Depth Chart Review: Quarterback

The Players: Trent Edwards, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Gibran Hamdan, Matt Baker

The Bills are in desperate need of a good quarterback.  Not since the likes of Jim Kelly called the plays have the Bills had anyone who could lead this team.  While the Bills may have had a decent slinger since the Kelly era, the offensive line has not given them a chance to prove that.  Getting down to the wire on the final cut – this is where the Bills stand.

Trent Edwards – No doubts in Bills fans minds who will be getting the nod against New England Monday night.  Trent Edwards heads into the third year of a four year deal.  Succeeding JP Losman should have been relatively easy, don’t suck worse than a brand new {insert vacuum cleaner brand here} and the job is yours.  Edwards has yet to prove that.  If he can get out of the habit of the dump off play, he has potential.  Since his injury, he has had problems reading the field, and has yet to come near the end zone in the preseason, something he struggled with late last season as well.  His most impressive stats so far have been going 10 for 10 against the Bears.  One decent pass, and 9 dumps.  Some one should remind Edwards the forward pass has been a part of the game since about 1873.  If the line holds up in front of him, and he can get the cotten between his ears straight, the Bills can do good things with Edwards as QB.

Ryan Fitzpatrick – JP Losman hailed from UCLA/Tulane University.  Edwards from Stanford.  Is it no surprise the Bills went after a backup quarterback from Harvard? I am sure that had little to do with it, but it was worth a comment.  Ryan Fitzpatrick has probably the easiest preclude to a starting job in the NFL.  Signed for a deal that could land him the starters spot as early as next season.  If he has to step in for Edwards for any reason and shows even a glimmer of a shine that would offer hope, I have no doubt in my mind the team would vote him a captain [the Bills claim the captains are voted on, but surprisingly enough, ripped it off Losman and gave it Edwards fast; the Bills should give the US Government democracy lessons if votes can happen that fast]. Fitz put up some decent pre season numbers, and actually got the ball in the endzone.  Maybe Edwards lack of play is a confidence issue – he’s looking over his shoulder for Fitz?

Gibran Hamdan – the journeymen who has journeyed long and hard.  Content to hold the clipboard another season, I like what Hamdan brings to the table.  He has seen a lot of defenses, and might be able to motivate, and give confidence to the kid in the huddle.  Drastic bad things would have to happen for Hamdan to take the field in the regular season.

Matt Baker – the odd man out of these four man equation, Matt Baker stands little chance of making the team after September 5th and probably won’t be on the 53 man opening day roster.