Yes, as usual, work has been kicking my ass as of late. I’ve been to NYC to San Francisco to Denver in the last 10 days. No days off either, people. So, this is my biggest version of RANDOM THOUGHTS!!!!
1) I know the arrogant and negative thing to say about Ryan Fitzpatrick today is the whole, “I told you so! He’s not a franchise quarterback and he stinks!” Well, like I said last week and the week before, Fitzpatrick isn’t a franchise player, but I’d be happy for him to be a bridge gap quarterback to the next guy. Yes, we saw the old Fitzpatrick today, who was up and down with his passing accuracy. However, we still have nine games to really decide what Fitzpatrick gives to this offense. It’s a 16-game schedule, people.
2) So, for all you people who despise the notion of not drafting a quarterback in the 1st round of the draft this year, let me ask you this: Judging by the first seven games of the season, what do the Bills need more? Quarterback, left tackle, or pass rusher? I don’t know about you, but at least the passing game has shown some signs of life this year, the other two options? Complete crap.
3) As for today’s game, can someone explain to me why Chan Gailey doesn’t try and get the running game involved more? Look, I get that the Bills were in trailing mode for the duration of the game and were passing a ton, but to only run the ball four times in OT? That’s bad coaching and this isn’t the first time that Gailey has decided to run the whole “live by the pass, then die by the pass” philosophy. Today was the wrong day to be doing that since Fitzpatrick had an off day from start to finish. Plus, when you’re about 5-10 yards away from getting into field goal range, why are you throwing three straight times? Don’t give me the stupid argument of “Oh, if they ran three straight running plays, you’d be saying that they were playing not to win”. No, stupid. You can throw the ball, but why not do it in a conventional way. You know, under center, maybe some play action. It’s just, you’re not in comeback mode, you’re in winning mode and you should play the circumstance, which was that Fitzpatrick was struggling. Play smart!
4) Speaking of running backs, where the hell is CJ Spiller? That dude has done absolutely nothing. It boggles my mind. Hell, I think Marshawn Lynch still has more rushing yards on the team than Spiller has. Double hell, he still has more yards rushing in the preseason then he does on the season. What makes the matter stranger is how this is your top 10 draft pick?! Rookie running backs tend to make an immediate impact during their first year than any other position player does. I know that Spiller is playing behind Jackson, but you have to get the ball in his hands. You have to get a return investment on the guy. I’m sorry, but I can list you a number of running backs who have had stellar rookie seasons over the last five years, and to think that Spiller is doing his best Blair Thomas, just pisses me off.
5) I hate, HATE, how coaches do the stupid freezing the kicker crap. It’s a joke and total bush league. Yes, I’m saying that because the Bills got screwed by that call. Even still, the NFL should just get illegalize the stupid strategy. Especially when the kicker boots a 50 plus yarder to win the game and then only 3 minutes later he has to do it again. Just a stupid rule.
6) Just to reintegrate my stance on the 2011 Draft, where the Bills will more than likely have the number 1 pick: The Bills have to take the best available player. I know everyone loves Mallet and if the consensus is that he’s the best player in the draft, then the Bills should select him. Now, if he goes back to school and the next quarterback is rated as the 6th best draft prospect on the board, then you either trade down or you draft a linebacker, defensive end or left tackle. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, this team is rebuilding and it’s going to take 2-3 years to really reap in the benefits of change.
7) Back to the game today, man, there was so some awful play-calling by both teams. To think that Chan Gailey and Todd Haley were almost on the same coaching staff last year. My goodness, if that would have happened, we could of had a top 20 list of bad calls for the Chiefs 2009 season.
8) This defense is terrible. Seriously, I don’t have anything else to say because its been the same thing week in and week out. Fine, so they only gave up 13 points to the Chiefs, who are led by the most overpriced quarterback in the NFL. 274 yards on the ground against this defense? I’m sorry, but I don’t think it’s going to get better anytime soon. Besides Kyle Williams and maybe Dwan Edwards, the majority of the players on the front seven are in the twilight of their careers and aren’t going to get any better. Again, tell me what the Bills need more, a quarterback or a pass rusher?
9) Aaron Maybin didn’t screw up today. Oh, he didn’t play. Look, I know I’ve been nicer to Maybin than a lot of other fans have, but to be deactivated for two straight games? Damn, that’s a kick in the balls. Here’s the deal: if the Bills aren’t going to play this guy and the coaching staff seems to think he’s not ever going to get on the field, then just cut him. And you want to know the main reason I would like this to happen? I’m sick of hearing people bitch about the guy. I’m just over it. Every week I have to read Sal Maiorana’s tweets about his hatred towards this guy. Frankly, I’m a patient person when it comes to draft picks and I would be willing to give Maybin another year and maybe next year to figure out what the hell this guy has. However, it’s not worth to hear the complaints about the guy. I just don’t care. It’s a broken record and when he gets cut, I’ll be happy to not have to hear about another reporter trying to run the guy out of town.
10) Give it up to Stevie Johnson, Lee Evans, Roscoe Parrish, and David Nelson. Chan Gailey has gotton a lot out of this wide receiving core. I had many doubts about Johnson and Parrish, but the duo has come on strong over the last four weeks. It’s about damn time the Bills actually found a diamond in the rough with Johnson (drafted in the 7th round). He’s on pace to get almost a 1,000 yards on the season. Good for him!
11) In closing, everyone wants to talk about whether or not Fitzpatrick is a franchise quarterback. I’m going to say this: the franchise has so many holes right now that even if they got a franchise quarterback, who is going to protect his blind side? Who is going to force the opposition to a 3 and out in order to get the ball back in the franchise quarterback’s hands? Who is going to cover the tight ends? Will the Bills ever have a tight end that the franchise quarterback can throw the ball to? Do you see what I’m getting at? There are so many holes on this team that it shouldn’t be just about the quarterback.
Next up: Random thoughts on the Sabres.
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