The Buffalo Bills have a handful of quality pieces in place on its roster. Defensive end Mario Williams is a sack machine off the edge (14.5 last season) and defensive tackle Marcel Dareus is perhaps the best young lineman this side of Ndamukong Suh. Overall, Buffalo's defense ranked fourth in the NFL last year in yards allowed (312.2) and first in sacks (54). On of the other side of the ball, the Bills have done a solid job of amassing some intriguing offensive skill position players. Second-year wide receiver Sammy Watkins is a star in the making, running back LeSean McCoy is still dangerous from all over the field and the additions of Percy Harvin and Charles Clay certainly won't hurt.
But what new Bills head coach Rex Ryan does not have at the moment is a definite quarterback.
ESPN's Mike Rodak reports that Ryan may not name a starter until the team's opener against the Indianapolis Colts on Sept. 13.
Pretty significant development in Bills' QB battle for Rex Ryan to say he may not name a starting QB until Sept. 13, the Bills' opener.
— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) August 7, 2015
Not only is that a non-traditional approach, but also it speaks to the poor condition Buffalo's quarterback position. Normally, you'd want the QB depth chart to be firmly set in training camp. But Buffalo's trio of Matt Cassel, EJ Manuel and Tyrod Taylor have yet to make a significant enough impact for that to happen.
Manuel, a 2013 first-rounder, currently sits atop the depth chart as the No. 1 option. However, Bills general manager Doug Whaley did not express a ton of confidence in Manuel during a recent radio interview.
"Year 3, I would say [Manuel] is a tad behind," Whaley said. "If last year was his first year, I know he's further along this year when he was last year, let's say that, from that experience. But that was the original plan [in 2013]: sit behind Kevin Kolb, learn one or two years and then see what he can do.
"This year, we want to see a step. Will it be the ultimate step? That's up to him. But I definitely see that he has gone through some trials and tribulations and he's learned from them. The one thing I know about him is if he does make it, it's because of his work ethic, and if he doesn't make it, it won't be because of his want-to and his work ethic."
So if Manuel, who the team had high hopes for once upon a time, and the youngster Taylor do not grasp the starting gig, who will? Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News thinks Matt Cassel, the veteran of the group, will be named the starter at some point. Though this decree may not be earned as much as it is given out due to a lack of other quality options.
"But this what is clear about the four [training camp] practiced to date: Cassel does the right thing more often than not," Carussi wrote.
"He doesn't do it spectacularly. He won't evoke thoughts of Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady or Peyton Manning, now or in his prime. The ball often leaves his hand with a flutter, especially on deeper throws. His movement in the pocket, perhaps still compromised by the several fractured bones he suffered in his foot last September, is somewhat slow and deliberate.
"But Cassel does show a great deal of calm and poise when running the offense, just as one would expect from an 11-year NFL veteran."
