HOUSE Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 (edited) Posted Today, 08:08 AM I have watched every game of his pro career and about 10 College games. There seems to be a pattern here..... Correct me if I am wrong but the guy appears off target in almost every first quarter played, then settles down and plays better. Its maddening to watch sometimes, It has to be driving Doug Marrone crazy Has anyone else noticed this ? Edited August 23, 2014 by HOUSE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOUSE Posted August 23, 2014 Author Share Posted August 23, 2014 (edited) Any comment on this ? Edited August 23, 2014 by HOUSE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solomon Grundy Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 I've noticed also. It's like he has anxious nerves. Should give him a couple of short, quick passes to calm him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOUSE Posted August 23, 2014 Author Share Posted August 23, 2014 (edited) I've noticed also. It's like he has anxious nerves. Should give him a couple of short, quick passes to calm him. I want to watch this tonight. The same was true last season. He seems to struggle early. Now that has to be fixed. He only plays a quarter and by the time it ends he is still ice cold Edited August 23, 2014 by HOUSE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhitewalkerInPhilly Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 I can't really dispute this, and i am a fan of his. he does usually take some time to get going, even in the games where i think he has played well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CardinalScotts Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 most qb's are slow starters but especially the young ones, Rich Gannon talks about this all the time. Giving the qb easy throws get him into a rhythm, get the confidence going - the problem for EJ was last year he would miss the easy throws, or they would drop them. Hopefully the nerves aren't as bad and he can get some focus from the rest of the guys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo_Stampede Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 I think fans need to relax and let the guy develop into whatever he will be. He has 9 full game starts. He has yet to play more than 5 games in a row. He missed half a year of practices in his rookie year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOUSE Posted August 23, 2014 Author Share Posted August 23, 2014 most qb's are slow starters but especially the young ones, Rich Gannon talks about this all the time. Giving the qb easy throws get him into a rhythm, get the confidence going - the problem for EJ was last year he would miss the easy throws, or they would drop them. Hopefully the nerves aren't as bad and he can get some focus from the rest of the guys agreed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoloinOhio Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 He seems to be at his best in the 2nd half Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOUSE Posted August 23, 2014 Author Share Posted August 23, 2014 He seems to be at his best in the 2nd half I brought this up for a reason. He is slow to start, then removed from the game. We may not have enough information to properly evaluate EJ Manuel this preseason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CountryCletus Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 He seems to be at his best in the 2nd half We should play play Tuel 1st quarter, Thad the 2nd quarter and EJ in the second half... Problem solved! Lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fadingpain Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 EJ being a slow starter in games is an often pointed out example of his deficiencies. So the OP is in good company with a lot of trained football eyes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockinon Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 Posted Today, 08:08 AM I have watched every game of his pro career and about 10 games in College There seems to be a pattern here..... Correct me if I am wrong but the guy appears off target in almost every first quarter played, then settles down and plays better. Its maddening to watch sometimes, It has to be driving Doug Marrone crazy Has anyone else notice this ? I have been saying the very same thing. It's almost as if he needs to be knocked around a few times before he can his blood circulating. Hmm......maybe we're on to something. Throw him into a locked room with some of our guys on defense and let them rough him up a bit before the game...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welcome To Pegulavilla Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 (edited) I concur. It's quite obvious EJ is cold as ice in 1st and 3rd quarters and heats up in 2nd and 4th quarters which validates EJ's biggest red flag entering the draft..... Inconsistency. 2 good and 2 bad quarters equals an AVERAGE QB which is all EJ will ever be. I hope I'm wrong but I don't see him taking us to the show. Edited August 23, 2014 by nader Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowery4 Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 Jimbo was the same, just saying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJallDAY Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 I agree, and many qbs are. at least we know he keeps getting better as the game goes on and if we need a 4th q comeback hell be at his best... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miyagi-Do Karate Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 That's why we should always defer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LOVEMESOMEBILLS Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 I've brought this up a couple of times in the last couple months. I think the Bills during warm ups should do a simulated 1st quarter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybrew1 Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 Absolutely. I don't see us having a lead too much in the first three quarters vs. Chicago. But I think we can stay close and take off mid-way through the third quarter. We need special teams to win their battles and the defense to force some punts and keep it close. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snamsnoops Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 I agree, but i think this will get better with more experience. The kid is young and still pretty raw. However I think he has what it takes and will improve with more play at the professional level! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardcore Bills Fan Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 Its hard to say because he's only a 2nd year guy but he seems to improve during real games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
San-O Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 This was also a knock on him coming out if college if I recall. I think we're in trouble at QB again. We will see how he looks tonight: Better be good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JESSEFEFFER Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 I have a hard time believing that a QB that finishes games better than he starts them is anything worthy of criticism. For all the crap EJ is taking I do not recall him losing any games late the way Fitz had a tendency to do. EJ was a cautious and injured rookie who played better late in close games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dean Cain Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 (edited) Will not argue his stats look better in the 2nd & 4th qtrs. Although I attribute this more to Hackett trying to establish the run and throwing on obvious passing downs in the 1st & 3rd. Games tend to open up more in the 2nd & 4th qtrs as the demands of the game - ie score dictates what plays a team runs. Edited August 23, 2014 by Dean Cain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt in KC Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 (edited) I think EJ starts slow too. I was hoping the OP had analyzed his drives last year when I clicked. This page has his stat splits: http://espn.go.com/n...15803/ej-manuel It looks like he's done best in the 2nd and 3rd quarters. The 4th quarter might not be a good comparison anyway because the other team is letting us have meaningless completions (say 3-5 yards when we're down by 14), or EJ is taking risks because we need to do that to get back in the game. He also seems to do best indoors, on turf, Behind by 1-8 Points, with 2 wide receivers in, and when blitzed. . . . Edited August 23, 2014 by Matt in KC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJDK Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 Everyone complaining about EJ is just ridiculous, he's 10 games into a professional career. I feel like most have either wanted Tuel or Lewis to start at one time or another and/or we pick up Rex Grossman, trade CJ for Hoyer or trade for Mallet. Crazy... Let him at least play a few games after his first full offseason as a number 1 in this league Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOUSE Posted August 23, 2014 Author Share Posted August 23, 2014 (edited) I think EJ starts slow too. I was hoping the OP had analyzed his drives last year when I clicked. This page has his stat splits: http://espn.go.com/n...15803/ej-manuel It looks like he's done best in the 2nd and 3rd quarters. The 4th quarter might not be a good comparison anyway because the other team is letting us have meaningless completions (say 3-5 yards when we're down by 14), or EJ is taking risks because we need to do that to get back in the game. He also seems to do best indoors, on turf, Behind by 1-8 Points, with 2 wide receivers in, and when blitzed. . . . The OP is lazy Edited August 23, 2014 by HOUSE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt in KC Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 The OP is lazy Nothing personal. I just had reached the same conclusion before, that EJ was a slow starter, and also that he did better under pressure, even though I hadn't looked at any stats. Today I looked, and saw some evidence to support my opinion in the stats. I also thought he got better as the year went on, but did not see that in the stats: - In September he completed 56.9% of his passes for a 6.59 yard/attempt average, with 5 TDs, 3 INTs - In December he completed 59.6% of his passes for a 6.60 yard/attempt average, with 3 TDs, 5 INTs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Wiz Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 Nothing personal. I just had reached the same conclusion before, that EJ was a slow starter, and also that he did better under pressure, even though I hadn't looked at any stats. Today I looked, and saw some evidence to support my opinion in the stats. I also thought he got better as the year went on, but did not see that in the stats: - In September he completed 56.9% of his passes for a 6.59 yard/attempt average, with 5 TDs, 3 INTs - In December he completed 59.6% of his passes for a 6.60 yard/attempt average, with 3 TDs, 5 INTs Can call it cherry picking if you want but those December stats, 4 ints came in 1 very bad game so I don't think you are off about him getting better as the season went on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockinon Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 Will not argue his stats look better in the 2nd & 4th qtrs. Although I attribute this more to Hackett trying to establish the run and throwing on obvious passing downs in the 1st & 3rd. Games tend to open up more in the 2nd & 4th qtrs as the demands of the game - ie score dictates what plays a team runs. It's not the play calling when you see EJ throw his first few passes. They are almost always WTF moments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buftex Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 As bowry4 pointed out, those old enough to watch Jim Kelly in his prime, will likely recall that he had a tendency to look rusty early in games....sometimes the players just have to "feel the game" to find their groove. Lost in all the "EJ sucks" hype, which gained so much momentum this off season, is that, in an albeit small sample size, he did play well in close finishing games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3rdand12 Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 (edited) I brought this up for a reason. He is slow to start, then removed from the game. We may not have enough information to properly evaluate EJ Manuel this preseason I think it is something he needs to over come House. Consider it his persoanl challenge. Coach Hackett doesnt want tobabysit plays till he "is feeling it ". Throw it deep the first series. Goodwin then graham Edited August 23, 2014 by 3rdand12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FluffHead Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 @JasonPhilCole: #Bills coach Doug Marrone was told by several staffers, players at end of 2013 that QB EJ Manuel wasn't good enough. Preseason is troubling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBillsMagic1 Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 Watch Bortles throw or Geno Smith laser the ball, then watch EJ and you tell me what u see... Watch how long it takes the ball to get to receivers on throws out wide...Watch the innacuracy over the middle..mediocre at best.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
26CornerBlitz Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 @BuffRumblings From @NickelCityBills, EJ Manuel actually does get better as the game progresses. http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2014/8/25/6066455/afc-east-net-yards-per-attempt-by-attempt-number … Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nonprophet Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 Posted Today, 08:08 AM I have watched every game of his pro career and about 10 College games. There seems to be a pattern here..... Correct me if I am wrong but the guy appears off target in almost every first quarter played, then settles down and plays better. Its maddening to watch sometimes, It has to be driving Doug Marrone crazy Has anyone else noticed this ? The Bills plan to have him play a quarter of Madden before each game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsswansonjr Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 The Bills plan to have him play a quarter of Madden before each game. I doubt that 1 quarter of Madden would be enough!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnerBill Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 It seems clear that the 1st quarter has been an issue for him. I do think at times that is all on EJ, but the art of coaching is finding things that fit your guys. Hackett has to find a way of getting EJ into the groove early, at times he has prioritised establishing the run to the detriment of EJ Manuel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlin Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 Maybe he should adopt a pre-game warm-up ritual like Peyton Manning, who is on the field 2-3 hours before even any fans are allowed in the stadium, and runs the complete "route tree" with each of his receivers. So by the time the game actually starts, he's already thrown more passes than he typically would in an entire quarter. Sure seems to work for him! ;-) GO BILLS! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jester43 Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 I read he had "slow eyes" coming out FSU. Whoever wrote that was right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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