Buffalo Bills: Time for Tyrod Taylor to raise his game

Tyrod Taylor enters an extremely important season, as he looks to finally prove he is the long-term solution for the Buffalo Bills at the quarterback position.

In today’s version of professional football, quarterback is more important than ever to a team’s success. This is no different for the Buffalo Bills.

Even if the rest of the roster is jam-packed with talent, we are no longer in an era where you can rely on this to achieve the ultimate success, à la Doug Williams in Super Bowl XXII, Jeff Hostetler in Super Bowl XXV or Mark Rypien in Super Bowl XXVI.

(Ironically, one of the few exceptions to this, was when the Denver Broncos won Super Bowl. Despite a Hall of Fame career, Peyton Manning was a broken down version of himself by this point.)

As such, the time has come for Tyrod Taylor to prove himself once and for all. After renegotiating his contract with the Bills, to make it more team-friendly, the Bills can now cut him after the 2017 campaign, with minimal impact of next year’s salary cap.

On the surface at least, Taylor at least appears to have the intangibles, with his dual-threat ability as a passer and runner. This is evidenced by becoming one of just six quarterbacks in NFL history, to surpass 3,000 yards passing and 500 yards rushing in consecutive seasons.

In addition, the 28-year-old has the arm for the deep game, along with an excellent low interception percentage of 1.5 percent during his two seasons in Buffalo. However, statistics can often be manipulated, to makes things seem better than they actually are.

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Delving deeper, Taylor still has issues throwing over the middle with confidence, (something which Anquan Boldin would have helped with, before he suddenly retired). He also often holds onto the ball too long, as evidenced by being sacked 42 times last season.

Most damning of all, is the fact the 2015 Pro Bowler has a career win-loss record of just 14-14 in his time in Western New York. And he can’t even use the lack of a ground game as an excuse, given the Bills have led the league in rushing the previous two seasons.

As we prepare for kick off at New Era Field, Taylor actually faced the real possibility of not even facing the New York Jets, which could have proved disastrous for him. However, after suffering a concussion versus the Baltimore Ravens, he was cleared to start earlier this week.

As a result, the 2011 sixth round draft pick now begins his quest to show he can succeed with the Bills and give them their long-term solution at quarterback. It’s going to be an interesting season in Buffalo.

Next: Can the Bills rely on Cordy Glenn?

What’s your take on Taylor? How will he perform this season? Further, do you believe he will do enough to show he’s the answer at quarterback for the Bills? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.