The Buffalo Bills acquired Tyrod Taylor and Matt Cassel to enhance up their ailing quarterback situation that left EJ Manuel as the lead signal caller following the team’s mediocre 2014 season. Since adding Taylor and Cassel to the roster, first-year head coach Rex Ryan claimed all three quarterbacks would compete for the starting role.
At that time, the common opinion was that Cassel would likely work his way into becoming the team’s starter. However, this might not be the case. According to the Buffalo News, Ryan has shown more enthusiasm for Taylor than Cassel. It is also reported that Ryan has had his eye on coaching Taylor for quite some time, previously hoping the Jets would be able to acquire him.
Ryan is intrigued with Taylor’s speed, explaining that he is the quickest quarterback in the league. Taylor ran a 4.51 40-year dash at the Combine.
The major downside to Taylor would be his lack of action in the NFL compared to Cassel. Taylor served four seasons as the backup to Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco. During his tenure in Baltimore, Taylor tallied only 19 completed passes for 199 yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions.
While Ryan seems to “favor” Taylor, putting him under center come Week 1 could be risky. Though, certain reports at the close of minicamp suggested that Cassel might actually be released by the team prior to the season—a scenario that would leave Taylor competing against Manuel for the starting gig.
For the time being, it sounds like Taylor could enter the competition with a bit of a leg up, at least in Ryan’s eyes.
Photo: USA Today Sports