After three weeks of action in the 2011 NFL season, we’re starting to think we know something about these teams. That gives us plenty of things to talk about, and a golden opportunity to put thoughts in print. In just a few weeks, we can be point to these snap judgements triumphantly, or be deeply embarrassed by them, as the inexorable tides of fortune sweep across the league.
That said, here is a topic that had us buzzing in post-game action:
Question: Would you take Sam Bradford and his oft-touted talent, or Ryan Fitzpatrick and his sheer determination, as your starting QB the rest of the way this season?
Responses from the staff at This Given Sunday after the jump.
Will: I’m going to go against the grain of my reader base and take Fitzpatrick as my starter right now, regardless of roster. I don’t think there’s a question that Bradford can potentially develop into a top ten QB, maybe become part of the next generation of elites. But he isn’t driving his team, or making the most of his game, the way Fitz is.
The former seventh-round-pick by the Rams was seen as a low-ceiling guy, but all he’s done is consistently raise the level of his play, year after year. He shakes off bad games and mistakes, and comes out gunning on every drive. Bradford has a lofty ceiling, and maybe he’s being held back by his surrounding talent and inconsistent game-planning, but he’s far from that ceiling right now.
Matt: If we’re talking “this year,” the answer is Fitzpatrick, although I think it’s closer than the records of St. Louis and Buffalo would indicate.
A week ago if we had asked this question, I may have answered Bradford. However, Fitzy’s (we can use that as a nickname, right?) comeback against the Pats is an unreal accomplishment. Granted, he had some help from Brady’s 4 picks, but anyone who can come back from 21-0 against New England deserves some massive credit.
There’s also a temptation to classify Fitzy as a game managing, gutsy, determined QB without any talent because he played at Harvard and he was a journeyman for a while. He may not have the natural skill of Bradford, but he is a talented passer who has put up great numbers so far in 2011 – 280 yards per game, 9 TDs, 3 INTs, 103.5 QB Rating.
Shane: I’ll go with “Fitzy” as well. The man has been winning games in a place that hasn’t had very much success in a long time. If there was ever a team that I’m glad to see doing well it’s the Bills. Bradford has a long way to go before he’s on the same level as Fitzpatrick, but it’s hard to even judge that because Bradford plays on such a poor team.
Anthony: Ryan Fitzpatrick. You hear those stories about stars who are “discovered” from nowhere and zoom to the top of show business? Then you find out they worked their tails off for 15 years after they get a Fine Arts degree to position themselves for the big time? That’s Ryan Fitzpatrick’s story.
No, he did not single-handedly turn the Bills around. The Bills found a running game and young receivers to go with a defense toughened by free agent Nick Barnett. What Fitzpatrick did was work his game to make steady year-by-year improvement. He completed 56% of his passes in 2009 and 65% of his passes in 2011. His QB rating improved from 69.7 to 103.5 in the first three games 2011. He is trending toward 48 TDs and 4400 yards. That’s the advantage over Bradford. We know Fitzpatrick’s top end. Bradford is more potential than actuality in his career so far. We only think he is a franchise quarterback.
The irony is that the Rams drafted Fitzpatrick in 2005.If they had a more stable front office and coaching staff, St. Louis might have kept Fitzpatrick and drafted someone other than Bradford in 2010.
Lawrence: This is a tough question.
On paper I would take Bradford any day of the week. If I am starting a franchise, it is with Bradford, not Fitzy.
But considering the circumstances that both players are facing these days, it is hard not to side with the Harvard grad. Stevie Johnson is better than anyone that Bradford gets to throw to, and David Nelson could make an argument for the same honor.
The question you have to ask is if you switched the teams that the two players are on, what would the results be? I am guessing that Bradford would love nothing more than having a few legit receivers to toss the ball to. On the flip side, Fitzy would look like Jimmy Clausen out there if all he had to throw to was Mike Sims-Walker and Lance Kendricks.
Neither pivot makes make mistakes, but if I had to take one for the rest of the season, with everything taken into account, it has to be Fitzy at this point.
Ask me again in a week.
