Bills GM Whaley: 'We don't have a proven franchise quarterback. That's obvious'

Buffalo Bills general manager Doug Whaley isn't about to pretend that EJ Manuel is a franchise quarterback. The same goes for potential Week 1 starter Matt Cassel.

"The way we looked at is, we don't have a proven franchise quarterback. That's obvious," Whaley said Monday, according to ESPN's Mike Rodak. "But what we wanted to do is be perfect everywhere else, where that guy doesn't have to put the game on his shoulders and be the man. We want him to be able to just make right decisions and be able to put the ball in the hands of the playmakers."

The Bills' philosophy this offseason has been to upgrade the offensive roster around their quarterback in an effort to protect either Manuel or Cassel from needing to make too many plays. Whaley is hoping LeSean McCoy, Percy Harvin and Charles Clay can do that. 

"And that's what we wanted to do," said Whaley, "is get as many playmakers and as many people that can score (as many) touchdowns as possible around that position until that position takes that next step."

Whaley has expressed confidence in Manuel's development in the past, but these comments prove what has been known for a long time: the Bills need to be average on offense, with the ability to hit a few home runs, and hang their hat on a defense quickly becoming one of the best in the league.