Manuel vs. Kolb battle staged?

[The Senator]

EJ is most definitely the starting QB.

 

The big question is can Mike Leach-coached Jeff Tuell beat out Kolb for the #2 spot?

[CodeMonkey]

The big question is can Mike Leach-coached Jeff Tuell beat out Kolb for the #2 spot?

Based on my limited observations so far, my answer based on pure talent is a resounding "no way".

However, other factors other than talent can change the outcome like cutting Kolb for salary etc.so who knows.

[The Senator]

Based on my limited observations so far, my answer based on pure talent is a resounding "no way".

However, other factors other than talent can change the outcome like cutting Kolb for salary etc.so who knows.

Never under-estimate the Mike Leach factor

[Canadian Bills Fan]

I think the Bills coaches want EJ to be the starter but want him to think he has to earn it rather than having it handed to him.

 

IMO the Bills staff thinks the QB1 job is EJ’s to lose.

 

CBF

[WhitewalkerInPhilly]

From watching what they are doing with Manuel, they are bringing him along slowly but not too slow..

 

I like how they doing it. It would not surprise me if he was starting against NE. Why not let the kid learn something from Brady.

 

Play him and if we have to take 7-9 record so be it.

 

But I have a hunch Manuel is going to shock not only us but the NFL as well.

 

I agree. There's no doubt that I would prefer Manuel to win, but unless he legitimately wins the job the locker room might become toxic. However, at the current rate of advancement, I think there's a chance he can adapt to the offense to diagnose it about the same as Kolb with his enhanced arm and running ability. We...will see though.

[Wazzu Bill]

I think the Bills coaches want EJ to be the starter but want him to think he has to earn it rather than having it handed to him.

 

Thats a much better way of putting it than I did. What my opinion in this thread is about is the fact that making him earn it will give him way better training than if it was handed to him. I think it's excellent coaching

[White Linen]

The QB battle isn't staged but the stage is being set the proper way. It would be grossly unprofessional for Marrone to share with fans, the media, or the players who he would like to see win the battle. If we could get a glimpse inside his mind or slip Marrone some truth serum I'd be disappointed if he didn't have a heavy lean towards his 1st round QB as he should.

Edited August 1, 2013 by Triple Threat

[Campy]

I don't get the argument...its been reported by virtually everyone including several national media guys Manuel has been clearly outplaying Kolb so far...

 

EJ's also been getting much more vanilla looks, Kolb isn't - and it's a lot easier to look good when the D isn't blitzing or disguising things as much, is it not?

 

I think it's nothing more than a HC and OC being smart - they're bringing EJ along slowly, letting him experience success, gain experience and confidence, and gradually ramping up the degree of difficulty to ensure his trajectory toward a starting role is a positive experience.

 

How many times have we seen young QBs get frustrated and start to push too much and/or try too hard? Inevitably, they get even more frustrated because doing that doesn't lead to success, and they try even harder and push even more - it becomes a vicious self-defeating cycle that is hard to break.

 

I'm sure Marrone thinks EJ will eventually be the guy, but I sincerely believe the Week 1 starter is not predetermined. I think it will be the QB that he feels gives his offense the best opportunity to succeed. I don't feel, from Marrone's perspective, that there's some master plan beyond what I outlined above.

Edited August 1, 2013 by Campy

[Niagara Bill]

Okay, maybe that's going a little too far, but hear me out:

 

IMO, I think there is a good chance that Marrone has had his mind set on Manuel from the beginning, and here's what his plan may have been all along: To give Manuel a fast track training that he could not have obtained if he was named the starter 2 months ago. Rookie QBs face a whole new level of pressure going into the NFL, and Marrone is giving him doses of pressure to prepare. First, the training camp battle - this will give Manuel something to play for more than just "practice" - give him the mentality he's actually fighting for something. Same goes for preseason...if he's fighting for the job, it is a more similar mindset to a regular season game than just a "scrimmage" game. Manuel is under immense pressure right now instead of naming him the starter so he can breeze through camp and preseason without a worry, then get smashed in his debut.

 

Other people have pointed this out: If we let Kolb start all year, and he fails, then it leads to 2014 being ANOTHER rebuilding year with Manuel's first starting season. Coach knows we need to get the ball rolling.

What insight......my 5 year old could have come up with this

[3rdand12]

a great play is one that keeps you interested. Charges up emotion with highs and lows for the main character that you have come to know of sorts as the drama unfolds.

Its not just the ending that makes great theatre its the journey eh?

Its all a stage and the plot is always shifting so pay attention. looking forward to see how this one plays out.

Go Manuel Go Kolb

[The Wiz]

What insight......my 5 year old could have come up with this

I'm sure your 5 yr old could have come up with a better retort than that too. It's a good topic so don't bash.

 

Now on the subject, EJ is being eased in for a reason. Give him as much confidence as possible for opening day.

Edited August 2, 2013 by The Wiz

[Rockinon]

Or........maybe Kolb is getting the exotic blitzes because he has more experience and because it's an area of his game that he obviously needs to work on. Manuel getting more vanilla looks while watching Kolb under fire is all about bringing him along more slowly and giving him time to learn effectively. The last day of practice, the defense worked in a few more blitz packages against Manuel.

 

I believe Manuel will be seeing more and more exotic blitzes throughout camp and Kolb will continue to see everything but the kitchen sink thrown at him. By the end of camp, it will be clear who the starter should be. It will be obvious to us, to members of the team and the coaches.

 

What the coaches are doing is trying to improve the play of every player on the team.....even Kolb.

[hondo in seattle]

Marrone seems like a straight-shooter. Pat Kirwan, who's known Marrone since Marrone was in high school, says Marrone is a straight shooter. If Marrone says there's a true competition for QB, I believe him.

 

Marrone likes his job but he doesn't get to keep it unless he wins. So why wouldn't he start - as he says - the QB who gives him the best chance of winning?

 

Just because it's a fair competition, it doesn't mean he'll treat each QB the same. Kolb and EJ have different developmental needs and are in different places in their evolution as QBs.

[Ronin]

Okay, maybe that's going a little too far, but hear me out:

 

IMO, I think there is a good chance that Marrone has had his mind set on Manuel from the beginning, and here's what his plan may have been all along: To give Manuel a fast track training that he could not have obtained if he was named the starter 2 months ago. Rookie QBs face a whole new level of pressure going into the NFL, and Marrone is giving him doses of pressure to prepare. First, the training camp battle - this will give Manuel something to play for more than just "practice" - give him the mentality he's actually fighting for something. Same goes for preseason...if he's fighting for the job, it is a more similar mindset to a regular season game than just a "scrimmage" game. Manuel is under immense pressure right now instead of naming him the starter so he can breeze through camp and preseason without a worry, then get smashed in his debut.

 

Other people have pointed this out: If we let Kolb start all year, and he fails, then it leads to 2014 being ANOTHER rebuilding year with Manuel's first starting season. Coach knows we need to get the ball rolling.

 

That's what anyone that cares should be hoping for. Expending a 16th overall draft pick on a player that isn't going to be playing on a team that has more holes than a hooker in a kaleidoscope is one of the dumbest things possible.

 

We have to assume that that's correct for now. If not, oh well, we'll know many things soon enough.

 

That theory makes more sense than anything, let's hope it's true.

[ChasBB]

Marrone seems like a straight-shooter. Pat Kirwan, who's known Marrone since Marrone was in high school, says Marrone is a straight shooter. If Marrone says there's a true competition for QB, I believe him.

 

Marrone likes his job but he doesn't get to keep it unless he wins. So why wouldn't he start - as he says - the QB who gives him the best chance of winning?

 

Just because it's a fair competition, it doesn't mean he'll treat each QB the same. Kolb and EJ have different developmental needs and are in different places in their evolution as QBs.

Very well said - agree with every word.

[SBUffalo]

I think of it this way:

 

EVERYBODY wants Manuel to take the job.

NOBODY wants Kolb to win the job.

 

Therefore, Kolb has to be near perfect while Manuel has to be nearly pathetic.

[FLbills]

Just curious how Kolb would look against the "vanilla d"?

 

Also makes me wonder, this is a new offense to both QB's right? With that being said, I'm sure Kolb hasn't had a lot of exposure to Mike P's defensive schemes so to throw more exotic looks at him makes me think they are setting him up for failure, albeit so E.J. experiences success. Which further backs up the stance that D.Mar has his sights set for E.J. to have the reins come week one.

 

It's brilliant I tell ya, brilliant....

[chris heff]

I wrote earlier that I think this is just good coaching. Kolb knows the speed of the game and has faced NFL defenses that blitz, no reason to dumb it down for him. Manuel on the other hand is being eased into the speed and complexity. If you threw everything at him it could slow his learning curve. The objective is to have him ready for opening day.

[1B4IDie]

This about sums up the "battle"

 

If Kolb looks like Peyton Manning in the QB battle he starts.

If EJ looks like Russel Wilson and Kolb does not look like Peyton Manning in the QB battle then EJ starts.

If Kolb looks like Kolb and EJ Manuel looks lost then Kolb starts.

If Kolb looks like Kolb and EJ Manuel is not lost then EJ Manuel starts.

 

 

All of this actual has to happen in the "QB Battle" but the deck is stacked in EJ's favor.

[Thirty Year Fan]

Okay, maybe that's going a little too far, but hear me out:

 

IMO, I think there is a good chance that Marrone has had his mind set on Manuel from the beginning, and here's what his plan may have been all along: To give Manuel a fast track training that he could not have obtained if he was named the starter 2 months ago. Rookie QBs face a whole new level of pressure going into the NFL, and Marrone is giving him doses of pressure to prepare. First, the training camp battle - this will give Manuel something to play for more than just "practice" - give him the mentality he's actually fighting for something. Same goes for preseason...if he's fighting for the job, it is a more similar mindset to a regular season game than just a "scrimmage" game. Manuel is under immense pressure right now instead of naming him the starter so he can breeze through camp and preseason without a worry, then get smashed in his debut.

 

Other people have pointed this out: If we let Kolb start all year, and he fails, then it leads to 2014 being ANOTHER rebuilding year with Manuel's first starting season. Coach knows we need to get the ball rolling.

I get your point but there is no breezing through camp if your the 1st, 2nd or 3rd string at any level!

 

I wrote earlier that I think this is just good coaching. Kolb knows the speed of the game and has faced NFL defenses that blitz, no reason to dumb it down for him. Manuel on the other hand is being eased into the speed and complexity. If you threw everything at him it could slow his learning curve. The objective is to have him ready for opening day.

+1