Who would have thought that six games into the 2008 NFL regular season, we'd be sitting here with the belief that the Buffalo Bills have finally answered the team's longest-standing question: "Who replaces Jim Kelly?" Who would have thought that the Bills would be 5-1 under the leadership and direction of 24-year-old Trent Edwards, the least media-sexy star quarterback in today's NFL?
"Donte Whitner" may be the only correct response to either of those questions. At least, his name might be the only one I believe in response to that question.
The ascent of Trent Edwards has been one of the more unique arrivals in the NFL over the past two seasons. Let's get this out of the way early: no quarterback that throws 5 touchdown passes in 5 full games will ever be considered one of the best at his position by the "expert" media we're forced to endure. It doesn't matter. Bills opponents know that Edwards is the real deal, and more importantly, so do his teammates. That question about the franchise quarterback? Consider it answered. Buffalo has found its leader.
Yes. There is finally - mercifully - a TON to be excited about surrounding the quarterback position in Buffalo. Why not celebrate it?
We heart stats, too
Edwards numbers!
- When Edwards completed 25 of 30 passes in yesterday's win over San Diego, he set a franchise record by completing 83.3 percent of his passes. The previous record holder? A certain guy with surname Kelly, who completed 82.8 percent of his passes in a 1994 contest. Yeah, it's been a while.
- Edwards is currently the league's fourth-highest rated passer, with a passer rating of 98.8. He's tied with Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers, with San Diego's Philip Rivers, Dallas' Tony Romo, and Arizona's Kurt Warner leading the way. Not bad company.
- Prior to the season, offensive coordinator Turk Schonert told ESPN's John Clayton that he'd like his offense to hit the 8 yards-per-passing-attempt mark; he claimed that all elite quarterbacks and efficient offenses reached that mark. To date, Edwards is averaging exactly 8 yards per attempt. The Bills are scoring 24.8 points per game; 26.4 in non-Cardinals games.
- Edwards has now appeared in 16 games in his young career. The Bills are 10-6 in those contests. 15 of them have been starts; they're 10-5 in those games. The team is 9-5 in games Edwards has finished.
- 69.7 percent of Edwards' throws this season have gone for completions. He ranks fifth in that category behind Rivers, Drew Brees, Romo and Miami's Chad Pennington, our next opponent.
- Where Trent is currently "lacking" is in the more meaningful statistics. His five touchdowns are good for 19th in the league, a rank he also holds in passing yardage. As Edwards matures with his teammates within Schonert's offense, it's crazy to think that these numbers aren't coming. There's still a degree of patience required with Edwards.
Sound off
We haven't had the opportunity to be this excited about a Buffalo Bills quarterback in quite some time. The trade for Drew Bledsoe might count, but Bledsoe's excitement level never rivaled the good feelings that folks had about Jim Kelly.
I'm looking for opinions here. How far onto the Edwards bandwagon are you? Do you get a Jim Kelly-like, "the Bills can win any game in which Edwards plays" vibe? Still reserving judgment after years of watching torturous Bills quarterback play? What impresses you most about Edwards? Nothing but good feelings this Monday morning, and the story starts and ends with #5. Go.