When week 1 of the NFL opens up Sunday (minus the Thursday game, of course), it’ll be cotton candy, beer nuts, and sweet tea all around (don’t judge my Sunday eating, please). For rookie quarterbacks Geno Smith of the New York Jets and EJ Manuel of the Buffalo Bills, week 1 will be their first game starting under center for their respective teams.
On Wednesday, both the Bills and the Jets announced that they were going with their rookie signal callers to start their seasons, and though both will be under center Sunday, it’s fair to say that Manuel should by far be the more excited of the two.
For Manuel, it was a no brainer that the Bills would hand over the keys to their starting quarterback gig to him, especially considering that Kevin Kolb is out of the picture with his concussion issues. The only real question was whether he would be healthy enough to make the start after undergoing a minor procedure on his left knee on August 18. That question was answered this week in practice and all signs are pointing to a completely healthy Manuel.
“He’s 110 percent healthy,” Head coach Doug Marrone said. “He looks good out there. So that’s what we’re going to go with.”
The 16th overall pick was impressive in limited action this preseason, going a combined 26-of-33 passing for 199 yards and two touchdowns without an interception in his two preseason appearances.
On the other side of the rookie QB starters coin is Smith, who won the Jets starting nod for week 1, not on merit but on being the only capable quarterback left standing. With Mark Sanchez nursing a bruised joint in his throwing shoulder, the Jets tentatively committed to Smith as their starter. As an added ‘bonus’ and in true Jet fashion, the team also did it in a way that totally undermines any confidence the start would give to Smith.
“We’re having a competition between quarterbacks, and that competition isn’t finished,” owner Woody Johnson said.
Basically, that means that the Jets QB situation, for another year, is going to be a week by week thing. I guess anything to take the attention away from the losing will be a benefit to Rex Ryan and company this season.
In the preseason, Smith went 22 of 37 for 246 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. Not exactly what we would call ‘world beater’ numbers there. Though it’s safe to say that Smith has nowhere to go but up in the stats department.
For you fantasy football nuts, feel good adding Manuel to your roster if he’s available but stay away from Smith unless you are truly desperate. Since it’s just the beginning of the season, I doubt anyone is in such a situation that would warrant this level of action, and if you are, just give up now (or join my league, I could use an easy win).
James LeBeau is a contributor for CraveOnline Sports. You can follow him on Twitter @Jlebeau76 or subscribe on Facebook.com/CraveOnlineSports.
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