E.J. Manuel to start for Buffalo, Geno Smith for New York
After E.J. Manuel had surgery during the preseason, many thought that he wouldn't be ready in time for the team's season opener against the Patriots.
Think again.
#Bills announce EJ Manuel will start this Sunday vs Pats, and #Jets announce Geno Smith will start Week 1 vs TB, likely to face Pats Week 2
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) September 4, 2013
Undrafted rookie Jeff Tuel would've been in line to start in Manuel's place, the first undrafted rookie to ever start a home opener. It seems we'll have to wait for another player to take that crown.
The addition of Manuel to the Bills game day roster shouldn't scare Patriots fans, but it shouldn't have them feeling at ease either. Manuel has looked great in camp and preseason. The Bills look to finally be much improved from last year, even if they aren't garnering the most buzz.
They have two talented wideouts in Stevie Johnson and rookie Robert Woods. The Bills feature a potential star running back in C.J. Spiller and they've also got a scary defensive line with Mario Williams playing up to the huge contract he signed last off-season.
Are they to the level of the Patriots? Not quite yet, but they are getting better every year. Fans shouldn't sleep on this team.
One AFC East rival they probably can sleep on though is the New York Jets, who announced today that Geno Smith would be their starter in Week 1. Mark Sanchez is expected to miss at least the first three weeks of the season with a shoulder injury sustained in the preseason, according to the New York Post.
Geno's most famous moments related to the NFL haven't been very positive so far. He's famous for dropping out of the first round, firing his agent soon afterwards, and then throwing 3 INTs and walking out of the endzone in preseason.
Great start. He'll see the Patriots in Week 2.
