The Buffalo Bills are experiencing some turmoil at quarterback, as head coach Rex Ryan's poor fortune at that position continues. 2013 first-round pick EJ Manuel, whom the Bills spent the No. 9 overall pick on, might be outright cut this offseason unless he makes drastic improvements.
"I'd have to say accuracy, decision-making, being able to play the game with his eyes," Bills general manager Doug Whaley said were the most important qualities for a quarterback.
Manuel only has 14 NFL games under his belt-he was benched quickly last season-but the early results showed his skills are far apart from what Whaley wants. Manuel has completed just 58 percent of his passes in his short career, and thrown 12 interceptions in those 14 games. He has thrown at least one interception in half of his games, and managed to be picked off four times in one game as a rookie.
Manuel was a surprise pick at No. 9. Jets quarterback Geno Smith was the consensus top quarterback in the class, and Manuel's stock was perceived to be low because he was a raw talent and very inaccurate at Florida State. This offseason the Bills added Matt Cassel, who has a different skill set than Manuel but is a veteran and can be trusted to limit mistakes.
At least that is the expectation. In three games with Minnesota last season Cassel was a nightmare. He was intercepted on 5.6 percent of his passes in three games, and mustered just 141 yards per game through the air. Even worse, Cassel does not have the ability to make plays with his legs like Manuel. Although Manuel won't be confused with Michael Vick anytime soon, he did average 5.3 attempts per game as a rookie and score two touchdowns.
The organization may not be happy with Manuel's progression thus far, but it's unlikely they will cut bait on someone they've invested so heavily in after just 14 games for a journeyman alternative.
[WKBW]
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