Trent Edwards' Arm Strength

[thebug]

Just because he believes in JP he is not a Bills Fan?

 

 

No but just like you he crusades against Trent.....

[Flbillsfan#1]

No but just like you he crusades against Trent.....

Just like you crusade against JP. Does that make you not a Bills fan? At the end of the day I know ALL of us Bills fans will root for and support the QB on the field playing for the Bills.

[thebug]

Just like you crusade against JP. Does that make you not a Bills fan? At the end of the day I know ALL of us Bills fans will root for and support the QB on the field playing for the Bills.

 

 

Yes but my dislike for JP is based on history and I cheered for him and wanted him to do well when he was in there, there is a difference. Just like any other player that continued to fail for the Bills, I would want them out as well.....but to continually bash a young QB before he has had a real opportunity to show what he can do and to hope he fails (or gets injured)so your guy gets yet another chance is bull sh--.

[BADOLBILZ]

I love the offseason. Hope springs eternal. Even the obvious becomes debatable merely weeks after the season ends. But seriously people, take a look at your expectations at this point LAST offseason and then see what unfolded. The offense was going to be explosive, instead it was nothing less than horrendous. The defense was supposed to be improved according to most here......why?...well because the young players now had more EXPERIENCE. Anyone remember this? It wasn't all injuries. The OL was remarkably healthy as were most of the teams better players.

 

Here's a fact, Edwards does not have a strong arm by NFL standards. Sorry, mythbuster, but the DVR doesn't lie. Sure, he can throw the ball 60 yards in the air. The problem is he gets way too much air under his deep throws. He lacks power which is a result of the same sudden, short motion that gives him his quick release and possibly his good control of short to immediate passes. A QB's power comes from his core and the rotation of the hips, and Edwards just doesn't generate much torque in his motion.

 

I would hope that Edwards and the Bills have worked hard this offseason to help him improve this area of his game. It's great that Schonert says the team will run more deep routes. However, also remember that at one point the Bills tried to convince us that Rob Johnson was a west coast offense QB. It's not wise to play to your weaknesses.

 

Expect opposing defenses to take away the underneath routes and FORCE Edwards to throw that deep ball the Bills claim we will see so much of. And if Edwards can't beat them with that deep ball, he is going to get a face full of blitzes and end up where he has been so often in his college and pro career....injured and on the sideline.

 

You want a frame of reference, check out Edwards' second start versus the Jets last year. The Jets are very famialar with how teams defense a QB who lacks arm strength. They dominated Edwards, battered him with blitzes and injured him. Very important to note, the Jets were the only team to face Edwards TWICE. Teams will adapt, he must too. Otherwise, don't be surprised if JP ends up as the starter again at some point during the season. I sincerely hope that Edwards becomes the QB of the future, but I think too many people assume that he has all the tools and just needs experience. Not the case, he has a lot of work to do physically just to become CONSISTENT, let alone good.

[Adam]

No but just like you he crusades against Trent.....

Both are the result of stupid impatient fans, and a dumber front office that even cares what those fans think. JP was a 5ear project when we drafted him, lost his first year to injury after getting hit by a guy that wanted to prove he was a real NFL player. He never should have stepped onto the field in year 2, because WE SHOULD HAVE KEPT BLEDSOE. But, no- the fans would have rather had Hank Bullough come back than keep Bledsoe, so we lied to ourselves and said that we don't care if JP is ready or not.

 

Amazingly enough, JP had moderate success, despite being forced onto the field long before he was ready. Then, after a few years of development on a team so horrendous it could bring tears to your eyes, we end his development, and THROW A ROOKIE out there. Now people are complaining about him already. He shouldn't have played as much as he did last year- way too soon. Fans will be turning on him soon, and we will be taking a 1st round QB again.

 

And don't give me any garbage about not being able to develop QB's anymore. Look at what Jacksonville did with David Garrard. Look at Hasselback in Seattle. Look at how Eli Manning struggled for years. Impatient fans should be either ignored or mocked- they will keep shelling out the dough and coming to the games anyways.

[Flbillsfan#1]

Yes but my dislike for JP is based on history and I cheered for him and wanted him to do well when he was in there, there is a difference. Just like any other player that continued to fail for the Bills, I would want them out as well.....but to continually bash a young QB before he has had a real opportunity to show what he can do and to hope he fails (or gets injured)so your guy gets yet another chance is bull sh--.

I have not seen ONE post that said they HOPED Trent fails or is injured. That is simply your interpretation of someone saying they THOUGHT Trent would fail or get injured. It would be especially foolish to HOPE Trent fails, because JP will not be a Bill in 09 putting the Bills back to square one if he does fail. It is obvious there is a difference of opinion about the abilities of BOTH QB's on this board, but WE ARE ALL BILLS FANS.

[Captain Hindsight]

I love the offseason. Hope springs eternal. Even the obvious becomes debatable merely weeks after the season ends. But seriously people, take a look at your expectations at this point LAST offseason and then see what unfolded. The offense was going to be explosive, instead it was nothing less than horrendous. The defense was supposed to be improved according to most here......why?...well because the young players now had more EXPERIENCE. Anyone remember this? It wasn't all injuries. The OL was remarkably healthy as were most of the teams better players.

 

Here's a fact, Edwards does not have a strong arm by NFL standards. Sorry, mythbuster, but the DVR doesn't lie. Sure, he can throw the ball 60 yards in the air. The problem is he gets way too much air under his deep throws. He lacks power which is a result of the same sudden, short motion that gives him his quick release and possibly his good control of short to immediate passes. A QB's power comes from his core and the rotation of the hips, and Edwards just doesn't generate much torque in his motion.

 

I would hope that Edwards and the Bills have worked hard this offseason to help him improve this area of his game. It's great that Schonert says the team will run more deep routes. However, also remember that at one point the Bills tried to convince us that Rob Johnson was a west coast offense QB. It's not wise to play to your weaknesses.

 

Expect opposing defenses to take away the underneath routes and FORCE Edwards to throw that deep ball the Bills claim we will see so much of. And if Edwards can't beat them with that deep ball, he is going to get a face full of blitzes and end up where he has been so often in his college and pro career....injured and on the sideline.

 

You want a frame of reference, check out Edwards' second start versus the Jets last year. The Jets are very famialar with how teams defense a QB who lacks arm strength. They dominated Edwards, battered him with blitzes and injured him. Very important to note, the Jets were the only team to face Edwards TWICE. Teams will adapt, he must too. Otherwise, don't be surprised if JP ends up as the starter again at some point during the season. I sincerely hope that Edwards becomes the QB of the future, but I think too many people assume that he has all the tools and just needs experience. Not the case, he has a lot of work to do physically just to become CONSISTENT, let alone good.

Excellent post

[ieatcrayonz]

Trent Edwards' Arm Strength

 

Live Recording.

 

 

Fooled again. I forgot about this thread and again thought it was about proxy morons.

[Bill from NYC]

I love the offseason. Hope springs eternal. Even the obvious becomes debatable merely weeks after the season ends. But seriously people, take a look at your expectations at this point LAST offseason and then see what unfolded. The offense was going to be explosive, instead it was nothing less than horrendous. The defense was supposed to be improved according to most here......why?...well because the young players now had more EXPERIENCE. Anyone remember this? It wasn't all injuries. The OL was remarkably healthy as were most of the teams better players.

 

Here's a fact, Edwards does not have a strong arm by NFL standards. Sorry, mythbuster, but the DVR doesn't lie. Sure, he can throw the ball 60 yards in the air. The problem is he gets way too much air under his deep throws. He lacks power which is a result of the same sudden, short motion that gives him his quick release and possibly his good control of short to immediate passes. A QB's power comes from his core and the rotation of the hips, and Edwards just doesn't generate much torque in his motion.

 

I would hope that Edwards and the Bills have worked hard this offseason to help him improve this area of his game. It's great that Schonert says the team will run more deep routes. However, also remember that at one point the Bills tried to convince us that Rob Johnson was a west coast offense QB. It's not wise to play to your weaknesses.

 

Expect opposing defenses to take away the underneath routes and FORCE Edwards to throw that deep ball the Bills claim we will see so much of. And if Edwards can't beat them with that deep ball, he is going to get a face full of blitzes and end up where he has been so often in his college and pro career....injured and on the sideline.

 

You want a frame of reference, check out Edwards' second start versus the Jets last year. The Jets are very famialar with how teams defense a QB who lacks arm strength. They dominated Edwards, battered him with blitzes and injured him. Very important to note, the Jets were the only team to face Edwards TWICE. Teams will adapt, he must too. Otherwise, don't be surprised if JP ends up as the starter again at some point during the season. I sincerely hope that Edwards becomes the QB of the future, but I think too many people assume that he has all the tools and just needs experience. Not the case, he has a lot of work to do physically just to become CONSISTENT, let alone good.

 

Sound the horns! This is a rare moment in which I vehemently disagree with you. Actually I am glad. To agree lockstep with any one person's views would damage my credibility as an objective fan.

 

Badol, allow me to point to Matt Hasselback. I think that Trent has at least as much arm strength as him, and has a chance to be as, or even more accurate. Plus, Trent seems taller, and is filling out as well.

I first saw MH in a preseason game as a rookie out of BC with Green Bay. Immediately, I noticed a quick decision making process, accuracy, and that dreaded word....poise. My first look at Edwards was the Detroit preseason game, and I saw the same exact stuff. It was the freaking same!

Do I claim to be as qualified as you in terms of rating qbs? No, not even close. That said, I do have some experience at watching these guys, and I am thinking that Trent will at some point be a good enough qb to take a football team to a superbowl. In fact, I think he can be as good as Eli (not Peyton) Manning. Why not?

 

If JP starts, this team is done imo. This is not a prediction that makes me happy. JP has the arm. So what? Trent, as a rookie, was good at all the things JP sucks at doing. Say what you will about JP's skill set, and I will make the case that RJ had more skills. Jeff George threw a faster, longer ball than Bledsoe or Marino, let alone JP. Using my same experience at watching qbs, I don't think that Losman will ever be smart nor consistent enough to get it done. You saw me. I was at RWS with you rooting for him, but enough is enough.

 

In any event, this is one that I need to be "right" about. If he is as good as I think he is and the OL stays healthy, I think we will be in the playoffs this season, and I am thinking of ways to get "permission" from Millie to let me go up there if it happens. How cool would that be?

 

In any event,

[Flbillsfan#1]

Sound the horns! This is a rare moment in which I vehemently disagree with you. Actually I am glad. To agree lockstep with any one person's views would damage my credibility as an objective fan.

 

Badol, allow me to point to Matt Hasselback. I think that Trent has at least as much arm strength as him, and has a chance to be as, or even more accurate. Plus, Trent seems taller, and is filling out as well.

I first saw MH in a preseason game as a rookie out of BC with Green Bay. Immediately, I noticed a quick decision making process, accuracy, and that dreaded word....poise. My first look at Edwards was the Detroit preseason game, and I saw the same exact stuff. It was the freaking same!

Do I claim to be as qualified as you in terms of rating qbs? No, not even close. That said, I do have some experience at watching these guys, and I am thinking that Trent will at some point be a good enough qb to take a football team to a superbowl. In fact, I think he can be as good as Eli (not Peyton) Manning. Why not?

 

If JP starts, this team is done imo. This is not a prediction that makes me happy. JP has the arm. So what? Trent, as a rookie, was good at all the things JP sucks at doing. Say what you will about JP's skill set, and I will make the case that RJ had more skills. Jeff George threw a faster, longer ball than Bledsoe or Marino, let alone JP. Using my same experience at watching qbs, I don't think that Losman will ever be smart nor consistent enough to get it done. You saw me. I was at RWS with you rooting for him, but enough is enough.

 

In any event, this is one that I need to be "right" about. If he is as good as I think he is and the OL stays healthy, I think we will be in the playoffs this season, and I am thinking of ways to get "permission" from Millie to let me go up there if it happens. How cool would that be?

 

In any event,

I HOPE you are correct in your assessment, but right now I have to agree with BADOL. Trent will have to find the end zone in 08 for the Bills to make the playoffs in my opinion.

[C.Biscuit97]

Both are the result of stupid impatient fans, and a dumber front office that even cares what those fans think. JP was a 5ear project when we drafted him, lost his first year to injury after getting hit by a guy that wanted to prove he was a real NFL player. He never should have stepped onto the field in year 2, because WE SHOULD HAVE KEPT BLEDSOE. But, no- the fans would have rather had Hank Bullough come back than keep Bledsoe, so we lied to ourselves and said that we don't care if JP is ready or not.

 

With the amount of money you pay rookie 1st round QBs, there is no such thing as a 5 year project at QB. You simply don't have that luxury anymore. As for Bledsoe, I agree the time would have been much better off with him as a starter and Losman sitting on the bench, but how much better? I think 9-7 is probably the best record Bledsoe could lead a team to at that point in his career. It was time for a change and you can only learn so much from the sidelines.

 

Amazingly enough, JP had moderate success, despite being forced onto the field long before he was ready. Then, after a few years of development on a team so horrendous it could bring tears to your eyes, we end his development, and THROW A ROOKIE out there. Now people are complaining about him already. He shouldn't have played as much as he did last year- way too soon. Fans will be turning on him soon, and we will be taking a 1st round QB again.

 

Let's be honest. Losman was probably the worst starting QB in the league his first season. At teh same time, he should have been given more starts to gain valuable playing time. However, the coaches were trying to say their jobs and risked losing the team if they kept JP in there. Holcomb, with as many shortcomings as he had, gave the team a better shot to win. And for the record that team wasn't that bad. In fact, they were coming off a 9-7 season and were a trendy playoff pick. I don't know why you insist on getting that wrong.

 

Also, there are only a select few who are complaining about Trent. You're right though. He shouldn't have played last year. But he was forced to by Losman's regression. The coaches gave JP every opportunity to seize his job back and he failed badly. But I don't think there is any question that Edwards is miles ahead of where JP was at similar stages in their careers.

 

And don't give me any garbage about not being able to develop QB's anymore. Look at what Jacksonville did with David Garrard. Look at Hasselback in Seattle. Look at how Eli Manning struggled for years. Impatient fans should be either ignored or mocked- they will keep shelling out the dough and coming to the games anyways.

 

Sorry but your facts are completely wrong on this. Jacksonville didn't draft Garrad to be a starter. In fact, they thought so much about his ability after drafting him in the 4th round, they drafted Leftwich with a 1st round pick the next season. He got his job because Leftwich flamed out (sound familiar?) The same thing with Hasselback. The Packers didn't spend a 7th round pick on Hasselback expecting him to beat out Farve for a starting job. In fact for most of his time there, he was a 3rd string QB. As for Manning, it is a completely different story. For 1, despite how inconsistent he has been, he still lead the Giants to 3 playoff berths. Also, if he was the #1 overall pick and his last name wasn't Manning, he would have been benched long before the Super Bowl.

[C.Biscuit97]

I love the offseason. Hope springs eternal. Even the obvious becomes debatable merely weeks after the season ends. But seriously people, take a look at your expectations at this point LAST offseason and then see what unfolded. The offense was going to be explosive, instead it was nothing less than horrendous. The defense was supposed to be improved according to most here......why?...well because the young players now had more EXPERIENCE. Anyone remember this? It wasn't all injuries. The OL was remarkably healthy as were most of the teams better players.

 

Here's a fact, Edwards does not have a strong arm by NFL standards. Sorry, mythbuster, but the DVR doesn't lie. Sure, he can throw the ball 60 yards in the air. The problem is he gets way too much air under his deep throws. He lacks power which is a result of the same sudden, short motion that gives him his quick release and possibly his good control of short to immediate passes. A QB's power comes from his core and the rotation of the hips, and Edwards just doesn't generate much torque in his motion.

 

I would hope that Edwards and the Bills have worked hard this offseason to help him improve this area of his game. It's great that Schonert says the team will run more deep routes. However, also remember that at one point the Bills tried to convince us that Rob Johnson was a west coast offense QB. It's not wise to play to your weaknesses.

 

Expect opposing defenses to take away the underneath routes and FORCE Edwards to throw that deep ball the Bills claim we will see so much of. And if Edwards can't beat them with that deep ball, he is going to get a face full of blitzes and end up where he has been so often in his college and pro career....injured and on the sideline.

 

You want a frame of reference, check out Edwards' second start versus the Jets last year. The Jets are very famialar with how teams defense a QB who lacks arm strength. They dominated Edwards, battered him with blitzes and injured him. Very important to note, the Jets were the only team to face Edwards TWICE. Teams will adapt, he must too. Otherwise, don't be surprised if JP ends up as the starter again at some point during the season. I sincerely hope that Edwards becomes the QB of the future, but I think too many people assume that he has all the tools and just needs experience. Not the case, he has a lot of work to do physically just to become CONSISTENT, let alone good.

 

Again, guys like Montana and Garcia for example, didn't have cannons. Smart QBs get the ball to their playmakers in the best position for them to gain yards after the catch. If Edwards hits Parrish on a 10 yard crossing route and PArrish is able to gain 20 yards after the catch, it is still a 30 yard pass play.

[Gordio]

Clearly nervous and it's starting to show? WTF are you talking about? I think you're confusing me with somebody else. Either that or you just didn't read my post. At any rate, from the tone of your ramblings and constant need to put words in my mouth to support your position in the debate, it's clear to me that the nerves ARE clearly starting to show. Don't let 'em see you sweat, eh #1?

 

Quick question: can you PROVE that Trent's low TD % is his flaw alone? Can you support that absurd theory with evidence that he missed all sorts of wide open receivers for instance? Or that everyone, on EVERY play, executed his assignment perfectly with the exception of Edwards? I could go on and on, but you get the point. I think.

 

Your crusade is making you look like one of the least knowledgeable fans I've ever come across.

 

GO BILLS!!!

 

 

I do not know why you continuosly try to reason & use logic with this guy. He is not going to change his mind no matter what you say. He is going to be disgruntled & miserable & bitter all year because Losman is not going to get his 5th chance at the starting job. It is like talking to a wall. It is too bad too that he feels this way because I really think the bills are going to do some great things this year & he is going to be too bitter too enjoy it.

 

I will say this one more time. Alot of the success of the season really depends on Edwards. He needs to play better then he did last year(which common sense tells you he will). If he plays the same as he did last year the bills will not make the playoffs again. I think he is really positioned to do some good things this year. All things considered he had he played well last year given the fact that he was a 1st year rookie qb. I think he has the makeup to progress, not regress, Iam really not concerned about his arm strength, he could make all the throws he has too, & I lovew his quick release & his mental makeup for the game. I think/hope he is going to be fine.

[C.Biscuit97]

Sound the horns! This is a rare moment in which I vehemently disagree with you. Actually I am glad. To agree lockstep with any one person's views would damage my credibility as an objective fan.

 

Badol, allow me to point to Matt Hasselback. I think that Trent has at least as much arm strength as him, and has a chance to be as, or even more accurate. Plus, Trent seems taller, and is filling out as well.

I first saw MH in a preseason game as a rookie out of BC with Green Bay. Immediately, I noticed a quick decision making process, accuracy, and that dreaded word....poise. My first look at Edwards was the Detroit preseason game, and I saw the same exact stuff. It was the freaking same!

Do I claim to be as qualified as you in terms of rating qbs? No, not even close. That said, I do have some experience at watching these guys, and I am thinking that Trent will at some point be a good enough qb to take a football team to a superbowl. In fact, I think he can be as good as Eli (not Peyton) Manning. Why not?

 

If JP starts, this team is done imo. This is not a prediction that makes me happy. JP has the arm. So what? Trent, as a rookie, was good at all the things JP sucks at doing. Say what you will about JP's skill set, and I will make the case that RJ had more skills. Jeff George threw a faster, longer ball than Bledsoe or Marino, let alone JP. Using my same experience at watching qbs, I don't think that Losman will ever be smart nor consistent enough to get it done. You saw me. I was at RWS with you rooting for him, but enough is enough.

 

In any event, this is one that I need to be "right" about. If he is as good as I think he is and the OL stays healthy, I think we will be in the playoffs this season, and I am thinking of ways to get "permission" from Millie to let me go up there if it happens. How cool would that be?

 

In any event,

 

 

Great post. It takes more than physical skills to suceed in the NFL as a QB.

[1billsfan]

I do not know why you continuosly try to reason & use logic with this guy. He is not going to change his mind no matter what you say. He is going to be disgruntled & miserable & bitter all year because Losman is not going to get his 5th chance at the starting job. It is like talking to a wall. It is too bad too that he feels this way because I really think the bills are going to do some great things this year & he is going to be too bitter too enjoy it.

 

I will say this one more time. Alot of the success of the season really depends on Edwards. He needs to play better then he did last year(which common sense tells you he will). If he plays the same as he did last year the bills will not make the playoffs again. I think he is really positioned to do some good things this year. All things considered he had he played well last year given the fact that he was a 1st year rookie qb. I think he has the makeup to progress, not regress, Iam really not concerned about his arm strength, he could make all the throws he has too, & I lovew his quick release & his mental makeup for the game. I think/hope he is going to be fine.

 

I like how you try tearing me a new one and then proceed to agree with the point I've been making regarding Edwards and him needing to play better this year. I would be more than happy to say I was wrong and see the Bills make the playoffs. The sorry thing is that once someone dares to question the great almighty and expose a very weak area in his game, you and your friend are the ones who lose all reason and logic and feel the need to bust on Losman as if it would hurt my feelings. That's weird. Why can't you take any criticism of Edwards unless it comes from you yourself? Losman's on the bench, you guys are the ones that are still fixated on the QB debate. I'm past it, I want our starting QB Trent Edwards to throw touchdown passes this year. If that's unreasonable or illogical then I'm sorry I can't help you.

[MDH]

Sound the horns! This is a rare moment in which I vehemently disagree with you. Actually I am glad. To agree lockstep with any one person's views would damage my credibility as an objective fan.

 

Badol, allow me to point to Matt Hasselback. I think that Trent has at least as much arm strength as him, and has a chance to be as, or even more accurate. Plus, Trent seems taller, and is filling out as well.

I first saw MH in a preseason game as a rookie out of BC with Green Bay. Immediately, I noticed a quick decision making process, accuracy, and that dreaded word....poise. My first look at Edwards was the Detroit preseason game, and I saw the same exact stuff. It was the freaking same!

Do I claim to be as qualified as you in terms of rating qbs? No, not even close. That said, I do have some experience at watching these guys, and I am thinking that Trent will at some point be a good enough qb to take a football team to a superbowl. In fact, I think he can be as good as Eli (not Peyton) Manning. Why not?

 

If JP starts, this team is done imo. This is not a prediction that makes me happy. JP has the arm. So what? Trent, as a rookie, was good at all the things JP sucks at doing. Say what you will about JP's skill set, and I will make the case that RJ had more skills. Jeff George threw a faster, longer ball than Bledsoe or Marino, let alone JP. Using my same experience at watching qbs, I don't think that Losman will ever be smart nor consistent enough to get it done. You saw me. I was at RWS with you rooting for him, but enough is enough.

 

In any event, this is one that I need to be "right" about. If he is as good as I think he is and the OL stays healthy, I think we will be in the playoffs this season, and I am thinking of ways to get "permission" from Millie to let me go up there if it happens. How cool would that be?

 

In any event,

 

How did JP even come into the discussion here? Bado was speaking strictly about Edwards. Bado brought up several solid points that had nothing to do with JP and you didn't address any of those but instead resorted to the typical Edwards vs. JP post that we've seen a thousand times.

 

And as for Hasselback's arm - he can make every throw needed, the same can not yet be said about Edwards. He floats the out patterns and (as Bado has stated) has way too much loft on his long ball, which wouldn't necessarily be an issue if he could mussel it down field farther too allow for the extra time it takes to get there (alla Jeff Blake). Arm strength is definitely an overrated aspect of the QB position but only if the QB can make ALL the necessary throws. We'll see if Edwards can do that this year.

[Bill from NYC]

How did JP even come into the discussion here? Bado was speaking strictly about Edwards. Bado brought up several solid points that had nothing to do with JP and you didn't address any of those but instead resorted to the typical Edwards vs. JP post that we've seen a thousand times.

 

>>>> Teams will adapt, he must too. Otherwise, don't be surprised if JP ends up as the starter again at some point during the season.<<<<

 

Yeah....OK.

[C.Biscuit97]

How did JP even come into the discussion here? Bado was speaking strictly about Edwards. Bado brought up several solid points that had nothing to do with JP and you didn't address any of those but instead resorted to the typical Edwards vs. JP post that we've seen a thousand times.

 

And as for Hasselback's arm - he can make every throw needed, the same can not yet be said about Edwards. He floats the out patterns and (as Bado has stated) has way too much loft on his long ball, which wouldn't necessarily be an issue if he could mussel it down field farther too allow for the extra time it takes to get there (alla Jeff Blake). Arm strength is definitely an overrated aspect of the QB position but only if the QB can make ALL the necessary throws. We'll see if Edwards can do that this year.

 

 

I think Bill was stating that Hasselback improved his arm strength since his rookie year. I think they are very similar QBs. If Hasselback had that much better of an arm than Edwards, he won't have been a 7th round pick.

[Bill from NYC]

And as for Hasselback's arm - he can make every throw needed

 

This is empty rhetoric. Every throw needed? What does that mean? Can he toss a 40 yard out pattern? Can he zip it in between 2 defenders at 50 yards? Can he throw a 60 yard bomb without much air? Of course he can't. Neither could Steve Young of Joe Montana?

 

You are simply looking to criticize Edwards, and wincing in agony whan someone compares him favorable to Losman, who isn't good in his 5th year.

[keepthefaith]

I love the offseason. Hope springs eternal. Even the obvious becomes debatable merely weeks after the season ends. But seriously people, take a look at your expectations at this point LAST offseason and then see what unfolded. The offense was going to be explosive, instead it was nothing less than horrendous. The defense was supposed to be improved according to most here......why?...well because the young players now had more EXPERIENCE. Anyone remember this? It wasn't all injuries. The OL was remarkably healthy as were most of the teams better players.

 

Here's a fact, Edwards does not have a strong arm by NFL standards. Sorry, mythbuster, but the DVR doesn't lie. Sure, he can throw the ball 60 yards in the air. The problem is he gets way too much air under his deep throws. He lacks power which is a result of the same sudden, short motion that gives him his quick release and possibly his good control of short to immediate passes. A QB's power comes from his core and the rotation of the hips, and Edwards just doesn't generate much torque in his motion.

 

I would hope that Edwards and the Bills have worked hard this offseason to help him improve this area of his game. It's great that Schonert says the team will run more deep routes. However, also remember that at one point the Bills tried to convince us that Rob Johnson was a west coast offense QB. It's not wise to play to your weaknesses.

 

Expect opposing defenses to take away the underneath routes and FORCE Edwards to throw that deep ball the Bills claim we will see so much of. And if Edwards can't beat them with that deep ball, he is going to get a face full of blitzes and end up where he has been so often in his college and pro career....injured and on the sideline.

 

You want a frame of reference, check out Edwards' second start versus the Jets last year. The Jets are very famialar with how teams defense a QB who lacks arm strength. They dominated Edwards, battered him with blitzes and injured him. Very important to note, the Jets were the only team to face Edwards TWICE. Teams will adapt, he must too. Otherwise, don't be surprised if JP ends up as the starter again at some point during the season. I sincerely hope that Edwards becomes the QB of the future, but I think too many people assume that he has all the tools and just needs experience. Not the case, he has a lot of work to do physically just to become CONSISTENT, let alone good.

 

Well said. You hit the nail on the head when you mention teams defending him short, blitzing and forcing him to beat them deep. People wonder why the Bills get no productivity from the tight end, well, he's blocking on many pass plays. Trent's tendency to throw short along with an offensive game plan that stresses the check down plays right into the hands of the defense. The Bills are not hard to game plan against, and more defenders close to the line of scrimmage hurts the running game as well. Add to this that Trent is basically a pocket passer and the defense can also rush the passer knowing where he will likely be in his drop. The Bills counter? 3 step drops, short stuff, rarely play action, running against 8 defenders near the line of scrimmage. Who's pressuring who? The opposing defense is pressuring the Bills' offense more often than not.