John from Riverside Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 - When Chris Hairston was drafted I didn't expect much from him this past year......I thought we might have another developmental type that might not stick - But then I got a chance to watch him play.......NASTY mean streak...ability to hit fast moving targets....NATURALLY strong in the upper body. - Had better feet then I thought he was going to have - Legs need work - Weight needs to come down - Rookie But all in all....I saw what I needed to see to believe he could man the LT spot this next year and do it well.....I dont know exactly HOW good he is going to be until I see him at about 15 pounds lighter. But I saw enough to understand why he was playing in place of Bell AND why the bills didn't go out of their way to resign Bell. Please understand this....teams dont let start LT's go in free agency unless they know they have a viable plan B....and Hairston is it. This is not a great draft for tackles....the free agent market is weak....and the bills have made not attempts to look at any other OT's in free agency. Why do you think that is? Because they think they have something in Chris Hairston and I tend to agree with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
San Jose Bills Fan Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 I was pleased with Hairston from his first snap and am very optimistic about his future. However I love that the Bills want to stack talent on this roster and have said that they will draft 2 tackles. That's in contrast to not so long ago when the Bills football guys would have said, "Okay, that position is solid, let's not draft anyone there." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bisonbrigade Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 I really think Hairston has a chance to be a good player. That being said at the least the teams needs some depth and someone to challenge Hairston to push him. If a good OT is on the board that should be a priority. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CSBill Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 - When Chris Hairston was drafted I didn't expect much from him this past year......I thought we might have another developmental type that might not stick - But then I got a chance to watch him play.......NASTY mean streak...ability to hit fast moving targets....NATURALLY strong in the upper body. - Had better feet then I thought he was going to have - Legs need work - Weight needs to come down - Rookie But all in all....I saw what I needed to see to believe he could man the LT spot this next year and do it well.....I dont know exactly HOW good he is going to be until I see him at about 15 pounds lighter. But I saw enough to understand why he was playing in place of Bell AND why the bills didn't go out of their way to resign Bell. Please understand this....teams dont let start LT's go in free agency unless they know they have a viable plan B....and Hairston is it. This is not a great draft for tackles....the free agent market is weak....and the bills have made not attempts to look at any other OT's in free agency. Why do you think that is? Because they think they have something in Chris Hairston and I tend to agree with them. Totally agree, I really don't think they will draft an OT in the first round, I think they are very happy with Hairston and may see him as the LOT of the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-9 Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 OK, but only for a minute. He's got good potential. GO BILLS!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atlbillsfan1975 Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 The only thing that worries me about him is his weight distribution. He seems very top heavy, and has smaller legs. I hope the ankle sprain was just a freak occurence, but think the Bills must add a tackle early(by round 3). Someone that could rotate in with Hairston. And in two years could play RT or move Hairston there. Round 6 or 7 find another project guy that needs a year on the PS, if the draft fals that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KOKBILLS Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 - When Chris Hairston was drafted I didn't expect much from him this past year......I thought we might have another developmental type that might not stick - But then I got a chance to watch him play.......NASTY mean streak...ability to hit fast moving targets....NATURALLY strong in the upper body. - Had better feet then I thought he was going to have - Legs need work - Weight needs to come down - Rookie But all in all....I saw what I needed to see to believe he could man the LT spot this next year and do it well.....I dont know exactly HOW good he is going to be until I see him at about 15 pounds lighter. But I saw enough to understand why he was playing in place of Bell AND why the bills didn't go out of their way to resign Bell. Please understand this....teams dont let start LT's go in free agency unless they know they have a viable plan B....and Hairston is it. This is not a great draft for tackles....the free agent market is weak....and the bills have made not attempts to look at any other OT's in free agency. Why do you think that is? Because they think they have something in Chris Hairston and I tend to agree with them. Totally agree John...And I think The Bills do as well... The Kid had no off season, no mini-camps, he gets dinged in training camp, and ends up starting 7 Games as a 4th Round Rookie! And he more than held his own... I hope Chris is watching every one of these mindless Mock Draft "experts" while they predict The Bills will take the guy who is supposedly going to beat him out this coming season...I really hope he gets just a little extra motivation from this...Not that he needs it...Because I don't think anyone the Bills can Draft at #10 has a chance to beat Hairston out in 2012... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Best Player Available Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 Hairston has potential to be a dominate RIGHT tackle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillnutinHouston Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 However I love that the Bills want to stack talent on this roster and have said that they will draft 2 tackles. I must have missed them say they "will draft 2 tackles". Who said it, when, got link? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turftoe Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 (edited) This thread would have a totally different feel if Bell had been re-signed. We would all be saying what a good move it was and that Hairston wasn't ready to to be the guy. The Bills wanted Bell back, just not at the $$ he was demanding. If he gets hurt, (a likely possiblity)then the Bills will look good for not paying. If he stays healthy and holds down the fort until Peters returns, the Eagles will look like geniuses. I was hoping we wouldn't have to go OT with our first pick but that looks like a given now. Edited April 6, 2012 by turftoe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biggerdaddynj Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 Recently realized that Buddy has confidence in Hairston and in Buddy I trust! With our resignings and free agent signings, I am excited about our upcoming BPA draft and, most importantly, the upcoming season! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPS Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 I can't find a link, but I remember Nix or Gailey saying Hairston was "okay" and saying he needs to be more consistent. The Bills either need a starter or need depth. I can't remember the last time we had just 2 OTs play in one year. The Bills have NO plan B at this point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FluffHead Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 Ok, you guys have definitely been discussing Hairston for more than a minute. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sllib olaffub Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 This thread would have a totally different feel if Bell had been re-signed. We would all be saying what a good move it was and that Hairston wasn't ready to to be the guy. The Bills wanted Bell back, just not at the $$ he was demanding. If he gets hurt, (a likely possiblity)then the Bills will look good for not paying. If he stays healthy and holds down the fort until Peters returns, the Eagles will look like geniuses. I was hoping we wouldn't have to go OT with our first pick but that looks like a given now. Sure, the Bills wanted Bell back - because, when he was healthy he didn't suck; in fact, he was pretty good. But, he was never mean, or nasty, or anything but an athletic big man who could pass protect well. And, he got hurt A LOT. He wasn't dependable. You just need to be able to count on your O-linemen. Yes, they will get hurt, but you need them playing a lot more than not, otherwise chemistry is never fully developed, and that means a lot more on the O-line than any other place on the field. And, as for Hairston - as was said, the kid came in without much at all for practice and played pretty good. Not only did he show that he belonged on the left side, when he was in there the line had a different feel than it did with Bell. Hairston wasn't just finess. He was powerful, and you could tell with the right conditioning and practice he could be a force, especially with the line together. So, I think the Bills are anxious to see what he can do with a summer of practice, and they are hoping he'll be able to man the position and pick up where he left off. But, as he is young, and they are looking to find a back-up/competition for a very important position, I see them looking to draft someone in the 2-4 rounds to give him competition. All in all, though, if the Bills were worried about going it with him they would have been a lot more active in F.A.; unless they've had their sights on a 1st round LT all along - and, we'll see soon enough about that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Best Player Available Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 I can't find a link, but I remember Nix or Gailey saying Hairston was "okay" and saying he needs to be more consistent. The Bills either need a starter or need depth. I can't remember the last time we had just 2 OTs play in one year. The Bills have NO plan B at this point. I remember that quote as well. I believe the Bills are okay with this situation. They had very little interest in D. Bell if they wanted him back he would be here. So they probably know who they want already. I also believe their not delusional to think the #1 candidate will be there at 10. This is a huge draft and they know it. I'm hoping for three starters out of this draft. The more the merrier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewEra Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 I agree John. I think he could be our Lt of the future. A lot of it depends on Hairston himself. Does he have the dedication and mindset that he wants to become one of the best? If he does, the sky's the limit for him. He needs to add some weight in his legs, but he's pretty nimble and plays nasty at times. That being said, we still need to draft 2 tackles in the draft. Injuries always hit us, and the OL is usually one of the units hit the hardest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBD Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 (edited) I can't find a link, but I remember Nix or Gailey saying Hairston was "okay" and saying he needs to be more consistent. The Bills either need a starter or need depth. I can't remember the last time we had just 2 OTs play in one year. The Bills have NO plan B at this point. 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.” http://blogs.buffalobills.com/2012/03/26/nix-update-on-demetrius-bell/ Wonder how they feel about Sam Young as an RT prospect. Edited April 6, 2012 by Carey Bender Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benderbender Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 They had very little interest in D. Bell if they wanted him back he would be here. I agree. Even though the news line says 5 years at $35 million but it has since come out that the Eagles are only on the hook for one year and can cut him without financial penalty if it doesn't work out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilsner Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 I agree John that Hairston could be our guy. He's shown more promise than most have expected. If he does become our starter at LT this season, we still need a backup LT in the draft now that Bell is gone. I would not want Levitre moving to LT in an emergency. He's just fine at his current position. We do need another LT in the draft to either back up Hairston or compete with him. Said LT does not need to be a 1st round pick either. People say this is a weak draft for LT but gems can always be found and Buddy, Whaley and Co have the instincts to find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsfan89 Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 I think no matter what Buddy has to be shopping for a LT to compete with Hariston. Buddy picked Pears, Urbik, and Reinhart off of the waiver wire. While Hariston himself is a 4th rounder. I think Buddy has to make a play for a LT in the first 4 rounds even just as depth at this point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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