You're dead on. EJ is nowhere near stupid. He's a very smart individual. (here's where holcombs arm links to the tomahawk nation article trashing EJ, and again completely ignoring the fact that Tomahawk nation hated EJ and had it out for him his entire time in Tallahassee)
His biggest issues in college were his inconsistency, and his penchant to be inaccurate on some throws, which, watching him, looked like it was largely attributable to footwork issues. What you will find about EJ when you do some looking, is that he was a great leader down here. Took ultimate responsibility for and mistakes, even when they were clearly another players fault. He was highly respected and known for his intelligence. And he has all the physical talent in the world.
People forget that he was a project and stil considered raw. And sorry, being drafted in the 1st round doesn't make you less raw or mean he'll develop faster.
This preseason he did not look good. The best way i can explain it is that he isnt playing like he played here in college. The dumpoffs and robotic type play are not who he was down here. It sure seems like hes thinking too much and not simply playing.
As for the people that hated him down here? They hated him because he was a highly touted 5 star recruit but he didnt win a national title. Some people down here had ridiculously standards for him and held it against him when they didn't reach the mountaintop. Not to mention the team overall was less talented when EJ was under center.