WG. Not their there's a group completely -- John pleaded again -- -- with Mike she'll do it more Robert Kennedy short. And the bulldogs. So mad at the flavor to our John Clayton segment every Thursday at 5 o'clock hour you John -- are doing well merry creek. Thank you. We're thinking about a thing about the the Eagles game here early on here to talk about that amazing finish but we'll start with the bills as we should do. Four wins in six now at Miami what do you have to say about their second half -- their first. I -- you saw the competitive nature in the first half that they were able to staying games I think the good thing now at least the starting to win those games and so that you can see progress and that after taking on you know several injuries and so I think that. It if you re viewing and dealing in what he's done the first year I think get in the very good grade because I think that he's got. The players playing hard and of the victories aren't the air but I think that you could see progress cents. You could see guys getting better I mean now you look at dialect and Arthur boats using it -- -- think that it pretty good player. In the 34 scheme and you can see that the -- guys like Stevie Johnson of emerge so I think -- and all of a sudden. He's got more out of Ryan Fitzpatrick and any other -- cities that went. Considering roster turn over that happens not just. With the bills but in general in the league how much of a believer are you win in -- meant to him carrying over and and and this. Being assigned to bear. You know they're they're coming around some kind of a corner and navy ready to get back to respectability sooner than maybe we thought. -- you know I wish that in the big picture of the bigger believer in Ryan Fitzpatrick because he would have looked at -- being is a great back up. A very good back up. That. And he's obviously exceeded that was sports and numbers in the if there was a better quarterback worked iconic quarterback he'd have more confidence in at least from my standpoint. Then you'd feel that turn around going to be their business -- still dictated by the player -- quarterback and I've seen it happen. You know with guys like on he dole and now Matt Moore guys of that nature that you get maternity leave him a chance and the full time job and the next thing the next year everything that. Was positive at the end of the season starts to go away so I'm not saying that Ryan Fitzpatrick. Shouldn't be back next year he should. But I still think that with a losing opportunities it's there in the draft position. I hope that they don't settle into the pot that's okay we're gonna. You'll basically put the future and what Bryant that's accurate because that's going to be the case the momentum build up at the end of the season I think could dissipate by next year. I think they still need trapped quarterback. When you look at the stats John. Which are the most important his touchdown to interception ratio is excellent has been all year and the touchdown totals very good twenty or is it now. But the completion percentage really isn't the quarterback rating really isn't that good so what's the most important stat. Wins and losses that's I think the most important stat and I'd say that. Knowing that you he has to make the best of the bad situation but also to. You know you look at the career record and you see that you know it's not that great and you look at the form -- record this year and it's not that great. -- how much is that they -- third quarter interception here drop fumble in the fourth quarter there you know the turnovers that the critical times you know it's one thing. To be able to you'll get the nice stats and his stats have been phenomenal he deserves a lot of credit. But the stats but he hasn't -- -- three receiver offense when even one of the for the season that they have more than one receiver. And it worked successfully but I still think in this case we have a big believer. That's you know you need to complete more than 60% of your passes -- he's been amazing getting that 24250. Yards a game that's been remarkable. The other touchdowns through the roof. But also to. Not enough points and that's the thing that I think you know he's still the matter you have to close the deal and you know with the ability to close right now is still one question. I'll call. How available do you think. Where the bills and update could be six they could of course we now hear it even drop lower they could still climate a couple of teams in front of them when a couple of games. As it pertains to the draft order. How many quarterbacks do you think would be worthy of -- picked their -- is gonna be gone if he comes out so -- what what what you think they should do. Would have to think they get a look seriously cam Newton -- that looks here it was seriously at Ryan now what they've got to look seriously Jake Locker each of those. Four guys including what could it won't get a chance to get. I think you know -- consideration and now the question as Steele which one can make the turn and do it the fastest and do with the best. And if for example and you I I look at states. Act like cam Newton and also it Jake Locker is kind of projects you know cam might be could you wonder what the one year wonder factor. With cam Newton and you wonder that there's going to be some time where it's gonna take Jake Locker to really develop into a top notch quarterback. But I look at them as kind of Josh Freeman types and look but this -- I'm a big believer Josh Freeman I think Freeman. Clearly is one of the better young quarterbacks in football and you can see there's seasons rising and rising each year because of his plate if they are to the equal of Josh Freeman. I would really considered drafting him where they're gonna draft which right now at number five. But as you talked about before John the big the the first question -- have to answer is at least after the draft. It was the quarterback of the team next year and I don't see any of those rookies being their quarterback in 2011 view. Now clearly -- should be Ryan Fitzpatrick next here Ryan Fitzpatrick. Should be the quarterback from the first day of the off season. To all the way through training -- through the first game through the first 89 games. And that young quarterback needs to be developing behind him and that's where I think that the if why it's it's Patrick in take the bills to a great season next year wonderful but. They'll go further if one of those young quarterbacks is going to be better and you have to assume that you're taking a quarterback that high. All in the long run he's going to be better than me you'll remember they kind of went into the season. With about two or three quarterbacks last year in Tampa Bay at one point they tried Josh Johnson and eventually by the end of the year they went to Josh Freeman. And now the way that they have developed in the mean he he can win games in the fourth quarter and he's really good. -- you have Ryan Fitzpatrick as the starter until that quarterback develops and figure he should be the starter most of next year. One disappointment in his office this development is being in Lee Evans John REE courses on IR now dubbed the year but. 37 catches in thirteen games. And we've talked about him any number five -- over the years. The quarterback which such a position like lacking any kind of stability that he give you could give. It's sealed liquid in haven't -- This year. You know the offense sort of looked better than it's looked in reached your time and the quarterback was better than it's been in recent years -- still there's evidence with 37 catches. What are your thoughts on on where the Eagles are with there number one wide. It would open up. You know you can see now that's something was going to be built because he noticed it was a couple games directly noticed and saw him yet -- good games. That would totally open up with next year if they can add a pass catching tight and clearly they've developed a great threat on the other side with Stevie Johnson. But the pass catching tight end because remember the way that there offense works which hand. You know even I think we're all surprised that it ended up being a three receivers that. Those things really work the way modern day football has to -- that the spread type offense is because. If you can get five catches out you're tied in which he notices is the greatest year for pats getting tight -- in the history of the lake. You have 56 -- of the game out of the slot guy now things are gonna be more open. For Lee Evans not to get to double covered him he's still gonna drop most of the double coverage by the beast are working things with a pass catching tight -- a legitimate not Sean Dalton pat getting tight end. A legitimate. -- -- -- type -- pass catching tight and then you mix that with a slot kind state then all of a sudden his numbers start to go back up to a. The bills have -- at that since the -- ago. There's a few things they haven't had a long time one of the lose that layer that's one -- Matt Keller continental all right those two guns. Jointly. If they can get that then all of a sudden your talk. Dean. You know. A real serious offense with a lot of threats to open things properly. John played with us Thursday's here -- show with a -- look at the arena for sabres and Panthers and -- be watching in the -- from Seattle this this hockey game. -- assuming that's true. New England at buffalo John you know how long the drought is since the bills beat the patriots and how dominant New England has been. Just what kind of a chance would you give the bill's thinking that New England this year as as hot as they are. That loss in Cleveland makes me wonder whether this team take schemes like this for granted what do you think. What might they might certainly. Not put the full effort then but. You know it so much depends on what can be done on defense and I don't see what will be there for the creativity needed now one thing is it's. That is not a knock at the current coaching staff it's just a matter to -- and Dade to. The type of all eleven guys standing happy don't know where the blitz is coming from those things get Tom Brady a problem because if he can't get the priest snapper read. He definitely has some problems mean Green Bay did it in New England. Certainly Cleveland that the best I mean they had a -- phantom type of defense. We're basically eleven guys -- kind of standing up in different parts of the field that you couldn't figure with a belt -- and work who directors work. And Tom you know really struggled to have that and of course you need to kind of make those guys come in their. Put some pressure puts limits on them but. That right now is not worth the defense says it's too young and its first year. As a 34 defense to be able to do that successfully. And is still trying to put the pieces together to be able to have the talent to be able to do that. The fact that Donte Whitner mentioned that yesterday he talked about a Cleveland did that. Makes me made me think that the bills are planning to now. Well again I stopped because limited doesn't work but the problem has secured you have to have players that you know one. You have to have blitzer is that linebacker that I have the ability to get to the quarterback you also have to have. You know guys that are quick enough that the safety position to be able to make the right place you'd have to have a confusion which also have they have the execution. The difference yeah now I guess some. I would look to see them try something though we've been watching just watching these games against New England goal by and it just seems like -- the bills are never up to. It -- a really try to think of -- two laden was just. Don't just go to what we do win hope for the best instead of trying to do something maybe a little more creative. I guess you don't -- you got the players and that might let me Europe. Desire to try something creative but -- -- all 414 and -- nineteen out what do you mean you know an -- Yes exactly and and give the thing the you know you now find that Tom -- particularly with this current configuration of their too tight end offense. Is that didn't they destroyed teams that would be in the cover two and a picture on where there with a cover to. Totally destroyed because there's no chance because now he can get the timing route but the tide and just kind of wait 2.3 seconds and there's a ball on fifteen yards in the tight end right now little hole. But you haven't covered too they'll with a linebacker goes back he -- underneath and all those things. You know in the old defense would just be carved up -- I would have to think the best thing is there's nothing to lose tried some things. That you can use now for the future. That can give some things that you can now built on and that would be something for next year they could help an event to try to beat the patriots and industry. There were some great games last weekend and there are some good matchup this weekend John the Eagles giants game. That's I'm thinking going to be a team that is remembered dislike the miracle the meadowlands for many many years. Although no question about it I mean there are couple games each season netted just absolute classics that -- carried a test of time -- -- new miracle at the meadowlands to the miracle of the new meadowlands that would every one a college. Was is absolutely phenomenal I mean you know the fact that it involves. You want giant steam it's seem to be having everything going right. Now all of a sudden they fall asleep on special teams Michael Vick gets hot it's. -- the great plays at the end the emotion of the game the importance of the game I mean it's what you ultimately want to see. In the regular season or in the playoffs and make of this game is to so memorable and you know people still talk about opus Arctic. Well now they can talk about. They'll Matt died in the day of the not to be able to be awake on night having the hands steam and air for the onside kick it was phenomenal. Howell all party like the giants' chances of getting off the -- activist. -- can do it because I think that there are still hitting the Packers at a very vulnerable time it's tough because it's gonna be on the road. But also to you know Aaron Rodgers is coming off a concussion it's still might be a little bit but I groggy or not as efficient. The defense won't have Cullen Jenkins they won't have francs combo. They may not have IL would have to think you're gonna have the claim Matthews but he's banged up -- so. No there's enough vulnerability if they just go -- and not make turnovers that they are making turnovers. I think he'll be a what was -- factor. That. You know it did happen to home in the game against Philadelphia and that won't meet factor could give Green -- had a chance to win. They cannot commit Eli Manning can't throw his usual two interception of the game. Just its first. Well. Right now the big story is what's going on what Mark Sanchez and it Sanchez is not going to play and now he's questionable because he's got that little bit of -- here in the shoulder. And -- not able to throw fully and even Rex Ryan today came out and said that they might have to be a game time decision and -- they -- when they were marked for now. They have no shot. Amid can be a very one sided -- victory so they need Mark Sanchez not only to be reasonably healthy that they need in the start and give them a chance to win. Well their defense is their calling card though maybe they wouldn't keep the game with a game. They -- -- with the bears close your opinion if say just in place. I think it be difficult because I think that they would really do some -- because remember Mark Brunell would be the quarterback you know he's like 3839 years old. And he doesn't have the Great -- anymore and so all of a sudden you know if you would then put the extra pressure on with Julius Peppers and don't really can get him to try to cap the rollout and it's going to be major problems and so it all the gonna be doing is try to throw three and five step -- drops well. That's why I think the quarterbacks will be playing man can step up been you know judge those things to make a couple of interceptions. You would be a disaster they can't it was and how it compares to. Good they're not great I mean this in the find out defensively this is the best they've been about three or four years you know particularly now that now that they have Julius Peppers and -- acquisition. Was so perfect because it gave them the ability to get good pressure on the quarterback with four guys. And so is also reenergize Brian Urlacher they're secondary is not all that great I mean they do enough good things but they still have some issues there in the secondary but it's been good enough team. Because they can make turnovers they don't do too badly as part of stopping the run. And -- born -- keep Jay Cutler about thirty passes he doesn't screw it up they can be dangerous. John tonight's game Carolina Pittsburgh I saw a couple of numbers on how much different the Steelers are without Troy Polamalu. Their record is Rick is way worse when he doesn't play -- points allowed is way higher -- turn overs are weighed down. I am not sure I could -- I guess I can't say this that he's as valuable as any player in the league but the stats say he's up there for. No question and the Utah I think it's hard to get a Hall of Fame safety but I think it All Saints safety because I think he changes became so much because. -- he can sit back and make interceptions he can come up and make they tackled. He drives everybody crazy with eligibility to move around it. No disguise coverages and do all those different things I mean he is an amazing talent and not without him they're not the same ilk. When they're at their best. Is one they have Palmolive say the parents met at the defense event that he was the best defense than in the 34 I think in the 2000. And then you have you know healthy Ben Roethlisberger quarterback they're hard to beat. Well when you take two of those guys out whether it's gonna be Polamalu Owens met. They're not the same when you have all three together. Then you have the ability to put together the early part of the season that they have. John Merry Christmas any questions for us. Yet Hollywood political ripped the UB at a program. What's the latest -- won't do -- we'll give you beat Texas women's tennis I hope your estimate that of course. Well it's the offseason. But it's -- can get an update their their top. They're related to this their top player left. That I -- college sports they they they graduate right right now so there's a little bit of reaching the top there but you know there always -- cramp bird. Notions -- property to graduate -- just -- it would appear more. You people thought you know maybe the men. Is getting. Thank you John OPEC agreed. With them open the great day Saturday and talk about next week but -- that. John Clayton ESPN. Abuse where tobacco product untouched.
