Ryan Fitzpatrick

[shag773]

I already said he's playing well and deserves to start. In fact, I said that in my first post. Doesn't change the fact that I think, ideally, he's best suited as a high quality backup. If you disagree, fine, but at least you understand my point (I think).

Giving some examples from years some guys around here may not be familiar with, he's like a Wade Wilson, a Gary Hogeboom, or a Jay Schroeder (sp?)...?

[Senser81]

I already said he's playing well and deserves to start. In fact, I said that in my first post. Doesn't change the fact that I think, ideally, he's best suited as a high quality backup. If you disagree, fine, but at least you understand my point (I think).

I get what you are saying, but I don't agree with that line of thinking. Its like you either already have the superstar QB (which maybe 7 or 8 teams actually have), or you are developing the next superstar QB. I think what you are saying is that Fitzpatrick will never be a superstar QB, so a team would be better off getting a young QB and trying to develop him.

I would disagree with that logic, because you aren't really making any varying differentiations between "superstar" and "non-superstar". To me, Fitzpatrick is much better than guys like Alex Smith, Matt Cassell, Tavaris Jackson, etc. You say that Fitzpatrick has no upside, but IMO neither do a majority of these idiot QBs and they are much worse than Fitzpatrick.

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

A quick once-over of the NFL's starting 32 QBs...I'd probably throw Fitzpatrick at this very moment right around 18-22. Something like that.

He's better than Tavaris Jackson, Alex Smith, Grossman, etc and FOR THE BILLS, he's a better option than some of the rookies RIGHT NOW. I flip flop whether he's better or simply on par with the Chad Henne's, Jason Campbell's, and Matt Cassell's of the world.

Then again...he could just be another David Garrard...

[Warner2BruceTD]

I get what you are saying, but I don't agree with that line of thinking. Its like you either already have the superstar QB (which maybe 7 or 8 teams actually have), or you are developing the next superstar QB. I think what you are saying is that Fitzpatrick will never be a superstar QB, so a team would be better off getting a young QB and trying to develop him.

I would disagree with that logic, because you aren't really making any varying differentiations between "superstar" and "non-superstar". To me, Fitzpatrick is much better than guys like Alex Smith, Matt Cassell, Tavaris Jackson, etc. You say that Fitzpatrick has no upside, but IMO neither do a majority of these idiot QBs and they are much worse than Fitzpatrick.

I think he's better than those bums, too. And I wouldn't want those type of guys as my starter or backup.

Again, he is playing well and deserves to start. You don't really see the 'high quality' veteran backup in the league anymore, because there is such a steep drop off between stud and bum, that the good backups end up starting somewhere. Teams don't keep these guys around for years like they used to (Frank Reich, Flutie, etc). They deal them to bad teams for draft picks. To me, that's what he is.

Anyway, that's the type of player I see him as. That super high caliber backup type, which really no longer exists. I like him. I'm not suggesting the Bills replace him, but I don't think he's the long term answer, either. He's fun to watch.

[Juggernaut]

Anyway, that's the type of player I see him as. That super high caliber backup type, which really no longer exists. I like him. I'm not suggesting the Bills replace him, but I don't think he's the long term answer, either. He's fun to watch.

Probably what caused the confusion in this thread.

I agree with you, while he is a top 32 QB easily (meaning he could be starting on a team theoretically), he's the type of player you would love to be your emergency #2.

[NAHSTE]

That super high caliber backup type, which really no longer exists. .

[Aso]

Nahste's killing this thread with his pics

[dave]

Have you ever stopped to consider that your "unpopular" opinion is seen that way because it's asinine?

No.












Just kidding.

[ryne candy]

If his two passes were caught for interceptions (instead of being dropped) before throwing the GW TD.....is this thread still up?

[Deviant]

If his two passes were caught for interceptions (instead of being dropped) before throwing the GW TD.....is this thread still up?

Yes. Because I watched that whole game and Fitz looked solid, especially in the second half.

[Guest]

Yes. Because I watched that whole game and Fitz looked solid, especially in the second half.

They scored in all of their second half drives. Even if he does throw a pick, that is still impressive.

What I liked about Fitzpatrick was that he didn't get rattled by those passes and still came through with that touchdown. That's maturity as a quarterback.

[Fox1994]

To answer the question the thread poses, I think yes, he is a legitimate quality NFL starting quarterback.

As football is a different sport than basketball, I'm sure he much prefers starting to being a role player. Backups in the NFL don't get reps like they do in the NBA, but that's really neither here nor there...

He seems like the Kyle Orton-style stop-gap quarterback. Which is to say he's a better starter than whatever other options are on his team, as well as a better fit for many of the teams in the league than what they already have, but they should look to find an eventual replacement if they want a real catalyst for success.

I think he's intelligent and mobile, but I don't think he's elite or anything like that. He's a capable starter, but I don't think he's a franchise quarterback. He may develop into one, but he is not right now.

Right now, we're talking about this after he's played two 'lights-out' games against two AFC West teams with extremely porous secondaries. KC just lost their all-star safety, Oakland's star cornerback is playing for Philly.

This will be easier to analyze farther down the road, once he's played higher caliber football teams. If he's still performing like this at the halfway point of the season, perhaps we can anoint him Buffalo's savior. More likely if he gets the Bills deep into the playoffs.

The last three years, as completing 60%+ of your passes has become standard, he hasn't done it. In 2008 with Cincy, he threw for eight touchdowns and nine interceptions. In 2009 with Buffalo, he threw for nine touchdowns and ten interceptions. So far this year he's completed 45 of 71 passes (63.4%) with seven touchdowns and only one interception, but it's been against teams with bad secondaries. We'll see, I guess.

[Fox1994]

Thanks, I guess. lol. Glad to entertain.

[Wildcard]

[dave]

No one other than Chan Gailey deserves to use that smiley. He's the only guy who believed in Fitzpatrick. He had the draft pick to replace him - twice - and didn't.