NFL 2015: How will the first-year coaches perform?

Rex Ryan – Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills have one of the best rosters in the NFL. Ryan is walking into a place that is starved for a winner and has one of the top fan bases in the league, always supporting what seems to be an underwhelming team. After going 9-7 in 2014 and providing hope, head coach Doug Marrone shocked everyone and used his opt-out clause to leave the Bills without a front man.

Enter Ryan, who comes in after spending the last six seasons with the New York Jets. Ryan was terrific his first two campaigns, leading the Jets to the AFC Championship game both times. However, he has struggled since with Mark Sanchez and Geno Smith at the helm, failing to post another winning season. Unfortunately, he runs into a similar problem with Buffalo at quarterback.

The training camp competition between Matt Cassel and EJ Manuel will be the most uninspiring battle of the summer. Regardless of the winner, the Bills are saddled with an anchor at quarterback on a roster where big things could be happening. If you want to be positive, the team is much better after acquiring tight end Charles Clay, running back LeSean McCoy, receiver Percy Harvin and guard Richie Incognito this offseason. The problem is when Buffalo faces a good team, do you trust Manuel or Cassel to beat them?

The Bills will be fun to watch on defense. With a front that includes Mario Williams, Marcell Dareus, Kyle Williams and Jerry Hughes, Ryan is going to have a field day. The former Jets head coach is known for his exotic blitz packages, something which lends itself to this wide array of talent. On defense, it is wise to expect Buffalo to finish as a top-five unit. Is that enough to make it a playoff team? Who knows.

If the Bills ever find a legitimate quarterback, look out.

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