Monday’s roundup: Taylor named starter for Bills
Orchard Park, N.Y. — The Bills are turning their offense over to Tyrod Taylor, who has won the starting job after a three-way quarterback competition during the offseason.
Coach Rex Ryan announced his decision following practice Monday.
“It came down to the explosiveness Tyrod gives us,” Ryan explained.
Taylor won the job over former Bills starter and 2013 first-round draft pick EJ Manuel, and Matt Cassel, who was acquired in an offseason trade with the Vikings.
The decision comes two days after all three quarterbacks played with the starting offense in a 43-19 exhibition victory over the Steelers.
Taylor signed a three-year contact with Buffalo in free agency this offseason after spending his first four years as Joe Flacco’s backup in Baltimore. The sixth-round pick of the Ravens out of Virginia Tech in 2011 saw limited playing time.
Overall, he’s 19-for-35 for 199 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions in 14 career appearances, all as a backup. Taylor also has 27 rushes for 136 yards and a touchdown.
Quarterback has been a question mark in Buffalo since Hall of Famer Jim Kelly retired following the 1996 season. During that time, the Bills have had eight different season-opening starters, and 12 quarterbacks start at least five games.
Ryan said he expects to keep three quarterbacks but did not say which two passers he would keep behind Taylor.
In 11 exhibition series, Taylor went 24-for-31 for 236 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. But he had a hand in four touchdown drives, all scored on rushes.
He quickly developed into the popular quarterback choice among Bills fans, who began referring to Taylor as “T-Mobile,” a nickname the player first earned in college.
Cassel had an efficient but not spectacular preseason. He showed a capability of making smart and quick passes, and finished 13-for-15 for 83 yards and no touchdowns in four exhibition series.
Manuel was stuck working with the second- and third-stringers as recently as three weeks ago before making his case to re-enter the starting conversation. He rallied the Bills to a winning touchdown in an 11-10 road victory over the Browns on Aug. 20, and then had a hand in three touchdown drives in four-plus series against the Steelers last weekend.
Manuel led all Bills quarterbacks by going 20-for-30 for 358 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. He went 2-2 to open last season before losing the job to Kyle Orton.
The Bills also released running back Fred Jackson, who played nine seasons in Buffalo.
Brady negotiations go nowhere
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Patriots quarterback Tom Brady attended last-minute settlement talks between the NFL and its players union in New York before a judge announced he would decide the dispute over deflated footballs with a ruling in a day or two.
Everyone involved “tried quite hard” to reach a deal in the controversy, U.S. District Judge Richard Berman said in a Manhattan federal court.
Personnel dept.
The Raiders cut running back Trent Richardson, a former No. 1 pick of the Browns who also played for the Colts.
... Dolphins center Mike Pouncey says an MRI on his sore left knee was negative, clearing him to practice.
... The Giants signed safety Stevie Brown (Michigan), who was cut by the Titans.
... The Panthers acquired wide receiver KevinNorwood from the Seahawks for a 2017 draft choice.
... The Jaguars traded kicker JoshScobee to the Steelers for a sixth-round draft in 2016. The Jaguars will make rookie Jason Myers their kicker.
... The Broncos traded offensive tackle Chris Clark to the Texans for a seventh-round pick in 2016.
... Colts coach ChuckPagano says starting defensive lineman Art Jones is getting a second opinion on his injured left ankle.
... Jaguars tight end Julius Thomas could miss multiple games to start the regular season. General manager Dave Caldwell said Thomas will get a second opinion on his injured right hand.
... Jets defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson will be back in court in Missouri on Oct. 5 after pleading not guilty to resisting arrest and traffic charges.
Richardson is accused of driving his 2014 Bentley Silver Spur up to 143 mph on July 14. Police say he had a loaded semi-automatic handgun, and a 12-year-old male relative was among three passengers.