Mr. WEO Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 Actually what I heard Buddy say was 2 QBs, one a FA veteran who can come in and win games if need be and the other a guy who can throw passes to WRs in training camp. Kindof a Craig Nall/Matt Baker kind of guy is what I took it to mean. "come ina and win games if need be"?? There's a guy like that? Why didn't we sign him last year? We needed to win a lot more games! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K Gun Special Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 Exactly. I don't understand why people get so hung up on finding someone to 'compete' with Fitz (and then offer up a list of guys who have never done anything or else are overdue for retirement). Unless they are going to find someone that is significantly better than Fitz, what is the point of creating distraction and divided loyalties in the locker room? And I've yet to see the list of guys that are significantly better than Fitz that are realistically available. Fitz had done absolutely nothing when we picked him up to be a backup........but he has since thrown 23 td in 13 games so we are set at QB for 4-6 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 (edited) Fitz had done absolutely nothing when we picked him up to be a backup........but he has since thrown 23 td in 13 games so we are set at QB for 4-6 years. He started with the Bills in '09.. It's 32 TDs in 23 games. Edited May 3, 2011 by Mr. WEO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorkington Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 (edited) My issue was with the term "elite," playing good in a majority of games doesn't make him elite in any way. Peyton Manning and Tom Brady are elite. He's not in their class and didn't play one game in their class last year. I think it's a bit unfair to expect every QB to be Manning/Brady. Fitzpatrick doesn't need to be elite for this team to win. If we shore up our defense, keep a decent running game, and make less passing mistakes, we'll be just fine. He's proven he can make the throws, he just has/had to take more chances because we often times play from behind, imo. I'm not sure who you're expecting to pick up via FA or draft that'd guarantee "elite" status more than Fitzpatrick at this point... I'm interested in seeing how he does this year as the clear starter and hopefully with a better team around him. He started with the Bills in '09.. It's 32 TDs in 33 games. He started 8 games with the Bills in '09 with... well you remember the offense. He had 8 passing touchdowns in those games. So 31tds in 21 games started... all while in a QB battle and learning two new offenses... I'm not opposed to that performance. Hopefully he'll improve with stability like most would. Edited May 3, 2011 by Dorkington Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyHorseAteTheKid Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 You want to "find" a qb that can compete with Fitz. Where? The want ads? Craigslist? Do you think there's any FA QBs that can compete with Fitz? IMO, Vince Young and Matt Hasselback are the only 2 that can do that. I doubt VY would he much of a competition due to Fitz already being on the system for a year. VY would have to learn the system and probably wouldn't be a good option to start til mid season, at least. Most on this board hate the thought of VY, I love it, considering our HC and the otter options available. Hasselback is at the end of his career. Seattle doesn't have another good option at qb, and they might let him walk...so why would we want him? If he's available and affordable, he would've be a terrible option strictly as a backup, but Eh. Any other QB that could "compete" with Fitz, is already under contract with another team and we'd have to give up a pick. I'd be ok with trading away a 5-7th round for the right guy, but it may not be easy to find a team willing to part with a viable backup. Here's a list: "find" one that can compete with Fitz. http://www.kffl.com/static/nfl/features/freeagents/fa.php I'm with you on VY. I would love to see what Chan The Man could do with him!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 I think it's a bit unfair to expect every QB to be Manning/Brady. Fitzpatrick doesn't need to be elite for this team to win. If we shore up our defense, keep a decent running game, and make less passing mistakes, we'll be just fine. He's proven he can make the throws, he just has/had to take more chances because we often times play from behind, imo. I'm not sure who you're expecting to pick up via FA or draft that'd guarantee "elite" status more than Fitzpatrick at this point... I'm interested in seeing how he does this year as the clear starter and hopefully with a better team around him. He started 8 games with the Bills in '09 with... well you remember the offense. He had 8 passing touchdowns in those games. So 31tds in 21 games started... all while in a QB battle and learning two new offenses... I'm not opposed to that performance. Hopefully he'll improve with stability like most would. I'm not opposed to that performance either. Too bad Chan wasn't closely watching the game film of '09 (Fitz and Trent). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockinon Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 (edited) Exactly. I don't understand why people get so hung up on finding someone to 'compete' with Fitz (and then offer up a list of guys who have never done anything or else are overdue for retirement). Unless they are going to find someone that is significantly better than Fitz, what is the point of creating distraction and divided loyalties in the locker room? And I've yet to see the list of guys that are significantly better than Fitz that are realistically available. That's the way I am looking at it. They are not going to give up future draft picks to get someone so the list is pretty much what it is. Trading for someone like Kolb is really not going to happen if we are giving up too much. Their draft strategy is pretty strait forward and their FA strategy, I think is too. They aren't going to get cute here and bet the farm on FA pickups. As for the competing part, that in my opinion is not so relevant. They should simply get the best QB they can in FA without selling the team's future with multiple draft picks. If they happen to land a QB that will actually compete with Fit'z, there is nothing wrong with that. My guess though, is that Fit'z is going to have the inside track on a starting position anyway. The idea should always be to put the best team on the field that you can. Everything else is simply secondary. Edited May 3, 2011 by Rockinon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apuszczalowski Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 Here is the list of FA QBs; # Kyle Boller (OAK) # Marc Bulger (BAL) # Kellen Clemens (NYJ) # Kerry Collins (TEN) # Todd Collins (CHI) # Brodie Croyle (KC) - Has a past working with Chan # Dennis Dixon (PIT) # Trent Edwards (JAC) # Bruce Gradkowski (OAK) # Rex Grossman (WAS) # Caleb Hanie (CHI) # Tarvaris Jackson (MIN) # Matt Leinart (HOU) - Could be an interesting pickup to sit behind Fitz (Maybe being bumped around fixed his attitude?) # Luke McCown (JAC) # Matt Moore (CAR) # Chad Pennington (MIA) # Brady Quinn (DEN) - Wouldn't mind seeing what this staff could do with him # Alex Smith (SF) - **Rumored to be going back to SF as the starter, Harbaugh wants him back and feels he's coming back** # Troy Smith (SF) - Another guy who i would like to see what this staff could do with # Jim Sorgi (NYG) - Sat behind both Mannings, Maybe the bills could learn something from what he has learned? # Drew Stanton (DET) # Tyler Thigpen (MIA) - Same as Croyle, Has a past with Chan # Billy Volek (SD) # Seneca Wallace (CL There is also a possibility that Matt Hasselbeck will be done in Seatle(he rejected the Seahawks contract offer) and Carson Palmer wants to be traded(threatens to retire if Cincy doesn't oblige). Want to know how to build a consistent 8-8 team? Worry about hurting the feelings of mid level players and elimenating all competition from around them because "They earned the right by leading a team to 4-12". ALL POSITIONS SHOULD BE UP FOR GRABS, EVEN IF YOU ARE A PRO BOWLER. That is how you build a winning team, by ALWAYS looking to improve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yungmack Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 Fitz was, at worst, in the middle of the pack of starting QBs a year ago. That means approximately 15 teams don't have a starter who was as productive. It's not about whether or not there's a "competition" -- where are the Bills going to FIND a QB to come in who is as good or better than Fitz? You just don't get it. Because you have a perceived need for a great QB, what you do is pick a guy, any guy, and he automatically becomes The One. Don't believe me? Read some of the threads around TSW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 Put your money on Thigpen. Miami's going to let him walk because they are so deep at QB? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowery4 Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 I think VY is just not someone the staff of the Bills will want to deal with JMO I don't see them doing that. I think TT or Croyle are guys they might consider just because of Chan's past and his penchant for getting guys he knows and likes. I don't really like either of them much(and have doubts they fit this team well) and would rather see Bruce Gradkowski, first choice (who in my opinion leads well and played with a crap team but did ok, stats aside) or Wallace or Troy Smith but all would be strictly as back ups (and TS is iffy at best). I am in the camp that yes you need to be the best you can be (and sure competition can and sure bring that out in players) BUT I think Fitz earned this year to further develop with a better team around him. QB competitions also can sour a locker room among other problems. I trust they have some options in mind. I also think they will sign a good OT maybe another OLB and a TE who are on the young side. Judging from year one and this draft they have a plan and a FO with a plan is all I ever wanted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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