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shelby
12-27-2010, 06:10 PM
Our own X-Era breaks down possible solutions for the Bills' need for a franchise QB. Enjoy.


It seems that every year, we are talking about what the Bills should do at quarterback. We're less than a year into the new regime, but if you consider the normal leash that head coaches get, Chan Gailey has just two years left to turn this team into a playoff squad. What are the options?

A team may look to a veteran game manager while they bolster their defense. It is possible to get to the playoffs or beyond with less than a top-flight quarterback. Players like Trent Dilfer have made this sort of a case. The concept is that you can get to, and win, a Super Bowl with a solid game manager at quarterback, provided you have very good coaching and a stellar defense; it's the defense-wins-championships argument. That is a proven method, but as in all situations where we evaluate the Bills, we need to see what is possible or even likely here. This is a team that has suffered through perpetual mediocrity for a reason. It has not had a recipe which has worked since it was stocked with a half dozen or so Hall of Fame caliber players. Is it so difficult to believe that we will require anything less to get to the Super Bowl again?

If we think the Ravens scenario is possible, let's examine that plan: The Ravens had a stellar defense. The team had all-pro's in Ray Lewis, Chris McAllister, Terrell Suggs, and Ed Reed. That team also had a few offensive all-pro's in left tackle Johnathan Ogden and Jamal Lewis. The discussion really pretty much ends there.
The Bills are not even close to the Ravens' situation. Kyle Williams is an all-pro, but really isn't the ideal nose tackle. Otherwise, there are no other stars on defense. Could the Bills draft them? Possibly, but we know their track record in that regard. Can they sign them? They seem to show no interest in that route. On offense, they have a solid running back in Fred Jackson, and an explosive rookie in CJ Spiller. That's a formidable tandem, and should be the corps of a solid running game. At left tackle, we have a seventh rounder who has played well, but can’t realistically be called top ten at his position, much less a future Hall of Famer at this point.

The Bills are trying to be like the Super Bowl champion Ravens, with virtually none of the pieces that took them there. Furthermore, this team has shown time and time again that they are unable to draft stars, much less sign them in free agency. But now it will all change? We will now build that stellar defense so that we can win enough games to make a playoff trip with only an average quarterback? I think pursuing a solid defense is all we can hope for. That is more realistic, and, for this team, much more attainable. Which makes this plan a bad fit, and leaves the Bills in need of a high caliber quarterback again. If we do somehow build that stellar defense in two years, we have Fitzpatrick signed already, and he seems to be able to manage the offense. However,I wouldn't bank on this plan; the Bills need to keep looking.

Could adding a new veteran solve the problem? That’s theoretically what the Bills did by adding Fitzpatrick. And, like Fitzpatrick, none of the possible options will be sure-fire ,or they wouldn't be out on the market in the first place. Yet, guys like Donovan McNabb and Carson Palmer may become available. In the case of McNabb, Buddy Nix has already stated that he is not a fan. As for Carson Palmer, a new regime in Cincinnati may not view him as the problem. At the very least, the Bengals may want compensation for Palmer in the form of a draft pick or picks. Do you pay a hefty price for a guy who hasn't shown he is all you need in his time in the NFL? Or do realize you have a vet on your roster who can start, if necessary, or while you develop the player you need?
read more... (http://www.billszone.com/mtlog/archives/2010/12/27/quarterback_quandary.php)

X-Era
12-27-2010, 06:29 PM
Thanks Shelby!