C.J. Spiller: EJ Manuel needed to learn not to be so nice to teammates

Buffalo Bills running back C.J. Spiller says quarterback EJ Manuel used to be too nice to his teammates.

Spiller made the comments on NFL Network's "NFL AM" on Tuesday. The impending free agent answered questions about what's next in his career, but his most interesting comments centered on the quarterback the Bills selected with the 16th overall pick in 2013.

"(Manuel) learned that you can't be buddy buddy with everybody," Spiller said. "You're the face of the franchise, you're the quarterback so you have to demand everything. ... I think early on he didn't really understand how to step on guys' toes. Once Kyle (Orton) took over, he saw what Kyle did and it helped him."

Spiller went on to praise Manuel's work ethic and preparation and said if the Bills give Manuel the chance to start, he believes the passer will succeed. 

Manuel has only 14 starts as a pro. While it's highly unusual for a team to give up on a first-round quarterback so soon, the Bills haven't given much of an indication they plan to let Manuel start. They brought in Orton a year ago and were reportedly in hot pursuit of Josh McCown before he signed with the Cleveland Browns last week.

The Bills are expected to continue pursuing an upgrade at quarterback in free agency (and perhaps via trade), but they may have no choice but to give Manuel another chance behind center.