EJ Manuel's time as an NFL quarterback has been brief. His transition from a college athlete to a professional has just begun and the Buffalo Bills are hoping it happens quickly. As the team enters into OTAs, they certainly have a slight quarterback competition on their hands. With both Kevin Kolb and Manuel taking snaps with the first-team, the coaching staff is hoping Manuel makes key improvements quickly in order to get setup as the future of the franchise.
Manuel has already said that the Bills offense is easier to understand than the offense he ran at Florida State. While the plays might be easier to pick up, the technique of a professional quarterback comes with time. Bills' offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett notes that Manuel still has plenty of work ahead of him and needs to focus on a number of things heading into the season.
"He's a young man that's got to work on a lot of things from footwork to progressions to plays to formations, everything. Defenses in the NFL are obviously a little different. He's got to work on that too. He's got to work on everything," Hackett said.
There is no reason to believe that because Hackett remains critical of the team's first round pick, Manuel will not be the team's starting quarterback. While they signed Kolb in the offseason, it is clear Manuel is the future. Head coach Doug Marrone has had a lot of praise for the rookie and has said he is the quarterback they were hoping to draft.
Hackett is focused on teaching Manuel the right tools to be success in the league. He believes everything comes down to his footwork. If Manuel can master the correct footwork than the learning process becomes a lot easier. He has experience with the West Coast style offense the Bills run. While at Florida State, he worked mainly from under center, taking three to five steps in his drop back. The Bills are not working from scratch with the quarterback, something Marrone is pleased about.
One thing Hackett is not concerned about with Manuel, his arm strength. The 6-foot-5 quarterback has a knack for throwing a deep ball and getting a quick release, something absolutely necessary for an NFL starter.
"His arm strength, it's effortless to throw the ball. So it's exciting to see him and try to develop him into an even better quarterback," Hackett said.
The Bills did not draft a quarterback in the first round for nothing. If Manuel has improved on everything the coaching staff wants him to by August, expect the rookie to be under center instead of Kolb. The Bills never truly committed to Kolb as their starter and if Manuel shines in OTAs and training camp, he will be the go-to guy.
