Bills QB depth chart will stay unsettled - AFC East Blog - ESPN

Some encouraging words - at least, I find them encouraging - on Chan Gailey's approach to his upcoming quarterback competition. There will be no splitting of reps. There will be a pecking order. That's the best way to do it, folks.

almost 2 years ago Brian Galliford 30 comments 0 recs |

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Very logical – I am impressed by both Nix and Gailey’s no non-sense approach to pretty much everything.

We got the tools, We got the talent

by J2 on Jun 16, 2010 3:32 PM EDT reply actions

There will be no splitting of reps. There will be a pecking order. That’s the best way to do it, folks.

I completely agree with that. Didnt read the ESPN article, but Rotoworld was saying that its going to be Edwards, Fitz – 1,2 in some order… Thats the part thats disappointing. Not the fact that Brohm isnt one of those two, but that Fitz is. Im hoping its really between Edwards and Brohm… but we’ll see. Ill be behind whoever they choose… but Edwards better perform if he gets the call. He will have a very short leash with both fans and media.

"Ok, its Gudda hoe, all about my Bills like Buffalo."
"I HAVE THE HEART OF THE BUUFALO the strength of the OF THE MOUNTAIN , THE FURY OF THE THUNDER AND MY WILL IS UNBREAKABLE " - abayarde

by bflo on Jun 16, 2010 3:35 PM EDT reply actions

That’s Rotoworld speculating. Don’t read too much into it.

@BloRumblings, @BrianGalliford

by Brian Galliford on Jun 16, 2010 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Thats what Im thinking. Just kind of threw me off there. Im sure its still a 3 horse race.

Oh Training Camp, you cant get here soon enough… Also good news on Wood and Bell, both waaaay ahead of schedule.

"Ok, its Gudda hoe, all about my Bills like Buffalo."
"I HAVE THE HEART OF THE BUUFALO the strength of the OF THE MOUNTAIN , THE FURY OF THE THUNDER AND MY WILL IS UNBREAKABLE " - abayarde

by bflo on Jun 16, 2010 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions

i am glad they realize that they need a order

if they do what the browns did i would be mad

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

by billsoferie on Jun 16, 2010 7:43 PM EDT up reply actions

me too

"Ok, its Gudda hoe, all about my Bills like Buffalo."
"I HAVE THE HEART OF THE BUUFALO the strength of the OF THE MOUNTAIN , THE FURY OF THE THUNDER AND MY WILL IS UNBREAKABLE " - abayarde

by bflo on Jun 16, 2010 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions

I was apoplectic for a few hours after Gailey was hired, but he’s done a lot of things I’ve liked since…from getting rid of the TVs in the weight-lifting room to handling Marshawn Lynch to having a QB pecking order, yet open competition come training camp. I like Gailey’s reasoning as well, in that if you try to get three QBs ready, you end up with nobody being ready.

by Jeff Winters on Jun 16, 2010 3:46 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

rec'd......Marv got better with age (as a coach), maybe Chan will as well (fingers crossed)

"I’m not sure if I disagree with this being the logic behind Nix’s decisions or if I disagree with this logic if it is what lead Nix to address the positions he did, but I definitely disagree with something." - kaisertown

by Joe P. on Jun 16, 2010 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions

I really like this quote...

“If you try to get everybody equal shots from the first day of camp, then you’ll probably get nobody ready rather than getting three ready.”

Chan seems to be saying and doing the right things. I’m not his biggest fan yet, but it’s refreshing to hear stuff like this knowing it just makes good sense.

by JRA_BBILLS on Jun 16, 2010 3:50 PM EDT reply actions

Right?

I mean its pretty common sense, but even that wasnt being used at OBD over the past few years… Its nice to have someone in there that actually makes sense. I like it.

"Ok, its Gudda hoe, all about my Bills like Buffalo."
"I HAVE THE HEART OF THE BUUFALO the strength of the OF THE MOUNTAIN , THE FURY OF THE THUNDER AND MY WILL IS UNBREAKABLE " - abayarde

by bflo on Jun 16, 2010 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions

that

and it will still be open in camp, in coach’s mind. He sounds like he isn’t hosting the ‘camp for wayward Buffalo QB’s:’

“I want them to work it out, not me to work it out…”

a.k.a thurman, thurmco, the Uncommon Denominator
Sweet Home Orchard Park

by Undee on Jun 16, 2010 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

I like that thought as well. It’s still very much open. One guy will get a slight edge, but there is clearly equal opportunity for each guy to grab that # 1 spot.

by JRA_BBILLS on Jun 16, 2010 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Never Too Impressed

I like that Chan is never really overly impressed about anything, he doesn’t get swayed by personalities, etc. He comes across as someone who plays the cards he was dealt and he exudes a bit of confidence that Jauron never seemed to have in his press conferences. He tells the media how it goes… even if he flops this season, I have faith the team’s going in the right direction.

by JjR in TO on Jun 16, 2010 5:30 PM EDT reply actions

Jauron always seemed like he was in the middle of writing a novel, while Gailey comes across like he’s writing a Presidential address.

Buffalo Rumblings Premiere League 2009 Champion
Song recommendation of the week: Cold War Kids - Audience

by TheAfghanTwilight on Jun 16, 2010 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions

As far as I can see, none of the quarterbacks on the Bills roster are proven. I am just hoping one of them transforms from a boy to a man this season.

by Henry_Gale on Jun 16, 2010 6:32 PM EDT reply actions

I started watching lost with my girlfriend. We are in season 2. I’ve now met henry gale. now it makes sense.

by BillsfanDan on Jun 16, 2010 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m so jealous you’re just getting started. I wish I had something so great to look forward to. It’s such a tremendous show.

Buffalo Rumblings Premiere League 2009 Champion
Song recommendation of the week: Cold War Kids - Audience

by TheAfghanTwilight on Jun 16, 2010 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions

im quickly finding that out. If you want a show to watch, I highly rec Dexter.

by BillsfanDan on Jun 16, 2010 9:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Nice. So far, I have watched seasons 1-5.

by Henry_Gale on Jun 16, 2010 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions

And here I was thinking Gailey would treat his quarterbacks like a college team rotating by offensive series!

This is a good call.

"To borrow a simile from the football field, we believe that men must play fair, but that there must be no shirking, and that the success can only come to the player who hits the line hard." — Theodore Roosevelt

by Chad Henne is Your New Bicycle on Jun 16, 2010 9:37 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Sounds good to me

Blame where you must, be candid where you can, And be each critic the Good-natured Man. - Oliver Goldsmith (Excellent advice)

Go Jazz! Go Hogs! GO BILLS!

by Dyl on Jun 16, 2010 9:58 PM EDT reply actions

looks like prseason will be huge if anyone wants to usurp the number one signal caller… who will probably be Edwards, and judging by Gailey’s approach, he probably deserves it at this point

It is Brohm’s Bills jersey that is the least stained with doo-doo... GO BILLS

by killascript on Jun 16, 2010 10:16 PM EDT reply actions

Should be a wild ride --- in camp for these guys.

Out of the four on the roster, I have always favored Fitzpatrick the most. Brohm is the sleeper in the mix, not much positive is known in his short NFL career, but he could still surprise the coaches in camp. Edwards has lost his teams support numerous times and I can’t get over the gamble Gailey would be taking if he was to suit up in September as the number one guy. It would be a matter of time before his bell got rung and that deer in the head lights look consumes his whole skill level.

This still doesn’t mean that Fitzpatrick should get the nod. Personally, I want him to win this competition in camp. He has never had to work for a starting gig in his career. Even last year when I watched him at SJF he looked lackadaisical when running the offense. Yet still he controlled the offense best during the season between himself and Edwards. He needs to play like he is the man to run this team and if Brohm can surpass that then we may be better off in the long run.

YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde

by VanScottM on Jun 16, 2010 11:34 PM EDT reply actions

How do you know he lost the respect of his teammates?

In my view, none of these guys are proven by any stretch of the imagination.

Edwards = Injury prone + wildly inconsistent
Brohm = Got cut from the Packers roster after only two training camps. The Packers thought he lacked confidence and showed very poor accuracy.
Fitzpatrick = Very poor passer. He currently has a 67.7 career passer rating and a 35% winning%. In 2009, he ended up putting up worse numbers than Edwards.

by Henry_Gale on Jun 17, 2010 8:34 AM EDT reply actions

How do I know he lost respect of his teammates?

Good question, I went and asked each and everyone of them and they told me that. “OR” I have watched every single game he has played as well as his teammates and have noticed a trend that when it is time to get busy, he regresses worse than his teammates do. Edwards has allot of talent but fails to show it repeatedly when the team needs it the most. He can string together 5, 6, or 7 completions in a row then throw an imcompletion or get a dropped pass and he is done. He gets flushed from the pocket numerous times in a sequence and begins to check down immediately for the rest of the game. He will see a defensive formation and fail to audible into a better situation for the offense. Watching him for three years he will start to get hot and then start looking for shade. If I can see this I am sure his teammates know this. How are you going to sell that to twenty other players after about five weeks. If he was able to turn the mental part of his game around it would be historical.

On the other hand, Fitzpatrick lacks in skill but late in the game is still making a big play whether it is a down field block, or a long sideline pass on the money or in the vicinity of the receiver. He quickly reads and reacts to the defensive alignment and the players respond to it. Also the communication from sideline to sideline with Fitzpatrick is more apparent. His ability to detect blitzes and align his people in proper position is far more advanced. Really, I just asked all the players on the team.

I am not saying that Fitzpatrick is our answer at QB, I am saying that I would love to see him take this opportunity and embrace it as it will be his only chance to move to the next level. What I have seen from him is enough to agree he is nothing more than a career back up. What I haven’t seen from him is the ability to take advantage of an opportunity to gain complete control of this team and possibly it’s short term future. I like his odds better than TE’s. Then there is Brian Brohm, so who knows.

YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde

by VanScottM on Jun 17, 2010 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Edwards is a better quarterback than Fitzpatrick. I hate to break it to you. Lets look at the facts:

Edwards – 77.9 career passer rating, 14-16 win-loss record as a starter.
Fitzpatrick – 67.7 career passer rating, 8-14-1 win-loss record as a starter.

Which is more? Edwards. Now lets turn to 2009:

Edwards (I only counted the games where he took the majority of the snaps)
Patriots – 15/25, 212 passing yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs.
Bucs – 21/31, 230, 2 TDs, 1 INT.
Saints – 20/35, 156, 0 TD, 1 INT.
Dolphins – 14/26, 192, 1 TD, 3 INTs.
Browns – 16/31, 152, 0 TD, 1 INT.
Titans – 18/28, 185, 1 TD, 1 INT.

Total – 188 passing yards per game, 59% completion%, 6 TDs, 7 INTs.

Fitzpatrick (Didn’t count the Colts game)
Jets – 10/25, 116 passing yards, 1 TD, 1 INT.
Panthers – 11/22, 123 passing yards, 1 TD, O INT.
Texans – 15/23, 117 passing yards, 0 TDs, 2 INT.
Jags – 18/31, 297, 1 TD, 2 INTs.
Dolphins – 17/26, 246, 2 TDs, 1 INT.
Jets – 9/23, 98, 0 TDs, 1 INT,
Chiefs – 12/20, 86, 1 TD, 1 INT.
Pats – 17/25, 178, 1 TD, 1 INT.

Total – 158 per game, 56% completion%, 7 TDs, 9 INTs

So as you can see, Edwards was more effective than Fitzpatrick last season.

btw, still no proof that his teammates lost faith in him.

by Henry_Gale on Jun 17, 2010 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions

So as you can see, Edwards was more effective than Fitzpatrick last season.

I think the fact that Fitzpatrick won five times as many games as Edwards did a year ago, at the very least, keeps the argument alive.

@BloRumblings, @BrianGalliford

by Brian Galliford on Jun 17, 2010 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Just because the team won the game, does not mean, Fitzpatrick was the reason for the victory.

Jets game – The only reason why the Bills won that game was because Sanchez threw 5 pics.
Panthers game – 123 passing yards, and helped the Bills convert on 9 first downs.
Dolphins game – I’ll give him credit for that win.
Chiefs game – Passed for 86 yards, lost a fumble, scored 1 TD to 1 INT.
Colts game – Doesn’t count. He was playing against 2nd stringers.
*In those 5 victories, there were a total of 18 interceptions by the Bills’ opponents.

Once again, I fail to see how he was an effective quarterback for the Bills.

by Henry_Gale on Jun 17, 2010 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions

True

Use the word “effective” loosely. It was rumored that Edwards did lose teams faith. Unless we have personel knowledge it’s all rumor, can’t offer up “proof”, but I’ve read here more than once that Trent ‘lost" the team. Does’nt mean he can’t “win” them back! Looking at their stats ( QB ) is disheartening!

by buffalobacker on Jun 17, 2010 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions