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This says it all very well....just says what many of us have been saying:
Bledsoe deserves another shot
1/5/2005
By BOB DICESARE
Drew Bledsoe might never win a Super Bowl, which would place him alongside Jim Kelly, who shares the same distinction with Dan Marino. Both are notable members of a club that currently includes Peyton Manning.
And yet, any member of the quartet surely would be a more appealing starter than Trent Dilfer or Jeff Hostetler, both of whom won championships in defiance of their stature while minding conservative game plans designed to mask their deficiencies.
So the idea that the quarterback makes a championship team has its historical counterpoints, the most recent example being Brad Johnson the dinker versus Rich Gannon the gunslinger in the Super Bowl of two years back. Why a team succeeds or fails is a complex issue that almost always extends far beyond the one player who takes the snap.
If it's unsatisfactory that the Bills finished 9-7 under Bledsoe's direction, if the thought persists that he's unfit for the job, then a review of the season is in order. The Bills held a fourth-quarter lead in the opener against Jacksonville only to have its renowned defense surrender an 80-yard drive and three fourth-down conversions. There's win No. 10.
Bledsoe directed two fourth-quarter touchdown drives in Game Five against the Jets, entrusted a 14-13 lead to the defense with 5:58 remaining. Five minutes and 60 yards later, New York kicked the decisive field goal. There's win No. 11.
The final meltdown came Sunday against the Steelers, when the defense surrendered another fourth-quarter lead, followed by a 14-play drive of almost nine minutes that put the game away. There's win No. 12 and a tie for the third-best record in the AFC. Seems it's the celebrated defense, which continuously wilted in the fourth quarter of close games, that has some explaining to do.
Late defensive collapses have been abundant throughout Bledsoe's three years here. The Bills lost seven games in which they've led by seven or fewer points going into the fourth quarter, and two other times they blew leads before winning in overtime. Rarely has it been a quick kill. Indy beat them with an 83-yard drive last season, Tennessee with a 67-yard drive. In 2002, the lead was squandered on opposing marches of 68 yards (Jets), 80 yards (Raiders) and 78 yards (Chiefs). You can't heap all that on the QB.
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The Bills were one of only two teams with just three 20-catch receivers. Twenty-two teams had at least five. Bledsoe had no dependable third option at wideout. Tight end Mark Campbell was just becoming a viable part of the offense when he was lost for the season. Then tight end Tim Euhus went down. Eric Moulds, like many a star wideout, wants nothing to do with the lead pass thrown over the middle.
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To say that Bledsoe can't win a Super Bowl is a safe play against the odds. Many great ones haven't. In fact, of the league's current starting quarterbacks, only Tom Brady and Brett Favre have.
Bledsoe is still the Bills' best shot at making the playoffs next season. To me that means you give him the ball back.
Bledsoe deserves another shot
1/5/2005
By BOB DICESARE
Drew Bledsoe might never win a Super Bowl, which would place him alongside Jim Kelly, who shares the same distinction with Dan Marino. Both are notable members of a club that currently includes Peyton Manning.
And yet, any member of the quartet surely would be a more appealing starter than Trent Dilfer or Jeff Hostetler, both of whom won championships in defiance of their stature while minding conservative game plans designed to mask their deficiencies.
So the idea that the quarterback makes a championship team has its historical counterpoints, the most recent example being Brad Johnson the dinker versus Rich Gannon the gunslinger in the Super Bowl of two years back. Why a team succeeds or fails is a complex issue that almost always extends far beyond the one player who takes the snap.
If it's unsatisfactory that the Bills finished 9-7 under Bledsoe's direction, if the thought persists that he's unfit for the job, then a review of the season is in order. The Bills held a fourth-quarter lead in the opener against Jacksonville only to have its renowned defense surrender an 80-yard drive and three fourth-down conversions. There's win No. 10.
Bledsoe directed two fourth-quarter touchdown drives in Game Five against the Jets, entrusted a 14-13 lead to the defense with 5:58 remaining. Five minutes and 60 yards later, New York kicked the decisive field goal. There's win No. 11.
The final meltdown came Sunday against the Steelers, when the defense surrendered another fourth-quarter lead, followed by a 14-play drive of almost nine minutes that put the game away. There's win No. 12 and a tie for the third-best record in the AFC. Seems it's the celebrated defense, which continuously wilted in the fourth quarter of close games, that has some explaining to do.
Late defensive collapses have been abundant throughout Bledsoe's three years here. The Bills lost seven games in which they've led by seven or fewer points going into the fourth quarter, and two other times they blew leads before winning in overtime. Rarely has it been a quick kill. Indy beat them with an 83-yard drive last season, Tennessee with a 67-yard drive. In 2002, the lead was squandered on opposing marches of 68 yards (Jets), 80 yards (Raiders) and 78 yards (Chiefs). You can't heap all that on the QB.
*********************
The Bills were one of only two teams with just three 20-catch receivers. Twenty-two teams had at least five. Bledsoe had no dependable third option at wideout. Tight end Mark Campbell was just becoming a viable part of the offense when he was lost for the season. Then tight end Tim Euhus went down. Eric Moulds, like many a star wideout, wants nothing to do with the lead pass thrown over the middle.
**********************
To say that Bledsoe can't win a Super Bowl is a safe play against the odds. Many great ones haven't. In fact, of the league's current starting quarterbacks, only Tom Brady and Brett Favre have.
Bledsoe is still the Bills' best shot at making the playoffs next season. To me that means you give him the ball back.
He's about as bad a Phil
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