Jump to content

EJ Manuel says benching with Bills sent him into depression


Recommended Posts

EJ Manuel appeared on a recent podcast with NFL analyst and former Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Ross Tucker and discussed his tenure in western New York at length.

 

After his appearance, it’s hard to argue that Manuel didn’t care. He clearly wanted to make the Bills’ selection of him in the first-round in 2013 worthwhile, instead of just going down as another quarterback on the list of those in the team’s drought that couldn’t get it done.

 

Now with the Oakland Raiders in a backup role, Manuel expressed to Tucker that he still believes he’s a starting-caliber quarterback in the NFL.

 

[con't]

 

Tucker: So wait a minute, you’re a first-round pick, and four games into your second year, only your second year, and they benched you?

 

Manuel: Yeah, and we were 2-2. I know, man. It’s….

 

Tucker: What did they say?

 

Manuel: Well, I remember the meeting I had with coach Marrone and he basically said he wanted me to learn from a veteran. And obviously that was never said to the media and people who say stuff and all that, but like I said, I live a life of gratitude. I can’t sit and worry about anything, it’s apart of my journey, you know?

 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/billswire.usatoday.com/2018/07/17/26306-ej-manuel-depression-buffalo-bills-oakland-raiders/amp/

 

 

Edited by Drunken Pygmy Goat
  • Thank you (+1) 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

....can't fault the kid's worth ethic and dedication to fulfilling his lifelong QB dream...no harm no foul there IMO.....but he suffered as many do, the inability to process the entire field in a scant 5 seconds or less.....I can't open a damn beer in 5 seconds or less......add in that he had ZERO confidence as well as being thrown to the wolves after "The Mat That Ate Brian Kolb"......maybe he sticks as a backup with Chuckie.....

  • Like (+1) 9
Link to comment
Share on other sites

He was a fourth round prospect drafted in the first round. His selection represented the mediocrity and failure of the organization under the aegis of Buddy Nix. Marrone didn't see him as a starting qb in this league. He was right. EJ is a good person with a good work ethic. He can carve out a long and lucrative career as as backup. 

 

I'm confident that this more competent regime will handle the rookie qb much differently than it was handled with EJ. Josh Allen shouldn't be thrown out onto the field until he has a chance to succeed at the position. 

  • Like (+1) 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 minutes ago, JPP said:

...ya beat me to it!

 

 

 

...the OBD list is LONG as far as it being the "Mecca Of QB Evaluation, Assessment & Development"....I'd bet Waste Management would decline pickup of 98.24% of their "candidates".............

  • Haha (+1) 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ej is a nice man.  I like him.  But -

 

being a QB in the NFL requires some true mental toughness.   Mental acuity and mental toughness.   You've got to have the heart and the guts to make tough decisions in virtually no time and then to execute.   Very few guys have it, and there's no shame if you don't.  

 

So I'm sorry to say, but I think it's true, that admitting he became depressed when he got benched is just his admission that he didn't have the heart and the toughness it takes to play the position.   Tyrod Taylor could have gotten depressed when he got benched.   He reacted differently.   He said all the right things (which EJ did, too) and then we went back to work.   He didn't let the benching change his attitude.  

 

As each year goes by, I'm more and more impressed at how tough players are in the NFL.   They take incredible physical and emotional beatings and come back for more as if nothing happened.   Taylor has that.  Manuel doesn't.  Edwards didn't.   Fitz does.   Being tough isn't all it takes, but if you aren't incredibly tough, you aren't surviving in the NFL.  

 

It's why it's such a brotherhood.   Those are all real mean in the locker room.  

  • Like (+1) 6
  • Thank you (+1) 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

" “When I got benched, man. My confidence took a huge hit, honestly. I was very upset. I was like, ‘Man, what is it that I’m not doing?’ And all this kind of stuff and I started to look at me first. I mean, I threw the ball 10 yards over the heads of my receivers, I threw the ball into the ground at my receivers feet. I couldn't get a first down to save my life, I took all sorts of sacks too but what more could I have done? Am I the only one that doesn't know I should be a starting QB in this league? It's so depressing!"

  • Haha (+1) 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

×
×
  • Create New...