Tag: EJ Manuel

Analyst weighs in on what type of impact he thinks Booth will make in Minnesota

This analyst, and former ACC and NFL quarterback, envisions former Clemson cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. making an instant impact for the Minnesota Vikings. ACC Network analyst EJ Manuel, who played at Florida State from 2009-12 and was a first-round …

This analyst, and former ACC and NFL quarterback, envisions former Clemson cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. making an instant impact for the Minnesota Vikings.

ACC Network analyst EJ Manuel, who played at Florida State from 2009-12 and was a first-round NFL Draft pick of the Buffalo Bills in 2013, weighed in on Booth being picked by the Vikings in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft last week.

“I think Andrew is going to be a day-one starter,” Manuel said during The Huddle: 2022 Draft Recap on ACCN.

“I mean, look, this is a guy that can really shut down an entire side of the field, and that’s what they want.”

Manuel believes Booth is capable of making an impact in the Vikings’ secondary similar to one of Manuel’s former FSU teammates, Xavier Rhodes — a three-time Pro Bowl cornerback and 2017 first-team All-Pro who was drafted by Minnesota in the first round (25th overall) of the 2013 draft.

“They drafted my teammate back when we came out in 2013 in Xavier Rhodes,” Manuel said. “Ended up being an All-Pro player, Pro Bowl-type player, and I think that Andrew Booth can have that same type of impact for the Minnesota Vikings.”

Projected by many to be a first-round pick, Booth slipped in the draft after not being able to work out at the NFL Scouting Combine and Clemson’s Pro Day following the sports hernia surgery that he underwent in March.

Although Booth fell out of the first round, Manuel thinks being picked in the second round is still a “sweet spot” for the 2021 first-team All-ACC selection.

“I thought he was a first-round-level talent,” Manuel said. “Of course, he had the injury throughout the draft process that didn’t allow him to go and compete in the 40 and all that kind of stuff that would have probably wowed some of the coaches and GMs. But I think this is a sweet spot for him. Going in the second round or in the third round, that’s not a bad place to go. I mean, of course it’s not as much up-front money. But if he plays well, which I think he will, early on in his career, that’ll give him a chance to get paid even sooner.”

Clemson Variety & Frame is doing their part to help bring you some classic new barware and help one of the local businesses that helps make Clemson special.

Order your Nick’s barware and do your part to help.  #SaveNicks

Former ACC QB on Clemson: ‘The dynasty is certainly not dead’

A former ACC quarterback and current analyst gave his thoughts on Clemson’s 48-27 victory over then-No. 10 Wake Forest last Saturday at Death Valley. It marked the 34th consecutive home win for Clemson, which extended its school record for both the …

A former ACC quarterback and current analyst gave his thoughts on Clemson’s 48-27 victory over then-No. 10 Wake Forest last Saturday at Death Valley.

It marked the 34th consecutive home win for Clemson, which extended its school record for both the longest home winning streak and longest home unbeaten streak in school history (as well as extended the nation’s longest active home winning streak).

ACC Network analyst EJ Manuel, FSU’s starting quarterback during the 2009-12 seasons and a former first-round NFL Draft pick of the Buffalo Bills, was impressed by the Tigers’ performance against the Demon Deacons.

Many voiced the opinion earlier this season that Dabo Swinney’s dynasty at Clemson is dead, but Manuel disagrees.

“This is a win that I think they should really hang their hat on, honestly,” Manuel said on The Huddle on the ACC Network. “I mean, Wake Forest, first off, is a very, very good football team. They beat a very good NC State team at home last week (on Nov. 14). Coming off that high, on the road, and Clemson’s just doing a great job of protecting their house. This is what, 34 home victories (in a row). That’s amazing.

“You talk about dynastic. That is a dynasty, and so the dynasty is certainly not dead. These guys will be back.”

Clemson Variety & Frame is doing their part to help bring you some classic new barware and help one of the local businesses that helps make Clemson special.

Order your Nick’s barware and do your part to help.  #SaveNicks

EJ Manuel approves of Josh Allen’s deal, calls Bills a Super Bowl contender

Shoutout EJ:

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbw1j59gmjw5gdj player_id=none image=https://billswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Once a guy that didn’t understand why he was being benched by Doug Marrone, EJ Manuel evidently does not hold a grudge toward the current-day Buffalo Bills.

Manuel, the former first-round pick of the Bills in 2013 that didn’t pan out, recently gave a shoutout to Josh Allen. Following Allen’s extension with the Bills, which he signed last week, Manuel said he’s happy for the QB.

Going even further, Manuel went on to call the Bills a team that could even bring home the Super Bowl as early as this season.

Via CNY Central, here’s what Manuel, who clearly doesn’t hold any grudges, said:

Manuel himself retired from football in May 2019. He bounced around in a few backup roles before hanging ’em up.

Now he’s onto broadcasting and works with the ACC Network. That’s why the background behind Manuel is the University of Syracuse. Manuel was doing a preseason media tour of sorts.

[lawrence-related id=85204,85196,84949,85029]

Mac Lain has very high expectations for Ross, Clemson receiving corps

Former Clemson offensive lineman and current ACC Network analyst Eric Mac Lain has very high expectations for Justyn Ross and the rest of the Tigers’ receiving corps heading into the 2021 season. Mac Lain expects Ross, who missed last season due to …

Former Clemson offensive lineman and current ACC Network analyst Eric Mac Lain has very high expectations for Justyn Ross and the rest of the Tigers’ receiving corps heading into the 2021 season.

Mac Lain expects Ross, who missed last season due to a congenital spinal issue which required surgery in June of 2020, to make a splash in his return to the field this season while setting himself up to make a lot of money in the NFL following his redshirt junior season with the Tigers.

“I think first-round draft pick,” Mac Lain said on the ACC Network when asked about his legitimate expectations for Ross in 2021. “This guy looks like Julio Jones when he walks out. He’s big, he’s from Alabama, a scary sight to see. Of course, wearing No. 8. He’s that good. He’s that dominant of a player.”

Mac Lain’s fellow ACCN analyst, EJ Manuel, pointed out that Ross is certainly not the only Clemson wideout to watch out for this season.

“You’ve also got E.J. Williams. You’ve got Frank Ladson, Jr. You’ve got Joseph Ngata,” Manuel said. “These guys are loaded, man. They might’ve actually got better at receiver, to be completely honest, as far as size, top to bottom. So, it’s pretty crazy.”

Mac Lain believes this year’s Clemson receiving corps has the potential to be as good as the group of receivers he played with that featured several guys who went on to play in the NFL.

“I was in a room with Deandre Hopkins, Sammy Watkins, Martavis Bryant, Charone Peake,” Mac Lain said. “These guys I think can rival that, which is crazy to say. It’s a little unproven. I’s going to be proven early and often this year.”

Time to get the latest Clemson apparel to show your Tiger pride. Order your officially licensed Clemson gear right here!

Analyst on Uiagalelei in Year 2: ‘It’s going to be scary’

Clemson’s new starting quarterback, DJ Uiagalelei, will always draw comparisons to his predecessor, Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence, the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, showed greatness during his three years as a …

Clemson’s new starting quarterback, DJ Uiagalelei, will always draw comparisons to his predecessor, Trevor Lawrence.

Lawrence, the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, showed greatness during his three years as a Tiger from 2018-20. And in a much smaller sample size, Uiagalelei also flashed greatness while filling in for Lawrence as a true freshman last season and showed he has the chance to be the next special Clemson QB.

“I think just one, his timing showed up. I think also his command of the offense,” ACC Network analyst EJ Manuel said of Uiagalelei on Wednesday during the network’s coverage of the ACC Football Kickoff in Charlotte. “Those are the things that you don’t normally see from a freshman quarterback, but DJ was able to implement himself right into the offense.”

Stepping in for Lawrence after he was sidelined by COVID-19, Uiagalelei was ultra-impressive in his two starts last season, when he led Clemson to the largest comeback in Memorial Stadium history in his first career start vs. Boston College on Oct. 31 and a week later, passed for 439 yards at Notre Dame – the most yards ever thrown against the Irish by an opposing quarterback. He finished his freshman campaign with 914 yards and five touchdowns against no interceptions across 10 games.

“We saw consistency,” Manuel said. “I think when you have a true freshman come in and then not only are you filling in for a quarterback, you’re filling in for Trevor Lawrence, on the top team in the country, and I thought he did an excellent job, especially considering the situation on the road at Notre Dame. Obviously handled a tough game vs. BC, because BC punched them in the mouth in that first half of that football game. It wasn’t like it was a layup for him. So, he came in there and he made great throws.”

As effective as Lawrence was running the football for the Tigers – he rushed for 943 yards and 18 touchdowns across three seasons – Manuel believes Uiagalelei can be an even better weapon for Clemson in the ground game thanks to his 6-foot-4, 250-pound frame and the power that comes with his physical attributes.

“I think the edge that he’s going to have over Trevor – he’s 250,” Manuel said. “So, you talk about the power run game, running between the tackles, possibly running over linebackers … DJ could probably put his shoulder down and get those extra yards.”

What impresses Manuel even more about Uiagalelei, though, is his efficiency in the red zone.

“I don’t know the exact stat, but I know it jumped out to me,” he said. “When you see him get down in the red zone … Young quarterbacks, they struggle there. They have a hard time understanding OK, the pressures are different, the coverages are different, the alignments of the defensive line, the checks that you have to make are completely different versus being out in the field. To me, DJ did a great job in the red zone. I think there was a pass that stands out to Amari Rodgers. He fired a back-shoulder fade to him. His timing was perfect, his footwork was in line. To me, I think that’s where he’s going to have that step ahead.”

There’s no doubt that Lawrence, the winningest starting quarterback in Clemson history who led the Tigers to a national title as a true freshman in 2018, will be difficult to replace.

But Clemson couldn’t ask for a better replacement than Uiagalelei, who proved he is up to the task in limited playing time last season and should benefit from the experience he gained as a true freshman, not to mention all of the offseason first-team reps that will be under his belt when Clemson kicks off the season against Georgia on Sept. 4 in Charlotte.

“You talk about getting a full spring and now a full training camp, it’s going to be scary to [see] what DJ Uiagalelei can be, considering he’s also taking over for Trevor Lawrence, the No. 1 overall draft pick,” Manuel said. “So, I think DJ’s kind of in that same light.”

Who is Bills’ worst draft pick of last decade?

Buffalo Bills QB EJ Manuel named worst draft pick by team of last decade by Bleacher Report.

The Buffalo Bills faithful have good reason to trust their current front office at the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft.

Head coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane, contrary to popular belief, actually can’t walk on water. They’re with their own faults and misses at the draft. It’s hard to hit on every single player. But in most cases with the draft? Things have gone well with the current front office.

Bleacher Report reflected just that in a recent ranking.

Each NFL team is with their tough times and B/R pegged the biggest draft mistake of every team in the league from the past decade. For the Bills, it was not anyone selected by McDermott and Beane. Instead the move was the team’s selection of quarterback EJ Manuel back in 2013.

First, here’s B/R’s breakdown:

The Bills went into the 2013 draft desperate to find a franchise quarterback. They settled on EJ Manuel, a winner during his time with the Florida State Seminoles but a prospect who needed to polish his raw mechanics.

Manuel couldn’t clean up his game enough, going just 6-11 from 2013 to 2016. He completed a meager 58.3 percent of his passes and threw just 19 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.

Buffalo turned to Kyle Orton for most of 2014 and Tyrod Taylor for the majority of the 2015 and ’16 seasons, letting Manuel walk in free agency following the 2016 campaign.

He had unproductive stints with the Raiders—where he became the first quarterback to lose a game in four countries—and Chiefs before he retired in 2019.

Manuel was a classic chapter of the Bills’ drought years. He was yanked from the starting lineup in 2014 despite having a .500 record in favor of Orton.

Yes, in a bit of Manuel’s defense, the team was 2-2 when he was taken out.

From there, it was clear the damage was done and his time was cooked with the Bills.

While Manuel wasn’t good enough in the end for the Bills… as the old saying goes, timing is everything.

In 2018, the Bills needed a quarterback. That draft class was stacked by comparison to 2013 and Buffalo landed Josh Allen. In 2013, the Bills needed a quarterback… and they might have just let the best QB to come from that draft class walk in free agency: Matt Barkley. Others include Tyler Bray, Mike Glennon, and Geno Smith.

The Bills were in the wrong place at the wrong time to draft a QB in 2013, and Manuel landing on this list shows just that.

[lawrence-related id=80432,80404,80556,80553]

Lee Smith, Robert Woods, EJ Manuel, Marquise Goodwin had a Bills ‘homecoming’

Four former teammates with the Buffalo Bills got together on a virtual call prior to Bills-Rams in Week 3.

A lot has changed around One Bills Drive since wide receiver Robert Woods was a member of the Buffalo football team. Woods returned to Orchard Park this weekend with the Los Angeles Rams in a game that ended up being nothing short of an emotional roller coaster for both sides.

The Bills ended up winning 35-32.

In terms of familiar faces, there really weren’t many that Woods knew of. Among the players still on the Bills from when Woods was, there’s tight end Lee Smith.

As things go in the NFL, guys are still friends even if business takes them in another direction, like Woods going to the Rams. Prior to kickoff on Sunday, it looks like Woods and Smith linked up and said hello on the field at Bills Stadium, but they included a couple of other former teammates that weren’t at the games as well.

Former Bills quarterback EJ Manuel took to his social media account on Instagram and shared a fun photo. Manuel, Smith, Woods and another former Bills wide receiver, Marquise Goodwin, all evidently jumped onto a video call and had a pre-game chat while Smith and Woods were actually on the field together.

Manuel’s post said Woods called it a “homecoming” for the crew.

Check out Manuel’s story post via Bills Wire’s Bradley Gelber below:

Maybe the reunion, of sorts, helped out the guys who played in the game too? Smith, inactive for the first two games of the season, played, and only played one snap… and he scored on the play. Meanwhile Woods hauled in five of his six targets for 74 yards and had a touchdown.

Currently Manuel is not on an NFL roster, but Goodwin will be with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021, at least. After being traded to Philly this offseason, Goodwin decided to opt out of the season due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

[lawrence-related id=70429,70616,70608,70607]

Eric Wood, Ryan Fitzpatrick think QB should’ve been EJ Manuel’s mentor

Former Buffalo Bills OL Eric Wood, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick say he should have been EJ Manuel’s mentor.

There’s plenty of ‘what if’ type of scenarios for all professional sports franchises. When you’re a team like the Bills, which has endured some tough blows in their team history, there might be a couple.

But here’s a thought in regard to some recent Bills memory: What if Ryan Fitzpatrick was kept around to be EJ Manuel’s mentor?

Fitzpatrick recently appeared on the podcast run by his former teammate, Eric Wood, the What’s Next? Podcast With Eric Wood. Both parties reflected on their time together in Buffalo, and both agreed they thought the team did the wrong thing in this exact scenario.

“I know it was me in the situation… I have zero ego and… I don’t think it was the right move to get rid of me,” Fitzpatrick said.

The 2012 season was Fitzpatrick’s last with the team. After that year, the club decided to move in a different direction and fired head coach Chan Gailey. Then the Bills moved on from Fitzpatrick, cutting him and later drafting Manuel in the first round of the 2013 draft.

In 2011, Fitzpatrick got off to a hot start and landed a six-year, $59 million extension, with $10 million guaranteed. Fitzpatrick said he always will look back and have positive thoughts about his time in Buffalo, but he can’t help but think there was no reason for him to be let go, even if Manuel was drafted.

“To totally blow the thing up and say, ‘Let’s draft EJ Manuel in the first round’… No offense to EJ at all, but… to throw a young guy in there, and see what happens, and maybe a Kevin Kolb, was there or whoever [else]… I think I was a good fit for that situation, what they wanted to do,” Fitzpatrick said.

Oddly enough, that role Fitzpatrick is referencing is the exact one he’s going to play in 2020 with the Miami Dolphins. The Fins selected Tua Tagovailoa with the No. 5 overall pick at the recent draft. Fitzpatrick discussed on the podcast that he’s hoping to start, but no matter what happens, he’s looking forward to being a mentor.

But as referenced, Wood weighed in as well. The former longtime center for the Bills said he hears folks say he’s biased toward club that he spent his entire pro career with, however, Wood said he thinks the Bills got this one wrong.

“I rarely ever speak out against Buffalo Bills moves from the past, you know, it is what it is, but that is something, at that time, I was against, and I still am against. Because even if you want to move on from the quarterback position…. even if you move Fitz into a transition role or you’re going to draft a rookie quarterback, we’re already on the rookie wage scale. So these rookie quarterbacks are not going to make that much money, and so your combine salaries are still going to be below league average,” Wood said.

“You have a guy who could mentor your next guy coming in, or, let Fitz play, let the other guy come up, and let them compete and see who takes it. I was against it at the time and I still am against it,” Wood added.

Instead, the Bills went with Kolb and Manuel. Kolb was supposed to start for Buffalo until he infamously was hurt in training camp when he slipped coming onto the field and that was that. Manuel was up-and-down as a rookie in that first season, but eventually was injured. The ensuing season saw him lose his starting job after only four games and a 2-2 record to Kyle Orton.

Thankfully the road finally led the Bills to two playoff berths in the past three seasons, but there certainly is a big question here. What if Fitzpatrick was there to mentor Manuel? Could things have been different? An answer we’ll never know.

 

[lawrence-related id=61976,61887,61930,61932]