Welborn9 Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Thigpen contract clarification. 3 years $11 mill is a hefty price for a backup. So this is who we over pay?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frostbelt City Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Decent security is Fitzpatrick goes down Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsObserver Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Bills can't win. They identify a guy they want, have to pay a little more for him (Vikings wanted Thigpen) and fans still complain. Yeah, is he overpriced? Sure. Does it really matter because we are still wayyyyy under the cap and won't come close to approaching said cap? No. Gailey got the guy he wanted. Sometimes you have to pay a few more dollars... Also, I thought Fitzy was overpriced when he first arrived (3 mill a year) and making more than our starting QB at the time. Who knows, maybe Thigpen eventually wins the job (probably not happening due to the power of the Fitzbeardy). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welborn9 Posted August 4, 2011 Author Share Posted August 4, 2011 Decent security is Fitzpatrick goes down Not mad at the player choice...just not sure about price tag. Oh well...whats done is done Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost of Rob Johnson Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 What are other backup QBs making around the league? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papazoid Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Thigpen contract clarification. 3 years $11 mill is a hefty price for a backup. So this is who we over pay?? [/quote ] how bout the 4yr / $15 mil contract for our 3rd string QB Brad Smith ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcbillsfan Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 seems to me it is a pretty good bet the the back up qb is going to make a couple starts at least every year . The guys that had last year made the games an automatic loss, not so much this year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richNjoisy Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Not mad at the player choice...just not sure about price tag. Oh well...whats done is done For once I think the negative voice is in the minority. Thigpen THRIVED under Gailey's influence. He fits the new (and soon-to-be-modified) offense to a tee. He is a vet and he was coveted and we got him for 1/3 the cost of a starter. Meanwhile, Fitzy plays behind a suspect line and almost certainly will miss a game or two. Thigpen was PERFECT for the role of backup. The third stringer (Smith) also can throw and will be "warm" since he will be playing in the games (WR,RB and occasional QB). Bills, IMO, have one of the better 3 QB situations in the entire league. We can survive TWO (2) QB injuries. The Bills problems lie elsewhere - o-line, TE, and LB (injury risk is huge). Bills won't make the playoffs but they will win the games they should AND a few they shouldn't this year. 7-9, 8-8 or maybe even (gasp) 9-7. As Kirk said before he died: "sounds like fun!" -RnJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 For once I think the negative voice is in the minority. Thigpen THRIVED under Gailey's influence. He fits the new (and soon-to-be-modified) offense to a tee. He is a vet and he was coveted and we got him for 1/3 the cost of a starter. Meanwhile, Fitzy plays behind a suspect line and almost certainly will miss a game or two. Thigpen was PERFECT for the role of backup. The third stringer (Smith) also can throw and will be "warm" since he will be playing in the games (WR,RB and occasional QB). Bills, IMO, have one of the better 3 QB situations in the entire league. We can survive TWO (2) QB injuries. The Bills problems lie elsewhere - o-line, TE, and LB (injury risk is huge). Bills won't make the playoffs but they will win the games they should AND a few they shouldn't this year. 7-9, 8-8 or maybe even (gasp) 9-7. As Kirk said before he died: "sounds like fun!" -RnJ When was the last time Smith played QB? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LabattBlue Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 (edited) For once I think the negative voice is in the minority. Thigpen THRIVED under Gailey's influence. He fits the new (and soon-to-be-modified) offense to a tee. He is a vet and he was coveted and we got him for 1/3 the cost of a starter. Meanwhile, Fitzy plays behind a suspect line and almost certainly will miss a game or two. Thigpen was PERFECT for the role of backup. The third stringer (Smith) also can throw and will be "warm" since he will be playing in the games (WR,RB and occasional QB). Bills, IMO, have one of the better 3 QB situations in the entire league. We can survive TWO (2) QB injuries. The Bills problems lie elsewhere - o-line, TE, and LB (injury risk is huge). Bills won't make the playoffs but they will win the games they should AND a few they shouldn't this year. 7-9, 8-8 or maybe even (gasp) 9-7. As Kirk said before he died: "sounds like fun!" -RnJ Just to add to your comments on Smith. Yes he was a college QB, but despite playing in the wildcat a lot, he has only attempted 7 passes since entering the NFL in 2006. His effectiveness as a passer as a 3rd string QB or out of the wildcat, is a question mark at this time. Edited August 4, 2011 by LabattBlue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorkington Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 We're still well under cap. I'd be "pissed" if we had needs elsewhere AND were close to cap. But we aren't the latter... we wanted the guy, we went for him, and we got him. If we didn't get him, we'd all be pissed because "Ralph is cheap". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eball Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 When was the last time Smith played QB? When was the last time you saw ANY team have offensive success when the 3rd QB was forced to enter the game? In other words, the answer to your question is irrelevant. Smith certainly has the skill set to run the wildcat or a variation thereof, has been successful at it, and the rules change this season regarding #3 QBs puts the Bills in the rare position of actually being a step ahead of the rest of the league. Getting back to the OP's original post, this is hardly "crazy" money for a backup QB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LabattBlue Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 (edited) We're still well under cap. I'd be "pissed" if we had needs elsewhere AND were close to cap. But we aren't the latter... we wanted the guy, we went for him, and we got him. If we didn't get him, we'd all be pissed because "Ralph is cheap". Would you rather have Thigpen and Smith or Zach Miller and <insert some other backup QB). What difference does a backup QB mean this year anyways? Edited August 4, 2011 by LabattBlue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorkington Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Would you rather have Thigpen and Smith or Zach Miller and <insert some other backup QB). Have difference does a backup QB mean this year anyways? I'm curious as to why the two choices are mutually exclusive. Is there a "Ralph cap" that I don't know about? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Caveman Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Bills can't win. They identify a guy they want, have to pay a little more for him (Vikings wanted Thigpen) and fans still complain. The fact that the Vikes wanted him is important, because he would have had a chance to compete for the starting job there. That's worth some $. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papazoid Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 When was the last time Smith played QB? Brad Smith will be listed as the 3rd QB on game day..... The owners and players have agreed to expand game day rosters from 45 to 46 active players. The No. 3 quarterback will no longer be an “emergency” inactive player. In other words, a team can insert its third-string quarterback for a short period at any point in the game, then take him out and put the starter back in. Previously, the first and second quarterbacks couldn’t re-enter the game if the No. 3 quarterback played before the fourth quarter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LabattBlue Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 I'm curious as to why the two choices are mutually exclusive. Is there a "Ralph cap" that I don't know about? Yes, I believe there is a Ralph cap, and if they aren't going to spend to the NFL cap, I'd like them to spend more wisely than 7-8 mil on a backup QB and a gadget player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly the Dog Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Just to add to your comments on Smith. Yes he was a college QB, but despite playing in the wildcat a lot, he has only attempted 7 passes since entering the NFL in 2006. His effectiveness as a passer as a 3rd string QB or out of the wildcat, is a question mark at this time. It's possible, but I very much doubt that Chan Gailey thinks Brad Smith can play QB for a full game in this league. Maybe Gailey thinks in a couple years he could develop him but I would bet he doesn't even entertain the thought. Smith is a unique talent and hybrid player. He will throw this year out of the QB position, but he's not nearly ready to be a real full time QB. Probably doesn't have the skill set necessary. I love the signing though, and can't wait to see him play for us, and what Gailey does with him. This should be fun, as well as productive. I think he's going to be one the fan favorites on this team as well as a valuable cog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorkington Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Yes, I believe there is a Ralph cap, and if they aren't going to spend to the NFL cap, I'd like them to spend more wisely than 7-8 mil on a backup QB and a gadget player. Do you have information that suggested we actively chose Thigpen/Smith vs Miller? I hadn't heard that we pursued Miller or even had any interest in him. Also, can you give us the number for the "Ralph cap" so that we can accurately be enraged at the proper moment? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LabattBlue Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Do you have information that suggested we actively chose Thigpen/Smith vs Miller? I hadn't heard that we pursued Miller or even had any interest in him. Also, can you give us the number for the "Ralph cap" so that we can accurately be enraged at the proper moment? The Thigpen/Smith vs. Miller is my suggestion, not something the Bills were pursing to my knowledge. As far as your second question goes, figure it out yourself smartass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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