NFL Free Agents 2012: Bills Must Sign Vince Young to Improve Playoff Chances

If the Buffalo Bills legitimately believe they can compete for the postseason in 2012, signing Vince Young is an absolute must.  

According to a report by Mark Gaughan of the Buffalo News, the team is bringing Young in for a tryout on Wednesday.

Really, this is an easy decision. 

Young, 29, was the Philadelphia Eagles backup in 2011. Forget his disappointing numbers as the emergency starter last season; in this case, they don't matter. Actually, they could work in the Bills' favor.

Why? 

Because he'd simply be brought in as the No. 2 behind Ryan Fitzpatrick in order to provide some competence behind the Bills' cemented starter. His relatively disappointing career and poor showing in relief duty last year will halt any initial quarterback controversy. 

With the Stevie Johnson re-signing, the Mario Williams acquisition and a seemingly solid draft, it's easy for Bills fans to overlook a scenario in which Fitzpatrick goes down with an injury. He's been a gritty gamer since taking over the offense early in 2010, often sliding head first on scrambles and popping up after vicious hits from linebackers and defensive linemen.

Just because Fitzpatrick hasn't been hurt after enduring major punishment in the past doesn't mean he can't or won't get hurt in the future.

Tyler Thigpen, as we saw in the preseason and garbage time during the regular season in 2011, can't be relied on to win a game for the Bills if forced into the starting lineup. 

He just can't. 

Would Vince Young give Buffalo a significantly better chance to win a critical game in, say, early December if Fitzpatrick is banged up? 

Definitely. 

Chan Gailey is apparently enamored with mobile quarterbacks who can make plays out of the pocket, and that's one area in which Young excels.

The Bills offense features a lot of quick and short throws, again playing to one of Young's strengths. 

Schematically, he's a fit.

If nothing else, he'd present genuine competition for Fitzpatrick—something missing with Thigpen as the penciled-in No. 2. 

The Bills need insurance behind Fitz more than people think, and Vince Young's the perfect insurance policy.

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