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ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Rookie quarterback EJ Manuel took a big step forward in the competition to win the Buffalo Bills starting job after the team released veteran Tarvaris Jackson on Monday. The move was announced by the team in a one-sentence release. And it came a day before the Bills open a three-day mandatory minicamp -- the teams final sessions before the start of training camp next month. The timing of the decision immediately frees up additional practice time for Manuel to further his development and become comfortable running the offence under rookie coach Doug Marrone. Selected 16th overall out of Florida State, Manuel was the only quarterback taken in the first round of the draft. Jacksons departure leaves Manuel competing with Kevin Kolb, a sixth-year player the Bills signed in free agency in April. Kolb and Jackson had mostly evenly split practice time with the first-team offence during the Bills 10 voluntary spring minicamps. Kolb appeared to have a better grasp of the offence. Marrone had indicated two weeks ago that he wanted to increase Manuels practice time. In the end, Jackson never received a shot in Buffalo after being acquired by the Bills in a trade with Seattle in August. The seventh-year player spent all of last season as Buffalos third-string quarterback. Jackson then signed a one-year contract to return to Buffalo in February, believing he would have an opportunity to compete for a starting job. That chance hardly materialized, and his release is not regarded as a surprise. Manuel is being groomed to take over the starting job sooner than later. And the Bills targeted Kolb in free agency, believing he could serve as a temporary stop-gap until Manuels ready. Kolb has shown flashes of success in going 9-12 as a starter with Philadelphia and Arizona, but his career has been hampered by a series of injuries. For Jackson, this marks the second consecutive off-season during which hes been the odd-man out in a three-way quarterback competition. Jackson was deemed expendable by the Seahawks last summer after rookie Russell Wilson secured the starting job ahead of Jackson and free-agent addition Matt Flynn. The Seahawks advanced to the NFC divisional round with Wilson under centre, losing to Atlanta, 30-28. Jackson acknowledged last month that the odds might be stacked against him in Buffalo. "They invest a lot in the players in the first round," Jackson said, referring to Manuel. "I know how it goes. I just come out here and do my best. And sometimes, in certain situations, your best might not be good enough." Jackson was selected in the second round of the 2006 draft by Minnesota. The Alabama State product has appeared in 51 games, and has starting experience with both the Vikings and Seahawks. Jacksons best season came in 2011, his one and only year with Seattle. He went 7-7, putting up career highs with 14 touchdowns, 271 completions and 3,091 yards. Gordon Hayward Jersey . -- Edmontons Val Sweeting is two wins away from a trip to Winnipeg to play in Canadas Road of the Rings in December. Jayson Tatum Jersey .J. -- New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz will miss the rest of the season after having surgery on his left knee. http://www.celticssale.com/kids-reggie-lewis-celtics-jersey/ . But now that hes in the NHL, the Calgary Flames centre showed big improvement in that department by scoring the winner in the eighth round of a 5-4 shootout victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Monday. Jayson Tatum Celtics Jersey . -- Yogi Ferrell orchestrates pretty much everything in Indianas offence. Marcus Smart Celtics Jersey . -- Whether Jeremy Hill deserves a prominent role in LSUs offence this early in the season is a matter for debate. The Sydney Kings have appointed reigning MVP Kevin Lisch as team captain for the 2016-17 NBL season.The US-born Lisch, who represented his adopted country for the first time at the Rio Olympics, is thrilled by the announcement.Im extremely honoured. With this title comes a great responsibility, Lisch said in a statement.I respect the tradition of the Sydney Kings enormously and I look forward to be able to lead and follow my teammates at the same time, to achieve our mission.I want everyone to feel like theyre a leader and contribute their input. Im looking forward to this year from a personal perspective but also as a team because we have such great talent and really great people.New Kings coach Andrew Gaze said it was a collective decision but one that was an easy one after watching the leadership qualities has brought to the franchise since his move from the Illawarra Hawks.This was a choice that was made by the entire group, Gaze said.With Kevins experience, the way hes conducted himself here at the Kings and the fact hes one of the premier players in the competition combined with the respect he has amongst the group, we couldnt bbe happier that hes going to be our captain for this season.ddddddddddddLisch only arrived at Sydney after signing a long-term deal in April but the star guard has quickly made a strong impression at all levels of the organisation.Kevin Lisch has had an amazing career in the NBL to this point and has won multiple MVP awards,?Kings Managing Director Jeff Van Groningen said.This year he earned a roster spot with the Australian Boomers at the Olympic Games for his adopted country, and now has been appointed the captain of the Sydney Kings.We are talking about a rare talent and a simply fantastic man on and off the floor. On behalf of the entire organisation I couldnt be happier that we have KevIn taking on this leadership role.Another recent recruit Aleks Maric and?rising local star Jason Cadee will join Lisch in the Kings leadership group.KEVIN LISCH CAREER HIGHLIGHTSDOMESTIC NBL MVP (2012 & 2016)NBL Championship (2010)NBL Defensive Player of the year (2016)INTERNATIONAL 2016 Olympian2014 French Cup Champion? ' ' '