Coach Tuesday Posted February 16, 2005 Posted February 16, 2005 VA, I don't want to misquote you, but I believe you posted a couple weeks back that you heard from a reliable team source that there were some inside OBD who don't feel JP has what it takes, and that some even have serious doubts as to whether he can ever be a starter in the NFL. Just wondering if you have spoken to this source after the events of the last few days - I'd imagine that your source must be surprised/disappointed by the decision to release Drew (I could be wrong about that). Is there a fissure within OBD about JP's readiness? Was the decision on Drew independent of the evaluation of JP? Thanks - CT
VABills Posted February 16, 2005 Posted February 16, 2005 VA, I don't want to misquote you, but I believe you posted a couple weeks back that you heard from a reliable team source that there were some inside OBD who don't feel JP has what it takes, and that some even have serious doubts as to whether he can ever be a starter in the NFL. Just wondering if you have spoken to this source after the events of the last few days - I'd imagine that your source must be surprised/disappointed by the decision to release Drew (I could be wrong about that). Is there a fissure within OBD about JP's readiness? Was the decision on Drew independent of the evaluation of JP? Thanks - CT 241121[/snapback] The quick answer is yes. I actually talked to him the other day. What he said was that the fans are forcing this decision, period. That the Bills had no other choice, and still felt Drew was the better option but there was no way they could bring him back as the starter. He still felt the Bills would make a push for Kitna, or someone like him, and make it a true competition for the starting QB role. He said "JP starting is not a done deal". Again, I am not sure how much interaction goes on in the off season between teams, but with the number of former Bills coaches on the team, he seems to have an inside track on info.
Fezmid Posted February 16, 2005 Posted February 16, 2005 There were a couple of articles that said many in the Bills locker room aren't sure that starting a young QB is the way to go after a 9-7 season. They didn't name any names, but it was briefly mentioned at the bottom of an article. CW
Coach Tuesday Posted February 16, 2005 Author Posted February 16, 2005 The quick answer is yes. I actually talked to him the other day. What he said was that the fans are forcing this decision, period. That the Bills had no other choice, and still felt Drew was the better option but there was no way they could bring him back as the starter. He still felt the Bills would make a push for Kitna, or someone like him, and make it a true competition for the starting QB role. He said "JP starting is not a done deal". Again, I am not sure how much interaction goes on in the off season between teams, but with the number of former Bills coaches on the team, he seems to have an inside track on info. 241135[/snapback] Interesting, very interesting... thanks. It will also be interesting in that case to see what they say in the press conference today - Donahoe hates getting pressured by the fans (see: the GW press conference), so I wouldn't be surprised for him to rip the City of Buffalo for forcing his hand again, blah blah blah (btw - the reason I didn't PM you was because I figured this was a topic that others might be interested in)
Coach Tuesday Posted February 16, 2005 Author Posted February 16, 2005 There were a couple of articles that said many in the Bills locker room aren't sure that starting a young QB is the way to go after a 9-7 season. They didn't name any names, but it was briefly mentioned at the bottom of an article. CW 241140[/snapback] Well, Moulds obviously doesn't mind (or else was severely deceived).
Fezmid Posted February 16, 2005 Posted February 16, 2005 Well, Moulds obviously doesn't mind (or else was severely deceived). 241142[/snapback] That would be why the article didn't say, "Everyone in the Bills locker room..." CW
VABills Posted February 16, 2005 Posted February 16, 2005 Interesting, very interesting... thanks. (btw - the reason I didn't PM you was because I figured this was a topic that others might be interested in) 241141[/snapback] No problem. I thought I had posted that about 2 weeks ago that the decision to let Bledsoe go was a done deal. Ticket sales and general complaints from the fan base was the main reason. That was part of my mantra for the last week and why I am pissed about the decision. I have no problem with the decision if it was purely a football decision, but when decisions are based on ticket sales and letting "whiney fans" force football moves I get annoyed as hell.
Coach Tuesday Posted February 16, 2005 Author Posted February 16, 2005 That would be why the article didn't say, "Everyone in the Bills locker room..." CW 241146[/snapback] Prove that you're not Jerry Sullivan.
26CornerBlitz Posted February 16, 2005 Posted February 16, 2005 No problem. I thought I had posted that about 2 weeks ago that the decision to let Bledsoe go was a done deal. Ticket sales and general complaints from the fan base was the main reason. That was part of my mantra for the last week and why I am pissed about the decision. I have no problem with the decision if it was purely a football decision, but when decisions are based on ticket sales and letting "whiney fans" force football moves I get annoyed as hell. 241150[/snapback] From my eye, the fans have nothing to do with this. Bledsoe was holding the team back and it was time for him to go....just ask Bill Belichek, Scott Pioli, Tom Brady, Tom Modrak, and Tom Donahoe.
VABills Posted February 16, 2005 Posted February 16, 2005 From my eye, the fans have nothing to do with this. Bledsoe was holding the team back and it was time for him to go....just ask Bill Belichek, Scott Pioli, Tom Brady, Tom Modrak, and Tom Donahoe. 241166[/snapback] And you are wrong. As someone else mentioned, do not be surprised if TD makes his displeasure known at the press conference.
Fezmid Posted February 16, 2005 Posted February 16, 2005 From my eye, the fans have nothing to do with this. Bledsoe was holding the team back and it was time for him to go....just ask Bill Belichek, Scott Pioli, Tom Brady, Tom Modrak, and Tom Donahoe. 241166[/snapback] The difference is that the Patriots had a proven commodity in Brady, as he played most of the season after Bledsoe was hurt. In Buffalo, we're just handing the reigns over to the new guy without having any idea of how well he plays. If Brady would've turned out to be average, Bledsoe would probably still be playing in NE. CW
26CornerBlitz Posted February 16, 2005 Posted February 16, 2005 The difference is that the Patriots had a proven commodity in Brady, as he played most of the season after Bledsoe was hurt. In Buffalo, we're just handing the reigns over to the new guy without having any idea of how well he plays. If Brady would've turned out to be average, Bledsoe would probably still be playing in NE. CW 241170[/snapback] Brady wasn't proven when he took the reigns from Bledsoe....The Mo Lewis hit and subsequent serious injury thrust Brady into the starting role. The Pats took off from there and have not looked back.
VABills Posted February 16, 2005 Posted February 16, 2005 Brady wasn't proven when he took the reigns from Bledsoe....The Mo Lewis hit and subsequent serious injury thrust Brady into the starting role. The Pats took off from there and have not looked back. 241176[/snapback] Okay, simple English here. Bledsoe hurt. Backup comes in. Backup shows he is a great QB. Average QB is traded.
plenzmd1 Posted February 16, 2005 Posted February 16, 2005 And you are wrong. As someone else mentioned, do not be surprised if TD makes his displeasure known at the press conference. 241169[/snapback] Your not serious are you? Can you imagine a GM getting up and saying I think keeping this guy is the way to go, but the fans have made it clear they want the rookie in. Now, I'm not saying that might not be the case, only that he would never admit to it.
Fezmid Posted February 16, 2005 Posted February 16, 2005 Brady wasn't proven when he took the reigns from Bledsoe....The Mo Lewis hit and subsequent serious injury thrust Brady into the starting role. The Pats took off from there and have not looked back. 241176[/snapback] Exactly -- the Patriots were *forced* to go with Brady, that's my point. Brady had to play extremely well to keep the job away from Bledsoe, and he did just that. It's a completely different situation than just handing the reigns over to JPL and saying, "Good luck!" Brady had to PROVE that he was worth the starting position, whereas the job is simply being handed to JPL. If Brady, subbing for an injured Bledsoe, played poorly, Bledsoe would've returned from the injury and been the starter. EDIT: Ok, VABills posted a more succinct version CW
Thamus Posted February 16, 2005 Posted February 16, 2005 WOW! What was the Levy quote? "If you listen to the fans, you soon find yourself sitting with them!" Is this another classic "Buffalo trying to use someone else's formula" (ie: NE). The city and its fans needs to take a long list of history vs. unoriginality! If TD really buckles to the fans. I have lost all respect for him. That is just plain silly. If JP really sucks it up and RW dies, would it be really hard to move the Bills. Don't shoot, just my paranoid thoughts!
26CornerBlitz Posted February 16, 2005 Posted February 16, 2005 Okay, simple English here. Bledsoe hurt. Backup comes in. Backup shows he is a great QB. Average QB is traded. 241181[/snapback] Simple english here...below average veteran QB holding team back...time to go in another direction before time runs out on the rest of a very good team. Strictly A Football Decision! Different scenarios granted...common factor in either case...DB not getting it done!
scribo Posted February 16, 2005 Posted February 16, 2005 Okay, simple English here. Bledsoe hurt. Backup comes in. Backup shows he is a great QB. Average QB is traded. 241181[/snapback] I don't believe Drew is even an "average QB" anymore.
Thamus Posted February 16, 2005 Posted February 16, 2005 Exactly -- the Patriots were *forced* to go with Brady, that's my point. Brady had to play extremely well to keep the job away from Bledsoe, and he did just that. It's a completely different situation than just handing the reigns over to JPL and saying, "Good luck!" Brady had to PROVE that he was worth the starting position, whereas the job is simply being handed to JPL. If Brady, subbing for an injured Bledsoe, played poorly, Bledsoe would've returned from the injury and been the starter. EDIT: Ok, VABills posted a more succinct version CW 241187[/snapback] Totally AGREE Fezmid! It is just amazing how Buffalo and historically the city always seems to FUBAR things and leave out the most important details. Maybe the will get it right with the Bills and half the details? Because, I there's a: -Bridge to be built. -A subway to be torn down -A skyway that is closed during the winter and a Waterfront that needs to look like Cleveland's.
Recommended Posts