The Buffalo Bills are closer to contention than one might think. The team led the league in sacks (54) last year while the defense finished fourth overall in yards allowed per game (312.2) and points per game (18.1). Those numbers should hold steady with the defensive minded Rex Ryan taking over as head coach. On the opposite side of the ball, the Bills have focused on improving their offensive personnel this offseason. Running back LeSean McCoy, wide receiver Percy Harvin and tight end Charles Clay will join an offense that already features second-year wideout Sammy Watkins. All told, Buffalo has a solid amount of talent on hand for the 2015 season.
But the big question, as always, is under center. Who will be the starting quarterback for the Bills? Ryan is having Matt Cassel, EJ Manuel and Tyrod Taylor compete against one another for the gig at the moment. But ESPN NFL analyst Tim Hasselbeck believes one of them gives Ryan the best chance to win.
"I think it's Matt Cassel and I don't know that it's that close," Hasselbeck said when asked who should be the starter in Buffalo. "Cassel has the most experience, he's had a season where he won double digit games in the NFL, that's hard to do. You've seen when the other guys have gotten their opportunity, namely EJ Manuel, just haven't taken advantage of it. When you have guys that are essentially given an opportunity on a platter and they don't run with it, that's a problem. He's had multiple opportunities to do that and if Rex Ryan wants to win right away, and it sounds like he does with a pretty good roster, than I think he needs to go with Cassel."
The double digit-wins Hasselbeck is referring to came in 2008 when Cassel replaced an injured Tom Brady and led the Patriots to an 11-5 record. That season, he completed 63.4 percent of his passes while throwing for 3,693 yards with 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Cassel has never quite lived up to that high bar ever since, having some so-so years with the Kansas City Chiefs before some forgettable seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. He is the most experienced of Buffalo's QBs and is capable of steady play. However, there isn't much upside when it comes to Cassel at quarterback. The Bills will just have to hope the rest of the roster can make up for it should he be named the starter.
