Picking a QB at 3 - He better be starting

[MikeSpeed]

Some great responses people!

I guess I envision the following scenario next year where we start 0-4, with a #3 pick QB sitting on the bench. Can you truly say that you would not be calling for him to start game 5 ready or not? I think Ralph would be. I think the locker room would be stressed and the pressure on the coaches to start him would be high.

So maybe we don't expect him to start day 1, but sometime early in season 1 I think is imperative.

[DrDawkinstein]

Some great responses people!

I guess I envision the following scenario next year where we start 0-4, with a #3 pick QB sitting on the bench. Can you truly say that you would not be calling for him to start game 5 ready or not? I think Ralph would be. I think the locker room would be stressed and the pressure on the coaches to start him would be high.

So maybe we don't expect him to start day 1, but sometime early in season 1 I think is imperative.

 

Depends. Your scenario sounds like we're 0-4 and everyone is blaming Fitz. If it is directly and obviously Fitz's play that causes us to be 0-4 then yes, I can see people calling for the rookie. And if that truly is the case, then I wouldn't be against tossing the kid in to see how he does.

 

However, if it is the more likely scenario and its our Run Defense, lack of passrush, erratic Oline play, WRs dropping game winning TDs, CBs fumbling kickoffs with the lead, etc... then I don't think people will want to pull Fitz too quickly.

[TDRupp]

I'm sorry, but you're way off base with this logic. You're not seeing the big picture. You're assuming the Bills will be able to compete for a title in 2011. They won't. They will have to have an amazing off season and season to even compete for a wild card spot. This team has SO many holes, so many needs it's unrealistic to expect them to turn it around in one season. That being the case, there's absolutely no need to rush your Franchise QB into the fray and risk derailing his development or getting him injured.

 

IF the Bills take a QB at 3 (or even in the second round) that they feel is their franchise QB (I don't know if there is one in this draft by the way), but there is absolutely NO need to start him this year. QB is a very different position than any other on the field. When you pick a QB that high, you have to protect him. Starting him behind this crap-tastic offensive line would get the guy killed and you run the risk of making him gunshy and ruining any chance of developing him.

 

The posters who are arguing that they need to build the lines before drafting a QB are right in one sense -- in that you need a line to protect your investment to make it pay off. But they're not right in the sense that you have to get the OL before getting the QB. Truth is, finding a franchise QB is more difficult than finding a Pro Bowl caliber offensive tackle or guard. So, if there's a Franchise QB staring you in the face, you take him. End of story.

 

That's the beauty of having Fitz. Fitz gives the Bills the freedom to do exactly that. The rational fans out there know that Fitz isn't anything more than a placeholder. And drafting a QB high and sitting him behind Fitz is a wise move (again, if they grade a QB worthy of being a franchise type guy). In fact, it's a necessary move. Even if he doesn't see the field in 2011.

 

Any other position taken in rounds 1 or 2 in this draft however NEEDS to not only see the field, but be a play maker.

 

I can't agree more. There is only 1 college QB ready to start day 1 as a rookie and he is staying at Stanford this year. I am not saying one will not start and might develop into a good QB, but look at River in SD. Drafted by Buddy Nix. He was the 3rd string QB in SD his rookie year. Brees started 15 games and Flutie started 1. In '05 Brees started all 16 with Rivers as the number 2 QB. When Rivers took over in '06 in his third year he was ready to roll and has done very well. YEs, different team and different circumstances than our '11 Bills will be but very effective approach..

 

Aaron Rodgers watch farve for 3 years as the #2 and barely saw the field. He looked like a shell of a man holding the clipboard watching Farve and what is he now? A top 5 QB and we'll see how he does moving forward.

 

Good approach. I say draft a QB in round 1 and even at 3 and let him learn from Fitz and if we can get a decent vet behind Fitz (longshot) let him learn as #3. I could care less that he is not helping the '11 team on the field. It will pay off, in my humble opinion.

 

pEace. Go Bills!

[reddogblitz]

That's why I'm hoping we don't take a QB at #3 and instead take someone that plays a position we really need help at and can start and be productive opening day. Taking a QB at #3 and letting him ride the pine behind Fitz next year or two would stink in my book. We'd be no better off AND we'd have wasted high picks the last two years on guys that aren't helping us. So, I hope we take a defensive front 7 hoss and play Fitz and bring in a FA QB or two such as Vince Young or Alex Smith or Troy Smith or Tavaris Jackson or whoever else might be out there to back up Fitz.

 

You do have to have a franchise QB, but you don't have to get him first. I wonder what David Carr could have done if he'd have been a team with an offensive line? Playing behind our line can ruin a young QB.

[1B4IDie]

That's why I'm hoping we don't take a QB at #3 and instead take someone that plays a position we really need help at and can start and be productive opening day. Taking a QB at #3 and letting him ride the pine behind Fitz next year or two would stink in my book. We'd be no better off AND we'd have wasted high picks the last two years on guys that aren't helping us. So, I hope we take a defensive front 7 hoss and play Fitz and bring in a FA QB or two such as Vince Young or Alex Smith or Troy Smith or Tavaris Jackson or whoever else might be out there to back up Fitz.

 

You do have to have a franchise QB, but you don't have to get him first. I wonder what David Carr could have done if he'd have been a team with an offensive line? Playing behind our line can ruin a young QB.

It's not 2008. The days of complaining about our O-line are done. We have two top 40 picks and Karl Malone's bastard son.

If we add a RT in round 2-3 like Solder or Love or FA and or we get a player like Moffit in the 4th the line goes from slightly below average to average to above average.

In no way is it the 2008 death squad oline, there wouldn't even be 1 starter from that year on the roster anymore.

Not to mention it is miles better than that Houston o line Carr had or that Cleveland oline that Ouch had. It's a different team.

2/5 of the O-line is good to great. 1/5 is average to improving. And with Hangman out 2/5 are ? That can be addressed in the offseason.

If the rookie sits a year and let's the new RT or LG or both gel they will inherent a good to great line 2012.

Edited January 8, 2011 by Why So Serious?

[BobDVA]

I am one of the firm belief that every single one of our draft picks this year should be someone that can stop the run. However, I am warming up to the idea of taking a QB at number three, but only if that QB is Cam Newton. Reason being, he does not have to start next year, Fitz can handle the starting duties. But Newton can give us 6-10 plays out of the wildcat. Meaning the pick is not totally wasted for immediate impact.

 

With Cam running the WC, opposing defenses would have to honor the pass, for sure him running or flipping to Spiller. Meanwhile, Fitz is running the every down offense, Cam is learning hopefully, and we end up with our franchise QB.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

I mentioned this before, but it went mostly unnoticed. So I thought I'd topic it to see if I can get more feedback.

 

I've read many posts that want the Bills to draft a QB at #3 and then sit him for or year or 2. I can not believe we are in a position to do that.

 

You have a sound point about the need for impact from our top draft choices.

 

Chan went on record saying Fitz is his starter for next year and can take us to the playoffs, but that doesn't mean we won't draft a QB at #3 if one is available we could groom as "the man" for the next decade, because how often will we have the chance to draft at #3? Translation: If Chan and the Bills draft a QB at #3, they plan to do EXACTLY THAT. Get used to it. Yell all you want, fans. It is what it is and will be what it will be.

 

My personal feeling is if we don't spend our #3 draft pick on a dominating defensive player (think: Bruce Smith) who can make an immediate impact, we'll have plenty of chances to continue to draft high in subsequent years. If we play Wonderboy Rookie QB behind our line, he's gonna get killed and Fitz will be starting in 3 weeks anyway.

 

Heck, St Louis got 2 years of #2 overall 1st round draft picks to use on a OT and a DE before they took Bradford #1 overall.

 

So take heart, everyone. If we do it wrong, there's always the chance at next year's high draft pick to do-over.

 

Keep in mind misinformation is part of the draft for canny teams. Are the Bills a canny team, or should we all pay attention to Ralph's mid-season dictum "we will draft a QB next year"?

[T master]

I mentioned this before, but it went mostly unnoticed. So I thought I'd topic it to see if I can get more feedback.

 

I've read many posts that want the Bills to draft a QB at #3 and then sit him for or year or 2. I can not believe we are in a position to do that. The #3 pick better be a starter day one, even if he is not completely ready.

Ask any QB in the NFL, and they will tell you that they didn't really start learning the game until they got on the field. Also the veteran players will be questioning the FO for not giving them help NOW. The first interception Fitz throws and Bills nation will be calling for the back-up, and a QB controversy will ensue.

 

A few posters have referenced the Aaron Rodgers and the Philip Rivers drafting as their reasoning. Both those situation were different than what the Bills are in. Green bay was a perennial playoff contender during the Favre years and could afford a luxury pick. Rodgers was drafted #24 in the first round not #3. It was also believed that Rodgers got no help from Favre while he was the back-up, so grooming was a non-factor. San Diego was disenchanted with Brees and would have preferred Rivers to start day one. Brees woke up that season and gave them no choice but to sit Rivers until Brees was traded. San Diego was not drafting Rivers to sit him though.

 

Lastly it would be a PR and marketing nightmare to have a first round pick sitting on the bench again.

 

I believe our situation is more like Atlanta's, the Rams, the Lions, and similar to the Jets when comparing recent drafts. The Bills do not have the talent level to have any luxury picks. For the record I do not believe we should draft a QB at #3 but if we do, he should be starting day one.

 

Thanks for the time. I hope this spawns some discussion.

 

The only thing is if we put a new QB behind a line that can't protect him what will that do to his future ??

 

And you know that if we draft a rookie and he doesn't immediately start out at a high level the fans will be calling for his head .

 

If you don't believe it look at what some are saying about CJ !!

[Hapless Bills Fan]

....on the defensive line.

 

That would be my preference, but I ain't running the Bills

[JohnC]

 

Lastly it would be a PR and marketing nightmare to have a first round pick sitting on the bench again.

 

I believe our situation is more like Atlanta's, the Rams, the Lions, and similar to the Jets when comparing recent drafts. The Bills do not have the talent level to have any luxury picks. For the record I do not believe we should draft a QB at #3 but if we do, he should be starting day one.

 

Thanks for the time. I hope this spawns some discussion.

 

The best marketing this franchise can do is to start making decisions based on what is best for the long term success of the franchise and not the short term marketing gimmickery used for selling tickets. The last time the team took the marketing approach was in the Terrell Owens acquisition. What was the long term advantage for the team? There was none. In fact, it kept a young receiver, Johnson, off the field stunting his development.

 

Although you claim that Rogers situation is not going to be similar to our situation next year, if we take a qb with the first pick, because Fauvre was not willing to tutor Rogers you are missing the point over what happened in Green Bay. Whether Fauvre tutored Rogers or not is irrelevant. Rogers had time to be coached up and learn how to become a good qb. He is now one of the most dynamic qbs in the league. Are you saying that you wouldn't want that caliber of qb on your team, even if it takes time to develop?

 

The notion that fans influence coaching staff and personnel decisons in a credible organization is outright lonney. Any staff that makes any decisons based on the what the mostly moronic fans want should not be involved in the professional ranks.

 

If the Bills organization truly believes that there is a franchise qb available when the Bills pick they would be foolish not to seize the opportunity. Fitz is a nice person. That doesn't change the fact that he is a mediocre starting qb in a league whose winners mostly have high quality starters.

Edited January 8, 2011 by JohnC

[aristocrat]

this team needs players to come in and produce right away. the packers had the luxury of taking a qb and putting him on the bench because they had favre and also a team that was a playoff contender. we need to take this draft and get some solid nfl players...not projects that will help two or three years down the road. we need to build on the team that we saw this past season that showed heart but just didnt have the talent to win. if you take projects it just stunts this team's growth and direction. if we take a qb at 3 he better play immediately and help this team win next year not the year after that.

[beatlebum]

i understand what the OP is getting at, but don't agree, especially in the context of the bills O-line as it will be next year and this years draft class.

 

who in the draft can you plug-and-play? obviously not newton with his run tendencies and unfamiliarity with a prostyle offense. mallet's got a hell of a gun but i don't believe he can read a book, let alone defensive schemes. gabbart has horrible footwork and cumbersome throwing motion and is uncomfortable under pressure (huge mistake to draft top 10). that leaves the guy from washington who's name i forget and i've never seen tape of, but he doesn't generate the same chatter as the afore mentioned, so i'm assuming it safe to say: there are simply no quarterbacks in the current class worth a top 10 pick. if we can get newton or mallet in the second, it might be worth a shot, but neither of them have repeated successful years at the div 1 college level... i don't trust 'em.

 

pick DL. most mocks i've seen have us doing it, and it's a good idea. we need to shore up our d line with big bodies. please god.

[PastaJoe]

So if the Bills don't take a QB this year, other than Luck, who are the best QBs projected to come out in 2012 who would be worth a 1st round pick? I figure the Bills will be in the 6-8 win range next year, and won't have a top 5 pick.

[K Gun Special]

The only thing is if we put a new QB behind a line that can't protect him what will that do to his future ??

 

And you know that if we draft a rookie and he doesn't immediately start out at a high level the fans will be calling for his head .

 

If you don't believe it look at what some are saying about CJ !!

 

 

Look up the stats on sacks, you will find Fitz wasnt sacked nearly as much as some top tier QBs. And we had a middle of the road run game. Our Oline isnt good but it isnt all that bad, especially with his holiness eric wood.

[DrDawkinstein]

Look up the stats on sacks, you will find Fitz wasnt sacked nearly as much as some top tier QBs. And we had a middle of the road run game. Our Oline isnt good but it isnt all that bad, especially with his holiness eric wood.

 

And Fitz's willingness to throw the ball also helped make them better. The line isnt great, and there is room for improvement, but it's coming along and not nearly as bad as it has been. I'm excited to see Wood, Bell, and Levitre grow as they go into their 3rd year, and more importantly, start it healthy.

 

I think we have a couple of ok prospects for depth. If we could add a talent at RT I think we could have a pretty good line soon.

[K Gun Special]

And Fitz's willingness to throw the ball also helped make them better. The line isnt great, and there is room for improvement, but it's coming along and not nearly as bad as it has been. I'm excited to see Wood, Bell, and Levitre grow as they go into their 3rd year, and more importantly, start it healthy.

 

I think we have a couple of ok prospects for depth. If we could add a talent at RT I think we could have a pretty good line soon.

 

 

Right, lets not kid ourselves, they have a ton of newer WRs, we need a TE and one or two OL to add. Fitz is merely a placeholder. Defense needs a lot of work, they lack talent in the front 7.

 

The question for the front office is at #3 who is the best player, bc clearly they will pick the best player available and NOT draft for need. Look at the best franchises who are routinely successful, they dont draft need.

[DrDawkinstein]

Right, lets not kid ourselves, they have a ton of newer WRs, we need a TE and one or two OL to add. Fitz is merely a placeholder. Defense needs a lot of work, they lack talent in the front 7.

 

The question for the front office is at #3 who is the best player, bc clearly they will pick the best player available and NOT draft for need. Look at the best franchises who are routinely successful, they dont draft need.

 

Well, the good(?) news is that we have so many needs, we can go BPA at #3 and still fill a hole.

[K Gun Special]

Well, the good(?) news is that we have so many needs, we can go BPA at #3 and still fill a hole.

 

 

Ha thats my thinking exactly. This team is not nearly as close as some on there believe. there is a huge talent gap.