It was a spectacular weekend in Muskoka but I dutifully came inside at 1pm yesterday with my dad to watch the Bills play the Texans. The roof was closed at NRG Stadium due to high humidity in the Houston area which made me feel that we weren't the only ones sitting inside watching this game. And a most infuriating game it was to watch. When they get blown out, at least I can pack it in and do something else but not yesterday when we had to stick with it until close to 4.30pm when EJ Manuel threw the game ending interception on what could have been - would have been - the game winning drive.
Manuel clearly took a step back yesterday. I want so badly for him to look like the franchise quarterback for the next 10 years but I'm afraid that he really did not look like that yesterday. In fairness, the Texans pass rush, led by the super-human JJ Watt, was pressuring him and knocking him down all day and there were at least 4 dropped passes by his receivers. But, despite showing some impressive pocket quickness a couple of times yesterday, his throwing is just not accurate enough of the time. He throws too low or too high or behind his receivers when he seems to have plenty of time. It sometimes seems like he panics a bit when he has time to set his feet, step into the throw and deliver it accurately. It is frustrating to watch. He's such a likable kid too. He's good at saying the right things in post-game press conferences and I'm sure that his mother and his god-father Bruce Smith feel good about that but he needs to show that he can get it done on the field starting next week or another season could begin to slip away.
If I were Roger Goodell, I would be buying Jason Witten lunch today. And I just might take some of my $44 million salary and pay for it myself because his pre-game interview on NBC last night on the subject of domestic violence was very impressive indeed. He has first-hand experience as his mother was a victim of an abusive spouse. He was careful to compliment the league office and the Commissioner for taking ownership of the issue after a difficult couple of weeks while acknowledging that the problem goes far beyond the NFL. Whether he was coached on what to say or not, it came across as sincere and I'm sure that the Commissioner was duly impressed.
The best highlight from yesterday's games, for me, was Stevie Johnson's first touchdown catch as a 49er. He was able to keep the tips of his toes in the front left corner of the endzone and maintain control of the ball as he fell to the ground, helping his team give the Eagles their first loss of the season. The man who calls himself "7/11" (because he's always open) may not be open quite as often now as his career advances, but he's a skilled receiver and, when he was in Buffalo, I was always impressed with his ability to get separation even from much faster players.
EJ Manuel said in his post-game press conference that they need to be more prepared than ever to face the Detroit Lions next week. Prepared, yes but his confidence needs a boost next week so he can prove what he can do or there will be more questions about when Kyle Orton might see some playing time. Better quarterbacking probably would have won the game yesterday. Now is the time for Manuel to step up and not follow in the path of Trent Edwards, JP Losman or - dare I say - Ryan Fitzpatrick. Although he is very well paid by any standard of comparison, I feel for EJ Manuel as the pressure to perform must be immense. For so many reasons, I hope he can do it.
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