Trent Edwards Still the Future at QB in Buffalo, Despite Struggles

Coming into the 2008 season, everyone in Bills nation hypothesized that if the Bills' offense, under new offensive coordinator Turk Schonert, could control the clock with Marshawn Lynch and their $100 million offensive line, make a few big plays off play action in the passing game, and not turn the ball over, that with the new additions of Marcus Stroud, Kawika Mitchell, and a healthy Paul Posluszny on defense, the Bills would be looking at their first playoff season since the 1999 season. 

Everything worked according to plan in the first six weeks of the 2008 season. 

Fourth quarter comebacks versus Jacksonville, Oakland, and St. Louis led members of the national media to proclaim that Trent Edwards had arrived. 

However, a four-game stretch with consecutive losses to Miami, New York Jets, New England, and Cleveland in which Edwards threw only five TDs compared to eight interceptions and two fumbles, led pundits to speculate if Edwards was cut out to be a starter in the NFL. 

The Bills currently sit at 6-6 and Edwards is dealing with a groin injury that will most likely keep him out of this week’s game in Toronto versus Miami. Bills fans are disturbed by Edwards' poor play, Turk Schonert’s inept play calling, and a 1-5 record in their last six after a 5-1 start.

While adversity has struck and the local media has heavily questioned Edwards' potential, make no doubt about it, Edwards is the future at QB in Buffalo.  On draft day, Bill Walsh called GM Marv Levy to express his overwhelming confidence in Edwards’ abilities. 

Edwards possesses all the tools necessary to be a solid NFL starter for years to come.  With the likely departure of JP Losman to free agency this offseason, the Bills will look towards the draft or free agency to find a QB to fill the No. 2 spot behind Edwards on the depth chart entering the 2009 season. 

Edwards is known for his work ethic, leadership, and ability to go through his progressions and deliver the ball accurately and on time.  He excels against the blitz, completing over 67 percent of his passes when teams blitz. 

However, Edwards’ recent struggles are when teams drop eight defenders into the passing lanes, and Edwards has held onto the ball too long, forced tight throws, and as a result his confidence is at a career low. 

Every young QB goes through these struggles in which they turn the ball over, can’t read coverages, and have their confidence rattled.  Eli Manning most notably comes to mind.  His first three seasons as a starter he had a completion percentage of just 55 percent, and the Giants were just 24-24 during that stretch. 

Dick Jauron has stated time and time again that Edwards shows amazing poise and that Edwards is undoubtedly his guy.  With Marshawn Lynch, Lee Evans, and Pro-Bowl tackle Jason Peters already in place on the offensive side of the ball, the Bills are built for years to come. 

Edwards will have his share of struggles as all young QBs do, but as the talent on Buffalo’s roster grows and Edwards gains experience, there is no doubt that the future is bright for this once blue-chipper out of Los Gatos, CA. 

However, as any Bills fan will tell you, whatever can go wrong, will go wrong. For the sake of Bills fans everywhere we hope that just this once, Edwards will prove us wrong and this rough stretch of play will turn out to be just a valley in a career full of many beautiful peaks.