If healthy, Bills turning back to Fitzpatrick
by Brian Galliford on Dec 31, 2009 8:09 AM EST
in Buffalo Bills News
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PrintLast week, Buffalo Bills interim head coach Perry Fewell waited as long as he possibly could before naming Brian Brohm his starting quarterback for Week 16 in Atlanta. With that game in the books, Fewell is getting ready to turn back to the man he'd rather have rolled with in Atlanta: Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Participating on a limited basis on Wednesday, Fitzpatrick took most of Buffalo's first-team reps as he continues to try to get back into the lineup despite an ankle injury he suffered in Week 15. Barring a setback in his progress either Thursday or Friday, Fitzpatrick will likely get the start in the Bills' season finale against the 14-1 Indianapolis Colts.
In his last three outings, Fitzpatrick has completed 38 of 68 passes for 362 yards, with two touchdowns and three interceptions. He was benched during the Week 15 loss to New England, but returned to the lineup after Trent Edwards suffered a high ankle sprain. (Edwards has been ruled out for Week 17.) Fitzpatrick was injured in that game as well, but remained in the game, leading the Bills to a fourth-quarter touchdown.
Brohm completed 17 of 29 passes for 146 yards with two interceptions in Atlanta. It was his first NFL start; however, he was operating a watered-down version of Buffalo's already-watered-down offense, and the Bills put up their lowest point total of the season in defeat.
Fewell re-iterated to assembled reporters on Wednesday that Fitzpatrick gives his team the best chance to win. It's hard to argue with that; the Bills are 4-4 in games when Fitzpatrick takes the majority of snaps, and 1-6 in games when anyone else does.
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Can anyone comment on
the Bills QB contract situation?
I keep hearing about Edwards not being on the roster next year but I’m wondering what his current contract looks like, will he be a free agent after the season or will the Bills simply cut him?
I would have to assume that since Fitz was a new addition this year that he’s expected to be back next year but what about Brohm? – did he sign a new contract when the Bills snagged him off of the Packers practice squad?
its all good.
Edwards is under contract next season @ $550K base salary.
Fitzpatrick is under contract for the next two seasons @ $2.3 million and $2.8 million base salaries.
Brohm’s was a two-year deal, likely for league minimums, but that’s all I know about that deal.
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"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Dec 31, 2009 8:33 AM EST up reply actions
Edwards’ contract is likely one that allows him to be traded in the off-season. That’s really cheap for a backup. It’s probably a 5th rounder at best in return, but it’s something for a player that probably doesn’t have a future in Buffalo.
Of course, an overhauled front office and coaching staff might have different plans.
I’d still like to think a better situation on the coaching staff could help Edwards turn it around. If he’d be good enough for another/set of coaches, why does everything think this can’t be the case with a different set of Bills coaches?
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by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 31, 2009 9:31 AM EST up reply actions
I agree
The track record shows that the organization has ruined a number of QB prospects. Edwards is no exception.
I think you’ll find that with all organizations. It’s cyclical – teams like the colts and pats have QB’s now – but I bet they will have problems once those guys retire.
it’s difficult to find a franchise QB – most teams are looking for one right now. I’m not sure it’s so much as a Bills issue as it’s a position issue.
Never put salt in your eyes
Scott Loffler should be the next Bills GM
QB thoughts
It makes no sense to go with anyone but Brohm this week. What is the point starting Fitzpatrick?
Since it appears we are once again in rebuilding mode, I don’t see Edwards being anywhere near our roster next year. I think he’s shot as an NFL QB; our Bills have ruined another one. Still hard to fathom how the guy who looked so darn good at the beginning of 2008, can look so lost now.
As for Fitzpatrick, I hope he’s nothing more than a backup for us next season. If he’s the starter, my season tickets will not be renewed, for sure.
I think we should make a play for Tavaris Jackson, who should be available if Favre returns. If we can get a QB like this, then we wait until the 3rd or 4th round to grab a QB for down the road.
The Dick Jauron version of the K-Gun...the Squirt Gun.
It makes no sense to go with anyone but Brohm this week. What is the point starting Fitzpatrick?
Makes no sense to who? Think about it from Perry Fewell’s perspective, and I’m pretty sure you’ll figure it out.
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"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Dec 31, 2009 9:07 AM EST up reply actions
Who cares about Fewell at this point. One of Ralph’s big chances to constructively meddle and he blows it.
by radan on Dec 31, 2009 9:15 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I’m sure if Ralph thought he’d learn something even remotely worthwhile about Brohm by playing him for 3 quarters against Indy’s backups, he’d have meddled.
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"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Dec 31, 2009 9:24 AM EST up reply actions
I think you’re giving Ralph too much “thinking” credit.
by radan on Dec 31, 2009 9:26 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
OK.
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"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Dec 31, 2009 9:28 AM EST up reply actions
I couldn't disagree more
Fewell is the HC…..let him do his job, for better or worse…..it is one meaningless game. I am glad Fitz is starting if for no other reason that I don’t want to see Brohm get killed.
One of Ralph’s big chances to constructively meddle and he blows it.
Do you really think that with the Bills in the hunt for a big time HC that Ralph should be doing his best Jerry Jones impression? I don’t.
"The Bills have no playoff aspirations" – Dan Dierdorf
If Ralph was Jerry Jones we’d REALLY be in the “big time HC hunt”
by radan on Dec 31, 2009 9:30 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Why???? Because Wade Phillips is a big time HC?
When is the last time Jones was able to hire one? I would be willing to bet that Shanny and Billy don’t want to put up with Jones’ BS.
"The Bills have no playoff aspirations" – Dan Dierdorf
Maybe but comparing Ralph to Jerry in any positive way is nuts.
by radan on Dec 31, 2009 9:51 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Who do you think Bill Cowher would start under the same circumstances?
Hypothetical,
2010 rebuilding year.
New HC Bill Cowher
Out of Playoffs for the season.
Bill Cowher says let the young guys play, lets see what they have.
Get the billboards ready.
The only difference between Jerry Jones and Al Davis is AGE.
Is it really average talent or just poor coaching, how important is depth and experience.
That’s a faulty comparison, because if you’re comparing 2010 Cowher to 2009 Fewell, they are at INCREDIBLY different points not only in their careers, but in regime status.
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"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Dec 31, 2009 10:45 AM EST up reply actions
Ralph’s got them both beat in that category
by radan on Dec 31, 2009 10:53 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Indy has nothing to play for and will likely rest starters, Buffalo has nothing to play for.
Start Brohm and see if he can improve upon last week and step up the offense a bit.
I don’t see any benefit to starting Fitz other than to try and win a meaningless game when everything is going to get blown up anyways.
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And Fewell will be judged for his decisions as a HC by this next employer
IMO, it is Fewell’s job to try to win every game.
"The Bills have no playoff aspirations" – Dan Dierdorf
You can still win with those other guys in the line-up or rotating in...
They wouldn’t be on an NFL roster if they weren’t ready to play a game or contribute toward winning. Fewell wants to win sure… but IMO, he is a smart guy and knows that he will only be judged by other owners for HC opportunities by what his defenses have ranked and the W-L record as interim HC.
Sounds like a plug to bring Fitz back next year.
I don’t see any benefit to starting Fitz other than to try and win a meaningless game.
Is it really average talent or just poor coaching, how important is depth and experience.
Great, give the people even less of a reason to watch / attend the game.
There’s no reason (other than padding W’s) to go with Fitzpatrick. This week’s game is becoming more and more detestable by the minute.
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by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 31, 2009 9:29 AM EST reply actions
You play to win, I guess. Is that what we're supposed to believe this offense did for much of the season?
This week should be all about playing great in defeat. The reality of the situation (for me) is their finding a way to win and mess up slotting. It’s all I have to rid on until April. I know the team hasn’t drafted well near the top, but i’d like them to have more options in the spring.
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by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 31, 2009 11:00 AM EST up reply actions
Yes, because I don't believe the Bills went into any game this year intending to lose
Will winning cost the Bills …..yes, but that doesn’t mean I want them to lose on purpose. They don’t need to.
"The Bills have no playoff aspirations" – Dan Dierdorf
Give us Hamdan!
I’m just a wee bit curious to see how he’d do when it mattered. I’m sure it wouldn’t be pretty, but this is the week he and Klopfenstein should try a skinny post.
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by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 31, 2009 9:33 AM EST reply actions
Did it ever occur to anyone that Fitz could get reinjured or could suck so bad that Fewell might put Brohm in?
Starting Fitz is the right move. It is a call most HCs would make.
"The Bills have no playoff aspirations" – Dan Dierdorf
I don’t wish injury on Fitzpatrick. I’m just so tired of watching re-runs of his play. At least with Brohm, he’s a wild card in some ways.
I guess it doesn’t matter because the team should be doing whatever it takes to get Fred Jackson 150 yards rushing.
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by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 31, 2009 11:01 AM EST up reply actions
I don't want Fitz to get hurt, but their is a very good chance he will
Agreed….feed Jackson and Lynch.
"The Bills have no playoff aspirations" – Dan Dierdorf
personally
4:15PM Sunday cannot come soon enough. Whomever starts/plays is inconsequential at this point. Like a trip to the dentist…just get it over with!
by fansince60 on Dec 31, 2009 9:55 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
The only point is this.
It starts the offseason full of anticipation on who the members of the big splash will be.
Is it really average talent or just poor coaching, how important is depth and experience.
This game doesn't have to be meaningless...
True, it has no meaning this year. But it has future meaning for two reasons.
1) Let’s see what Brohm can do against Indy’s JV team. He doesn’t have to worry about Freeney or Mathis. This is a good opportunity for him to get some reps against a below-average but still NFL-level defense.
2) We are jockeying for draft position. I know that it’s impossible to figure out who will be a star and who will be a bust, but the fact of the matter is we do need a franchise QB and another starting OT (along with another DT and LB). Let’s put ourselves in the best possible position to draft the guy we want! What if we win and Seattle and Oakland lose, and then they pick the last remaining top-tier QB and/or OT (not that far-fetched considering their needs), all because Fitzpatrick outdueled Curtis Painter with his usual 150 yard, 1 TD, 2 INT line.
by Donte's Inferno on Dec 31, 2009 11:01 AM EST reply actions
Actually, I think Brohm’s experience might best be matched against the backups. I think it might show more about how he reads defense when more at his talent/experience levels. I know that’s a general statement to make, but I don’t view Brohm as a starter yet, so this shouldn’t be a game where he’d look dominant againt a lesser foe.
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by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 31, 2009 11:04 AM EST up reply actions
Agreed. I don’t think he’ll put up 300 yards or anything like that, even against back-ups, but the more experience he gets, and the more evidence we have to judge him on, the better.
by Donte's Inferno on Dec 31, 2009 11:11 AM EST up reply actions
not really
1. The new staff is going to want to see how all players perform in there system, not this one. Brohm has done enough already to stick on the roster.
2. Give me one example of a team who tanked a game on purpose to get a better draft pick. I will not be sad if the Bills lose, but coaches and players should be trying to win.
"The Bills have no playoff aspirations" – Dan Dierdorf
I’m not saying they should start taking a knee in the middle of the 3rd quarter. I’m not saying the Bills should pull some fat guy out of the stands and let him play LT for a series (although that’s not far off from what they have been doing). But the concept that you have to do whatever you can to win every single game is wrong, no matter what Herm Edwards says. You can’t treat every game as an individual event, because every game has an impact on the future of a franchise, especially a bad one. The present has been rendered meaningless, and right now it’s better for the future of this team for Brohm to get the start (moreso for my reason #1, but reason #2 is still something that has to be in the back of one’s mind). That is, unless you think Fitzpatrick has an honest shot at being this team’s starting QB.
Unless we can get Clausen or Bradford, I want Brohm to be the starter next year. Because if he’s great, then I’ll be dancing in the street. And if he sucks and leads the team to a 3-13 year, then it’ll hopefully be Jake Locker time.
by Donte's Inferno on Dec 31, 2009 11:38 AM EST up reply actions
So what would you have Fewell do.....play to lose?
Fewell is the current HC. It is his decision. He made it. The idea that Brohm is going to gain invaluable experience or the coaches eyes will be opened by having him play is laughable. The coaches are well aware of where Brohm is at in his development. Brohm is going to know he is play vs backups. How much can you really find out now vs the off season.
I want a vet brought in to bridge the gap between next year and whoever we draft. The Bills have to stop ruining QBs by rushing them into the starting role. Brohm is most likely our backup QB next year, with a chance to compete for the starting job if that vet goes down.
Even at 3-13, there is no guarantee we will suck enough to get Locker, and I am not sure I want him.
"The Bills have no playoff aspirations" – Dan Dierdorf
I could see the Rams tanking this Sunday on purpose. If they win and the Lions lose, they very well may lose the #1 pick in the draft. Poor Lions. The bleeding has to stop soon, for their sake, I hope.
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by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 31, 2009 12:05 PM EST up reply actions
True. Stinking that bad hides a good game-throwing, i’m sure.
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by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 31, 2009 12:48 PM EST up reply actions
The Colts pulling their guys in the 3rd is as close to throwing a game as I can remember
"The Bills have no playoff aspirations" – Dan Dierdorf
This season can't end soon enough.
This game should be viewed like the first preseason game of next year… except we have a bunch of young coaches who want to have a future in this league somewhere else because they know they are on borrowed time here, so they will play Fitzy, TO, Denny, Draft, Reed and other Vets who will take valuable playing time from guys that seriously need it like Hardy, Maybin, Nic Harris, Steve Johnson, etc.
If I have to watch Parrish run backwards again this game I am going to puke too.
I bet TO's happy!
Actually, he probably can’t wait to move out of Buffalo the minute the game ends.
At this point, who cares who starts. Neither guy is any good and neither is the future of the franchise. The only reason I’d start Brohm is because he’s already started and played.
~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."
But Brohm is the future.....backup QB. Let's not ruin him.
"The Bills have no playoff aspirations" – Dan Dierdorf
What it comes down to for me:
I’m just sick of watching Fitzpatrick. I don’t enjoy his play and I don’t enjoy the team when he’s playing and i’d rather see someone we’re not accustomed to watching on game day.
That’s me in a nutshell this week.
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"Am I a hero? I really can't say, but yes - I am."
by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 31, 2009 12:50 PM EST reply actions
Well then we should put Roscoe in as QB ...... that would be something we are not used to seeing.
"The Bills have no playoff aspirations" – Dan Dierdorf
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