The Bills drafted Cordy Glenn in the second round to be their left tackle of the future.
Well, that future officially starts now.
Glenn was named the starting left tackle Monday after practice by coach Chan Gailey.
Glenn was the favorite to land the job and was helped by a set of unforeseen circumstances at right tackle.
With usual right tackle Erik Pears hampered by a groin injury, second-year pro Chris Hairston -- who was previously competing with Glenn for the open left tackle job -- has spent more time on the right side in recent weeks. That’s given Glenn more opportunities on the blind side, and he’s shown the coaching staff he’s the right man to open the year at the position.
“It’s just worked out with Erik Pears not getting reps,” Gailey said. “We couldn’t have enough reps for both guys, and Hairston’s had to go play right tackle, and Cordy’s gotten most of the reps at left and has done a good job. So he’ll be the starting left tackle.”
Glenn has good athletic ability and ideal size at left tackle at 6-foot-6 and 345 pounds. Some teams viewed Glenn as a guard heading into the draft, but the Bills have maintained all along that he’s best suited for tackle.
Now, they feel it’s just a matter of getting NFL experience.
“Cordy’s got great ability,” Gailey said. “Ability’s not the issue. It’s just playing time. He needs as much playing time as he can get. I think if he gets playing time he’s got a chance to be a really good football player. He’s not done great against the two good pass rushers he’s faced [in preseason games] but he’s done OK. And I think that we see a great upside with him.”
For more updates on the Bills follow correspondent Mark Ludwiczak on Twitter @CBSSportsNFLBUF and @MarkLud12.
