Bills GM Buddy Nix tacitly acknowledged that Ryan Fitzpatrick is not the franchise quarterback the organization had hoped he would become when they signed him to a seven-year, $62 million contract a year ago.
Nix assured fans that finding a new quarterback would not be considered starting over for his regime. "Listen, we have said from day one, that we want to draft a good young quarterback," Nix explained. "I don't want to leave here without a franchise guy for the future in place. I have not said that before but I'm saying it now because it's fact." It's a pretty damning statement that the organization no longer views Fitzpatrick as the answer at QB. His accuracy comes and goes, and the offense has been limited primarily to throws within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage. Opposing coaches now know to follow Rex Ryan's blueprint of sitting on shallow routes and crowding the line of scrimmage.
Something to keep in mind for next season's fantasy draft - particularly if the Bills draft or acquire a QB not currently on their roster - but doesn't change a thing for this season. He's put up multiple TDs against pass defenses no poorer than the upcoming Texans, Pats, and Colts - and 0 TDs against ones no better than the upcoming Dolphins and Seahawks.
Just an observation.... if he is not the franchise QB, then WHY sign him long term for 7 years for that money???? In essence, Nix is admitting that they were idiots to do this. Fitzpatrick is generally a spread offense, West Coast style QB, who is accurate and completes short passes. He has been in Buffalo long enough to know what his abilities and drawbacks are.
its not like he's been terrible, what about the defense? Where's the blame there? Been downright awful and outside of the rb's and Johnson who do they have? FitzP has very little in regards to weapons down the field and yet when the matchups are right he's been just fine. Can't expect him to beat teams the shouldn't beat in the first place..
I agree- he is performing fine with the tools they have. Fitzpatrick, with his accuracy and mobility, is a good QB, especially in Buffalo's weather conditions. Their defense has been a disaster with the money they invested. My point is that the GM is admitting a mistake in public, which cannot be constructive at this point.
Totally agree there, that's not a good thing. While i think Rex Ryan is a complete dumbshit, i'll give him credit....he's loyal. This type of crap doesn't help your team. Hopefully FitzP will use this as a chip on his shoulder and prove him wrong, i do actually like him....not an elite talent but does his job with what little he has to work with.
Comments
mark_pundursFri 11/2/12 11:48 AM
Something to keep in mind for next season's fantasy draft - particularly if the Bills draft or acquire a QB not currently on their roster - but doesn't change a thing for this season. He's put up multiple TDs against pass defenses no poorer than the upcoming Texans, Pats, and Colts - and 0 TDs against ones no better than the upcoming Dolphins and Seahawks.
MWFLBSat 11/3/12 10:51 AM
Just an observation.... if he is not the franchise QB, then WHY sign him long term for 7 years for that money???? In essence, Nix is admitting that they were idiots to do this. Fitzpatrick is generally a spread offense, West Coast style QB, who is accurate and completes short passes. He has been in Buffalo long enough to know what his abilities and drawbacks are.
metaldad904Sat 11/3/12 9:28 PM
its not like he's been terrible, what about the defense? Where's the blame there? Been downright awful and outside of the rb's and Johnson who do they have? FitzP has very little in regards to weapons down the field and yet when the matchups are right he's been just fine. Can't expect him to beat teams the shouldn't beat in the first place..
MWFLBSun 11/4/12 12:24 PM
I agree- he is performing fine with the tools they have. Fitzpatrick, with his accuracy and mobility, is a good QB, especially in Buffalo's weather conditions. Their defense has been a disaster with the money they invested. My point is that the GM is admitting a mistake in public, which cannot be constructive at this point.
metaldad904Sun 11/4/12 12:27 PM
Totally agree there, that's not a good thing. While i think Rex Ryan is a complete dumbshit, i'll give him credit....he's loyal. This type of crap doesn't help your team. Hopefully FitzP will use this as a chip on his shoulder and prove him wrong, i do actually like him....not an elite talent but does his job with what little he has to work with.