Buffalo Bills

Bills RB Jackson thinks backup role in 2014 has helped QB Manuel

Published Jul. 23, 2015 11:56 a.m. ET

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EJ Manuel: 16th-overall pick in 2013, Buffalo Bills starter as a rookie, backup in 2014. That's how the former Florida State Seminole's career has gone thus far. It's a tough pill for Bills fans to swallow, but Manuel hasn't been anything close to what the team thought they were getting with their first-round pick in 2013.

After riding the bench in 2014 and watching the since-retired Kyle Orton lead the Bills to a 9-7 record, Manuel hopes to put his name into consideration as the starter in 2015. It definitely won't be easy, but running back Fred Jackson thinks his time away from the field last season will ultimately help Manuel's development.

"I think having to sit back and watch and learn from a veteran last year he knows how to approach the playbook this year," Jackson told BuffaloBills.com. "He knows what he’s doing. A guy that’s physically gifted and can make all the throws and when he needs to he can pull the ball down and run with it."

Like Jackson eluded to, there's no doubting Manuel's physical ability. It's the mental side that could be his demise as a quarterback. His poor decision-making habits must be cleaned up, and he may not have much time to do so. With training camp set to begin next week, Manuel will have to beat out journeymen Tyrod Taylor and Matt Cassel for the starting job.

(h/t Buffalo Bills)

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