Bleacher Report names Cordy Glenn the Buffalo Bills’ building block
By Ryan Brennan
Bleacher Report recently listed each NFL team’s building block. For the Buffalo Bills, 27-year-old Cordy Glenn was the chosen one.
The Buffalo Bills drafted Cordy Glenn back in 2012 with a second round draft pick (41st overall). He was immediately plugged in at left tackle and has become one of the more consistent pieces on the Bills’ offensive line since joining the team.
What he has proven so far is that he can be relied on in the passing game and has helped lead the blocking for some of the most dynamic rushing attacks in Bills’ history — and that’s saying a lot. Entering his sixth season in the league, it’s quite an accomplishment to still be regarded as a building block.
That’s exactly what Bleacher Report named him, too. In a recent article, Gary Davenport listed one player from each NFL team to be their ‘building block.’ With a roster full of young players that are bound to be dominant pieces for years to come, like Ronald Darby, Shaq Lawson, Reggie Ragland, Tre’Davious White, Sammy Watkins and Adolphus Washington, it was quite surprising to me that Davenport selected Cordy Glenn.
At the same time, it was totally understandable.
In 2015, Cordy Glenn finished the season as Pro Football Focus’ 10th best offensive lineman in the NFL, as well as the fifth-best in pass-blocking. He has also helped block for Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller when they both reached the 800-yard mark in the same season. That’s not to forget the past two seasons, which has seen the Buffalo Bills finish as rushing champions.
He also ranked sixth in left tackles last season.
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He consistently keeps the quarterback safe and rarely allows sacks, which is exactly what you want from a tackle that sees some of the best defensive lineman in the league. Last season, he allowed just a single sack.
Even more exciting is the fact that Glenn will be in Buffalo for quite some time. Just last season he signed a 5-year, $65 million contract extension with the Bills, meaning there’s still four years remaining on his contract. When talking about someone who will be a building block, it’s good to know that he will at least be here long enough to actually build around.
In Bleacher Report’s article, they also mentioned the possibility of Ronald Darby being a building block, but ultimately decided that consistency was key:
"“Given that Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Cordy Glenn is entering his sixth NFL season already, it might be a bit of a stretch to call him “young.” And I considered cornerback Ronald Darby, 23, in this spot. But Darby’s coming off a miserable season, and Glenn’s still only 27, so he got the nod,” wrote Gary Davenport."
The one concern Davenport had with Cordy Glenn was his injury history. Not only did he miss three games in his rookie season with an ankle injury, but he has most recently seen that ankle injury resurface, as well as some foot and back issues. He missed 5 games last season, but did play in all 16 games in 2014 and 2015.
Overall, I’m glad Cordy Glenn calls Buffalo home. Who wouldn’t want one of the best offensive tackles on their team?
As fans, we can expect much of the same from him and the rest of the Buffalo Bills‘ offensive line in 2017. With all five starters returning and another rookie that is starter material being drafted this year, there’s no doubt the Bills will have one of the best offensive lines in the league — again.
I can’t wait for football.
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Where do you think Cordy Glenn will rank in left tackles this season? Leave your thoughts below!