metzelaars_lives

This is fair too.

At least you have the balls to make a prediction. The rest of the EJ dreamers keep saying "14 games" and "we just don't know yet." I will bet you he doesn't get a chance to play enough games to reach 21 touchdowns as he will either not win the starting job or get replaced again. That's my prediction. I hope you're right.

Did your friends watch the Chargers and Texans games? I'm not enjoying nor even advocating they give up on EJ. I think what's happening in these threads is that the EJ dreamers are a little guilty of liking him because he's on the Bills (ie. making fun of every QB that gets mentioned when many of them have in fact shown more promise than Manuel). Say what you want about Josh McCown- I did not want the Bills to sign him and am thrilled they did not- but do you really believe Manuel will ever put together a stretch where he throws for 13 TD's and 1 INT? I don't. Matt Cassel. Ha ha ha. I certainly don't want them to sign him either. But he has made the Pro Bowl and had a GREAT season with the Chiefs in 2010. Do you think Manuel will ever throw for 27 TD's and 7 INT's in a full season and lead his team to the playoffs? I don't. But admittedly, the EJ detractors are probably a little guilty of liking other QB's because they're NOT on the Bills. The bottom line is that EJ is going to get one more chance and one side is going to be able to say I told you so. I would be shocked if he develops into a franchise QB but nothing would make me happier if he did. Do you know what I think is possible? That he plays the game manager role like he did against Chicago last year and we go 10-6 with him at the helm. But unfortunately I think that's his ceiling.

I disagree with the statement that there is no middle ground. I believe there is lots of middle ground and that is exactly where EJ stands. I think the jury is still out on whether or not Manuel develops into a starting caliber QB in the NFL. All I have said is that I find it unlikely that he does based on what I've seen and I really think that when they bring in a veteran FA (and there will be snickering whoever it is) that that player is likely to beat out Manuel for the job in camp. Do you see where I'm coming from? Not once have I said that the book is shut on Manuel. But that being said, if Ryan & co. were to watch enough film of him and make up their minds that it's not happening for Manuel, I would certainly respect their decision. I don't think that's going to happen however. I think he will get a shot. I just don't think he'll win the job. That's all. So does this make me a "hater?"

Hmm. Not sure what Falcons fans were thinking after Brett Favre attempted 4 passes for them his rookie year but in his second year after he got traded to Green Bay, he was awesome in his second ever appearance against Cincinnati and he started every game thereafter for the duration of his career with Green Bay. In fact in 13 games that season, he was 8-5 for a middling Green Bay team and put up way better numbers than Manuel has through his first 14 games 20+ years ago when QB numbers were not nearly as inflated as they are now. So in other words, Brett Favre was a really bad example.

That's exactly how I would have it.

The other free agent they sign or QB they draft and/or Manziel. I highly doubt they said to him in negotiations, "you're the starter dude, don't worry about a thing. Eat whatever you want this offseason and the job will be waiting for you come September." If Andrew Luck looks amiss in preseason he will still be the starter in week 1. If McCown gets outplayed by whatever other bodies are in camp this summer, he will not be the starter. That being said, I can't believe the contract he got. I am thrilled the Bills did not sign him.

As if Manuel isn't a wildcard. The EJ dreamers love the unknown when it comes to Manuel; that's really all they have to hold onto. Manziel has way more unknown in him. Manziel looked like a deer in headlights in his first NFL start. Manuel looked like a deer in headlights in his 13th and 14th. You tell me. All this being said, I am done arguing for one day. I am glad McCown signed with Cleveland. As I have stated in this very thread, I still think they make a play for a legitimate starter (Bradford or Foles) and if not, I'd rather they sign Locker, Daniel or Kellen Moore anyway. Now I will go out into the night and like everyone and everything I come across, lest I be labeled a "hater."

Yeah and I'm sure what the two teams offered him contract-wise was a non-factor in McCown's decision. I really think you're trolling on this one. You don't really believe that McCown went to a team with vastly inferior offensive weapons and an inferior defense because he was scared to compete with EJ Manuel, do you? And I am so sick of being labeled an EJ "hater." If you saw a movie tonight that you didn't think was very good, would you like it if I started yelling at you and calling you a hater? I just don't think he's going to make it. I consider myself to be an astute football fan and as I've mentioned tirelessly throughout this post, I would be shocked if he is a starting QB in the NFL week 1 three years from now. I'm not sure what the EJ supporters are seeing in his game that would lead them to believe otherwise. Is it possible? Yes, stranger things have happened but I believe it to be highly doubtful. Can we agree to disagree? But either way you dice it, to go around parading on here like the pro-EJ camp just scored some victory because Cade McNown or whoever signed with the Browns should be embarrassing for you I would think. EDIT: and also he will have competition in Cleveland too.

Dude would you stop drawing inferences about this that have anything to do with EJ? The Bills were interested, the Browns outbid the Bills and the Bills said no thanks, we'll find someone else. You do realize they're going to just bring in a different veteran instead and we get to have this same conversation all over again, right? And your suggestion that McCown was scared to come in and compete with Manuel is utterly preposterous- so much so that I do think you're trolling on that one.

And the grasping at straws award of the year goes to...

I wouldn't disagree with this sentiment. However I would hope that bills fan 4 ever and the rest of the EJ dreamers out there would entrust the new coaching staff with looking at game footage of Manuel and if they decide that the verdict is in, they've seen enough and it's simply not happening for him, that they would respect that choice as well. It is not far-fetched for someone to reach that conclusion. Personally I think the whole Leroi thing is BS and he will not get cut and will be given one more chance to prove himself. I just don't think he will be able to win the job.

Exactly.

Geez then how did you feel after watching EJ against San Diego and Houston last year? Definitely? EJ Manuel is "definitely" a better option than Sam Bradford? If you polled non-Buffalo Bills fans across the country and asked them who they felt is a better option at QB- EJ Manuel or Sam Bradford, I think the results might surprise you a little bit.

I honestly believe that the Bills will make a play for a Foles, Cousins or maybe even Bradford and it will not be Manuel or one of the garbage free agents. Or they are in love with one of the second tier QB's in the draft and they will take them at 50 and have them battle it out with McCown. I believe this because I truly think Pegula is looking to make a splash and that they have a grander plan.

That's a fair response.

But will he? Look at Tannehill's numbers. They might surprise you. I would be shocked if Manuel ever put up the kind of numbers Tannehill has the last few seasons.

Why is it always some sort of conspiracy. Bills fan 4 ever, I am asking you right here, right now, point blank: Do you think that three years from now, EJ Manuel is going to be starting for an NFL team on opening weekend? Yes or no. My vote would be no. And that does not mean that I think Josh McCown is "awesome" either. And to support the OP, I am not saying it's impossible, but if I had to guess yes or no, my guess would be no. your turn.

Oh my God, I couldn't even imagine debating politics with you. I cannot believe that 39% of you in your heart of hearts believe that EJ Manuel is going to be a franchise QB in the NFL. I'd imagine if the poll asked the same question about, say Geno Smith for example, those same results would be closer to 0%. It's like EJ is your kid and he's always getting in trouble in school but it's always the other kids' fault. I'd imagine if the question was, "if $1 million was at stake and you had to predict whether or not EJ Manuel was starting for an NFL team three years from now on opening weekend" or "if your life was at stake and you would get turned over to ISIS if you were wrong..." then that percentage would likewise be much lower.

Not sure about that. Edwards was a 3rd round pick, showed much more promise through his first 14 games or so yet people were not necessarily sold on him being the franchise QB.

Couldn't have put it any better myself.

Yo. Not to open up a whole nother can of worms but I just happened to see that in that other McCown thread that was closed you said that I have by my comments insinuated that I believe Josh McCown to be "awesome." Do you not understand that there exists a gap somewhere between "could probably beat out EJ Manuel for a starting job" and "awesome?" It is a gap that almost every QB in the NFL exists in. So for the record, of course I do not think McCown is awesome. In fact, I'd rather they take a flyer on a guy like Locker, Kellen Moore or Chase Daniel.

Nope, no one says he's awesome. The best anyone says is that he would be good competition for Manuel. In fact I'm going to go out on a limb and say that no one in the entire world has referred to Josh McCown as awesome since he left Chicago. I'm sure a few Bears fans called him awesome in 2013 though. He kinda was.

Can you please post a link to where someone says how awesome Josh McCown is? Thanks.

No I just couldn't believe you used the acronym "LY" to refer to last year. I almost feel like it takes longer to type LY than last year on account of having to reach for the shift key to capitalize LY.