Buffalo Bills Head Coach Doug Marrone experimented with Cordy Glenn at left guard during training camp in 2013, and has already rotated him through that same position in OTAs this year. During last year’s camp, it was evident that Glenn was the team’s most talented and athletic tackle. Considering the depth of the position (or lack thereof) during camp a year ago, Marrone really had no choice but to leave Glenn at the left tackle spot, protecting E.J. Manuel’s blindside. On the right side, 2011 fourth round pick Chris Hairston missed the entire 2013 season, and incumbent starter Erik Pears, who will turn 32 this month, provides limited athletic upside.
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Fast forward less than a year later and the team’s offensive line contains a bevy of new faces. As a former offensive lineman and offensive line coach himself, it should come as no surprise that Marrone and the Bills front office were keen on infusing the offensive line with new talent during the offseason. The Bills gave free agent G/T Chris Williams a 4-year, $13.5 million dollar contract with $5.5m in guaranteed money. Marrone and the offensive staff clearly recognized that bolstering the interior of the line needed to be a priority, as guard play was the weakest area on the front during 2013. The Bills also drafted tackle Cyrus Kouandjio (2nd round), guard Cyril Richardson (5th round), and tackle Seantrel Henderson (7th round) in last month’s draft.
Now that Marrone has the flexibility to experiment with various line combinations, we have already seen him rotate Hairston at left tackle, with Glenn sliding inside to left guard. Although Chris Williams is fully expected to man the starting left guard position once training camp opens, he has not been present at voluntary OTAs. His absence should give Hairston the opportunity to work his way back into playing shape, while also getting valuable first team reps. Hairston was expected to compete for the team’s starting right tackle position a year ago, and has enough talent to push for a starting spot somewhere on the line this year. I also believe the Bills are banking on Kouandjio winning the right tackle spot after using their 2nd round selection on the Alabama product. It is also fair to assume that Chris Williams will be starting at one of the guard positions, considering the dollar investment the Bills have made in him. After projecting the possible starting line combinations, in my opinion, there are really only two that make sense when mandatory minicamp opens on June 17th.
1st Combination
LT – Cordy Glenn
LG – Chris Williams
C – Eric Wood
RG – Kraig Urbik
RT – Cyrus Kouandjio
2nd Combination
LT – Chris Hairston
LG – Cordy Glenn
C – Eric Wood
RG – Chris Williams
RT – Cyrus Kouandjio
I personally like the first combination more, as Glenn’s size and talent are most needed at the premier position of the line. (we know E.J. Manuel would agree) The 2nd combination is generally more athletic, removing Urbik from the starting rotation, but Hairston will need to have an amazing camp to have any chance of unseating Glenn from the starting left tackle spot. Bills fans, what starting offensive line combination do you expect to see when camp opens? And when the season opens?