2013 NFL DRAFT

deise_boi wrote: »

Nice post Paully, but I really have to take you up on this :pac: Maybe it's because I'm wearing my Bills hat, but I think its a bit premature to be labelling the Manuel pick as a monstrosity! I'm impressed by how they approached the situation - they needed to trade down and gain extra picks, which they did. they then had their pick of the QBs left in play, and took their guy. Job done. Plan executed. Along with that they were able to deny a quality WR prospect in Tavon Austin from going to the Jets and haunting us for years to come :P

As for Manuel, I'm not sure if he'll be the next JP Losman or the next Jim Kelly for us, but what I do know is that Nix, Marrone & Hackett handpicked the biggest, most athletic and arguably strongest-armed QB in this years class. His quick release should allow him to execute the new WCO at a very high level, while his legs will allow for the threat of the read option (until that eventually gets figured out). He's definitely not without his faults, but obviously few QBs coming out are. He's not as pro-ready as the others, was inconsistent across games and his mechanics are a bit off, but he should be able to sit behind Kolb/Jackson if the coaches feel he needs time to develop. Though I'd rather they didn't throw him to the wolves straight away, if he does similar to Wilson in camp last year then I have faith that he can take over the offense - he's a leader.

I just think it's refreshing that the front office identified their man, stuck to their plan and pulled the trigger before any others could (I believe that the Eagles were very high on him). It's just a little bit OTT to say the pick was so horrific they were able to add much needed picks and still get their target. Time will tell I suppose!

Yeah to be fair it was hyperbole on my part to call the pick a monstrosity before he has even thrown a ball for the Bills, so apologies for that, but I just really don't like the pick.

No complaints on the draft plan at all, in fact it was executed very well, but I just shook my head when they'd done the hard work of trading down to get the extra picks with quite a decent trade, only to pick Manuel.

He's a terrific athlete, but in the NFL that just doesn't cut it like it does in college. I think it says all about this QB class that he is ranked as one of the better guys. I'd have put him down as very much a project QB worthy of around a 4th round pick. In the interest of fairness I will say that I do like his arm too.

Some things I don't like about his play/prospects; if he doesn't like what he sees from his #1 target he just runs, he may often only get tight windows on his 2nd or 3rd target in the NFL and I'm not sure he'll be good enough to complete those passes. He'll have to basically learn how to play a pro-style offense due to his college offense being so basic. He played average football against a lot of good defenses in college with most of his better performances coming against poor defenses. From what I've seen I also don't think he's good at reading defenses and defensive co-ordinators will absolutely pounce on this.

I'm of the opinion that if you draft someone in the first round that you should get some sort of production straight away unless they are sitting and learning from a top player at the position. At the current time, Manuel is, in my opinion, just not near good enough to start in the NFL. He seems a nice guy and I actually hope he does well but I think with this pick the Bills will eventually end up with a player who frustrated more than anything else and was ultimately not a QB good enough to lead a franchise, which is what you want when you take a QB in the first round of the draft.

As you say, time will tell