Quote:And yet he went 9-7 the year he pulled Manuel and put in Orton. 

 

Are we really supposed to be concerned that Marrone didn't think EJ Manuel should be the Bills' starter?  Seriously?  That's the "skeleton" in Marrone's closet?  That he might have ruined EJ Manuel?  

 

You missed my point.

 

I don't think Marrone ruined Manuel.  I said as much in my post.  My concerns are regarding his playcalling.  Not because it 'ruined' Manuel, but because I don't think it put the Bills in the best position to win.  I want a head coach who--regardless of who is playing--puts us in the best position of winning.  He passed far less often on first down with Manuel--far less often than average for the NFL.  And Manuel's best play were on 1st down.  Now unlike the article author, I don't think this ruined Manuel.  I do however think it raises questions about his playcalling.  If the Bills had a good running game going on first down, it might make sense to run far more often than you pass.  Or if Manuel was flat awful.  I mean Manuel wasn't good--there's no denying that.  But Orton wasn't ten times better, and he got more 1st down passes (and did worse overall on them).  Again this isn't a knock on Marrone for benching Manuel for Orton.  This is a knock on his play calling on 1st down when Manuel was QB.  I think a good coach gets the most out of his players, and I'm not sure he got the most out of Manuel through his playcalling.  (even if there wasn't much to get out of him to begin with)


I'm not sold on Marrone.  I'd love to be wrong.  We'll see how he does next year.  Hopefully he's learned a few things, and he gets this team to 7 or more wins.

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