Fitzpatrick doesn’t fit Bills’ needs

By Anthony Bialy  |   Monday, March 02, 2009  |  Comments( 112 )

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The over/under on the first calls for Ryan Fitzpatrick to assume the Buffalo Bills’ starting role is three seconds after Trent Edwards’ first multi-interception game in 2009. The Bills added the Wonderlic superstar early in free agency, meaning anxious coaches egged on by jumpy fans unfortunately have an option for overreaction if Edwards struggles even momentarily.

Buffalo’s newest quarterback has only seen action as a pro in two years, both rotten: Fitzpatrick started three games and appeared in a fourth for the 6-10 2005 St. Louis Rams before taking most of the snaps for last year’s typically miserable Cincinnati Bengals. As for the recent season’s action, he managed an unfortunate 70.0 rating while starting three-quarters of Cincinnati’s games.

His just-below-middling 59.4 percent completion percentage didn’t hurt as much as the trifling 5.1 yards he gained per attempt. That was dead last in the league for qualified passers; by comparison, the category’s leader, Philip Rivers of the San Diego Chargers, gained 8.4 per every throw. Edwards came in 12th out of the 32 quarterbacks who made at least 224 attempts last year with 7.2 yards every throw, while Derek Anderson of the Cleveland Browns came in second worst with 5.7, still a fair deal ahead of Fitzpatrick.

Did he get any help from fellow Bengals? Cincinnati's top 2008 wideout/current Seattle Seahawk/spell check enemy T.J. Houshmandzadeh led the team with 904 yards from 92 receptions, while loudmouth Chad Johnson had a quiet 540 yards on 54 grabs. Famed troublemaker Chris Henry is now officially more noticeable in holding center jumpsuit orange than in Bengal orange, finishing third on the team in yardage with a measly 220. Observers can argue about whether it was a bad passer or unhelpful catchers who sunk Cincinnati, but it’s like debating whether black ice or careless driving caused the loss of control: The important point is that the car ends up wrapped around a lamppost.

He also threw for one more interception than touchdown last season, specifically nine against eight. On top of that, Fitzpatrick wouldn’t stay put: He was sacked 38 times in only those 12 starts plus one more appearance, as he was panicky in the pocket like J.P. Losman after a few bowls of Fruity Pebbles.

But his negatives won’t alter what will happen the moment Buffalo’s offense underperforms in 2009: Loud, persistent requests will commence sharing the thesis of “Let’s see what Fitzpatrick can do,” noting that he has 15 starts, is young and deserves a chance, along with a dozen other weak reasons to yank the franchise’s starter.

Prototypical bright Harvard guy Fitzpatrick didn’t end up in Buffalo by accident. He undoubtedly concluded that there’s some probability he’ll take meaningful snaps for his new squad. That’s certainly not to say that he’ll become a public or locker room distraction, but the 26-year-old has made a practical calculation involving playing time potential.

The team should have realized what its latest passer is thinking. The Bills could have added an aging vet who could fulfill a backup’s true duties, namely offering counsel while stepping in only during contingency situations. Instead, they chose the opposite, namely obtaining a second-stringer with precious little experience whose youth will delude some into thinking he could be a viable starting alternative.

That affects the player in front of him, who just happens to be the franchise’s most vital asset. If Edwards struggles during consecutive games, will coaches let him play through it? They now have an excuse to pull him at the slightest lapse, and the fact it’s a ridiculously weak justification won’t matter. Fitzpatrick’s shaky upside will beguile those looking for an instant upgrade; that choice would be a lastingly damaging resolution to Edwards’ temporary problems.

On the other hand, if Edwards thoroughly flops, the season is a waste, and no bench player will alter that harsh truth. The only thing worse than thinking a backup will be an improvement if the starter clunks is thinking a backup like Fitzpatrick will be so. Fans should maintain faith in Edwards instead of hoping that Fitzpatrick is some amazing undiscovered commodity who will magically salvage a troubled campaign; he’d be a quick fix that wouldn’t fix anything.
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CommentsComments: 112  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
07:43 AM
03/03/2009
A.B. if you actually took the time to read any of the posts that are thinly connected to your articles you'd know the whole ...
No.2
PimpDaddy		07:53 AM
03/03/2009
Nate, I would have used different words but I couldn't have said it better. Jauron knows his future is tied to Trent's success. ...
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No.3
Goose		08:01 AM
03/03/2009
I can hear it Now---the fans chanting Fitz---Fitz---Fitz!!! I doubt it will happen but there have been stranger things that have ...
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