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EJ Manuel's Lack of Connection with the Buffalo Community


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Yeah, sucks that EJ bought a townhouse next to the stadium so he could max his study and workout time and minimize travel, instead of a slick downtown bachelor pad

http://forums.twobillsdrive.com/topic/171125-ej-manuel-and-titan-dog/?p=3262104

funny observation on that thread - it was so positive in the comments. Ej was 2-0 at the time that thread started. The last post was on 9/20. The day before the SD game. It was all downhill from there I guess.
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The most played out thing on here (still) is the Buffalo inferiority complex. The city is in the midst of a renaissance and this team is a microcosm of that. Some people can't let go of the "woe is me" BS that plagued WNY for generations. Have some pride and understand that we are good enough. Let's not feed the stereotypes with our insecurities.

I try to have more pride, but then you go insulting our women folk!

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funny observation on that thread - it was so positive in the comments. Ej was 2-0 at the time that thread started. The last post was on 9/20. The day before the SD game. It was all downhill from there I guess.

All it took was for one team to figure out that stunts/twists could beat our Oline every time.

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This is not a post about whether he has the skills or has improved enough to be the starting QB for the Bills. This is a post about EJ's complete lack of sticking around Buffalo to show he is the true leader of not only the team but of the Bills community. In Buffalo, the Bills mean everything and you can see how Jim Kelly really became the leader not only on the field but by his connection to the fan base. I don't see it in Manuel. He takes vacations for long periods of time and is barely here on the offseason. How often are EJ sightings in WNY seen in the offseason outside of scheduled practices? Rarely. LA and NYC, Florida State sightings? Quite often in the offseason. He always posts about Florida State and is down there as much as he can be. He's always connecting with the Florida State fanbase, and never energizes Bills fans about how he is ready to take this team to the playoffs.

 

I am not an EJ basher. I think he is a hardworking and humble great athlete with a great character. It remains to be seen whether or not he has taken his game to the next level, but I think with the new QB coach and the private QB coaching he has received on the offseason, there is a great possibility that we will see a refined EJ on the field next season.

 

My only issue is the fact that he rarely says the things starting QBs need to say or expresses his happiness to be in Buffalo. I realize the city is lacking a bit, but a franchise QB is supposed to keep any feelings of negativity quiet and blatantly lie about his excitement to be in whichever town he is in, if need be. EJ lacks the fiery passion for the Bills fanbase and I really just don't get that feeling he is realizing what an honor it is to be the face of a franchise in a sports town like Buffalo, or at the very least realizing that no matter what his true feelings are, he better talk as if he is honored and proud. I am not saying that he shouldn't travel a lot or that he should forget his college alma mater, but he should make it quite obvious his first priority besides family, honing his QB skills and connecting with teammates, is energizing the fanbase and proving to Bills fans that he wants to be here and become franchise QB that is a leader also in the WNY community. Rex Ryan has done it successfully and has restored faith, confidence, and pride in this Bills fanbase again.

I think its silly to fret over a little thing like this when EJ's visor and body language on the sideline make him incapable of leading even a lowly pop warner football team let alone a professional sports franchise and community.

Edited by Jauronimo
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I have seen EJ around town a few times in the offseason. After he was drafted my ex and I met him at the galleria and talked to him for a little bit. Saw him walking up main street down town last year and I want to say at a sabres game(may be wrong. A lot of bills players go to sabres games. See Gilmore there fairly often)

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In fairness, he doesn't even know if he'll be on the team next year. Fitz and Losman both did it and were gone within 2 years.

 

If he gets the reins and we commit to him, then get back to me

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The most played out thing on here (still) is the Buffalo inferiority complex. The city is in the midst of a renaissance and this team is a microcosm of that. Some people can't let go of the "woe is me" BS that plagued WNY for generations. Have some pride and understand that we are good enough. Let's not feed the stereotypes with our insecurities.

Yeah, but the weather still blows most of the year, why would a florida guy want to spend jan, feb mar april may.... in crappy weather. If he wins, he could live in New England for all I care.

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Yeah, but the weather still blows most of the year, why would a florida guy want to spend jan, feb mar april may.... in crappy weather. If he wins, he could live in New England for all I care.

That's the point. It isn't about him disrespecting the community. It's about him preferring to be closer to his family. Lots of athletes leave in the offseason. When it comes to Buffalo there is always this undertone that "guys aren't here because they don't like the area." That is not necessarily the case.
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JP was a great community guy. Used to participate in community clean up programs, as I recall.

 

Didn't help him on the field.

I was referring that in my thread. He did this once and then bailed once he wasn't the starter. He was very overrated as a community guy.

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