Doug Marrone does not want to hand over Week 1 of the regular season to an undrafted rookie, but he may have no other option. The Buffalo Bills coach is fully aware that the team is in a tough spot with the quarterback situation. Presumed starter Kevin Kolb has suffered a possible career-ending concussion. Rookie EJ Manuel is recovering from a knee procedure. Undrafted rookie Jeff Tuel is the lone option. Do not forget about Matt Leinart. With nine days until kickoff, Marrone is forced to make some tough choices.
NFL.com's Ian Rapoport is reporting that right now the Bills are planning on starting Tuel against the Patriots. He has more experience with the offense than newly signed Leinart does. In three preseason games, the rookie has put up 299 yards and two touchdowns. However, is the least ideal situation for the Bills. Marrone is still holding out hope that Manuel is possibly going to be ready, but it all depends on practice time.
Marrone told media that Manuel is on track to be healthy come kickoff time, but the question remains of how much practice time he gets in before the season starts. Buffalo would rather put in an undrafted rookie than a rusty Manuel to start the season.
"I think I'll know a lot from that right on the first day when he comes back," Marrone said, via Buffalo Bills.com. "Meaning that when he goes out there that first day and he practices we'll see how, for lack of a better term, how rusty he may be and if he made need more (time)."
Marrone notes that Manuel's age is working in his favor with this injury. He believes that the rookie will have no issue bouncing back physically. He is concerned that Manuel's time away from the field will hurt his overall sharpness and decision making. The Bills coaching staff is trying to put Manuel through as many mental workouts as possible while he continues to get healthy. He is studying the playbook, watching game tape and running through plays.
"That's why one of the ways we're training him right now mentally is getting him as much work as possible," Marrone said. "Now he's started the physical work, which is good so as soon as we can get out there and get him to start throwing again. That'll help in the process, but the first day he's out there doing anything I'll have a good feel for how long it may be."
Marrone does not have a target return date for Manuel. He must be healthy by at least Monday in order to possible play in the first game. As of now, the rookie is running through footwork drills and riding the bike. The head coach is impressed with the quarterback's mental state and prepared mindset.
While it may not be clear exactly which quarterback will start on kickoff Sunday, it is clear that Kolb is totally out of the picture. The team has not given out too many details surrounding the situation, but the Bills are preparing to continue on through the season without him.
