SI says Bills are a team in "panic mode" w/ QB roster hole

[sir andrew]

I loved the panic level in the article. Straight up lazy reporting. Seems like you can get so much more from the local media than national.

[PromoTheRobot]

The article isn't discussing the team as a whole. It is addressing the QB position specifically.

 

The Bills have indeed improved themselves all over the field, but arguably, not at the QB position.

So drafting a mid-low round QB is better than signing a QB with four years on an NFL roster? To me it's the same gamble. Edited May 17, 2015 by PromoTheRobot

[Nanker]

Tyrod or bust!

I guess it's better than a busted tie rod.

[Bookie Man]

Wow sports illustrated is still around?

[starrymessenger]

I see Cassell as the vet backup and mentor and I expect that the Bills would really rather like one of EJ and Taylor to step up and show enuf in preseason to begin the year as the confirmed starter.

Right now I'd say it boils down to which of the two shows he can best throw the football. They both have a lot to prove in that regard.

If neither one shows up Cassell will be the starter. Pretty straightforward IMO.

[cale]

I think SI is in panic mood. The Bills are not.

[The Wiz]

 

Heck, why don't we just merge all the threads in the future since with thread drift they all trend towards discussing the same topics?

I think if EJ had the balls deflates to below regulation PSI the likelihood for an empire sports network would be a sure thing.

[Chandler#81]

Slow off-season article. Financial facts being what they are, we can't afford a top notch QB without losing a couple great pieces already in place. The Felton/Shady attack, improved OL play and a plethora of receiving talents should make any serviceable QB look good. Especially if we can find helmet radios like the Pats** use..

[vincec]

I think SI is in panic mood. The Bills are not.

Honestly, I think that SI is past panic mode at this point.

[Fadingpain]

So drafting a mid-low round QB is better than signing a QB with four years on an NFL roster? To me it's the same gamble.

No one is suggesting that.

 

The point being made is that our QB situation is in panic mode or at least not looking good. It's actually worst in the league, or close to it.

 

You are pointing out that there really aren't any better alternatives than what we have at the moment.

 

I agree with that. Doesn't mean we aren't still in panic mode or that our situation isn't any better than it is.

 

We're about to find out how far a team with a great defense and skill players all over the field, except at the QB position, can go.

 

It'll be an interesting experiment.

[dave mcbride]

People are wrong about SI. They're doing fine. www.mmqb.si.com is one of the most trafficked football sites on the web, and their overall circulation remains very high. Lots of fact-free analysis in this thread ...

[BarleyNY]

If the Bills brass aren't incredibly concerned about the QB position as it stands, then they aren't competent enough to have the jobs they've got. There is no point in being in a panic over it, but fixing the QB situation has to be the overriding priority moving forward.

[John from Riverside]

No one is suggesting that.

 

The point being made is that our QB situation is in panic mode or at least not looking good. It's actually worst in the league, or close to it.

 

You are pointing out that there really aren't any better alternatives than what we have at the moment.

 

I agree with that. Doesn't mean we aren't still in panic mode or that our situation isn't any better than it is.

 

We're about to find out how far a team with a great defense and skill players all over the field, except at the QB position, can go.

 

It'll be an interesting experiment.

OK Ill bite

 

As a bit of experiment could you provide the starting QBs for the NFL teams around the league and we can discuss it?

[John Cocktosten]

I guess it's better than a busted tie rod.

 

I watched Tyrod quite a bit in college and the one thing he does is make plays. He's amazing when he gets out of the pocket and has a rocket arm. His accuracy wasn't great and he didn't read the field well but I'll chalk that up to how Beamer used him. Hopefully a few years behind Flacco and some great offensive coaching he's learned something. I really think he starts.

[Formerly Allan in MD]

Where's the panic? Just because SI publishes a story, doesn't mean they know what they're talking about. Sure we need a better situation at quarterback, but I don't see anyone racing toward any open windows.

[YoloinOhio]

 

I watched Tyrod quite a bit in college and the one thing he does is make plays. He's amazing when he gets out of the pocket and has a rocket arm. His accuracy wasn't great and he didn't read the field well but I'll chalk that up to how Beamer used him. Hopefully a few years behind Flacco and some great offensive coaching he's learned something. I really think he starts.

how is inaccuracy a result of how he was used? Serious question as I didn't watch him in college.

[John from Riverside]

how is inaccuracy a result of how he was used? Serious question as I didn't watch him in college.

I just want to see him get a legit chance in camp since he could have taken more money with Denver.......

[dayman]

how is inaccuracy a result of how he was used? Serious question as I didn't watch him in college.

 

Not sure it is a valid point to make. You throw accurately or you don't.

[hondo in seattle]

 

Arguably, the additions of Cassel and Taylor are an improvement over Orton and Tuel...no?

 

I certainly think so. Taylor, I think, is ahead of Tuel. Taylor was a star in college while Tuel had trouble holding down the starting job.

 

And Cassel will have the entire off-season to learn the offensive system and that - if nothing else - should put him ahead of Orton.

 

Furthermore, the coaching is better this year.

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

 

Heck, why don't we just merge all the threads in the future since with thread drift they all trend towards discussing the same topics?

And they all ultimately die after a rousing battle of "does not" "does too" "prove it", "no you prove it" on said topic.

[bisonbrigade]

This is of course accurate. No need to shoot the messenger. Only a blind homer would conclude otherwise about the Bills' qb situation.

 

Also' Geno Smith has had some bad games, but in my opinion he has flashed more potential than Manuel because he's a smoother thrower.

Geno has never seen a turnover he did not like. The notion is Geno better then EJ is a joke. Rex would be the best judge between the two.

Edited May 17, 2015 by bisonbrigade

[John Cocktosten]

how is inaccuracy a result of how he was used? Serious question as I didn't watch him in college.

 

Might of been the way that I wrote it. His struggles with reading defenses had a lot to do with the way Beamer asking him to make plays with his feet instead of standing in the pocket and reading the defenses. FWIW, he was awesome at it.

His inaccuracy was an issue throughout his college career but he improved a ton his senior year.

[Beerball]

Again, to comment on the QB situation before even OTA's have occurred, much less training camp, much much less pre-season, is incredibly premature. Sure it's a concern. Many teams have QB concerns.

How many teams with a roster as strong as the Bills? The clock is ticking because this team has so far been built backwards. Strong defense, strong offensive specialists, QB below average, line unknown.

 

Long winded way of saying he already did this once and it didn't mean a thing

You know this how? You don't, just like folks don't know how EJ will turn out.

If the Bills brass aren't incredibly concerned about the QB position as it stands, then they aren't competent enough to have the jobs they've got. There is no point in being in a panic over it, but fixing the QB situation has to be the overriding priority moving forward.

Well put.

OK Ill bite

 

As a bit of experiment could you provide the starting QBs for the NFL teams around the league and we can discuss it?

Why?

[Doc]

How many teams with a roster as strong as the Bills? The clock is ticking because this team has so far been built backwards. Strong defense, strong offensive specialists, QB below average, line unknown.

Very few. Which should make them more panicky.

[John from Riverside]

How many teams with a roster as strong as the Bills? The clock is ticking because this team has so far been built backwards. Strong defense, strong offensive specialists, QB below average, line unknown.

You know this how? You don't, just like folks don't know how EJ will turn out.

Well put.

Why?

This is not meant as a dig at the poster.......only to point out that there are a certain group of teams that have bonafied franchise QBs and the rest of them (including us) are continuing to look for the qb answer........so why is SI pointing out that WE are in panic mode.

 

Not meant to create a arguement......just something to discuss

[PromoTheRobot]

No one is suggesting that.

 

The point being made is that our QB situation is in panic mode or at least not looking good. It's actually worst in the league, or close to it.

 

You are pointing out that there really aren't any better alternatives than what we have at the moment.

 

I agree with that. Doesn't mean we aren't still in panic mode or that our situation isn't any better than it is.

 

We're about to find out how far a team with a great defense and skill players all over the field, except at the QB position, can go.

 

It'll be an interesting experiment.

That is a preposterous statement. How do you know what we have before even the first OTA? People certainly have their opinions but to say we are the worst right now is laughable. Unknown? Sure. Absolutely the worst? Prove it.

Edited May 18, 2015 by PromoTheRobot

[UpperDeck]

And they all ultimately die after a rousing battle of "does not" "does too" "prove it", "no you prove it" on said topic.

No they don't.

[BUFFALOTONE]

I watched Taylor all 4 years at VT and while he was/is very athletic his decision making was terrible as were his mechanics. That's not to say he isn't capable, but if he was starting caliber material he would have been grabbed by another team already, JMO. I think the fight is between Cassel and EJ. They want a manager who can make all the throws, that's Cassel. Why push it when we have such a strong Def and run game.

[Nasty]

I don't think we are in "panic mode" and this guy is crazy if he thinks we are. I think our QB's will be just fine with this new offense where throwing the ball 40 to 50 times a game is out of the question, where handing the ball off will be a priority. Yes the QB will have to make throws at some point in the game but not 40 times a game.

[billsfan89]

They built the roster around the weak QB position. They knew what it was and that the option to improve the situation was limited. So they got with a replacement level QB in Cassel (Aka Kyle Orton 2.0) and hoped that maybe EJ Manuel could get another shot at it and improve. They knew they had to upgrade every other aspect of the roster in order to compensate for the QB. To think that they are panicking is silly.

[YoloinOhio]

They built the roster around the weak QB position. They knew what it was and that the option to improve the situation was limited. So they got with a replacement level QB in Cassel (Aka Kyle Orton 2.0) and hoped that maybe EJ Manuel could get another shot at it and improve. They knew they had to upgrade every other aspect of the roster in order to compensate for the QB. To think that they are panicking is silly.

i agree with this. I fully expect a 1st rd pick on a QB next year. I expect Cassel to start this year. I would be thrilled if EJ won the job, but I'm not optimistic. Frankly, though i have nothing against the kid, the thought of tyrod Taylor as our starting QB this season is terrifying. Not to say he's any worse than the other two as I truly don't know yet but I have to admit, I'd be much more nervous with him out there than Cassel or Ej. Edited May 18, 2015 by YoloinOhio

[KD in CA]

Nice reporting. No mention of Tyrod Taylor at all.

 

Even SI isn't that disconnected from reality.

[NoSaint]

This is not meant as a dig at the poster.......only to point out that there are a certain group of teams that have bonafied franchise QBs and the rest of them (including us) are continuing to look for the qb answer........so why is SI pointing out that WE are in panic mode.

 

Not meant to create a arguement......just something to discuss

In our division you can say Brady is set and tannehill has atleast moved along the curve further than the rest leaving him #2. I'd put fitz over cassel but probably two of the lower end spots in the league.

 

Big Ben, flacco, dalton, McCown.... 3/4 better than us. McCown seemed to be our choice over cassel too but I wasn't a fan. Dalton isn't great but he's what we hope for out of our guys at this point I think.

 

Rivers, smith, manning and Carr. 3/4 better again and Carr is a debate. Many here take him but I think he's similar to ej at the moment.

 

Luck, mariota, bottles and hoyer.... Lucks clearly better, two young guys that were top 5 picks but question marks. I don't like hoyer. I'd say 3/4 are ahead as we'd trade Meh and EJ for a shot at either young guys potential but it's the toughest group

 

Eli, romo, Bradford, and... Rg3? Eli and romo are better. I like Bradford more than MC but could tolerate the health debate bringing him down. On the flip side of the same coin I don't love rg3 but could put up with and argument that he could have that flash in him still

 

Brees, cam, Matt Ryan, jameis.... Not a good lineup for us to compete with

 

Wilson, CK, Carson Palmer and foles-- Wilson obviously is better. I'd take Palmer over cassell every day, even if he's up there in age. CK while risky would be the guy at the top of our depth chart with it being his job to lose. Foles was never my favorite- he'd be right in this mess with our guys and I could hear arguments both ways

 

Rodgers, stafford, teddy b and cutler.... 2 clearly better. We traded for the backup to teddy to potentially start. Cutler would be a fair debate. Probably more skilled than our lineup but that contract makes him unpalatable

 

 

So pretty much every division 3 out of 4 are better leaving us as a bottom quarter qb situation with a roster built to win now? Whether Whaley is panicking, worrying, frustrated or some other word I think it's fair to say he's praying a bit that one of our guys reaches their potential

Edited May 18, 2015 by NoSaint

[UpperDeck]

They built the roster around the weak QB position. They knew what it was and that the option to improve the situation was limited. So they got with a replacement level QB in Cassel (Aka Kyle Orton 2.0) and hoped that maybe EJ Manuel could get another shot at it and improve. They knew they had to upgrade every other aspect of the roster in order to compensate for the QB. To think that they are panicking is silly.

Not only does building up the team everywhere else increase our chances of making the playoffs this year, it also increases our chances of signing a good FA QB next offseason. We're pretty loaded at WR and should also have a good running game to balance our attack. So if Rivers, Bradford, Cam Newton, or Eli Manning make it to free agency then we might be able to attract one of them.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

I watched Taylor all 4 years at VT and while he was/is very athletic his decision making was terrible as were his mechanics. That's not to say he isn't capable, but if he was starting caliber material he would have been grabbed by another team already, JMO. I think the fight is between Cassel and EJ. They want a manager who can make all the throws, that's Cassel. Why push it when we have such a strong Def and run game.

 

OK, so question. I never watched Taylor - I usually don't watch college ball much. His stats as a college QB say he improved from year to year: http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/tyrod-taylor-1.html, starting out at 54% completions and 927 yds, finishing at 60% completions and 2743 yds as a senior. That would imply that he went from a running QB who can throw occasionally to a respectable passing QB who could run at need. His sophmore year was 2 TD, 7 INT which would support your perception of terrible decision making - his Sr year was 24 TD, 5 INT which doesn't read like a guy who makes crappy decosions.

 

So was that perceptible to you at all, watching him, that he improved from year to year or changed from year to year? And if not, how do you account for the improved stats? That's a serious change on paper, to improve completion by 7%, throw 12x as many TDs and fewer INT, while tripling his passing yardage, but I am well aware that "figures lie and liars figure", stats don't always tell the whole picture.

[John from Riverside]

In our division you can say Brady is set and tannehill has atleast moved along the curve further than the rest leaving him #2. I'd put fitz over cassel but probably two of the lower end spots in the league.

 

Big Ben, flacco, dalton, McCown.... 3/4 better than us. McCown seemed to be our choice over cassel too but I wasn't a fan. Dalton isn't great but he's what we hope for out of our guys at this point I think.

 

Rivers, smith, manning and Carr. 3/4 better again and Carr is a debate. Many here take him but I think he's similar to ej at the moment.

 

Luck, mariota, bottles and hoyer.... Lucks clearly better, two young guys that were top 5 picks but question marks. I don't like hoyer. I'd say 3/4 are ahead as we'd trade Meh and EJ for a shot at either young guys potential but it's the toughest group

 

Eli, romo, Bradford, and... Rg3? Eli and romo are better. I like Bradford more than MC but could tolerate the health debate bringing him down. On the flip side of the same coin I don't love rg3 but could put up with and argument that he could have that flash in him still

 

Brees, cam, Matt Ryan, jameis.... Not a good lineup for us to compete with

 

Wilson, CK, Carson Palmer and foles-- Wilson obviously is better. I'd take Palmer over cassell every day, even if he's up there in age. CK while risky would be the guy at the top of our depth chart with it being his job to lose. Foles was never my favorite- he'd be right in this mess with our guys and I could hear arguments both ways

 

Rodgers, stafford, teddy b and cutler.... 2 clearly better. We traded for the backup to teddy to potentially start. Cutler would be a fair debate. Probably more skilled than our lineup but that contract makes him unpalatable

 

 

So pretty much every division 3 out of 4 are better leaving us as a bottom quarter qb situation with a roster built to win now? Whether Whaley is panicking, worrying, frustrated or some other word I think it's fair to say he's praying a bit that one of our guys reaches their potential

Thank you Saint

 

Big Ben, flacco, dalton, McCown. I think it is debatable that Dalton and McNown are better then what we have....when Dalton doesnt have his top WR he looks REALLY average......McCown I def think we can debate whether he is better then our QBs. So...basically.....half the teams have better QBs.

 

Rivers, smith, manning and Carr. I think most of these teams are in better positions BUT......Manning is aging....and Rivers situation is in turmoil

 

Luck, mariota, bottles and hoyer......the only QB in this group that is def better is Luck

 

Eli, romo, Bradford, and... Rg3.....three of these QBs are severe injury issues....you cant be better if your not on the field

 

Brees, cam, Matt Ryan, jameis....agreed...3 of those QBs are in better situations....Winston is a complete unknown.

 

Wilson, CK, Carson Palmer and foles.....Wilson yes....the rest? CK not in a good situation and frankly not a good QB.....Palmer is injury prone and old....I dont think Foles is any better then what we have

 

Rodgers, stafford, teddy b and cutler.. 2 are clearly better.....Teddy B. is unknown.....cutler is unwanted

 

 

So this puts us maybe in the bottom HALF of teams. Not last in the league or anywhere close to it. I say again.....it is NOT panic time for the bills......they just dont have it figured out all the way yet.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

So pretty much every division 3 out of 4 are better leaving us as a bottom quarter qb situation with a roster built to win now? Whether Whaley is panicking, worrying, frustrated or some other word I think it's fair to say he's praying a bit that one of our guys reaches their potential

 

I could just be a kool-aid quaffer, but I think Roman intends to build a power-run, run-first offense which can be helmed by a game-manager type QB who doesn't turn it over and throws enough to back the D off a bit. And I think Whaley has been working hard to support that with acquisitions of quality TE, FB, and RB. The potential "panic" situation in my mind isn't the QB, it's the quality of our line. Will Williams return from injury? Will Incognito still bring it? Will Kouandjio take a step? Will our 3rd round rookie be "the guy"? Will Woods and Glenn return to form? Those are my questions. And if I were Whaley that's the aspect of the roster my prayer wheel spins for, that our line reaches its potential.

 

On QB, I think Whaley and our coaches are figuring that worst case, Cassel has proven himself in the past as a good QB in that sort of system and still has enough gas in the tank to manage. It's not a coincidence that his best years were under Josh McDaniels with a top-5 rushing attack and then Charlie Weis in KC with the league's #1 rushing attack. Best case, Manuel or Taylor "cowboy up" and do better.

[NoSaint]

Thank you Saint

 

Big Ben, flacco, dalton, McCown. I think it is debatable that Dalton and McNown are better then what we have....when Dalton doesnt have his top WR he looks REALLY average......McCown I def think we can debate whether he is better then our QBs. So...basically.....half the teams have better QBs.

 

Rivers, smith, manning and Carr. I think most of these teams are in better positions BUT......Manning is aging....and Rivers situation is in turmoil

 

Luck, mariota, bottles and hoyer......the only QB in this group that is def better is Luck

 

Eli, romo, Bradford, and... Rg3.....three of these QBs are severe injury issues....you cant be better if your not on the field

 

Brees, cam, Matt Ryan, jameis....agreed...3 of those QBs are in better situations....Winston is a complete unknown.

 

Wilson, CK, Carson Palmer and foles.....Wilson yes....the rest? CK not in a good situation and frankly not a good QB.....Palmer is injury prone and old....I dont think Foles is any better then what we have

 

Rodgers, stafford, teddy b and cutler.. 2 are clearly better.....Teddy B. is unknown.....cutler is unwanted

 

 

So this puts us maybe in the bottom HALF of teams. Not last in the league or anywhere close to it. I say again.....it is NOT panic time for the bills......they just dont have it figured out all the way yet.

I think you skewed a bit towards "it's close so I'm going with our guy" too consistently for my own taste, but that's just me. I guess it doesn't help that we don't really have some defined parameters (whether we are considering contract or just skill, 2014 only or long term, etc.... Do we put the #1 pick ahead of tyrod or simply say both are unproven?)

 

I don't like dalton but I think that's best case for cassell, for instance. Is it possible dalton plays a little down and mc is at his best? Sure. And mc is cheaper which is good. But skill alone I think we'd all feel a little better with dalton- as an example where you and a went different ways and you end up in the teens and I'm in the 20s for ranking.

Edited May 18, 2015 by NoSaint

[LOVEMESOMEBILLS]

 

You know this how? You don't, just like folks don't know how EJ will turn out.

 

 

 

 

 

How do I know Geno's bad play for most of the year and finishing strong in 2013 didn't mean a thing? Because he did the same thing in 2014. Seems as though finishing the season strong does not necessarily mean a QB has improved.

Edited May 18, 2015 by LOVEMESOMEBILLS

[Big Blitz]

If the oline isn't a circus we will get significantly better QB play. Don't care who it is.