How I see Ryan Fitzpatrick

[1billsfan]

Is Fitzpatrick a "franchise" quarterback in the mold of Tom Brady, Peyton Manning or even Jim Kelly? Probably not. I see him as becoming more of a hybrid franchise quarterback in the mold of a Phil Simms. Part lunch pail, part star QB. A guy who's very good (but not great) at the most important skills sets of an NFL quarterback...arm, leadership, intelligence (ok, maybe we'll give him great here), confidence, competitiveness, decision-making, scrambling ability. A guy you could get 5 or 6 very solid years out of, and with a very good running game and a very good defense he could no doubt guide you to a couple of superbowls and even put up a monster superbowl-winning game like Phil did against the Broncos.

 

If the Bills can find a big rock solid TE, we may already have the pieces in place on offense (crossing fingers on offensive line). The only thing left would be adding a few monster defenders through the upcoming drafts and free agency. I see this team as much closer to the big game than anyone here may think. I think that Fitzpatrick and the Bills finish off this season right by beating the fins, beating the pats and beating the jets. Yes I said it, they're going to beat the pats. You watch.

[Fixxxer]

Watching some of the Giants last night I thought Eli Manning plays similarly to Ryan Fitzpatrick. His ints are not pretty, his accuracy is not always there, but he picks it up and keeps trying. Fitz has much better mobility, though.

[1billsfan]

Watching some of the Giants last night I thought Eli Manning plays similarly to Ryan Fitzpatrick. His ints are not pretty, his accuracy is not always there, but he picks it up and keeps trying. Fitz has much better mobility, though.

 

 

 

The Bills would do well to copy the winning blueprint of the Giants.

[Coach Tuesday]

A mobile Eli is a good comparison. What you're saying, which I think is correct, is that Fitz is a guy who can win if you build around him. I'm just concerned that the Bills may never spend enough on coaching, scouting, and personnel to build enough of a team around a guy like Fitz.

[1billsfan]

A mobile Eli is a good comparison. What you're saying, which I think is correct, is that Fitz is a guy who can win if you build around him. I'm just concerned that the Bills may never spend enough on coaching, scouting, and personnel to build enough of a team around a guy like Fitz.

 

 

I think they're about four or five good to great players short of a real run. To me, that isn't an insurmountable number. They have to get at least two of them in this coming draft.

[PromoTheRobot]

There is a reason why there are only 1-2 great QBs in the NFL. By nature they are rare. I read posts that we have to get a franchise QB like it's something you get at Wal-Mart, like no other team in the NFL tries to find one? And nothing is guaranteed with Luck or Cam Newton. So when you have a very good QB like Fitz you don't toss him hoping to get lucky. Every NFL QB has some flaws in their game.

 

PTR

[jwolf02]

Obviously Fitz has all the intangibles and a lot of the attributes you've mentioned, but the thing that impresses me most about him is what a cool customer he is. You watch him before a first drive, during a time out, after a bad drive... he always looks the same. "Just tell me when I'm going back in." He never looks fazed or overly frustrated (at least after you give him about 30 seconds after an INT)... you can always see the football wheels turning. I think, when we do make the playoffs, or at least be in a big playoff altering situation, he'd be totally ready. Not overwhelmed, not nervous, not intimidated. I think that's a big deal for a QB.

[Sabre Bill]

Quick eyes, quick mind, quick release, quick feet . . . it amazes me that some of us are still unhappy and trying to get rid of Fitz.

 

Someone said he wasn't the "sexy pick" . . . I guess . . . I mean, the wedding ring may be a turn off . . . but it seems like we keep looking for reasons to dislike him because he doesn't have the history of play like a Manning or a Brady. I'm not saying he should be compared to these guys, but he's doing what you want your QB to do . . . PLAY WELL.

[Coach Tuesday]

Obviously Fitz has all the intangibles and a lot of the attributes you've mentioned, but the thing that impresses me most about him is what a cool customer he is. You watch him before a first drive, during a time out, after a bad drive... he always looks the same. "Just tell me when I'm going back in." He never looks fazed or overly frustrated (at least after you give him about 30 seconds after an INT)... you can always see the football wheels turning. I think, when we do make the playoffs, or at least be in a big playoff altering situation, he'd be totally ready. Not overwhelmed, not nervous, not intimidated. I think that's a big deal for a QB.

 

This is a really good post.

[TPS]

Obviously Fitz has all the intangibles and a lot of the attributes you've mentioned, but the thing that impresses me most about him is what a cool customer he is. You watch him before a first drive, during a time out, after a bad drive... he always looks the same. "Just tell me when I'm going back in." He never looks fazed or overly frustrated (at least after you give him about 30 seconds after an INT)... you can always see the football wheels turning. I think, when we do make the playoffs, or at least be in a big playoff altering situation, he'd be totally ready. Not overwhelmed, not nervous, not intimidated. I think that's a big deal for a QB.

I would add, and maybe one of the most important traits, confidence that he can lead them on a game-winning drive. Had it not been for drops and fumbles, we'd have 3 more wins (that I can recall).

 

At any rate, I can't remember who the last Bills QB was that made me believe he/they would march down the field and either win or tie a game on the last drive.

[JJFIVEOH]

A mobile Eli is a good comparison. What you're saying, which I think is correct, is that Fitz is a guy who can win if you build around him. I'm just concerned that the Bills may never spend enough on coaching, scouting, and personnel to build enough of a team around a guy like Fitz.

 

Isn't that part of the reason why they hired Buddy Nix?

[Rubes]

I would add, and maybe one of the most important traits, confidence that he can lead them on a game-winning drive. Had it not been for drops and fumbles, we'd have 3 more wins (that I can recall).

 

At any rate, I can't remember who the last Bills QB was that made me believe he/they would march down the field and either win or tie a game on the last drive.

 

Hell, I can't remember the last Bills QB that made me believe they could get a first down on third and long.

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

Obviously Fitz has all the intangibles and a lot of the attributes you've mentioned, but the thing that impresses me most about him is what a cool customer he is. You watch him before a first drive, during a time out, after a bad drive... he always looks the same. "Just tell me when I'm going back in." He never looks fazed or overly frustrated (at least after you give him about 30 seconds after an INT)... you can always see the football wheels turning. I think, when we do make the playoffs, or at least be in a big playoff altering situation, he'd be totally ready. Not overwhelmed, not nervous, not intimidated. I think that's a big deal for a QB.

 

 

Right on. When he gets drilled in the back and his Helmut gets turned on his head from almost having his head taken off, he hops up and just spins his helmet around and calmly walks over to form the huddle, no ranting, screaming, whining to the ref, etc. Like most of the thinker QB's I think he will continue to improve and perfect his game. We may even all look back someday in disbelief about this Trent/Brohm/Fitz discussion many (myself too) bought into. He is a good QB and I am not so sure the "known" ceiling to his potential isn't shattered at this point.

 

 

 

As a side note I work with Steelers fans and Ravens fans who both commented knowing I bleed red and blue, Who is that Bills QB? He is really good…

 

 

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

It's interesting how he seems to play better in the second half of most games. Maybe due to his being very smart, he's able to figure out what adjustments to make. Other QB's can't figure that out as quick..

 

I also wonder if not having a legit #1 reciever isn't such a glaring weakness with Fitz. Again with his smarts he's able to walk up to the line, look at the defense and figure out, OK on the this play Martin will be the open guy, next play he looks agross and sees it Johnson, next time someone else, and throws to them.

 

I haven't heard much negitive wit hregards to his arm strength, just the accuracy issues. Maybe something he can work on in the offseason Don't know if it's mechanics or something physical??.

[PromoTheRobot]

For years we have seen Bills teams get crushed because they couldn't make adjustments. Remember how Pats* defenders would laugh that they knew what the Bills were doing every play? Dick(less) Jauron's Pop Warner offense? I doubt they are saying that now. This team has come so far despite the record.

 

PTR

Edited December 14, 2010 by PromoTheRobot

[JohnC]

There is a reason why there are only 1-2 great QBs in the NFL. By nature they are rare. I read posts that we have to get a franchise QB like it's something you get at Wal-Mart, like no other team in the NFL tries to find one? And nothing is guaranteed with Luck or Cam Newton. So when you have a very good QB like Fitz you don't toss him hoping to get lucky. Every NFL QB has some flaws in their game.

 

PTR

 

Brady and Peyton are clearly great qbs.

Brees, Rivers, Roethlisberger, Rodgers, Vick, Matt Ryan are upper tier qbs. An argument can be made that Brees is in the same class or near the class of Peyton and Brady.

Shaub and Eli Manning are a cut below the upper class but they are also productive qbs.

 

There is no surprise that the above listed qbs with the exception of Shaub lead consistent playoff contending teams. With the exception of Shaub and Brady all the other qbs were taken very high in the draft.

 

If you have an opportunity to get a qb such as Luck you would be foolish not to take him, even with Fitz on your roster. With respect to Newton he is a rawer talent who would need to learn from a smart and solid player such as Fitz.

 

And nothing is guaranteed with Luck or Cam Newton. So when you have a very good QB like Fitz you don't toss him hoping to get lucky. Every NFL QB has some flaws in their game.

 

No player in the draft playing any positon is guaranteed of anything. That is the nature of the draft. Are you suggesting that we not draft players because of a fear of failure?Drafting a player such as Newton would not on the short term have an appreciable affect on Fitz. Rodgers sat behind Favre for a number of years before taking over. That worked out for the Green Bay franchise. The same scenario can happen with Newton.

Edited December 14, 2010 by JohnC

[PromoTheRobot]

No player in the draft playing any positon is guaranteed of anything. That is the nature of the draft. Are you suggesting that we not draft players because of a fear of failure?Drafting a player such as Newton would not on the short term have an appreciable affect on Fitz. Rodgers sat behind Favre for a number of years before taking over. That worked out for the Green Bay franchise. The same scenario can happen with Newton.

You know as well as I do that if you draft a QB in round 1 there will be constant calls to play him over Fitz. Every incomplete pass or INT there will be calls for the rookie. We don't need that. We need a defensive stud with pick #1. Get a QB in a later round if you want to groom someone, or wait till next year, or the year after that. It seems there are 2-3 can't-miss-guaranteed-pro-bowl QBs coming out every year....at least that's what Kiper and McShay tell me.

 

PTR

Edited December 14, 2010 by PromoTheRobot

[1billsfan]

Brady and Peyton are clearly great qbs.

Brees, Rivers, Roethlisberger, Rodgers, Vick, Matt Ryan are upper tier qbs. An argument can be made that Brees is in the same class or near the class of Peyton and Brady.

Shaub and Eli Manning are a cut below the upper class but they are also productive qbs.

 

There is no surprise that the above listed qbs with the exception of Shaub lead consistent playoff contending teams. With the exception of Shaub and Brady all the other qbs were taken very high in the draft.

 

If you have an opportunity to get a qb such as Luck you would be foolish not to take him, even with Fitz on your roster. With respect to Newton he is a rawer talent who would need to learn from a smart and solid player such as Fitz.

 

 

 

No player in the draft playing any positon is guaranteed of anything. That is the nature of the draft. Are you suggesting that we not draft players because of a fear of failure?Drafting a player such as Newton would not on the short term have an appreciable affect on Fitz. Rodgers sat behind Favre for a number of years before taking over. That worked out for the Green Bay franchise. The same scenario can happen with Newton.

 

 

Drafting Newton over a stud defensive play maker would be the dumbest mover ever made by this franchise, and that's saying something.

[Fixxxer]

Drafting Newton over a stud defensive play maker would be the dumbest mover ever made by this franchise, and that's saying something.

 

You forgot to add IMO.

Edited December 14, 2010 by Fixxxer

[JohnC]

You know as well as I do that if you draft a QB in round 1 there will be constant calls to play him over Fitz. Every incomplete pass or INT there will be calls for the rookie. We don't need that. We need a defensive stud with pick #1. Get a QB in a later round if you want to groom someone, or wait till next year, or the year after that. It seems there are 2-3 can't-miss-guaranteed-pro-bowl QBs coming out every year....at least that's what Kiper and McShay tell me.

 

PTR

 

If the scouting department truly believes that Newton is an upper tier qb prospect then it would be foolish not to take him. If they think he is not at that level then don't take him. The problem I have with the notion that every year there are 2-3 can't miss qb prospects is that there is a time frame to develop qbs. Also, just because there might be a couple of good qb prospects every year that doesn't mean that you are in position to get that caliber of qb.

 

With respect to the probability of the fans clamoring for the prospect qb over the starter my response is simple: Who cares what the fans think? The coaches and the organization make decisions on what is best for the team. They don't make decision to please the numerous moronic fans. Fickle fans are all over the place with their opinions on players. It would be utterly foolish for any organization to make their decisions based on polling the fans.

 

 

The Bills are in a rebuilding mode. No one could deny that. They are a few years away from being a serious team. Getting a high caliber qb prospect sooner rather than later is better for a rebuilding team.

 

I don't understand the argument that if you draft a qb with your first pick that you can't get good defensive prospects with the other picks. Last year, the Bills took Spiller with their first pick and devoted a large segment of the rest of the draft to the defensive side of the ball. In addition, free agency is another avenue to upgrade the defense.

 

Drafting Newton over a stud defensive play maker would be the dumbest mover ever made by this franchise, and that's saying something.

 

If the scouting department has Newton rated ahead of the other defensive players why would it be a dumb move? I'm sure you are aware that the Bills have more than one pick in the draft? The Bills also can use the free agency route to improve the defense.

Edited December 14, 2010 by JohnC