Buffalo Bills Take The Gamble On Tyrod Taylor

By far the biggest surprise of the 2015 season among quarterbacks was Tyrod Taylor of the Buffalo Bills. Now he’s hoping to shock everybody again.

The 27-year old spent the first four years of his professional career as a backup in Baltimore. A former 6th round draft pick, nobody ever gave him much serious thought as a starter. Years of solid preseasons performances and a personality that seemed to reflect leadership began to change that last season. Almost out of nowhere head coach Rex Ryan and the Bills signed him to a deal and made it clear he was very much in the competition for the starting job.

True to form he stood out in the preseason and won the spot he’d worked so long for. Now he’s about to receive his greatest reward yet for it.

There is no doubt the Buffalo Bills brass believe in him, but some wonder if they might be jumping the gun a bit. Taylor has just one year of starting experience. Granted, he went to the Pro Bowl while throwing for 3,035 yards and rushing for 568, scoring a total of 24 touchdowns. Even so there is a belief that the NFL might catch up to him this year, having had time to review films and ascertain his weaknesses. Something the league is famous for.

Then again the Bills have no plans to make him the focal point of the offense. Taylor is their versatile weapon at quarterback who will manage the game. The meat of their success will come from running the ball and playing great defense. All he has to do is not make mistakes and make a few big plays every week. It’s a proven formula, but is it worth $90 million? That will depend on the details. Chances are the team found a way to protect itself.