With the Bills three-headed monster of Matt Cassel, EJ Manuel, and Tyrod Taylor all competing for the starting job, fans in Buffalo don’t have a ton to look forward to on offense. However, one of those three may actually already be falling behind the curve.
Cassel, an 11-year veteran, may be in danger of not making the roster, writes Mike Rodak of ESPN. Rodak called him the clear loser of the group of passers based on the three OTA practices and three minicamp sessions that were open to the media. He added that Cassel was inaccurate, forcing throws, and turning the ball over at alarmingly high rates (via Twitter).
Rodak listed Manuel as the slight winner, but was adamant that Cassel had been the worst of the three, noting that he was “consistently subpar this spring,” (via Twitter).
Many fans and pundits saw the Bills trading for Cassel as an indication that they planned on starting the season with him under center. It would have been difficult to imagine him not making the roster, even as a veteran backup for Manuel at the very least. However, if he continues to underperform, the team could still take the $4.15MM he is set to earn this year off the books by releasing him before the season opener.
Last year’s starting right tackle Seantrel Henderson may also be on the bubble of making the roster, and there are a few red flags that lead Rodak to believe he could be the odd man out along the offensive line (via Twitter). Henderson arrived to camp late and lost the starting job in practice to last year’s second-round pick Cyrus Kouandjio. Additionally, head coach Rex Ryan expects the team to sign veteran swing tackle Wayne Hunter, who could play both right tackle and left tackle, as well as tight end in heavy packages. With Hunter, Kouandjio, and Cordy Glenn in the fold, Henderson would have limited value to the team.