This EJ Scouting Report Proven Deadly Accurate So Far

[DC Tom]

For the EJ haters: y'all are lucky Jimbo started in 1986 and not 1983, is all I'm gonna say.

 

And had two years of "post-graduate" work with the Gamblers.

[eball]

Did they really "take a crap on him"?

 

I'm glad were taking a shot with him but that he was a 4 year starter at a major program and is still a project qb is, I think, a fair worry.

 

DCTom spoke about reps potentially being the answer - what I think you have to wonder is has he already gotten a good portion of those reps where you would see the strong incremental progress resulting from each week. Normally the discussion on a 4 year starter is that you know what your getting to a large degree.

 

I think more than anything we are hoping to match him to a system, and coach where the light switch can be flipped. This will be a telling year for EJ and marrone.

 

He was? Backed up Ponder his freshman and sophomore seasons, if I recall. Only two years as "the man."

[NoSaint]

 

 

He was? Backed up Ponder his freshman and sophomore seasons, if I recall. Only two years as "the man."

 

Double checking, I had thought he spent more time on the field those two years and the reports comments on his large volume of passes skewed me harder that way. Add on the 4-0 in bowl games.... Didn't realize quite how short his windows were those two years. You are far more right then I was on this one.

[K-9]

And had two years of "post-graduate" work with the Gamblers.

 

Under the tutelage of a GREAT OC in Mouse Davis. Kelly learned how to read pro defenses while in Houston. Best two years he ever spent. He was as pro ready his rookie year as any QB this side of Marino. And STILL he struggled, even mightily at times, his first season.

 

And even as great as Kelly was, there were STILL some fans calling for Reich. Proving once again that the most popular player on a pro football team is the backup QB.

 

GO BILLS!!!

[eball]

Double checking, I had thought he spent more time on the field those two years and the reports comments on his large volume of passes skewed me harder that way. Add on the 4-0 in bowl games.... Didn't realize quite how short his windows were those two years. You are far more right then I was on this one.

 

No worries...Ponder's propensity for injury put EJ on the field in some big moments those first two years.

[John from Riverside]

I know that the EJ thing is getting overanalyzed to death......there are some things that simply has not changed.......

 

- He was a project coming out of college with HUGE upside. There has been wide speculation (which I agree with) that EJ was not supposed to start last year and that is why we brought in Kolb......a more then capable starter when healthy and things just fell apart forcing EJ into action

 

- He got hurt last season and it hurt his development

 

Until EJ has a full season of actual games under his belt we cannot make any kind of determination one way or another

 

I would also add.....given EJ's physical attributes...coming from a major college program.....and winning percentage in bowl games in college he WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE TO US...in a trade down had he not had some warts coming out of college.......

 

We drafted a develpmental QB with huge upside

[Kellyto83TD]

wow. Very well written.

 

I really hope a lot of this isnt true. But some is definitely accurate, such as:

 

"Manuel also struggles to throw with anticipation. The next time he bangs the post route before the receiver breaks open will be the first. He is very much a rudimentary "see it, throw it" player. That doesn't work well in the NFL. In the league, certain routes demand that the ball comes out before the receiver is open or out of his break."

 

Ugh.

 

And he is still that even in THIS camp. I doubt this kid will ever make it in the NFL. Too Bad Buddy Nix was still calling the draft then.

[Wayne Cubed]

Just got done reading the 49ers forum and a thread that was started before Colin Kaepernick's sophomore season and it is almost identical to what goes on here. Some people were saying he would become a Brian Brohm, haha. Just funny that all fans are the same.

[RuntheDamnBall]

 

 

And had two years of "post-graduate" work with the Gamblers.

Exactly.

 

Gets it.

[T master]

If Kolbcussion didn't get hurt he would have sat a few weeks but hindsight is 20/20

 

Too if we would have kept Fitz we could have a t least got a teacher for EJ & got something out of the $59 mill that they gave him .

 

After reading the article it sounds as though there was as much exhaustive research done on a future QB as there was in the HCing search . But i hope the HC is better than the QB pick & has the onions to realize when they made a mistake if EJ shows bad & moves forward .

 

If all else fails they can call JP he's not working ...

[Augie]

I love EJ's measurables and the intangibles like character and work ethic. I REALLY want him to be "the guy". I know he's going to work hard and give it everything he's got. I know they say his accuracy issues are due to his mechanics breaking down. This may sound strange (OK, very strange), but in a way he seems TOO mechanical and seems to lack that innate sense of anticipation and athleticism the great ones have. When the pressure is on, Rogers and Brees and the others find a way to get the ball to the right guy, usually in stride. I don't want to over simplify it, but we're talking about throwing a ball accurately. That just comes naturally to some people and it's harder for others. When you're about to get buried by a 320 lb D lineman and perfect mechanics are no longer an option, does your QB have that natural ability to find a way to make something positive happen? I hope he learns that, because last year there were some real head scratchers where balls bounced to the guy on a bubble screen. How does that happen? Is that mechanics? It seems to be a simple pivot and throw. How does that break down so badly?

 

With all that said, I'm hoping for and expecting to see a big improvement this year. I love the guy and he's got huge potential. Rookie QB's are exactly that... Rookie QB's.

[3rdand12]

Too if we would have kept Fitz we could have a t least got a teacher for EJ & got something out of the $59 mill that they gave him .

 

After reading the article it sounds as though there was as much exhaustive research done on a future QB as there was in the HCing search . But i hope the HC is better than the QB pick & has the onions to realize when they made a mistake if EJ shows bad & moves forward .

 

If all else fails they can call JP he's not working ...

I think that was an option. But Fitz had other ideas .

The Kolb thing was terrible luck. We knew he was injury prone but WOW. If he could've played even a couple games then sat ,he would have been a fine mentor too i would guess

[Best Player Available]

I think that was an option. But Fitz had other ideas .

 

Nix getting catfished may have had something to do about that. He was less than flattering to the very guy he handed the keys too.

[thewildrabbit]

It certainly didn't help EJ to not have a QB coach last season, or a senior NFL offensive assistant to help with the offense. Shoot, EJ didn't even have a veteran journeyman backup QB to lean on for advice his first NFL season.

 

This kid has everything going for him except the actual playing experience, and he obviously needs to learn as he goes. The problem IMO is with the offense he was in wasn't very well suited for a rookie to properly develop in. Far, far to many 3rd downs and long because the run game failed to make yards. Then the hurry up and punt offense the Bills ran under Hackett put EJ under the gun way more then it should have.

 

Then the O line stunk it up in many games last year, and they were particularly bad in some road games. Losing Cordy Glenn for training camp is very disconcerting, and hopefully he returns before the season starts. All I can do is hope that the offense can pull it all together this season, coaching, line, WR's, and then maybe EJ will have a chance to develop properly.

[3rdand12]

It certainly didn't help EJ to not have a QB coach last season, or a senior NFL offensive assistant to help with the offense. Shoot, EJ didn't even have a veteran journeyman backup QB to lean on for advice his first NFL season.

 

This kid has everything going for him except the actual playing experience, and he obviously needs to learn as he goes. The problem IMO is with the offense he was in wasn't very well suited for a rookie to properly develop in. Far, far to many 3rd downs and long because the run game failed to make yards. Then the hurry up and punt offense the Bills ran under Hackett put EJ under the gun way more then it should have.

 

Then the O line stunk it up in many games last year, and they were particularly bad in some road games. Losing Cordy Glenn for training camp is very disconcerting, and hopefully he returns before the season starts. All I can do is hope that the offense can pull it all together this season, coaching, line, WR's, and then maybe EJ will have a chance to develop properly.

Well I suppose the Bills thought they had it covered. Kolb as the mentor and cushion. Hackett ws going to coach him up .

But then Boom. No mentor. And Boom Hackett had to coach up 3 QBs.

As bad as the Offense is looking right now. I do expect that Marrone is totally focused on that whilst letting Jim S handle the D .

They know the level of pressure to get this train on the right tracks.

Are they up to the task ?

[The Wiz]

Too if we would have kept Fitz we could have a t least got a teacher for EJ & got something out of the $59 mill that they gave him .

 

After reading the article it sounds as though there was as much exhaustive research done on a future QB as there was in the HCing search . But i hope the HC is better than the QB pick & has the onions to realize when they made a mistake if EJ shows bad & moves forward .

 

If all else fails they can call JP he's not working ...

I know you're joking but the defense would play the exact opposite of what they did for fitz. Only play 15 yards deep since he couldn't complete a short/mid yardage pass to save his career.

[maddenboy]

It's interesting to go back and look at the following pre-draft scouting report on E.J. Manuel written by two reporters who cover Florida State. Many, if not all of their concerns about EJ have come to fruition with the Bills. Bear in mind this piece was written by a couple of guys that like and cover FSU football,watched every snap multiple times and respect Manuel as a person and player... they are not, as much as I hate the term, "EJ haters" The link to the report follows. Enjoy.

 

http://www.tomahawkn...l-florida-state

 

^^ Just wanted to have the original link (to the article) available to those who just scrolled to the end of this post/string.

 

It is a fair and even-handed analysis of EJ. Some of it will sound familiar. All of it will give us things to look for in his development.

Edited July 28, 2014 by maddenboy

[White Linen]

We needed a QB we traded back and drafted EJ and imo, he was the guy to take that year, and I would have felt the same in this years class. If the stars align and you have the number one pick and a QB with little risk is there, how lucky you are (pun intended).

 

I'm glad we have EJ and I'm going to say something that's going to stir some things up with the more proficient "football" posters. I think praising articles like the OP linked are by and large idiotic. "When EJ's thinking footwork, mechanics go all to hell" - how the hell do you know Bud Elliot? Did you ask EJ, "hey on the errand throw were you concentrating on footwork? I thought so because that's when I notice your mechanics go to hell." Get out of here with all your conjecture.

 

Footwork is such an overrated thing especially when you highlight it trying to diminish his size, leadership, work ethic, studies the game, dedicated, very low off the field risk.

 

The guy then says "While I do not know EJ on a personal level", but I do know (since I'm a mind reader) "It is also my opinion that EJ is the type of person who wants to succeed and please his coaches to the point that he internalizes and personalizes criticism that is meant to be situational and related to his play, not his worth as a person."

 

Don't fall for this fellow Bills fans - this article is a farce and EJ hasn't played enough to use this as a resource. This guy is somewhere around 29 years old and isn't some seasoned respected source for scouting. Stop believing more in Bud Elliiot than you do EJ Manuel.

[Bob Malooga]

A big factor in EJ's success or lack thereof as a pro will be the circumstances around him, the ability of the coaching staff to fit their coaching style to him, and EJ's ability to overcome a couple of critical mental blocks he seems to have developed.

 

This is the most important thing, and what this year is all about...

 

1. The circumstances around EJ have improved, which should lead to him improving.

2. The coaching staff has improved with the addition of a QB-coach...hopefully Hackett's abilities can improve, which in turn, helps EJ improve.

3. Can EJ get mentally stronger and quickly forget a fumble or INT? If the circumstances and coaching has improved, leading to EJ improving...then his mental toughness/confidence should improve.

 

This is what everything is all about...every move they made, everything they have said...this is what this season for EJ and the Bills will be all about.

 

Can he do it? Can he take that next step? Everything is in place for him to do it, it's all on his shoulders now.

 

EDIT: Because of all of this, taking EJ in the mid-first-round, trading up for Watkins,(etc)...this season is the most important season for this organization since 1999.

Edited July 28, 2014 by Bob Malooga

[Buffalo Barbarian]

It's interesting to go back and look at the following pre-draft scouting report on E.J. Manuel written by two reporters who cover Florida State. Many, if not all of their concerns about EJ have come to fruition with the Bills. Bear in mind this piece was written by a couple of guys that like and cover FSU football,watched every snap multiple times and respect Manuel as a person and player... they are not, as much as I hate the term, "EJ haters" The link to the report follows. Enjoy.

 

http://www.tomahawkn...l-florida-state

 

This quote from the article sums up everything I thought/think about EJ.

 

"EJ has demonstrated high levels of proficiency at times. He has also displayed levels of inconsistency at even the fundamental aspects of quarterback play that raise serious questions about his ultimate ceiling as a QB. The frustrating part of these inconsistencies is that they are so very inconsistent and appear seemingly at random. For a coach trying to address these issues it must feel like a game of whack-a-mole; as soon as you resolve one deficiency, another that you thought you had fixed reappears. This suggests a quarterback who has not sufficiently mastered the fundamental aspects of the position to the point that they happen automatically."