Matt Cassel’s Experience With Patriots Could Help Him Win Bills’ QB Battle

Rex Ryan has said many times he just wants to beat the New England Patriots. But it will be pretty tough to do that without a quarterback.

The Buffalo Bills enter 2015 with a new head coach and plenty of weapons, yet the most important position on the field remains the team’s biggest question mark. Kyle Orton gave the Bills a serviceable 2014 campaign before hanging them up after the season. That leaves EJ Manuel, the recently-acquired Matt Cassel and long-shot Tyrod Taylor to compete for Buffalo’s starting job.

Manuel has been the Bills’ starter in the past, but Cassel’s signing might be the writing on the wall that his window is closing. With 10 NFL seasons under his belt — including four with Ryan’s arch-nemesis — Cassel could be the key to Buffalo finally beating New England and getting over the hump.

As NFL veteran quarterback Brady Quinn points out, Cassel’s experience with the Patriots could give him an extra boost in his competition with Manuel.

“Despite the rumors, the competition likely still remains open,” Quinn writes on FootballbyFootball.com. “But no matter who Ryan chooses, it sounds as if it will come down to who gives the Bills the best chance to beat New England. Whoever that is should start their preparation sooner rather than later if they want to surpass the defending Super Bowl champs.”