This offseason has been tumultuous thus far in terms of rumors about Buffalo Bills quarterback EJ Manuel's job security. Just two years after being the only quarterback selected in Round 1 of the 2013 NFL Draft, Manuel was close to being cut.
Now, it appears that veteran free agent signee Matt Cassel could be the one given the boot. Bills coaches have talked excitedly throughout OTAs about the potential of Tyrod Taylor, a 2011 sixth-round draft pick with zero starts and 35 NFL passes under his belt.
"He is an unknown, never played a whole lot in Baltimore," Bills head coach Rex Ryan said. "I think the ability is hard to ignore, some of the things that he has."
The assistant coaches feel a similar excitement about his promise.
"We looked at him hard when I was with Rex with the Jets," said quarterback coach David Lee. "He's got that uncommon speed, man, at our position. So this guy is exciting to all of us because he has that dimension of, 'Hey, I can beat you with my legs and not just my arm.'"
That all read as bad news for Manuel, who has struggled with accuracy in his first two seasons with the Bills and relies on his legs for a chunk of his production as well. Manuel has reportedly shown improvement during OTAs, however, while Cassel, who struggled badly last season in limited action with the Minnesota Vikings, hasn't been sharp.
ESPN's Mike Rodak wrote "There wasn't a practice open to reporters where Cassel stood out among his peers, while there were at least one or two sessions where he was just downright bad. I went into OTAs thinking Cassel had the best chance to be the opening day starter, given his level of experience, but I now question if he will make the roster."
[ESPN]
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