Most NFL coaches entering training camp with a quarterback conundrum want the situation sorted out by the third preseason game to maximize the reps the battle winner gets with the starters in the dress rehearsal.
Then there is Rex Ryan.
The Buffalo Bills' coach has yet to name a starter even for Saturday's game versus the Pittsburgh Steelers, let alone the regular season. Ryan said Tuesday they are still in the "process" of deciding between Tyrod Taylor, Matt Cassel and EJ Manuel.
While the consternation grows about Ryan's management of the quarterback situation -- as it has for the entirety of his head-coaching career -- Rex believes he's gotten exactly what he was looking for in the training camp battle.
"This was the scenario I wanted," he said, per the team's transcript. "I wanted a scenario where all three guys performed at a high level and I think we have. When you look at the games that I think all three guys have performed at a really high level, and so that's what exactly I was wanting. If I was a betting man going in to it would I have said that? I'm not sure. But I'm glad it's working out the way it is."
As for naming a starter before the preseason Week 3 showcase, Ryan dismissed that notion as inflated.
"I think you guys overblow that one," he said when asked about the downside of not have a starter named yet. "They're preseason games. You know, super important and all that, and maybe to some teams it is. To us, the preparation, we just want to get it right come the opener..."
Taylor displayed the most potential last week as the starter -- and we all know of Ryan's love for mobile quarterbacks -- but Rex is just fine letting the wheel spin his quarterback roulette. Not that the strategy has worked well for him in the past.
The latest Around The NFL Podcast discusses Jordy Nelson's knee injury and gives its winners and losers from Week 2 of the preseason.
