Buffalo Bills Training Camp Battles Part One: Quarterback

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While the Buffalo Bills are getting into their groove at St. John Fisher College, incumbent quarterback, Ryan Fitzpatrick is looking to build on a promising 2010 campaign. Fitzpatrick, who is in his first season as a full time starter, played 13 games last year and completed 57.8 percent of his passes for a total of 3,000 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions.

Keep in mind that those accomplishments came while having a terrible offensive line protecting him. Oh, and in addition to that, he didn’t have the luxury of working with the first team offense in the 2010 training camp, as Trent Edwards was given that opportunity.

Levi Brown remains on the roster, along with offseason free agent acquisitions Tyler Thigpen and Brad Smith.

Thigpen worked with Chan Gailey during his tenure with the Kansas City Chiefs, and knows the style of offense he likes to run. He should be a serviceable backup to Fitzpatrick. While Gailey was the offensive coordinator of the Chiefs in 2008, Thigpen was the starting quarterback and passed for 2,608 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Furthermore, he brought mobility to the position, rushing for 386 yards and three touchdowns.

As for Brad Smith, the former New York Jets’ wide receiver, kick returner, wildcat quarterback, etc., is expected to be the No. 3 quarterback on the Bills’ depth chart behind Fitzpatrick and Thigpen. Smith was a quarterback during his collegiate days at Missouri, where he rushed for 4,285 yards and 49 touchdowns.

Don’t be surprised to see each Smith used in different packages throughout the season, and expect to see a lot of wildcat and reverse plays.

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