With opening-day starter Trent Edwards reportedly on his way to IR (that has not happened yet, by the way - either way, he's not playing any time soon) and de facto starter Ryan Fitzpatrick dealing with an ailing ankle, second-year quarterback Brian Brohm will start for the Buffalo Bills today in Atlanta. It will be Brohm's first career NFL start. Jason La Canfora first broke the news via Twitter.
Signed by the Bills off of Green Bay's practice squad on November 19, Brohm will take the reigns of Buffalo's offense with less than six weeks' worth of (mostly scout team) work in offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt's system. He'll also be playing behind the eighth starting iteration of Buffalo's offensive line; Bills quarterbacks have thus far been sacked 44 times this season.
A second-round draft pick of Green Bay in 2008, Brohm found himself on the Packers' practice squad to begin this season after he was beaten out for backup quarterback duties by draft classmate Matt Flynn, a seventh-round pick last season. Upon Buffalo's firing of Dick Jauron, the Bills signed Brohm to be their third quarterback - a project player that, ideally, would never see the field in 2009.
2009 has been anything but ideal for Buffalo, however, and Brohm will get the nod in Atlanta. In his only extensive work this season - which just happened to be pre-season football in Green Bay - Brohm completed 39 of 62 passes (63%) for 299 yards, with no touchdowns, three interceptions, and a passer rating of 54.4. His potential does, however, remain solid, as he has a considerable amount of talent and set several passing records in four seasons at Louisville.
In light of Brohm's starting nod, we would like all of our dear readers here at Buffalo Rumblings to verify that you have read the below pledge and agreed to its terms.
I, faithful Buffalo Rumbler, pledge that I have read the below terms, fully understand them, and will abide by them in future interactions on this most excellent of blogs.
- As the odds against Mr. Brohm are longer than Buffalo's current playoff drought, I vow to never speak a word against the man if he flops horribly in this game, or in any other games he plays for the Buffalo Bills in 2009.
- As Buffalo's quarterback position currently carries a powerful curse, I vow to not get too overwhelmingly excited if Mr. Brohm flashes even a few seconds' worth of competence, for fear of subjecting him to said curse.
- In accordance with the above two terms, I am fully aware that we will learn absolutely nothing of true value about Brian Brohm in this start, and vow to make this known by reply comment to this thread.
Signed,
[Insert your name]