Fansided

Bills’ EJ Manuel feels 100 percent, will play smarter

May 28, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback EJ Manuel (3) rolls out to pass as Bills offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett looks on during organized team activities at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
May 28, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback EJ Manuel (3) rolls out to pass as Bills offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett looks on during organized team activities at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

The Buffalo Bills drafted Florida State quarterback E.J. Manuel high with the hope that he could be the solidify the position for them. Manuel struggled through his rookie season with injury problems creeping in starting at training camp and lingering throughout the seasons.

More from Buffalo Bills

It was mainly his knee that was an issue.

Injuries are certainly out of a players’ control to a certain extent, but Manuel said on Friday’s edition of NFL Total Access that he will be smarter on the football field.

“That was one thing I had to learn: to be smart when I take off with the football,” Manuel told NFL Network‘s Lindsay Rhodes and Brian Baldinger. “Instead of trying to get an extra three yards, step out of bounds and slide. Those are all the nuances I had to learn.

“Obviously I didn’t want to go down with an injury, because I’m a competitive player. I go hard each and every time I step out on the field, but it just so happen I had to come down with an injury. But I moved past it, thankfully I’m 100 percent healthy now and I feel like I’m stronger than I was last year so I’m looking forward to moving on.”