twoandfourteen

He was a big part of the team getting to the postseason. As the starting QB, that is true pretty much by default. He was also a big part of it almost not happening. His inability to produce anything even remotely resembling a barely functional passing offense cost them several games, and that includes the Chargers game.

Yes. Andy Dalton threw the TD pass that LITERALLY put the Bills into the playoffs. He's not THE REASON they made the playoffs, but he's the guy that PUT them there. This shouldn't be so difficult. My screen name is not a prediction... but a nod to the Bills record back when I was a young lad, just starting out.

My point is based on Taylor's horrible performance specifically at that point in the season. The 56 yards and a FG against the Saints created a situation where the offense had become so bad that literally anyone with QB experience on the roster became a -- wait for it -- "viable" option. However, Joe Webb was NOT a viable option at any time during the season until that Saints game. After another Tyrod dumpster fire under center, all bets were off. By the way, it wasn't such a "silly notion" after the guy came in and pulled off the W in the Colts game, was it?

"Viable" does not mean "at least on par". "Viable" does not mean "equal to". "Viable" is an entirely different concept. I can see this is causing you some confusion, so I'll illustrate the difference with this totally hypothetical and not-at-all true example: My girlfriend accidentally came across my internet search history, so a tent pitched in the backyard became a "viable" living arrangement for me. Living in a tent in the back yard is obviously no where near as good as living in the house, but it's better than sleeping out in the rain. Now do you see the difference?

I sure did. Also, to clarify before my man here moves the goalposts again, it wasn't that JW was a "more viable" option than Taylor. It was simply, he was a "viable" option at the position. Obviously, Taylor is a better QB than Joe Webb. But that wasn't the question. And, oddly enough, you never responded to my explanation. This game isn't much fun if you're not going to play along. I'll go ahead and re-post it here for your convenience. Feel free to respond at your leisure. Is it really though? Remember, we're talking about "viable", not "ideal" or even "good". Tyrod Taylor is responsible for creating a crisis at the most important position on the field. There is no argument against that. There is no BS obscure stat that can excuse it. He was terrible against the Saints. The offense was terrible as a result. It also wasn't the first time this year that he has run the offense right into the ground. So yes, even ol' Joe Webb became a "viable" option at the position... because he has taken NFL snaps before and the production couldn't really get much worse than 56 passing yards and a FG. That is what Taylor had done to the Bills passing game and offense as a whole at that point in the season. Joe Webb also happens to have playoff experience as a starting QB in the NFL, as I'm sure you probably know. Taylor does not have that, by the way. I had to look it up, but interestingly enough, his stat line from that playoff start should look awfully familiar.... 11/30 180 yards 1TD and 1INT. Around here, there are guys who are ready to put a bust of you in Canton for putting up 180 and a TD. Let's also give JW credit for taking the wheel in a historic blizzard and leading the Bills to a win that will go down as one of the most memorable ever at the Ralph. At the end of the day though, he's not a good QB. He probably shouldn't ever take another snap. So yes, I will absolutely claim that after Tyrod's multiple abysmal performances this year, culminating with the 56'er he put up against NO... all options at QB became "viable", even Joe Webb. That's what happens when things get desperate.

Super. You have fun with Tyrod and the 7 to 9 wins you'll get every year. But at least he won't throw many INTs. I'm looking for a QB that can win 11,12 or 13. Safe to say, that isn't happening ever for Taylor.

This is practically the definition of "splitting hairs", ladies & gentlemen. This is true. Taylor was, in fact, the starting QB of the first Bills team to make the playoffs in nearly two decades. I give Taylor full credit for that. It's also undeniable that Andy Dalton -- a legitimate starting QB -- actually threw the 49 yard TD pass that put the Bills in the playoffs. So, it's not quite the same as a real starting QB "leading his team" to the playoffs... but I'll gladly take what I can get after all this time. Taylor did what he needed to do yesterday and everything worked out for us all. It's a nice change of pace, right?

1. If by "tight windows" you mean "the receiver's shoes", then yes, you are correct. 2. Yes, he does "throw guys open" -- Taylor does consistently find the NFL Films camera men and/or team trainers standing out of bounds on deep throws, even when there are players from the other team nearby. 3. I agree, you can "win with him" -- as long as your own defense scores a TD in the game and doesn't allow the other team to score more than 21 points. You should really plan on not allowing more than 13, just to be on the safe side though. This approach, combined with Tyrod Taylor's ability to play QB should win you 1 out of every 2 games.

Tyrod Delusion Syndrome, or TDS, is a very real and very serious cognitive disorder. Fortunately for you, I am here to help. Start here by reading the first post in this thread three times a day for the next two weeks:

There is a huge difference between 94-48 and 22-20. Yet, both are still "winning records". I don't think that requires any further explanation. As for Cousins, no one needs to cite secondary or obscure stats to support the fact that Kirk Cousins is a Top 10-12 QB in the NFL. However, Taylor's game is so flawed and so limited that you need it to try and ustify his place as a fringe starter. I didn't even catch your subtle accusation of racism in there the first time. You should run with that one though, it definitely helps to make a stronger case for Tyrod. When you're done, make sure you put that card back in your pocket. You're probably going to want to use it again, I'm sure.

You said to look at his stats. So I did. The Tyrod fangirls like to throw around that "winning record" thing. Aaron Rodgers has a "winning record" is not he same thing as Tyrod Taylor has a "winning record". Taylor's record is barely above .500 -- exactly what a top-end backup-quality QB should have.

Was the QB situation much better last year? Because Taylor had so many offers to start elsewhere that he decided to take a pay cut to come back to Buffalo.

Must have been one of the zero times Taylor threw for 300 yards in regulation, right?

What has Tyrod done that makes you think AJMcC would be any worse? Taylor has been running the worst passing offense in football for three straight years. If AJMcC can get you to the 29th or 27th ranked passing offense, that would actually be an improvement. Regardless, I don't particularly care. McCarron would be here to bring up Peterman & the rookie. I also think Fitz would be good for this role as well. Taylor is a great pro, but the key to his game is found in his special skill set. It's of no use for any other young QB, because they don't have his athleticism. We need the young guys to read defenses, attack coverages, and identify NFL passing windows.

I could get behind this plan. Yes. I like it -- go with AJMcC and run the two kid QBs behind him for a year or two.

4th & 12... Tyrod has Tyler Boyd deep and Mike Tolbert in the flat. Where do you think that ball is going?

This is wrong. The Bills line grades out pretty well actually. Tyrod Taylor's indecisiveness and mobility in the pocket make pass protection far more difficult for the linemen -- they have to hold off defenders longer and they never know where Tyrod is going to end up on a given play.

I was simply pointing out that your particular argument had a major flaw. I will say this -- while Bortles is a far more capable passer with better handle on the modern NFL offense, he is also more likely to blow up at a crucial moment and cost you a game. Taylor won't put up big passing numbers and won't commit turnovers. So as long as your offensive gameplan is built on the defense scoring a TD and a strong running attack, you should be in good shape to grind out a 16-10 win.

Of course you did. Because those two data sets reflect two different things -- you are factoring Bortles' struggles learning on the job into his overall production, while giving Taylor an artificial 'bump' by only using his stats after 4 years in the league. So, while you are trying to say that those numbers reflect similar players... in reality, they are further apart than you claim they are.

Yeah... 4000+ passing yards, 25-35 TDs. Simply awful. Even this season for Manning was way better than Taylor -- and it is universally agreed upon that this was one of Eli's worst ever. What bothers me is people running around proclaiming that Tyrod Taylor is an "okay" starter when he's really not. I'm tired of watching Bills QBs run the offense into the ground every week and struggle to put up 185 yards passing and 17 points. The truth is that Eli is an "okay" starter now. Taylor isn't on that level.

Two quick questions -- Did you include Bortles' rookie year stats in those numbers? Are your TT numbers just from his 3 years as a starter?

In no way, shape, or form does Tyrod Taylor belong in the same group as Eli Manning. The guy has multiple rings and has knocked off the Patriots, twice. He's put his team on his back and won championships. Eli is definitely in the winter of his career, but I don't think there is a sane person on the planet that would take Tyrod over Eli if you needed a QB to go and win a big game. Taylor needed late game heroics from the aforementioned Andy Dalton to get his own team in the playoffs. Dalton is in another tier as well. So, now factor in that there are several teams with multiple QBs that are better than Taylor -- like Minnesota and Indianapolis, and that places TT firmly in the 27-35 range as far as the league as a whole goes. He is a bottom-tier QB. It amazes me that people argue this only because the guy doesn't throw INTs (he also doesn't throw for very many TDs) and can spin around in the pocket really fast.

Ok, great -- I appreciate you playing along here. I disagree with JAX, TEN, and BALT. Bortles has been far and away the better QB statistically for his career and Mariota had a bad season, but is younger with a much better skill set and higher ceiling. Flacco has a ring and could still conceivably run a more consistent passing offense better than Taylor -- however, that's definitely debatable and I can see going either way. However, I'll give those to you for the sake of this exercise. Oh, and the Jets depends on whether or not JMcC comes back or not. He's also been statistically better than Taylor overall for the past few years -- and that was playing for Cleveland and The NYJ. So this means thatTaylor doesn't even crack the top 20 for you, correct?

Ok, lets play pretend then. You are the Bills GM, very secure about your knowledge of football. Every other stupid GM in the NFL is calling you right now offering you their starting QB for Tyrod Taylor, straight up. How many would you consider saying yes to? You mean like DeShaun Watson, Russell Wilson, or Cam Newton?

You're kidding right? That question is literally "what is a player worth?" Tyrod Delusion Syndrome is reaching new levels today.