Taylor named starting QB

ORCHARD PARK, N. Y. — The Buffalo Bills are turning their offense over to Tyrod Taylor, who has won the starting job after a three- way quarterback competition.

Bills Coach Rex Ryan announced his decision following practice on Monday.

Taylor won the job over former Bills starter and 2013 first- round draft pick EJ Manuel and Matt Cassel, a 10- year journeyman who was acquired in an offseason trade with Minnesota.

The decision comes after all three quarterbacks played with the starting offense in a 43- 19 exhibition victory over Pittsburgh on Saturday.

Following the game, Ryan said he intended to spend Sunday meeting with his staff, front- office personnel and owners Terry and Kim Pegula to determine his starter.

Taylor signed a three- year contact with Buffalo in free agency this offseason after spending his first four years as Joe Flacco’s backup in Baltimore.

The Bills also released veteran running back Fred Jackson on Monday.

The decision came only as a mild surprise after the team acquired LeSean McCoy in a trade during the offseason. But Jackson’s release was significant nonetheless because of the blue- collar style and perseverance he displayed during his nine seasons in Buffalo. Jackson was undrafted out of Coe College, and was playing in a second- tier arena football league when the Bills signed him to their practice squad in 2006.

Jackson made the active roster the following season and proceeded to win the starting job in 2009, when he had a career- best 1,062 yards rushing, added 371 receiving yards and combined for 4 touchdowns.