The Buffalo Bills added another chapter in their quarterback saga on Thursday night when the team faced off against the Cleveland Browns. Head coach Rex Ryan continues to sort through what the three-headed rotation will look like for the team as at least one player risks release by the end of the preseason. Tyrod Taylor got his moment to shine for the Bills and might have moved closer to solidifying his spot as the starter.
Taylor earned the starting nod on Thursday night. He went 7 for 10 in passing for 65 yards while also rushing four times for 41 yards. The biggest plus for Taylor was that he avoided any silly mistakes and led the team on two long scoring drives. While he was not spectacular by any means, he certainly did enough which is the most Buffalo can hope for at the moment as they continue to doubt the quarterbacks on the roster. Taylor go the starting nod as Matt Cassel did not play. EJ Manuel went on clean up duty after Taylor.
"We did some good things," Taylor said, via team-distributed quotes. "Of course we would have preferred to come out with seven points on a couple of those drives but we were able to move the ball up and down the field. There are a couple of things we did out there that we can learn from."
Ryan is not planning on naming a starter until the season opener. For now it appears Taylor has the momentum in the race. Manuel admitted to the media that he was on thin ice with the team and was aware that he needed to step his game up. According to ESPN.com, the Bills will not hesitate to release someone and Manuel could be the odd man out.
The Bills need their quarterback play to improve. They have the necessary offensive weapons to be a success, but none of them will matter if Taylor, Cassel or Manuel cannot get people the ball. The run game will be important as several players sit out with injuries. According to the Buffalo News, the Bills will not be adding any free agents to the mix as they remain confident LeSean McCoy will return for the season opener.
ESPN's Josina Anderson is reporting that McCoy is on the mend and should be healthy for Week 1 of the season. As a result of that report, the Bills are stressing there is no chance they sign Ray Rice or any other free agent. Karlos Williams remains out with injury which leaves the team with Bryce Brown, Boobie Dixon and Fred Jackson when he returns.
