Flip Johnson Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 First off, not defending EJ at this point. A great guy with catastrophic accuracy/footwork issues - I wish him all the best in Oakland. However, I think there are some lessons to be learned as we think about the future of the Bills at the QB position. - There has not been a consensus stud QB coming out of the draft since 2012 with Andrew Luck. I don't mean that there have not been good QBs (Winston, Mariota, Carr, probably Garoppolo), but all have come with faults and the NFL intelligence community has been divided on them. The college ranks are producing guys that need significant development. - This speaks to the need to have a coherent offensive philosophy and in-house coaching that has a realistic ability/track record to take a young QB from point A to point B. Everyone knew the Bills needed a QB in 2013, all the available QBs were project-type guys, EJ probably did have the best physical tools, but there was absolutely no reason to think that Marrone-Hackett had the capacity to mould a young QB. What a waste of a pick to put into the hands of those guys. The kid never looked better than his first two games. - Some fans talk like drafting 1st round QBs is a quick fix. There is no quick fix and we need an in-house infrastructure that can actually prove that it can develop a QB to a competent level. That is why I'm eager to see Cardale this summer - whatever his future ends up being. He is a moldable player that could demonstrate our current staff's ability to develop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Who Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 I really don't think anyone believes drafting a qb in the first round is a quick fix. Almost any drafted qb will need development and the kind of infrastructure you allude to. I have some hope for Cardale Jones, but I would still like to grab a qb early, though our needs at wr and cb may preclude that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillnutinHouston Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 There is no quick fix and we need an in-house infrastructure that can actually prove that it can develop a QB to a competent level. That is why I'm eager to see Cardale this summer - whatever his future ends up being. He is a moldable player that could demonstrate our current staff's ability to develop. Great post. The subject of player development rarely gets discussed but is one of the most important parts of an organization in my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Tom Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 I really don't think anyone believes drafting a qb in the first round is a quick fix. Except all the people who insist that we have to lose to draft a QB as high as possible. Which is an embarrassing number of people here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maury Ballstein Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 Search function !!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KellyToughII Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 First off, not defending EJ at this point. A great guy with catastrophic accuracy/footwork issues - I wish him all the best in Oakland. However, I think there are some lessons to be learned as we think about the future of the Bills at the QB position. - There has not been a consensus stud QB coming out of the draft since 2012 with Andrew Luck. I don't mean that there have not been good QBs (Winston, Mariota, Carr, probably Garoppolo), but all have come with faults and the NFL intelligence community has been divided on them. The college ranks are producing guys that need significant development. - This speaks to the need to have a coherent offensive philosophy and in-house coaching that has a realistic ability/track record to take a young QB from point A to point B. Everyone knew the Bills needed a QB in 2013, all the available QBs were project-type guys, EJ probably did have the best physical tools, but there was absolutely no reason to think that Marrone-Hackett had the capacity to mould a young QB. What a waste of a pick to put into the hands of those guys. The kid never looked better than his first two games. - Some fans talk like drafting 1st round QBs is a quick fix. There is no quick fix and we need an in-house infrastructure that can actually prove that it can develop a QB to a competent level. That is why I'm eager to see Cardale this summer - whatever his future ends up being. He is a moldable player that could demonstrate our current staff's ability to develop. My only thoughts are good riddance on ANOTHER Backup that the Bills tried to push on us as the next franchise Savior. We just gave another one a 2 year deal so we need to suffer through that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Tom Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 - This speaks to the need to have a coherent offensive philosophy and in-house coaching that has a realistic ability/track record to take a young QB from point A to point B. Everyone knew the Bills needed a QB in 2013, all the available QBs were project-type guys, EJ probably did have the best physical tools, but there was absolutely no reason to think that Marrone-Hackett had the capacity to mould a young QB. What a waste of a pick to put into the hands of those guys. The kid never looked better than his first two games. To further this point: Manuel's OCs were Hackett, Roman, and Lynn; and his QB coaches were Hackett, Downing, Lee, and Vrable. In four years. You're not developing any quarterback with that sort of coaching turnover, no matter where he's drafted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
transient Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 Great post. The subject of player development rarely gets discussed but is one of the most important parts of an organization in my opinion. Not speaking ill of Ralph, but I also think that it was the thing that suffered the most under his ownership. While he seemed to come around on spending money from time to time on the roster, he was loathe to spend on a coaching staff. Manuel, acknowledged as a project at the time he was drafted, spent the first two years in Buffalo WITHOUT a true QB coach. Makes you wonder what Kelly would have looked like if he had come straight to Buffalo instead of getting a little seasoning in the USFL. Pegula has shown he will spend money on a coaching staff. Let's hope this time it's the right coaching staff. It's withering as a fan to continue wondering time and time again how much of this never-ending winter has been related to poor drafting and how much of it has been due to lack of player development. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsfan_34 Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 First off, not defending EJ at this point. A great guy with catastrophic accuracy/footwork issues - I wish him all the best in Oakland. However, I think there are some lessons to be learned as we think about the future of the Bills at the QB position. - There has not been a consensus stud QB coming out of the draft since 2012 with Andrew Luck. I don't mean that there have not been good QBs (Winston, Mariota, Carr, probably Garoppolo), but all have come with faults and the NFL intelligence community has been divided on them. The college ranks are producing guys that need significant development. - This speaks to the need to have a coherent offensive philosophy and in-house coaching that has a realistic ability/track record to take a young QB from point A to point B. Everyone knew the Bills needed a QB in 2013, all the available QBs were project-type guys, EJ probably did have the best physical tools, but there was absolutely no reason to think that Marrone-Hackett had the capacity to mould a young QB. What a waste of a pick to put into the hands of those guys. The kid never looked better than his first two games. - Some fans talk like drafting 1st round QBs is a quick fix. There is no quick fix and we need an in-house infrastructure that can actually prove that it can develop a QB to a competent level. That is why I'm eager to see Cardale this summer - whatever his future ends up being. He is a moldable player that could demonstrate our current staff's ability to develop. Carr > Luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John from Riverside Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 I really don't think anyone believes drafting a qb in the first round is a quick fix. Almost any drafted qb will need development and the kind of infrastructure you allude to. I have some hope for Cardale Jones, but I would still like to grab a qb early, though our needs at wr and cb may preclude that. Dr Who will all do respect you are not looking at some of the posts on this board.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
26CornerBlitz Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 @TheBillsWire Entire 2013 NFL draft class for Bills is now gone: https://t.co/raU0jhTrIc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsVet Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 Something was wrong with Manuel when he declared in May 2013 that the playbook was easier than at FSU. http://miamiherald.typepad.com/florida-state/2013/05/ej-manuel-says-fsu-offense-harder-to-learn-than-buffalo-bills-.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Tom Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 @TheBillsWire Entire 2013 NFL draft class for Bills is now gone: https://t.co/raU0jhTrIc Even though Alonso is "gone," he was traded rather than released. So it's not like it was a wasted pick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
26CornerBlitz Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 Even though Alonso is "gone," he was traded rather than released. So it's not like it was a wasted pick. Good point as he yielded McCoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Who Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 Dr Who will all do respect you are not looking at some of the posts on this board.... It is possible I have simply inferred that folks realize development is a risky and necessary stage. Oh well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
transient Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 Something was wrong with Manuel when he declared in May 2013 that the playbook was easier than at FSU. http://miamiherald.typepad.com/florida-state/2013/05/ej-manuel-says-fsu-offense-harder-to-learn-than-buffalo-bills-.html Is it not possible that something was wrong with an NFL team that was trying to run the Syracuse offense? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tenhigh Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 I hope we don't overdraft ANY of this year's QBs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jauronimo Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 Things I will remember about EJ's time in Buffalo: His comeback against the Panthers in the home opener of his rookie season. His picture perfect handoffs to Fred Jackson. His beautiful touchdown pass to JJ Watt. His 7 TD performance against the Jaguars in London. I own 10,000 shares of EJMLL. Please share your fondest EJ memories. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlimShady'sSpaceForce Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 Please share your fondest EJ memories. His smile. His ability to entertain the masses good and bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoloinOhio Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 The time he "shushed" the crowd after scoring a TD. in a preseason game. In Cleveland. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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