Hairston will be back this spring

[X-Era]

I've been a fan of the kid. He did a decent job at both LT and RT when he started. If fully healthy, he is a real possibility for us at RT IMO.

http://blogs.buffalobills.com/2014/03/07/fan-friday-3-7/


@C_Hairston75 (https://twitter.com/C_Hairston75) Are you full go this spring? #Bills (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Bills&src=hash)
— Bernie Lomax (@Welborn9) March 4, 2014 (https://twitter.com/Welborn9/statuses/440960557332459520)

@Welborn9 (https://twitter.com/Welborn9) yes
— Chris Hairston (@C_Hairston75) March 4, 2014 (https://twitter.com/C_Hairston75/statuses/440960735900737536)

[DesertFox24]

That is good news. Unlike Zebrie Sanders he did play ok when he played as a rookie.

Hopefully he can push Pears and take the starting spot and if we can get a rookie tackle we can have a decent depth at OT.

I am concerned about Guard and Guard depth.

[jdaltroy5]

I think he ideal for the swing tackle role.

I'd love to get a big mauler in the first round this year.

[X-Era]

That is good news. Unlike Zebrie Sanders he did play ok when he played as a rookie.

Hopefully he can push Pears and take the starting spot and if we can get a rookie tackle we can have a decent depth at OT.

I am concerned about Guard and Guard depth.I'm high on Asamoah, Shwartz, and Zane Beadles. Hopefully we get one of those guys and a draftee to boost the line.

Add in a OT draftee and with Hairston back we could have a deeper and better group overall.

[X-Era]

I think he ideal for the swing tackle role.

I'd love to get a big mauler in the first round this year.There is a reason he's a swing tackle... He has borderline LT feet IMO. That adds to his abilities at RT. And considering the solid play when he started at OT, I think he's a legit option as a starting RT. Again, provided he's all the way back.

But if he does end up just as our primary backup and swing tackle we just added to our depth pretty significantly.

[swiper]

There is a reason he's a swing tackle... He has borderline LT feet IMO. That adds to his abilities at RT. And considering the solid play when he started at OT, I think he's a legit option as a starting RT. Again, provided he's all the way back.

But if he does end up just as our primary backup and swing tackle we just added to our depth pretty significantly.

I like him too, but I think you are over-selling just a wee little bit. He lost out the RT battle to Pears during Gailey's tenure as I recall.

At the very least, he's a very competent back-up at either tackle spot and I'm happy to have him back.

[Fixxxer]

not expecting much from him, I hope they still bring competition. The guy from the Jets, Howard is FA, it will be interesting to see what kind of money he is after.

[jimmifli]

I don't trust him as the only option at RT. He could be good, but he could be on the shelf again.

Add a FA or 1st-2nd round pick and may the best man win. With the injury rate today, the 3rd tackle and 4th interior lineman are practically starters anyways.

[stuckincincy]

I don't trust him as the only option at RT. He could be good, but he could be on the shelf again.

Add a FA or 1st-2nd round pick and may the best man win. With the injury rate today, the 3rd tackle and 4th interior lineman are practically starters anyways.

Astute observation...

[X-Era]

I like him too, but I think you are over-selling just a wee little bit. He lost out the RT battle to Pears during Gailey's tenure as I recall.

At the very least, he's a very competent back-up at either tackle spot and I'm happy to have him back.Not exactly the way I remember it. He started at LT when Bell went down in 2011 as a rookie and by 12/12 we were #1 in the league for least sacks given up. In 2012 he started at both LT and RT during the year. He rotated with Pears early on. He was set to battle Pears for the starting RT job before the injury this past off-season. But in 2 seasons Hairston developed more than Pears did in his 5 prior. I like the looks of that upward trend.

http://blogs.buffalonews.com/press-coverage/2013/08/erik-pears-nails-down-starting-right-tackle-job.html?ref=brp

[coastal]

Another borderline starter bills fans are rationalizing into a starter.

he's a stud doncha know!

we can now draft a DB in the 1st!

[X-Era]

Another borderline starter bills fans are rationalizing into a starter.

he's a stud doncha know!

we can now draft a DB in the 1st!Weak man. If healthy I think he's got a chance to earn the starting job. As with any position if we draft or sign someone better than the best man should start.

[Yasgur's Farm]

I like him too, but I think you are over-selling just a wee little bit. He lost out the RT battle to Pears during Gailey's tenure as I recall.

At the very least, he's a very competent back-up at either tackle spot and I'm happy to have him back. The only time he wasn't starting at RT was when he had to fill in at LT... Or was injured.
PRO
Drafted in the fourth-round (122nd overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft… joins former Clemson teammate RB C.J. Spiller (2010, 1st round) as back-to-back Tigers selected by Buffalo
2012
• At NYJ (9/9), saw time at right tackle and helped block for a rushing attack that amassed 195 yards, including a career-high 169 yards by RB C.J. Spiller ... offense did not allow a sack ... also played on special teams
• vs. KC (9/16), saw time at right tackle and helped block for a rushing attack that gained 201 yards and offense did not allow a sack for the second straight week
• at Cle. (9/23), saw action on offense and special teams part of an offensive attack that accounted for 344 yards, including 138 rushing... offense has surrendered just one sack this season, came on a fumble by QB R. Fitzpatrick when the ball slipped out of his hand and he wasn’t touched by a defender
• vs. NE (9/30), part of an offense that produced 438 yards of offense... replaced injured LT Cordy Glenn in the third quarter
• at SF (10/7), Started at left tackle ... part of an offensive line that only allowed one sack throughout the contest • at Ari. (10/14), started at left tackle and helped pave the way for 165 yards on the ground
• vs. Ten. (10/21), made his third straight start at left tackle and helped lead a rushing attack that amassed 166 yards
• at Hou. (11/4), started at right tackle and helped offense produced 308 yards of total offense
• at NE (11/11), started at right tackle... part of an offense that produced season bests of 481 total yards and a time of possession of 33:50
• vs. Mia. (11/15), started at right tackle, part of an offense that produced 120 yards on the ground
• at Ind. (11/25): started at right tackle, part of an offense that produced a 100-yard rusher (C.J. Spiller - 107) and a 100-yard receiver (Stevie Johnson - 106) for the first time since 11/21/10 at Cin. (F. Jackson - 116 rush, Stevie Johnson - 137 rec.)
• vs. Jac. (12/2), started at right tackle, part of an offense that produced 232 rushing yards and did not give up a sack ... left the game in the third quarter and did not return
Placed on Injured Reserve on December 6, 2012
2011
• At KC (9/11): entered the game in the fourth quarter taking snaps at LT and RT
• Saw action on special teams units vs. OAK (9/18)
• Vs. NE (9/25): saw action on special teams
• at CIN (10/2): filled in at LT after starter Demetrius Bell left the game with an injury in the fourth quarter
• vs. PHI (10/9): made his first career start at LT and helped block for rushing attack that tallied 143 yards ...held the then-NFL leading sack defense to one sack
• at NYG (10/16): made his second career start at LT and helped block for a rushing attack that tallied 155 yards before leaving the game in the 4th quarter with an ankle injury
• vs. WAS (10/30): inactive with an injury
• vs. NYJ (11/6) and at DAL (11/13): active, but did not play
• at MIA (11/20): started at LT
• at NYJ (11/27): started at LT
• vs. TEN (12/4): started at LT
• at SD (12/11): started at LT ... part of offense that has allowed a league-best 17 sacks this season
• vs. MIA (12/18): saw action at LT
• vs. DEN (12/24): saw action at LT for an injured Demetrius Bell
• at NE (1/1): started at LT ... part of offense that allowed a league-best 23 sacks this season and ranked fifth in the NFL with a 4.9 yards per rush

[Night Train]

He's a risk not even to play. His word ? I'm rooting for the guy but OT is not faith. Draft or sign a good one.

[tampabay25690]

I've been a fan of the kid. He did a decent job at both LT and RT when he started. If fully healthy, he is a real possibility for us at RT IMO.

http://blogs.buffalobills.com/2014/03/07/fan-friday-3-7/


@C_Hairston75 (https://twitter.com/C_Hairston75) Are you full go this spring? #Bills (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Bills&src=hash)
— Bernie Lomax (@Welborn9) March 4, 2014 (https://twitter.com/Welborn9/statuses/440960557332459520)

@Welborn9 (https://twitter.com/Welborn9) yes
— Chris Hairston (@C_Hairston75) March 4, 2014 (https://twitter.com/C_Hairston75/statuses/440960735900737536)





That's funny I tweeted him yesterday as well!!!

[YardRat]

If the chips fall right, I really think oline can be a strength this season...the kind of turnaround the defense had last year.

[Goobylal]

If he can return, that would make just LG the only need on the OL. But can he be counted on to start at RT is the real question.

[YardRat]

I certainly wouldn't plan on plugging him in as starter, but competing for a spot on the roster, as a swing back-up, is a plus if he can stay healthy and improve.

[Spiderweb]

I certainly wouldn't plan on plugging him in as starter, but competing for a spot on the roster, as a swing back-up, is a plus if he can stay healthy and improve.

This.... Hairston showed promise but coming off a year long medical issue that landed him on IR without taking a snap, is still very concerning. I hope he is ready to play again, I hope he does well, and so you have it, all we can do is "hope". Let's let him play again, and perform well before we anoint him Pears replacement. I "hope" he does just that, but in the mean time, real plans and actions need to be made to upgrade our o-line.

[John Doe]

Does anyone know exactly what Hairston's "non-football related" injury was?

[Goobylal]

Does anyone know exactly what Hairston's "non-football related" injury was?
Good question. I thought it was a back injury but apparently it was never identified.