One by one, a number of different NFL fans are walking up to my work station and instead of asking a question, they are making statement:
That Tyrod Taylor looks fricken legit
I couldn’t help but smile and say “Holy shit! I didn’t think we’d be getting that just a month ago!” 8 TDs for Tyrod and 100 points in just 3 games for the Bills. Its always exciting to see a young QB look this good. It feels special because you are watching it from the start instead of getting a bit of a retread. Its like seeing your kids grow up and evolve before your eyes. All summer long I talked about how my expectations for Tyrod consisted of getting like a TD a game and not fucking up. It was the lowest of lows for expectations because I didn’t know much about him other than being a 6th round pick from VT and 6th rounders normally do not pan out in the NFL. Its early, but statistically speaking, Tyrod is near the top in completion percentage, YPA and TD passes.
If the Bills keep up this scoring pace, they will be making the playoffs as the defense should be able to hold their own (Unless its against New England). However, that’s a big IF with the on pace part. Why? Well, some of it is due to mindset as a Bills fan and the other part is keeping up a 37TD and 32PPG average. Let’s start with the mindset part…I’ve been here before with QBs having a flashy start with the Bills. If someone tells you this feels different after just 3 starts, you need to slap them in the face.
I’ve seen the veteran do well (See: Bledsoe’s 2002 start and Fitz having 40TDs in 21 starts from 2009-2011). I’ve seen the high draft pick show flashes (See: Losman’s 26TDs over 21 games from 2005-2006 and EJ Manuel’s Carolina comeback). I’ve seen the mid-round draft picks start well (Rob Johnson’s 110 QB rating in his first 11 starts and Trent Edwards’ 5-1 start in 2008). And while where they came from have all been different, the end game has all but remained the same. They fizzled out here. I don’t mean to throw cold water on Tyrod’s dream start since I’m jaded by falling for fools QB gold in the past, but the dream in the NFL can sometimes end when the opposition makes you wake up. I get it. We are a desperate fan base that has started 15 QBs since Jim Kelly retired. Its easy to fall in love when that vital of a position shows any progress. However, the key is to let it play out before we decide to put a ring on that QB finger.
Now, transitioning to the on the field part…All QBs who either start their career or come to a new offense/team, tend to go on hot streaks. However, when they can’t evolve, teams will catch up. Defenses start getting film on you and the QB has to evolve. I can only assume Tyrod is going to slow down a bit. I mean, he can’t keep up completing 75% of his passes which would all but shatter the NFL record. The Bills probably aren’t going to average 33PPG for the rest of the season.
However, that doesn’t mean Tyrod can’t be different from the other guys. Maybe he will break through the QB glass ceiling at some point. However, for the time being he just needs to understand the team around him doesn’t need him to be the franchise every Sunday. Just make some plays when they need you to. Also, and I stress this…we shouldn’t assume anything about what we have with Tyrod until at least the end of the season. Sorry, I’m not trying to say its different after just 3 games with the QB because I’ve been burned before with falling for a QB girl after just 3 dates. Of course, far be it from me to shit all over your dream.
Have fun with Tyrod and brag about him to co-workers with what you’ve seen thus far, but, I wouldn’t start buying his 100 dollar jersey just yet.
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