NFL Grades: Week 11
Updated Nov. 21
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?
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?
