Ten Bills to Decide 2009, No. 1: QB Trent Edwards
by Brian Galliford on Jul 14, 2009 11:30 AM EDT
in Buffalo Bills News
Email
PrintThere is no single, bulletproof method of piecing together a winning football team for any given season in the NFL. Many different types of teams have won championships, ranging from explosive offenses to physical defenses, with nearly every identity imaginable working its magic along the way. All championship teams need a few lucky bounces, as well. If there were an ironclad method to building a playoff-caliber team, then franchises would not spend entire decades out of the post-season.
Little debate surrounds one theory, however: by far the easiest way to field a consistent, winning team with any kind of longevity is to have that ever-elusive "franchise" quarterback in town. You know the one. The golden boy, the player that a city embraces and around whom a team confidently rallies. The Buffalo Bills have not had that player in town since Jim Kelly retired in 1997. The latest in a long line of quarterbacks to attempt to be that player is Trent Edwards, entering his third year in the league and his second full season as the undisputed starter.
We want Edwards to be that player. He, himself, wants to be that player - and, to his credit, works diligently to get there. Buffalo spent its off-season re-tooling essentially its entire offensive lineup to help Edwards achieve that goal. The quickest route to finally fielding a winner in Buffalo is for Edwards to take several steps toward becoming the Bills' franchise quarterback.
Edwards has been at the center of several conversations we've had here over the past few months - and why not? He's the quarterback. Buffalo has had an exciting off-season, particularly considering that Edwards' disposable assets at the skill positions makes him one of the wealthiest quarterbacks in the entire league. Even with question marks surrounding the re-tooled offensive line, the theory behind the talent shuffle - get smarter and tougher - is gloriously sound. The list of excuses for Edwards is growing shorter.
It seems that every time a young quarterback comes through Buffalo, Bills fans desperate to believe that this player is finally the answer repeat that man's strengths endlessly in their minds, as if on a loop. (Then again, that could just be me.) In Edwards' case, that has made buzzwords like "intelligence," "accuracy," "poise," "leadership," and "clutch" synonymous with "hope." Any time this is brought up, however, those hoping to avoid false hope and heartbreak mention "arm strength," "confidence," "injury-prone," and good old-fashioned "realism" to keep the hope in check. We've been down this road with young quarterbacks before, after all.
We know what Edwards has been - a promising, yet barely passable starting NFL quarterback. We know what he's likely to be this year. We know what he can be, even if we're only cautiously optimistic - at best - that he can get there. It's getting there - and, if we are so blessed, the speed at which that happens - that truly matters at this point.
The bottom line is this: the Bills can field a winner with mediocre quarterback play in 2009. Oh, yes - it can happen. But the new offensive line will need to perform far beyond the expectations that a unit featuring five new starters at all five positions might typically engender. The defense will need to show a sturdiness and a flair for the dramatic that has not yet been exhibited in Buffalo under the current regime. They'll need an inordinate amount of luck on the field, off the field, and from their opponents. The odds are long.
I'll take the shorter odds and the ascension of Trent Edwards, thanks. There is no easier route to the playoffs. Nothing and no one would be more welcome than that in Buffalo - not even Terrell Owens.
35 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
No doubt about this one
If Trent continues to improve and can make the smart throws, the team has a shot. If he still can’t handle a 3 man rush with a flood of DBs, the team is in trouble.
I'm flabberghasted.
I really thought number one was going to be Ryan Denney “The Touchdown Maker.”
I want to see movies of my dreams. - Built to Spill.
Brian, you almost got through an entire article about the offense without saying the "T" word :-)
Hard to argue with anything you wrote. As far as excuses for Edwards go, the O-line and Turk are at the top of my list.
The key to the Bills 2009 season; Can Trent Edwards grow beyond just not being Loseman
“T” word?
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"Our style is simple but not that easy. Roll up your sleeves and play good, solid football." -- Marv Levy
by Brian Galliford on Jul 14, 2009 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Tungsten
~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."
God, you’re random.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"Our style is simple but not that easy. Roll up your sleeves and play good, solid football." -- Marv Levy
by Brian Galliford on Jul 14, 2009 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Gotta keep you on your toes
~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."
Oh! ha.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"Our style is simple but not that easy. Roll up your sleeves and play good, solid football." -- Marv Levy
by Brian Galliford on Jul 14, 2009 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions
By the way, Joe – I had a line in this article originally that I unfortunately had to axe because it didn’t flow well. And for other obvious reasons. But I might as well share it. It was something to this effect:
“The new offensive line would need to solidify quicker than Joe P at a showing of Transformer: Revenge of the Fallen.”
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"Our style is simple but not that easy. Roll up your sleeves and play good, solid football." -- Marv Levy
by Brian Galliford on Jul 14, 2009 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions
LOL!!! You couldn't make that flow???? Thanks for sharing :-)
The key to the Bills 2009 season; Can Trent Edwards grow beyond just not being Loseman
I was hoping for Kelsay, but alas, I agree with Trent. He will not only help decide 2009, but the coaching staff’s future, in addition to his own. There is A LOT on his shoulders this year, let’s hope he puts it together, stays healthy and finally gets the job done.
The list of excuses for Edwards is growing shorter.
No doubt about that.
~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."
I never heard Trent Edwards making excuses. I know that we do but I never heard him say anything other than he needs to improve. He’s a good leader with his head screwed on pretty straight for a kid his age.
But like Joe said, Turk is still the biggest wildcard in all of this.
Your ability to control the LOS is directly linked to your ability to win football games!
FEED the BEAST!
Not Trent making excuses...
he said the excuses for Trent meaning no more “he’s inexperienced” or “he doesn’t have the weapons”, etc. It’s put up or shut up time. I love the kid and am really, really pulling for him to do it but K is a believe it when I see it kind of guy.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Jul 16, 2009 8:20 AM EDT up reply actions
i think it’s interesting that the top ten bills who need to decide are probably (except for moorman) the top ten bills on our team, period.
i dont think so, Lee Evans, Poz, McGee, Jackson weren’t on the list. I also think Brad Butler could potentially be our best lineman.
Guards Brad Butler and Brandon Rodd are decent. - Pete Prisco
Brandon Rodd!! Our best player.
At least....
we’re depending on our ten best players rather than some practice squad guys (LOL)!!!!!!
im glad Trent has so much talent around him
Now if we will know at this time next year who Trent is. If your a good QB you put up numbers with this lineup, if your a below average QB you can put up numbers with this lineup. If he can’t then we know to move on.
Guards Brad Butler and Brandon Rodd are decent. - Pete Prisco
Brandon Rodd!! Our best player.
What about Turk?
I thought he should have made the list. In my opinion, we had the talent last year, but didn’t have the offensive game planning and playing calling to take advantage of it. There were lots of situations that left me scratching my head. We need major improvements in that area to be successful. Early returns on things like no-huddle etc are positive, but let’s see it come crunch time.
The list was players-only.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"Our style is simple but not that easy. Roll up your sleeves and play good, solid football." -- Marv Levy
by Brian Galliford on Jul 14, 2009 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks. I was interpreting Bills to mean all of them. If it was all of them, where would you have ranked Turk in the list?
Certainly not #1, but up there. Maybe Top 5
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"Our style is simple but not that easy. Roll up your sleeves and play good, solid football." -- Marv Levy
by Brian Galliford on Jul 14, 2009 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions
See?!?!?! I intrepreted the same thing earlier.......
I woulda said Dick Jauron was one……..but tis not my list
Godspeed Nick - RIP - 1986-2009
by norcaliangelsfan on Jul 14, 2009 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Good, because I was wondering why Billy Buffalo was omitted!
Twitter: helping to make anti-social people anti-socially social.
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jul 15, 2009 6:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Turk needs to take advantage of Trent’s tendency towards favoring the short pass routes. Mix in a few longer passes (and of course, the running game) to keep defenses honest and guessing.
The O-line needs to keep Trent in one piece and on the field.
The defense needs to get off the field sooner to give Trent more opportunities.
Special teams need to keep giving the offense good field position.
And, of course, Trent needs to step up his game. Better recognition of who’s open downfield and getting the ball where it needs to be, when it needs to be there…
Get the Bills back to the big game!
Trent
being 7-5 as a starter last year, I think he showed enough progress for me and Dick Jauron to believe that a Trent Edwards that plays 16 games, is good enough to get this team to the playoffs. The FO did everything they could to make this easier for Trent, I just hope the Offensive Line is not the reason we don’t make it. One blown protection and a hit on Edwards will end the Bills chances in 2009 as I don’t trust Fitzpatrick for one snap
MARVelous - "I went from America's team to North America's Team" Terrell Owens
If you extrapolate that out...
the Bills should be 9-7 this year. His .583 winning percentage is equivalent to 9-7 over a 16 game season and that is not playoff material.
being 7-5 as a starter last year, a Trent Edwards that plays 16 games, is good enough to get this team to the playoffs.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Jul 16, 2009 8:22 AM EDT up reply actions
The most important statement is that this team can win with mediocre play from Trent. As long as he can deliver the ball accurately, with good decisions, he does not need to be a Tom Brady. If Trent can play as well as he did the first 5 games last year and stay away from turnovers we have a shot.
"Hold ya chin up...nuh nuh nuh...gone"
-Marshawn Lynch-
Why shouldn't we just run the snot out of the Ball!!!
Granted lets not waste the opportunity to exploit Evans and Owens, not to mention Reed Johnson, Schouman and Fine. How deceptive would it be if we became a run oriented offense. The stable of backs that we are going to deploy we could go either way so why pressure a young third year quarterback with emphasis on passing. Lets pound these running backs inside and outside and give Trent the opportunity to audible at the line and hit Evans and Owens. I am sure there will be games where he will have to throw more than normal but I would like to see us Run, Run, Run and then mix in a pass. Give me 125 to 200 yards rushing a game with 200 to 275 passing and I think we are golden. This new offensive line we have, they have been run blocking since grammer school. Its the speed of a pass rush that could hamper us early on. I agree Trent is the one man that can make a difference in the offense but lets pound the ball first and often before we start counting TD catches.
I agree
When both of your running backs are averaging over 4 yards per carry, I think you run the heck out of the ball and play action pass off the running game. Running the ball 40 to 50 times a game wouldn’t hurt my feelings a bit.
Are we drafting Dino's now?
"6'6" monster receiver with a Terradactyl wingspan "....... Keysh67
by Billsfanstuckinthesouth on Jul 15, 2009 1:00 AM EDT up reply actions
I love me some Trent and I really, really, really, really hope he turns out to be the guy in Buffalo. I think he has all the tools now it’s just putting them together.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Buffalo Rumblings
Related FanShots on Buffalo Rumblings
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
