One Fan(n)’s Opinion by @RDotDeuce: The Enigma that is Tyrod Taylor

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When I look at the Bills options, I’ve come to naturally put them into boxes. Cassel, a Facilitator that you know what you get when he’s on the field. E.J., the Hope, the first round pick we (I) want to pan out despite the noise and naysayers around him. But when I get to Tyrod Taylor, I’ve been prone to think of him as the Enigma – the guy that’s played sparingly and whose skills have been hawked by Ray Lewis,  course hopeful fans wanting something other than the past 15 years of sadness at QB and Lee Evans, former Bill:

Lee Evans: “You’re talking about command, ball skills, decision-making, athletic ability. I like Tyrod. I think he has the talent to start.”

— Tim Graham (@ByTimGraham) May 27, 2015

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsI’m not going to be here today to sell you on why Tyrod ‘IS’ the answer. None of us will know until the insanity begins of pre-season and regular season games. But in the interim, we can take a look at the past of the man that may prove to be the Bills starter, or at the very least an option on WildCat (shh!) or 2 point conversion attempts. There have been a few articles out already on his time in college, so let’s just hit on the pertinent pieces: at Virginia Tech, Taylor was a career 57.2% passer that set records rushing as a QB (1940 yards w/23 career rushing TDs) as well as career yardage (7017). Beating back Sean Glennon (brother of Bucs’ Mike) to start, he was a 2x ACC champ, as well as the 2010 ACC player of the year. Taylor’s senior year, posting a 24-5 TD/INT ratio and upping his accuracy percentage to 59.7 (which I’d give him 60% on, because c’mon) was a great sign of growth for the QB. However, entering the draft, Taylor was seen as more of a developmental QB, as you’ll see from the evaluations below. First, from CBS Sports’ NFL Draft Scout Staff:

Positives: Three-year starter and an athletic dual-threat quarterback prospect who can make big plays with his arm and his legs. Demonstrates good accuracy when using proper footwork and decent arm strength. Had an outstanding 24-5 TD/INT ratio as a senior, when his ability to read defenses improved vastly. Very fast and elusive. Has the athletic ability to be projected as a running back or wide receiver. Negatives: Awkward delivery includes a wind-up and a hitch in the throwing motion, with his wrist turned with the ball almost 180 degrees before the elbow moves forward. Whether the NFL wishes to correct that may depend on his role — as a gadget quarterback who plays wide receiver, he could get away with it. Holds the ball too long in the pocket. Doesn’t secure the ball when running. Loses accuracy when he doesn’t maintain proper footwork.

And next, from the NFL.com report:

WEAKNESSES

Does not possess adequate height and too many of his passes are knocked down at the line. Sloppy footwork prevents him from stepping into throws making him an erratic passer. Locks onto receivers and often telegraphs his throws. Struggles breaking down coverage and makes too many ill-advised throws.

Keep in mind, this is his first year in the NFL, so some of those quirks wouldn’t have had time to be fixed.

This next throw is fine, a little behind the receiver, but the team still ‘turned a profit’ yardage wise.

https://platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.jsThis clip is a sack backed up in his own territory. I could nitpick and say that he could’ve escaped to his right, but with the pocket being pushed back that’s a tall order:

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Same game vs the Bengals – great rushing touchdown escaping from the pocket to his left (almost E.J. like with the spin, ACC thing?)

https://platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.jsThis play was blown up before it started thanks to Michael Oher not picking a man: https://platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js

Now, let’s fast forward to 2013. These are a few plays I think enticed Rex and made him think that Taylor is at very worst a viable candidate to be his next Brad Smith…PUT THE PITCHFORKS AWAY:

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That play is begging to add a pass compliment, screen compliment and of course the fake toss and throw to another person.

Note that this is the same formation, but the Jets are ready for it:

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I think that in the Roman offense, with Rex providing insight into tendency breakers and how he’d like the offense to operate on that level, they can account for allowing Taylor to absorb some of the stuff that Smith/Percy Harvin have done as “extra-curricular” activities outside of their given positions without sacrificing the play options from the offense.

These last two are…huh. They are the clips folks will want at all costs for him to avoid. First, from a 2013 Pats blow out:

https://platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.jsand then from against the Bucs, against whom the Ravens are winning big:

Ultimately, Tyrod is still to me an enigma. The positives I love and the negatives I hate, but that’s almost any player. What will be key for him in this three man race to quarterback the Bills is not a highlight reel from college or that a snap got screwed up here or there – it’s how well he’s processing in training camp the offense and how well he’s executing it relative to the other two.

(And no I do not consider Tuel one of the other two.)

One thing for me is certain – do not fall into the trap of hanging on every word of OTA’s and Mini-Camp. Wait until training camp to see things weed themselves out. Otherwise you’re going to go into camp with pre-conceived notions of advancement/decline of a player without true contact or true football really being played. But of course, that’s just my opinion.

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