Is Matt Barkley a better fit than Kyle Allen in this offense?

[Maynard]

Who cares? Allen goes down and I want first pick in the draft. 

[TheyCallMeAndy]

Joe Marino mentioned that Kyle Allen has had a rather rough week, and that Barkley even had some reps with the 2nd team during the scrimmage. 

[SCBills]

23 minutes ago, Maynard said:

Who cares? Allen goes down and I want first pick in the draft. 

Um, I do?

 

Id rather have a guy who can manage this team to a W over someone like the Patriots if Allen needs to miss a game.  
 

If we’re being real, Allen probably should’ve missed games last year.. he’s just a freak. 
 

Edited August 7, 2023 by SCBills

[Punching Bag]

53 minutes ago, Starr Almighty said:

When Barkley throws the ball it moves so slow. It feels like the ball is in the air for half a quarter.

 

You have the observations of an @Einstein!

[Mark Vader]

9 hours ago, KDIGGZ said:

Both terrible options. Bring back Money Mitch!

Or Case Keenum. I miss his pranks.

[NoSaint]

1 hour ago, SCBills said:

Um, I do?

 

Id rather have a guy who can manage this team to a W over someone like the Patriots if Allen needs to miss a game.  
 

If we’re being real, Allen probably should’ve missed games last year.. he’s just a freak. 
 

yea, I mean if it’s the Tom Brady week one acl I’m fine with you being our qb and putting Tim graham at center

 

If he gets put in concussion protocol for one drive in the Super Bowl I hope we find away to secure Patrick mahomes as our backup. 
 

it’s all relative, right?

[Charles Romes]

2 hours ago, Starr Almighty said:

When Barkley throws the ball it moves so slow. It feels like the ball is in the air for half a quarter.

 Yes like when he hung Beasley out to dry week 17 in 2020 so he couldn’t move in the playoffs. 

t this point I’d call nutcase Chad, has an NFL arm at least. Could not be more risky that trusting a game to Kyle or Barkley 

[GunnerBill]

8 hours ago, Chaos said:

It’s quite a statement about the rest of the team and the coaching, if considered a complete washout if Josh is not available to carry the team. 

 

Welcome to the NFL.

[BillsFanForever19]

If we're honestly asking if we're better off having Matt Barkley as our backup, I think we need to sign another QB to be the Backup.

[GunnerBill]

The only guy I can see out there on the market that it may be worth considering is Bridgewater. The concern with him is you have to change your entire offense from Josh because he is so different in style, but then that kind of applies to Barkley too and Bridgewater is a better version of Barkley. 

 

I dunno, I feel like that must be worth a phone call to his agent?

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

15 hours ago, KDIGGZ said:

Both terrible options. Bring back Money Mitch!

"I'm Chad from Cheektowaga, and I still  thinks the Bills should have platooned Mitch and Josh, or even let Mitch start after that good game!  I'll hang up and listen for my answer..."

[DallasBillsFan1]

19 hours ago, Mr. WEO said:

neither of these guys should be the guy in Josh goes down...

this.

Is there really no one else for back up QB?  I guess we'll have to wait for cuts.  I like Malik Willis in Tennessee.

[Mr. WEO]

10 minutes ago, DallasBillsFan1 said:

this.

Is there really no one else for back up QB?  I guess we'll have to wait for cuts.  I like Malik Willis in Tennessee.

 

he is "Then Next Josh Allen", after all...

[Bangarang]

14 hours ago, Chaos said:

It’s quite a statement about the rest of the team and the coaching, if considered a complete washout if Josh is not available to carry the team. 

It’s really hard to overcome bad QB play. You’re being naive if you think this team would still be a contender with Barkley. 

[HiMark]

11 hours ago, Maynard said:

Who cares? Allen goes down and I want first pick in the draft. 

Still have that Eichel jersey?

 

[dave mcbride]

14 hours ago, Beck Water said:

 

Looking at the backup QBs on the Indy roster when Peyton was there, that was certainly true.

 

On the other hand...Denver got to the Superbowl they won with Peyton, on the strength of going 5-2 under Brock Osweiler.

And, Philly won in 2017 on the strength of going 2-1 with Nick Foles then 3-0 in the playoffs.

 

So a competent backup QB can be critical to a championship, and it's a piece I don't think we have this year.

 

This...but also, I have to say I think Kyle Allen may have come in presuming a little bit on his prior experience training with Barkley and Josh off-season, and not felt "OMG if I'm gonna make it there I'm gonna really have to put my head down and grind".

 

Barkley, on the other hand, sees this as his best and maybe last chance to start some games for the first time in 3 years - he's no longer clear 3rd string to Trubisky and to Keenum - and he seems to be full-go

I have always said that you want a backup that get an otherwise good team to 2-2 over a four-game stretch. Mitch Trubisky was that guy. For a full season though? If Josh Allen goes down for a full season, the Bills would be well and rightly f**ked. He is like Manning in that sense — he is the offense and literally everything revolves his elite skill set.
 

Also, while I appreciate the the instances of effective substitutions that you mention above, I can’t help but think you’re having an “Other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?” moment. By that I mean you’re missing the argument ender of all argument enders in this domain: a certain Thomas Edward Patrick Brady, Jr. In the year of our lord 2001.

[Beck Water]

14 minutes ago, dave mcbride said:

I have always said that you want a backup that get an otherwise good team to 2-2 over a four-game stretch. Mitch Trubisky was that guy. For a full season though? If Josh Allen goes down for a full season, the Bills would be well and rightly f**ked. He is like Manning in that sense — he is the offense and literally everything revolves his elite skill set.
 

Also, while I appreciate the the instances of effective substitutions that you mention above, I can’t help but think you’re having an “Other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?” moment. By that I mean you’re missing the argument ender of all argument enders in this domain: a certain Thomas Edward Patrick Brady, Jr. In the year of our lord 2001.

 

LOL.  Brady is a unicorn.  I didn't see how bringing him up would make the case.

55 minutes ago, DallasBillsFan1 said:

this.

Is there really no one else for back up QB?  I guess we'll have to wait for cuts.  I like Malik Willis in Tennessee.

 

I don't think Tennessee is quite ready to cut him loose.  I'm kind of thinking they keep their eyes peeled around the league and look for a trade partner for Tannehill if they like Will Levis.  Or they might think he needs a year (I think he could be the next Peterdude, myself) and cut Willis, who knows. 

Edited August 7, 2023 by Beck Water

[Mister Defense]

I have been getting almost all of my training camp info via podcasts--but I am about a week behind in listening to episodes. Ditto for articles read.  I need to get my priorities in order!

 

I was ignorant of later camp developments when I wrote my post about Barkley being the best bet to be the backup.

 

So, never mind!!

 

It seems like Kyle  Allen has come on and has taken a strong lead in that race.

 

I am happy about that, as while Barkley has the knowledge and brains we'd want in that position, Kyle Allen has a much better arm and other physical traits we want in a QB.

[Warriorspikes51]

neither. 

Edited August 7, 2023 by Warriorspikes51

[Kirby Jackson]

This is, and has been, a concern of mine. Both guys stink. Please don’t give me the, “if Josh Allen goes out we are screwed anyways” nonsense. If he, or any QB misses an extended period of time, the team is done. This is about a 4 week injury. That’s how you have to look at it. If Josh misses a month, “can these guys keep the ship afloat?” With the division improving the Bills would likely need to be AT LEAST 2-2 in that 4 game stretch to survive. I do not believe in either of those 2 scrubs. When your SB window is open, you SHOULD have one of the best backup QBs in the league. I FIRMLY believe that. Trubisky was the perfect example of a guy that could maintain for a month if needed. I wanted Brissett this off-season (he played great football last year). I would have also accepted a late round pick for Davis Mills. It is a massive mistake, imo, to have these 2 behind Josh. Let’s hope that it doesn’t matter. I’d hate to look back at this year and say, “if we only could have won that Pats game that Josh missed…”

Edited August 7, 2023 by Kirby Jackson

[ColoradoBills]

14 hours ago, Zag20 said:

Kyle Allen has double the career passing attempts in half the career length. He has won 5 games in a row in his career. He’s not special, but he’s obviously the backup. Barkley is assistant quarterback’s coach. 

 

I had hopes that Kyle Allen could secure a backup role not only for this year but for future years.  It has been reported that he is struggling.

I'm going to watch the preseason games and see if he can produce before making any final decision on him.

[2003Contenders]

Carson Wentz is still out there and pleading for an opportunity. I know it has been awhile since he was any good, but maybe worth a look/tryout?

[Captain Hindsight]

8 minutes ago, 2003Contenders said:

Carson Wentz is still out there and pleading for an opportunity. I know it has been awhile since he was any good, but maybe worth a look/tryout?

I'd be in favor of that. Wentz is very talented. Hes a weirdo and kind of an ass, but for 4 games? I'd be ok with him 

[brianthomas]

really wish Fitz was 5 years younger & wanted to backup Josh. Would've been perfect

Barkley has all the other traits a QB needs except the physical ones. He has the arm of a noodle. Kyle Allen isnt much better but at least has a little more velocity on his throws. But both suck.

Ironically enough i went on playerprofiler.com & they have Barkley's best comparable player as Fitzpatrick lol. Man i wish that were the case.

 

 

 

[BigAl2526]

I think Kyle Allen's skill set is closer to Josh Allen's than Matt Barkley's.  However, if Kyle Allen can't learn what Barkley was already relatively familiar with, and make faster reads, he'll force McDermott to name Barkley as the backup.

[GunnerBill]

1 hour ago, 2003Contenders said:

Carson Wentz is still out there and pleading for an opportunity. I know it has been awhile since he was any good, but maybe worth a look/tryout?

No

[zow2]

I recall seeing Kyle Allen play in a couple games (on Red Zone occasionally) and was completely unimpressed with what i saw.  The Bills need to steal a promising QB from someone else's practice squad or whatever and groom him.  or get a Vet.  The QB behind Josh needs to be better than what we have.

[syhuang]

 

[dave mcbride]

2 hours ago, Kirby Jackson said:

This is, and has been, a concern of mine. Both guys stink. Please don’t give me the, “if Josh Allen goes out we are screwed anyways” nonsense. If he, or any QB misses an extended period of time, the team is done. This is about a 4 week injury. That’s how you have to look at it. If Josh misses a month, “can these guys keep the ship afloat?” With the division improving the Bills would likely need to be AT LEAST 2-2 in that 4 game stretch to survive. I do not believe in either of those 2 scrubs. When your SB window is open, you SHOULD have one of the best backup QBs in the league. I FIRMLY believe that. Trubisky was the perfect example of a guy that could maintain for a month if needed. I wanted Brissett this off-season (he played great football last year). I would have also accepted a late round pick for Davis Mills. It is a massive mistake, imo, to have these 2 behind Josh. Let’s hope that it doesn’t matter. I’d hate to look back at this year and say, “if we only could have won that Pats game that Josh missed…”

Absolutely, it's about the four game separated shoulder type-injury stretch, and these guys are really terrible. You want a guy like Charlie Batch in the veteran stage of his career. He wasn't very good, but he could manage a game. The Steelers went 6-3 in the games he started between 2005 and 2012.

 

If Allen were to go down early for the full season, though, I'd almost prefer that they ended up with a top five draft pick so that they could take whichever version of Jamarr Chase is available in the subsequent year's draft.    

 

Agree about Davis Mills. He gives off serious competent backup vet QB vibes. 

Edited August 7, 2023 by dave mcbride

[Nextmanup]

Who fits the offense better?  Who cares!? 

 

If Josh goes down for any appreciable amount of time, the season is over.

 

There is solace in knowing it is exactly the same for every team in the league, save 1 or 2.

 

 

[msw2112]

Mitch Trubisky was the perfect backup QB for this team.  I undestand that he went to Pittsburgh for the chance to start and revive his career, but now he's backing up Pickett.  It's not to stay that Mitch is a great player, but he's been around the league long enough to know what he's doing, he's been with the team before, so he knows the offense, and he's still young and athletic.  On his best day, he's probably better than the average NFL QB and would give the Bills a chance to compete with anybody.  He's not going to have is best day every time out, but even when it isn't his best day, the team would still have a decent chance of winning against most teams if the defense and special teams played well.  Barkley is not that talented.  On his best day, the team would need the defense and special teams and if it wasn't his best day, the Bills would likely be toast.  I have not seen Kyle Allen play enough to assess where he falls.  That's what this preseason will be for.  Obviously, so far, Kyle Allen is not as good as Barkely, but that could change through the course of camp and preseason.

[Tipster19]

4 hours ago, zow2 said:

I recall seeing Kyle Allen play in a couple games (on Red Zone occasionally) and was completely unimpressed with what i saw.  The Bills need to steal a promising QB from someone else's practice squad or whatever and groom him.  or get a Vet.  The QB behind Josh needs to be better than what we have.

Tyrod?

[C.Biscuit97]

We have one of the worst qbs rooms after Allen.  It’s amazing how many fans just discount this. This is a SB contender who has a guy on Barkley (starisicually one of the worst qbs of the last 20 years) and a dime a dozen journeyman in Kyle Allen. 
 

It’s so wild how qb is the most important position in sports and get paid so much than they every other position yet when it comes to the backup qb, we will settle for sales bin at dollar general. I hate our backup qbs (nice guys, terrible nfl qbs). 

3 hours ago, msw2112 said:

Mitch Trubisky was the perfect backup QB for this team.  I undestand that he went to Pittsburgh for the chance to start and revive his career, but now he's backing up Pickett.  It's not to stay that Mitch is a great player, but he's been around the league long enough to know what he's doing, he's been with the team before, so he knows the offense, and he's still young and athletic.  On his best day, he's probably better than the average NFL QB and would give the Bills a chance to compete with anybody.  He's not going to have is best day every time out, but even when it isn't his best day, the team would still have a decent chance of winning against most teams if the defense and special teams played well.  Barkley is not that talented.  On his best day, the team would need the defense and special teams and if it wasn't his best day, the Bills would likely be toast.  I have not seen Kyle Allen play enough to assess where he falls.  That's what this preseason will be for.  Obviously, so far, Kyle Allen is not as good as Barkely, but that could change through the course of camp and preseason.

Mitch is a terrible starting qb but at least he has some skills and has played in big games. I can’t believe this is the best they can do.

7 minutes ago, Tipster19 said:

Tyrod?

Tyrod is MArgot Robbie to these scrubs (nice guys). 

[Mr. WEO]

I heard Barkley is a better fit because the  other Allen won't make sure Josh's game controller has fresh batteries and won't get Josh snacks from the Mobil station after the cafeteria closes.

[BillsFan4]

14 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

The only guy I can see out there on the market that it may be worth considering is Bridgewater. The concern with him is you have to change your entire offense from Josh because he is so different in style, but then that kind of applies to Barkley too and Bridgewater is a better version of Barkley. 

 

I dunno, I feel like that must be worth a phone call to his agent?

NFL network reporting that he’s signing with Detroit.

 

[GunnerBill]

Just now, BillsFan4 said:

NFL network reporting that he’s signing with Detroit.

 

 

Huh. That makes sense. I remain concerned about our backup situation.

[Tipster19]

Ok, I don’t know why nobody is dialing up Dan Orlovsky, I see him all over the networks!

[rusty shackleford]

Maybe we can pick up Josh Rosen. Keep Kyle Allen and genetically fuse them together (sort of like Jeff Goldblum in the fly) and end up with backup Josh Allen, super human QB2.

[HappyDays]

13 hours ago, Kirby Jackson said:

I would have also accepted a late round pick for Davis Mills.

 

I would still take this deal right now if possible. I think it makes sense for Houston too. They don't want a young player backing up a rookie. Keenum is perfect in that role for them. With Keenum and Stroud in the room everyone in the building understands the hierarchy. Mills muddies the waters for them a bit.

 

I saw enough from Mills last year to think he is good backup material. He wasn't the solution in Houston but he also wasn't the problem. If the goal is to get this roster 2-2 across 4 games I think Mills fits that criteria.

 

Plus we would still have Mills under contract in 2024 so it gives us some consistency at the position.

 

The more I think about it the more I really like the idea.

[Buffalo Super Fan]

Does it matter? Neither are any good and both shouldn’t even be on the Buffalo Bills roster in my opinion. Go Bills! Let’s Go Buffalo