Mike Mayock: EJ Manuel second-best QB in NFL draft - Basketball Forum : Professional and College Basketball Forums

**BlakeJesus** · 03-07-2013, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Is EJ Manuel the second-best quarterback in the 2013 NFL Draft? According to NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock, that's exactly what he is.

Mayock released the third edition of his position-by-position draft prospect rankings Thursday, and the biggest head-turner came under center, where Manuel, the Florida State passer, shot up to No. 2 behind West Virginia's Geno Smith.

When Mayock released the second edition of his list on the heels of the NFL Scouting Combine, Manuel wasn't even in the top five.

So what happened?

"The first three tapes I saw of Manuel prior to the Senior Bowl included the Florida game, and that's probably the worst game he ever played ... so I had a little bit of a bad taste in my mouth heading into the Senior Bowl," Mayock told NFL Network's "Path to the Draft" on Thursday. "I thought he had a solid Senior Bowl week, and coming out of the combine, I felt like there was a quiet buzz among some of the teams. Not just his workout. More importantly to me, they like the kid, they think he's smart and in the meeting rooms at night, he passed that test.

"This week, I went and put three more tapes on, so I've seen six of his games now. I like the Clemson tape, I thought he was really athletic and threw the ball well. ... You know I don't like this quarterback class, so if I'm going to make a mistake, I finally decided I'm going to make a mistake with a kid with size, arm talent and athletic ability, and I think that's what Manuel has."

Manuel's rise dropped USC's Matt Barkley to No. 3 and N.C. State's Mike Glennon to No. 4 among quarterbacks. Syracuse's Ryan Nassib and Oklahoma's Landry Jones now are tied at No. 5.

Manuel is an ascending prospect. The 6-foot-5, 237-pounder gained heavy experience in the shotgun at Florida State and impressed coaches with his arm at the Senior Bowl. He's seen as one of the few quarterbacks in this draft physically equipped to operate out of the read-option. Manuel's mobility is a major plus, but he's widely seen as a raw talent. He's easily the most intriguing quarterback of the bunch, and that's the kind of player who often rises as April approaches.

At the same time, it has not been a banner week for Barkley. NFL Films guru Greg Cosell told NFL Network's "Path To The Draft" that Barkley is a fourth-round talent being paraded around as a first- or second-round pick on draft boards.

"No. 1, he has average arm strength by NFL standards," Cosell said. "No. 2, his feet are not particularly quick, he has slower feet. And three, he's a little shorter."

Manuel, meanwhile, has ideal NFL size, he can wing it and his mobility is a separating quality. This quarterback group remains hazy, but it makes sense Manuel is starting to climb in the eyes of those who obsessively watch tape.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap100...b-in-nfl-draft

Nimreitz · 03-07-2013, 09:16 PM

Barkley is falling like his twin Jimmy Clausen.

**Diable** · 03-07-2013, 09:33 PM

I don't know that I necessarily disagree with that, but it's not a good thing. They're talking about taking Glennon as the second QB and in my opinion he's going to be a disaster in the NFL unless you put a great offensive line and running game around him. Dude is terrible on the move. Makes terrible throws and decisions any time you flush him out of the pocket and he isn't going to be able to get away from anyone.

hobojoe · 03-08-2013, 07:06 PM

I know I've said it before, but let me say it again -- EJ is a great kid, a smart kid and represented my alma mater very well on and off the field. It doesn't surprise me at all that GMs would fall in love with him in the interviews, he has a good head on his shoulders. With that said, I don't think he's going to be a good starting QB in the NFL. He's smart, but he's not football smart and has poor instincts. Not good at improvising, not good at scrambling. He's a much better runner on designed calls. Good physical tools, strong arm but tends to float the ball. He's inconsistent. I wish him the best of luck and will cheer for him wherever he ends up, but I don't see him being very successful.

**BlakeJesus** · 03-11-2013, 11:02 AM

hobo do you think he's worth taking a flyer on in the 2nd round for a QB hungry team? Maybe have him go somewhere with a QB in place so he can sit behind them and develop a bit before they actually need him to play?

hobojoe · 03-11-2013, 03:23 PM

I would say yes just because it's such a weak quarterback class and he does have the size and measurables, but I wouldn't feel great about it.

**Diable** · 03-14-2013, 07:51 PM

I don't know why, but the ACC produces a lot of QB's that make it in the NFL. Not all of them are great, but there aren't a lot of NFL jobs. I don't know about Manuel, because he's had a really inconsistent career at FSU. At times he's looked the part, but other times he's been really bad. I can definitely see him holding a clipboard next year, but past that I just don't have a clue.

**BlakeJesus** · 03-19-2013, 08:52 PM

Is EJ Manuel a better prospect than Christian Ponder?

Quote:

EJ Manuel got another chance Tuesday to move his way up draft boards at Florida State's pro day.

NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock believed the quarterback did nothing to hurt his value after watching his workout. According to Mayock, Manuel made 54 scripted throws that highlighted his arm strength and movement skills.

In his latest positional breakdown, Mayock listed Manuel as the second-best quarterback in his draft class behind West Virginia's Geno Smith. On Tuesday, Mayock made an interesting comparison in judging Manuel's potential.

"I think he's a better prospect than Christian Ponder was two years ago with more upside," Mayock said on NFL Network's "Path To The Draft."

Ponder was the 12th overall pick by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2011 NFL Draft.

"In all honesty, I had Ponder a second-round guy and Minnesota took him pretty high, and the jury is still out there," Mayock said. "I think this kid (Manuel) has better arm talent, he's a bigger, more physical specimen and really his ceiling is higher. Now, I don't know if his floor is as high, but his ceiling is higher."

Does that make Manuel a rich-man's Christian Ponder? And if so, is that a good thing? Opinions certainly vary on Ponder, which makes Mayock's comparison tough to evaluate.

You can say the same about this entire quarterback class.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap100...ristian-ponder

03-07-2013, 09:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
Nimreitz Legend Join Date: May 2003 Location: Milwaukee, WI Age: 29 Posts: 16,247 Rep Power: 14813408	Re: Mike Mayock: EJ Manuel second-best QB in NFL draft Barkley is falling like his twin Jimmy Clausen.

03-07-2013, 09:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
Diable Limehouse Blues Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: North Carolina Posts: 22,185 Rep Power: 14650805	Re: Mike Mayock: EJ Manuel second-best QB in NFL draft I don't know that I necessarily disagree with that, but it's not a good thing. They're talking about taking Glennon as the second QB and in my opinion he's going to be a disaster in the NFL unless you put a great offensive line and running game around him. Dude is terrible on the move. Makes terrible throws and decisions any time you flush him out of the pocket and he isn't going to be able to get away from anyone. __________________

03-08-2013, 07:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
hobojoe Legend Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 22,143 Rep Power: 7326019	Re: Mike Mayock: EJ Manuel second-best QB in NFL draft I know I've said it before, but let me say it again -- EJ is a great kid, a smart kid and represented my alma mater very well on and off the field. It doesn't surprise me at all that GMs would fall in love with him in the interviews, he has a good head on his shoulders. With that said, I don't think he's going to be a good starting QB in the NFL. He's smart, but he's not football smart and has poor instincts. Not good at improvising, not good at scrambling. He's a much better runner on designed calls. Good physical tools, strong arm but tends to float the ball. He's inconsistent. I wish him the best of luck and will cheer for him wherever he ends up, but I don't see him being very successful.

03-11-2013, 11:02 AM	#5 (permalink)
BlakeJesus Community Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Wisconsin Age: 23 Posts: 16,880 Rep Power: 12803037	Re: Mike Mayock: EJ Manuel second-best QB in NFL draft hobo do you think he's worth taking a flyer on in the 2nd round for a QB hungry team? Maybe have him go somewhere with a QB in place so he can sit behind them and develop a bit before they actually need him to play? __________________ Jalen Rose - "Positions were created so the novice could follow the game. You ARE your skillset." 2024 KVBL Champions: Atlanta Hawks 2026 KVBL Champions: Atlanta Hawks 2027 KVBL Champions: Atlanta Hawks

03-11-2013, 03:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
hobojoe Legend Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 22,143 Rep Power: 7326019	Re: Mike Mayock: EJ Manuel second-best QB in NFL draft I would say yes just because it's such a weak quarterback class and he does have the size and measurables, but I wouldn't feel great about it.

03-14-2013, 07:51 PM	#7 (permalink)
Diable Limehouse Blues Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: North Carolina Posts: 22,185 Rep Power: 14650805	Re: Mike Mayock: EJ Manuel second-best QB in NFL draft I don't know why, but the ACC produces a lot of QB's that make it in the NFL. Not all of them are great, but there aren't a lot of NFL jobs. I don't know about Manuel, because he's had a really inconsistent career at FSU. At times he's looked the part, but other times he's been really bad. I can definitely see him holding a clipboard next year, but past that I just don't have a clue. __________________

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