Ha, just saw the "Bills pep rally" on the news. About 26 people came. An event at Canalside with beer on possibly the nicest weather evening of the summer and that's what they got. I don't think Bills management could be doing a worse job.
- Buffalo-Sabres

Give EJ 2 more seasons to see if he can turn it around or should we make it 3 more?

Give EJ 2 more seasons to see if he can turn it around or should we make it 3 more?
- SABRES 89

Whether it's the right move or wrong move, EJ Manuel has this season to prove that he's capable of being a starter, and that's it. The new ownership, whether it's Pegula or Team Canada, isn't going to sit and hope a guy, whose draft position was a major reach to begin with, pans out. If Manuel doesn't look like a winning quarterback this year, the Bills will cut ties, as they will with Marrone and most likely Whaley as well.

I understand not being completely down on the guy, and perhaps the coaching could be a bit better, but at the end of the day, I think it's excuse making for a mediocre quarterback and that's it. Yes, he doesn't have the greatest supporting cast, but when he was at Florida State, he had a cast that, on most weekends, was far and away the more talented, more athletic, and better coached squad. He almost always came up short when it mattered the most. The thing that alarms me about him is that he's never proven himself to be a winner on the big stage in college. You can dismiss that with some, though very few quarterbacks, but not one who had offensive play-makers like Florida State ends up with year in and year out. Underachievement like that only tends to magnify itself at the NFL where the playing field is leveled and sometimes even tilted in the wrong direction. It's the cliched "it" factor, but it is real, and it's something that's rarely acquired after college and in the NFL.

Whether it's the right move or wrong move, EJ Manuel has this season to prove that he's capable of being a starter, and that's it. The new ownership, whether it's Pegula or Team Canada, isn't going to sit and hope a guy, whose draft position was a major reach to begin with, pans out. If Manuel doesn't look like a winning quarterback this year, the Bills will cut ties, as they will with Marrone and most likely Whaley as well.

I understand not being completely down on the guy, and perhaps the coaching could be a bit better, but at the end of the day, I think it's excuse making for a mediocre quarterback and that's it. Yes, he doesn't have the greatest supporting cast, but when he was at Florida State, he had a cast that, on most weekends, was far and away the more talented, more athletic, and better coached squad. He almost always came up short when it mattered the most. The thing that alarms me about him is that he's never proven himself to be a winner on the big stage in college. You can dismiss that with some, though very few quarterbacks, but not one who had offensive play-makers like Florida State ends up with year in and year out. Underachievement like that only tends to magnify itself at the NFL where the playing field is leveled and sometimes even tilted in the wrong direction. It's the cliched "it" factor, but it is real, and it's something that's rarely acquired after college and in the NFL.
- buffalofan19

"Florida State entered the Gator Bowl 6-6 and in serious danger of letting legendary coach Bobby Bowden leave with a losing record. Manuel led Florida State to a 33-21 victory over the West Virginia Mountaineers and won the Gator Bowl MVP honors."

Freshman season, MVP of bowl game, does that not count?

"Manuel started twice in the 2010 season for Christian Ponder, who battled a nagging forearm injury. In his first start against Clemson, he picked up 71 yards on 15 carries.[8] He also led the Seminoles to a victory in the 2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl against South Carolina when Christian Ponder was injured in the second quarter of the game."

Sophomore season, another bowl victory


In the 2011 season, EJ Manuel played in every game besides the loss at Clemson after injuring his shoulder in a loss against Oklahoma the previous week. He finished the season with 2,666 yards passing on a 65% completion rate. He also finished with 18 passing touchdowns, 4 rushing touchdowns, and 8 interceptions. He helped lead the Seminoles to a comeback win against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Champs Sports Bowl by throwing for 249 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Junior season......another bowl victory


Where is the guy that can't get it done when it matters? Or is this another made up narrative? He was 4-0 in bowl games

" Manuel became the second collegiate quarterback to win four straight bowl games. The first one being Pat White of West Virginia."

Can't get it done when it matters

Give EJ 2 more seasons to see if he can turn it around or should we make it 3 more?
- SABRES 89

6

" Manuel became the second collegiate quarterback to win four straight bowl games. The first one being Pat White of West Virginia."

Can't get it done when it matters
- sbroads24

He can win all the crappy bowl games he wants. EJ still sucks

He can win all the crappy bowl games he wants. EJ still sucks
- Cheeseballin

Sure maybe he does. But that doesn't mean we should make up things out of thin air to criticize him about. Dude has played 10 NFL games

"Florida State entered the Gator Bowl 6-6 and in serious danger of letting legendary coach Bobby Bowden leave with a losing record. Manuel led Florida State to a 33-21 victory over the West Virginia Mountaineers and won the Gator Bowl MVP honors."

Freshman season, MVP of bowl game, does that not count?

"Manuel started twice in the 2010 season for Christian Ponder, who battled a nagging forearm injury. In his first start against Clemson, he picked up 71 yards on 15 carries.
- sbroads24[8] He also led the Seminoles to a victory in the 2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl against South Carolina when Christian Ponder was injured in the second quarter of the game."

Sophomore season, another bowl victory


In the 2011 season, EJ Manuel played in every game besides the loss at Clemson after injuring his shoulder in a loss against Oklahoma the previous week. He finished the season with 2,666 yards passing on a 65% completion rate. He also finished with 18 passing touchdowns, 4 rushing touchdowns, and 8 interceptions. He helped lead the Seminoles to a comeback win against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Champs Sports Bowl by throwing for 249 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Junior season......another bowl victory


Where is the guy that can't get it done when it matters? Or is this another made up narrative? He was 4-0 in bowl games

Damn Danny Wuerffel got it done in college too. Matt leinert ditto. Manuel is inaccurate he'll never be elite becuz of that.

Sure maybe he does. But that doesn't mean we should make up things out of thin air to criticize him about. Dude has played 10 NFL games
- sbroads24

It took a handful of years for brees to become "the" guy. Buffalo fans would have wanted to see him run outta town after his second year.

" Manuel became the second collegiate quarterback to win four straight bowl games. The first one being Pat White of West Virginia."

Can't get it done when it matters
- sbroads24

A) Facts have no place here.

b) stop trying to confuse us with all this truth.

C) the Bills should hope that Manuel's career turns out as glorious as Pat white's.

I believe EJ will get this seasons 16 games to demonstrate he is progressing and can be a decent QB...top 5 not so much...but certainly needs to show he can be above average.
In listening to the interviews of players, coaches and EJ..I think the Bills "brain trust" ( ) wants to see him make the right choices...read the coverage and consistently go to the right guy... I.e. "go through his progressions" properly. That is the growth they are looking for this year.
That said, his accuracy is dismal at best so far... Which is caused by lack of proper technique ... Foot placement, squaring up, etc. I believe they think they can correct that over the next season or two...but they need to see him grow into a QB who understands who/where to go to first.
That is the only thing I can believe when I hear the coaches say he is improving greatly, or when EJ says his coaches toLd him "good job" after a 3-&-out series.
Else, nothing makes sense to me after the eyeball test we have seen this preseason.

So WGR has had a good question for fans....what do you as a fan consider a successful season for EJ ... Wins? Completion Percentage? Yards? TDs? Int's?

For me, it's mostly the eyeball test...does he look like he knows what he is doing back there...or is he Captain Checkdown -The Sequel? That coupled with say 3,000 yards and 24 TDs. Respectable numbers for a 2nd year QB. I don't mind INTs IF he is challenging the D by being aggressive and taking shots downfield. But the CONSTANT dump-offs to RBs tells me he is still completely lost and doesn't get it.

Your thoughts?

"Florida State entered the Gator Bowl 6-6 and in serious danger of letting legendary coach Bobby Bowden leave with a losing record. Manuel led Florida State to a 33-21 victory over the West Virginia Mountaineers and won the Gator Bowl MVP honors."

Freshman season, MVP of bowl game, does that not count?

"Manuel started twice in the 2010 season for Christian Ponder, who battled a nagging forearm injury. In his first start against Clemson, he picked up 71 yards on 15 carries.
- sbroads24[8] He also led the Seminoles to a victory in the 2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl against South Carolina when Christian Ponder was injured in the second quarter of the game."

Sophomore season, another bowl victory


In the 2011 season, EJ Manuel played in every game besides the loss at Clemson after injuring his shoulder in a loss against Oklahoma the previous week. He finished the season with 2,666 yards passing on a 65% completion rate. He also finished with 18 passing touchdowns, 4 rushing touchdowns, and 8 interceptions. He helped lead the Seminoles to a comeback win against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Champs Sports Bowl by throwing for 249 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Junior season......another bowl victory


Where is the guy that can't get it done when it matters? Or is this another made up narrative? He was 4-0 in bowl games

With the kind of roster he had at Florida State, there's no excuse for him not to get to a BCS game in his four years. No, I don't count four equivalents of the "whocares.com bowl" as "winning when it matters". Those bowls are glorified exhibition games.

So WGR has had a good question for fans....what do you as a fan consider a successful season for EJ ... Wins? Completion Percentage? Yards? TDs? Int's?

For me, it's mostly the eyeball test...does he look like he knows what he is doing back there...or is he Captain Checkdown -The Sequel? That coupled with say 3,000 yards and 24 TDs. Respectable numbers for a 2nd year QB. I don't mind INTs IF he is challenging the D by being aggressive and taking shots downfield. But the CONSTANT dump-offs to RBs tells me he is still completely lost and doesn't get it.

Your thoughts?
- IonSabres

All of the above. I want to see the Bills win, and win because of EJ Manuel, not lose or win in spite of him.

The cleaner response is if she had a father in her life, she would have amounted more than to have grubby old rich guys feeling her up.
- Buffalo-Sabres

oh my

All of the above. I want to see the Bills win, and win because of EJ Manuel, not lose or win in spite of him.
- buffalofan19

Sure, fair enough...but what is defined as "because of him"

"Florida State entered the Gator Bowl 6-6 and in serious danger of letting legendary coach Bobby Bowden leave with a losing record. Manuel led Florida State to a 33-21 victory over the West Virginia Mountaineers and won the Gator Bowl MVP honors."

Freshman season, MVP of bowl game, does that not count?

"Manuel started twice in the 2010 season for Christian Ponder, who battled a nagging forearm injury. In his first start against Clemson, he picked up 71 yards on 15 carries.
- sbroads24[8] He also led the Seminoles to a victory in the 2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl against South Carolina when Christian Ponder was injured in the second quarter of the game."

Sophomore season, another bowl victory


In the 2011 season, EJ Manuel played in every game besides the loss at Clemson after injuring his shoulder in a loss against Oklahoma the previous week. He finished the season with 2,666 yards passing on a 65% completion rate. He also finished with 18 passing touchdowns, 4 rushing touchdowns, and 8 interceptions. He helped lead the Seminoles to a comeback win against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Champs Sports Bowl by throwing for 249 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Junior season......another bowl victory


Where is the guy that can't get it done when it matters? Or is this another made up narrative? He was 4-0 in bowl games

I watch almost every FSU game

he has all the tools

I watch almost every FSU game

he has all the tools
- homiedclown

So when do we get to see him use them?
Everything you would want in a QB is there from reports...except accuracy...which we saw evidence of since he has been here. I'm not so sure that can be significantly improved to be among the top QBs in this league.

So when do we get to see him use them?
Everything you would want in a QB is there from reports...except accuracy...which we saw evidence of since he has been here. I'm not so sure that can be significantly improved to be among the top QBs in this league.
- IonSabres

Honestly, while I think EJ has his issues, I think the bigger problem here is Hackett. I have not been impressed one little bit with what we've seen this offense do since he's been here.

I think EJ's done a fair job given the terrible play calling that seemed to be the norm last year. If anything is holding EJ back, it's the coordinator, IMO. EJ is a smart enough guy that he shouldn't be lost out there. If he is, it's the fault of the OC.

I'm not saying that EJ is going to be an upper echelon QB, but I think he'd be capable of getting the Bills to the playoffs.

Honestly, while I think EJ has his issues, I think the bigger problem here is Hackett. I have not been impressed one little bit with what we've seen this offense do since he's been here.

I think EJ's done a fair job given the terrible play calling that seemed to be the norm last year. If anything is holding EJ back, it's the coordinator, IMO. EJ is a smart enough guy that he shouldn't be lost out there. If he is, it's the fault of the OC.

I'm not saying that EJ is going to be an upper echelon QB, but I think he'd be capable of getting the Bills to the playoffs.
- HonkFortheGoose

Or be a QB who doesn't screw-up his teammates chance of getting to the playoffs.
I hope I'm wrong but his lack of accuracy will be damning reason he doesn't rise to. Ecome even better than average., hovering around 60-62% completion rate with a substantial amount of Checkdown passes driving that rate.
Again, I would love nothing more that to be dead wrong.

I watch almost every FSU game

he has all the tools
- homiedclown

Hey is it not against Sabre forums rules to say something positive ! Watch your step !

Honestly, while I think EJ has his issues, I think the bigger problem here is Hackett. I have not been impressed one little bit with what we've seen this offense do since he's been here.

I think EJ's done a fair job given the terrible play calling that seemed to be the norm last year. If anything is holding EJ back, it's the coordinator, IMO. EJ is a smart enough guy that he shouldn't be lost out there. If he is, it's the fault of the OC.

I'm not saying that EJ is going to be an upper echelon QB, but I think he'd be capable of getting the Bills to the playoffs.
- HonkFortheGoose

That is my opinion . Hackett is the one not ready to be an NFL offensive coordinator . Marrone's loyalty is going to cost him his job

That is my opinion . Hackett is the one not ready to be an NFL offensive coordinator . Marrone's loyalty is going to cost him his job
- Maximum Signal

Ironically the guy he showed no loyalty to was Nassib, who doesn't look half bad. Coaches in this town always shoot themselves in the foot by over thinking things.

Ironically the guy he showed no loyalty to was Nassib, who doesn't look half bad. Coaches in this town always shoot themselves in the foot by over thinking things.
- Buffalo-Sabres

Loyalty has nothing to do with drafting . You take the best player available at the position you are looking to fill . EJ did look like a better physical specimen . You cannot compare to Nassib . One is playing against first stringers one only sees the field against backups . Having coached Nassib . I am sure he knew Nassib pretty well.

Loyalty has nothing to do with drafting . You take the best player available at the position you are looking to fill . EJ did look like a better physical specimen . You cannot compare to Nassib . One is playing against first stringers one only sees the field against backups . Having coached Nassib . I am sure he knew Nassib pretty well.
- Maximum Signal

You make it sound like they were drafting someone manufactured in a lab

And while I agree the comparison is off as in terms of competition, Im fairly certain that going into that draft weekend almost every nfl "expert" had Geno Smith and Ryan Nassib as 1-2 for QB's. I remember a lot of people being surprised with the pick.