Aug 23, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Mike Glennon (8) drops to pass during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Tampa beat Buffalo 27-14. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Buffalo Bills – EJ Manuel = Mike Glennon?
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Rumors have been floating around the internet the last couple weeks about Manuel, first round pick by Buffalo in 2013, might not make it through the summer on Buffalo’s roster. Sounds ludicrous, right?
No, not to the average Bills fan. His inconsistency and lack of ability to effectively throw down the field has grew thin on fans. In his first 14 games Manuel has started in the NFL he has yet to impress anybody. But is 14 games enough time to give a quarterback, one who was considered raw coming into the league, a fighting chance to succeed in the NFL?
That’s your opinion. It’s a perspective only you can have for yourself, and I can’t sit here and tell you how to think one way or another. The men whose opinion ultimately does matter (general manager Doug Whaley, head coach Rex Ryan and the rest of the Bills’ staff) will have a tough decision to make this Summer if Manuel doesn’t show any progression.
So what’s Buffalo to do if their former quarterback of the future is no longer on the team? Dig right back into the quarterback class of 2013.
Once the season ended and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were awarded the first overall selection in the 2015 NFL draft, and Jameis Winston declared for forego his senior season at Florida State University, it was almost a given that Winston would find himself in a Buccaneers uniform in 2015. That spelled trouble for Glennon, a guy who has been given little chance to take the team over in Tampa Bay.
When drafted 73rd overall in 2013, Glennon was viewed as a raw quarterback with great arm skills and limited mobility. The 6-6, 225 lb former NC State Wolfpack has started just four more games (18) than Manuel in their two seasons in the league. Glennon, however, has put up better numbers on a worse team.
Aug 23, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Mike Glennon (8) during the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Through those 18 starts, Glennon has thrown for 29 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. His completion percentage ( 58.8) and yards-per-attempt (6.5) top those of Manuels as does the touchdowns statistic. Stats are great but all they do is help shape a story opposed to tell it. And don’t ever listen to the “numbers never lie” line because that would tell you that Trent Dilfer was a better quarterback than Dan Marino (if we were talking Super Bowls of course).
If Glennon really is on Buffalo’s radar once (if!) Manuel is released this Summer, the Bills will have to pay a price to get him. Not a huge one, but significant enough to convince head coach Lovie Smith won’t need him if Winston finds a way to suspend himself.
The price? Probably nothing more than a mid-round pick, and Buffalo has all but their seventh round selection available (traded to Minnesota Vikings for Matt Cassel). This is an intriguing story that must be followed throughout OTA’s and training camp.