Our greatest fears are coming to fruition in training camp so far. The quarterbacks aren't progressing and are looking pretty bad (http://buffalosportsbeat.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-bills-might-not-have-worst-qb.html). Not one has stood out so far. All three have battled inaccuracy issues much like they have throughout their careers. Tyrod Taylor has made some of the most spectacular plays among the three but has also been spectacular for the wrong reasons as well.
Unfortunately, if they are inaccurate in practice without a pass rush and no one covering receivers, how will they fare then with a furious pass rush and excellent covering corners. I've said it several times, if accuracy is the problem then I want the guy with the best athleticism and ability to make plays with his legs to be the starting qb (http://buffalosportsbeat.blogspot.com/2015/07/bills-qb-situation-if-accuracy-is.html). That's Taylor or E.J. Manuel over Matt Cassel.
Unfortunately, if all three are unspectacular, I see them going with Cassel because he's the veteran. Then I'll have to try and get myself excited about the possibility of him managing the game well with this defense and these weapons and not killing this team. Of course if Cassel bombs like he's been, Joe Buscaglia reports he's likely to be cut because of how much they can save with the salary cap (http://www.wkbw.com/sports/nfl/5-notable-bills-players-in-danger-of-being-cut).
There's one way I'd like Cassel to start and that is if I can sign up for his 27 touchdown, 7 interception performance which he accomplished with the Kansas City Chiefs back in 2010. If you can promise me 27 touchdowns, 7 picks then I'll take Cassel right now. That year he led the Chiefs to a 10-6 record and the AFC East Division Championship. If he repeated those same numbers on this team with this talent, I'd say 10-6 is going to happen and that 11-5 is very likely and so is the playoffs.
If anyone had 27 touchdowns, 7 picks we would erect a statue of that QB outside Ralph Wilson Stadium. Heck, I'd even take 27 touchdowns, 14 interceptions that would make us the playoffs. Like I said, I'd be excited if Cassel did that and would sign up for it. Could you imagine if either Manuel or Taylor won the starting job and had 27 touchdowns, 7 interceptions? We would be celebrating our franchise QB. It must be noted that Cassel had 27 touchdowns in his next three seasons, COMBINED!!
I'd even be thrilled with Jay Cutler's season last year where he threw for almost 4,000 yards in 15 games, 28 touchdowns, 18 interceptions, 66% completion, 250+ yards a game, and an 88.6 QB Rating. The interceptions were a lot and Cutler threw a bunch, but he made up for it with passing yards and touchdowns. I wouldn't mind the interceptions too much if the QB makes more plays because QBs throw interceptions. Heck, Andrew Luck threw 16 but offset that with 40 touchdowns and 4,700 yards.
The defense also can bail out a QB's mistake whereas Cutler's Bears had the worst defense in the league. The Bills with Rex Ryan will have a top-5 defense. It would however be great if a QB can bail the defense out as well. I'd like it if the QB can score points so the defense doesn't have to kill itself every game and doesn't essentially have to pitch a shut out.
I'd hate to waste a great defense because our QB is not good. Speaking of not good QB, Buscaglia said the other day on Twitter that Matt Sims was having a better day than Manuel did at training camp (http://buffalosportsbeat.blogspot.com/2015/07/ej-struggled-because-of-marrone-sure.html). Let's see what Greg Roman can do with either of these QBs.
On a positive note, Richie Incognito has been spectacular so far in training camp along with other practices. It's been so good that Incognito has been named starting left guard by Ryan. He's been very impressive as he reported to training camp in great shape and has been lights out to the point Ryan named him starting guard after just three days in training camp. It's been an amazing comeback so far for Incognito after being out of the NFL the last year-and-a-half after the Jonathan Martin bullying scandal in Miami.
It's great as one of the starting guard jobs is locked up as Eric Wood, Cordy Glenn, and now Incognito have locked up starting spots on the line, the whole left side/middle of the line. The right guard spot is between rookie third-year guard John Miller and second year Cyril Richardson. Miller is penciled in as the starter, but Richardson is giving him a challenge. Second-year players Cyrus Kouandjio and Seantreal Henderson are battling for the starting right tackle spot. Kuoandjio is currently the favorite over Henderson, last year's starting right tackle.
Hopefully Incognito continues to perform well and play well during the season to help the line block in the run game and hopefully give whichever QB enough time to make a play. The line was really weak last year, but it appears to be a strength, so far. It depends on how Incognito performs and keeps himself on the straight and narrow and doesn't get in trouble, which has ruined his career and almost put it to an end. He's been a very productive guard his entire career, starting all 102 games he appeared in since coming into the league as a rookie in 2005, even making the Pro Bowl in 2012 the year before he was suspended.
He hasn't played in a game or appeared on a football field in pads since October 31, 2013. Let's hope it continues into this season and maybe beyond. Beyond however is up to him if he wants.
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