Bills bench Taylor in favor of rookie Peterman

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. » Rookie Nathan Peterman has replaced Tyrod Taylor as the Buffalo Bills’ starting quarterback in an abrupt move coach Sean McDermott said he made in a bid to improve the team.

McDermott made the stunning announcement on Wednesday, when the Bills (5-4) returned to practice to prepare to play at the Los Angeles Chargers (3-6) on Sunday. The move comes after Peterman made his NFL debut in replacing Taylor for the final two drives of a 47-10 loss to New Orleans last weekend.

McDermott said he reached the decision on his own Tuesday in what became a change of heart, after he backed Taylor as the starter immediately following the game and again on Monday.

“This is about becoming a better team,” McDermott said. He would only say “we’ll see,” when asked if Peterman will remain the starter beyond this weekend.

It made no difference to McDermott in making a switch at the team’s most important position at a time when Buffalo has a winning record while holding down the AFC’s sixth and final playoff spot. The franchise is in the midst of a 17-year playoff drought — the longest active streak in North America’s four major professional sports.

“We are 5-4, I understand that,” McDermott said. “It is al-

ways and will be for the time that I’m here about becoming the best team we can possibly become. We are made for more than 5-4, and I’ve come here to be more than 5-4.”

Buffalo has lost two straight and Taylor has overseen an offense that ranks 28th in the NFL in yards offense and 30th in yards passing.

Taylor said he was shocked when informed of the decision, and acknowledged feeling somewhat betrayed, saying “that’s one of the feelings.”

“Obviously disappointed,” Taylor said. “I

don’t agree with the decision, but ultimately coach McDermott has a vision for this team, what he feels is best for the team as well as the owner and GM. I have to move forward and continue to be a teammate and a leader that I am in a different role.”

Taylor has a 20-18 record since taking over as the Bills’ starter in 2015. Though a dynamic runner, he’s been inconsistent as a passer and is coming off the worst performance of his career.

He went 9 of 18 for 56 yards and an interception against the Saints. After Stephen Hauschka capped a nine-play, 57yard opening drive with a 37-yard field goal, the Bills never crossed midfield

over their next eight possessions.

The offense particularly sputtered during eight drives under Taylor in managing 99 net yards and four first downs. Peterman mopped up, going 7 of 10 for 79 yards and a 7-yard touchdown pass to Nick O’Leary over the final two possessions.

Taylor is 163 of 254 for 1,684 yards with 10 touchdowns passing, two rushing and just three interceptions.

Peterman was selected in the fifth round of the draft after a college career in which he left Tennessee after two seasons and finished as two-year starter at Pittsburgh.

Last year, Peterman

oversaw a Pitt offense that set a school record in scoring 532 points. He finished fourth in the nation in averaging 15.43 yards per completion.

At 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds, Peterman has a slight height advantage over Taylor.

Peterman is also more of a prototypical pocket passer than Taylor, which is considered a better fit in the offensive system installed by first-year coordinator Rick Dennison.

Taylor is more of a dual threat and has been at his best when given the goahead to scramble out of the pocket. He set Bills records in yards rushing in each of the last two seasons, with 568 in 2015 and 580 last year.