Hapless Bills Fan Posted February 8, 2016 Share Posted February 8, 2016 The real blockbuster comes when Nix basically admits that if quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick doesn't re-structure his deal, there will be issues. And there were. Fitzpatrick carried a $10.45 million salary cap charge in 2013 as part of the seven-year, $62.195 million contract he signed in October 2011 and that led to the quarterback's release on Tuesday afternoon. "We're still struggling here with our quarterback," Nix said. "We're not really struggling--he's going to have to do something, or we'll have to ... We just can't afford to pay that kind of money for a guy who's fighting for probably a backup job." http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/bills-gm-buddy-nix-gets-catfished-prankster-admits-164444662--nfl.html Exactly, that flatly contradicts Buddy saying they wanted to sit EJ behind a vet. If EJ is developing behind a vet, then Fitz isn't "fighting for a backup job", he's going to be the starter or at least competing for the starting job. But here he is, saying in his catfished call "a guy who's fighting for a backup job" Between TJax, Kolb, Orton, and Fitz's dead money, I believe the Bills wound up spending more than they would have to keep Fitz. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanker Posted February 8, 2016 Share Posted February 8, 2016 It doesn't matter. Look around the league at the backup QBs. EJ is, at a minimum, in the top half of that group. He has next year to show he deserves a second (reasonable) contract to continue as a backup, or he can test his value on the open market. It's not killing the Bills either way, and even when they drafted him they traded down and got an extra pick. But so many here wanted Gee-No! Like he's set The League on fire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hapless Bills Fan Posted February 8, 2016 Share Posted February 8, 2016 They wanted to keep him at a different price, which wasn't agreed to Nix is now saying they wanted to sit EJ to let him develop and keep Fitz or another vet to start in front of him. But in the catfished call, Nix says Fitz is "fighting for probably a backup job". Nix is indulging in revisionist history IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Over 29 years of fanhood Posted February 8, 2016 Share Posted February 8, 2016 Nix is now saying they wanted to sit EJ to let him develop and keep Fitz or another vet to start in front of him. But in the catfished call, Nix says Fitz is "fighting for probably a backup job". Nix is indulging in revisionist history IMO. perhaps... They didn't however even know they'd have EJ, when the catfish call and subsequent release happened. Point is, they did report they attemptedto restructure him, and it didn't work out. Assuming it had worked out and fitz restructured, then the scenario of him starting while they groom EJ was a plausible outcome. That is what I really believe is the view being expressed in retrospect as a scenario they would have been happy with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hanoverbills Posted February 9, 2016 Share Posted February 9, 2016 He will continue to learn, but at what rate? It's unfortunate that we gave up so much for a starter who wasn't able to start, and win. look how long it took Alex Smith to become a decent starter. Drew Brees took couple years to be a great starter. Alex Smith had 19 tds, 31 int. and 27 fumbles his first three years in the NFL. Some guys get it right away some take longer. Hell it took Taylor 5 years to become a starter. I bet 49ers wished they had Alex Smith right know. Look at Colin Kaepernick and all money they gave him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Best Player Available Posted February 9, 2016 Share Posted February 9, 2016 look how long it took Alex Smith to become a decent starter. Drew Brees took couple years to be a great starter. Alex Smith had 19 tds, 31 int. and 27 fumbles his first three years in the NFL. Some guys get it right away some take longer. Hell it took Taylor 5 years to become a starter. I bet 49ers wished they had Alex Smith right know. Look at Colin Kaepernick and all money they gave him. Smith was the BPA QB in a year when there weren't any. The niners needed one. Too bad they passed on that discount double check guy long term he is the better choice. That Said it is stunning how Smith has actually become a decent QB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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