FanPost

No Fitz = No Mario


Rare is the comment section on Buffalo Rumblings that avoids a Fitzpatrick bashing. Be it a story about the backup safety situation or potential kickoff return personnel, there's almost always a comment that expresses disdain for the Bills quarterback.

Some of my favorite site veterans are habitual offenders. Folks who have been commenting for years with insight and passion complain about him constantly and very predictably. It ranges from the passive aggressive "I just don't trust Fitzy," to "OMG fitztragic SUCKZ" insights.

Is it a problem that most Rumblers want an upgrade at the game's most important position? Not at all. Fitzy makes poor decisions. He has deep ball issues. His footwork is unorthodox. A smart franchise will have a young developmental QB. I'd bet there isn't a single soul in Bills Nation who would not want a guy like that. It's clear to everyone and their mom that a top ten signal caller is the best way to win playoff games. Everyone wants a Tom Brady caliber quarterback on their team. Everyone. No one is saying "just wait, Ryan Fitzpatrick will be a top 5 QB." Besides stating the obvious, there is no problem with wanting an upgrade.

The problem lies in the refusal to see how Fitzpatrick is a huge blessing to the Buffalo Bills. And this problem manifests into the endless stream of complaints on Rumblings. It's time to stop, y'all. It's beyond old and pointless to boot. Nix wants to field the best team he can. When it comes time to upgrade, Nix will. But he will do it under the right circumstances. So, yes, until then, all the negative comments are a problem. Do yourself a favor and accept what it is right now. Try to come up with something original to complain about. We know you want a better QB. Trust me. We know.

Now on to the blessing part that I'm sure many are questioning. The key concept here is a distinct type of stability. The type of stability that I'm taking about in this case deals less with play on the field than it does with emotions, leadership, and team chemistry, and Fitzy has a rare quality. Much more talented quarterbacks have fizzled in the league because they didn't have it. It's important that Chan Gailey has a QB he can communicate well with and trust.
The investment made to acquire Fitz was minimal, and the new contract was not laden with tons of money upfront or given to an unproven rookie or free agent. The price is decent and the value is part of the reason I'm making the case that he's a blessing to the Bills.

Because of the stability afforded by Fitzpatrick, Buddy Nix has been able to concentrate on building the rest of the roster. He has not been forced to dedicate the majority of his efforts and energy on a QB search. Looking back on the prospects that this regime passed on, it's worked in their favor when consideration is given to the high percentage of guys that didn't work as hoped. You can say Andy Dalton, but I'll have plenty of Jimmy Clausens and Kevin Kolbs to prove he's an exception.

Ryan Fitzpatrick earned his job by buying into Chan's system and staying the course as Trent Edwards made his famous regression. He has shown the ability to compete against great teams, and at times looks like a really good QB. Overall, I rate him as an average NFL QB, and that's a pretty good thing to have on your football team, when many NFL teams dot have one, and when compared to the list of Bills QBs since Machine Gun Kelly. Drew Bledsoe and Doug Flutie are the exceptions as good QBs, but in hindsight, were either of those guys Buffalo Bills franchise QBs?

To not acknowledge the stability that this football franchise has received from Fitzpatrick for such a modest price is akin to a whiny child who doesn't appreciate his toys while constantly pestering his parents about what the neighbor's kids have. How much of the constant complaining comes from the fact that Fitz was many people's second or third choice behind Edwards and Brian Brohm? If a QB was selected high in the draft, but had the same struggles as Fitz, would the same people be defending the draftee because of perceived value? I know the immediate reaction to this situation would include a statement about upside, but that's no guarantee, and nearly everyone had their mind made up about Fitzpatrick's potential before he proved he can win a big game.
If and when the Bills find the next franchise man to pilot the to a championship, he will be standing on Fitzpatrick's shoulders. Appreciate this, my fellow Rumblers.

Here are some hypotheticals to help frame my view and explain the title:

Where would Stevie Johnson be today if the Bills didn't get lucky with a decent and stable influence from Fitz? Does Fred Jackson break out as one of the most dangerous weapons in the football world without a consistent QB presence?

Would Mario Williams have signed with the Bills if had any other QB that Nix passed on in the draft or free agency? Would Nix have even pursued him if the QB situation was in flux?

Thank you for reading my whining and complaining post ;) I'm not expecting anything to change, but I've been wanting to say this for a while.

Just another great fan opinion shared on the pages of BuffaloRumblings.com.