Quarterback EJ Manuel is getting a clean slate under Bills new offensive coordinator Greg Roman.
That doesn't mean Roman is ready to name his starter any time soon.
Manuel, practice squad member Jeff Tuel and however many quarterbacks the team adds this offseason will still have to prove themselves on the field, Roman said during his introductory news conference Tuesday.
"We're really going to focus on rolling the balls out on the field and getting our hands on them, working with them and going from there," he said. "Everything else at this point is watercooler talk."
Roman provided a mixed review of Manuel based on what he saw reviewing film of the second-year player.
While Manuel displayed what Roman called "some good traits," inconsistency was an issue.
The Bills have a new coaching staff under Rex Ryan, who took over after Doug Marrone stepped down abruptly on Dec. 31 following a 9-7 season. And yet, the team faces a familiar concern at quarterback.
With two years left on his contract, Manuel has a 6-8 record since being selected in the first round of the 2013 draft. He went 2-2 this season before being benched in favor of journeyman Kyle Orton, who announced his intention to retire.
General manager Doug Whaley previously said he intends to add one and potentially two quarterbacks this offseason. Until that happens, Roman can only focus on the players he has.
"What they might have been asked to do or done in the past is really not relevant," Roman said. "So to sit here and pontificate about this or that and the other is a little premature."
