… we’ve been saying that for a decade.

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"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott

by Brian Galliford on Dec 23, 2009 4:15 PM EST up reply actions

I know this was not directed toward me but,

Obviously we won’t learn much but i think it is better than nothing. If he shows that he can come in under these harsh circumstances and be cool headed and make little mistakes, it shows that he may have more promise than it appeared after he was let go from the Packers.

I don’t think most of us are betting on Brohm to be the answer next year, at the most he could show that we don’t need to get a QB in the upcoming draft. I would still look for a FA but knowing we have something more than a 2nd round bust, someone we can possibly groom would be beneficial.

With that said, he was still got beat out in Green Bay and did not look good so the odds are not high.

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

by billsoferie on Dec 23, 2009 4:32 PM EST up reply actions

as billsoferie said, I as well do not see him as the overall answer, but because that player does not exist on this roster, I would say that Brohm is intriguing in that whatever we do see, I know that Anything I gain from watching Fitzpatrick play isn’t work knowing either.

Hey, he sucks behind the league’s worst O-Line, but hey, he might be good otherwise. Oh wait… we’ve been saying that for a decade.

Exactly. So what will it hurt… something tells me Brohm is better than Fitzpatrick, and while it may be naivety, I would like to see a new QB out there.

It's not all that bad.... Go Bills 2010 !!!!

by killascript on Dec 23, 2009 4:35 PM EST up reply actions

Exactly. So what will it hurt…

We, as Bills fans, should be more painfully aware than anybody of what a complete and total lack of confidence can do to a quarterback. When Trent Edwards lost his confidence, he went from underwhelming, efficient player to gun-shy, inaccurate, tail-between-the legs, one of the worst quarterbacks in the league.

Brohm dealt with a similar situation in GB. He was a top-flight prospect, got drafted by a team with a solid young QB in place, then got beaten out for the backup job by a seventh-round pick. He had a miserable pre-season; he, himself, said that he was not mentally ready for the NFL. Then, this pre-season – FOUR MONTHS AGO – the Pack cut him and stashed him on the practice squad.

Brohm is still in the midst of working back from his own confidence crisis. He’s been here six weeks! If there is a little confidence that he’s re-gained, he risks losing it all and then some by getting repeatedly crushed by Falcons pass rushers, or by not being allowed to run more than 20% of Buffalo’s playbook.

Perry Fewell is absolutely right. There’s no way this guy should see the field this year if he can help it. I have no problem with him starting Brohm if Fitzpatrick can’t play, but if he can avoid it, he should avoid it.

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"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott

by Brian Galliford on Dec 23, 2009 6:11 PM EST up reply actions

No but what could it really hurt?

It can’t get any worse can it? And imagine the confidence that he’d have if he was lined up against Orakpo in practice.

/headpoundwall

All your tshirt needs.

by twoeightnine on Dec 23, 2009 6:52 PM EST up reply actions

Quite simply...

Yes, yes we can learn something. Remove yourself (and I must remove myself as well in order to make this post) from the horrid situation of being a Bills fan the past decade. We cannot ultimately assume that Brohm will fail. Is he set up to fail? More or less. Will he fail? Probably. BUT say he doesn’t. Say he wings it, plays great despite our historically bad line and commands the offense to a good showing. Wouldn’t that tell is something? And given the situation the Bills are currently in, Mr. Galliford, would not the mere slim possibility of that happening be intriguing? P.s. Excuse my horrible quoting previously and lack of spacing, still figuring out this phone posting business…

"Who is Beethoven?" - Marshawn Lynch

by Brainwave on Dec 23, 2009 6:18 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

The risks outweigh the rewards.

What are you really going to figure out from one game against one of the few defenses worse than ours?

All your tshirt needs.

by twoeightnine on Dec 23, 2009 7:03 PM EST up reply actions

I'm not really sure what side you're pushing for

So because they have a below average defense we can learn nothing from what transpires Sunday?
Puh-lease. Lazy argument

"Who is Beethoven?" - Marshawn Lynch

by Brainwave on Dec 23, 2009 9:39 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Say he wings it, plays great despite our historically bad line and commands the offense to a good showing. Wouldn’t that tell is something? And given the situation the Bills are currently in, Mr. Galliford, would not the mere slim possibility of that happening be intriguing?

Not if it ruins him as a pro prospect. And “remove yourself” and take a stab at which of those two options is more likely: he torches or Atlanta, or Atlanta torches him and he goes into an Edwards-like shell.

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"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott

by Brian Galliford on Dec 23, 2009 9:56 PM EST up reply actions

i dont think it necessary to "remove myself"

I think I am somewhere in the middle…I don’t think he will necessarily torch Atlanta, but I also don’t think him having a bad game will cause him to crumble. And if a bad game ruins him as a pro prospect, was he that great of a pro prospect to begin with?

"Who is Beethoven?" - Marshawn Lynch

by Brainwave on Dec 23, 2009 10:08 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

And if a bad game ruins him as a pro prospect, was he that great of a pro prospect to begin with?

That’s the fairest point to make on your side of the argument, IMO. And, also IMO, I don’t think that’s a good enough reason to throw him to the fire.

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"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott

by Brian Galliford on Dec 23, 2009 10:10 PM EST up reply actions

Touche

I suppose I can’t really argue AGAINST that…but I still look at Fitz and think why not. He is so completely inept and so hopefully not a part of our future I can’t help but wonder what other options have to offer. Hamdan looks like a career 3rd stringer (or some type of TV show host) so by process of elimination I’m left wondering what Brohm has to offer.

"Who is Beethoven?" - Marshawn Lynch

by Brainwave on Dec 23, 2009 10:27 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Absolutely – I, too, wonder what Brohm has to offer. Undeniably, his story and his talent make him incredibly intriguing. I just don’t think it’s the appropriate time to throw him to the wolves just to satisfy a “what if?”

No matter what happens, QB is a priority. That doesn’t change if Brohm exceeds expectations.

Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott

by Brian Galliford on Dec 23, 2009 10:42 PM EST up reply actions

I suppose we have reached an agreement of sorts. Whether it is the right time or not, it looks like we will find out a bit of what he has to offer whether we like it or not :)

"Who is Beethoven?" - Marshawn Lynch

by Brainwave on Dec 23, 2009 11:41 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

"maybe there is a fire there"

There may be something to be said for this. Fitz was good when he first got the nod; he had something to prove but has begun to regress since. I like that he is getting a shot but hope he can stay up right.

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

by billsoferie on Dec 23, 2009 4:15 PM EST up reply actions

plus

no one likes getting beat down and released the PS by anyone especially when you’re 2nd round pick. Maybe he had off the field issues, maybe he was hitting the sauce or bong too much, I don’t know. But whatever it is that caused him to stink it up in Green Bay, maybe he is looking to rebound….

Or he could stink. I hope fewell rolls the dice. He is getting more Jaurony as the weeks go by

It's not all that bad.... Go Bills 2010 !!!!

by killascript on Dec 23, 2009 4:37 PM EST up reply actions

We've got bigger problems

if our players can’t stay motivated to play after just a couple of games.

All your tshirt needs.

by twoeightnine on Dec 23, 2009 4:44 PM EST up reply actions

Release the Mighty Hamster! Free the Hamster Fewell!

Nah, I just wanted to say that, but I anticipate that he will be the #2 QB with Ryan as our last ditch guy if Brohm has to go in as the starter this week.

If Ryan is healthy enough to start, Brohm goes to #3 again and Hamdan will be #2.

As my mother once said, common sense isn't as common as it should be, I'm looking at you Ralph, get the Front Office in order, THEN worry about who your HC is....

by WABillsfan on Dec 23, 2009 3:20 PM EST reply actions

Don't Risk Fitz

We need him next year as a backup.

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by BillsNYC on Dec 23, 2009 3:23 PM EST reply actions

Brohm was a good pick up – he was thought of by some as the no 2 QB in his draft

by WarWolf on Dec 23, 2009 3:32 PM EST reply actions

The reality of his season has more to do with the horrible OL situation in Buffalo. He hasn’t had enough opportunity to get his sea legs before being thrown into the sea swell (swill?) that is 8 different starting line-ups.

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by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 23, 2009 3:38 PM EST up reply actions

The photo of Brohm...

He looks less awkward in his mechanics than Fitz and Edwards have. Maybe i’m nuts to think that by one small photo?

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"Am I a hero? I really can't say, but yes - I am."

by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 23, 2009 4:00 PM EST reply actions

I was looking for photos to link in comparison…no great shakes there.

However, look at this gem:

http://www.waitingfornextyear.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/carson-palmer.jpg

Twitter: helping to make anti-social people anti-socially social.

"Am I a hero? I really can't say, but yes - I am."

by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 23, 2009 4:03 PM EST up reply actions

Good Lord.....I bet that ad is big in S.F. :-)

"The Bills have no playoff aspirations" – Dan Dierdorf

by Joe P. on Dec 23, 2009 4:09 PM EST up reply actions

HAHA

I was thinking the same thing.

There's not a wide receiver who is fast enough, that J.P. Losman can't overthrow him on a fly pattern.

by The Buffalo Kid on Dec 23, 2009 4:28 PM EST up reply actions

It might be small in SF.

err, umm…

Twitter: helping to make anti-social people anti-socially social.

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by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 23, 2009 4:49 PM EST up reply actions

that deserves a Ditka...

C’MON MAN!

"I don't know how to explain it but we seem to find eachother on the ice and make things happen... Yeah. Pass, shoot, score... Yeah. Pass.. Shoot.. And score."

by bflo on Dec 23, 2009 4:18 PM EST up reply actions

It may become my new offseason avatar.

Twitter: helping to make anti-social people anti-socially social.

"Am I a hero? I really can't say, but yes - I am."

by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 23, 2009 4:50 PM EST up reply actions

Im fairly confident Perry knows he blew his opportunity to have this HC gig here.....

starting Brohm wont matter one bit….

He has the “potential” to be the best of the three…….IMO……but whatever….keep throwing out Fitz Perry…..you’re gonna show us all…….

Yeah, I just stare at my desk, but it looks like I'm working. I do that for probably another hour after lunch too, I'd say in a given week I probably only do about fifteen minutes of real, actual, work. - Peter Gibbons

by norcaliangelsfan on Dec 23, 2009 4:58 PM EST reply actions

I don’t think he blew it. What did he have to work with? I don’t really think he’s going to be coaching here next year, but I also don’t think he had a very good shot to begin with. What has he done as HC that would lead you to believe he hurt his chances?

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by WhyBillsWhy on Dec 26, 2009 5:53 PM EST up reply actions

My brother's a Green Bay Packers fan (weird family, I know)

So I’ve seen Brohm play a little. If I’m allowed to put in my two cents here, I’d avoid starting him if it’s in any way possible.

He’s got some issues with his mechanics, but the biggest thing he seems to lack is confidence. If your offensive line is as bad as everyone here is suggesting it is, he’s liable to get discouraged and shaken up after taking a few hits, and that’s when his footwork really goes to hell. I think Brohm could be a starting-caliber NFL QB a couple of years down the line, but I’m inclined to agree with Brian: If he starts this weekend, you’re not going to get much out of it.

by Dave Choate on Dec 23, 2009 5:10 PM EST reply actions

"couple years down the line"

We don’t have a couple years and if his confidence is that fragile I’m not optimistic—we’ve already witnessed one of those situations this season. Suck it up Brohm—we’re not expecting a Pro Bowl performance. Just give us a little hope.

by radan on Dec 23, 2009 6:40 PM EST via mobile up reply actions