RuntheDamnBall

Oh, good.

Have you noticed that absolutely no one is arguing that he was suddenly going to become a franchise QB at the NFL level, or is it too fun taking down a straw man?

Isn't his injury history pretty substantial?

Oh, believe me, I am all over the idea of a TE that can add that dimension to the offense.

i'm holding out for Skelton.

I think they need someone better. Woods could be a premier #2 receiver in this league but I am not sure he is the kind of #1 that helps take your team to the next level. That said, Calvin Johnson, Andre Johnson and AJ Green have been to zero Super Bowls, and Tom Brady and his cast of replacements have been to many, so getting EJ to put the ball in the right place with more regularity would seem to do a lot for these guys. It sure looks like Goodwin gets open just about all the time. Maybe I am talking myself into this scenario.

1) Replace Whaley 2) Replace replacement Whaley 3) Covert action to harvest Harbaugh stem cells 4) ????? 5) Hoist Lombardi Trophy

It's not so much that, it's the bench + getting great instruction along the way, and having time to focus almost solely on that. We know for a fact that EJ isn't working with the coach six days a week on his personal improvement schedule, because he has had to both rehab from injuries and prepare for each week's game plan. I can't say that EJ is a can't miss, but if he is willing to put in the time and max effort needed to improve, and the Bills make sure they have the best possible instructional environment set up for him from the moment the clock hits zero at Foxboro tomorrow, I think he has a good chance of being the QB we want him to be. You do want him to be that, don't you? Also, please don't bring up Jim Kelly without acknowledging his three years in the USFL. He did not arrive to the NFL a finished product and still made plenty of mistakes along the way, notwithstanding that seasoning.

I could point to tons of scouting examples of buzz around the guy... but it's not really worth arguing with someone who has their mind made up. A better comparison might be Rodgers, a guy that many agreed needed seasoning and was no sure thing. Rodgers got that opportunity to sit and learn from a TERRIFIC coach for QBs in Mike McCarthy, and to sit and watch Favre's highlights and lowlights, for three seasons. EJ has been thrown into the fire. I cannot imagine what Rodgers would have done in year one under Mike Sherman, but I'd imagine he'd have looked a lot more like Ryan Tannehill than a league MVP.

You guys are olllld. "Speed" was like 20 years ago.

I've always thought of it as a scouting term based specifically on the combination of production and measurables. As with ceiling and floor, they are not fixed ideas, but for example, you must surely believe that everyone knew that Peyton Manning had more upside than that of a QB leading a 1-15 team.

But people who are smart say that EJ is a fourth rounder, except for sometimes they're not smart and say that Aaron Maybin is going to be great.

Hopefully we could get somebody new and fire them sooner, starting the cycle of rebuilding towards success that much more quickly. Because Harbaugh.

Keep beating that drum.

They could definitely use a swing tackle / guy to compete with Pears, even though I like him. But I don't see Oher taking a backup tackle job or the (lack of) money that would entail. I think he is viewed as a mild disappointment in Bmore.

If Thad was a first rounder the fans would be pissed off as hell already for our having reached for a QB from Duke who hasn't produced at an exceptional level and whose physical traits are nothing remarkable for an NFL QB. I am not sure why anyone keeps going to this well. EJ has shown more upside and he had a higher draft position for it.

And if he answered truthfully, the bloviating masses would skewer Marrone for giving away his team's offseason strategy. There is a reason responses are canned, and honestly, Marrone is much more candid than some guys like Belicheck -- the master of the canned response.

Speak for yourself.

Very well stated.

This.

Also, let's not forget that the Bills scored a major coup in this draft by turning one top pick into Alonso and Manuel. Kiko alone has produced what we should expect of any first-rounder. If EJ develops, a scenario which EVERY BILLS FAN SHOULD HOPE FOR, this could be one of the best drafts they've ever had. Here's hoping.

It's tainted by the fact that I like his tools and maturity, and that he was the QB I wanted all along - while I did actually like Geno Smith. I think Smith went to the worst place possible for him. EJ was touted as a work in progress, a guy who would need seasoning. Ideally he was not going to be plan A at starting QB this year -- Kolb was, as bad of a plan A as that might have been. EJ was supposed to earn it in a real one-on-one. Now, if you suggest that some of us undervalue Thad Lewis or others because they don't come with pedigree, then you may be right about that. I still stand by the notion, based on the uneven results, that EJ can play in this league and his upside is that of a QB like Roethlisberger (similar physique, potential mobility, and perhaps better smarts in the long run). I expect a lot in year 2 from this guy and I may join the mob if he doesn't improve, but I'd like to see him get a full season of health and chances before I really evaluate him.

Hey now, we agree. Oh, I don't know. One of them has had knee injuries all year, and if you want to argue that Tuel has played as well as the other two, I suggest an eye exam. Why should we argue the value of zero? It's the surest thing there is.

By cherry picking.

EJ sucks, so we should have drafted someone else who sucks, because then he wouldn't suck.