Swimming against the current, My view of the bills, Fitz and the draft. [Archive] - BillsZone.com

Bufftp

11-21-2010, 04:54 PM

Nighthawk

11-21-2010, 04:59 PM

HAMMER

11-21-2010, 05:19 PM

Fitz is a leader, Fitz can read defenses, Fitz has a good arm, Fitz is smart. If Fitz can fix a couple of awful throws a game we have our franchise QB.

Nighthawk

11-21-2010, 05:19 PM

Fitz is a leader, Fitz can read defenses, Fitz has a good arm, Fitz is smart. If Fitz can fix a couple of awful throws a game we have our franchise QB.

Yikes...

SquishDaFish

11-21-2010, 05:21 PM

If we have a chance at luck we take him hands down. If not then I agree with all you said

Bufftp

11-21-2010, 05:26 PM

If we have a chance at luck we take him hands down. If not then I agree with all you said
I don't disagree at all. Nighthawk is assuming two things he is coming out and that we will be in position to pick him.

Also we need to sign some free agents. Losing all the rest of our games will hurt that. Showing we are improving by winning more will help that.

imbondz

11-21-2010, 05:26 PM

Demon

11-21-2010, 05:27 PM

Fitz is a leader, Fitz can read defenses, Fitz has a good arm, Fitz is smart. If Fitz can fix a couple of awful throws a game we have our franchise QB.

OMG......

:crazy:

The Warrior

11-21-2010, 05:29 PM

Fitz is a leader, Fitz can read defenses, Fitz has a good arm, Fitz is smart. If Fitz can fix a couple of awful throws a game we have our franchise QB.

Franchise QB you are going way too far into that. Wait till season's end my friend then we will discuss that. Lots of games still to be played and right now too early.

Bufftp

11-21-2010, 05:34 PM

it's too early to say all that about a winning atmostphere. a winning culture takes more than 2 wins against bad teams. But so far Gailey seems like the right fit for Buffalo. Not sure if he can take this team to the next level, we'll see.
I didn't say we arrived to a winning culture yet.
I did say the foundation for one is being laid. We won't have one till we win more often than not.

But I see two things that are elements of it. Never quitting and passion for what they do. Two important elements.

The one thing that I was curious today to see was how they responded to winning last week. They got the goose egg off their record and wouldn't have the "pressure" of going winless. They got behind 28-7. They came back, they didn't fold and won. That speaks volume.

Michael82

11-21-2010, 05:34 PM

Fitz is a leader, Fitz can read defenses, Fitz has a good arm, Fitz is smart. If Fitz can fix a couple of awful throws a game we have our franchise QB.
I still say that if both of the Bengals starting safeties never got hurt and stayed in the game, the Bills would have lost this game in a blowout. And Fitzpatrick would have been pulled by the start of the 4th quarter after throwing 4 interceptions.

X-Era

11-21-2010, 05:39 PM

I didn't say we arrived to a winning culture yet.
I did say the foundation for one is being laid. We won't have one till we win more often than not.

But I see two things that are elements of it. Never quitting and passion for what they do. Two important elements.

The one thing that I was curious today to see was how they responded to winning last week. They got the goose egg off their record and wouldn't have the "pressure" of going winless. They got behind 28-7. They came back, they didn't fold and won. That speaks volume. I think having so few penalties is telling on how this team is developing as well. I agree, we are on the way up. But prove it against really good teams... that's the next big hurdle, and with our talent, it's a big one.

Don't Panic

11-21-2010, 05:45 PM

My new least favorite term: Franchise QB. What the hell does it mean? If it means a QB that a franchise can feel comfortable with for the next few years, then yes, Fitz may just be our Franchise QB. Dude is far from perfect and has areas he can still improve on, but there are at least a dozen teams that would trade their garbage QB for him and probably another dozen that would have to think long and hard about whether they have a better QB situation than ours.

HAMMER

11-21-2010, 05:51 PM

I still say that if both of the Bengals starting safeties never got hurt and stayed in the game, the Bills would have lost this game in a blowout. And Fitzpatrick would have been pulled by the start of the 4th quarter after throwing 4 interceptions.

Gailey will not pull Fitz, he is going to make a couple throws a game that make you cringe but he makes some absolutely stunning throws that put this team in position to win.

Extremebillsfan247

11-21-2010, 05:51 PM

Do you want Jake Delhomme or a franchise QB? Fitz reminds me of a guy who can be average and win some games, but never good enough to carry the team to the ultimate prize. When you have a shot at what should be a very good, franchise QB or keep an "all right" guy at the position, I'm going to take the franchise guy every day of the week. To add weight to the opps argument here the Ravens won a Superbowl with Trent Dilfer. I know, the Ravens Defense was phenomenal that year right? but if we had a better defense, you have to wonder how far that could actually take us even with a guy like Fitzpatrick who I know is a better QB than Dilfer was. lol JMO

Joe Fo Sho

11-21-2010, 05:51 PM

Fitz is a leader, Fitz can read defenses, Fitz has a good arm, Fitz is smart. If Fitz can fix a couple of awful throws a game we have our franchise QB.

That is a bold statement, sir. Very bold...

more cowbell

11-21-2010, 05:52 PM

As Bill Parcells once said "You guys think we can just dial 1-800 and find a quarterback"

Where exactly is there a Franchise QB in this draft besides Luck who most likely isn't going to enter the draft, and even if he does...will most likely be picked before us.

By the way Carson Palmer is a "Franchise QB" and he's been fantastic lately...

Oh yeah, and Peyton Manning has thrown 2 interceptions today...and has looked erratic at times.

This "Franchise QB" we're looking for is almost a myth...Can we do better than Fitzptrick? Probaly...Could we do a LOT WORSE than Fitzpatrick? Like starting a rookie? Yep.

This team needs D E F E N S E

HAMMER

11-21-2010, 06:00 PM

My new least favorite term: Franchise QB. What the hell does it mean? If it means a QB that a franchise can feel comfortable with for the next few years, then yes, Fitz may just be our Franchise QB. Dude is far from perfect and has areas he can still improve on, but there are at least a dozen teams that would trade their garbage QB for him and probably another dozen that would have to think long and hard about whether they have a better QB situation than ours.

This is a great post. Contrary to what many think, you don't have to be Tom Brady or a Manning to be a franchise QB.

X-Era

11-21-2010, 06:05 PM

To me a franchise QB is a guy who has, or you have confidence will, lead you to the SB and/or win it.

When Fitz does that, I will call him a franchise QB. Can He? I think it's unlikely, but possible.

Besides, who says we can't get both a franchise QB and upgrade the defense?

Beebe's Kid

11-21-2010, 06:14 PM

Fitz is a leader, Fitz can read defenses, Fitz has a good arm, Fitz is smart. If Fitz can fix a couple of awful throws a game we have our franchise QB.

Stevie Johnson - MVP!!!

I thought about flipping the station or watching WW2 in HD The Air War, but the Bills seem to make games interesting so I kept watching.Please, Hammer, don't hurt 'em!

There are some people here that really, really, really want to draft a QB...because we "know" what we have with Fitz, and he, allegedly, can't start...helluva backup, though.

If Fitz isn't starting here, he'll be starting somewhere else.

If living Fitz is wrong, I don't want to be right.

Finally, if the idea that Fitz is worth considering makes you so mad that you turn into a n uber *******... Go **** yourself... I love the takes about the ignorance, and the OMG's... I guarantee these same people are the ones that would have been yelling to bench Kelly...and they'll be yelling for the next option when Luck throws a pick. Better yet, when we don't pick first; and Luck goes somewhere else they'll start threads about how we ****ed up and won a couple games...

Oaf

11-21-2010, 06:35 PM

All I know is; there are TD passes that Fitzpatrick threw today to Stevie J that no rookie could have made because of the chemistry b/w the two. That's all I'm saying.

Don't Panic

11-21-2010, 07:01 PM

All I know is; there are TD passes that Fitzpatrick threw today to Stevie J that no rookie could have made because of the chemistry b/w the two. That's all I'm saying.

And I'm saying that and a lot, lot more.

Mr. Pink

11-21-2010, 07:06 PM

All I know is; there are TD passes that Fitzpatrick threw today to Stevie J that no rookie could have made because of the chemistry b/w the two. That's all I'm saying.

Because a rookie couldn't have developed chemistry with Stevie?

How much did Fitz and Stevie play together last year? Next to never.

Nighthawk

11-21-2010, 07:06 PM

And I'm saying that and a lot, lot more.

Ha..ha...this is hilarious.

Forward_Lateral

11-21-2010, 07:07 PM

Because a rookie couldn't have developed chemistry with Stevie?

How much did Fitz and Stevie play together last year? Next to never.

Nope. They were on the scout team together every day in practice.

Ebenezer

11-21-2010, 07:09 PM

Nighthawk

11-21-2010, 07:10 PM

Nope. They were on the scout team together every day in practice.

The belief that a good rookie QB couldn't not make those throws is plain stupid.

Oaf

11-21-2010, 07:48 PM

Nope. They were on the scout team together every day in practice.
Exactly. That's what they stated it's come from.

And nighthawk, I'm not saying it couldn't happen, but would it. And it's happening right now. Don't fix what's not broken. Again, there's 7 more picks after the 1st. If Luck's around, I have no issue drafting him.

Mr. Pink

11-21-2010, 07:56 PM

Nope. They were on the scout team together every day in practice.

So they developed this chemistry through 8 weeks at the beginning of last year?

And then it just happened to stick almost a year later?

more cowbell

11-21-2010, 08:42 PM

The belief that a good rookie QB couldn't not make those throws is plain stupid.

The belief that a rookie QB could come in here and make those throws is just plain stupid.

Give credit where credit was due, you were right about Trent Edwards...but this team seems to rally around Fitzpatrick. He played awful in the 1st qtr...but continued to play his ass off and helped lead this team to a win. End of story.

Is he the sexy first round pick "Franchise" absolutely not, but we can do a hell of a lot worse than him.

X-Era

11-21-2010, 08:50 PM

Is he the sexy first round pick "Franchise" absolutely not, but we can do a hell of a lot worse than him.

He's all we need because there is worse out there?

Look, if the guy is good enough, I will be fine with starting him. But if we dont think he's the answer, you better get the answer.

mysticsoto

11-21-2010, 08:51 PM

YardRat

11-21-2010, 09:10 PM

Hell, I'm just happy to have a guy under center that doesn't **** the bed for weeks on end. It's been a few years.

BILLSROCK1212

11-21-2010, 09:26 PM

fitz is no franchise QB...but QB is far from our biggest need...he is going to play the Favre role in our rebuilding process like Favre did for the Jets and then we'll get a QB in a year or two unless our scouts think there is a QB we can't pick up

Jeff1220

11-21-2010, 09:40 PM

Only in Buffalo can a QB controversy start before the 'other' QB is even determined. Draft slot and the rest of the season still have to play out. Let's just see how it goes.

That said, I just got done watching the post-game interviews and I love the sort of team-oriented, underdog identity these guys are starting to form. They all look and sound genuinely pleased to be playing with the team they have around them. And Stevie Johnson looked happy in a "Charlie just got the golden ticket to the Wonka Factory" sort of way.
It's a pretty likable and (at the moment) humble group of guys. I'm actually having fun rooting for my team the past several weeks for the first time in a while. I've been pretty down on the organization the past few years and have a shred of optimism for the future for first time since just before post5-1 collapse.

alohabillsfan

11-22-2010, 05:13 AM

So they developed this chemistry through 8 weeks at the beginning of last year?

And then it just happened to stick almost a year later?

Umm, the scout team practices every week.

jamze132

11-22-2010, 05:21 AM

I doubt we are going to get the #1 pick so we can soon put to rest the possibility of even drafting Luck who may not even enter the draft. Where this team really needs help is the front 7.

more cowbell

11-22-2010, 10:54 PM

He's all we need because there is worse out there?

Look, if the guy is good enough, I will be fine with starting him. But if we dont think he's the answer, you better get the answer.

I agree completely...do I know if he is the answer? No...he has never played a full season in his career...but hes played pretty damn well this season and no one wants to seem to give the guy a chance because he makes mistakes and wasn't a first round pick.

I just do not see how a rookie QB could come in here and be a better option.....if we were to draft one in the 2nd or 3rd round and let him learn from a smart guy like Fitzpatrick...then that would be great

NOT THE DUDE...

11-23-2010, 02:50 AM

get about 2-3 beast mother ****ing killers on the dline and olb and we will be better...

Night Train

11-23-2010, 06:45 AM

Our D Front 7 is the biggest need overall, if we ever expect to compete on a regular basis.

Our long term answer at QB should still be drafted this coming April. I love Fitz for his grit but he is limited in many aspects of his game.

X-Era

11-23-2010, 06:56 AM

I agree completely...do I know if he is the answer? No...he has never played a full season in his career...but hes played pretty damn well this season and no one wants to seem to give the guy a chance because he makes mistakes and wasn't a first round pick.

I just do not see how a rookie QB could come in here and be a better option.....if we were to draft one in the 2nd or 3rd round and let him learn from a smart guy like Fitzpatrick...then that would be greatIf that rookie becomes the next Brady or Manning.

Mahdi

11-23-2010, 07:28 AM

I still say that if both of the Bengals starting safeties never got hurt and stayed in the game, the Bills would have lost this game in a blowout. And Fitzpatrick would have been pulled by the start of the 4th quarter after throwing 4 interceptions.
You are putting a bit too much on the safeties thing. Ndukwe and Reggie Nelson both have a ton of starts under their belts. It's not like they are rookies.

Also Roy Williams has never been good in coverage in his career so I doubt he would have been a big factor against our spread offense.

DesertFox24

11-23-2010, 07:35 AM

Here is the only thing I will say what makes Luck any better than Fitz at this point, and what tape does Luck have producing like Fitz at the pro level.

There have been many can't miss QBs that have missed.

That being said if they take Luck I will not be mad because he could be the Best Player Available, but for me personally I would rather us trade down and get more picks. We need more players that fit the schemes we want to run and I do not want to pay the type of money it will take to sign Luck.

Dr. Taylor Zaius

11-23-2010, 07:44 AM

Do you want Jake Delhomme or a franchise QB? Fitz reminds me of a guy who can be average and win some games, but never good enough to carry the team to the ultimate prize. When you have a shot at what should be a very good, franchise QB or keep an "all right" guy at the position, I'm going to take the franchise guy every day of the week.
COMPLETELY agree with you!!:bedard:

Dr. Taylor Zaius

11-23-2010, 07:44 AM

Fitz is a leader, Fitz can read defenses, Fitz has a good arm, Fitz is smart. If Fitz can fix a couple of awful throws a game we have our franchise QB.
No freaking way. Wake up.

Historian

11-23-2010, 08:06 AM

it's too early to say all that about a winning atmostphere. a winning culture takes more than 2 wins against bad teams. But so far Gailey seems like the right fit for Buffalo. Not sure if he can take this team to the next level, we'll see.

I appreciate his honesty.

When they were BAD, he said so.

We got so used to watching Jauron dodge even the simplist of questions with one-liners like...."I love this game.....Uh...I love these guys."

Chan's candor is refreshing, win or lose.

They're (Chan & Nix) not afraid to pull the trigger to make the team better, be it cutting a guy or bringing one in.

And Russ Brandon is back managing the gift shop. That alone is worth the price of admission!

bluerosekiller

11-23-2010, 09:25 AM

Only in Buffalo can a QB controversy start before the 'other' QB is even determined. Draft slot and the rest of the season still have to play out. Let's just see how it goes.

That said, I just got done watching the post-game interviews and I love the sort of team-oriented, underdog identity these guys are starting to form. They all look and sound genuinely pleased to be playing with the team they have around them. And Stevie Johnson looked happy in a "Charlie just got the golden ticket to the Wonka Factory" sort of way.
It's a pretty likable and (at the moment) humble group of guys. I'm actually having fun rooting for my team the past several weeks for the first time in a while. I've been pretty down on the organization the past few years and have a shred of optimism for the future for first time since just before post5-1 collapse.

Right on Bro. We're on the same page for sure.

Only in Buffalo can we be witness to a team slowly, but surely making clearly visible improvements over the course of the first 10 games of the season. Growing from a hapless, bumbling group who looked like the dregs of the NFL to a gritty bunch who could play very good teams down to the wire to a team that has won two in a row. The last one in very memorable fashion by coming from WAY behind on the road in the first half to blowing out the home team in the second half 35-0.
All this & there's STILL a very strong, vocal contingent who are totally miserable & MANY who would much rather be 0-10.
It's just mind boggling.

I mean, there are those that already want Gailey fired.
This after seeing more improvement & forward momentum from the Bills over the past several weeks than we saw during Jauron's entire tenure here.

Then there's the "Fitz is just a back up" contingent.

And, not to mention all those who count themselves as Big Bills fans, but who in my mind are actually just Buffalo Bills DRAFT fans.
It's all about April for them rather than what transpires on the field from September through January...

ddaryl

11-23-2010, 09:31 AM

The belief that a good rookie QB couldn't not make those throws is plain stupid.
Maybe a a much better then average rookie/drafted QB could make those throws, but when it comes to reading D's and making throws based upon reading pro D's and changing plays when necessary and executing would be a problem for any rookie QB

bottom line is even if we draft Luck he is not going to be at Fitz's level of understanding in the beginning, so it would be a trade off. BUT Fitz obviously reads D's very well and he would be the best mentor we could ask for.

IMO if we draft a 1st rd QB he would still be groomed for a year or 2 before becoming a full time starter because of the amount that needs to be digested in the pro game. A sophomore player like Luck would already lack a little in this area do to the fact he would be coming out earl y