The Buffalo Bills didn’t exactly turn on the jets for the preseason. While the starting defense looked solid, the first-string offense — led by second-year QB EJ Manuel — looked anything but. The team didn’t even score a touchdown against a first-string defense. Manuel cast all that aside in a recent press conference though, insisting he’s only looking forward.
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“We’re just focusing with the task at hand, understanding we play Chicago this week,” Manuel said per WGR 550, when asked about his preseason struggles, “that’s the main focus for myself and the main focus for our team, so I’m just keeping that the first priority.”
In Manuel’s defense, the Bills didn’t game plan and they didn’t employ a single offensive play that could be described as anything but ‘vanilla’. Then again, that could be said for every other offense in the preseason. So what is going to make the offense different in September?
“There’s a bunch of formations and different gadgets that we’ve added in going into this game.” Manuel said.
Manuel also credited newly signed backup Kyle Orton with making film study that much easier.”He’s offered some of his veteran experience, some of the things he’s done and some of the things he’s done since he’s been in the league, so he’s been a huge help for me. Some of the things that he sees on film he’s passed that down to me, so he’s been a huge help.”
Week 1 against Chicago will be EJ Manuel’s first chance to show everyone that this summer was merely an aberration. If he can excel, even in a loss, then much of his criticism will silence itself. However, Manuel is clearly on a short leash and if he doesn’t get the job done in the first month of the season, look for Kyle Orton to get an extended look.