BarleyNY

http://www.nfl.com/player/ejmanuel/2539228/gamelogs?season=2013 Here are his 2013 preseason stats, which were very good. He had a nice game in 2014 too. So, yeah, he has had some nice preseason games in all three seasons now.

EJ has looked good in preseason before, but it hasn't carried over. Maybe this year will be different, but I'm not sold. Tyrod hasn't gone through the that test yet. The regular season is a totally different situation than preseason - especially after teams get tape on a player. The last half of a season can look vastly different from the first half due to that. Defenses adjust and QBs also have to adjust. Some can, most can't. I'm good with Taylor getting his shot and I'm good with EJ getting another shot if Tyrod doesn't cut it or gets injured. All that Cassel gives a team is a QB with no mobility who can throw up to 15 yards downfield. He's an expensive back up at his salary so I can see the Bills dumping him or asking him to take a pay cut to be a mentor. He may very well be available to pick up mid season if he's let go and injuries mount. There is a ton of exuberance now, but while there are some things to love about the Bills I'm going to take preseason with a grain of salt.

Anyone hear why Dareus isn't playing tonight? I didn't hear of any injury. I'm a tad bit concerned since the Bills haven't been able to come to a contract agreement with him and sometimes teams hold a player out if they're in trade talks. Hopefully he's just getting a rest. Would appreciate any info anyone has though.

This.

It's plausible. If the team wants to part ways with EJ, then generating trade interest is the way to go due to his guaranteed contract. During the time the Bills and Browns were both after McCown I heard (from Browns sources) that the new Bills coaching staff was not at all happy with their QB corps from top to bottom. EJ would be all that's left of that now. Notably, Carrucci covered the Browns until recently.

I read all of the published texts between Incognito and Martin. There was no evidence of hazing or bullying in those. But Incognito still came off as a total scumbag and the fact remains that he has been kicked out of both college programs he was associated with and things have gone very badly with every NFL team he was on (except the partial season he was with the Bills who didn't re-sign him). He's been an awful person and trouble has followed him everywhere, but hopefully he can walk the straight and narrow for a season with the Bills.

I've been highly critical of the Bills QB situation and some contracts and long term cap issues I see on the horizon, but I think the Bills win this one. Indy is a great opener for the Bills. They are a hyped team with a young, high quality QB and some real talent at offensive skill positions. But their offensive line and entire defense have real issues and that makes it a very good match up for the Bills. They are weak where we need them to be weak and it'll be a matter of not letting Luck beat us through the air. Plus there is going to be some serious atmosphere in the stadium that day.

You have to like what TT has done in the preseason, but regular season games are a big step up from a few series in preseason - especially midway through the season after teams get some tape on him. He's earned a look though - and I have no faith in Cassel and little in EJ at this point - so why not give him his shot?

Exactly. That's not an "opt out" clause because those are player options. TT's contract automatically voids the 2017 year if conditions are met.

Tendon injuries are more likely to occur when steroids (and some other PEDs) are used. That's due to muscle growth outstripping what the tendons can handle. Injury to muscles can also happen when one group of muscles is worked hard and grows faster than other supporting muscles can keep up. (Think about a football player weight training on steroids, then moving on to football work where other muscles have to work together with the overdeveloped muscles. They are more vulnerable too.)

Difficult to argue with his three conclusions about the Bills, Seahawks and Iggles. FWIW I see the Bills sniffing the playoffs (my prediction was them getting the 6th playoff spot and losing in the first round), but without a legit NFL caliber QB they are no threat of winning it all. Notably, without that elusive quality QB it could go really, really wrong too. Here's hoping they catch lightning in a bottle with Tyrod, but that's just wishing right now.

How can someone honestly not care if Dareus is retained or not? Or think that players like him are easy to come by? Unreal. I have no idea of how to respond to such stupidity. He'd be a huge, huge loss to the Bills in the near term and the long term. Also, I stand by my assertion that spending like the Bills have on Clay and Shady might come back to haunt them when trying to retain players like Dareus, Glenn, etc. I hope I'm wrong about that, but I think it's likely.

I'm guessing Golden Tate, Jr. does since he's Golden Tate III.

How is Bridgewater's arm strength? That was always the knock on him. I sure saw him float passes that required a strong arm last season, but if he's improved to where that isn't a problem anymore he could be a stellar QB.

That's right! WTF is PFF talking about then? Oh, that explains it. Sorry.

Well, yeah, but the bigger issue is that Mariota looked terrible. Zach might be starting the season for the Oiltans. I suspect he's not available at this time - unless a team gets stupid. I don't want to be that team.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2014/08/09/refo-bills-panthers-pre-wk-1/ Notes from PFF. Nothing earthshattering or deserving of its own thread. Sammie caught some balls, Dareus is a monster, Chris Williams sucks and IK abused the backup he played against.

Why not? It's not like the team doesn't already know what they have in Cassel (and EJ).

True. Gilbert looks horrible, what a wasted pick. Problem is that he will be at the end of the bench for Cleveland in the regular season - if he's lucky. Yes. You primarily make him play from the pocket and beat you that way. You have your defense play to contain the run and him and go from there. Punish him if he runs and only go after him on obvious passing situations. Is that oversimplified? Sure, but it is what I'd do until he made me pay regularly. And if his passes weren't on the mark and he led his receivers into some hits, all the better. True. I'm not getting overly excited yet, but he's worth a shot based on what I have seen and expect from Cassel and EJ. Tyrod is really our only hope, as unsettling as that is.

He should get a do over. (Ahem)

Might as well give Taylor his shot against the 1s. The Bills need someone to step up. The real test will be when a team game plans for him though.

If the Bills do decide to part ways with EJ, then a trade for anything would be preferable to a cut due to his contract being fully guaranteed (although it does have offsets). I don't think we are to that point yet, but we might be soon.

I agree. You want a good, likable guy like EJ to succeed and be the face of your franchise. He's easy to root for, but at the end of the day he doesn't seem to have what's needed to be a good QB. It's a shame.

http://www.tomahawknation.com/2013/4/25/4264734/nfl-draft-2013-ej-manuel-next-level-florida-state The above is a pre-draft article about EJ that I remember reading in the lead up to the 2013 draft. It's a good read and what's said seems spot on thus far in his NFL career.

I want to see a game that: - Is injury-free - Has competent Bills QB play - Has decent OL play