POLL: Is there anyone who is truly comfortable with our QB situation?
by ThaRealTruth on Jan 31, 2012 2:16 AM EST
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Now before I begin, I want to assure you Fitzpatrick lovers, that I am not going to waste time bashing the guy. He is under plenty of scrutiny already, he has earned our respect, and for that, he deserves our support. Is he the guy who may be manning the ship destined for the playoffs someday?(HA!... you get it? It's a PUN. Like, Manning? Ya get it? Ah, you get it.) Maybe not. Possibly so! It could be either of these, truthfully. What probably ISN'T in contention, is that Tyler Thigpen, or even Brad Smith probably aren't the guys that you envision leading us there, if Fitzpatrick got hurt/injured at some point in the season. Most teams are not as fortunate as we were this past season; rarely does any NFL team make it through the season with one starter, unless he is a very good quarterback. This too speaks on some level, to logically justifying some faith in Ryan's ability, based off his personal, and the team accomplishments this season. With some work on improved footwork, he could be downright effective, I dare say.
So what is the plan for the QB situation? Is it just a clear, foregone conclusion that we HAVE to draft someone right away, or else risk, basically not even having one at all?
To me, for the Buffalo Bills, Tyler has lived up to his long nickname of "Pig pen" as most of his work on the field, has resembled, what you are likely to find all around the ground and pigs... in a pigpen.
Brad Smith doesn't know if he is a QB, a WR, a kick returner, or what. He is waiting for someone to tell him, apparently. Can't say I wanna hand over the reigns so to speak, to him, if we had a situation where Fitzpatrick couldn't play (something worse than a rib, perhaps?) and had to field a backup. I am interested in seeing where our new QB coach can take him, given his wildcat background, but I hardly see us setting up a gimmick offense, along with our current offense, and trying to employ that, when we can't even accomplish simple route combinations/ string together first downs/ convert 3rd downs right now. (though I am a believer that had we stuck with our version of the wildcat, that we might have been able to continue to convert on 3rd down. I don't see why when he became a WR that ruled that package out.)
I don't expect that a single year is going to do much, but to some of these guys, it will contain their first off seasons, and so in some small ways, we can see just as much rapid improvement as we saw early in the season. An off-season program can do wonders for a team, and I hope that preparation will help us cross some of our hurtles, and maybe help some other decision making be less crucial, consequential, or generally curious. However, EVERYBODY gets that offseason this year, and some teams have a much much better starting foundation to build from.
So, it seems pretty clear that we have a pretty big need, at the most important position. Nothing new, same ol' same ol' right? This is a problem, we know it, we need to address it.
and..........
Still waiting.
Here we sit, now, a single snap from ZERO QBs, that we would really want to put out on the field (or we could almost hope to be good enough at a wildcat that we need not employ a QB at all, at that point). So I think, we can all clearly agree that if we somehow don't have a viable QB behind our HOPEFULLY viable starter (For me, the jury is still out on FItzpatrick in a number of ways, and so I feel whether he has earned our respect and support or not- If he continues to be inaccurate, and throw terrible footballs, and go from not helping us win games, to losing us games: we better have another option back there. )
So the questions I ask are these:
Do we sign a FA? Who might be available? Are we definitely going to draft? Is there someone like TJ Yates you are looking at, do you think we should bet the farm on Luck? Is it fine to wait another year, and expect that Thigpen isn't as bad as we have seen, it is only lack of reps, or that Brad really has the skills to be a "rebirth" of Slash? What would YOU do about the QB situation, this year, and just explain why you think that gives us a good opportunity for future success. I am curious what each of you thinks, and too often we simply enter a blip, or give the most obvious answer: We want Luck. We want RG3. Sure we do. I am open to hearing that, but: see anyone else? Follow an alma mater? Some guy you think might not make his NFL team this year, that we could try out? I think it is time for all hands on deck, we should be looking out for the future stars of this team, and finding the gems that others' might not have uncovered yet! At very least, is there a CHANCE that we could land our "QB of the Future" this season?!?!?! If so- Who is he? Will he be at the combine? Should he be? Tell me your thoughts. I would like to hear them.
Just another great fan opinion shared on the pages of BuffaloRumblings.com.
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Im comfortable with the qbs
Are offense has shown promise and with a full offseason i see only goid things
With the first pick in the 2012 draft the Indianapolis Colts select Robert Griffen III
by Gpluehri on Jan 31, 2012 3:29 AM EST via mobile reply actions
With the David Lee addition
It makes sense to wait another year. I expect improvement across the board with all 3.
Rebuilding a team properly takes time and patience
Fitzpatrick is a fringe starter in the NFL. I think there are far more starting jobs than capable QBs in the NFL and Buffalo was wise to keep Fitzpatrick in the fold because he’s capable on most Sundays and he’s a fine “bridge” until a true difference-maker is ready to roll. That being said, Buffalo’s insistence that Fitzpatrick their long-term solution at QB is pathetic in my opinion. Frankly, I feel as if Nix shied away from the extremely difficult task of identifying a QB prospect the last two years and set the franchise back more than can be quantified. Unless Fitzpatrick wakes up next year as a different player at age 30 than he’s been his entire life, Nix will have failed the Bills and his should lose his job. The faith expressed in Fitzpatrick works two ways: if Nix is right, he’s executive of the year and all the credit in the world is deservedly his. If he’s wrong, he’s the blithering idiot that should be chased out of town with pitchforks. either way, it should be settled by this time next year.
"There's only one C.J. Spiller." -Buddy Nix
by Port Royal on Jan 31, 2012 8:28 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Buffalo’s insistence that Fitzpatrick their long-term solution at QB is pathetic in my opinion
When did OBD insist he was their long-term starter. The only thing I ever remember seeing is phrases like “We can win with Fitz” and “We have to get guys around him”. In fact, if there is truth to the idea that they wanted Newton last year (and there almost certainly is) then it’s very clear that they don’t see Fitz as their long term starter.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
by stetzwebs on Jan 31, 2012 10:15 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Both Gailey and Nix have said on multiple occasions that Fitzpatrick is their guy. The contract extension was a visual committment which has been re-iterated through pressers since the season ended (despite Fitzpatrick’s miserable finish). Fitzpatrick is their guy. There’s nothing wrong with judging them for the choice they made. I’m eager to see if they were right and we’ll know for sure in less than 12 months. I can’t wait to judge viciously one way or the other.
"There's only one C.J. Spiller." -Buddy Nix
by Port Royal on Jan 31, 2012 10:23 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
I didn’t say there was anything wrong with it. If they came out and said publicly that Fitz wasn’t their guy, I would be more worried. I don’t think the contract extension (which quite obviously makes it possible for him to be traded or let go for cheap after a few years) signifies he’s their “long term answer”. To my mind, they’ve done nothing that insinuates they want Fitz to lead the team beyond 2013, which is not a long term solution.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
to be fair, you did ask:
When did OBD insist he was their long-term starter.
a six year contract is pretty much an affirmation, of an extended period of time. Not many deals are more than 6 years (can’t think of any recently) so by definition, it is pretty much long term.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
by ThaRealTruth on Jan 31, 2012 11:19 PM EST up reply actions
at the very least he is here for 3 years, since his contract is front loaded with guarenteed money.
Are we drafting Dino's now?
"6'6" monster receiver with a Terradactyl wingspan "....... Keysh67
by Billsfanstuckinthesouth on Jan 31, 2012 11:37 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, but the contract is structured, by my understanding, so that after three years it is easy to let him go, or at least stomach the idea of paying him backup money. It does not mean they want him to be the starter for 6 years. If they had indicated that they want him to start for the next six years in any way, then sure, you could say they’ve named him the long-term guy.
I understand reading into their actions, though I read into them differently. My point is that they have certainly not “insisted” anything about Fitz and the future, and the idea that they were looking to draft Newton last year indicates to me that they are looking for an upgrade.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
11,11,11,9,9,9
37(?i think) guaranteed? that basically means that his salary is less than half of his required bonus those last three years.
23 over 6 years in salary= less than 4, for each year, meaning less than half the last three years. So we will be barely paying him anything more than what he will already make. So, while i agree that they may intend him to start for 2-5 years (dependent on success), I think they also see someone who can be a good mentor, when he isn’t on the field (clipboard guy he was supposed to be when he got here). Regardless, Bills’ fans should get used to the guy, he isn’t going anywhere. He will backup the new guy someday probably, and so for that reason, we may as well get the new guy and Fitz acquainted and get this process under way.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
Fitz probably isn't getting replaced this year....
…and we’re not getting a week 1 starter at QB at #10. Regardless of what anyone says, Chan and Buddy are coaching/GMing for their jobs this year and they can’t afford to use their 1st pick on a QB who’s going to sit for a year or two. They threw their lot in with Fitz and now he’s going to play a big role in determining whether they’re here in 2013.
But that doesn’t mean QB doesn’t need to be addressed either in this draft or through free agency. Tyler Thigpen stinks. The way we’re set up right now, if Fitz gets injured or if 2nd half Fitz from 2011 shows up in the 1st half, the season is over before it began. We need to either sign a backup with a little more upside (there isn’t much out there – David Carr? Chad Henne? Brady Quinn? Dennis Dixon? David Garrard?) or draft someone with some potential in the 3rd round (Russell Wilson? Brock Osweiler? Kirk Cousins?)
by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Jan 31, 2012 8:53 AM EST reply actions 3 recs
nice response.
I feel similarly.
Chan and Buddy are coaching/GMing for their jobs this year and they can’t afford to use their 1st pick on a QB who’s going to sit for a year or two.
by the same logic though, isn’t it also as likely they “can’t afford” not to make a selection, or resolve through FA? Because here is another question: What if they do nothing? Does that not raise a pretty significant flag with you? That we almost have NO backup plan? Because we haven’t really even got a backup? That puts me into the “that thought is scary” category, for sure.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
by ThaRealTruth on Jan 31, 2012 11:23 PM EST up reply actions
I am not completly comfortable
but I am ok with waiting one more year as we are. If Fitz goes down we are in trouble, but I dont think Thigpen is as bad as most make him out. There were a few here that never liked him but most of the “Tyler sucks” bandwagon started after the pass hit in the head thing. Really? that could happen to anyone. Who here has not been distracted and looked like a fool on something at one point or another. His just got caught on TV. If you think Thigpen stinks thats fine if you base it on some factual evidence. For the most part “Pig Pen sucks” has caught on as a sort of montra simular to the “Fitz is what he is, he will never be more than a backup QB” montra of a few years back. Sure it is easy to say, and popular, but that does not make it correct. I am not trying to make Tyler into a starter, but I do think that most of the bad comments he gets here are a bit unfair. I will probably take some heat for that, but thats OK.
IMO Tyler has the potential to be a good back up QB. He has proven he can do it under Chan before, and has a lot of the good qualities that Fitz posseses. For the most part even good QB’s dont come in and play good there first year in a new system. Sure you can say that he played in Chans system before and that I am sure has helped, but it is still going to take some time to get it all together. Maybee he will never be a good back up, but I think we have to give him one solid offseason before we make that call. The one thing that concerns me the most is that our o-line does not give the QB much time and I dont know if Tyler can make the presnap reads, make adjustments, and get the ball out as quick as Fitz which will lead to more sacks and int. Count me in the group that sure hopes he never has to come in but I really think that by the start of the season some posters will be saying things like “Thigpen is not as bad as I first thought”
Please base your arguments in provable facts instead of pulling stuff out of your rear. -CanadianBillsFan- This is why talk is cheap because the supply always exceeds the demand.
I dont think Thigpen is as bad as most make him out.
care to elaborate why?
He was TERRIBLY inaccurate in his limited action, i was STOKED that Fitz completed the year. Fitz look like the seasoned veteran, and Thiggy looked, well…. I think that I would probably say he looked mostly like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtespeLin2c
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
by ThaRealTruth on Jan 31, 2012 11:27 PM EST up reply actions
How a guy looks in practice or in relief isn't a true indicator.
Not sure how long you have been a fan, but, I have 1 name for you as proof. Frank Reich. If you remember, before Kelly went down, he looked terrible every time he took the field. Then Kelly got hurt for a time and Reich stepped in (after a week of practice as the starter) and played well against the Rams (on MNF). It was the first time anyone had ever seen Reich play after he got to practice for the whole week.
My point is that, until a guy gets to practice for a week, you never really know what you have in him. He is familiar with Chan’s system. I see no reason why that if he is called into action, after a week of solid starter practice snaps, that he won’t do okay.
Frank Reich. If you remember, before Kelly went down, he looked terrible every time he took the field.
Actually, what I remember about Frank Reich was that he led our team to and through the playoffs, when Jim Kelly was injured, and there is still some contention that we might have won that Super Bowl, had we started the guy who had gotten us there THAT year, instead of putting in Jim Kelly, fresh off (possibly still feeling an) injury. So on that matter, I will completely disagree.
I understand limited action will hinder you some. What I don’t believe, is that he isn’t responsible for his own mechanics at all, and even in limited action, he threw footballs that looked like a 7 year old, who could barely hold the ball, but that was somehow capable of throwing past 15 yards. That is not an exaggeration. It looked like he was blindfolded, and aiming for a 3 pointer at the buzzer, on every throw.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
Go back further
There was a time that Reich was considered terrible. The worse back up in the league. If Kelly would go down for a game, he’d come in and throw 2 picks and really put the game out of touch. Here was a typical substitution for him:
9 out of 19 for 104 yards 0 TD and 2 INT. His preseason games were horrible. Just horrible. When he got the nod to step in for Kelly for 3 weeks, the first game was a Monday night game against the Rams. He was shaky and won the game on a last second Reich to Reed TD where Reed caught the ball in the end zone and was forced out of it and tackled at the 2. They ruled he caught it in the end zone and that ended the play and gave Buffalo a TD and the win. He was terrible before that.
I'd rather go out in a blaze of glory, then slowly fade away in the antiquities of time.
well, i suppose you can omit any amount of statistics
to make a point, if you like. But that doesn’t refute my argument, really at all. I can name you a number of games where Brady played poor. Or Marino, or Elway or Namath.
Do those bad games amount to more than their sum of good games? I suppose you can disregard the guy who was with us for 9 years, and in the league for 13. He must have been doing SOMETHING right. Oh yeah, and he not only holds the NFL record for greatest comeback of all time, he owns the NCAA record also.
One could argue, that if not for Kelly deciding to show up when it seemed more opportune, former 3rd round pick Reich may have been at the helm for our now “storied” past. You can believe he is terrible. I am not going to pass that kind of judgement on a guy who surely could have been capable, as he proved to be, when it was necessary. He did win playoff games. so TERRIBLE- i don’t agree with.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
I wonder what Gailey does with Nesbitt
flayed ones stealth mode
"Fleshling! Do not shoot! For I am one of you fleshy things. It is I. Your Uncle Stan. Can't you tell by the long strips of fleshy substances covered in bodily fluids? Trust me! I have fleeeeeeeeesh."
i imagine he stays a safety for the scout team, but if we could draft a safety
and let him run some wild cat stuff w/ B-Rad Smith… they could end up being a nasty duo. I just am not sure whether we are anywhere near having a line that can do both styles or if there is a way to incorporate the zone pass blocking/spread running/ wildcat… he was experimenting around this year, interesting what an offseason with Lee could maybe help him figure out. This is something that has me highly intrigued.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
by ThaRealTruth on Jan 31, 2012 11:29 PM EST up reply actions
Give him a good defense
And a healthy offense and he is fine. If he goes down, we are screwed anyways. There is no FA QB out there worth anything more then Thigpen. Seriously, who is out there? So, we will live or die by Fitz’s hand. If he does get hurt, Chan and Nix could get a free pass.
If he does get hurt, Chan and Nix could get a free pass.
Thats why they have Nancy Kerrigans attacker on speed dial then. It’s all making sense now lol
flayed ones stealth mode
"Fleshling! Do not shoot! For I am one of you fleshy things. It is I. Your Uncle Stan. Can't you tell by the long strips of fleshy substances covered in bodily fluids? Trust me! I have fleeeeeeeeesh."
no free pass,
they could have drafted TJ Yates instead of chris white when they had 2 starters at RB on the roster
Okay with Fitz for now
I like Fitz, very much, and think he’ll be improved this year. However, I am very much not comfortable with our backups. I really don’t know what to do about them, unfortunately. Is Quinn still available? I’d take him over Thigpen.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
Need a young mid to early round draft pick to learn behind Fitz, but not be a lightening rod (1st rounder) for the perpetual echos from BB fans calling to rush in the young QB the first time Fitz throws and interception.
1964 and 1965 League Champions, and don't you forget it!
Favorite Fitzpatrick Related Press: "Somehow turned graduating from Harvard and excelling in his career into a surprising succes story" The Onion
Im willing to give Fitz another year in this system
He is not great, but he is better than anything we have had or will have at the start of next year. We are not going to trade up and get luck, which would be smart for any team to do, so blow that out of your mind. So knowing this organization, I am willing to improve the defense and build around Fitz for now until we decide we want a franchise QB when we pick in the top 5 again….My only issue is his paycheck. I wish he would give some of that money to nix to convince him to resign Steve Johnson
Among the 20% that think Buffalo should draft a QB.
Re-starting the official Buffalo "Draft a quarterback in the First Round in 2012" campaign.
They need to draft one of THEE QBs. Not A QB. So to me, they needed to finish poor enough to get in the conversation about RG3 (Luck wasn’t on tap for anyone not finishing last), or try again next year with a guy like Barkley. I’m not so sure these later round grades are a wise place to fish for franchise material.
"Son. People can see you!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Feb 1, 2012 4:07 PM EST up reply actions
Need to draft a QB
tannehill or foles in the second. Osweiler or BJ Cunningham in the 3rd-5th.
With the 10th Pick in the 2012 NFL Draft the Buffalo Bills select Dont'a Hightower LB Alabama.
not BJ Cunningham
I was thinking of something else. Osweiler in the 4th.
With the 10th Pick in the 2012 NFL Draft the Buffalo Bills select Dont'a Hightower LB Alabama.
Coleman was who I was thinking of
With the 10th Pick in the 2012 NFL Draft the Buffalo Bills select Dont'a Hightower LB Alabama.
Colemans got tools
wonder if nix still has ties to UT Chatanooga
flayed ones stealth mode
"Fleshling! Do not shoot! For I am one of you fleshy things. It is I. Your Uncle Stan. Can't you tell by the long strips of fleshy substances covered in bodily fluids? Trust me! I have fleeeeeeeeesh."
I voted Draft one
Brock Osweiller i think would be a good fit….dude has a cannon arm and could be picked up with one of our extra fourth rounders.
Why would he be a good fit? He doesn’t have much in the legs dep’t, but is he quick with the release? Chan’s offense seems more about speed than deep bombs…
by Ian MacPersonoid on Jan 31, 2012 6:14 PM EST up reply actions
Pick one up
If we go into next year with Fitz I’m ok, however from the bottom up I see Smith as a 4th string disaster QB, Thigpen as third ( I’m not impressed ) and ideally Fitz playing 2012 and moving into a number 2 slot. Problem is as always WHO is worthy to snag up and become a pad wan to Fitz. Need a young guy who can get it together in a year or two. Grow mentally, physically while being competitive yet humble. I’ve seen some names around the posts and think a 4th or 5th rounder may do….3 to 4 years up the road I don’t think Fitz’s $ will matter that much for a competent 2nd stringer. Way to many season ending injuries and or first stringers playing at 75% because they are busted up. ( essentially making them 2nd string anyhow). Just wish Fitz had alittle more deep ball ability.
waiting for the combine for a full endorsement, myself
but i am certainly thinking similarly right now. He has a learning curve, but he has time to learn. He has skill set necessary for this offense (saw it at Senior Bowl in limited time/work with guys) and he is likely not going to be a first round selection, unless he does outstanding at pro day after excelling at the combine, where he could only be invited to throw for DBS and stuff for all we know. What I can say for certain, is he should at least be a consideration, anytime after the mid to late second at latest, and as soon as our second pick, honestly. IMO
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
Well
I’d quess Ralph Wilson is truly comfortable with QB situation. WR another discussion! :)
No Worries. All Good.
I don't think it's the QB, I think it's the WRs that's the problem
For the most part at least. I’m fine with Thigpen, I don’t think he’s nearly as incompetent as people make him out to be.
Go Buffalo Bills, Utah Jazz, and Arkansas Razorbacks
OUR KING DOME IS HOLLY GROUND YOU CAN ENTER BUT YOU WILL LEAVE WITH OUT A SOUL - Abayarde, Buffalo Rumblings
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