Buddy Nix, Chan Gailey Continue To Support Ryan Fitzpatrick
by MattRichWarren on Feb 25, 2011 3:15 PM EST
in Buffalo Bills News
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Speaking with the assembled media yesterday, Buffalo Bills head coach Chan Gailey was asked about every issue that's been nagging Bills fans and media since the season ended. Gailey spoke about QB Ryan Fitzpatrick while discussing some of the quarterback prospects available in the 2011 NFL Draft.
Fitzpatrick was the runner-up in a training camp competition, losing the starting job to Trent Edwards. Edwards looked the best in shorts and against a phantom pass rush, but it was clearly obvious once the bullets started flying that he wasn't going to live up to expectations.
Gailey cut him and inserted Fitzpatrick into the starting lineup, where he played adequately in some games and exceedingly well in others. Asked yesterday whether he regretted starting Fitzpatrick on the bench in 2010, Gailey was quick to admit his regret.
"Yeah. Shoot yeah," Gailey exclaimed.
"If I knew then what I know now I wouldn’t have done that," Gailey continued. "But you do what you have to do with the information that you have. You make a decision, you live with decisions. You hope that you learn from them quickly and you rectify the situation. We were fortunate to be able to do that."
He continued to discuss his starting quarterback giving, him yet another vote of confidence.
"Yeah, I’ve said all along, I am extremely confident in Ryan Fitzpatrick. I really am," affirmed Gailey. "I think that he played well enough, until he got to the very end - the next to the last game he was in when he got banged up - I think he played well enough to prove to a lot of people, me and my staff included, that he can play well. We can win a bunch of football games with a guy a like that. I’ve been to the playoffs a couple of times with guys that haven’t performed as well as Ryan has. So, I think we can do it."
Bills GM Buddy Nix has also stated on separate occasions that he's happy with Fitzpatrick. Yesterday he continued to support the Harvard grad while answering a question on sitting a draft pick behind the veteran.
"We really like Ryan Fitzpatrick," said Nix. "He's tough, he's smart. He's proved he can win for us. We're not in a position where we've got to have a quarterback. There's some people in the draft that do have to have one. There is some areas, and I'll be honest with you, that we're looking at very strong that's not quarterback."
These fresh comments come after both Gailey and Nix spoke out in defense of their quarterback earlier this off-season.
"Very committed," Gailey answered in January. "He's done a lot of good things. He can improve. But we've got to stop the turnovers. If we can do that, I think we give ourselves a chance to be a successful offense.
"I think he allowed other guys to flourish and that's what he does," Gailey continued. "He puts the ball where it needs to be for people to make plays. That's the one thing you like about the guy, he gives your team an opportunity to win."
Nix's comments from later that month also supported Fitzpatrick.
"We certainly like Fitz," Nix said at the end of January. "[His performance] wasn't more than we expected because I knew Chan would get him to play better. We counted on that and he did. I really like him. I think he's got a lot of qualities you need. We just need to keep putting good players out there."
"I think he plays good enough we can win and get to the playoffs with Fitz," Nix told Chris Brown. "We just need to put some more guys around him."
One thing is for sure, if the Bills are looking at quarterbacks to replace him, they won't publicly put down their starting quarterback. At the very least, it seems the team is comfortable with Fitzpatrick being the opening day starter while a rookie learns behind him.
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hes a great guy
hes a great guy and seems to read defenses as good as anyone but we stil need a fracnshise qb i think fitz shld start for like anotehr 2 years and then he wld be as best a back up as u can get
Fitzy
He was not the reason that the Bills lost games last year. He brought us back in some and kept us competitive in others. Hes earned the right to not have to look over his shoulder at a first round replacement. The defense is what is in need of an overhaul, as they couldn’t stop anyone from scoring. That being said, I hope we are able to draft a project QB with upside, like Kaepernick, and let him sit for a few years with a clipboard. By then we should be solid in the trenches, and allow a young QB to play with confidence, instead of fearing for his own safety.
no he wasnt the reason we lost at all we have a lack of talent in alot of places is the biggest thing. i also am not complacent he is not a long term answer at starting qb but a short one. i want him to stay in a bills jrsey but in two or three years he shldnt be the startr in my eyes. and if theres a guy you think is gonna be a franchise qb at #3 you take him. you dnt pass cause fitz had a decent year. plus no one plays worse because they have competition it only makes ppl better. but i also do like colin as a qb option for us to take in th draft. as well as gabbert
I’ll reserve judgment as to whether Fitz should be the long term starter based on next season. If he plays like he did in 2010, then I’d have no problem seeing him as our long term starter.
by maestro110584 on Feb 25, 2011 5:29 PM EST up reply actions
I would have a problem with that. If he plays regularly like he did against Cincy and Baltimore, than I could see him as a long term starter. But in the other games he made some costly mistakes with regularity. I’ve said all along that I want to see what he can do with a full offseason as the starter, and I stand by that. But I can certainly see that we need an upgrade to be truly competitive in this league.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
Please, please, please, please, please............
I hope some team jumps up to trade with us.
Fitz is good enough for a few years.
Cincy, Arizona, San Fran, Titans, and Skins could all jump up since they are close to us in the draft. Vikings also need a QB, but I don’t see them blowing a bunch of picks trying to trade up.
With these teams, it wouldn’t be much of a trade-down, we will get extra picks (which we desparately need) and we could take a developmental QB in round 2.
"Adversity is an opportunity for heroism." Marv Levy.
by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Feb 25, 2011 3:31 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
Unless the FO is supremely confident in one of the developmental projects, I really don’t want another one. I would like someone to come in and, after a year or two learning, step in as the franchise guy.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
“I think he plays good enough we can win and get to the playoffs with Fitz,”
I realize you have to get to the playoffs before winning a SB, but I think this is telling – Nix thinks he’s good, but limited enough where he’s not the QB solution (or at least that’s my interpretation).
If they’re sold on Gabbert and/or Newton they’ll pull the trigger.
yah they confidence in him that they can win games and win playoff games with him but not the super bowl is the same confidence i have about him after last season. hes above average in gaileys system which he tends to make guys look good thank god lol. their looking for a franchise guy but i dnt see them letting go of fitz good back up once a franchise guy is developed and if the qb we draft at some point what ever round it is fitz is a very good fall back plan
Fitz is only 28, build around the other side of the ball, and in the trenches, Fitz was above average at QB this year, yes, ABOVE AVERAGE, If our defense had played better and some balls had bounced our way we could have been 9-7, 10-6 under Fitz, for real.
I for one would be excited to see Brett Farve in a Bills uniform next year
-Anonymous
This
How many close games did we lose b/c the opponents ran all over us?
Plus you gotta love a QB that is willing to block a DT (forgot who) and Palomalu in order to give Freddie some extra running room.
by maestro110584 on Feb 25, 2011 5:31 PM EST up reply actions
Fitz will start this year.
Many people are running around saying he is not a long term solution and not giving the guy the credit he is due. He earned the starting job. Give him a better supporting cast and a full season to see what he’s got. No QB coming out of this draft can even come close to filling his shoes right now and bringing in his replacement would be seriously detrimental to this team. He didn’t just play well, either. He earned the respect of his team mates. The rally around him. All of this Newton talk is making me nauseous.
he is not a long term option the fact that you bring someone in is detrimental to this team is outrageous if that waas the case we wldnt of had a good locker room like we did when we drafted spiller and had to decent running backs. nix and gailey have stated at times that they are looking for a potential franchise qb mens dun dun dun means they dnt think fitz is a long term answer either. as good as he performed and yes a rookies nto gonna do better but a rookies gonna sit 1-2 years not start. right away. he was still in the bottom ten in qb performance for what its worth and personally i hate the fact that bills fans will fight tooth and tail for guys who are slighty above average because their blue collar guys like poz and fits. fitz had a decent year and thats all and saying he performed enough to become a franchise qb and to not draft a guy if u think he can be ur franchise guy is absurd. its not like he even completed over 60% of his passes
Your overall points are good. But wasn’t Breeze kinda mediocre for a while?
Rich Gannon?
Matt Schuab?
Jim Plunkett?
Phil Simms?
Dan Fouts?
Ron Jaws?
Steve Young?
Joe Thighsbreakman?
All of these guys were pretty crappy there first 3-5 seasons. Some did not have success until they were on their 2nd team.
Fitz is going to peak and WOW us this year. Don’t count him out.
"Adversity is an opportunity for heroism." Marv Levy.
by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Feb 25, 2011 5:56 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
That would make me happy on so many levels.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
If anyone bothers to do any further research.........
…… a lot of “Hall of Fame” QBs had overall crappy numbers.
"Adversity is an opportunity for heroism." Marv Levy.
by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Feb 25, 2011 8:32 PM EST up reply actions
not peak flourish if he peaks i want it to be in a super bowl not a non playoff year lol
fitz is on what his third or fourth team lol just puttin out there. i wld love for the guy to flourish and and what not but until he does ill still doubt him more than belive cause come on since when have we been that lucky. i wld always love to have a back up plan. and breeze wasnt mediocre he sucked till they drafted rivers lol.Phill sims is a pre madonna that was overated imo. i actually dnt want gabbert or newton i want colin in the 4th or 3rd wherever his value is at. and i wld love for fitz to become a franchise guy
whoa!
I dont think there are many here that arent giving the man his due respect. My opinion, and many others as well, is that he is servicable, above average even. There is a difference between the Fitzpatrick’s, Garrard’s, Brad Johnson types and a franchise guy. I have reservations about Newton, but his physical abilities are not one of them. Just looking toward the future, that’s all.
"Jay Park is cool, he just says stupid things..."~All Jay Park's friends
by HurricaneJay on Feb 25, 2011 5:00 PM EST up reply actions
Fitzy!!!!!!!!
Im a big fan of the Amish Rifle.
i’m sure i’m going to regret this conversation… but what the hell - J2
by poz on Feb 25, 2011 5:00 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
I’m shocked! ;-)
"Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends. We're so glad you could attend, come inside, come inside" - ELP
his teammates
named him that when he had his beard I believe, its just a great name!
i’m sure i’m going to regret this conversation… but what the hell - J2
You know what.....
Asked yesterday whether he regretted starting Fitzpatrick on the bench in 2010, Gailey was quick to admit his regret.
“Yeah. Shoot yeah,” Gailey exclaimed.
He may never coach us to the playoffs, but man do I respect Chan Gailey. He’s a straight shooter and man’s up to his mistakes. The more I listen to him the more I like him as a human being.
I WILL TAKE MY BUFFALO NATION EVERY TIME NO MATTER WHAT THE ODDS . STAND AND CHEER YOUR BUFFALO NATION WILL NEVER TURN YOUR BACK ON YOU, ONE BATTLE IS NOT THE END WE WILL COME BACK AND SURVIVE FOR ANOTHER DAY , OUR TIME WILL COME WE WILL NOT SURRENDER -abayarde
And...
He can improve. But we’ve got to stop the turnovers. If we can do that, I think we give ourselves a chance to be a successful offense.
You could substitute “coaching mistakes” for “turnovers” in that statement ;-). Just sayin’- ha ha.
I WILL TAKE MY BUFFALO NATION EVERY TIME NO MATTER WHAT THE ODDS . STAND AND CHEER YOUR BUFFALO NATION WILL NEVER TURN YOUR BACK ON YOU, ONE BATTLE IS NOT THE END WE WILL COME BACK AND SURVIVE FOR ANOTHER DAY , OUR TIME WILL COME WE WILL NOT SURRENDER -abayarde
Turn-Overs
I took it to mean that Fitz needs to stop throwing picks to improve. Fitz had a few costly picks, his fault or receiver’s I don’t know. Won’t win many games throwing it away though.
QB or D? What are we gonna do at #3?
by buffalobacker on Feb 25, 2011 5:50 PM EST up reply actions
yeah....
that’s how I took it too. I was just poking fun at Chan.
I WILL TAKE MY BUFFALO NATION EVERY TIME NO MATTER WHAT THE ODDS . STAND AND CHEER YOUR BUFFALO NATION WILL NEVER TURN YOUR BACK ON YOU, ONE BATTLE IS NOT THE END WE WILL COME BACK AND SURVIVE FOR ANOTHER DAY , OUR TIME WILL COME WE WILL NOT SURRENDER -abayarde
I too respect Chan the man. I think the players do as well, which bodes well for a young team. I am still of the belief that Chan can take us to a better place.
i’m sure i’m going to regret this conversation… but what the hell - J2
It sure would be nice if that was the Promised Land!!!
I’d love to see Fitzy holding that Vince Lombardi trophy in the air with huge ray of sunlight pouring in Giants Stadium during the bliizzard that occurs during that Super Bowl :). (honestly you can insert any quarterback’s name in there and I wouldn’t care)
I WILL TAKE MY BUFFALO NATION EVERY TIME NO MATTER WHAT THE ODDS . STAND AND CHEER YOUR BUFFALO NATION WILL NEVER TURN YOUR BACK ON YOU, ONE BATTLE IS NOT THE END WE WILL COME BACK AND SURVIVE FOR ANOTHER DAY , OUR TIME WILL COME WE WILL NOT SURRENDER -abayarde
I like Fitz and can See Gabbert or Newton as a real risk at 3
I like Petterson or Quinn at 3, then Locker if he is available at 2 or M. Wilson.
"The Buffalo Bills have just exploded all over the Cincinnati Bangles"
-Steve Tasker-
irony and i love fitz as much as the next guy
eveyrone is a risk at 3 but the bigest risk is takin a guy who hasnt played on the field in a year. ala robert quinn. i think hes gonna be one of those guys you find in the 2nd round like marvin austin. and i wld love if fitz peaked next year and became the next brees and so on and if we really want him to flourish i say draft Aj green number at number 3. cld u imagine green, evans, stevie, and parish in a 4 wide set that wld be impressive and at times u motion spiller out into the slot. and dnt forget when we go five wide outs nelson or jones out there now thats a nice receive core lol
Can someone please post Sanchez’s average 2010 stats compared to Fitz’s? Someone responded to my comment on another post with the stats but I cannot for the life of me find it.
Sanchez: 16 (games) 278/507 (comp/att) 54.8% (comp%) 3291 (yards) 17 (TD) 13 (INT) 75.3 (QBrating)
Fitzpatrick: 13 (games) 255/441 (comp/att) 57.8% (comp%) 3000 (yards) 23 (TD) 15 (INT) 81.8 (QBrating)
So yea, Fitz had a better completion percentage, more TDs, and almost as many yards in 3 less games. And a better QB rating. Fitz>Sanchez IMO
"Ability without character will lose. The Bills are going to be a team of high character. That stamp I will push very hard. I hope we can convey that to our fans and project something very special to the rest of the nation." - Marv Levy
by BuffaloBlueBlood on Feb 26, 2011 10:55 AM EST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
Also, for reference:
Chad Henne had a better completion percentage (61.4%) but threw way less TDs (15) and more INTs (19) for nearly the same passer rating as Sanchez (75.4).
In conclusion: Fitzpatrick Is The Second Best QB In The AFC EAST.
"Ability without character will lose. The Bills are going to be a team of high character. That stamp I will push very hard. I hope we can convey that to our fans and project something very special to the rest of the nation." - Marv Levy
by BuffaloBlueBlood on Feb 26, 2011 11:04 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
better and worse.
theres better qbs in the league but theres worse. i think we keep him as a starter and put some better players around him. johnson was the only real wr he had to throw to
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