Sisyphean Bills

For argument's sake, I'll submit a different definition for "franchise QB". A franchise QB is the QB that the football brass decide to bet their current jobs with the franchise upon. That is, the guys that make the decisions place the franchise in the hands of their franchise QB and build the team around his strengths. In some cases, notably the Ravens under Billick, the franchise is continuously looking for a franchise QB year in and year out and has a revolving door at the position. In other cases, the franchise QB may not be the best choice, say a Ryan Leaf. In other cases, a franchise QB can come out of nowhere, like Tom Brady or Kurt Warner. And of course, there are the ones that come off like they were on rails like Peyton Manning. Under this definition, Ryan Fitzpatrick is the Bills franchise QB. Not everyone will agree that is the best decision, but that's why we have a discussion board.

Ah. So, he played on a different field than Fitz and Thiggy. Got it.

What's his excuse? His intensity switch is broken?

And, the Colts sucked in the 2011 preseason.

The Eagles were 1-2 in the games Young started and he threw 9 INTs to 4 TDs. If that is "playing soundly" then is there any way to play poorly? Not only that, but it was Michael Vick that led the Eagles on their 4 game December winning streak to even out their record at 8-8 after the teams disastrous start all but eliminated them from the playoffs. The one silver lining in it all is that Young did lead a win against the eventual Super Bowl champs in his first start. http://www.pro-footb...ms/phi/2011.htm

Hall of Fame?

Maybe the Bills can out intensity the opponents when the games count.

The only real conclusion, since you're correct that pros can flip a switch, is that Levitre is not a pro.

So you don't see keeping a 3-4 nose tackle with a bad back on the payroll? Ralph is cheap and all that.

Don't know about that, but the higher the number implies a higher number of virtual moral victories. Call it the Jauron formula for wishful success.

Speaking of which, when was it that getting your ass kicked became the more PC "stop making the same mistakes"?

The numbers still seem relative. Joe Thomas is a big man at 6'6" and 310# and that's still bigger than the defenders he's going against. Even though I wouldn't call Thomas small, it is true that he isn't dragging around that 50+ extra pounds every play like some of the behemoths of past generations. The article is right in that there are (plenty of) differences between him and Mike Williams and among them is that he is truly athletic, can move fluidly and quickly, and is very powerful. Fat Mike was drafted in the mold of the Nate Newtons of the 80s, a huge body coated in baby fat, a big tree that defenders would have to run around and try not to have fall on them ("timber!") in the running game. Texas was still using the super-size model of lineman and the Bills bought in, but Fat Mike, Derrick Dockery, Leonard Davis, and Jonathan Scott haven't exactly set the NFL on fire.

He was never really that great. Having a QB that played the safe, high-percentage dump the ball to the back out of the backfield was an idyllic fit for what Dick Jauron wanted out of his offense. Regardless, it never added up to winning football and still doesn't.

Yes.

OTOH, I heard Marv Levy say they had McCargo rated the same as Ngata on their draft board.

No worries. He'll flip his switch.

Subtle use of the double negative here.

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The rebuild gameplan going in seemed to be to switch to the 3-4 to fix a defense that was undersized, hospitalized and ineffective, as well as to have Chan simply coach up the talent that was already on the offensive side of the ball. For the latter, let's face it, Dick hadn't exactly hired well on that side. One shouldn't dismiss the possibility that suggestions were made as well to the newly unretired GM and HC. The switch to the 3-4, though Nix had spent a career scouting for it, was an undeniable mistake; one that they have already turned away from. But, they did burn resources and time trying to make the switch. That first draft class is now looking like a complete flame out largely because it was a draft where they chased pieces for a 3-4 defense, a rebuilding strategic blunder. Perhaps that's why many GMs hire coaches already in the league, to trade on their current knowledge and relationships? Gailey did have a brief stint with the Chiefs, I know, but he had been out of the NFL for a long time.

Longer if you spend time trying to overhaul for a defense that you dump after 2 years.

What? Don't they know he's just got to flip his switch?!?

He'll flip a switch later.

He's not starting, not sure if he was 2nd or 3rd. He looked extremely stiff and like a waist bender -- could be the bad knee or that he's destined to be a backup guard.

There is no such thing as "throwing the switch" and going from sloppy, mentally disengaged execution, 11 men on 11 different pages, one day to nearly perfect, well-timed execution the next. That and poor football fundamentals should be viewed with a realistic sense of concern. I know coaching staffs are concerned when they watch the tapes when they see that, as Peyton isn't the only one that likes to see players doing things right. PS: I'm not saying the Bills were that bad and I fully realize opinions are all over the map. PPS: I fully realize that this is a work in progress.

Do you mean now or after the real games begin, Hope? Add also, a good offense that is settling into good execution form in August should be able to execute its plays, like a short passing game, and move the ball down the field in a pre-season game. Understandably, a blown assignment or three or a play not made can derail such a drive.