Making the case for Troy Smith

The Buffalo Bills, more than anything, need a franchise quarterback. (Duh!) But as the last 15 years has taught us, finding one is no easy task.  The answer is not on the current roster.  Trent Edwards, after a terribly regressive 2009 season, is quickly going the way of J.P. Losman, Billy Joe Hobert, and Rob Johnson.  Ryan Fitzpatrick is a cagey veteran with starter experience, but he will never be the princess wearing the glass slipper.  Brian Brohm is a young quarterback with potential, but the number of N.F.L. quarterbacks that go on to become success stories after being beat out for a team's number three job are far and few between. 

Unfortunately, looking at the opportunities that are presently available outside the organization, I'm not encouraged that the 2010 off-season will be any different than years past.  This year's crop is either made up of washed-up vets (Delhomme), aging superstars (McNabb), or underwhelming draftees that are either personally unappealing (Clauson) or products of the spread offense who probably need a few years of bench-time before being game ready (Bradford, McCoy).

Buffalo's best chance at landing a franchise quarterback will probably not come until the 2011 draft, where the quarterback class will be more talented and deeper than the current crop.   But that doesn't mean Buffalo should ignore the quarterback position in 2010.  They simply cannot afford to let another year go by without at least trying to adequately address their quarterback need.  Not after ten playoff-less years.  The Bills need to find a quarterback this year that has the potential to be a franchise quarterback, but in landing him, not hinder the team's ability to address their many other needs.  Enter Troy Smith.

For a team like Buffalo, Smith offers a good number of desirable attributes, without the limitations of a large price tag.  At 25 years old, Smith is young enough to be the future of a franchise, but also not void of N.F.L. experience.   Although lacking in playing time, Smith has spent three years on the bench learning an N.F.L. offense.  This cannot be understated. 

Too often, in today's "what can you do for me now!" league, young quarterbacks are thrown into the fire before they are ready to fully contribute.  And when these young gunslingers inevitably struggle early on, teams often are quick to pull the plug - confidence be darned (Paging J.P. Losman).  Smith has had time to sit and learn an N.F.L. offense and to build some confidence.  He's a vet, but he's not washed up. He's young, but he's not raw.  Troy Smith is an invaluable commodity in today's N.F.L. (think a poor man's Aaron Rogers).

Any quarterback that Buffalo drafts in 2010 or beyond will need time to learn and adjust to the NFL.  That shouldn't stop them from drafting a young single-caller (I think they should), but just like the rest, the new talent will need to be groomed and prepared to lead a franchise.  Troy Smith, thanks to the patience of the Baltimore Ravens, has three years of "free" grooming. 

Smith also has the physical attributes and intangibles GM Buddy Nix is looking for in Buffalo's single-caller.  He's strong, and although somewhat short for an NFL quarterback (6'0"), he has the strong arm necessary for the cold, windy Buffalo winters.  And as a former multi-year starter for the Ohio State Buckeyes, Smith also has the leadership experience necessary for any NFL quarterback.

Finally, what also makes Smith attractive to Buffalo is the minimal compensation that they would be forced to give up in exchange for his services.  Smith, a restricted free agent, was only tendered as a "same-round" level by Baltimore (starter Joe Flacco is entrenched as the team's starter for the foreseeable future).  Any team is free to sign Smith to an offer sheet, but the Ravens have a right to match the offer.  If Baltimore elects not to do so, the team looking to sing Smith would be required to give the Ravens a fifth round draft pick as compensation.  

For Buffalo, a team in full-fledge rebuilding mode, a fifth round pick for a potential franchise quarterback is good value.  I don't know about the rest of you, but I would take the potential of Smith over a Nic Harris or Alvin Bowman, Buffalo last two fifth round picks.  In addition, under the current league rules (which would change under a new CBO agreement), Smith wouldn't become an unrestricted free agent until 2013.  Buffalo could (and probably should) give Smith a contract extension.  Even so, the compensation for an unproven quarterback would be manageable and wouldn't hinder the team's attempts to fill their other needs. 

One last, important point.  Even if Buffalo acquires Troy Smith, he should not be handed the starting quarterback job.  The starter should be decided by an open quarterback competition in training camp.  If Buffalo could go into the 2010 season with Fitz, Smith, and Brohm, then I'd be encouraged. Maybe Smith wins the camp competition for the starting job and all our dreams of Jim Kelly's successor are finally realized.  Maybe Brian Brohm surprises us in camp.

Worst case scenario, neither young gun is prepared to take over in 2010.  In that case, both Smith and Brohm can spend the year on the bench learning Gailey's offense, while Fitz carries the reins in 2010.  If Smith doesn't show enough promise by this time next year, then Buffalo can look to a much deeper 2011 draft class for their new quarterback of the future.

Troy Smith is no guarantee, but who is?  What he is, however, is Buffalo's best opportunity to find their quarterback of the future now, without mortgaging the future.  Buffalo should give him a good, long look.