Bills Name Rookie EJ Manuel Starting QB vs. Patriots
BOSTON (CBS) - EJ Manuel will start at quarterback for the Bills on Sunday when they host the New England Patriots, Buffalo head coach Doug Marrone announced early Wednesday morning.
Manuel underwent minor surgery on his right knee just two weeks ago, and Marrone said last week he may start undrafted rookie Jeff Tuel in the season-opener against New England. But Manuel returned to practice on Sunday and passed all the tests the Bills' training staff put him through, so the 16th overall pick in this year's NFL Draft will be under center for Week 1.
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Manuel becomes Buffalo's eighth different opening-day starting quarterback since 1996.
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Last year as a senior at Florida State, Manuel completed 68-percent of his passes while tossing 23 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Tune in to the Patriots season opener against the Buffalo Bills Sunday at 1 p.m. on 98.5 The Sports Hub and WBZ-TV — the flagship stations of the New England Patriots. Pregame coverage begins at 10 a.m. on 98.5 FM with Patriots Preview and at 11:30 a.m. on WBZ-TV with Patriots GameDay. Following the game stay tuned for full postgame coverage on the Sports Hub, and Bill Belichick and Tom Brady's postgame press conferences on Patriots 5th Quarter over on myTV38 .
