171 Still Greater Than 10: Nathan Peterman vs. Patrick Mahomes

[BurpleBull]

As to not jinx Nathan Peterman's future as Bills quarterback I will refrain from suggesting that he could possibly fill the role of a franchise QB unless it becomes painfully obvious, but I will express that I have a really good feeling that the Bills will be just fine with him at QB. He'll have his share of miscues, but the Bills offense will be just fine under him.

 

There was much debate as to who the Bills should draft this past April when it came to Deshaun Watson, Mitch Trubisky, Deshone Kizer, and Patrick Mahomes. Not so much when Nathan Peterman was talked about as a guy that should be a consideration. In fact, I can only remember a handful of Bills' fans that expressed support for the drafting of Peterman leading up to the draft.

 

I think after this season the odds of the Bills drafting a QB in the 1st round will be just as unlikely as it was this past NFL Draft with inspired play from Nathan Peterman.

Deshaun Watson and Mitch Trubisky were locks to go top 10 but the odds of them slipping down the draft boards were unlikely, so I began to consider the Bills other potential options.

 

I had one wish, it was that the Bills didn't do anything drastic and select Patrick Mahomes with their 10th overall pick. The irony, the Chiefs, the Bills trading partners would turn around and use that acquired pick to draft Patrick Mahomes. Problem off of my hands personally, because personally, I didn't want the Bills to draft Mahomes in any round.

 

 

My other one wish: That the Bills would say, "to hell with what the draft experts and critics think/will say" and draft Nathan Peterman in the 2nd rd. I really believed in what he brought to the table and could be a welcomed surprise. So why not draft high and get your man?  Of course he got drafted much later, but things still worked out.

 

What I saw that had me rate Peterman over Mahomes was a silent leader with accuracy, very good pocket presence, and the ability to go through progressions to find and get the ball to the open man. All qualities that translated well to the NFL for even a rookie QB in my opinion.

 

Still yet to be seen, but I feel when teams start to key in on what a starting Mahomes does well and  figure out what makes him uncomfortable and out of character as a QB, is when my doubts concerning his flaws becomes evident and that Peterman is the more polished, better overall NFL QB.

 

Read a piece on the Bills official website a few days ago where Micah Hyde gave Peterman the moniker of "Nate Favre" because he sees him as the gunslinging QB that Brett Favre was, oddly enough there were plenty of Favre comparisons when it came to Mahomes . Fair enough, because I was also reminded of Brett Favre when watching Mahomes' Texas Tech highlights, just the uninspired, far less enthusaistic version of him.

I thought of Peterman as a very good veteran backup QB who could step in and take over in the event that Tyrod Taylor's play faltered this season and Sean McDermott sounds as though he believes a 5th rd rookie QB  in Peterman has more polish and poise than you'd expect from a rookie QB just as I believed.  Only difference is that this "very good veteran backup QB" will only be 23 years of age upon being handed the reins. So with room to grow and weapons being added around him (weapons which he lacked as a Pittsburgh Panther), who knows how far the Bills can go with him.

 

Only time will tell who the bigger draft-day trade winner was, but with admirable performances during this tough stretch of games, the Bills brass goes from desparate-looking to looking that much smarter on many fronts.

 

 

 

The Peterman Effect:

 

1. ) Possible rejuvenated defensive effort. (Players may feel their defensive effort won't be wasted  with improved offensive output and continue to grind).
 

2.) Will affect the run game positively if teams don't feel they can follow the Jets' Thursday Night bleuprint on stopping the Bills with better passing production.

 

3.) Zay Jones finally gets on track. I believe Peterman and Jones have a good rapport. Remember the Senior Bowl hookups.

 

4.) Nick O'Leary's value as a pass-catching receiver goes up. Peterman and O'Leary seem to have good chemistry.

 

5.) Big plays downfield. Peterman throws a very good and accurate deep pass more times than not.

 

6.) The offensive line doesn't look nearly as woeful. Peterman is decisive, finds the open man, and throws with good accuracy. Think Fitzpatrick's low sack % due to his decisiveness.

 

 

 

 

 

[mead107]

Hope you are right.  Find out Sunday 

[zow2]

NFL.com gave Peterman a draft grade last April of 5.7 and Mahomes was 5.8.   To be rated that close and get drafted 161 slots later.....  I don't believe in jinxes but I think he is a steal.

[Mike in Horseheads]

Peterman Can!

 

[EasternOHBillsFan]

The resilience he displayed after what happened at Tennessee is really something you can't teach. He knows what it is like to be on the other side of the Tyrod benching, and look how it all came out for him (and the state of the Tennessee program and how far it has fallen).

 

https://www.seccountry.com/tennessee/peterman-vols-reflections

 

Ben Roethlisberger made it happen as a rookie. Yes, Tom Brady did it also as a late rounder.

 

Kurt Warner is probably by far the biggest underdog story I have seen in my lifetime, taking a terrible 1998 Rams team into a stellar 1999 and winning the whole damn thing. In this business, you NEVER KNOW what will happen.

 

Regardless, if the Cubs can win the World Series and the Seahawks, Saints, Buccaneers and the Rams, then BY GOD the BUFFALO BILLS can eventually win it all. I'm not waiting 108 seasons, but hell... LOL

 

GO BILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!! WIN WITH PETERMAN!

Edited November 18, 2017 by EasternOHBillsFan

[Mr. WEO]

The D certainly wasted zero effort against the Saints...

[Jerome007]

Man, just like you guys, I'm full of renewed enthusiasm and think he can really deliver. But I rationally know the "think" in that first sentence should be replaced by "hope".  We just don't know. And our expectations and hopes are so high that the mood won't be for Peterman to develop but to be good right away. Hey, it'd be awesome if he wins right away but we have to give rookie QBs and players a chance too!

 

Yet who wants to see this year wasted? Not me! I don't care about next year's draft if Incognito and Kyle are getting too old, if Shady slows down, etc. So many holes, the Bills have to win NOW. They will improve in some areas next year BUT also regress! No better time than NOW

[starrymessenger]

I must confess to being wowed somewhat by Mahomes athleticism and arm strength. I think I maybe do see a young Favre type. My concerns with him were mechanics and whether he could manage the transition to an NFL offence and of course nobody knows the answer to that question yet though of course Andy Reid thinks he does. To me he remains a top shelf prospect, but nothing more than that (which is basically what all these new QBs are). But there was no rational explanation for the Trubisky-Peterman draft position gap, especially considering that MT was pretty much a one year wonder and Peterman had a more complete resume. 

I actually think the two are comparable as far as their respective basic skill sets are concerned and I see them as close to equivalent prospects for continued development. I would not be surprised if their onfield performance the rest of this year bore this out. I would also not be surprised if Peterman outperformed Mitch either. Whether he pans out or not I think that as a QB prospect Peterman was indeed a steal in the fifth.

I agree that the "Peterman effect" is a distinct possibility, though pretty much a best case scenario. As with any QB prospect, or indeed for a young player at any position, the question is whether his abilities continue to show an upward trajectory at the next and final level. This means not only addressing the flaws in his game but also improving on the things that he already did well in college. I don't think its unreasonable to think/hope that Peterman is that kind of guy. If he is he'll probably be the Bills starting QB for the forseeable future. 

[Sammy Watkins' Rib]

I like it. The OP is the anti-Jeff's Magic.

[HappyDays]

I don’t know what the Chiefs plan for Pat Mahomes is moving forward. Alex Smith has been the least of their problems this year. He’s has a passer rating above 100 in all but 2 of their games. He fits Andy Reid’s offense and he’s been executing it really well all year. I wonder if they’re regretting not spending that pick on a defenseman because that’s where they’re struggling. And they’re without a 1st rounder next year... 2 1st round picks for a QB who’s riding the bench and no guarantee he’ll ever fix his mechanical issues, and a defense on the decline.

 

Trubisky has been playing like crap too. You want to talk about a team hiding their QB, he had a game with 7 total pass attempts. He is struggling to read NFL defenses, he played in a spread system in college and it shows.

 

I’m feeling pretty good about Tre’Davious White, an extra 1st, and Peterman in the 5th right now.

[dulles]

I cannot say I have any expertise on Peterman at Pitt, but I certainly like the decisiveness.  It does mean our turnover ratio may take a hit, but I doubt we will start games with big sacks or go whole quarters with 3 and outs.  KB will likely get utilized better and Matthews will start seeing more action on the crossing patterns which are his bread and butter.  I think we might actually see our team become balanced in a good way.  I can even conceive of ways that Peterman can make the Toldozer more effective!  

[1billsfan]

I was a Mahomes guy, but I have really liked what I have seen of Peterman. I can't wait for the game.

 

One interesting aspect of both this past draft and the benching of Taylor is the whole "running QB" vs "traditional drop back QB" offensive system. Taylor wasn't ever a natural passing QB and he eventually lost his job because of this, we all know what happened with RGIII getting hurt and never being the same, Bridgewater was not a big guy and he eventually got severely hurt, Watson had a big body but small legs and got a major injury just running drills. Peterman looks like a really great value when you consider that he has the body and traditional drop back game of the ones who ended up being great QBs and who lasted 10 or more years.

 

Maybe the Bills just simply did not want to go down the "running QB" path considering the only one who made it successful was Wilson. The name of the NFL game is for your QB to drop back and get rid of the ball quickly, not to run around and eventually get hurt.

 

 

[26CornerBlitz]

1 minute ago, 1billsfan said:

I was a Mahomes guy, but I have really liked what I have seen of Peterman. I can't wait for the game.

 

One interesting aspect of both this past draft and the benching of Taylor is the whole "running QB" vs "traditional drop back QB" offensive system. Taylor wasn't ever a natural passing QB and he eventually lost his job because of this, we all know what happened with RGIII getting hurt and never being the same, Bridgewater was not a big guy and he eventually got severely hurt, Watson had a big body but small legs and got a major injury just running drills. Peterman looks like a really great value when you consider that he has the body and traditional drop back game of the ones who ended up being great QBs and who lasted 10 or more years.

 

Maybe the Bills just simply did not want to go down the "running QB" path considering the only one who made it successful was Wilson. The name of the NFL game is for your QB to drop back and get rid of the ball quickly, not to run around and eventually get hurt.

 

 

 

Bridgewater isn't a running QB.

[Domdab99]

This was a well-written, organized post...nice job, OP! The only thing I'd suggest is to get rid of the cliche "only time will tell" kind of obviousness. (Sorry, I'm grading college papers and I  can't help it)

[1billsfan]

4 hours ago, 26CornerBlitz said:

 

Bridgewater isn't a running QB.

 

With Bridgewater it was more referring to his thin legs not built for the NFL Qb position. Lamar Jackson has that same wirey frame. You have to have a strong frame if you are going to be a long term answer at QB. Either that, or you need a lightening quick release like Brady or Marino.

 

[26CornerBlitz]

Just now, 1billsfan said:

 

With Bridgewater it was more referring to his thin legs not built for the NFL Qb position. Lamar Jackson has that same wirey frame. You have to have a strong frame if you are going to be a long term answer at QB. Either that, or you need a lightening quick release like Brady or Marino.

 

 

Gotcha.

[Marty McFly]

You guys are in for a rude awakening if you think this qb change is gonna save this teams season.

 

Your def dreaming any world where you think petermen is better than Mahomes.

 

Im rootin for the rook but the OP needs to get real and stop ball washing.

[Straight Hucklebuck]

Mahomes got rave reviews in Camp and made plays in the preseason. 

 

I never have seen Peterman as an attempt to be the answer here. The chances he becomes a high caliber starter are less than 5%. 

[BurpleBull]

14 hours ago, Marty McFly said:

You guys are in for a rude awakening if you think this qb change is gonna save this teams season.

 

Your def dreaming any world where you think petermen is better than Mahomes.

 

Im rootin for the rook but the OP needs to get real and stop ball washing.

Nathan Peterman can't save the season by himself, I certainly didn't suggest that. The defense has to get back on track and the team has to play with a renewed sense of them against the doubters. The run game has to click again most importantly perhaps though. If the ground game is working, the defense causes problems for QB's as it did early on, Peterman plays within himself, doesn't turn the ball over, then yes the Bills will have a very good shot at making the playoffs.  None of this is unfathomable.

 

I like the Bills chances with Peterman. Team just has to return to its old form, from this season and a season past.

 

"Ball washing"? Come on. 

 

Mahomes has the upside because he has a cannon arm no matter if he's throwing off his back foot or not. Outside of that, how is he head and shoulders better than Peterman?

[Call_Of_Ktulu]

I hope he has a solid game and we win today.

 

I hope he saves his Pitt vs Clemson performance for when we play the Pats.

[Luka]

3 hours ago, BurpleBull said:

Nathan Peterman can't save the season by himself, I certainly didn't suggest that. The defense has to get back on track and the team has to play with a renewed sense of them against the doubters. The run game has to click again most importantly perhaps though. If the ground game is working, the defense causes problems for QB's as it did early on, Peterman plays within himself, doesn't turn the ball over, then yes the Bills will have a very good shot at making the playoffs.  None of this is unfathomable.

 

I like the Bills chances with Peterman. Team just has to return to its old form, from this season and a season past.

 

"Ball washing"? Come on. 

 

Mahomes has the upside because he has a cannon arm no matter if he's throwing off his back foot or not. Outside of that, how is he head and shoulders better than Peterman?

 

If he can't read a defense all a strong arm means is that maybe the DB he just threw it to might have a harder time holding onto the pick.

[Marty McFly]

9 hours ago, BurpleBull said:

Nathan Peterman can't save the season by himself, I certainly didn't suggest that. The defense has to get back on track and the team has to play with a renewed sense of them against the doubters. The run game has to click again most importantly perhaps though. If the ground game is working, the defense causes problems for QB's as it did early on, Peterman plays within himself, doesn't turn the ball over, then yes the Bills will have a very good shot at making the playoffs.  None of this is unfathomable.

 

I like the Bills chances with Peterman. Team just has to return to its old form, from this season and a season past.

 

"Ball washing"? Come on. 

 

Mahomes has the upside because he has a cannon arm no matter if he's throwing off his back foot or not. Outside of that, how is he head and shoulders better than Peterman?

 

Hows that ball washing workin out for ya?

[BurpleBull]

5 minutes ago, Marty McFly said:

 

Hows that ball washing workin out for ya?

Very timely response. Very conveniently timed response. 

[Marty McFly]

Just now, BurpleBull said:

Very timely response. Very conveniently timed response. 

 

Its all good dude. I wanted us to win too. I didnt think he was gonna play this bad. Im kinda pissed at mcderm. Kinda flushed our playoffs down the drain.

[BurpleBull]

Poor game planning for a rookies first start by the coaches. Dreadful performance from Peterman, but that is not the best he has to offer. The Bills should roll with Peterman.

[Prickly Pete]

7 minutes ago, BurpleBull said:

Poor game planning for a rookies first start by the coaches. Dreadful performance from Peterman, but that is not the best he has to offer. The Bills should roll with Peterman.

 

Take note posters, this is how you start digging a ditch for yourself. 

[26CornerBlitz]

Reid: No Chiefs QB controversy, 'Alex is my guy'

[Bing Bong]

On ‎11‎/‎26‎/‎2017 at 11:25 AM, BurpleBull said:

Poor game planning for a rookies first start by the coaches. Dreadful performance from Peterman, but that is not the best he has to offer. The Bills should roll with Peterman.

o_O

[BurpleBull]

http://www.thedailynewsonline.com/bdn02/bills-qb-nate-peterman-im-definitely-going-to-be-ready--20171201

 

"At first I came out strong and was in a rhyme, and then, I definitely look back and think I was pressing too much. Sometimes you’ve got to just take sacks. Sometimes you have to wait on things," he said.

 

This was my exact take on Peterman in his performance. I'm glad he identified the source of the breakdown on his own.

 

Peterman came out trying to be the Anti-Tyrod by showing people that he could get the ball downfield. It was his first game and he was eager to impress and standout in a good way. Flat out. That performance is not indicative of how he QBs. He needed to take what the defense gave him more instead of forcing the issue and if need be just take the sack and make good on the next series.

 

He understands where he went wrong and will have a far less flawed performance next time around. He'll be a whole lot better.

 

 

Still very happy the Bills have Peterman. He just needs another opportunity to show what he's got.

[LABILLBACKER]

On 11/17/2017 at 7:45 PM, zow2 said:

NFL.com gave Peterman a draft grade last April of 5.7 and Mahomes was 5.8.   To be rated that close and get drafted 161 slots later.....  I don't believe in jinxes but I think he is a steal.

What happened to Nate 2 weeks ago probably won't happen again. He's going to continue to learn and develop.  He'll be a good backup for us.  Now if we can just overhaul our oline? That's the question. 

[26CornerBlitz]

Just now, BurpleBull said:

Can you imagine this scenario:

 

Nathan Peterman returns to the starting lineup, wins meaningful games during the playoffs battle, gets the Bills into the playoffs and wins at least one playoff game.

 

The once 5-0 Chiefs, who traded its 2018 1st round pick loses more games and fail to make the playoffs.

 

The Bills coaches would probably almost certainly give Peterman their vote of confidence heading into the next season.

 

Bills are probably selecting just before pick 20 and don't have to use a draft pick on QB.

 

 

If this happens, the Bills won the draft-day trade hands down. Still a big believer that Patrick Mahomes will prove to have been picked several picks too early.

 

No!

[BurpleBull]

Imagine this scenario:

 

Nathan Peterman returns to the starting lineup, wins meaningful games during the playoffs battle, gets the Bills into the playoffs and wins at least one playoff game.

 

The once 5-0 Chiefs, who traded its 2018 1st round pick loses more games and fail to make the playoffs.

 

The Bills coaches would probably almost certainly give Peterman their vote of confidence heading into the next season. Bills are probably selecting just before pick 20 and don't have to use a draft pick on QB.

 

If this plays out, the Bills won the draft-day trade hands down. Still a big believer that Patrick Mahomes will prove to have been picked several picks too early.

5 minutes ago, 26CornerBlitz said:

 

No!

 

Edited December 13, 2017 by BurpleBull

[Jay_Fixit]

I think Mahomes will be terrible so I’ll just sit back and look handsome.

[BurpleBull]

8 minutes ago, Jay_Fixit said:

I think Mahomes will be terrible so I’ll just sit back and look handsome.

 

Don't know about terrible but I think he will be easier to contain than people believe he will be. 

 

I think him being picked where he was will be questioned in time by Chief fans.

 

The Tre'Davious White pick will prove to be the better value at 27 than Mahomes at 10.

[BigDingus]

On 11/17/2017 at 8:55 PM, BurpleBull said:

I had one wish, it was that the Bills didn't do anything drastic and select Patrick Mahomes with their 10th overall pick. The irony, the Chiefs, the Bills trading partners would turn around and use that acquired pick to draft Patrick Mahomes. Problem off of my hands personally, because personally, I didn't want the Bills to draft Mahomes in any round.

 

 

My other one wish: That the Bills would say, "to hell with what the draft experts and critics think/will say" and draft Nathan Peterman in the 2nd rd. I really believed in what he brought to the table and could be a welcomed surprise. So why not draft high and get your man?  Of course he got drafted much later, but things still worked out.

 

I really think by the end of next season you'll be thinking something completely different. Mahomes is going to be good. I can pretty much guarantee it from everything that he was in college, to be coached by Andy Reid, to having a year to sit behind Alex Smith & learn all he can, and from everything that's been reported about him in practice.

The guy is legit. Not sure when he sees play as a starter, but once he has a full season under his belt, a lot of teams are going to wish they targeted him in the draft.

[BurpleBull]

6 hours ago, BigDingus said:

 

I really think by the end of next season you'll be thinking something completely different. Mahomes is going to be good. I can pretty much guarantee it from everything that he was in college, to be coached by Andy Reid, to having a year to sit behind Alex Smith & learn all he can, and from everything that's been reported about him in practice.

The guy is legit. Not sure when he sees play as a starter, but once he has a full season under his belt, a lot of teams are going to wish they targeted him in the draft.

 

Mahomes can make all kinds of throws across the body but that's not enough to overcome what NFL defenses will throw at him to take away his strength. Under duress, Mahomes is another QB. Being coached by Andy Reid doesn't remove flaws that are part of a QB's makeup. Wait till he faces the best defenses game in and game out, by the end of next season you'll be thinking differently of him unless just choosing to be stubborn.

 

Mahomes can't just be good picked at 10, he has to be great.

[nucci]

I would have preferred Watson drafted by the Bills

[BurpleBull]

Well...first look at Mahomes today. 

 

Won't be facing the Chargers pass rush but it is a Von Miller-led defense.

[Foreigner]

What about the Miami rookie that took his team down the field against our D and almost won the game.

You think Peterman can do that. Just hope that TT stays healthy the week to face Jacksonville.

[Zerovoltz]

Um...first Congratulation from a Kansas City fan.  Glad to see you all back in the postseason.  Good luck vs Jax.  Second...I know you all are Bills fans and lead busy lives, but if you happen to have a chance to watch Mahomes from today in a rebroadcast of the game on NFL network or something, you might cry seeing what you passed up.