RuntheDamnBall

If the operator's story (which should be very much called into question) is true that was the result of mechanical failure. But you're right. That would be a wicked turn at 50 MPH let alone 82.

It is the hardest thing in the world to just say we don't have all the information that we need and that this will take some time. People also need constant reminding that the plan was for EJ to win the job against a rank-and-file NFL veteran, not to obtain the position by default. I liked Geno, but my dad and I - both fans of his college career - agreed that the NYJ was the ABSOLUTE WORST situation for him to be in. I think if he had been drafted by a strong organization like the Ravens or even the Pats he could have ended up with a killer career. As it stands he faces a very uphill battle in that he has to defeat not just an opponent on a weekly basis, but also the NY media, while keeping the dogs at bay within his clown college of an organization. He is in a very poor place to learn the ropes of the NFL, and with Sanchez hurt he had zero opportunity to sit back and watch.

You don't pay for your past mistakes in the draft. Allen has had a great career but is ancient. Orakpo will cost way more than this team should spend on him. Olson -- intriguing.

Not until at least the second date.

I'd throw in the towel on the Bills or whatever they became, and maybe take a very dispassionate interest in the Giants since I'm in NYC. There is too little time to waste on a league that seems to prioritize money and TV ratings above all else. The Bills are the only thing keeping me in it. When was the last time you saw anything as exciting as what happened this past Saturday in Auburn in the NFL? The Giants' SB win over the Pats, maybe?

Deacon Blues - They got a name for the winners in the world... I want a name when I lose. The next line is about how one feels after a loss, as well.

It seems like that puts you in another good position to trade down and collect more picks while getting the guy you want at either of those positions, no? Vernon Davis was a top-10 pick, though, just to cite an outlier. You don't know that you've chosen the right QB until he's been given time to learn the position in the NFL. A precious few guys are NFL ready off the bat. Some have great success to start based on certain natural gifts and a good surrounding cast -- then have a tougher time when they are game-planned for. Others sit for a year or two. By the way, Colin K seems to fall into both of the last two categories -- he has been up and down this season. This is about where EJ fans start feeling like you're insulting Manuel. You can't possibly evaluate his ceiling at this point, can you? If so, how? Or you could think of it as a waste of a draft pick unless a generational talent is there at your pick. This team's needs are many, and while Manuel put his team in a position to win yesterday, the knives come out after every loss. In reference to your other stat, that 30% chance has led to some of the best QBs we've ever seen, so I just am not sure of the meaning of the statistic. How good are the chances for top 5?

Then he's just a decoy and defenses will pick up on this, no? If he's wide open and not being thrown to with a chance to win it all, there'll be all sorts of second-guessing, probably from the same crew who don't trust him to begin with (and I'll be honest and count myself among that crew).

Really tough to gauge anything from this list. I'll wager 20-30 of these 50 guys will re-sign with their current teams before FA or be tagged.

If we burn him, do his ashes still count against the cap?

I like this thinking and will accept his first round picks in 2014 and 2015.

Thing is, if we think he has issues... what opposing GM isn't going to identify them as well?

Please, stop getting the point.

OH HAI have a look at #1 overall pick Matthew Stafford's rookie year, mon frere. Let me remind you that Stafford had Calvin Johnson to throw to. http://www.nfl.com/player/matthewstafford/79860/profile Once you're done, stop the crusade. Please. What Manuel has shown is that he is a rookie. A rookie who makes mistakes like a rookie. A rookie who has talent and displays it sometimes. A rookie who put his team in FG range for the win yesterday, which, if they had capitalized upon it, would make this tired "Manuel hasn't done anything to disprove the naysayers" bit moot for this week. Luckily, they lost and clunky calculations get to live on in the public mind here. Jeeezum crow. Manuel has much to prove. But he does not need to prove that he deserves to continue his growth path in the NFL.

Rookies gonna rookie. He made a big play earlier; he certainly can get better.

F---sakes, do you mean that the solution of a robot-made defense has been staring us in the face all this time, and we've simply never seized upon the idea? Damn.

How about crack-wings? Now there is a product that the Toronto-Buffalo region could run away with.

Bridgewater won't be there at #9. If the Bills lose out and Manuel looks terrible, sure, let's entertain this idea. If he plays as he has been, and the team plays as it has been, I expect 6-10 or 7-9, which is really out of range for a premier QB prospect, and also suggests that Manuel hasn't been the reason for the lack of success. I think this regime knew what it was getting, was hoping EJ could win the job from Kolb over the course of the season - not awarded it by default - and is prepared to be patient but demanding with EJ.

For me it's that what makes him great in college is unlikely to translate to a much faster pro game with more sophisticated and talented defenses.

He put the team in a position to win, probably twice, at the end of the game when it matters. Argue all you want, but it's true. Drafting another first round QB takes away the chance to add a critical weapon at TE or a guy who could help shore up the run D at LB. I see no reason to do this. Drafting a promising third rounder who slipped a la Glennon? Sure, why not. Using your best piece on a QB when you have a guy who gives you a chance to win? Preposterous.

You see, but he *almost* turned the ball over and they didn't win, somethingsomethingaboutstatistics, or so the argument goes.

I'm of two minds about it. I think everyone wants him to own up to it (and rightly so) but football players do have to turn the page and move on to the next opponent, even if that means facing another week where there is probably little to play for. That said, I want this team to believe it can go 8-8 and give it everything they've got. The rest of this season is about seeing if this team still buys into Marrone, if he can keep them on an even keel, and if EJ can develop some more. Nobody has a lockdown on their roster spot, and they should be gently reminded of that fact based on how they play from here on out.

Aha. I miss my old glasses.

I have a tough time understanding why we our need for a QB is greater than the need for a TE. Could you explain that one?

I think my point at the end of the day is that EJ has done nothing to deserve scrutiny based on rookie play. Can he get better? Of course. By orders of magnitude, even. Has he shown enough in the clutch for me to have reasonable hope that he will? For me, yes.