I was wrong about Fitzpatrick and my evaluations of our weaknesses

[ThurmasThoman]

I have gone back and forth with myself all day.

 

Is fitz the answer? Is fitz good enough to maybe not be the answer, but at least not be the question for the next 3 years? Is fitz terrible?

 

I have no idea. I just dont know.

 

When he drops back to pass, I'm terrified.

 

But as I said earlier, we've scored 28, 28, 31, and 34 in 4 losses this year. those are WINNING point totals. They absolutely are. You can hate on fitz all you want (i do, my wife does, every bills fan does,) but you score that many points, you should win AT LEAST 3 out of 4 of those games, which would put us at 6-3 and tied for first in the east.

 

We have literally the worst defense in the league--that has to be on Wannstedt.

 

So how about I just sum up my thoughts like this: if going into next year, we drafted a linebacker in the first round, and hired a RESPECTED defensive coordinator, i would have faith going into the season that we could win enough games to win the division. I really would. Maybe thats crazy, but consider me a kool aid drinker.

 

OK, now in the time it took me to write this post, I flip flopped in my mind again. Is fitzpatrick able to put up points and be succesful because he is

a) playing behind a dominant offensive line

b) has 2 all world backs

and c) plays for a head coach who loves to throw the ball around the yard.

 

meaning, could ANY above average quarterback come in here and have success? would it not behoove us to then shoot for the stars, and try to get a true franchise qb in round 1, and just assume that a new defensive coordinator will correct a lot of the defensive woes, meaning we dont need to draft defense for the first 3 rounds?

[The Voice of Truth]

I know this is the internet, so I should never admit defeat, but a few things:

 

I was wrong about us beating the Patriots this week, and more specifically, wrong about them being on the decline. That is a team that can put points on the scoreboard. However, I maintain that they're not getting any younger, and we're getting closer to them. Maybe that says more about the Bills than about the Patriots, but next year, we finish ahead of them.

 

I'm not ready to say I'm wrong about us making the playoffs. The 5 seeded colts are 3 games ahead of us with 7 to go. We play Miami this week, they play the Patriots. Then, we play the Colts the following week. Following that, the Colts fly to Detroit, and we come home to play Jacksonville. 3 winnable games for us, 3 losable games for them. This season could look totally different in a few weeks, so I'll still be watching, and you should too.

 

Finally, and what I really wanted to get to, I was wrong about Fitzpatrick. All season I was beating the drum that Thigpen should take over, or better yet, Jackson. Point blank, fitzy has been getting it done lately. We have the 32nd ranked defense in the league: In 4 of our losses this year, we scored 28, 28, 34 and 31 points. The TWENTY SEVENTH ranked defense in the league allows 27.6 points a game. Just that little of a jump, from 32nd to 27th ranked defense could result in 4 more wins. Basically, Fitz is being handicapped by how bad our defense is. The top 10 defenses in the league all allow under 21 points a game, which would get us another "win." So having a top 10 defense, with the offense we have now, would be good for % more wins, or a 8-1 record.

*Disclaimer: I know there a lot of "what-ifs" in the scenario I just created, but it's for the sake of discussion.

 

The point to all of this: Keep Gailey-he's doing just fine. Keep Fitz-he can win if our D plays better. Fire Wanny, draft linebackers, get a SOLID #2 wideout, and... I cant believe I'm about to say this... but give Fitz one more year

Early in the season, Fitzpatrick looked horribly. He was a big problem no doubt about it. While I am encouraged by the past couple of games, I am worried he could regress again. We definitely need to bring in an elite prospect next year at QB. Hell, if Fitz plays well for two or three years, then all the better. We can develop the prospect under him. I would be surprised if Fitz proves to be a consistently good QB at this point though.

 

I do have a some concerns on defense. Our linebackers seem to be suspect, though I will not call them busts yet. Our cornerbacks seem to be suspect despite having two early first round picks (McKelvin & Gilmore) as well as a very early 2nd rounder (A. Williams). Couple this with the lack of pressure by the front four and we're in a defensive quandary. My only hope is that the defensive coaching is what is lacking. I pray that is what it is because then it is fixable in one year.

 

Considering all these factors, the likelihood of your optimistic outlook becoming real isn't good IMO. Hopefully, that's wrong though.

[bobobonators]

I have gone back and forth with myself all day.

 

Is fitz the answer? Is fitz good enough to maybe not be the answer, but at least not be the question for the next 3 years? Is fitz terrible?

 

I have no idea. I just dont know.

 

When he drops back to pass, I'm terrified.

 

But as I said earlier, we've scored 28, 28, 31, and 34 in 4 losses this year. those are WINNING point totals. They absolutely are. You can hate on fitz all you want (i do, my wife does, every bills fan does,) but you score that many points, you should win AT LEAST 3 out of 4 of those games, which would put us at 6-3 and tied for first in the east.

 

We have literally the worst defense in the league--that has to be on Wannstedt.

 

So how about I just sum up my thoughts like this: if going into next year, we drafted a linebacker in the first round, and hired a RESPECTED defensive coordinator, i would have faith going into the season that we could win enough games to win the division. I really would. Maybe thats crazy, but consider me a kool aid drinker.

 

OK, now in the time it took me to write this post, I flip flopped in my mind again. Is fitzpatrick able to put up points and be succesful because he is

a) playing behind a dominant offensive line

b) has 2 all world backs

and c) plays for a head coach who loves to throw the ball around the yard.

 

meaning, could ANY above average quarterback come in here and have success? would it not behoove us to then shoot for the stars, and try to get a true franchise qb in round 1, and just assume that a new defensive coordinator will correct a lot of the defensive woes, meaning we dont need to draft defense for the first 3 rounds?

 

Exactly. Lets say we only win 2 out of those 4 (b/c as people here like to say - fitz sucks). We'd still be 5-4 and looking good right now.

 

No one here is saying Fitz is a top 10 QB, but the offense ranks 15th in yds/game and 17th in pts/game; Fitz ranks 8th in TD passes.

 

The defense ranks second to last in yds/game and dead last in points per game, giving up 31.7 a game. The disparity couldn't be clearer.

 

We need significant help at LB and we still need help at DB.

Edited November 12, 2012 by bobobonators

[Roc Bronson]

" In 4 of our losses this year, we scored 28, 28, 34 and 31 points." Yet somehow their QB was able to score more. Why can't ours?

 

Brady's defense gave up 31 points, but they still won.

 

The nail in the coffin!!

[Mr. WEO]

extremely young and extremely bad. we hung 31 on them yesterday.

 

in terms of them getting "old," i am referring to one player, and one player only. we all know who that is. it is no coincidence that every year after he hit 30, they have looked more and more vulnerable. HE is not getting any younger, and they are not going to make some amazing leap forward next year. just looking at the conference standings, you can see the conference separating-and the patriots are no longer one of the 2 best teams in the conference, like they have been for the past 10 years. the gap between us keeps closing. our last 4 games against the patriots have been good games, and we could have won all of them. finally, the gap is closing. that's all im saying. there was no catching the patriots for a decade, now its possible.

 

Since Brady hit 30, he has played in 2 SBs and had 4 of his 5 best seasons.

 

You thought our first game against NE was a "good game" that we "could have won"?

 

Your threads are getting more detatched from reality. We lost by 24 points after leading by 14. They scored 6 straight TDs in the second half.

 

What is your goal here?

[reddogblitz]

" In 4 of our losses this year, we scored 28, 28, 34 and 31 points." Yet somehow their QB was able to score more. Why can't ours?

 

Brady's defense gave up 31 points, but they still won.

Because their QB was playing against our "defense".

[mjt328]

Fitz has been up and down like this his whole career.

 

He has had plenty of time to prove that he can be consistent in the NFL. It's never going to happen.

 

Over 16 games, he may play like a Pro Bowler for 3-4 games. But he will also have 5-6 games that he is a liability and costs us games with his bad decisions.

 

It's time to move on.

[bobobonators]

Because their QB was playing against our "defense".

 

quite frankly, b/c their QB is Tom Brady. The "Tom Brady does it, why can't Fitz" argument is absurd.

[Got 2 Billieve]

I hate to say and I'm an optimist when it comes to the Bills (atleast Mondays thru Saturdays) but the playoffs are gone..

 

I do it all the time Bro........If the Bills win their last 6 games and these teams lose 5 out of the last 6 we have a chance..but wait i'm not sure about the tiebreakers...and so on.

 

On another Note Fitz has been playing well but has proven he is not a winner.. I have a Fitz jersey and I really wanted him to be the one for us but that ship is sailing away with a 500hp twin turbo engine strappd to the back of it. The bottom line is that he can play in the NFL. But he will never be eilte and has too many limitations to his game to become a real threat to opposing teams.

 

The day shall be ours my friends.... and how glorious it will be.... GO BILLS!!

[White Linen]

quite frankly, b/c their QB is Tom Brady. The "Tom Brady does it, why can't Fitz" argument is absurd.

 

So is the "Fitz is good enough - our defense needs to stop Tom Brady argument". Listen to yourself, you're saying it.

 

It's Tom freaking Brady, he beats defenses, all of them, not just ours. To beat them he has to retire or we have to try and find a good enough QB to go up against that caliber of QB.

[ThurmasThoman]

What is your goal here?

 

i dont know buddy, but your goal should always be to use protection when you hang out with brady.

 

you are the typical bills fan that is terrified of the patriots.

 

the league has moved on. that team hasnt been relevant since 07. they play in our division, so your fear is somewhat justified, but did you not watch yesterdays game?

 

san francisco - handled us.

 

the texans - handled us.

 

the patriots - aided by the officials, coming off a bye, barely beat us in their place.

 

the patriots are a lot closer to buffalo, than they are to the houstons, san frans, new yorks and chicagos of the league.

 

if you dont believe that - watch more football.

[Concrete Buffalo Feet]

A blind squirrel finds a nut... I like Fitz and his grit but his accuracy and deep ball are below average. A franchise QB hits Jones in stride for a td instead of high and behind him causing him too be tackled before the goal line earlier in the game. Franchise Qbs hit Chandler for the game winner.

Fitz had one of his better games but a franchise QB is our #1 need.

....and a decent DC, the D is drowning this team.

[atlbillsfan1975]

Jones made plays all day, Stevie looked good, Chandler made plays 3rd rate recieving core is a brutal statement IMO.

 

give the guys a lil love, Jones especially is much improved.

Jones looked great yesterday. He played better then SJ. I really think the receiving core is shaping up. If Nelson had not gone down, they would be even deeper and better. Chandler is solid. Good hands, big target, and finds a way to get open.

 

The Pats are definetly on the decline, no two ways around it. Brady and the boys know they do not have much time left.

Fitz had great numbers, again. But he Fitzed us in the end. Sorry i am an optimist but also a realist. You need a guy who makes the right throw at that point. I know Graham ran the wrong route, i get it. But personally he had CJ wide open. CJ probably does not score but he gets the first. I never like giving Brady the ball back with any time, not to mention they had at least 2 time outs.

 

I give the OP credit. And i also think you are right about next year and the next three games. Bills got to win the next three. Would make December more fun to watch!!

[2003Contenders]

" In 4 of our losses this year, we scored 28, 28, 34 and 31 points." Yet somehow their QB was able to score more. Why can't ours?

 

Brady's defense gave up 31 points, but they still won.

 

Brady's defense also forced 3 turnovers. The Bills' D had at least 2 INTs go right through their hands.

[White Linen]

i dont know buddy, but your goal should always be to use protection when you hang out with brady.

 

you are the typical bills fan that is terrified of the patriots.

 

the league has moved on. that team hasnt been relevant since 07. they play in our division, so your fear is somewhat justified, but did you not watch yesterdays game?

 

san francisco - handled us.

 

the texans - handled us.

 

the patriots - aided by the officials, coming off a bye, barely beat us in their place.

 

the patriots are a lot closer to buffalo, than they are to the houstons, san frans, new yorks and chicagos of the league.

 

if you dont believe that - watch more football.

 

Do you know who was in the Super Bowl Last year?

[Nuncha]

However bad the Bills are, Chan has figured out how to play the Pats. How to put up points and we are keeping it close generally. I know there have been some bad moments but it has taken colossal defensive break downs for the Pats to beat us under Gailey. Pats at home or on the road is not the walk in the park it has been for them in the past.

 

That said he can't seem to beat the Jets

 

He can't beat anyone within the division. He is has TWO division wins as our head coach. We beat Miami in 2010, and New England last year. His divisional record as our coach so far is 2-13. That is outright pathetic.

 

Chan's road record as our coach is 5-17.

 

This team won't smell the post season until they learn how to win divisional games and on the road.

Edited November 13, 2012 by Azucho98

[turbotype87]

Yes, Fitz has to go. We need a real QB who can finish a game.He is not a clutch QB. I know its not all his fault. Our defense, Or should i say lack of defense is killing us.Wanstadt has to go. until we address these issues we will never be a contender.

[JPCinTULLY]

There are no no-brainer franchise QBs coming out next year but about 10 expected to be drafted in rounds 1-3. Take a shot on one of these in the second round.

please do it in the second round!!!! mante teo in th 1st

[bobobonators]

So is the "Fitz is good enough - our defense needs to stop Tom Brady argument". Listen to yourself, you're saying it.

 

It's Tom freaking Brady, he beats defenses, all of them, not just ours. To beat them he has to retire or we have to try and find a good enough QB to go up against that caliber of QB.

 

lol..no one is saying the defense has to keep Brady to 10 points...but how about in the 20's? 30? Other teams do it. Heaven knows we've spent enough money on the defensive side..I don't think it's asking too much to keep them under 30.

Edited November 13, 2012 by bobobonators

[CSBill]

Truth: Offense is more than capable, Defense stinks!

 

Fitz is not the problem with this team.