Buffalo Bills to name Tyrod Taylor as starting quarterback

Rex Ryan is throwing a curve by naming Tyrod Taylor as the Buffalo Bills’ starting quarterback.

Every season, there is at least one player that surprises during training camp and lays claim to a starting NFL job. This season that award appears to be going to Tyrod Taylor, and he claimed a doozy of a job on Monday morning.

According to multiple sources, including Adam Schefter of NFL.com and Jay Glazer of Fox Sports, the Buffalo Bills are set to name Taylor as their starting quarterback for Week One.

Rex Ryan hasn't informed any QB of any choice, but sounds like Tyrod Taylor has some mounting support. Rex knows how tough he is to defend.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 31, 2015

Bills are going w Tyrod Taylor as their starting a QB
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) August 31, 2015

During the early stages of camp, it appeared that veteran Matt Cassel would get the nod to begin the season, especially after getting the starting nod during the team’s first preseason game. However, Taylor has jumped to the front of the depth chart by destroying Cassel and adding a versatility that E.J. Manuel doesn’t have.

In three preseason games, Taylor has completed 24 of 31 passes for 236 yards. He’s also rushed 11 times for 108 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile Manuel has looked solid, completing 20 of 30 passes for 358 yards and four touchdowns, making him a close runner-up in the competition.

The extra dimension on the ground is something that Rex Ryan has shown strong feelings for in the past and it’s definitely something he’s willing to experiment with in the first few games of the season. Given the unknown status of LeSeaon McCoy for Week One, the ability of Taylor to make things happen on the ground could be a game changer for the Bills.

After four seasons in perpetual back-up mode behind Joe Flacco in Baltimore, Tyrod Taylor signed with the Bills on March 12th. At the time, coach Rex Ryan had some pretty impressive things to say about his new QB.

"“I actually tried to trade for this player when I was with the Jets. If he’s not the fastest quarterback in the league he’s certainly up there with him. He’s got great run skills. I’m not going to say he’s Russell Wilson, but he’s got a little of that in him where he’s able to run zone reads and pull the ball down and be effective.” – (h/t BuffaloBills.com)"

Thus far, that is exactly what the Bills have seen from Tyrod Taylor and is precisely why he’s been afforded the chance to be the team’s starting quarterback when Buffalo opens its season on September 13th at home against the Indianapolis Colts.

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Rex Ryan is throwing a curve by naming Tyrod Taylor as the Buffalo Bills’ starting quarterback.

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