Gailey has ‘shot’ at improving Bills’ offense
By Doug Farrar, Special to Yahoo! Sports
Biggest problem in 2009: The Invisible Quarterback Syndrome
The Bills’ new coach Chan Gailey was the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator in 2008. (AP Photo/ David Duprey)
When the Buffalo Bills selected Clemson running back C.J. Spiller(notes) with the ninth overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft, fan reaction was decidedly mixed. On one hand, Spiller’s playmaking ability projected to help a desperately underachieving Bills offense. But the primary reason for that underachievement, the lack of a franchise quarterback, was not addressed until the seventh round of the draft (Levi Brown). Not only did the Bills pass on potential pro signal-callers like Jimmy Clausen(notes), Colt McCoy(notes), and Tim Tebow(notes), they also eschewed the opportunities for veterans Donovan McNabb(notes) and Jason Campbell(notes). Curious decisions, given the plug-in nature of those free-agent patch jobs to a passing game that scared nobody in 2009.
Last season, the Bills were “led” statistically by Ryan Fitzpatrick(notes), a Harvard grad who has never thrown more touchdowns than interceptions in any one season in his four-year career. Trent Edwards(notes), king of the check downs, had just two of his 183 pass attempts travel more than 40 yards in the air last season. Brian Brohm(notes), the former Louisville star signed from Green Bay’s practice squad, has as good a chance to grab the starting job as anyone, a fact that new head coach Chan Gailey recently confirmed.
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By Doug Farrar, Special to Yahoo! Sports
Biggest problem in 2009: The Invisible Quarterback Syndrome
The Bills’ new coach Chan Gailey was the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator in 2008. (AP Photo/ David Duprey)
When the Buffalo Bills selected Clemson running back C.J. Spiller(notes) with the ninth overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft, fan reaction was decidedly mixed. On one hand, Spiller’s playmaking ability projected to help a desperately underachieving Bills offense. But the primary reason for that underachievement, the lack of a franchise quarterback, was not addressed until the seventh round of the draft (Levi Brown). Not only did the Bills pass on potential pro signal-callers like Jimmy Clausen(notes), Colt McCoy(notes), and Tim Tebow(notes), they also eschewed the opportunities for veterans Donovan McNabb(notes) and Jason Campbell(notes). Curious decisions, given the plug-in nature of those free-agent patch jobs to a passing game that scared nobody in 2009.
Last season, the Bills were “led” statistically by Ryan Fitzpatrick(notes), a Harvard grad who has never thrown more touchdowns than interceptions in any one season in his four-year career. Trent Edwards(notes), king of the check downs, had just two of his 183 pass attempts travel more than 40 yards in the air last season. Brian Brohm(notes), the former Louisville star signed from Green Bay’s practice squad, has as good a chance to grab the starting job as anyone, a fact that new head coach Chan Gailey recently confirmed.
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