Tyrod Taylor: The best QB in the AFC East?
By Jared Hill
Could Tyrod Taylor be the best QB in the AFC East?
Training camp is underway, and with the regular season just over the horizon Bills fans are curious to see – is Tyrod Taylor the franchise guy or just another mediocre Buffalo QB?
In Taylor’s first season as a starter, he proved in just 14 games that he is the hands-down starter at the QB position; he also proved without any shred of a doubt that he’s the best quarterback Buffalo’s had in the last 20 years! The best QB we’ve had since Jim Kelly.
Last season, Taylor completed nearly 64 percent of his passes. He threw for over 3,000 yards and added 568 yards on the ground. With a total QBR standing at 67.8, he was the 7th ranked passer in the NFL. Ahead of Cam Newton, Aaron Rodgers, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Tom Brady.
That’s the challenge Taylor faces this season – Tom Brady. With Brady out for the first four games of the regular season. Tyrod Taylor, by the numbers, has the opportunity to be the best QB in the AFC East. Who would have thought?
Not only does Brady being out those four games favor Taylor and the Bills, but the Bills’ team chemistry is much strong compared to last season. In particular, between Taylor and WR Sammy Watkins.
The beginning of last season for Watkins and Taylor was a learning curve to put things nicely. During Watkins’ first four games he only caught a total of 11 passes for a measly 147 yards and only two touchdowns. After Taylor returned from injury in Week 9 against the Miami Dolphins, Watkins exploded pulling down 8 receptions for 168 yards and a touchdown.
Afterwards, Watkins came into true form and finished the season the 10th Buffalo Bills wideout to break over 1,000 yards receiving. He ended the season with 9 touchdowns.
So what’s it going to take for Tyrod to eclipse “Mount Brady” as the AFC East’s top QB? For starters, you can’t go out there against the Patriots and take eight sacks and throw three INTs (Week 2 Loss 32-40). If you want to be the best QB in the AFC East, you have to dominate the AFC East. Taylor swept the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins last season. However, in order to be the best you have to beat the best!
There’s Week 4 in Foxborough, and then there’s Week 8 at home against the man himself. What’s going to separate Tyrod from Buffalo’s ghosts of quarterbacks past? Beat the New England Patriots – beat Tom Brady!
Next: Buffalo Bills Training Camp Preview
With OC Greg Roman opening up the playbook more for Tyrod, and the on-the-field chemistry already established with Watkins, Tyrod Taylor’s chances of becoming elite have never been higher. Is Tyrod Taylor the best QB in the AFC East? He still has a lot to prove, but if he defeats the Patriots (more importantly Brady’s Patriots), that’s going to become a serious discussion coming this fall.