I've had some more time to think more about the Tyrod Taylor contract over the weekend. Last year in training camp as the Bills were figuring out who their QB was between a then-relative unknown Tyrod , E.J. Manuel, and Matt Cassel. Doug Whaley mentioned how the Bills were in "Quarterback Purgatory."
I think we are kind of still in QB Purgatory as Tyrod is not yet great or really bad somewhere in between. He's still has not a ton of experience where he might be able to grow and maybe could drop off. Chances are that at 27 years old, he is who he is which is not yet great but not terrible. I think that's somewhere between 15-20 which is not great but not terrible somewhere in the middle.
This is where QB Purgatory reigns guys like Alex Smith, Ryan Tannehill, Jay Cutler, Kirk Cousins, and well I suppose Ryan Fitzpatrick as these mediocre QBs are getting paid a ridiculous amount.I think of Fitz as a backup QB but he has his moments as the Jets, and even the Bills, bought into Fitz's good games to give him a decent chunk of change and not seriously looking at drafting his replacement.
It's easy to get excited over this contract because of the outs and it's not like he's getting all $92 million guaranteed regardless of what the national media is telling you. For this contract to truly be worth it is either Tyrod is really good if not great to keep exercising the options or is really bad where they can get out of it.
Wouldn't it be better to give $27.5 million over five years to a first round pick QB than $27.5 million to a middle of the road QB for one year? I would rather draft the QB always and when I get my guy then I'll be set and then I'll pay him top dollar.
The Sabres would always do this where they gave relatively big contracts to middle of the road players like Derek Roy, Tim Connolly, Jason Pominville, Drew Stafford, Tyler Myers among others and Darcy Regier would always say wait until the back half of the contract then they'd be undervalued. How many times did that happen? The answer is zero and by the end of the contract we were ready to dump them, Get the guy and don't be afraid to pay him top dollar.
The worst thing is if Tyrod is middle of the road QB where he is neither really good or really bad and the Bills will keep extending him and giving a middle of the road QB big time money which is never good. They'll be just good enough to miss the playoffs and good enough to keep costing them a shot at a top QB in the draft and good enough to prevent the Bills from drafting a QB in the first two rounds. That's the worst thing that could happen with this contract.
By really good I'm saying around top-10-12 QBs in the league. The bottom 10-12 QBs are Eli Manning, Carson Palmer, Matt Ryan, and Andy Dalton depending on who you think. These are really good QBs but not quite elite as they need talent but they can and have won in this league. That could and should be Tyrod. Of course if he was higher that's even better.
It's hard to rank young QBs Derek Carr, Teddy Bridgewater, Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota, and Blake Bortles even all of these young QBs show great potential and star ability and eventually could make their way into the top-10-14 spots in the league.
They are still so young so they can't officially be put in the rankings yet although I'd take any one of these over Tyrod because of being so young and starting right away from day 1 or close to day 1. Right now, even though they have so much more room to grow and are generally high draft picks first round and to early second round (Carr).
By really bad it's pretty self explanatory by basically saying this guy can't start in the NFL and he's nothing more than a backup. That's Blaine Gabbert, Nick Foles, Matt Cassel, Colin Kaepernick, E.J., Mark Sanchez, Geno Smith, Josh McCown, and perhaps RG3 and so on.
The worst thing is that he is say Tannehill, Cutler, or Smith and that's usually finishing 7-9, 8-8 every year missing the playoffs (Tannehill) or being lucky and not very good and safe and lucking into the playoffs but never winning (Smith).
The Bills are usually Tannehill and the Dolphins or Cutler and the Bears where they win enough games to miss the playoffs but win enough to not have a high draft pick and usually draft a franchise QB. Tannehill is a decent QB, better than what the Bills have had before Tyrod, but not good enough and they do nothing to upgrade the position except add a receiver or fix the line or change the coaches etc. That's QB Purgatory my friends.
The Bills have lived it for the last 20 years. The reason I believe if they Tyrod is just middle and pretty good they'd keep extending his option is because I've seen worse QBs do less and get the benefit of the doubt from this franchise and assurance that they won't go draft his replacement until the bottom completely fell out and they absolutely had to draft one.
I know the Bills don't make the playoffs so I'm sure some of you would like to be Alex Smith and KC and make the playoffs but lose. They will never do anything to change or upgrade the QB position because they are comfortable with making the playoffs and don't want to miss the playoffs. The Chiefs have no chance at winning a Super Bowl with Alex Smith and the way they are built in my opinion.
I want to win and make the playoffs I really do, but I don't want to just make the playoffs and lose and have really no shot at winning the Super Bowl. My goal and the team's goal should be to win the Super Bowl not to just end the playoff drought.
Correct me if I am wrong but wouldn't being a Super Bowl contender year in and year out more than end the playoff drought? They would be in the playoffs just about every year and every year they would be one of the 3-5 favorites to win the Super Bowl.
We say the same about the Sabres. They decided not to just make the playoffs and instead try to be a Stanley Cup contender and win the Cup if not multiple Cups. Their goal is not to just finish in 8th and instead be one of the best teams and they had a plan and followed through with it. The plan is easier to execute as you can finish at the bottom and get high draft picks to build from. The NFL is go get a franchise QB but it's not easy to get.
The Bills during this playoff drought with the exception of a couple of years usually try everything to just end the drought. The only years they didn't and figured they were really bad and rebuilding and finished at the bottom of the league in 2001 and 2010 and those were the only years they'd draft in the top-5 despite being bad for 16 years.
The other years they'd finish middle or middle-bottom of the league and never really close to the playoffs and never close to the top pick of the draft. The rest of the time, they'd change coaches, change GMs, give weapons to help their QB, change QBs, sign big free agents, etc. They went in to just about every single off season trying to end the playoff drought.
The one thing they never did and should do is draft QB every single year until they find their guy and I still want them to do so, but this potential contract could definitely prohibit them from thinking it. They never did this and I want them to start yesterday but now for sure.
I do like the Tyrod contract because of the outs. It's only great if he's either really good or great or he's really bad. In between, they'll overpay him to be their QB and won't do anything to upgrade the position.
Showing posts with label Matt Cassel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Matt Cassel. Show all posts
Monday, August 15, 2016
Monday, August 3, 2015
I've Got 99 Problems and a QB is one! The Only Way I Want Cassell to Start is...; Incognito Named Starting Left Guard
Our greatest fears are coming to fruition in training camp so far. The quarterbacks aren't progressing and are looking pretty bad (http://buffalosportsbeat.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-bills-might-not-have-worst-qb.html). Not one has stood out so far. All three have battled inaccuracy issues much like they have throughout their careers. Tyrod Taylor has made some of the most spectacular plays among the three but has also been spectacular for the wrong reasons as well.
Unfortunately, if they are inaccurate in practice without a pass rush and no one covering receivers, how will they fare then with a furious pass rush and excellent covering corners. I've said it several times, if accuracy is the problem then I want the guy with the best athleticism and ability to make plays with his legs to be the starting qb (http://buffalosportsbeat.blogspot.com/2015/07/bills-qb-situation-if-accuracy-is.html). That's Taylor or E.J. Manuel over Matt Cassel.
Unfortunately, if all three are unspectacular, I see them going with Cassel because he's the veteran. Then I'll have to try and get myself excited about the possibility of him managing the game well with this defense and these weapons and not killing this team. Of course if Cassel bombs like he's been, Joe Buscaglia reports he's likely to be cut because of how much they can save with the salary cap (http://www.wkbw.com/sports/nfl/5-notable-bills-players-in-danger-of-being-cut).
There's one way I'd like Cassel to start and that is if I can sign up for his 27 touchdown, 7 interception performance which he accomplished with the Kansas City Chiefs back in 2010. If you can promise me 27 touchdowns, 7 picks then I'll take Cassel right now. That year he led the Chiefs to a 10-6 record and the AFC East Division Championship. If he repeated those same numbers on this team with this talent, I'd say 10-6 is going to happen and that 11-5 is very likely and so is the playoffs.
If anyone had 27 touchdowns, 7 picks we would erect a statue of that QB outside Ralph Wilson Stadium. Heck, I'd even take 27 touchdowns, 14 interceptions that would make us the playoffs. Like I said, I'd be excited if Cassel did that and would sign up for it. Could you imagine if either Manuel or Taylor won the starting job and had 27 touchdowns, 7 interceptions? We would be celebrating our franchise QB. It must be noted that Cassel had 27 touchdowns in his next three seasons, COMBINED!!
I'd even be thrilled with Jay Cutler's season last year where he threw for almost 4,000 yards in 15 games, 28 touchdowns, 18 interceptions, 66% completion, 250+ yards a game, and an 88.6 QB Rating. The interceptions were a lot and Cutler threw a bunch, but he made up for it with passing yards and touchdowns. I wouldn't mind the interceptions too much if the QB makes more plays because QBs throw interceptions. Heck, Andrew Luck threw 16 but offset that with 40 touchdowns and 4,700 yards.
The defense also can bail out a QB's mistake whereas Cutler's Bears had the worst defense in the league. The Bills with Rex Ryan will have a top-5 defense. It would however be great if a QB can bail the defense out as well. I'd like it if the QB can score points so the defense doesn't have to kill itself every game and doesn't essentially have to pitch a shut out.
I'd hate to waste a great defense because our QB is not good. Speaking of not good QB, Buscaglia said the other day on Twitter that Matt Sims was having a better day than Manuel did at training camp (http://buffalosportsbeat.blogspot.com/2015/07/ej-struggled-because-of-marrone-sure.html). Let's see what Greg Roman can do with either of these QBs.
On a positive note, Richie Incognito has been spectacular so far in training camp along with other practices. It's been so good that Incognito has been named starting left guard by Ryan. He's been very impressive as he reported to training camp in great shape and has been lights out to the point Ryan named him starting guard after just three days in training camp. It's been an amazing comeback so far for Incognito after being out of the NFL the last year-and-a-half after the Jonathan Martin bullying scandal in Miami.
It's great as one of the starting guard jobs is locked up as Eric Wood, Cordy Glenn, and now Incognito have locked up starting spots on the line, the whole left side/middle of the line. The right guard spot is between rookie third-year guard John Miller and second year Cyril Richardson. Miller is penciled in as the starter, but Richardson is giving him a challenge. Second-year players Cyrus Kouandjio and Seantreal Henderson are battling for the starting right tackle spot. Kuoandjio is currently the favorite over Henderson, last year's starting right tackle.
Hopefully Incognito continues to perform well and play well during the season to help the line block in the run game and hopefully give whichever QB enough time to make a play. The line was really weak last year, but it appears to be a strength, so far. It depends on how Incognito performs and keeps himself on the straight and narrow and doesn't get in trouble, which has ruined his career and almost put it to an end. He's been a very productive guard his entire career, starting all 102 games he appeared in since coming into the league as a rookie in 2005, even making the Pro Bowl in 2012 the year before he was suspended.
He hasn't played in a game or appeared on a football field in pads since October 31, 2013. Let's hope it continues into this season and maybe beyond. Beyond however is up to him if he wants.
Unfortunately, if they are inaccurate in practice without a pass rush and no one covering receivers, how will they fare then with a furious pass rush and excellent covering corners. I've said it several times, if accuracy is the problem then I want the guy with the best athleticism and ability to make plays with his legs to be the starting qb (http://buffalosportsbeat.blogspot.com/2015/07/bills-qb-situation-if-accuracy-is.html). That's Taylor or E.J. Manuel over Matt Cassel.
Unfortunately, if all three are unspectacular, I see them going with Cassel because he's the veteran. Then I'll have to try and get myself excited about the possibility of him managing the game well with this defense and these weapons and not killing this team. Of course if Cassel bombs like he's been, Joe Buscaglia reports he's likely to be cut because of how much they can save with the salary cap (http://www.wkbw.com/sports/nfl/5-notable-bills-players-in-danger-of-being-cut).
There's one way I'd like Cassel to start and that is if I can sign up for his 27 touchdown, 7 interception performance which he accomplished with the Kansas City Chiefs back in 2010. If you can promise me 27 touchdowns, 7 picks then I'll take Cassel right now. That year he led the Chiefs to a 10-6 record and the AFC East Division Championship. If he repeated those same numbers on this team with this talent, I'd say 10-6 is going to happen and that 11-5 is very likely and so is the playoffs.
If anyone had 27 touchdowns, 7 picks we would erect a statue of that QB outside Ralph Wilson Stadium. Heck, I'd even take 27 touchdowns, 14 interceptions that would make us the playoffs. Like I said, I'd be excited if Cassel did that and would sign up for it. Could you imagine if either Manuel or Taylor won the starting job and had 27 touchdowns, 7 interceptions? We would be celebrating our franchise QB. It must be noted that Cassel had 27 touchdowns in his next three seasons, COMBINED!!
I'd even be thrilled with Jay Cutler's season last year where he threw for almost 4,000 yards in 15 games, 28 touchdowns, 18 interceptions, 66% completion, 250+ yards a game, and an 88.6 QB Rating. The interceptions were a lot and Cutler threw a bunch, but he made up for it with passing yards and touchdowns. I wouldn't mind the interceptions too much if the QB makes more plays because QBs throw interceptions. Heck, Andrew Luck threw 16 but offset that with 40 touchdowns and 4,700 yards.
The defense also can bail out a QB's mistake whereas Cutler's Bears had the worst defense in the league. The Bills with Rex Ryan will have a top-5 defense. It would however be great if a QB can bail the defense out as well. I'd like it if the QB can score points so the defense doesn't have to kill itself every game and doesn't essentially have to pitch a shut out.
I'd hate to waste a great defense because our QB is not good. Speaking of not good QB, Buscaglia said the other day on Twitter that Matt Sims was having a better day than Manuel did at training camp (http://buffalosportsbeat.blogspot.com/2015/07/ej-struggled-because-of-marrone-sure.html). Let's see what Greg Roman can do with either of these QBs.
On a positive note, Richie Incognito has been spectacular so far in training camp along with other practices. It's been so good that Incognito has been named starting left guard by Ryan. He's been very impressive as he reported to training camp in great shape and has been lights out to the point Ryan named him starting guard after just three days in training camp. It's been an amazing comeback so far for Incognito after being out of the NFL the last year-and-a-half after the Jonathan Martin bullying scandal in Miami.
It's great as one of the starting guard jobs is locked up as Eric Wood, Cordy Glenn, and now Incognito have locked up starting spots on the line, the whole left side/middle of the line. The right guard spot is between rookie third-year guard John Miller and second year Cyril Richardson. Miller is penciled in as the starter, but Richardson is giving him a challenge. Second-year players Cyrus Kouandjio and Seantreal Henderson are battling for the starting right tackle spot. Kuoandjio is currently the favorite over Henderson, last year's starting right tackle.
Hopefully Incognito continues to perform well and play well during the season to help the line block in the run game and hopefully give whichever QB enough time to make a play. The line was really weak last year, but it appears to be a strength, so far. It depends on how Incognito performs and keeps himself on the straight and narrow and doesn't get in trouble, which has ruined his career and almost put it to an end. He's been a very productive guard his entire career, starting all 102 games he appeared in since coming into the league as a rookie in 2005, even making the Pro Bowl in 2012 the year before he was suspended.
He hasn't played in a game or appeared on a football field in pads since October 31, 2013. Let's hope it continues into this season and maybe beyond. Beyond however is up to him if he wants.
Monday, July 27, 2015
The 49ers Should Look into Trading Colin Kaepernick; There is still a big Market for Him
It's no secret that Colin Kaepernick has fallen over the last year since he replaced Alex Smith three years ago and took the team to the Super Bowl his first year and the NFC Championship Game his second before falling to 8-8 with a down year. He's tied for 18th in this Mike Sando QB rankings article (http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/2015-nfl-qb-tier-rankings/story?id=32652348). Kaepernick has shown flashes of brilliance as a playmaker, but has also shown inaccuaracy and immaturity. His quarterback rating and QBR has fallen steadily each of his three seasons and dropped from 14th in the rankings the previous year to tied for 18th this year in this article. He'll never be an elite or even a "franchise QB."
That does not mean however that there is not a place for Kaepernick in the NFL and there are some teams who could use Kaepernick and his mobility and strong arm more than the current starting QB(s) that they have. Cleveland definitely would and should get him over their bums in Josh McCown and Johnny Manziel. Houston definitely as well with that talented roster, he's much better than Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett.
Washington could because they need to move on from RGIII, I think Kaepernick is better. But Washington will be terrible and will likely be challenging for the first pick of the draft and will draft their next QB. The New York Jets are another team Kaepernick would a very good option for with that defense and bringing in Brandon Marshall. He is definitely much better than either Geno Smith or Ryan Fitzpatrick. Plus I wanted to see what Kaepernick could have done in Chan Gailey's offense when Gailey was here as I wanted them to draft Kaepernick.
I'm not advocating the Bills trade for Kaepernick (http://buffalosportsbeat.blogspot.com/2015/07/which-qb-would-you-trade-dareus-for.html) but I would definitely bring him in here for the right price. He's definitely better than E.J. Manuel, Matt Cassel, and Tyrod Taylor that's for sure. With this defense, he could hopefully do things like he did in San Francisco and take this team to the playoffs. I doubt they would bring him in and who knows how he and Greg Roman's relationship is after Roman got fired because Kaepernick regressed last season.
I do think the 49ers should trade him and get whatever they can while they can fetch a pretty good price. I know he's declining but there is always a market for a QB who's taken his team to the Super Bowl and NFC Championship Game back-to-back seasons who's still better than 40% of the starting QBs in the NFL. Why should the 49ers trade him if he's still a pretty decent QB? Kaepernick is decent but not an elite QB and they should try to look to get better at the game's most important position. You can do worse, but you can try and do a lot better as well. Plus Kaepernick makes a ton of money thanks to last year's contract.
Another reason why they should trade him is I believe the 49ers will be one of the worst teams in the NFL and will be challenging for the top pick in the draft. That's even with Kaepernick as starting QB. Why not move on from him while he still has value and completely bottom out for one of the top QBs in this year's draft such as Connor Cook, Christian Hackenberg, and Cardale Jones? If Kaepernick is still there and they go 4-12, his market value is all but shot. Now you can probably get a 3rd, maybe even a 2nd round pick for Kaepernick.
The 49ers are a mess with many of the players from their Super Bowl team in 2012 either leaving in free agency, traded, or flat out retired along with a QB that has regressed when he was the talk of the town after replacing an injured Alex Smith. The talent level might now be one of the worst in the league (certainly a lot worse than the team across the Golden Gate Bridge the Oakland Raiders) so they're in line for one of the top picks in the draft. They need to start over and should look for the franchise QB that can take this team to the Super Bowl. I think it's best to start over and give Kaepernick a change of scenery. If this team was built to win now then of course keep Kaepernick. But it's not and try something else.
Of course there's this thing where Jim Harbaugh was fired because of an idiot GM in Trent Baalke that can't work with him. Harbaugh is an ass and a weirdo but he's won. Deal with it. He might be hard to work with and can wear people out but remember how terrible you guys were for a decade before he came here. They replaced a great coach with this guy Jim Tomsula.
In case you don't know who he is watch these two videos (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1MQJ0JKIxQ) (http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/new-49ers-head-coach-gets-a-little-grunty-in-his-first-interview-231453338.html?pt=tAD4SCT8P72012-08-02.html/). Doesn't this guy inspire you? Baalke should have been fired for thinking he should have fired Harbaugh especially knowing you are hiring this guy to replace him. What a difference between his and Rex Ryan's press conferences.
Apparently he doesn't want to "play the name game." Why? The name game is fun! Also his thing where he says he doesn't (or doesn't he say doesn't) want to say names out of "respect to those people." What are these people dead? What the heck does he mean by that? You don't say out of respect for (fill in name) unless it's a tragedy and coaching changes aren't a tragedy. It's not like he can't say a certain name because that guy is under contract. The interviewer was asking about Marc Trestman, who was fired by the Bears right after the season and wasn't under contract so he could mention him.
More bad PR as the 49ers continue to fail in this department when owner Jed York somewhat compared Tomsula to Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr (http://jimrome.com/2015/07/22/the-next-steve-kerr/). He did make it a point to point out how the fellow NBA Bay Area team fired a good coach in it's own right in Mark Jackson,who helped bring the Warriors back to the promised land if you will by taking a team that was a joke for over two decades to making the playoffs in back to back years, to replace him with a coach who wasn't a head coach ever.
Fans must have been furious firing a head coach who's taken their team to places they haven't been in 25 years or so, but management to their credit felt they could have done better. I guess winning a league-high 67 games and winning the first NBA title for the team in 40 years is a little better. I guess Harbaugh is being compared to Jackson and Tomsula is being compared to Kerr. That's wrong in so many ways and I don't have to explain them, you know them. Harbaugh did turn around the 49ers quickly like Jackson did with the Warriors, but Harbaugh did more and went further in the postseason than Jackson did.
Kerr won numerous NBA championships as a player, playing and learning from the best coach in NBA history in Phil Jackson. Tomsula was coaching in no name colleges and NFL Europe. Kerr was a GM for three years with the Phoenix Suns as well as spent numerous years as a TV analyst for NBA games. Tomsula could barely analyze a Burger King menu and he never did anything but be a defensive line coach, not a coordinator not an assistant head coach.
Oh I am sorry, he was an interim head coach for the 49ers for the last game of the 2010 season when he replaced the fired Mike Singletary (remember how terrible he was?) and then was kept on as defensive line coach by Harbaugh. Kerr also has the two best shooters in the NBA while Tomsula lost a ton of talent. Close York but no cigar!
I don't know why but I would bet money that Tomsula is punt on 4th down, play field position coach. Call me crazy it's just a silly hunch. Enjoy San Francisco, this is who you have leading your team right now. I bet you miss Harbaugh badly and the season hasn't even started.
That does not mean however that there is not a place for Kaepernick in the NFL and there are some teams who could use Kaepernick and his mobility and strong arm more than the current starting QB(s) that they have. Cleveland definitely would and should get him over their bums in Josh McCown and Johnny Manziel. Houston definitely as well with that talented roster, he's much better than Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett.
Washington could because they need to move on from RGIII, I think Kaepernick is better. But Washington will be terrible and will likely be challenging for the first pick of the draft and will draft their next QB. The New York Jets are another team Kaepernick would a very good option for with that defense and bringing in Brandon Marshall. He is definitely much better than either Geno Smith or Ryan Fitzpatrick. Plus I wanted to see what Kaepernick could have done in Chan Gailey's offense when Gailey was here as I wanted them to draft Kaepernick.
I'm not advocating the Bills trade for Kaepernick (http://buffalosportsbeat.blogspot.com/2015/07/which-qb-would-you-trade-dareus-for.html) but I would definitely bring him in here for the right price. He's definitely better than E.J. Manuel, Matt Cassel, and Tyrod Taylor that's for sure. With this defense, he could hopefully do things like he did in San Francisco and take this team to the playoffs. I doubt they would bring him in and who knows how he and Greg Roman's relationship is after Roman got fired because Kaepernick regressed last season.
I do think the 49ers should trade him and get whatever they can while they can fetch a pretty good price. I know he's declining but there is always a market for a QB who's taken his team to the Super Bowl and NFC Championship Game back-to-back seasons who's still better than 40% of the starting QBs in the NFL. Why should the 49ers trade him if he's still a pretty decent QB? Kaepernick is decent but not an elite QB and they should try to look to get better at the game's most important position. You can do worse, but you can try and do a lot better as well. Plus Kaepernick makes a ton of money thanks to last year's contract.
Another reason why they should trade him is I believe the 49ers will be one of the worst teams in the NFL and will be challenging for the top pick in the draft. That's even with Kaepernick as starting QB. Why not move on from him while he still has value and completely bottom out for one of the top QBs in this year's draft such as Connor Cook, Christian Hackenberg, and Cardale Jones? If Kaepernick is still there and they go 4-12, his market value is all but shot. Now you can probably get a 3rd, maybe even a 2nd round pick for Kaepernick.
The 49ers are a mess with many of the players from their Super Bowl team in 2012 either leaving in free agency, traded, or flat out retired along with a QB that has regressed when he was the talk of the town after replacing an injured Alex Smith. The talent level might now be one of the worst in the league (certainly a lot worse than the team across the Golden Gate Bridge the Oakland Raiders) so they're in line for one of the top picks in the draft. They need to start over and should look for the franchise QB that can take this team to the Super Bowl. I think it's best to start over and give Kaepernick a change of scenery. If this team was built to win now then of course keep Kaepernick. But it's not and try something else.
Of course there's this thing where Jim Harbaugh was fired because of an idiot GM in Trent Baalke that can't work with him. Harbaugh is an ass and a weirdo but he's won. Deal with it. He might be hard to work with and can wear people out but remember how terrible you guys were for a decade before he came here. They replaced a great coach with this guy Jim Tomsula.
In case you don't know who he is watch these two videos (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1MQJ0JKIxQ) (http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/new-49ers-head-coach-gets-a-little-grunty-in-his-first-interview-231453338.html?pt=tAD4SCT8P72012-08-02.html/). Doesn't this guy inspire you? Baalke should have been fired for thinking he should have fired Harbaugh especially knowing you are hiring this guy to replace him. What a difference between his and Rex Ryan's press conferences.
Apparently he doesn't want to "play the name game." Why? The name game is fun! Also his thing where he says he doesn't (or doesn't he say doesn't) want to say names out of "respect to those people." What are these people dead? What the heck does he mean by that? You don't say out of respect for (fill in name) unless it's a tragedy and coaching changes aren't a tragedy. It's not like he can't say a certain name because that guy is under contract. The interviewer was asking about Marc Trestman, who was fired by the Bears right after the season and wasn't under contract so he could mention him.
More bad PR as the 49ers continue to fail in this department when owner Jed York somewhat compared Tomsula to Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr (http://jimrome.com/2015/07/22/the-next-steve-kerr/). He did make it a point to point out how the fellow NBA Bay Area team fired a good coach in it's own right in Mark Jackson,who helped bring the Warriors back to the promised land if you will by taking a team that was a joke for over two decades to making the playoffs in back to back years, to replace him with a coach who wasn't a head coach ever.
Fans must have been furious firing a head coach who's taken their team to places they haven't been in 25 years or so, but management to their credit felt they could have done better. I guess winning a league-high 67 games and winning the first NBA title for the team in 40 years is a little better. I guess Harbaugh is being compared to Jackson and Tomsula is being compared to Kerr. That's wrong in so many ways and I don't have to explain them, you know them. Harbaugh did turn around the 49ers quickly like Jackson did with the Warriors, but Harbaugh did more and went further in the postseason than Jackson did.
Kerr won numerous NBA championships as a player, playing and learning from the best coach in NBA history in Phil Jackson. Tomsula was coaching in no name colleges and NFL Europe. Kerr was a GM for three years with the Phoenix Suns as well as spent numerous years as a TV analyst for NBA games. Tomsula could barely analyze a Burger King menu and he never did anything but be a defensive line coach, not a coordinator not an assistant head coach.
Oh I am sorry, he was an interim head coach for the 49ers for the last game of the 2010 season when he replaced the fired Mike Singletary (remember how terrible he was?) and then was kept on as defensive line coach by Harbaugh. Kerr also has the two best shooters in the NBA while Tomsula lost a ton of talent. Close York but no cigar!
I don't know why but I would bet money that Tomsula is punt on 4th down, play field position coach. Call me crazy it's just a silly hunch. Enjoy San Francisco, this is who you have leading your team right now. I bet you miss Harbaugh badly and the season hasn't even started.
Friday, July 24, 2015
Braxton Miller Moves to Wide Receiver; Will Cardale Jones be the Starter over JT Barrett?
We don't know who will be the starting qb for this year's national championship defense for Ohio State as there were three men: Braxton Miller, Cardale Jones, and J.T. Barrett. Well now there are two as it was announced that Miller will move over to wide receiver. Miller was the starting qb from 2011-2013, where he lost just two games from 2012-13, including winning every game in 2012 while the Buckeyes were on probation and couldn't play for the Big Ten title or the national championship.
Miller was no doubt the starter going into last season and was even considered a Heisman Trophy candidate. But a torn labrum he suffered before the season ended his season. That meant a competition was needed to replace him as Barrett beat out Jones for the starting job. After an early season upset loss at home to Virginia Tech, Barrett guided the Buckeyes to 10 straight victories, most of which were blow out wins. Barrett had a school and Big Ten record 44 total touchdowns (34 passing and 10 rushing) before suffering a season-ending broken ankle in a win over Michigan.
Then the Buckeyes turned to their "third string QB" Cardale Jones for the Big Ten Championship Game against Wisconsin. Jones guided the Buckeyes to a 59-0 destruction over Wisconsin in his first career start and hit three long TD passes to Devin Smith. Then in the first round of the College Football Playoffs, he was equally as impressive in a 42-35 win over Alabama.
Then in the National Championship Game, he led the Buckeyes to a 42-20 win over Oregon to win the National Championship. In his three starts, he threw for 742 yards and five touchdowns and ran for 90 yards and another TD. It didn't hurt that star running back Ezekiel Elliott ran for 220, 230, and 246 yards in the those three games as well.
Despite only starting three games, Jones was considered a prospect in the 2015 NFL Draft, albeit not a top pick. More like a 4th or 5th round pick, maybe even as high as a 3rd round pick how he did at the Combine for his arm strength, size, and quickness, much like Cam Newton. Even though he wouldn't be a high prospect, he'd still be drafted and he'd make the minimum (what $400-500K?) and get a chance to learn behind NFL QBs and learn from NFL coaches. He could have gone back to school and earn the starting job and try to be a first round pick, or he could lose his job and might not be drafted or have to wait another year. He gambled on staying in school and battling both Barrett and at the time Miller for the starting job.
It's not a guarantee he wins the starting job. I wanted him to go into the draft this past year and the Bills to draft him. I still want the Bills to draft him unless our starting QB turns out to be great. Jones has one QB to battle as Miller won't be a QB. He did not beat out Barrett last year and who knows what he'll do this year. Barrett was a Heisman Candidate before his injury, but Jones showed how great he was in the biggest of big games. I might like the Bills to draft Barrett if he wins the job.
Miller was no doubt the starter going into last season and was even considered a Heisman Trophy candidate. But a torn labrum he suffered before the season ended his season. That meant a competition was needed to replace him as Barrett beat out Jones for the starting job. After an early season upset loss at home to Virginia Tech, Barrett guided the Buckeyes to 10 straight victories, most of which were blow out wins. Barrett had a school and Big Ten record 44 total touchdowns (34 passing and 10 rushing) before suffering a season-ending broken ankle in a win over Michigan.
Then the Buckeyes turned to their "third string QB" Cardale Jones for the Big Ten Championship Game against Wisconsin. Jones guided the Buckeyes to a 59-0 destruction over Wisconsin in his first career start and hit three long TD passes to Devin Smith. Then in the first round of the College Football Playoffs, he was equally as impressive in a 42-35 win over Alabama.
Then in the National Championship Game, he led the Buckeyes to a 42-20 win over Oregon to win the National Championship. In his three starts, he threw for 742 yards and five touchdowns and ran for 90 yards and another TD. It didn't hurt that star running back Ezekiel Elliott ran for 220, 230, and 246 yards in the those three games as well.
Despite only starting three games, Jones was considered a prospect in the 2015 NFL Draft, albeit not a top pick. More like a 4th or 5th round pick, maybe even as high as a 3rd round pick how he did at the Combine for his arm strength, size, and quickness, much like Cam Newton. Even though he wouldn't be a high prospect, he'd still be drafted and he'd make the minimum (what $400-500K?) and get a chance to learn behind NFL QBs and learn from NFL coaches. He could have gone back to school and earn the starting job and try to be a first round pick, or he could lose his job and might not be drafted or have to wait another year. He gambled on staying in school and battling both Barrett and at the time Miller for the starting job.
It's not a guarantee he wins the starting job. I wanted him to go into the draft this past year and the Bills to draft him. I still want the Bills to draft him unless our starting QB turns out to be great. Jones has one QB to battle as Miller won't be a QB. He did not beat out Barrett last year and who knows what he'll do this year. Barrett was a Heisman Candidate before his injury, but Jones showed how great he was in the biggest of big games. I might like the Bills to draft Barrett if he wins the job.
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Bills QB Situation; If Accuracy is the Problem then I want the Most Athletic (EJ or Tyrod); Maybe Philip Rivers Could Be Available?
I wrote a couple of weeks ago about the Bills might be close to the worst QB situation in the NFL (http://buffalosportsbeat.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-bills-might-not-have-worst-qb.html). It appears that nothing has nor will change. I even wrote my opinion (http://buffalosportsbeat.blogspot.com/2015/07/ej-struggled-because-of-marrone-sure.html) about this article about how Doug Marrone ruined E.J. Manuel (http://www.foxsports.com/college-football/outkick-the-coverage/how-a-rookie-head-coach-derailed-a-rookie-quarterback-then-vanished-with-4-million-071515). I believe it's about 20-25% Marrone's fault, it's still mostly E.J.'s fault as he is inaccurate and you can't teach accuracy.
There is a three-way competition for the Bills' starting QB job. The longer the job is a competition the worst it is for the Bills. The Bills need one of the three to separate from the other two as soon as possible. Accuracy is a problem with each of these three QBs. With accuracy being a problem, I want the QB with the best possible running capabilities and that guy is Tyrod Taylor. Taylor has the best wheels of either of the three and has the least body of work as he just has 35 regular season passes so there is an uncertainty as to whether he is good or bad. Taylor also seems to be the QB that Rex Ryan loves, well loves that is currently on the roster because I'm sure the QB he loves is Aaron Rodgers or Andrew Luck.
Manuel still intrigues me with just 14 regular season along with being a former 1st round pick and the possibility of Greg Roman maybe just maybe turing his game around. Look at what he did with Alex Smith and Colin Kaepernick in San Francisco. I want nothing to do with Matt Cassel because he has too much of a body of work with little success outside of the 2008 and 2010 seasons. He's just another average, below average journeyman. I want Taylor or Manuel for their athleticism to make up for their deficiencies throwing the football. I mean if Cassel is the guy, fine I'll deal with it. I just won't be enthusiastic. Sadly, if this team misses the playoffs it's mainly because of the QB.
Now this does not mean much to the QB situation for this year but there is a development going on right now that can maybe help this team next year. It seems that Philip Rivers is showing little to no urgency to sign a contract extension with the San Diego Chargers (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/07/20/report-philip-rivers-showing-little-urgency-in-contract-talks/). Rivers does not want to sign a longterm deal to finish his career with the Chargers because of their uncertainty of remaining in San Diego and possibly moving to Los Angeles. Rivers does not want to move his family to Los Angeles and may just play out this season and become a free agent next year.
I am very interested in seeing the Rivers saga for obvious reasons. Now Rivers is 34 years old and next year, he'd hit the open market (assuming he doesn't re-up) at 35 years old. He might not be what he was a few years ago, but he still shows the ability that makes him one of the top-10 QBs currently in the game and an MVP candidate. After a couple of down seasons in 2011 and 2012, Rivers bounced back big time in 2013 and had a very good year last year, especially the first six games where he looked like the league MVP.
He did however struggle the final 10 games, going 4-6 after starting the season 5-1 and completing 69% of his passes, 15 touchdowns to just two interceptions, a 117.6 rating, and averaged 8.8 yards per attempt. While he had some good games in the second half of the season against Oakland, St. Louis, Baltimore, and the second half against San Francisco, he looked bad against Denver and Kansas City twice, New England, and the worst being shut out against Miami. His final numbers were still respectable throwing for 4,286 yards, 31 touchdowns, 18 interceptions, 7.5 yards per attempt, and a 93.8 rating. Those aren't MVP numbers but on this team and with our problems at QB for years, those numbers would get Rivers a statue out front of Ralph Wilson Stadium.
Rivers is still good and would definitely be the best QB since Jim Kelly. Rivers is 88-56 as a starter, 32 games over .500 which means he needs to go 0-32 in order to be .500, and has thrown 252 touchdowns to only 122 interceptions. Those are very good career numbers. Rivers has only one losing season, that was 7-9 in 2012. He's been 8-8 or better each year while the Bills have been 8-8 or better just four times since 2000.
Thinking ahead to next year, I can't think of any team better suited than the Bills to make a run at Rivers in free agency, assuming he's there. Many teams have their QB in place while others will draft their guy instead of going after a 35-year-old. Plus Rivers will want his choice of the best team that could win the Super Bowl. Who would be better than the Bills with the talent on this team? This team is a QB away from being a Super Bowl contender with the talent on this roster. A QB like Rivers can take this team not only to the playoffs, but maybe to a playoff win or two or maybe even the Super Bowl. This would be like 2012 when Peyton Manning hit the open market and chose the Broncos with their talent over anyone else.
Besides watching the Bills and their QB dilemma I mean battle, we must keep our eye on the Rivers and Chargers contract saga. We can hope that he will not sign a new deal and hit the open market next year. If that's the case, I expect Terry Pegula to make a big run at him and he would choose us over any team needing a QB at that point with the talent on this team.
There is a three-way competition for the Bills' starting QB job. The longer the job is a competition the worst it is for the Bills. The Bills need one of the three to separate from the other two as soon as possible. Accuracy is a problem with each of these three QBs. With accuracy being a problem, I want the QB with the best possible running capabilities and that guy is Tyrod Taylor. Taylor has the best wheels of either of the three and has the least body of work as he just has 35 regular season passes so there is an uncertainty as to whether he is good or bad. Taylor also seems to be the QB that Rex Ryan loves, well loves that is currently on the roster because I'm sure the QB he loves is Aaron Rodgers or Andrew Luck.
Manuel still intrigues me with just 14 regular season along with being a former 1st round pick and the possibility of Greg Roman maybe just maybe turing his game around. Look at what he did with Alex Smith and Colin Kaepernick in San Francisco. I want nothing to do with Matt Cassel because he has too much of a body of work with little success outside of the 2008 and 2010 seasons. He's just another average, below average journeyman. I want Taylor or Manuel for their athleticism to make up for their deficiencies throwing the football. I mean if Cassel is the guy, fine I'll deal with it. I just won't be enthusiastic. Sadly, if this team misses the playoffs it's mainly because of the QB.
Now this does not mean much to the QB situation for this year but there is a development going on right now that can maybe help this team next year. It seems that Philip Rivers is showing little to no urgency to sign a contract extension with the San Diego Chargers (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/07/20/report-philip-rivers-showing-little-urgency-in-contract-talks/). Rivers does not want to sign a longterm deal to finish his career with the Chargers because of their uncertainty of remaining in San Diego and possibly moving to Los Angeles. Rivers does not want to move his family to Los Angeles and may just play out this season and become a free agent next year.
I am very interested in seeing the Rivers saga for obvious reasons. Now Rivers is 34 years old and next year, he'd hit the open market (assuming he doesn't re-up) at 35 years old. He might not be what he was a few years ago, but he still shows the ability that makes him one of the top-10 QBs currently in the game and an MVP candidate. After a couple of down seasons in 2011 and 2012, Rivers bounced back big time in 2013 and had a very good year last year, especially the first six games where he looked like the league MVP.
He did however struggle the final 10 games, going 4-6 after starting the season 5-1 and completing 69% of his passes, 15 touchdowns to just two interceptions, a 117.6 rating, and averaged 8.8 yards per attempt. While he had some good games in the second half of the season against Oakland, St. Louis, Baltimore, and the second half against San Francisco, he looked bad against Denver and Kansas City twice, New England, and the worst being shut out against Miami. His final numbers were still respectable throwing for 4,286 yards, 31 touchdowns, 18 interceptions, 7.5 yards per attempt, and a 93.8 rating. Those aren't MVP numbers but on this team and with our problems at QB for years, those numbers would get Rivers a statue out front of Ralph Wilson Stadium.
Rivers is still good and would definitely be the best QB since Jim Kelly. Rivers is 88-56 as a starter, 32 games over .500 which means he needs to go 0-32 in order to be .500, and has thrown 252 touchdowns to only 122 interceptions. Those are very good career numbers. Rivers has only one losing season, that was 7-9 in 2012. He's been 8-8 or better each year while the Bills have been 8-8 or better just four times since 2000.
Thinking ahead to next year, I can't think of any team better suited than the Bills to make a run at Rivers in free agency, assuming he's there. Many teams have their QB in place while others will draft their guy instead of going after a 35-year-old. Plus Rivers will want his choice of the best team that could win the Super Bowl. Who would be better than the Bills with the talent on this team? This team is a QB away from being a Super Bowl contender with the talent on this roster. A QB like Rivers can take this team not only to the playoffs, but maybe to a playoff win or two or maybe even the Super Bowl. This would be like 2012 when Peyton Manning hit the open market and chose the Broncos with their talent over anyone else.
Besides watching the Bills and their QB dilemma I mean battle, we must keep our eye on the Rivers and Chargers contract saga. We can hope that he will not sign a new deal and hit the open market next year. If that's the case, I expect Terry Pegula to make a big run at him and he would choose us over any team needing a QB at that point with the talent on this team.
Saturday, July 4, 2015
The Bills Might Not Have the Worst QB Situation as MMQB Suggests but I think It's Very Close to the Worst; It Could Cost the Bills the Playoffs
I know the Buffalo Bills don't have the best QB situation in the NFL (far from it) but according to this MMQB article writen by Andy Benoit (http://mmqb.si.com/2015/07/03/nfl-quarterback-rankings/3/) the Bills rank dead last in the NFL in terms of starting QB. ESPN did not give the Bills a high ranking either based on their outlook on the next three seasons (http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/insider/story/_/id/13129838/ranking-nfl-teams-1-32-based-their-outlook-next-three-seasons-nfl). They ranked 26th for those who don't have ESPN insider mainly because their QB situation.
They ranked well in all the rest of the categories except QB. QB is like the exam and/or mid-term or even project/report that counts for the majority of your overall grade in school. You can do very well on the other tests and homework assignments, but bomb on the final exam or whatever counts for the majority of your final grade and watch your grade drop. This is that exact case. Although in the ESPN article it's not entirely fair to judge because we have no idea who or what the QB situation will be. Maybe a Philip Rivers or Drew Brees or someone you never think possible could be available or maybe they draft one (I assume unless one of these QBs succeeds they will be drafting one next year no doubt about it). So we can't assume next year or the year after they'll be having the same QBs as this year. In fact i'll assume they won't, I'll bet on it.
Back to Benoit's article he ranked the teams by starting QB. He assumes Matt Cassel is 32nd/dead last. There's the consensus if they put either E.J. Manuel or Tyrod Taylor in instead of Cassel that they still are the worst in terms of QB or it's a fancier way of saying they have the worst crop of QBs in the NFL. Looking at the list I can't say 100% they are 32nd but they aren't far. If not 32nd, I'd say 31st, 30th, maybe even 29th. Wooooo!! that's progress. Ugh! So big deal, if they're not 32nd they're still one of the 3-5 worst at best. Cleveland I think is the worst because I think Josh McCown is worse than either of the Bills QBs although McCown was almost here. Should the Bills lose points however since McCown bailed on them and went to Cleveland instead?
Obviously I'd say the Browns are 32nd with McCown starting and the train wreck known as Johnny Manziel on the roster. Heck even our former beloved QB Thad Lewis is there in the mix. The same Lewis who went 2-3 in a backup role behind Manuel two years ago and the same guy who "regressed" badly and was released during the preseason last year.
I think Houston could be worse than the Bills as well as currently Brian Hoyer is their starter with Ryan Mallett as their backup maybe competing for the starting job. Doesn't matter if you have two quarterbacks you have none. Mallett did not really impress me and Hoyer was so awful down the stretch for Cleveland last year it made Kyle Orton look like Tom Brady.
The Jets also might be worse as well as Geno Smith is the starter as determined by Chan Gailey already without a competition with fellow backup Ryan Fitzpatrick. Smith is terrible as he's horribly inaccurate and is a turnover machine who was benched several times last year in favor of an aging and ineffective Michael Vick. Fitzpatrick had some really good games last year in Houston and even had some with Gailey here in Buffalo, but he too can be inaccurate and threw too many picks and did not pull out a game in the closing seconds when it mattered the most.
Washington (who was ranked just ahead of the Bills at 31) with RGIII and Kirk Cousins are a joke. RGIII is a joke with his injuries, inaccuracy, and inability to see downfield and poor pocket presence. RGIII has really fallen since his Rookie of the Year season in 2012 and I'd rather not have Washington's QB situation more than the Bills. .
I don't put two other teams in the bottom five: Tampa Bay and Tennessee ahead of the Bills even though they have rookie QBs Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota starting. The fans have to be excited with the top-two picks in the draft and possibility of having their franchise guy instead of three guys who give their fanbase not a lot to look forward too. If the Bills aren't 32nd, they're no better than 28th in my opinion and that's not good enough. If they were 20th I'd like their chances just to make the playoffs. If they were 15th I'd think maybe home playoff game and maybe a playoff win.
Problem is they're the worst or at best, bottom 5. In this day of age, you don't win the Super Bowl without a great QB, not a great defense (alone that is I still believe in having a good defense). You can win without a great QB and make the playoffs but you need a great team around him. This is where you need to build a great defense and spend a lot of money in free agency on both sides of the ball to make the team as best as possible. With that though means you need average QB play to win, heck, even slightly below average with the talent on this team. But when you're bottom five or last in the league, the best you can do is 8-8, or 9-7 with the obligatory win in a meaningless game even with all this talent.
One last thing, these three QBs all have issues one way or another with accuracy. One can throw it farther than the other but struggles in another segment where that other QB thrives on. With that said, if accuracy is a problem which it is, then I want the guy with the best athleticism and ability to move the ball and make plays with his legs. That eliminates Cassel for me from the discussion. If he ends up being the starter, I'll be upset as it's just another journeyman guy like Fitzpatrick, Orton, and Kevin Kolb. However, we'll all be saying something along the lines of "he's the veteran and he's had some success and he might be the best option with this talent manage the game."
I don't think however the coaches are necessarily enamored with that or him, or else they'd endorse him long ago. So that means E.J. and Taylor are in the discussion and one of those two are the favorites. We know what we got in Cassel, we don't quite know with E.J. although 14 games is a pretty decent sample size. Taylor is the one true unknown despite being in the league 4 seasons with Baltimore and has 4 seasons worth or practices, training camps, and preseasons. In reality, E.J. is the one I want to see most because it means he's been the best and hopefully it means he's our guy. If not, then it's Taylor no question.
I want running to be a part of this offense if accuracy is a problem, which it is. If you can't them throwing accurately, beat them by running and not just the running backs. I mean run with the QBs and run actual design plays specifically for the QB. Unfortunately, if you do get into a slugfest by passing the ball, this team will fail and it will cost them the playoffs.
They ranked well in all the rest of the categories except QB. QB is like the exam and/or mid-term or even project/report that counts for the majority of your overall grade in school. You can do very well on the other tests and homework assignments, but bomb on the final exam or whatever counts for the majority of your final grade and watch your grade drop. This is that exact case. Although in the ESPN article it's not entirely fair to judge because we have no idea who or what the QB situation will be. Maybe a Philip Rivers or Drew Brees or someone you never think possible could be available or maybe they draft one (I assume unless one of these QBs succeeds they will be drafting one next year no doubt about it). So we can't assume next year or the year after they'll be having the same QBs as this year. In fact i'll assume they won't, I'll bet on it.
Back to Benoit's article he ranked the teams by starting QB. He assumes Matt Cassel is 32nd/dead last. There's the consensus if they put either E.J. Manuel or Tyrod Taylor in instead of Cassel that they still are the worst in terms of QB or it's a fancier way of saying they have the worst crop of QBs in the NFL. Looking at the list I can't say 100% they are 32nd but they aren't far. If not 32nd, I'd say 31st, 30th, maybe even 29th. Wooooo!! that's progress. Ugh! So big deal, if they're not 32nd they're still one of the 3-5 worst at best. Cleveland I think is the worst because I think Josh McCown is worse than either of the Bills QBs although McCown was almost here. Should the Bills lose points however since McCown bailed on them and went to Cleveland instead?
Obviously I'd say the Browns are 32nd with McCown starting and the train wreck known as Johnny Manziel on the roster. Heck even our former beloved QB Thad Lewis is there in the mix. The same Lewis who went 2-3 in a backup role behind Manuel two years ago and the same guy who "regressed" badly and was released during the preseason last year.
I think Houston could be worse than the Bills as well as currently Brian Hoyer is their starter with Ryan Mallett as their backup maybe competing for the starting job. Doesn't matter if you have two quarterbacks you have none. Mallett did not really impress me and Hoyer was so awful down the stretch for Cleveland last year it made Kyle Orton look like Tom Brady.
The Jets also might be worse as well as Geno Smith is the starter as determined by Chan Gailey already without a competition with fellow backup Ryan Fitzpatrick. Smith is terrible as he's horribly inaccurate and is a turnover machine who was benched several times last year in favor of an aging and ineffective Michael Vick. Fitzpatrick had some really good games last year in Houston and even had some with Gailey here in Buffalo, but he too can be inaccurate and threw too many picks and did not pull out a game in the closing seconds when it mattered the most.
Washington (who was ranked just ahead of the Bills at 31) with RGIII and Kirk Cousins are a joke. RGIII is a joke with his injuries, inaccuracy, and inability to see downfield and poor pocket presence. RGIII has really fallen since his Rookie of the Year season in 2012 and I'd rather not have Washington's QB situation more than the Bills. .
I don't put two other teams in the bottom five: Tampa Bay and Tennessee ahead of the Bills even though they have rookie QBs Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota starting. The fans have to be excited with the top-two picks in the draft and possibility of having their franchise guy instead of three guys who give their fanbase not a lot to look forward too. If the Bills aren't 32nd, they're no better than 28th in my opinion and that's not good enough. If they were 20th I'd like their chances just to make the playoffs. If they were 15th I'd think maybe home playoff game and maybe a playoff win.
Problem is they're the worst or at best, bottom 5. In this day of age, you don't win the Super Bowl without a great QB, not a great defense (alone that is I still believe in having a good defense). You can win without a great QB and make the playoffs but you need a great team around him. This is where you need to build a great defense and spend a lot of money in free agency on both sides of the ball to make the team as best as possible. With that though means you need average QB play to win, heck, even slightly below average with the talent on this team. But when you're bottom five or last in the league, the best you can do is 8-8, or 9-7 with the obligatory win in a meaningless game even with all this talent.
One last thing, these three QBs all have issues one way or another with accuracy. One can throw it farther than the other but struggles in another segment where that other QB thrives on. With that said, if accuracy is a problem which it is, then I want the guy with the best athleticism and ability to move the ball and make plays with his legs. That eliminates Cassel for me from the discussion. If he ends up being the starter, I'll be upset as it's just another journeyman guy like Fitzpatrick, Orton, and Kevin Kolb. However, we'll all be saying something along the lines of "he's the veteran and he's had some success and he might be the best option with this talent manage the game."
I don't think however the coaches are necessarily enamored with that or him, or else they'd endorse him long ago. So that means E.J. and Taylor are in the discussion and one of those two are the favorites. We know what we got in Cassel, we don't quite know with E.J. although 14 games is a pretty decent sample size. Taylor is the one true unknown despite being in the league 4 seasons with Baltimore and has 4 seasons worth or practices, training camps, and preseasons. In reality, E.J. is the one I want to see most because it means he's been the best and hopefully it means he's our guy. If not, then it's Taylor no question.
I want running to be a part of this offense if accuracy is a problem, which it is. If you can't them throwing accurately, beat them by running and not just the running backs. I mean run with the QBs and run actual design plays specifically for the QB. Unfortunately, if you do get into a slugfest by passing the ball, this team will fail and it will cost them the playoffs.
Monday, May 18, 2015
EJ Could Be Cut If He Doesn't Show Progress; Move on From Him If You Don't Think He's the Guy
A lot of buzz has been made by former WGR 550 Buffalo Bills beat reporter and current Bills beat reporter for WKBW Ch. 7 Joe Buscaglia about EJ Manuel's future with the Bills (http://www.wkbw.com/sports/bills/joe-b-sans-progress-ej-may-be-done-in-buffalo). It appears that the honeymoon with the 2013 first round pick and the supposed to be franchise QB is likely over unless he shows major improvement this summer from what has been a disappointing two-year stint. Manuel was drafted to be the franchise QB that this franchise has lacked since Jim Kelly retired in 1996 and so far it has not materialized.
It has been coined a "make or break year" for EJ, who will be battling for the starting job along with newcomers Matt Cassel and Tyrod Taylor. This new coaching staff has no ties to EJ Manuel and if they don't think he's the guy, he's likely gone. I think that's the right move if that's the case, there's no reason to keep him around if he can't beat out Cassel and/or Taylor. I think if he's not even the starter it might just be time to move on from him, let alone be the backup. Nothing against Cassel and Taylor but they aren't the best QBs in the league and they're here for a reason and if EJ can't beat them out, he'll never be the guy.
Of course Doug Whaley drafted him, well depending on who you ask some say it's Buddy Nix's pick but Whaley doesn't shy away from picking Manuel as it was a Buffalo Bills pick. Whaley I'm sure wants him to succeed and it makes him look a lot better. Some are ridiculous stating since this report came out that EJ is behind Jeff Tuel and is the 4th QB on the depth chart and that's just absolutely bogus. If for some reason he's behind Tuel, then cut him now.
I know Manuel has only 14 starts, which is still not a full 16-game season, but he's had two seasons worth of mini camps, OTAs, training camps, and preseasons and make it three after this summer. I don't think 14 starts is enough but I feel three seasons worth of all the above mentioned practices, preseason and regular season games is enough to tell you whether the guy is good or not and if he's improving or regressing.
It's not that Manuel was awful as he was just 6-8 as a starter (6-7 in games in which he finished after being injured against Cleveland his rookie year), but he continued to regress and show inaccuracy after coming back from injury in the middle of his rookie season. He missed six games due to injury his rookie season as he suffered three separate knee injuries (one was in preseason). His career completion percentage is just 58.6 and he averages 6.4 yards per pass attempt, which is in Trent Edwards territory.
Last season, the Bills traded the 2015 first round pick to move up five spots to draft Sammy Watkins in an attempt to add a big time weapon to help EJ. They basically gave EJ two years at starting QB with the Watkins trade. Manuel was pretty good the first two games of the season as they won the first two. He completed 66.7% of his passes and averaged 7.9 yards an attempt, both were very good. Then Manuel struggled mightily the next two games in which he lost both of them. He was really bad against Houston as his signature moment was throwing a short pass right into JJ Watt's hands, who returned it for a touchdown.
Manuel was benched after that game for a guy who was retired and did not even go to training camp or play in the preseason in Kyle Orton. Orton was not much better except for both Jets games, a half against Detroit, and the 4th quarter against Minnesota. Otherwise he was awful as the team had trouble getting into the end zone. Orton was basically the same as his yards per attempt was basically the same, but he completed 10% more of his passes, big deal considering most of his passes were at or behind the line of scrimmage.
It was sad that the last month or two, Doug Marrone did not bench Orton and put Manuel back in. Now some of that was Marrone being selfish and wanting to win for his own glory to take a buyout and leave after the season to try and get another head coaching job. The other was that sadly, Orton was the "best chance to win." If you couldn't pull an awful Orton for a young first round pick prospect to see what he's done being on the bench, then it doesn't speak very highly for Manuel. It was sad that Manuel was benched for Orton in the first place.
I'd like to see what Manuel can do in Greg Roman's offense. Roman got a lot out of Alex Smith when no one could. Smith is definitely limited but Roman got the most out of him. Then he got a lot out of Colin Kaepernick in terms of throwing the ball down field and especially running for a year-and-a-half until he completely struggled last year. Kaepernick was inaccurate and has always struggled with accuracy issues. But when he throws the ball down the field, he can surely fling it with ease and can make big plays down the field whereas EJ could not. Of course Kaepernick's big time strength was his running ability and can make so many plays with his legs.
I'd like to see Manuel be able to run more as that's supposed to be a strength of his. That's one of the reasons why the Bills drafted him two years ago. He's not the fastest nor most mobile but he can more than make enough plays with his legs. He got injured as a rookie against Cleveland on a spectacular run and Marrone was very cautious to have him run. I don't 100% blame him because you don't want your young QB to get hurt.
The problem was that they never wanted Manuel to run ever, which was a strength of his. When he did run, it was usually just run out of bounds or slide even if it was short of the first down marker because "a punt is better than a turnover" and did not want him to risk injury. Marrone was super conservative. It was definitely Marrone not wanting him to run but when Manuel did run, he would never try and make any sort of move to have a defender miss to pick up a couple of yards and a first down. Get the first down and then slide or run out of bounds.
Marrone and Nate Hackett brought in the Read Option with Manuel's mobility as well as the no huddle and I was super excited. For some reason, they never ran the read option with Manuel running or throwing. Instead, Manuel would just hand the ball off in shot gun to either CJ Spiller or Fred Jackson and getting destroyed for losses. Never did Manuel just take off running after faking a hand off or threw from the read option which is what QBs like Kaepernick, Russell Wilson, Cam Newton, RGIII, and even Ryan Tannehill do as they both run and throw to some success. Oh yeah, they scrapped the no huddle as well as injuries and EJ's poor development led to them throwing no huddle out of the playbook.
I did not want the kid to get hurt but if he wasn't going to be play the game right or the way he is capable of playing, then I did not need him in there whatsoever. I'd love to see Rex and Roman let the kid run and try to throw down the field and try to make some plays. Ryan usually let Geno Smith throw down field and Smith would not just run out of bounds when he ran as he would make a move and get the first down. Smith was terrible but Ryan at least let him try to make plays and see if he can play the position or not. I wouldn't mind letting them let Tyrod Taylor loose as they seemed enamored with him and his play making ability.
EJ has a strong arm but he was not accurate down the field. In fact, too many times he'd throw deep passes out of bounds and never kept balls in play for a chance for the receiver to make a play and/or a draw a defensive penalty. Manuel was so inaccurate especially throwing short. He completed only 61% of his passes from 1-10 yards which is very bad. Usually great QBs even decent QBs can complete 1-10 yard passes in the 70% range.
If Manuel can't improve his accuracy the next couple of months, he won't just be on the bench he'll be in the unemployment line. Now Roman can try and improve his accuracy somewhat, but accuracy is something you can't teach and you usually are what you are. I like Manuel he seems like a great person but if he's not the guy then it's time to move on. I just want Ryan and Roman to let him at least try and make plays and if he can't then cut him loose and let's go with Cassel or Taylor.
It has been coined a "make or break year" for EJ, who will be battling for the starting job along with newcomers Matt Cassel and Tyrod Taylor. This new coaching staff has no ties to EJ Manuel and if they don't think he's the guy, he's likely gone. I think that's the right move if that's the case, there's no reason to keep him around if he can't beat out Cassel and/or Taylor. I think if he's not even the starter it might just be time to move on from him, let alone be the backup. Nothing against Cassel and Taylor but they aren't the best QBs in the league and they're here for a reason and if EJ can't beat them out, he'll never be the guy.
Of course Doug Whaley drafted him, well depending on who you ask some say it's Buddy Nix's pick but Whaley doesn't shy away from picking Manuel as it was a Buffalo Bills pick. Whaley I'm sure wants him to succeed and it makes him look a lot better. Some are ridiculous stating since this report came out that EJ is behind Jeff Tuel and is the 4th QB on the depth chart and that's just absolutely bogus. If for some reason he's behind Tuel, then cut him now.
I know Manuel has only 14 starts, which is still not a full 16-game season, but he's had two seasons worth of mini camps, OTAs, training camps, and preseasons and make it three after this summer. I don't think 14 starts is enough but I feel three seasons worth of all the above mentioned practices, preseason and regular season games is enough to tell you whether the guy is good or not and if he's improving or regressing.
It's not that Manuel was awful as he was just 6-8 as a starter (6-7 in games in which he finished after being injured against Cleveland his rookie year), but he continued to regress and show inaccuracy after coming back from injury in the middle of his rookie season. He missed six games due to injury his rookie season as he suffered three separate knee injuries (one was in preseason). His career completion percentage is just 58.6 and he averages 6.4 yards per pass attempt, which is in Trent Edwards territory.
Last season, the Bills traded the 2015 first round pick to move up five spots to draft Sammy Watkins in an attempt to add a big time weapon to help EJ. They basically gave EJ two years at starting QB with the Watkins trade. Manuel was pretty good the first two games of the season as they won the first two. He completed 66.7% of his passes and averaged 7.9 yards an attempt, both were very good. Then Manuel struggled mightily the next two games in which he lost both of them. He was really bad against Houston as his signature moment was throwing a short pass right into JJ Watt's hands, who returned it for a touchdown.
Manuel was benched after that game for a guy who was retired and did not even go to training camp or play in the preseason in Kyle Orton. Orton was not much better except for both Jets games, a half against Detroit, and the 4th quarter against Minnesota. Otherwise he was awful as the team had trouble getting into the end zone. Orton was basically the same as his yards per attempt was basically the same, but he completed 10% more of his passes, big deal considering most of his passes were at or behind the line of scrimmage.
It was sad that the last month or two, Doug Marrone did not bench Orton and put Manuel back in. Now some of that was Marrone being selfish and wanting to win for his own glory to take a buyout and leave after the season to try and get another head coaching job. The other was that sadly, Orton was the "best chance to win." If you couldn't pull an awful Orton for a young first round pick prospect to see what he's done being on the bench, then it doesn't speak very highly for Manuel. It was sad that Manuel was benched for Orton in the first place.
I'd like to see what Manuel can do in Greg Roman's offense. Roman got a lot out of Alex Smith when no one could. Smith is definitely limited but Roman got the most out of him. Then he got a lot out of Colin Kaepernick in terms of throwing the ball down field and especially running for a year-and-a-half until he completely struggled last year. Kaepernick was inaccurate and has always struggled with accuracy issues. But when he throws the ball down the field, he can surely fling it with ease and can make big plays down the field whereas EJ could not. Of course Kaepernick's big time strength was his running ability and can make so many plays with his legs.
I'd like to see Manuel be able to run more as that's supposed to be a strength of his. That's one of the reasons why the Bills drafted him two years ago. He's not the fastest nor most mobile but he can more than make enough plays with his legs. He got injured as a rookie against Cleveland on a spectacular run and Marrone was very cautious to have him run. I don't 100% blame him because you don't want your young QB to get hurt.
The problem was that they never wanted Manuel to run ever, which was a strength of his. When he did run, it was usually just run out of bounds or slide even if it was short of the first down marker because "a punt is better than a turnover" and did not want him to risk injury. Marrone was super conservative. It was definitely Marrone not wanting him to run but when Manuel did run, he would never try and make any sort of move to have a defender miss to pick up a couple of yards and a first down. Get the first down and then slide or run out of bounds.
Marrone and Nate Hackett brought in the Read Option with Manuel's mobility as well as the no huddle and I was super excited. For some reason, they never ran the read option with Manuel running or throwing. Instead, Manuel would just hand the ball off in shot gun to either CJ Spiller or Fred Jackson and getting destroyed for losses. Never did Manuel just take off running after faking a hand off or threw from the read option which is what QBs like Kaepernick, Russell Wilson, Cam Newton, RGIII, and even Ryan Tannehill do as they both run and throw to some success. Oh yeah, they scrapped the no huddle as well as injuries and EJ's poor development led to them throwing no huddle out of the playbook.
I did not want the kid to get hurt but if he wasn't going to be play the game right or the way he is capable of playing, then I did not need him in there whatsoever. I'd love to see Rex and Roman let the kid run and try to throw down the field and try to make some plays. Ryan usually let Geno Smith throw down field and Smith would not just run out of bounds when he ran as he would make a move and get the first down. Smith was terrible but Ryan at least let him try to make plays and see if he can play the position or not. I wouldn't mind letting them let Tyrod Taylor loose as they seemed enamored with him and his play making ability.
EJ has a strong arm but he was not accurate down the field. In fact, too many times he'd throw deep passes out of bounds and never kept balls in play for a chance for the receiver to make a play and/or a draw a defensive penalty. Manuel was so inaccurate especially throwing short. He completed only 61% of his passes from 1-10 yards which is very bad. Usually great QBs even decent QBs can complete 1-10 yard passes in the 70% range.
If Manuel can't improve his accuracy the next couple of months, he won't just be on the bench he'll be in the unemployment line. Now Roman can try and improve his accuracy somewhat, but accuracy is something you can't teach and you usually are what you are. I like Manuel he seems like a great person but if he's not the guy then it's time to move on. I just want Ryan and Roman to let him at least try and make plays and if he can't then cut him loose and let's go with Cassel or Taylor.
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