Why the Bills signed Brian Brohm
November, 19, 2009
11/19/09
11:43
AM ET
By Tim Graham | ESPN.com
Brian Brohm will wear No. 4 for the Buffalo Bills.
Think he could have worn that jersey for the Green Bay Packers?
Actually, Packers fans couldn't see Brohm wearing any jersey for them on Sundays, but the Bills are going to give the 2008 second-round draft pick a hard look.
The Bills released third quarterback Gibran Hamdan and signed Brohm to a two-year contract, but Bills fans shouldn't get too excited.
Despite a prolific career at Louisville and his lofty draft position -- taken 56th overall, one spot ahead of Miami Dolphins starter Chad Henne -- Brohm hasn't been any higher than third on the Packers' depth chart. The Packers waived him in September. No other team claimed him, allowing the Packers to sign him to their taxi squad.
Brohm already wears the bust label, but what does Buffalo see in him?
The move reminded me of a conversation I had with Bill Belichick at New England Patriots camp -- coincidentally enough, mere seconds after he walked off the practice field with Mike Shanahan, whom the Bills are interested in hiring as their next head coach.
Belichick that day explained his philosophy on backup quarterbacks, saying there are two kinds: veterans who can hold down the position until your starter comes back and prospects you're grooming for the future.
The Bills, after deciding to demote Trent Edwards in favor of Ryan Fitzpatrick, didn't seem to have either of those types. Hamdan is a veteran journeyman with no real shot at being an NFL starter.
"If you're trying to get your backup guy to eventually be your starter or be able to go in and win for you, and you draft a young player like [Matt] Cassel, you know he's not ready that first year," Belichick said. "But you hope in time you can get him ready.
"That's the problem with a young quarterback. It takes a little bit of time to develop them. The problem with the old quarterback is it's a year-to-year proposition.
"It's a combination of how far you really think you'll be able to go with that player and if you feel he's keeping it warm until you had your starter back -- but then you're looking for someone else."
Brohm gives the Bills the longer-range prospect they were lacking and the hope they no longer see when they consider Edwards' future.
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Joe Murphy/Getty ImagesBrian Brohm, a former second-round pick, never rose above third string with Green Bay.
Joe Murphy/Getty ImagesBrian Brohm, a former second-round pick, never rose above third string with Green Bay.Actually, Packers fans couldn't see Brohm wearing any jersey for them on Sundays, but the Bills are going to give the 2008 second-round draft pick a hard look.
The Bills released third quarterback Gibran Hamdan and signed Brohm to a two-year contract, but Bills fans shouldn't get too excited.
Despite a prolific career at Louisville and his lofty draft position -- taken 56th overall, one spot ahead of Miami Dolphins starter Chad Henne -- Brohm hasn't been any higher than third on the Packers' depth chart. The Packers waived him in September. No other team claimed him, allowing the Packers to sign him to their taxi squad.
Brohm already wears the bust label, but what does Buffalo see in him?
The move reminded me of a conversation I had with Bill Belichick at New England Patriots camp -- coincidentally enough, mere seconds after he walked off the practice field with Mike Shanahan, whom the Bills are interested in hiring as their next head coach.
Belichick that day explained his philosophy on backup quarterbacks, saying there are two kinds: veterans who can hold down the position until your starter comes back and prospects you're grooming for the future.
The Bills, after deciding to demote Trent Edwards in favor of Ryan Fitzpatrick, didn't seem to have either of those types. Hamdan is a veteran journeyman with no real shot at being an NFL starter.
"If you're trying to get your backup guy to eventually be your starter or be able to go in and win for you, and you draft a young player like [Matt] Cassel, you know he's not ready that first year," Belichick said. "But you hope in time you can get him ready.
"That's the problem with a young quarterback. It takes a little bit of time to develop them. The problem with the old quarterback is it's a year-to-year proposition.
"It's a combination of how far you really think you'll be able to go with that player and if you feel he's keeping it warm until you had your starter back -- but then you're looking for someone else."
Brohm gives the Bills the longer-range prospect they were lacking and the hope they no longer see when they consider Edwards' future.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
James Walker
Walker joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four seasons covering the NFL and NBA for the Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch. He's a Temple graduate and Hyattsville, Md. native who lives in Miami.
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