Patriots Pick Six: Leftovers From Sunday’s Loss to Buffalo
By Hal Bent
Dec 28, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Kyle Orton (18) reacts after not getting a pass interference call against the New England Patriots during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Four: AROUND THE AFC EAST: BUFFALO BILLS
For the Bills, the momentum of beating New England going into the off-season was muted by the surprise retirement of quarterback Kyle Orton. Just 33 years old, Orton skipped out of Gillette Stadium without saying good-bye to his teammates per reports. Now, after investing their first round pick in 2013 on quarterback E.J. Manuel and their 2014 first round pick on wide receiver Sammy Watkins, the Bills are back to looking for a solution at quarterback with their top pick in the 2015 NFL Draft belonging to Cleveland as part of the Watkins deal.
Two first round picks to move up to grab Watkins seems a heavy price since Buffalo could have stood pat and grabbed another wide receiver like Odell Beckham Jr. or paid less to grab Mike Evans. Worst of all was that Orton playing in 2014 now wastes a potential year of development for Manuel and leaves Buffalo in a worse-off position heading to the off-season. The promise of 2014 fades as the playoff level play on defense is wasted for another season. Buffalo has questions on the offensive line, secondary, and once more at quarterback.
With head coach Doug Marrone able to opt-out due to the clause in his contract due to the ownership change, the Bills may be starting anew once more in 2015.
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