The Sports Xchange

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Head coach Rex Ryan was simply gushing on Thursday as the Buffalo Bills mandatory three-day minicamp came to an end, signifying the corresponding end of Buffalo’s vigorous offseason program.

“I am really pleased with how the offseason went,” Ryan said. “I think when you look at it, what you are trying to accomplish, you have to get a couple new systems taught, you have to see what you have from a physical standpoint as best you can without putting the pads on, enthusiasm and all that type of stuff. And obviously the physical conditioning of your players. I have been happy with all of it.”

The Bills made tangible improvements to their roster with the addition of running back LeSean McCoy, wide receiver Percy Harvin, tight end Charles Clay, fullback Jerome Felton, and guard Richie Incognito.

Ryan is an upgrade at coach over the departed Doug Marrone, and his veteran staff is certainly much more experienced than Marrone’s. All these factors are why the Bills are being touted as a potential playoff team in 2015.

But as they packed their bags and headed out for six-week vacations all across the country, the elephant in the room has not budged: The Bills do not have a viable starting quarterback.

Holdover EJ Manuel and newly-acquired Matt Cassel and Tyrod Taylor spent two months in the classroom, in the weight room, and on the practice field learning Greg Roman’s offense, familiarizing themselves with several new teammates, and competing against each other in drills. And no one, including Ryan, has any idea who will be the starter come opening day against the Colts.

“There’s not going to be any separation until the pads come on,” Ryan said of the three-man competition. “It’s not going to be one until we get to playing real football. The No. 1 thing is to pick the right guy. Is time on our side a little bit? Yes, it is. In an ideal world would you already have your quarterback named by now? Yeah, that’s an ideal situation, but you know what, we’re not there, we’re in an ideal situation to have competition at that spot and I welcome it.”

Ryan is fully aware that his team is carrying around some higher expectations this season. Hey, Ryan is the first guy in line fanning the flames. He also knows that all eyes are focused on the quarterbacks, and right now, it sure looks like the old saying is true: When you have three quarterbacks, you really don’t have one.

“Yeah I get it, but also there’s a level of excitement about the quarterback position as well,” Ryan said, trying his best to spin a situation that is pretty tough to spin. “You have some competition at it which I think is good, that’s going to make guys better, and I think there’s a comfort level with the fans, just like me, there’s a comfort level in knowing that somebody’s going to have to earn the job, and I think that’s good.”

One thing that is certainly good is the Buffalo defense. The Bills may have the best defensive line in the NFL, and the other two levels are pretty solid, too. Ryan, one of the most respected defensive minds in the NFL, has been given a Ferrari to tool around in, and he firmly believes Buffalo’s fourth-ranked defense under Jim Schwartz last year can ascend to the top spot this season.

“When you combine talent with scheme it is going to be pretty spectacular over on the (defensive) side, I believe,” he said.

The simple reality is that the Bills may need to be spectacular to overcome the offense. On paper, the Bills offense looks great: They revamped their skill positions by adding McCoy, Clay, and Harvin to a mix that already included returning starting receivers Sammy Watkins and Robert Woods. However, if the quarterback can’t distribute the ball on time and on target, it’s not going to matter how many guys scare opposing defenses.

McCoy, who endured his share of quarterback competitions during his six years with the Eagles, said all the Bills can do is let the battle play out. “You just wait it out,” said McCoy. “Let the guys compete, you encourage them, support them. I mean the coaches have the last say, that’s how it’s always been, so as a player you just compete with them.”