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What's the rush?
Why is there always a race by NFL teams to get a quarterback who has flashed some signed so quickly to a long-term deal?
It happened with David Garrard in Jacksonville. It happened with Matt Cassel when the Kansas City Chiefs traded to get him. It might be happening this year it looks like after Arizona made the deal to get Kevin Kolb.
What's the rush?
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You think the Buffalo Bills are asking that question today?
I do.
Or they should be.
Since signing a five-year, $59-million contract on Oct. 28, Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has looked more like Trent Edwards than Jim Kelly, which has to be a major worry for the Bills organization.
Buffalo has lost three consecutive games, including a horrible 35-8 loss to the Dolphins on Sunday, to fall to 5-5 and turn what was a shockingly good start into a midseason swoon that is pushing them out of the playoff picture.
One of the biggest reasons for the fall is Fitzpatrick. Since signing his new deal, he has averaged 202 yards passing per game and thrown four touchdown passes and eight interceptions.
Against the Dolphins on Sunday, Fitzpatrick was 20 of 39 for 209 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions. That earns him and the Bills an "F" here at the top of our CBSSports.com Weekly Grades.
Fitzpatrick is a great story. He is a self-made player who was nothing more than a backup with two other teams who flashed late last season and started well this season. That led to the Bills deciding to pay him.
That was a smart move for the Harvard-educated Fitzpatrick. He's a good guy, with a good sense of humor who certainly appreciates where he is now. But the Bills have to be asking the multi-million-dollar question:
What was the rush?
| Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011 | |||
| Team | Grade | GPA | Denver Broncos 17, NY Jets 13 |
 | B- | 2.24 | Broncos: John Fox famously said this week that the Broncos would be, to paraphrase, in deep trouble if Denver had to run a conventional offense with Tim Tebow at the helm. They were up a creek for most of the game without it. The running game struggling but the defense playing well, Tebow goes 95 yards and scores the winning TD. Conventional? Tebow's now 4-1 as starter. -- Lee Rasizer, RapidReports Correspondent |
 | C- | 2.20 | Jets: The defense only allowed 11 first downs, 229 total yards and a 3-of-13 conversion rate. That should have been good enough. But for the second straight week, QB Mark Sanchez threw a pick-six, locking in on Plaxico Burress and watching Broncos CB Andre Goodman run it back 26 yards. The loss of Shonn Greene was costly, especially with LaDainian Tomlinson out. Want proof? An offensive guard scored the only TD on a fumble recovery. -- Lee Rasizer, RapidReports Correspondent |
| Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 | |||
| Team | Grade | GPA | Baltimore Ravens 31, Cincinnati Bengals 24 |
 | B+ | 3.04 | Ravens: Though the Ravens' defense gave up 483 total yards, it forced three interceptions from Bengals QB Andy Dalton, which proved to be the difference in the game. The offense fed RB Ray Rice the ball and he came through as usual, rushing for 104 yards and 2 TDs. -- Jason Butt, RapidReports Correspondent |
 | B- | 2.73 | Bengals: The Bengals' offense didn't get hot until it was too late, but you have to admire QB Andy Dalton's almost-comeback. Dalton threw for 373 yards and a touchdown but three costly interceptions did Cincinnati in. Cincinnati's defense didn't live up to its billing either. -- Jason Butt, RapidReports Correspondent |
| Team | Grade | GPA | Cleveland Browns 14, Jacksonville Jaguars 10 |
 | B | 1.98 | Browns: The best all-around offensive performance of the season was nearly ruined by terrible defense. Only two dropped passes in the last seconds prevented a loss. Colt McCoy received good protection and the OL, which has finally come together, opened up holes in the second half for Chris Ogbonnaya. The defense did do a decent job against Jaguars superback Maurice Jones-Drew.-- Marty Gitlin, RapidReports Correspondent |
 | C- | 2.21 | Jaguars: There wasn't a whole lot to grade highly. The defense held the Browns to 14 points, but allowed two long touchdown drives and had trouble getting the Browns off the field in the second half. Blaine Gabbert had one of his better games of the season, but the effort produced just 10 points in a game the Jaguars had to win. -- John Oehser, RapidReports Correspondent |
| Team | Grade | GPA | Detroit Lions 49, Carolina Panthers 35 |
 | B- | 2.96 | Lions: Kevin Smith's 201 all-purpose yards gave the Lions an offensive dimension they've been lacking since Jahvid Best's Week 6 concussion. Forcing Carolina to respect the run allowed Detroit's receivers to run roughshod over an injury-depleted Panthers secondary. Matthew Stafford's five touchdowns should silence even his harshest critics. -- John Kreger, RapidReports Correspondent |
 | C- | 2.17 | Panthers: Cam Newton's three touchdowns represent another solid effort. In the end, poor play by both the offensive and defensive lines and an injury-depleted LB corps proved too much for Newton to overcome. Carolina's 27-14 halftime lead proves they can compete with any team. The final score indicates Ron Rivera's rebuilding process isn't complete. -- John Kreger, RapidReports Correspondent |
| Team | Grade | GPA | Green Bay Packers 35, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26 |
 | B | 3.20 | Packers: A nonexistent running game, an Aaron Rodgers interception, 36 combined receiving yards for Jermichael Finley, Greg Jennings and James Jones. How did this offense score 35 points against the Buccaneers? We're not quite sure except it definitely involved WR Jordy Nelson (123 yards, two TDs) and DT B.J. Raji. This was the ugliest win for the undefeated Packers. -- James Carlton, RapidReports Correspondent |
 | C+ | 2.03 | Buccaneers: Their spirited effort almost qualifies as a moral victory. But no one in the Buccaneers locker room should feel too honorable after they shot themselves -- and their upset bid -- in the foot with nine costly penalties and two turnovers. Overall, an improved offensive performance from Josh Freeman, LaGarrette Blount and Mike Williams, but not enough. -- James Carlton, RapidReports Correspondent |
| Team | Grade | GPA | Miami Dolphins 35, Buffalo Bills 8 |
 | A | 2.05 | Dolphins: Miami's defense hasn't allowed a TD in 12 consecutive quarters, since it allowed the game-winning TD in the fourth quarter of its 20-17 loss at the New York Giants. QB Matt Moore has been outstanding, and special teams even added a TD. At this rate Dallas better be careful hosting Miami on Thanksgiving. -- Chris Perkins, RapidReports Correspondent |
 | F | 2.27 | Bills: Yeah, maybe it's a tough grade, but it's a tough a league. The Bills have lost four of their last five and QB Ryan Fitzpatrick had played like garbage. RB Fred Jackson was ineffective and the defense was useless. Special teams gave up a TD. Can you say, "choke?" -- Chris Perkins, RapidReports Correspondent |
| Team | Grade | GPA | Oakland Raiders 27, Minnesota Vikings 21 |
 | C+ | 2.67 | Raiders: Spotting the Vikings 7 points by extending an early drive with roughing penalties, the Raiders then proceeded to manhandle the Vikings, winning 27-21. Michael Bush and Marcel Reece were too much for the Vikings' depleted defense, while the Raiders' defense swarmed to the ball often and caused four costly Vikings turnovers. -- Joe Oberle, RapidReports Correspondent |
 | D+ | 1.50 | Vikings: Adrian Peterson left the game in the first quarter with an ankle sprain, but it would not have made a difference. The Vikings could not tackle the Raiders' bruising RBs, and the depleted secondary was over-matched against Oakland's speedy receivers and a precise Carson Palmer. Christian Ponder made a valiant comeback, but two early INTs helped Oakland build an insurmountable lead. -- Joe Oberle, RapidReports Correspondent |
| Team | Grade | GPA | Washington Redskins 24, Dallas Cowboys 27 |
 | B+ | 2.15 | Redskins: The Redskins did an excellent job offensively. Rex Grossman had enough time to find open targets downfield. Defensively, the Redskins were stung by big pass plays, but the defense's early effort allowed the offense time to get into a rhythm. Special teams finally provided big plays, but two missed field goals -- one in overtime -- hurt them. Still, a blowout was anticipated. -- John Keim, RapidReports Correspondent |
 | B+ | 2.59 | Cowboys: Getting to 6-4 is big and having to rally in the fourth quarter makes it sweeter. Tony Romo wasn't his best either, but he improvised on his last two TDs and the defense stepped up late to hold on. They overcame a dismal game on special teams, allowing their two longest punt returns of the season. -- Nick Eatman, RapidReports Correspondent |
| Team | Grade | GPA | San Francisco 49ers 23, Arizona Cardinals 7 |
 | B+ | 2.93 | 49ers: The 49ers had an easy time of it in winning their eighth consecutive game, dominating from beginning to end more than the score suggests. The defense forced five turnovers in all, and intercepted Cardinals QB John Skelton three times. Alex Smith threw two touchdowns and WR Michael Crabtree had 120 yards receiving. -- Michael Erler, RapidReports Correspondent |
 | C | 1.66 | Cardinals: The defense played well, holding San Francisco to three first-half FGs. The 49ers also enjoyed a lopsided time of possession advantage. But the offense did nothing for three quarters with backup QB John Skelton, who completed just six passes, threw three interceptions and silenced any thoughts of a QB controversy with injured starter Kevin Kolb. -- Craig Morgan, RapidReports Correspondent |
| Team | Grade | GPA | Seattle Seahawks 24, St. Louis Rams 7 |
 | B | 2.22 | Seahawks: The Seahawks won this one because of their defense and special teams. They recorded five sacks and forced three turnovers. KR Leon Washington averaged 10.6 yards on seven punt returns and P Jon Ryan had an eye-popping 49.7-yard average that included a 71-yard bomb. -- Ron Clements, RapidReports Correspondent |
 | D | 1.42 | Rams: The offense couldn't get anything going and again wasted a solid defensive effort. Sam Bradford completed just 20 of 40 pass attempts, was sacked fives times, fumbled twice and threw an INT. Steven Jackson saw his three-game streak of 100-yard games come to an end with a dismal 42 yards on 15 carries. -- Ron Clements, RapidReports Correspondent |
| Team | Grade | GPA | Atlanta Falcons 23, Tennessee Titans 17 |
 | B | 2.14 | Falcons: This win over Tennessee is exactly what the Falcons needed. Matt Ryan threw the ball efficiently, WR Roddy White enjoyed a season-best performance and the Atlanta defense stopped Tennessee with regularity. However, Atlanta came away from too many red zone opportunities with field goals instead of TDs and Atlanta had trouble hammering the final nail in Tennessee's coffin. -- Knox Bardeen, RapidReports Correspondent |
 | B- | 2.49 | Titans: Though the Titans nearly erased a 20-point deficit in the defeat, their inability to contain Michael Turner early in the game proved to be too much to overcome. Jake Locker orchestrated two TD drives with several spectacular throws on the run. The rookie could play immediately if Matt Hasselbeck is out for an extended period. -- Matt Rybaltowski, RapidReports Correspondent |
| Team | Grade | GPA | Chicago Bears 31, San Diego Chargers 20 |
 | B | 2.81 | Bears: Vincent Jackson did whatever he wanted against the Bears' single-high safety look, and the pass rush did virtually nothing after the first quarter to challenge Philip Rivers. However, the Bears' offense stood up and showed it could go toe-to-toe in a wild shootout, which could say a lot when they go up against Green Bay in the future. -- Gene Chamberlain, RapidReports Correspondent |
 | C- | 1.85 | Chargers: Considering the injury problems on the offensive line and that reserves manned three spots, the pass blocking and Philip Rivers' ability to find Vincent Jackson spoke volumes about the team's offense. But the defense continued retreating and offered no pass rush against a Bears offensive line prime for being beaten up. -- Gene Chamberlain, RapidReports Correspondent |
| Team | Grade | GPA | Philadelphia Eagles 17, NY Giants 10 |
 | B+ | 1.97 | Eagles: The defense came to life and finally held a fourth-quarter lead. QB Vince Young wasn't perfect (23 for 36, 258 yards, two TDs, three interceptions), but played his best at the end of the game and helped his team convert nine of 17 third down opportunities. Perhaps most importantly, WR Steve Smith finally contributed as an Eagle, making a 14-yard TD reception. -- Alex Raskin, RapidReports Correspondent |
 | D | 2.51 | Giants: Not much went right for the Giants, who turned the ball over twice, produced only 29 yards on the ground and sacked QB Vince Young just one time. New York was only 5 for 14 on third down and committed five crucial penalties for 39 yards. Afterward coach Tom Coughlin put it best, saying, "That's as big a disappointment as we've had around here in a long time." -- Alex Raskin, RapidReports Correspondent |
| Monday, Nov. 21, 2011 | |||
| Team | Grade | GPA | New England Patriots 34, Kansas City Chiefs 3 |
 | B | 2.46 | Patriots: The Patriots struggled in the first half against an aggressive Chiefs defense but had their way in the second half as they score 34 unanswered points. The Patriots got solid play all around, including three interceptions on defense and a punt return for a touchdown by Julian Edelman. A solid victory but not terrific. -- Greg Bedard, RapidReports Correspondent |
 | D+ | 1.67 | Chiefs: What did you expect? QB Tyler Palko played well at times, but threw three interceptions at the end of drives. The defense couldn't find a way to defend Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski, and gave up a punt return touchdown. This is where the Chiefs are right now. They pulled out all the stops (read-option, onside kick, blitzes) and didn't come close to executing well enough. -- Greg Bedard, RapidReports Correspondent |
| GPA Key (updated through season) | ||
| A = 4.0 | A- = 3.7 | B+ = 3.3 |
| B = 3.0 | B- = 2.7 | C+ = 2.3 |
| C = 2.0 | C- = 1.7 | D+ = 1.3 |
| D = 1.0 | D- = 0.7 | |
