Bills quarterback E.J. Manuel made a good first impression on coach Doug Marrone at the opening of rookie minicamp on Friday, which may be attributable to the work Manuel put in during the two weeks between the draft and the first day of practice.
Manuel said after Friday’s on-field work that he thinks he has a good handle on the offense, or at least as good a handle as it’s possible to have with two weeks to study.
“I got the playbook after I got drafted,” Manuel said. “I’ve been drilling it like crazy.”
Manuel added, however, that offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett is making a point of bringing the rookies along slowly, and that he scripted 15 plays that Manuel would run in practice. That’s a long way from knowing the whole offense.
So the Bills will need Manuel to keep studying the playbook like crazy, if he’s going to be their starter when the season starts in four months.