New Bills coach Rex Ryan knows he has issues, but he also has a plan.
While the Bills don’t have any great options at quarterback, or the opportunity to land one, he’s realistic about his situation.
“If it was easy, everybody would have one,” Ryan said, via Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News. “It’s not the easiest thing in the world.”
The easiest path might be to fix E.J. Manuel, their 2013 first-rounder who was benched last year in favor of the retired (for now) Kyle Orton. But without a first-round pick this year, their options are either to work with him or go out and sign a free agent such as Mark Sanchez.
But Ryan stressed the importance of offensive coordinator Greg Roman and quarterbacks coach David Lee, as much as any of the individual players they might be working with.
“But it starts with a system,” Ryan said. “You’ve got to have a system that’s flexible and plays to the strength of, not just your quarterback, but all your players. And then make sure you’ve got the right guys that are teaching. I’m certainly not going to teach the position. . . .
“I think we understand what we’re trying to build here, and I think that’s important also.”
While he might prefer to have a first-round pick, he also said he wasn’t opposed to it having been used a year ago, when General Manager Doug Whaley traded up for wide receiver Sammy Watkins.
“That was a bold move, but it wasn’t a brash move,” Ryan said. “It was a bold move. . . .
“A guy like Sammy Watkins comes down the pike once every 10 years. So think he just went for it and, obviously, we’re fortunate to have Sammy.”
If they can find someone to throw it to him, they’ll be even more fortunate. Of course, if Ryan had reliably developed a quarterback in the past, he might still be the coach of the Jets.