Ryan Fitzpatrick is a career backup for a reason. He's only starting because he was better than Trent Edwards. Trent. Edwards. He couldn't QB any team to 8-4, which is why he's with the Bills.
Hartline is a very good receiver and 80% of the teams in the NFL would kill to have him. As far as Bess being better then Welker I would say he is but only because Welker isn't at the height of his game.
Chad Henne Ryan Fitzpatrick and Henne has a probowl LT and decent O-line to protect him. Fitzy has 5 turnstiles Spin away...
If you're always losing the quarterbacks stats are usually inflated and this is the case with fitzpatrick.
I was waiting for this argument...it doesn't explain the fact that he has only thrown 11 picks (compared to Henne's 15) despite the defense knowing that the pass is always coming.
I'm embarrassed we are arguing with him, Fitzy has played better than Henne and S. Johnson has been better than any of our WR's.
In a thread in the AFC East forum I told Wagon Circler point blank that Fitzy was a much much better option than Edwards and did it 2 months ago, Fitsy fits what Chan Gailey does. The real quibble with him is he is putting up numbers vs some really crappy teams, when he starts doing it against Top 8 teams then it is time to take real notice.
That's fair enough, tbh. He's not our QB of the future, but I admire the hell out of him for standing in there with a horrible O-line and anemic running game. He's not afraid to just chuck it around the field either, something Edwards was petrified to do.
I've said many times that Fitzpatrick has played very good. As for the spin, I guess you could say Fitzpatrick has been in the league for 3 more years, and gotten more pass attempts (many cite 1,000 PA before you really know what you have in a QB). And Fitzpatrick saw significant action in 2 seasons yet it was his 3rd year of significant action that he took a jump from about a 70 QBR to 85. In Henne's 1st 2 significant seasons he's looking at about a 75 QBR, so it at the very least wouldn't be unheard of for his QBR to jump up to around 85 as well (which is good enough to win with). I believe it's been shown by some people/someone around here (not 100% on that) that Gailey does very well at getting a lot of production out of his QBs even if they aren't the best/most talented (see Tyler Thigpen circa KC 2008), while Dan Henning really doesn't alter the play calling/style of offense based on the QBs strengths/weaknesses. Of course, all that is just if you wanted to spin.
Welker is on pace for 96 catches...could easily be 100 catches, and close to 1000 yards. He has 7 tds, and is projected for 9, but could get 10 or 11. All this in a season coming back from ACL surgery. Tell me again how Bess is better? Welker is the best slot receiver in the game.
If Bess were on the Patriots in Welker's place he'd likely have even better numbers. If Welker took Bess' place here I firmly believe he'd have worse numbers than Bess. I'm not trying to be a homer, but when I watch Wes play this year I see a lot of it having to do with the offense and QB (see Edelman/Woodhead/etc with the plays they run/ran in NE). I've been pretty critical of the love for Bess in the past, but this year he's earned it. He's been nothing short of amazing, and is significantly better than last year IMO.
Welker is the best slot wr in the league, I think you will find that most MIA fans will concede that. But Bess is a fine WR and we are lucky to have him.
Just gives the younger receivers more opportunities to make plays and a name for themselves. This does hurt our offense though.
