They left out my favorite stat As a starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is 0-5 vs Mark Sanchez. He is clearly the superior quarterback, heading into that breakout 30 year old season, when qbs finally take that next step
I found that very amusing. One of Sanchez's strengths is his deep throws. He's best with play action not because of his team, but because his fake is one of the best in the game. It's also very hard to go through you reads when your tackles can't hold off the pass rush (Brick was bad last year and I dont even want to talk about Hunter). I'll be the first to tell you I'm not sold on Sanchez, but Fitzpatrick will not have a better year. PERIOD.
As a starter on a worse team, Ryan Fitzpatrick has ben a better quarterback than Mark Sanchez. Neither of them is that great, but at least Fitz looks like he knows what he's doing.
The Bills had a superior offensive line, superior running backs, and superior receivers LAST season. And Fitz threw more ints than Sanchez EVER has even in his worse year, plus Sanchez had more tds as well. So its hard to say Fitz is a better qb by any means whatsoever. But yes the Bills are still a worse team since their defense is dogshit, as is their starting QB.
You know what... As long as the Jets keep winning more games than the Bills, keep beating the Bills, and keep getting into the playoffs instead of the Bills, I couldn't care less if Bills fans think Fitz has a better season. Either way, I think Sanchez will have a marked improvement this year and i'm willing to bet Fitz will stagnate at best. He's not getting any younger.
Brick wasn't bad last year; he just wasn't as good as he was previously (Hunter was the travesty). Also, deep passes =/= arm strength -- look at how great Brees can throw a deep ball, for example. Throwing outside the numbers is generally where you see how strong a guy's arm is and Sanchez has never been good at those throws, even dating back to USC. I somewhat strongly disagree with Cosell's bet at the end (as I think the system is in place for Sanchez to find success, assuming they don't overkill Tebow, and I don't see Fitzgerald finding the consistency as pointed out that he needs to), but his actual analysis of both guys was generally around point. Both are flawed, but have potential to be successful. Both need quality around them and to be helped out by their systems/coaching staffs.
Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Mark Sanchez - The 2011 Numbers Statistic- Ryan vs. Mark Completion %- 62.0 vs. 56.7 Yards per attempt- 6.7 vs. 6.4 Touchdowns- 24 vs. 26 Interceptions- 23 vs. 18 Times Sacked- 22 vs. 39 What's this all mean? While Fitz was more accurate, he was less successful scoring points through the air while under significantly less pressure from the opposing defense.
0-4 by my count (Fitz didn't start the 2010 finale), but fair enough. Pretty shocking but Fitz said that this is the first time in his career that someone is working with him strictly on mechanics. Makes some sense as this is his first full training camp as the undisputed starter. Never has a team been more invested in his success. I just hope the mechanics become muscle memory sooner than later. The reports from camp are promising but obviously the true test if when the bullets are flying.
Ofcourse, every year we hear about comparisons like this. Last year, it was Henne, and how he was going to explode, and he imploded. The problem with these comparisons are that none of these QBs are actual difference maker type Qb that are going to change the nature of your team if they were plucked out of nowhere and inserted as your QB. When you compare QBs, you compare the Brees, Rogers, Peyton, and Bradys of the world because you add them to any team and their identity changes immediately. With these mere average guys, it all depends on the team. How are the WR? How is the O-line? How is the play calling? How are the RBs? And this changes from year to year, so it's almost impossible to compare. What you will eventually get is a bunch of muddled stats that leave you with no concrete answer, and each fan bases will side with their player. It's almost impossible to tell apart from most average QBs, because a lot of teams gameplan themselves around their average QB. Us? Run and pound. But other teams may choose to spread people out and create room. Or play to their strengths, such as with Sanchez, which is the slant route, which ultimately will lower his YPA. As far as I'm concerned, neither of these two are going to be absolute studs that take you to a SB on their back. They are system dependent Qbs, so unless we can come up with a quantitative measurement of how effective each system is to each of these QBs strengths and weaknesses, we'll just run around in circles.
The Bills OL was shockingly well last year, far better than anyone expected. Now their RT is coming off a hernia surgery, Glenn still hasnt been named the starting LT (and if he is remember hes a second round rookie). Fitz had a pretty meh year with a lot of turnovers while not getting hit often. If that line takes a step back tho, it could get REAL ugly, youre talking 30+ ints easily imo (note Fitz lead the nfl in interceptions, while being tied for 29th in times sacked)
Superior oline is debatable at best, especially since the unit was so banged up. His LT missed most of the year and center missed about half. Ppl look at the sacks and fail to realize that Buffalo's low sack total is a result of getting rid of the ball quickly more than anything. Having superior backs helps but it also takes away from passing td total. I would say receivers, including tight ends, is no better than even as well. What Sanchez did usually have is more possessions to work with because of his superior defense.
I love this year Bills fans creeping out of the woodwork to try and explain to us why they think they are better than us. amazing. we'll let the play decide and then they'll crawl back into their little holes.
Good points- However, as a person who watches a ton of Bills games and football in general... I think that Fitz strength can also be a weakness. He is sacked so little because he finds the open guy and fires the ball out extremely fast. Remember that the Bills O-Line was going to be a huge weakness prior to Fitz playing a full season...his fast decisions and release all of a sudden made them pretty ok. That said, he knows what to do and processes the information fast, if you really understand the Bills offense and its complexity...there is no doubting his intelligence and football smarts, but he makes about 3-4 mechanically shitty throws per game. Open guy, bad mechanics, incomplete or worse...INT. If David Lee's tips stick, he could start to turn a corner, ...granted I am a Bills optimist and sometimes apologist (but I do try to be objective to as much as I can). My Opine is that Sanchez has better innate skill but he seems a bit weak psychologically. That said, he seems like a guy, who when confident could turn a corner, but may always have you worried. Best case; Tebow changes Mark's attitude and he becomes a leader a winner, not a guy who feels the NEED to be a winner... I think that Hard Knock's show did not help him...I remember when Shotty was telling him to stop pouting or something...the whole team saw that... and that shit stays around. I am not at all sure either guy are really franchise QB's...but if either turned a corner, I would not be completely shocked. Took Drew a few years after all. This first game is going to be interesting and given the fact the Bills have not beat the Jets in two years, it is gonna be a hot one. Bills really wanna beat the Jets.
Brother- just posted an article for discussion. Not creeping out, I was here last year as well. Fun to talk football with other fans, I really enjoy it. Really...either team could win 10 and not shock me. Well, maybe the Bills would surprise me more..you guys are clearly ahead of my team, but we are getting closer and I think this could be the year we move back into relevance.
But that's mostly based on the low pressure and sack totals, which are, largely due to Fitz getting rid of the ball quickly. Unless you think a 4th round rooki LT (drafted to compete at RT) and a backup center spearheaded an incredible pass protecting unit.
