Inside The Bills

Left tackle update

Even though Cordy Glenn took all the first team reps at left tackle in the OTAs and minicamp it doesn’t mean he’s got the inside track on landing the starting job.

That according to head coach Chan Gailey, who confirmed that come training camp it’ll be a two-man competition between Glenn and Chris Hairston. Gailey was asked about Glenn’s spring and whether he’s got an upper hand on the blind side position.

“He has the ability,” said Gailey of Glenn. ”Now there are a lot of guys with a bunch of ability that are home today. But he has the ability, it’s can he transition that into pads and the speed of the game? Minicamp is just one speed. There’s another speed when you go to at training camp. There’s another speed when you hit preseason games. There’s another speed when you hit the regular season and still another speed when you reach the playoffs. So can you transition with all those speed changes, that’s a different deal. But he and Chris (Hairston) will be working at left tackle. I don’t know who will win that job.”

Hairston worked exclusively at right tackle with incumbent right tackle Erik Pears unable to participate in any of the spring practices due to hernia surgery. He’s expected to be full go come training camp allowing Hairston to compete with Glenn on the left side in late July and August.

Gilmore, Glenn meeting expectations

When you’re drafted high you’re expected to produce early and be on the field a lot. Through the first two weeks plus of OTAs, Buffalo’s top two draft choices have not disappointed.

“So far they’ve done a good job,” said head coach Chan Gailey of Stephon Gilmore and Cordy Glenn. ”I don’t see any reason that they would not be playing quite a bit this coming season if things continue to progress. All of a sudden they hit a wall you never know, but it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen with either one of those two.”

Gilmore is competing for a starting outside cornerback job, while Glenn will be in direct competition with Chris Hairston for the starting left tackle position.

Nix: Like to get 2 tackles

Offensive tackle is clearly the most pressing positional need for Buffalo with just three on the roster. But GM Buddy Nix isn’t pressing the panic button. Here’s why.

Appearing on Bills flagship station WGR Sportsradio 550 today, Nix said they have a guy they feel is a good starter at left tackle, but that they do need to add to the position.

“I think Chris Hairston is that guy,” Nix said. ”He’s got a clean bill of health. Passed his physical yesterday. He’s 23 or 24-years old. Everything is going to get better with him. We have two starters at tackle, but we don’t have enough of them. We have to add in some way, the draft or free agency we need two guys at tackle. But as far as that being a panic situation or a reach situation it’s not.”

Nix on tackle situation

Bills GM Buddy Nix talked about the team’s offensive tackle situation in terms of their roster numbers and who they believe are capable for the blind side.

“We need tackles, but we think Chris Hairston can play left tackle for us and win,” said Nix. ”People say Fitz gets the ball out quick, but we run our offense with a lot of empty sets, with five blockers and if they bring six he better get it out. In this offense he has to get it out quick. Chris Hairston might not be the prettiest foot athlete that he can protect the back side. We’ve got Pears and Sam Young is coming off of knee surgery. So we’ve only got three. We’d like to have two more.”

Nix update on Demetrius Bell

Bills GM Buddy Nix appeared on SiriusXM NFL Radio Monday afternoon while at the league meetings and provided an update on free agent OT Demetrius Bell.

“Demetrius wanted to test the market I think and we told him to go ahead and do that,” said Nix. ”We made him an offer and didn’t hear anything back from him so I assume they’re looking for something else.”

The only other left tackle with game experience on the roster right now is Chris Hairston, someone Nix believes can take the next step after showing some promise as a rookie last season.

“Chris Hairston did a good job for us and we think he can handle it,” said Nix. ”We’re not concerned about it.”

Fan Friday 2-10

Let’s get to another week of your questions from AskChris@bills.nfl.net. Keep them coming!

1 - Hi Chris,

Thanks, as always, for your helpful, informative coverage of our team.  Setting injuries aside, it appears to me that the Bills have a potentially powerful offense. But no matter how good an offense is, it will not overcome a weak defense—note the Packers.  Consequently, although I’d love to see the team improve at left tackle, I think it would make the most sense to focus the draft (and free agency) on acquiring a real pass rusher, help at linebacker, and perhaps a defensive back, with a good wide receiver as another priority.  My belief is that if you dramatically improve the defense, given the potential excellence of Williams, Dareus and Kelsay, the team has an opportunity to go to the playoffs.  I don’t suggest disregarding offensive tackles, but the priority, I think, should be on the defense.  I’d appreciate your thoughts.  Thanks.

Pat Courts
CB: I think the Bills front office has made it clear that improving the pass rush is the top priority this offseason. Where they choose to address it is the question. It could be free agency or the draft or both. The price for a proven pass rusher in free agency can get cost prohibitive pretty quick, but there might be a free agent or two that makes sense.

A guy I think would make a lot of sense is Dallas’ Anthony Spencer. Not a guy that’s going to cripple your cap like Mario Williams or possibly even Cliff Avril knowing there will be a line of teams knocking on his door. Spencer is coming off a down season, but has pass rush ability and would likely benefit with a move back to weakside DE in a 4-3 defense instead of OLB in a 3-4 (where he played in Dallas).

That’s where Spencer lined up in college at Purdue and would likely welcome an opportunity to play there again. Without production through the roof the past couple of years he might also be reasonably priced.

So I would anticipate that Buffalo will have that need thoroughly addressed by the time the draft is over and done with in late April.

2 - Hello Chris,

I listen to all of you radio appearances and appreciate all of your coverage on the website and just want to say thank you.

My question is: How you feel about Buffalo taking a guy like NO’s Robert Meachem or NYG’s Domenik Hixon in Free Agency? I see a relatively moderate price tag and a lot of upside. My rationale being that the Bill’s love small price tags that could return big dividends and there is also a proven track record that comes along with them. Other guys I like are INDY’s Pierre Garcon or Anthony Gonzalez who have a little size and hustle to them. INDY is rebuilding so I think we could get them relatively cheap. What are your thoughts? Do you think any of these could be a possibilty in the offseason?

Nick W,
Hammondsport, NY

CB: I think the biggest upside comes with Garcon and as such he’ll command the biggest price tag. Now Colts owner Jim Irsay has publicly stated that Garcon and Mathis are two of their free agents that they intend to re-sign. Knowing Reggie Wayne is probably out the door at 33-years old, Garcon could be enticed by that knowing he’d be the top target in Indy. Of course he also might be playing with a very talented, but nevertheless rookie QB. Does he want to go through a growing pain year?

Garcon can run and is freakishly strong on the ball, fitting Buddy Nix’s description of needing a guy that’s open even when he’s not open. Best of all he’ll turn 26 just before the 2012 season. So I’d put him at the top of your list. What I like best about him is he had 70 catches last season without Manning.

Meacham offers the most speed. He runs a 4.4 flat and has 20 touchdowns over the past three seasons. That’s a pretty good number knowing Drew Brees spreads the ball around. He’s got the size the Bills are looking for at 6’2” 217. It’s just hard to definitively say he could take a leap in production as the team’s number 2 in Buffalo. That being said I think he’s a worthwhile risk and would welcome the chance to be a weekly number two instead of fighting to be the number three in New Orleans.

Domenik Hixon is a guy I’m not a big fan of. Only runs a 4.7 and is coming off a major knee injury. He might be even slower now and isn’t a physical guy on the outside. Anthony Gonzalez is another smaller guy. Super smart, but can’t stay healthy.

3 - Chris,

Last year most of the draft gurus were predicting that the Bills would draft the top rated outside linebacker, Von Miller. This year its OLB Courtney Upshaw. How does Upshaw compare to Von Miller?

LeeD

CB: Upshaw’s game is totally different than Miller’s. Miller is a pure pass rusher whose game is based on speed and quickness. Upshaw’s game is all power and strength. He’s not slow, but he’s not going to blow past guys off the ball. He’s going to drive them back into the QB or knock them on their wallet. Miller is probably more athletic, but Upshaw is a better all-around player in terms of playing the run and the pass.

Some teams even think he could be an OLB in a 3-4. I think that might be possible on the strong side, but I think he can handle DE in a 4-3 even though he’s only 6’1” and change. He’s just so thickly built I think he could hold up at the line.

4 - Hi Chris,

Really enjoy your coverage of the team. My question is: how much better do you think Fitzpatrick can be if he had more time in the pocket? The line played well this year, but I’m convinced the lack of sacks was more due to Fitz’s ability to get rid of the ball quickly. Is improving at LT a higher priority than another stud WR (assuming Stevie stays)?

Thanks and keep up the good work!
Ryan
Ramsey, NJ

CB: Thanks for the kind words. With respect to protection for Fitz you’re right, Chan Gailey’s offense is largely a timing attack. Oftentimes Fitz would get rid of the ball in less than two seconds by design. I think Chan likes using Fitz’s ability to diagnose defenses quickly to their advantage and get the ball in the hands of the playmakers as quickly as possible.

Now I suppose if you added a true deep threat to the passing game in free agency this offseason the team might be more inclined to further solidify the left tackle spot to improve protection that much more to allow more time for those deep routes to develop.

I asked Buddy Nix about whether he feels he has a defined answer at left tackle knowing Bell and Hairston flip-flopped all year due to injury. This was his initial answer, and his answer to my follow up question. 

“Demetrius Bell has got all the tools. He’s got the good feet. He’s a good athlete. He’s what you look for at left tackle. The problem with Demetrius is injuries. He started the first four games for us and gets hurt. He missed eight and comes back and plays three and he ends up hurt again. He was rehabbing last year the whole year couldn’t practice all week. All those things enter into it.

“Chris Hairston I think can be a really good left tackle. He’s a rookie. It’s going to take him a little bit. He got some good experience this year. So we at least have a couple of possibilities at left tackle and those are the two. With his length and all that with Chris Hairston, he’s a smart guy and can be a left tackle and play over there and be serviceable for us. Demetrius it remains to be seen. We’re going to try to re-sign him. He’s up.”

Follow up question: Will those two options keep you from seeking a better option there?

“We’re going to draft a tackle if we can. If there’s one there is what I mean. If there’s one there that we think can play we’re going to draft a tackle. You can never have too many tackles. You can move a guy, now you can have exceptions to this, but it’s easier to move a guy from tackle to guard than guard to tackle obviously. So we draft tackles, we’re in pretty good shape at guard and center.”

5 – Chris,

First off great work covering our Buffalo Bills in the offseason. Every year you do a supreme job of getting information to Bills fans all over the nation and for that, thank you. My question is regarding the nature of our first two picks in the upcoming draft. I understand our primary need is to draft a player who can help our pass rush which I couldn’t agree with more. I agree with it so much that i was wondering what is the possibility of the Bills addressing their pass rush needs in both the first AND second round. I have been doing scouting of my own on defensive prospects and have seen Vinny Curry, DE from Marshall showing up on alot of up and coming lists. He is a fine physical specimen who has a whole college career of success (albeit in the FCS) and seems to have a tremendous upside. I think its safe to say if he was in the BCS he would be a first round pick. So Chris what do you think of Vinny and the possibility he last until the Bills second round pick.

Thanks So Much, GO BILLS!
Taylor – Gillespie, IL  

CB: Glad you enjoy our coverage of the team. Thanks for your readership and viewership. Vinny Curry had a good week at the Senior Bowl. He’s a high motor guy with good strength and power. I don’t see him as all that different from Courtney Upshaw in terms of skill set, he just isn’t quite as powerful as Upshaw.

The knock on him is he doesn’t have the elite speed to beat NFL tackles around the corner with regularity so some teams don’t see him as a true RDE. A lot of scouts are projecting him to left end because he’s strong enough to hold up over there and offers enough pass rush ability to be productive down the line.

Some do have concerns that his pass rush repertoire is limited, which is what drops him to a second-round prospect. But if he tests well at the Combine he could move into the top half of round 2 because you know what you’re going to get from him every snap.

Bell to start Sunday

Bills head coach Chan Gailey confirmed that the plan going into Sunday’s game is for Demetrius Bell to start against the Dolphins. But that doesn’t mean that Chris Hairston won’t play Sunday.

“Right now that is the plan, for him to start at left tackle,” said Gailey. “He played well last week and did some good things so we’ll give him a shot.”

In his weekly one-on-one interview with Buffalobills.com, Gailey explained that the reasoning behind the re-insertion of Bell into the lineup is simply based on what provides the team with the best lineup.

“I’m not worried about seeing Chris Hairston and I’m not worried about seeing Demetrius Bell,” said Gailey. ”We think today Demetrius Bell gives us the best chance to win. That’s why he’s playing there. He did a good job against San Diego and is finally healthy and is playing a little better right now. We want to give an opportunity to whoever is playing the best right now. I think Chris will play in the game this week, but Demetrius gets the start.”

Bell to see more time

Last Sunday Demetrius Bell was rotated into the lineup at left tackle replacing rookie Chris Hairston at times. Although the rookie has started the last three games head coach Chan Gailey saw enough good things from Bell that it’s prompted him to play the veteran more this week.

“That was a pleasant surprise, to be honest with you,” said Gailey. ”Demetrius played a lot better than maybe even I had anticipated. He came in and did a good job and I think that he’ll play more, I know he’ll play more next week, Demetrius will.”

Bell got 20 snaps in relief of Hairston last week, and according to Pro Football Focus allowed just one QB pressure. When asked if Bell could start Sunday against the Dolphins Gailey left the door open. 

“I don’t know, we’ll see,” said Gailey. ”Let us see how it goes during the week.”

Bell will see LT snaps Sunday

Chan Gailey said there could be some rotational duty at left tackle this week against the Chargers. Chris Hairston will start, but the plan is to get Demetrius Bell his first playing time since Week 4.

“We’ll see that this week,” said Gailey. ”We’re going to get him in there this week. He’ll be left tackle.”

Just how much action Bell sees is unclear, but it’s obvious the Bills coaching staff wants to do as much information gathering about all their left tackle options heading into the offseason.

Hairston to start at LT

Bills rookie Chris Hairston will make his third career start at left tackle Sunday.

Head coach Chan Gailey confirmed that Hairston would start at left tackle. The rookie has not played in each of the last three games after suffering a high ankle sprain against the Giants in Week 6, but he has been practicing the past two weeks.

He’s been getting all the first team reps at left tackle. Demetrius Bell returned to the practice setting, but has been limited this week.

Day 1 goes well for Bell

OT Demetrius Bell was back practicing for the first time since Week 4 and by his account fared well his first day back in pads.

“It went pretty good,” Bell told Buffalobills.com. “It’s been too long. What was it? Six weeks? Way too long.”

Bell took reps at both left and right tackle as he tries to shake the rust off from a month and a half absence from the practice and game settings.

“Just trying to get an extra rep in here and there wherever I can,” he said.

Head coach Chan Gailey said he would consider getting Bell back in the starting lineup this week, but after such a long layoff indicated that he’d be leaning in favor of Hairston who has practiced fully each of the past two weeks to man left tackle.

Mixed bag on O-line

The offensive line was getting shuffled around at Wednesday’s practice due to an unexpected absence.

Though preparations for Eric Wood were made with Andy Levitre in the pivot, Erik Pears was a surprise non-participant. Fortunately Demetrius Bell was back practicing along with Chris Hairston. For most of the media viewing portion of practice Hairston lined up at left tackle. Bell got work at left and right tackle. And Kraig Urbik saw a lot of work at right tackle during individual positions drills with Colin Brown lined up next to him at right guard.

Hopefully what is keeping Pears sidelined is nothing significant, otherwise the line could have a different player at every line position from opening day.

Levitre likely back at LT

On Wednesday Chris Hairston took his fair share of reps as the starting left tackle, but that changed on Thursday. Hairston was behind Levitre at left tackle in the rotation Thursday. No word if Hairston sustained a setback, but it has head coach Chan Gailey leaning toward starting Levitre on the blind side for the third straight week Sunday.

“If I had to guess right now I’d say that’s probably over 50 percent chance that he’ll play left tackle,” said Gailey of Levitre. ”We’re still holding out hope for Hairston, but I think that’s the way we’ll go at least to start the game.”

Hairston is trying to return from a high ankle sprain suffered in Week 6 against the Giants. He’s practiced fully for two straight days and is not on the team’s injury report. Whether the ankle can handle a full game yet might be the only outstanding issue.

Hairston lining up with 1′s

OL Chris Hairston is looking ready to roll at left tackle this week.

Hairston is working during the individual position portion of practice as the starting left tackle. Its the position he manned after Demetrius Bell went down with a shoulder injury in Week 4. The rookie offensive tackle was dressed for last week’s game, but did not play as he was available only in the event of an emergency (i.e. injury to Andy Levitre).

That extra game day may prove to be a blessing for the Bills this week.

“As much as I wanted to be out there last week, I don’t want to be out there and hurt the team and that was the best decision that we made all together,” Hairston said. ”Being able to take that week and get a little better and every day it’s getting better. So to be able to take that day will help. I’m going to need every bit of help I can going against a guy like this.”

Hairston is referring to DeMarcus Ware, who is second in the league in sacks with 12 in eight games. Hairston has not played in the last two games for the Bills due to a high ankle sprain suffered in Week 6 against the Giants.

Hairston still iffy for Sunday

Chris Hairston was dressed for Sunday’s game against the Jets and could have filled in at left tackle in an emergency situation coming off a high ankle sprain. Fortunately he did not have to play giving him another week to let his ankle heal up. Heading into this week’s game against Dallas head coach Chan Gailey wasn’t sure Hairston would be ready for a full-time starting role at left tackle Sunday.

“That’s still up in the air right now,” he said. ”Let us watch practice on Wednesday and we’ll be better able to determine Wednesday.”

Gailey’s main concern is forcing Levitre to prepare for two different positions for one game if they plug Hairston in at left tackle and he’s not healthy enough to get through an entire game.

“I think Andy hasn’t done a bad job, it’s just whether or not we think Chris can play left tackle and that makes us a stronger team to play Andy at left guard,” Gailey said. ”Or does it make us a stronger team with Chris being a little limited to keep Andy at tackle and keep Rinehart at guard. We’ve just got to make that decision.”

This Sunday would mark a month since Hairston sustained the injury against the Giants.

Bell getting checked out

Bills OT Demetrius Bell hasn’t played since Week 4 at Cincinnati due to a shoulder injury. His latest check up is Monday.

That according to Bell himself, who when asked by the Associated Press how he felt, said he would know more when he met with the doctor late Monday afternoon.

Bell was initially replaced in the lineup by Chris Hairston, but he too succumbed to injury and was not fit to start each of the last three games leaving left guard Andy Levitre to fill the void.

Levitre to start Sunday

As expected Andy Levitre will make his second straight start at left tackle on Sunday against the Jets according to head coach Chan Gailey.

“Yes he’s good to go,” said Gailey. “He practiced again today.”

Levitre missed Wednesday’s practice, but participated on a limited basis Thursday and again on Friday.

The Bills lineman said Thursday that he was pacing himself through the course of the practice week so he could be at his best come Sunday as he’s been dealing with a nagging shoulder problem.

“I’m going to be ready to go,” he said. “I don’t think I’d need a break in the game.”

If for some reason Levitre’s shoulder does give him some trouble in the game coach Gailey said the plan would be to insert Chris Hairston (questionable) into the lineup to give him a break on a series here or there.

Kelsay, Hairston questionable

Both OT Chris Hairston and OLB Chris Kelsay are listed as questionable for Sunday’s game following Friday’s practice. Head coach Chan Gailey had an update on both players.

“Kelsay was limited again (Friday) and he’s probably going to be a game time decision,” said Gailey.

Gailey also said in watching the practice tape from Thursday that Hairston’s play and movement wasn’t as good as he initially thought.

“I think there’s a chance he’ll make it,” said Gailey. “I’m going to go watch today’s practice on film. The plan is still to possibly have him play some.”

Out for Sunday’s game for the Bills are Demetrius Bell, Aaron Williams and Kyle Williams.

Good and bad news for O-line

There’s good and bad news for Buffalo’s O-line here at Wednesday’s practice.

The good news is Chris Hairston is back practicing less than 3 weeks removed from an ankle injury. He appears to be full go, but we’ll get the official report this afternoon.

The bad news is Andy Levitre is not practicing and not in attendance. He did miss a Wednesday practice a couple of weeks ago for a sore knee and returned the next day and played in the game.

Hopefully that is again the case this week.

First flakes put Bills rooks in a panic

With a high of just 42 degrees in Buffalo Thursday, there were a few snow flurries in Western New York prompting widespread panic among the rookies in the Bills locker room.

Aaron Williams, who hails from Texas, was grumbling in the locker room about the snow, offered this anecdote on his twitter account.

Fellow rookie Chris Hairston, a Winston-Salem native, was at a complete loss over the weather.