The Buffalo Bills fell to the Indianapolis Colts 20-13 on Sunday for their fourth loss in five games, and wide receiver Stevie Johnson wants some changes.
Johnson said after the game that he would like to see quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick begin calling more plays instead of head coach Chan Gailey.
“How I see it, I think we need to let our quarterback call these plays,” Johnson said, per The Buffalo News. “He’s out there on the field. He sees the adjustments that need to be done. I think we just need to let him make adjustments on the go. I think that’s the way we can move the ball better.
“He did it a little bit in the game, and we moved the ball. … He was hitting C.J. [Spiller], getting his run plays, doing the pass plays, and I just think we should do it more often.”
The Buffalo News points out that a fourth-quarter touchdown pass from Fitzpatrick to Johnson ended a seven-quarter touchdown drought. Johnson credited Fitzpatrick for that touchdown drive.
“It was all Fitz,” Johnson said. “Fitz made the adjustments, the audibles, and I think that led to our success, going down the field, making those throws. So I just think we should do a little bit more of that.”
Fitzpatrick went 17-of-33 for 180 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in the loss. Johnson had six catches for a season high 106 yards, including a career-long 63-yard gain.
Buffalo entered the game 17th in the league with 23 points per game. The running game entered Week 12 eighth in the NFL with 140.8 yards per game, but the passing game has dropped off to 23rd. Maybe Gailey should listen to Johnson and consider allowing Fitzpatrick more freedom on the field. At 4-7, it’s not like they have a whole lot more to lose, and if they don’t improve, it won’t be too long before Gailey is fired.
Between these comments and what Johnson said about Gailey two weeks ago, it’s obvious he’s dissatisfied.
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